Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
CNBC • Lora Kolodny

SpaceX’s Starship V3 pre-IPO test: mock satellite deployment succeeds; Super Heavy booster breakup after spin-out over Gulf of M

SpaceX conducted an upgraded Starship test flight deploying mock satellites, with the spacecraft returning to Earth largely unscathed. The launch marked the first test of the revised “V3” configuration following earlier Texas attempts. The Super Heavy booster spun out of control and broke up over the Gulf of Mexico.

2026-05-22T15:11:29.205994-07:00
Viasat   Satellite   Space Force   Space Defense & Militarization  
NEW
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards Viasat, SES $437 million for military satellite network

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded satellite operators Viasat and SES contracts worth a combined $437.6 million to build communications satellites for a new military network designed to withstand jamming and cyber attacks.

Also: Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and insidedefense.com
2026-05-22T16:31:01.439487-07:00
Satellite   Policy & Regulation  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Canada, Costa Rica, GSMA struggle with how to regulate D2D using satellite spectrum and avoid 'Wild West' scenario

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — Telecom regulators in Canada and Costa Rica, whose territories include large areas uncovered by terrestrial cellular, said they are grappling with satellite direct-to-device (D2D) service using mobile satellite (MSS) spectrum and how to enforce regulatory compliance by these services.

2026-05-22T12:40:32.605961-07:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
NASA • Cheryl Warner

NASA to Compete Contract for Jet Propulsion Laboratory Management

By NASA: NASA announced plans Friday to compete the next contract for managing and operating the agency’s federally funded research and development center (FFRDC) in Southern California at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), to ensure continued accountability and strong value for U.S.

Also: Space.com, nasawatch.com and nasawatch.com
2026-05-22T08:05:08.321587-07:00