ESA   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
Payload • Elizabeth Howell

SpaceX tasked to fly ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover by late-2028 as US FY2027 NASA budget request flags possible Mars cuts

SpaceX has been assigned the job of launching ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover as soon as late-2028, reportedly for $175.7M. However, the White House’s FY2027 NASA budget request indicates potential cancellation of NASA’s participation in the broader Mars mission, leaving downstream roles and program continuity uncertain.

2026-04-19T19:56:04.984050-07:00
Blue Origin   Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 Declared Total Loss After Too-Low New Glenn 3 Drop-Off

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Satellite direct-to-device startup AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite will be deorbited following its release into unsurvivable low orbit following an anomaly on Blue Origin’s New Glenn 3 mission upper stage, AST said Nov.

Also: NASA Spaceflight and newspaceeconomy.ca
2026-04-19T11:55:54.993918-07:00
Space Force   ULA   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force weighs Vulcan flights without solid boosters

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is exploring whether it can resume flights of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket without using the solid rocket boosters now under investigation, a workaround that could allow some missions to proceed even as the vehicle remains grounded for national security launches.

2026-04-19T11:04:27.649286-07:00
Satellite   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Rhea Space Activity raises $6 million to develop GPS-free spacecraft navigation

By SpaceNews.com: hea Space Activity WASHINGTON — Rhea Space Activity, a Washington, D.C.-based space technology startup, has raised $6 million in a Series A funding round to advance navigation software designed to operate without GPS, the company said.

2026-04-19T04:04:27.650723-07:00
Event   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Spaceflight Now • Stephen Clark

SpaceX to attempt 600th Falcon booster landing amid West Coast Starlink mission

By Spaceflight Now: SpaceX is positioned to complete its 600th Falcon booster landing during a Starlink mission now planned for Sunday morning. The Falcon 9 rocket will fly on a south-southwesterly trajectory upon departure from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

2026-04-17T23:59:22.130000-07:00