ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

CNES selects Sirius Space Services for vacant slot at Guiana Space Centre’s future multi-user commercial launch facility

CNES has chosen Sirius Space Services to fill a vacancy at the Guiana Space Centre’s future multi-user commercial launch facility, taking the last available site on the former Diamant launch pad in French Guiana after MaiaSpace exited the position. The decision highlights CNES’s continued effort to sustain European small-launch activity at Kourou.

2026-06-18T04:21:45.050880-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Quantum Space wins Pentagon contract to develop orbital refueling spacecraft

By SpaceNews.com: Illustration of Quantum Space's Ranger vehicle WASHINGTON — Quantum Space has won a Pentagon contract to develop a spacecraft capable of transferring propellant to satellites in geostationary orbit.

Also: defence-blog.com

2026-06-18T04:35:14.060153-07:00

Satellite Africa

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Democratic Republic of Congo Set to Acquire 'RDC-SAT' Earth Observation Satellite from SPACEBEL

By SpaceWatch Global: SPACEBEL has signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo to supply RDC-SAT, an Earth observation satellite for independent monitoring of its territory, borders, and environment.

2026-06-18T02:21:46.730565-07:00

Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

SpaceWatch Global • Judith Delany

#SpaceWatchGl Opinion: Can 30 People and the Vienna Spirit Carry the Future of Space?

By SpaceWatch Global: As satellites multiply, geopolitical tensions rise, and space governance grows more complex, COPUOS and UNOOSA face mounting pressure to keep international cooperation alive.

2026-06-18T01:19:34.489781-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Eleanor Day

Terran R second stage heads to Stennis as Relativity advances toward 2026 debut

By NASA Spaceflight: Terran R, the heavy-lift vehicle currently being developed by Relativity Space, is reaching significant milestones ahead of a potential debut at the end of 2026.

2026-06-17T15:18:08.527105-07:00

Leadership North America Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Carmen Arroyo

SpaceX Picks Sequoia’s Roelof Botha to Board Days After IPO

By Bloomberg: SpaceX said it had elected Roelof Botha, a long-time Sequoia Capital investor, to join the board as an independent director, less than a week after the Elon Musk-led company’s record-setting initial public offering.

CNBC

SpaceX adds longtime Elon Musk ally Roelof Botha to board

TechCrunch

Roelof Botha joins SpaceX's board of directors

Also: Fortune and Bloomberg Law

2026-06-17T14:34:48.739720-07:00

Mars Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Relativity Space to privately develop Mars orbiter mission

By SpaceNews.com: Relativity Space plans to launch a Mars orbiter in 2028 as part of a new initiative to privately develop planetary missions.

Also: TechCrunch and Yahoo Finance

2026-06-17T14:05:20.853485-07:00

Satellite Supply Chain North America

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Intellian Calls New Production Facility in California a 'Defining Milestone'

By Via Satellite: Intellian Technologies is opening a huge new manufacturing facility in the United States, with CEO Eric Sung calling it “a defining milestone” for the company.

2026-06-17T13:42:59.432006-07:00

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