SpaceNews.comJeff Foust

Botswana signs the Artemis Accords, joining NASA’s framework for responsible lunar exploration

Botswana has signed the Artemis Accords, committing to the NASA-led set of principles and best practices for responsible space exploration. The move adds another African state to the growing Artemis partnership ecosystem, reinforcing the Accords’ push for transparent and peaceful use of outer space.

2026-06-25T13:56:25.748717-07:00
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Breaking DefenseTheresa Hitchens

China dumping more rocket bodies in space, endangering low Earth orbit satellites: Report

By Breaking Defense: Three Chinese rocket bodies have exploded over the last four years, creating dangerous debris that "will linger for decades to centuries, potentially colliding with other space objects," LeoLabs study author Darren McKnight told Breaking Defense.

2026-06-25T13:56:05.299208-07:00
ReutersJoey Roulette

SpaceX plans to build 'Starpipe' natural gas pipeline to fuel Starship rockets

By Reuters: SpaceX plans to begin next month building an eight‑mile (13-km) natural gas pipeline called "Starpipe" to its Texas launch facilities, according to county filings, as Elon ​Musk’s company seeks to ramp up launches of its next‑generation Starship rocket.

2026-06-25T12:25:02.555736-07:00
SpaceNews.comDebra Werner, Emma Gatti

Small satellite operators confront a bottleneck to space access

By SpaceNews.com: For years, small satellite manufacturers have built their business plans around the idea that SpaceX could launch their payload to space. Through its Falcon 9 Transporter and Bandwagon rideshare missions, SpaceX offered frequent, reliable and inexpensive transportation to sun-synchronous and mid-inclination orbits.

2026-06-25T09:11:27.788949-07:00
SpaceNews.comSandra Erwin

House Appropriations Committee approves $55.5 billion for U.S. Space Force

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The House Appropriations Committee on June 24 advanced a fiscal 2027 defense appropriations bill providing $1.07 trillion for the Pentagon, a $234 billion increase over enacted 2026 funding.

2026-06-25T04:40:33.630341-07:00