Space News

Mars Helicopter Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Universe Today • Matthew Williams

NASA advances lunar wheel and Mars helicopter mobility concepts

NASA engineers and students are testing fabric-based wheel prototypes for future lunar-base mobility while developing a ground-penetrating-radar antenna for the SkyFall Mars helicopters. The efforts target two distinct planetary exploration challenges: reliable surface transportation on the Moon and subsurface science from rotorcraft on Mars.

Also: NASA

2 Sources

2026-08-17T14:06:14.972512-07:00

Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

Via Satellite • Mark Holmes

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

By Via Satellite: Katalyst Space has won a major new contract from the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) as the U.S. Government looks to tap into the latest deorbiting technologies.

1 Source

2026-08-17T13:06:10.304713-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Space.com • Josh Dinner

China bounces back from Long March rocket explosion with back-to-back launches (video)

By Space.com: China's space program has returned to flight after an Aug. 10 Long March 7A rocket explosion, launching both a Long March 12 and a Long March 2C rocket on Sunday (Aug.

1 Source

2026-08-17T13:05:12.673746-07:00

Satellite Europe Space Defense & Militarization Policy & Regulation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Export Controls & Trade Compliance

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Parsonson

New EU sanctions target leaders of Russia’s space industry

By SpaceNews.com: tion, CC BY-SA 4.0 JOHANNESBURG — The European Union has sanctioned the head of a Roscosmos subsidiary developing a synthetic aperture radar satellite system for the Russian military.

1 Source

2026-08-17T14:35:34.306804-07:00

Satellite LEO Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Telesat, facing December $1.7B debt payment and bondholder lawsuits, says it’s pursuing good-faith negotiations

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Satellite fleet operator Telesat reiterated its intent to pursue negotiations with bondholders who have filed suit to force the company to reverse a 2025 transfer of funds from Telesat to its dedicated Telesat LEO subsidiary.

1 Source

2026-08-17T12:20:28.531790-07:00

Leadership ULA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Boeing

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

ULA names Peller as new CEO

By SpaceNews.com: United Launch Alliance has named Mark Peller, a longtime manager and executive at the company, as its new chief executive.

Also: newsroom.ulalaunch.com, Seeking Alpha and orlandosentinel.com

4 Sources

2026-08-17T09:55:41.148732-07:00

Satellite Space Defense & Militarization Space Debris & Traffic Management

Payload • Victoria Woodburn

DIU, SDA Select Winners for Deorbit-as-a-Service Designs

By Payload: The SDA and DIU selected three companies to develop designs for scalable satellite capabilities including rendezvous, capture, and deorbit.

Also: marketforecast.com

2 Sources

2026-08-17T06:05:02.557370-07:00

Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Benjamin Stupples

Family Offices Amass $3.8 Billion SpaceX Bet in Boost for Musk

By Bloomberg: Investment firms for ultra-wealthy individuals from the Americas, Europe and the Middle East have built up billions of dollars of exposure to SpaceX, highlighting their ability to muscle in on sought-after business opportunities.

1 Source

2026-08-17T04:36:06.504204-07:00

NASA advances lunar wheel and Mars helicopter mobility concepts

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

China bounces back from Long March rocket explosion with back-to-back launches (video)

New EU sanctions target leaders of Russia’s space industry

Telesat, facing December $1.7B debt payment and bondholder lawsuits, says it’s pursuing good-faith negotiations

ULA names Peller as new CEO

DIU, SDA Select Winners for Deorbit-as-a-Service Designs

Family Offices Amass $3.8 Billion SpaceX Bet in Boost for Musk

New EU sanctions target leaders of Russia’s space industry

NASA's SkyFall Mars Helicopters Will Feature a Revolutionary Antenna Design

Katalyst Space Wins U.S. Defense Innovation Unit Contract

China bounces back from Long March rocket explosion with back-to-back launches (video)

Telesat, facing December $1.7B debt payment and bondholder lawsuits, says it’s pursuing good-faith negotiations

ULA names Peller as new CEO

SEOPS adds second Waymaker rideshare mission

Long March 12 launches despite recent 7A failure, Long March 2C launches satellite for UAE

A rocket crashed into the moon. It was harmless, but the next one might not be.

AST SpaceMobile Secures Regulatory Go-Ahead to Test 800 MHz Satellite Connectivity

Ukraine says Flamingo missiles struck Russia’s Progress rocket center and military airfield

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Blue Origin plans second Cape Canaveral launch complex for New Glenn 9×4

PIF, Nvidia and Harvard disclose major SpaceX stakes as institutional interest broadens

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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