Space News

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

NASA • Gerelle Q. Dodson

Trump to award Artemis II crew Congressional Space Medal of Honor on Aug. 28

President Donald Trump will present NASA’s Artemis II astronauts with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor during a ceremony at Johnson Space Center in Houston on Aug. 28. The crew flew around the moon on the Artemis II mission, marking formal national recognition of the expedition.

Also: Space.com, CBS News and Space Policy Online

4 Sources

2026-08-21T10:33:24.316039-07:00

Mars Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Washington Post • Violet Jira

White House space policy directs agencies to send humans to Mars

By Washington Post: A new space transportation policy from the Trump administration calls for a dramatic increase in launches, as well as working with the commercial space industry to send humans to Mars.

Defense Daily

White House Targets Support For 1,000 Launches Per Year by 2030

insidedefense.com

White House directs DOD to pursue 48-hour responsive space launch

Also: Space.com, aia-aerospace.org and insidedefense.com

6 Sources

2026-08-21T11:20:35.639619-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Starcloud Adds $250M to Series A at a $2.3B Valuation

By Via Satellite: Orbital data center startup Starcloud added $250 million to its Series A round just five months after the raise, more than doubling its valuation to $2.3 billion.

1 Source

2026-08-21T11:36:20.959453-07:00

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions

Space.com • Mike Wall

Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos)

By Space.com: Japan recently gave the world a look at the spacecraft of its MMX mission, which will launch on Oct. 19 to grab pieces of the Mars moon Phobos and haul them back to Earth.

1 Source

2026-08-21T11:05:19.742312-07:00

Leadership

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Space Norway Appoints Rune Jensen as Acting CEO With Morten Tengs Departure

By Via Satellite: Space Norway CEO Morten Tengs is stepping down from the role at the end of August, and the company will begin the search for a new permanent CEO.

1 Source

2026-08-21T11:36:19.999418-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Josh Dinner

SpaceX fires up Starship ahead of megarocket’s 1st orbital flight (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX completed a single-engine test-firing of its next Starship spacecraft to prepare for its coming test flight, which will be the first to reach orbit.

NASA Spaceflight

Ship 41 Completes Engine Testing Ahead of Flight 14

2 Sources

2026-08-21T09:13:18.379631-07:00

Satellite LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea (video, photos)

By Space.com: SpaceX launched yet another Starlink mission today (Aug. 21), sending 29 more of the broadband satellites to orbit from Florida's Space Coast.

Also: Spaceflight Now and spacecoastdaily.com

3 Sources

2026-08-21T08:33:21.356932-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

York Space promises rebound in 2027 after 32% drop in 2026 revenue target, says contracts have been delayed, not lost

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Fast-growing space system provider York Space Systems blamed a sudden change in US government contracting policy for space hardware and supply-chain hiccup for the company’s 32% decrease in projected 2026 revenue just three months after reaffirming it.

1 Source

2026-08-21T08:33:16.912212-07:00

Trump to award Artemis II crew Congressional Space Medal of Honor on Aug. 28

White House space policy directs agencies to send humans to Mars

White House Targets Support For 1,000 Launches Per Year by 2030

White House directs DOD to pursue 48-hour responsive space launch

Starcloud Adds $250M to Series A at a $2.3B Valuation

Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos)

Space Norway Appoints Rune Jensen as Acting CEO With Morten Tengs Departure

SpaceX fires up Starship ahead of megarocket’s 1st orbital flight (video)

Ship 41 Completes Engine Testing Ahead of Flight 14

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea (video, photos)

York Space promises rebound in 2027 after 32% drop in 2026 revenue target, says contracts have been delayed, not lost

NASA’s Artemis II Crew Set to Receive Congressional Space Medal of Honor

Starcloud Adds $250M to Series A at a $2.3B Valuation

Space Norway Appoints Rune Jensen as Acting CEO With Morten Tengs Departure

White House space policy directs agencies to send humans to Mars

Japan unveils Mars moon sample-return spacecraft ahead of Oct. 19 launch (photos)

SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites, lands rocket on ship at sea (video, photos)

Taiwan's First Domestic Rocket Test Ends in Mid-flight Termination as the Island Pursues Launch Independence

Landspace aims to refly recovered Zhuque-3 booster within six months

JAXA Sets October Launch for MMX Mars-Region Sample-Return Mission

Rocket Report: SpaceX makes its mark on the Moon; ULA names new boss

LandSpace Recovers Zhuque-3 Booster, Advancing China’s Reusable Orbital Launch Capability

Katalyst Space rescue mission fails, leaving NASA’s Swift observatory on course for reentry

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Completes Second Orbital Flight With First-Stage Landing

NASA releases sharpest images yet of crater formed by SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage on the Moon

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