Space Force   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Firefly sets late-summer debut for Alpha Block 2 while SciTec wins Space Force OTA for Golden Dome interceptors

Firefly Aerospace plans to fly its first upgraded Alpha Block 2 rocket late this summer, citing strong demand for the launch vehicle. Separately, Firefly subsidiary SciTec received a U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement for the space-based missile defense “Golden Dome” interceptors.

Also: Seeking Alpha, GlobeNewswire and fireflyspace.com
2026-05-04T18:30:33.232070-07:00
Museums   Supply Chain   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Lockheed Martin Joins Seagate Space and Firefly Aerospace to Develop Sea-Based Launch

By Via Satellite: Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager of Strategic and Missile Defense Systems for Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement it builds on Lockheed’s “legacy in missile defense, targets and counter‑measures.”.

Also: defence-blog.com, Spaceflight Now and satnews.com
2026-05-04T14:04:28.560841-07:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
NASA Spaceflight • John Sharp

Launch Preview: three launches — a calm before the storm?

By NASA Spaceflight: Two Falcon 9 launches and a Chang Zheng 7 make up the launch roster for the week commencing Monday, May 4, 2026. SpaceX will use its launches to place a further 48 Starlink satellites into Group 17 of the huge constellation of over 7,000 satellites.

2026-05-04T12:07:53.549383-07:00
Hydrogen   Moon   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Interlune wins NASA contract for helium-3 extraction payload

By SpaceNews.com: Interlune, a startup with plans to harvest helium-3 from the moon, has won a NASA contract to develop a payload to test ways to extract it from regolith.

Also: GeekWire and 3 more
2026-05-04T08:03:40.645846-07:00
Satellite   AI   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Space Debris & Traffic Management  
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Pixxel pushes into orbital data centers for faster geospatial intelligence

By SpaceNews.com: Indian hyperspectral imaging startup Pixxel plans to test orbital data center technology on a pathfinder satellite designed to deliver geospatial intelligence directly from space.

2026-05-04T09:57:51.816761-07:00
Satellite   Aerial Firefighting   Europe   Commercial Space   Sustainability & Climate Initiatives  
SpaceNews.com • Emma Gatti

OroraTech deploys wildfire constellation for Greece

By SpaceNews.com: KRAKOW — Four OroraTech satellites that are part of the Hellenic Fire System launched and deployed on May 3, the Munich-based company announced.

2026-05-04T06:50:40.398431-07:00