Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Rocket Lab doubles Neutron manifest to 16 missions as Q3 launch contracts exceed $515 million

Rocket Lab added eight Neutron missions across five constellation operators in a record quarter, bringing the reusable rocket’s manifest to 16 flights even though its debut remains ahead. The contracts total more than $515 million, including launches at a $70 million base price; the company also raised prices for Electron and Neutron amid strong demand.

defence-blog.com • Emily Ryan Miller

U.S. Space Force and ICEYE book Rocket Lab’s unflown Neutron rocket

Seeking Alpha • Preeti Singh

Rocket Lab stock slides despite record backlog, upbeat outlook (RKLB:NASDAQ)

6 Sources

2026-11-10T03:00:38.918094-08:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Kuaizhou to debut reusable Kuaizhou-6 and low-cost Kuaizhou-12 rockets in 2027

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese launch firm Kuaizhou Aerospace plans to conduct first launches of new rockets next year, including a first-stage recovery attempt.

1 Source

2026-11-10T03:35:57.853971-08:00

Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ESCAPADE on its way to Mars after Earth flybys

By SpaceNews.com: Two NASA smallsats are headed toward Mars after completing flybys of Earth nearly a year after their launch.

Space.com

NASA's twin ESCAPADE Mars probes slingshot around Earth in unprecedented double 'gravity assist'

2 Sources

2026-11-10T01:15:52.598913-08:00

Satellite Europe

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Orbital Eye to Monitor Dutch Electricity Transmission Grid Construction from Space

By SpaceWatch Global: Orbital Eye will use COSMIC-EYE satellite imagery to monitor construction of TenneT's 380 kV Rilland–Tilburg power line.

1 Source

2026-11-10T01:15:23.069784-08:00

defense Satellite Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Space Defense & Militarization Airbus Thales

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

France orders IRIS spy satellites from Airbus, Thales

By AeroTime: Airbus and Thales will build two IRIS military observation satellites for France, replacing the CSO fleet by 2035 with improved imagery and space surveillance.

Satellite Evolution

Airbus to deliver IRIS, France’s next generation military Earth observation satellites

SpaceWatch Africa

Thales Alenia awarded contract contract for the development of IRIS ultra-high-resolution military optical observation space system

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com, Unmanned Airspace and 3 more

10 Sources

2026-11-10T00:49:10.902504-08:00

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

Isar Aerospace Could Launch Third Spectrum Rocket as Early as 26 November

By European Spaceflight: According to a Norwegian aviation notice, Isar Aerospace could launch its third Spectrum rocket as early as 26 November.

2 Sources

2026-11-09T23:28:11.227798-08:00

defense Europe Defense Budgets & Spending Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Gilles Rabin

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe's Next Sputnik Moment Won't Be a Launch

By SpaceWatch Global: Europe's space industry faces a new Sputnik moment. Gilles Rabin explores industrial scaling, defence investment and Europe's changing space landscape.

1 Source

2026-11-10T01:55:17.874001-08:00

Mars Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

FlightGlobal • Brooke Ingemi

How a US Air Force test pilot led NASA’s 378-day simulated Mars mission

By FlightGlobal: On 31 October, four volunteers completed NASA's Crew Health and Performance Exploration Analog (CHAPEA) mission, led by US Air Force test pilot Ross Elder.

1 Source

2026-11-09T17:04:49.917042-08:00

Rocket Lab doubles Neutron manifest to 16 missions as Q3 launch contracts exceed $515 million

U.S. Space Force and ICEYE book Rocket Lab’s unflown Neutron rocket

Rocket Lab stock slides despite record backlog, upbeat outlook (RKLB:NASDAQ)

Kuaizhou to debut reusable Kuaizhou-6 and low-cost Kuaizhou-12 rockets in 2027

ESCAPADE on its way to Mars after Earth flybys

NASA's twin ESCAPADE Mars probes slingshot around Earth in unprecedented double 'gravity assist'

Orbital Eye to Monitor Dutch Electricity Transmission Grid Construction from Space

France orders IRIS spy satellites from Airbus, Thales

Airbus to deliver IRIS, France’s next generation military Earth observation satellites

Thales Alenia awarded contract contract for the development of IRIS ultra-high-resolution military optical observation space system

Isar Aerospace Could Launch Third Spectrum Rocket as Early as 26 November

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe's Next Sputnik Moment Won't Be a Launch

How a US Air Force test pilot led NASA’s 378-day simulated Mars mission

Kuaizhou to debut reusable Kuaizhou-6 and low-cost Kuaizhou-12 rockets in 2027

High demand prompts Rocket Lab to raise launch prices

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe's Next Sputnik Moment Won't Be a Launch

Orbital Eye to Monitor Dutch Electricity Transmission Grid Construction from Space

ESCAPADE on its way to Mars after Earth flybys

France orders IRIS spy satellites from Airbus, Thales

Are the James Webb Space Telescope's mysterious Little Red Dots actually tiny black holes left over from the Big Bang era?

Boeing prepares Artemis III core stage for fuelling and structural tests

On this day in space! Nov. 9, 1967: NASA launches the Saturn V moon rocket for the first time on Apollo 4, but no astronauts were aboard

Satellite builder GomSpace: We'll post 30% annual revenue increase through 2030, with 20% EBITDA margin by then

NASA advances lunar-base plans with $10B CLPS 2 lander pool, $1.3B in launch task orders and a nuclear-powered rover targeted fo

NASA awards lunar transport, lander and technology work to advance Moon Base plans

NASA opens astronaut applications through Dec. 3 and plans aerospace exhibition to rival Paris Air Show

Opinion: China outlines its strategy to reach the moon before NASA

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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