Space News

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Asia-Pacific (APAC)

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Rocket Lab launches eighth iQPS radar-imaging satellite after aborted attempt

Rocket Lab launched the eighth Japanese iQPS radar-imaging satellite on Aug. 6, more than a month after an earlier launch attempt was aborted. The mission highlights the company’s continuing role in deploying iQPS’s growing Earth-observation constellation and the operational recovery required after a launch interruption.

1 Source

2026-08-06T04:25:36.266768-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Kris Martins

Three companies building the tech to grow crops on the moon

By SpaceNews.com: Rockets, rovers and landers have dominated the attention of the commercial space industry as the United States focuses on sending humans back to the moon, but a handful of companies are focusing on a critical next step: feeding them once they’re there.

1 Source

2026-08-06T05:15:09.059397-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Commercial launch company Orienspace has kicked off preparations for an IPO coaching process while closing a funding round for accelerating its reusable Gravity-2 rocket.

1 Source

2026-08-06T03:52:23.575603-07:00

Satellite Middle East Leadership Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

ICEYE Draws Scaleup Europe Fund's First Cheque as Gulf Footprint Deepens

By SpaceWatch Global: EQT's Scaleup Europe Fund makes its first investment, co-leading ICEYE's €1 billion Series F, as the SAR operator appoints a CEO for its UAE business.

1 Source

2026-08-06T02:11:48.160122-07:00

Satellite

SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

Why Earth-Observation Applications Struggle to Become Critical Infrastructure

By SpaceWatch Global: Why do so few Earth Observation applications become critical infrastructure? This analysis argues that the missing ingredient is not better satellite data, but the institutional authority to trust a model that can be wrong.

1 Source

2026-08-06T01:14:09.775658-07:00

ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Space Policy & International Cooperation NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

By SpaceNews.com: NASA and Roscosmos have agreed to continue exchanging seats between Soyuz and Crew Dragon spacecraft, but that does not yet extend to Starliner.

1 Source

2026-08-05T19:40:35.732696-07:00

Blue Origin Aviation Safety & Regulation Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Reuters • Joey Roulette

Blue Origin zeroes in on rocket engine issue as source of New Glenn explosion

By Reuters: A massive explosion of Blue Origin's centerpiece New Glenn rocket in May was triggered by an issue with one of the rocket's seven BE-4 engines, the company's CEO ‌said on Wednesday, as it races to return the vehicle to flight later this year.

Also: SpaceNews.com and CNA

3 Sources

2026-08-05T12:32:05.793370-07:00

CNBC • Lora Kolodny

SpaceX ramps up Tesla Megapack purchases in Q2 to power its AI data centers

By CNBC: SpaceX is using Tesla's big Megapack backup batteries to help power its Colossus AI data centers in Greater Memphis.

1 Source

2026-08-05T14:44:51.941746-07:00

Rocket Lab launches eighth iQPS radar-imaging satellite after aborted attempt

Three companies building the tech to grow crops on the moon

Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket

ICEYE Draws Scaleup Europe Fund's First Cheque as Gulf Footprint Deepens

Why Earth-Observation Applications Struggle to Become Critical Infrastructure

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

Blue Origin zeroes in on rocket engine issue as source of New Glenn explosion

SpaceX ramps up Tesla Megapack purchases in Q2 to power its AI data centers

Three companies building the tech to grow crops on the moon

Rocket Lab launches 8th iQPS satellite

Chinese launch startup Orienspace targets IPO, secures funding for reusable Gravity-2 rocket

ICEYE Draws Scaleup Europe Fund's First Cheque as Gulf Footprint Deepens

Why Earth-Observation Applications Struggle to Become Critical Infrastructure

NASA and Roscosmos continue seat barter agreement

CNES Sets 2028 Target for Hot-Fire Test of New High-Thrust Rocket Engine

Viasat: We haven't abandoned Equatys D2D constellation with Space42, it's still in our plans; satellite financing is next step

Boeing-Lockheed Rocket Joint Venture Taps Private Bond Market

Elon Musk Thinks Key Starship Rocket Problem Is Fixed

SpaceX’s first public earnings report puts Starlink growth, launch capacity and a potential Tesla merger in focus

Canada awards Telesat and MDA Space up to $2.3B for Arctic military satellite network

SpaceX recovers intact Ship 40 as Ship 41 begins testing ahead of potential Flight 14

ArianeGroup Keeps MaiaSpace Operating Despite Negative Equity

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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