Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

White House space transportation policy targets a sharp increase in launch and reentry rates

The White House released a new space transportation policy on Aug. 20 focused on enabling substantially more launches and reentries. The policy signals a federal priority to expand space transportation capacity and support higher operational tempo across the launch sector.

1 Source

2026-08-20T16:40:40.993658-07:00

ArianeGroup Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Europe cancels planned upgrades for Ariane 6 rocket

By Ars Technica: Arianespace hasn’t publicly disclosed the cost for an Ariane 6 launch.

1 Source

2026-08-20T14:50:02.232696-07:00

Satellite M&A Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Rocket Lab’s Bold Move to Acquire Iridium: Analysts Break Down the Strategy

By Via Satellite: 2026 continues to be a seismic year for news in the satellite sector. On June 29, in one of the biggest, and maybe even surprising stories of the year, Rocket Lab announced a deal to acquire Iridium and take huge leap forward in terms of building a next-generation space company.

1 Source

2026-08-20T13:35:57.499118-07:00

Satellite M&A Commercial Space

NEW

Bloomberg • Kelcee Griffis, Michelle F Davis, Reshmi Basu

SpaceX, AST Said Seeking to Buy Spectrum Valued at $6 Billion

By Bloomberg: SpaceX and AST Spacemobile Inc. are among the companies that have expressed interest in acquiring a swath of spectrum held by Grain Management LLC that’s valuable for providing wireless phone services directly from space, according to people familiar with the discussions.

1 Source

2026-08-20T16:35:38.540100-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX will try for 1st Starship tower catch 'in a few months,' Elon Musk says

By Space.com: SpaceX will likely try to make the first-ever catch of its Starship upper stage a few months from now, according to Elon Musk. He had earlier flagged late August as a potential date for the milestone.

1 Source

2026-08-20T13:32:33.743972-07:00

Satellite LEO Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Sypris Electronics Wins Manufacturing Deal to Support LEO Constellation

By Via Satellite: Sypris Electronics has won a major new contract to support an unnamed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. The company manufacture power processing units for an unnamed, next-generation satellite constellation.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-08-20T14:06:57.193478-07:00

Leadership Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Phantom Space Names Worth Wray as COO

By Via Satellite: Phantom Space has appointed Worth Wray as chief operating officer with responsibility for day-to-day operations, operational efficiency, capital formation, and scaling business processes, as the company works to ramp up production and establish launch cadence.

1 Source

2026-08-20T13:35:59.382562-07:00

AI Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Drew Fitzgerald, Micah Maidenberg

SpaceX Is Racking Up Wins in Washington

By Wall Street Journal: SpaceX SPCX -4.05%decrease; down pointing triangle has had a bumpy ride on Wall Street, but in Washington, Elon Musk’s space-and-artificial intelligence company has been racking up big wins.

Also: Seeking Alpha

2 Sources

2026-08-20T10:51:30.317803-07:00

White House space transportation policy targets a sharp increase in launch and reentry rates

Europe cancels planned upgrades for Ariane 6 rocket

Rocket Lab’s Bold Move to Acquire Iridium: Analysts Break Down the Strategy

SpaceX, AST Said Seeking to Buy Spectrum Valued at $6 Billion

SpaceX will try for 1st Starship tower catch 'in a few months,' Elon Musk says

Sypris Electronics Wins Manufacturing Deal to Support LEO Constellation

Phantom Space Names Worth Wray as COO

SpaceX Is Racking Up Wins in Washington

New space transportation policy focuses on increased launch rates

SpaceX, AST Said Seeking to Buy Spectrum Valued at $6 Billion

Europe cancels planned upgrades for Ariane 6 rocket

Sypris Electronics Wins Manufacturing Deal to Support LEO Constellation

Phantom Space Names Worth Wray as COO

Rocket Lab’s Bold Move to Acquire Iridium: Analysts Break Down the Strategy

Invited media, military members held at gunpoint by Space Force security

ESA Confirms Ariane 6 Block 3 Upgrades Have Been Shelved

China's Chang'e-7 lunar ice-hunting mission set for Sunday launch

Portal Books Dedicated Falcon 9 Amid Constrained Launch Market

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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