Space News

Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Sonia Sirletti

Intesa Sanpaolo’s SpaceX stake valued at nearly $1 billion at end of June

Intesa Sanpaolo disclosed for the first time that it held approximately $966 million in SpaceX shares at the end of June, according to a regulatory filing. The disclosure provides a rare view into the Italian bank’s exposure to one of the commercial space industry’s most valuable private companies.

2 Sources

2026-08-18T04:36:02.977729-07:00

Satellite AI Space Debris & Traffic Management

NEW

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

By Payload: Slingshot Aerospace announced it is adding new capabilities to its Portal platform to help operators better monitor that crowded environment.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:51:11.904124-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The National Reconnaissance Office has awarded HawkEye 360 a new contract to provide commercial radio-frequency intelligence, moving the company from a multiyear evaluation program into operational support for U.S.

SpaceWatch Africa

Globalstar Confirms Successful Launch of All 8 HIBLEO-4 Replacement Satellites

SpaceWatch Africa

Eutelsat to play central role in delivering the next phase of Europe’s sovereign IRIS² connectivity infrastructure

Also: Seeking Alpha and 3 more

7 Sources

2026-08-18T02:15:37.146400-07:00

Satellite Africa Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

By SpaceWatch Global: Airtel Africa, in collaboration with Starlink, has launched commercial operations of a satellite-to-mobile service in the DRC.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:53:14.447961-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space Policy & Regulation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

By European Spaceflight: Starlink has reversed a decision to restrict roaming for Polish customers. The dispute included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:05:09.868159-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceWatch Global • K.-P. Ludwig

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

By SpaceWatch Global: SPRIND and SWE 2040 reveal competing visions for Europe in space: technological sovereignty on one side, military interoperability on the other.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:21:40.761055-07:00

Europe ESA Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

Space.com • Mike Wall

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

By Space.com: On Aug. 18, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot will become the first French woman ever to perform a spacewalk, and you can watch the historic action live.

Also: Economic Times and lemonde.fr

3 Sources

2026-08-17T21:20:10.264488-07:00

Space Force Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

Wall Street Journal • Shelby Holliday

How Space Force Is Fighting Wars Today–and Preparing for the Future

By Wall Street Journal: The U.S. Space Force uses space to fight wars on Earth. Now, it’s preparing for a future in which wars could be fought in space. WSJ’s Shelby Holliday spoke with Gen.

1 Source

2026-08-17T21:06:14.326359-07:00

Intesa Sanpaolo’s SpaceX stake valued at nearly $1 billion at end of June

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

Globalstar Confirms Successful Launch of All 8 HIBLEO-4 Replacement Satellites

Eutelsat to play central role in delivering the next phase of Europe’s sovereign IRIS² connectivity infrastructure

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

How Space Force Is Fighting Wars Today–and Preparing for the Future

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

Intesa’s SpaceX Stake Worth Almost $1 Billion at End of June

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

Launch Preview: Chang’e 7 headlines week of Chinese and Starlink launches

NASA's SkyFall Mars Helicopters Will Feature a Revolutionary Antenna Design

New EU sanctions target leaders of Russia’s space industry

HEO to use Planet satellites for non-Earth imaging

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Blue Origin plans second Cape Canaveral launch complex for New Glenn 9×4

Emirates SkyCargo Moves UAE’s First AI Satellite From Dubai to Los Angeles

AST SpaceMobile wins temporary FCC authority to test satellite connectivity in the 800 MHz band

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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