Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Josh Dinner

SpaceX recovers Starship after 24-day Indian Ocean voyage, reaches Christmas Island

SpaceX recovery teams have brought Starship through a turbulent 24-day tow across the Indian Ocean to calmer waters off Christmas Island, following last month’s test launch and splashdown. The recovery marks the vehicle’s movement from open-ocean operations toward a more controlled inspection phase.

1 Source

2026-08-18T10:33:39.958398-07:00

Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management Defense Policy

NEW

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

DoD expands dual-use research into satellite debris removal and counterspace capabilities

By Breaking Defense: The stated goal is to clean out obsolete satellites, though the capabilities could also be used in weapons that move a target bird to an orbit where it no longer can perform its function, disable it in some manner or simply smash it.

1 Source

2026-08-18T10:35:00.136120-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

Watch SpaceX launch its 100th mission of the year tonight

By Space.com: SpaceX will launch its 100th mission of the year tonight (Aug. 18), and you can watch the action live.

1 Source

2026-08-18T09:05:08.164694-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

New York Times • Kenneth Chang

How NASA Engineers Are Keeping the Voyagers Alive

By New York Times: A reworking of the spacecraft’s power systems could extend the nearly 50-year-old Voyagers’ exploration of interstellar space into the early 2030s.

1 Source

2026-08-18T08:06:23.469981-07:00

Satellite AI Space Debris & Traffic Management

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 Viasat Satellite Honeywell Europe LEO 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 6 more

11 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

Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Sonia Sirletti

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

By Bloomberg: Intesa Sanpaolo SpA owned about $966 million in SpaceX shares at the end of June, according to a regulatory filing detailing the holding for the first time.

2 Sources

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

SpaceX recovers Starship after 24-day Indian Ocean voyage, reaches Christmas Island

DoD expands dual-use research into satellite debris removal and counterspace capabilities

Watch SpaceX launch its 100th mission of the year tonight

How NASA Engineers Are Keeping the Voyagers Alive

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

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

DoD expands dual-use research into satellite debris removal and counterspace capabilities

SpaceX Recovers Starship After 24-Day Ocean Voyage, Reaches Christmas Island

Watch SpaceX launch its 100th mission of the year tonight

How NASA Engineers Are Keeping the Voyagers Alive

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

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

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

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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