Space News

Satellite LEO

Space.com • Julian Dossett

Air-breathing electric propulsion could open very low Earth orbit to satellites

A satellite thruster designed to use residual atmospheric particles as propellant could enable sustained operations in very low Earth orbit, where drag has limited spacecraft lifetimes. The technology is approaching a potential test run, offering a new approach to close-in Earth observation and other missions.

1 Source

2026-08-09T07:02:25.748326-07:00

Commercial Space

Wall Street Journal • Tim Higgins

Selling the Dream of SpaceX Was the Easy Part. Now Elon Musk Has to Hang On.

By Wall Street Journal: The IPO was the biggest ever while this week’s volatility underscores the grind ahead.

1 Source

2026-08-08T20:02:02.760673-07:00

Satellite LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)

By Space.com: SpaceX launched another batch of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit today (Aug. 8) from California's scenic central coast.

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX West Coast launch surge continues with Starlink mission

2 Sources

2026-08-08T12:25:37.765600-07:00

ESA Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Northrop Grumman and Canada Repurpose Lunar Gateway Work for Planned Moon Base

By SpaceNews.com: Northrop Grumman and the Canadian Space Agency will adapt what they had been working on for NASA’s lunar Gateway into applications for a planned lunar base.

2 Sources

2026-08-08T11:16:57.289291-07:00

Satellite LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

CNBC • Liz Napolitano

Argus Upgrades SpaceX Shares, Citing Potential Returns From AI Investments

By CNBC: SpaceX could continue to bounce back as investments in artificial intelligence begin to pay off, according to Argus.

Bloomberg

SpaceX Nears IPO Price Again After Staging $327 Billion Rally

Via Satellite

CEO Fallacher Suggests Eutelsat is 'Undervalued' Compared to SpaceX Following 2025-26 Results

Also: CNBC, Reuters, Seeking Alpha, BBC, MarketWatch, Fortune, Economic Times and 17 more

27 Sources

2026-08-07T07:59:59.403094-07:00

Satellite Europe LEO Space Policy & International Cooperation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

IRIS2 Gets Green Light With More Money and More Satellites

By European Spaceflight: Development of Europe’s IRIS2 secure communications service has reached a key milestone, allowing the programme to move forward with implementation.

2 Sources

2026-08-07T23:44:50.488896-07:00

Satellite Europe LEO ESA Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Airbus

Aviation Week • Robert Wall

IRIS² Enters Operational Phase After Review Completed: Eutelsat CEO

By Aviation Week: The European Union’s flagship IRIS² broadband satellite constellation process has passed the so-called Rendezvous One review, allowing the program to progress to its operational phase, Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher says.

Aviation Week

Europe Expands IRIS² As Constellation Gets The Green Light

Aviation24

Belgium's Aerospacelab wins landmark IRIS² contract to help build Europe's sovereign satellite constellation

Also: Breaking Defense, Via Satellite, Bloomberg, Space Intel Report, India Defense News and 6 more

18 Sources

2026-08-07T03:45:35.668869-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NASA Spaceflight • Chris Bergin, Martijn Luinstra

Relativity Space engine integration milestone for Terran-R first stage

By NASA Spaceflight: Relativity Space has marked another significant step forward in the development of its reusable Terran R launch vehicle, with engine integration now underway on the first-stage thrust structure.

1 Source

2026-08-07T14:14:24.898379-07:00

Air-breathing electric propulsion could open very low Earth orbit to satellites

Selling the Dream of SpaceX Was the Easy Part. Now Elon Musk Has to Hang On.

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)

SpaceX West Coast launch surge continues with Starlink mission

Northrop Grumman and Canada Repurpose Lunar Gateway Work for Planned Moon Base

Argus Upgrades SpaceX Shares, Citing Potential Returns From AI Investments

SpaceX Nears IPO Price Again After Staging $327 Billion Rally

CEO Fallacher Suggests Eutelsat is 'Undervalued' Compared to SpaceX Following 2025-26 Results

IRIS2 Gets Green Light With More Money and More Satellites

IRIS² Enters Operational Phase After Review Completed: Eutelsat CEO

Europe Expands IRIS² As Constellation Gets The Green Light

Belgium's Aerospacelab wins landmark IRIS² contract to help build Europe's sovereign satellite constellation

Relativity Space engine integration milestone for Terran-R first stage

Exploring 'very low Earth orbit': The world's 1st air-breathing satellite thruster could soon get a test run

Selling the Dream of SpaceX Was the Easy Part. Now Elon Musk Has to Hang On.

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites to orbit from California (video)

Northrop Grumman and Canada Repurpose Lunar Gateway Work for Planned Moon Base

IRIS2 Gets Green Light With More Money and More Satellites

Senate installs new chiefs for U.S. military space acquisition, spy satellites

'Not looking good right now': Starship likely to be lost at sea 2 weeks after epic 13th test flight, Elon Musk says

SpaceX plans robotic factories on the Moon, Elon Musk says

Senate installs new chiefs for U.S. military space acquisition, spy satellites

AST SpaceMobile Expands Direct-to-Device Network With Three New BlueBird Satellites

SpaceX Shares Rally Toward $135 IPO Price After Lock-Up Expiration and First Earnings Report

EU expands IRIS² secure-connectivity constellation, accelerates launch to 2029

IRIS² gets green light with more funding and satellites

NASA astronauts complete 6.5-hour ISS spacewalk to prepare for solar array upgrade

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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ASI Board Resigns to Allow for the Appointment of an Extraordinary Commissioner

Redwire Books Starfall’s First Dedicated Mission

NASA astronauts complete 6.5-hour spacewalk to prepare ISS for solar array upgrade

FCC Space Bureau deputy takes the reins amid licensing overhaul