Space News

Commercial Space

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Varda raises $251 million in Series D at $1.6 billion valuation

Varda has raised $251 million in a Series D financing led by Lux Capital and Natural Capital, valuing the in-space manufacturing company at $1.6 billion. The funding reinforces investor backing for Varda’s commercial space business as it advances its growth strategy.

Also: SpaceNews.com

2 Sources

2026-09-30T05:05:01.821825-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Axios • Thomas Novelly

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

By Axios: "In order to lead across the globe, America must lead in space," said EXIM chairman John Jovanovic.

1 Source

2026-09-30T04:28:18.799501-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

By SpaceNews.com: FRANCISCO — Sophia Space and Redwire Corp. announced an agreement Sept. 30 to work together to address development and deployment of scalable, space-based computing infrastructure.

1 Source

2026-09-30T05:06:43.877429-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese commercial launch firm CAS Space is targeting a first flight of the Lihong-2 suborbital rocket in early 2027, carrying pharmaceutical payloads.

1 Source

2026-09-30T03:56:15.845194-07:00

Europe North America Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

By SpaceWatch Global: Space Florida and the UK Space Agency launched a joint funding call for collaborative space R&D projects between Florida and UK companies.

1 Source

2026-09-30T01:56:35.792858-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

By SpaceNews.com: Lithuania’s Blackswan Space has raised around $2.9 million to support the development of its rendezvous & proximity operations payload, which Orbit Fab plans to use for Europe’s first in-space refueling demo in 2028.

1 Source

2026-09-30T01:21:10.643155-07:00

Europe LEO ESA Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Airbus

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Parsonson

ESA announces leaders for studies on crewed European space stations

By SpaceNews.com: BURG – The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to carry out parallel studies for a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit.

Also: European Spaceflight and douglasmmessier.substack.com

4 Sources

2026-09-29T10:23:28.855644-07:00

Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space NASA

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers

By Ars Technica: So is SpaceX just being selfish or what?.

1 Source

2026-09-29T11:35:59.509944-07:00

Varda raises $251 million in Series D at $1.6 billion valuation

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

ESA announces leaders for studies on crewed European space stations

NASA has a Dragon dilemma, and there appear to be no good answers

Sophia Space and Redwire to work together to develop orbital data center infrastructure

Varda Raises $251M Series D

Exclusive: Astranis lands $468M loan to expand satellite production

CAS Space targets early 2027 debut of reusable Lihong-2 suborbital rocket

Space Florida and UK Space Agency Launch Joint Space Innovation Funding Call

Blackswan raises $2.9 million seed round for satellite rendezvous technology

Space Network lines up $150 million in pre-orders for decentralized satellite network

NASA: Satellite industry practices for battery passivation to prevent orbital debris are confused and insufficient

Electric-pump propulsion emerges as new front in China's commercial launch sector

CNES Publishes Call for New Rocket Launch Tracking Turrets for French Guiana

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on first orbital flight, deploys 26 Starlink satellites despite engine shutdown

SpaceX’s Starship targets first orbital flight with 26 Starlink V3 satellites

Pentagon commits billions to accelerate AMRAAM, JDAM Long Range and F-35 production

SpaceX targets Starship’s first orbital launch with Starlink V3 satellites

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