Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Rocket Lab lands $90M U.S. Space Force contract to design, build and operate first geostationary Heimdall satellites

Rocket Lab says it has won a $90 million U.S. Space Force contract to design, manufacture and operate two geostationary (GEO) Heimdall satellites. The deal marks Rocket Lab’s first geostationary satellite production program and supports Space Systems Command work delivering two Heimdall prototype payloads in orbit for space domain awareness.

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
Space.com • Tariq Malik

This cryptocurrency billionaire will fly SpaceX's 1st private Starship to Mars, but when?

By Space.com: SpaceX says it will launch a private flyby mission to Mars that will be led by cryptocurrency billionaire Chun Wang, but when it will fly is unclear.

Also: Universe Today and cosmiclog.com
2026-05-22T03:09:25.778673-07:00
Moon   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Space Policy & International Cooperation   NASA  
Payload • Elizabeth Howell

Better Moon-Tech Tops NASA Stakeholder Wishlist

By Payload: Two years ago, NASA asked the space community what technical challenges are giving people the biggest headaches to help NASA prioritize its space tech investments.

2026-05-21T16:40:51.212228-07:00
Space Force   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force on path to double active-duty force by 2030

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force plans to add 2,800 active-duty personnel and 2,000 civilian employees in fiscal year 2027 as it looks to nearly double the size of the service by the end of the decade, the service’s top officer told lawmakers this week.

2026-05-21T14:39:51.555638-07:00
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch multiple spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027 for two separate in-space services demonstrations: one to test satellite refueling and another to test whether a servicing vehicle can dock with and maneuver another spacecraft.

Also: Via Satellite
2026-05-20T17:11:06.660970-07:00