Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Debris & Traffic Management   Sustainability & Climate Initiatives  
Space.com • Tereza Pultarova

Study: SpaceX Falcon 9 reentry leaves detectable lithium plume at ~96 km

Researchers captured the first real‑time measurements showing a SpaceX Falcon 9 reentry produced a plume of lithium and other metal vapours — a distinct cloud observed near 96 kilometres altitude — confirming reentering hardware injects metal pollution into the upper atmosphere.

Also: BBC and miragenews.com
2026-02-19T14:06:20.144692-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Boeing   NASA  
Bloomberg • Julie Johnsson, Loren Grush, Sana Pashankar

NASA Classifies 2024 Starliner Mishap Alongside Challenger and Columbia Shuttle Disasters

By Bloomberg: NASA is putting the botched 2024 test flight of Boeing Co.’s Starliner capsule in the same category of disaster as the Challenger and Columbia shuttle accidents, underscoring the dramatic failures that kept a pair of astronauts stuck in space for nine months.

Also: Ars Technica, SpaceNews.com, Space.com, AeroTime, Payload, Associated Press, Aerospace America, Space Policy Online, Florida Today, nasawatch.com, Scientific American, orlandosentinel.com and 13 more
2026-02-19T10:02:21.748038-08:00
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
DefenseNews.com • Brooke Griswold

SpaceX and Blue Origin pivot to lunar development as Pentagon advances 'Golden Dome' missile-defence push

By DefenseNews.com: The largest U.S. commercial space companies recently shifted priorities toward lunar development, just as DOD pushes its next-gen missile shield plans.

Also: c4isrnet.com and Military Times
2026-02-19T11:06:44.179640-08:00
Satellite   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space   Policy & Regulation   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

US Chamber Pushes for Licensing and ITAR Reform to Modernize U.S. Space Infrastructure in 2026

By Payload: “How do we encourage the government to take the necessary actions to modernize our space infrastructure? That includes physical, policy and regulatory,” Neal said.

2026-02-19T05:30:31.345084-08:00