Space News

Space Force Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force expands national security launch roster with Relativity Space and Impulse Space

The U.S. Space Force is widening the set of companies eligible to compete for national security launch contracts, adding Relativity Space and Impulse Space to its commercial launch provider roster. The move aims to diversify how military satellites reach orbit as competition for future launches expands.

1 Source

2026-07-08T00:58:59.866782-07:00

Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

NEW

Reuters • Kantaro Komiya

With SpaceX Starship, Japan's ispace provides ride-share to the moon

By Reuters: Japanese moon transport company ispace said on Wednesday it would start a new, lower-cost lunar cargo business using the Starship heavy rocket and moon lander developed by Elon ‌Musk's SpaceX .

Also: CNA

2 Sources

2026-07-08T00:59:57.310429-07:00

Satellite LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space Space Debris & Traffic Management

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Austrian Startup Tumbleweed Launches 'Oasis Alpha' Demo Satellite Aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 Mission

By SpaceWatch Global: Tumbleweed has launched its first mission Oasis Alpha, to a Sun-synchronous 590km low Earth orbit, aboard SpaceX's Transporter 17 mission.

2 Sources

2026-07-08T00:14:03.139134-07:00

Supply Chain Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

NEW

SpaceWatch Global

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: The Bottleneck Illusion - Why a Fast Rocket Won't Save Us in a Space Crisis

By SpaceWatch Global: Rapid launch alone will not deliver space resilience. Pietro Guerrieri argues that logistics and ground readiness are the real bottlenecks in responsive space.

1 Source

2026-07-08T01:18:38.191712-07:00

ISS Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

D-Orbit signs launch-services contract with ArkEdge Space

By SpaceNews.com: SAN FRANCISCO – Italian space logistics specialist D-Orbit will provide a series of launches aboard its ION Satellite Carrier for Japanese startup ArkEdge Space, under a contract announced July 8 in Japan.

1 Source

2026-07-07T18:14:47.602721-07:00

Satellite Leadership Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Orbit Fab hires new CEO and raises funding to support satellite refueling business

By SpaceNews.com: With a new chief executive and funding round, satellite refueling company Orbit Fab hopes to make the transition from technology development to operations.

1 Source

2026-07-07T15:58:58.570649-07:00

Event Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

RFA ONE Launch from SaxaVord Set for No Earlier Than 10 August

By European Spaceflight: Rocket Factory Augsburg is preparing to launch the inaugural flight of its RFA ONE rocket from SaxaVord no earlier than 10 August.

2 Sources

2026-07-07T13:04:43.773532-07:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

Universe Today • Evan Gough

Another Success for Hayabusa 2 as it Completes a Flyby of Asteroid Torifune

By Universe Today: JAXA's Hayabusa 2 has completed its flyby of asteroid Torifune. The spacecraft came within about 800 meters of the asteroid's surface.

3 Sources

2026-07-07T13:30:31.124330-07:00

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Space Force expands national security launch roster with Relativity Space and Impulse Space

With SpaceX Starship, Japan's ispace provides ride-share to the moon

Austrian Startup Tumbleweed Launches 'Oasis Alpha' Demo Satellite Aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 Mission

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: The Bottleneck Illusion - Why a Fast Rocket Won't Save Us in a Space Crisis

D-Orbit signs launch-services contract with ArkEdge Space

Orbit Fab hires new CEO and raises funding to support satellite refueling business

RFA ONE Launch from SaxaVord Set for No Earlier Than 10 August

Another Success for Hayabusa 2 as it Completes a Flyby of Asteroid Torifune

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: The Bottleneck Illusion - Why a Fast Rocket Won't Save Us in a Space Crisis

With SpaceX Starship, Japan's ispace provides ride-share to the moon

Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to national security launch program

Austrian Startup Tumbleweed Launches 'Oasis Alpha' Demo Satellite Aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 Mission

D-Orbit signs launch-services contract with ArkEdge Space

Orbit Fab hires new CEO and raises funding to support satellite refueling business

Space Systems Command Awards SES 5-Year Blanket Purchase Agreement

CesiumAstro Files for 737-Satellite Synchronicity Constellation

'That's going to come back and bite us': Former NASA chief questions Artemis moon lander plans

FCC Poised To Advance Sat Licensing Reform

Launch preview: SpaceX Transporter-17 (81 payloads) plus debuts of China’s Long March 10B and Skyroot’s Vikram-I

Iridium completes Aireon acquisition, consolidating satellite ADS‑B surveillance ahead of an $8B Rocket Lab deal

Italy brings IRIDE Earth observation marketplace online for initial government access

Superconducting-magnet space thruster completes first orbital tests, enabling possible “solar-powered” propulsion

Starlink's 2024 Advances: Transforming In-Flight Wi-Fi Connectivity in Aviation

Riyadh Air: Saudi Arabia's New National Carrier Prepares for Launch Amid Regional Competition

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