Space Force   Leadership   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

Jim Bridenstine becomes CEO of Quantum Space as company targets maneuverable spacecraft for U.S. military and commercial mission

Former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine has taken over as CEO of Quantum Space, which is developing maneuverable spacecraft aimed at serving both U.S. national-security needs and commercial operators. Bridenstine said the role brings him back to defense and opens a path toward future Space Force operations in cislunar space.

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Quantum Space hires Bridenstine as CEO

Also: Space.com and Payload
2026-05-05T06:55:48.756540-07:00
Event   Europe   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Ireland and Malta sign the Artemis Accords

By SpaceNews.com: Two European countries signed the Artemis Accords May 4 as part of a surge of countries joining in the wake of the Artemis 2 mission.

Also: state.gov
2026-05-05T04:26:49.100609-07:00
Blue Origin   AI   Moon   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
Space.com • Andrew Jones

NASA wants to land astronauts on the moon in 2028. Will SpaceX's Starship or Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander be ready in time?

By Space.com: After Artemis 2, NASA's moon return hinges on two unproven commercial landers, each of which faces major technical and timeline challenges.

Also: Scientific American, dailygalaxy.com and spacewar.com
2026-05-05T03:51:16.136752-07:00
Satellite   Europe   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Planet Launches Three High-Resolution Pelican Satellites Including one for the Swedish Armed Forces

By SpaceWatch Global: Planet Labs has launched three new Pelican satellites, one of which is the first satellite to orbit for the Swedish Armed Forces (SwAF).

2026-05-05T02:07:18.245195-07:00
eVTOL   Viasat   Satellite   AI   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Aviation Week • Bill Carey

L2 Aviation To Support AAM Satcom Installs

By Aviation Week: Viasat has announced that avionics engineering house L2 Aviation has joined its Velaris service offering for sat connectivity with AAM and eVTOLs.

2026-05-04T18:10:21.267681-07:00