Space News

Space Force LEO Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. Space Command prioritizes offensive capabilities and LEO countermeasures for 2029–33

U.S. Space Command has identified offensive space capabilities and systems to counter proliferated low Earth orbit constellations as its two highest-priority capability needs for fiscal years 2029 through 2033. The ranking highlights perceived gaps in preparing for future conflict in space, according to Gen. Stephen Whiting.

1 Source

2026-08-12T16:10:36.967322-07:00

Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Loren Grush, Sana Pashankar

Virgin Galactic Delays Debut of Upgraded Spaceplane, Shares Fall

By Bloomberg: Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc. is delaying the debut of its Delta-class spaceplane, pushing the first expected full-power flight of the upgraded tourism vehicle until February of 2027.

collectSPACE

Virgin Galactic wants your help naming its new Delta-class SpaceShip

Leonard David

Virgin Galactic Raises Price of Seats on Suborbital Spaceflights

Also: Seeking Alpha and Seeking Alpha

5 Sources

2026-08-12T13:51:01.776355-07:00

China Satellite AI Moon Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions

NASA Spaceflight • Martin Smith

Amid failure, Wenchang celebrates milestone as China launches AI satellites and prepares for lunar south pole mission

By NASA Spaceflight: China’s Wenchang Space Launch Site reached its milestone 50th launch at the end of July, but this week also experienced a third launch failure; while China’s other launch sites have all been active as the nation increasingly deploys more AI-powered and in-space computing technology into orbit.

1 Source

2026-08-12T12:36:29.909064-07:00

Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Associated Press • Marcia Dunn

Radiation vest tested on NASA moonshot can cut astronauts' exposure in solar storms, study suggests

By Associated Press: A new study suggests a protective vest tested on a manikin during NASA's first Artemis moonshot could slash the radiation exposure of lunar astronauts during severe solar storms.

Space.com

Radiation-shielding vest aced Artemis I lunar test, could protect astronauts on moon and Mars missions

ScienceNews

A vest tested on the Artemis I mission blocked some radiation exposure

5 Sources

2026-08-12T11:05:54.848324-07:00

Satellite LEO Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

AST SpaceMobile: Beta D2D commercial service in US should start this year for half-day coverage, continuous service in 2027

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland— Satellite direct-to-device (D2D) startup AST SpaceMobile, which has 13 satellites in low Earth orbit, said it expects to reach its goal of 45 satellites by early next year and has booked 10 missions on two launch-service providers to reach that goal.

1 Source

2026-08-12T10:35:15.466447-07:00

Airports Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Policy & Regulation

Skift • Tasmin Lockwood

These 13 Environmental Laws Could be Waived to Speed Up Airport-to-Spaceport Conversions

By Skift: Dozens of airports sit on land, runways, and remote buffer zones that could be turned into spaceports — and the FAA just proposed waiving 13 environmental laws to help them do so.

1 Source

2026-08-12T09:36:30.250355-07:00

Satellite Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

politico.eu • Milena Wälde

Poland Reignites Dispute With Musk Over Exclusion From Starlink Roaming Zone

By politico.eu: The company has not explained why Warsaw was carved out of a 30-country roaming zone.

2 Sources

2026-08-12T09:05:16.955763-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China’s iSpace raises first batch of series E funding for reusable rocketry

By SpaceNews.com: Chinese reusable launch vehicle maker has secured a first batch of series E funding, months after a huge D++ round, with fundraising still ongoing.

2 Sources

2026-08-12T06:15:41.076212-07:00

U.S. Space Command prioritizes offensive capabilities and LEO countermeasures for 2029–33

Virgin Galactic Delays Debut of Upgraded Spaceplane, Shares Fall

Virgin Galactic wants your help naming its new Delta-class SpaceShip

Virgin Galactic Raises Price of Seats on Suborbital Spaceflights

Amid failure, Wenchang celebrates milestone as China launches AI satellites and prepares for lunar south pole mission

Radiation vest tested on NASA moonshot can cut astronauts' exposure in solar storms, study suggests

Radiation-shielding vest aced Artemis I lunar test, could protect astronauts on moon and Mars missions

A vest tested on the Artemis I mission blocked some radiation exposure

AST SpaceMobile: Beta D2D commercial service in US should start this year for half-day coverage, continuous service in 2027

These 13 Environmental Laws Could be Waived to Speed Up Airport-to-Spaceport Conversions

Poland Reignites Dispute With Musk Over Exclusion From Starlink Roaming Zone

China’s iSpace raises first batch of series E funding for reusable rocketry

Space Command identifies capabilities it needs for the next space war

Virgin Galactic Delays Debut of Upgraded Spaceplane, Shares Fall

Amid failure, Wenchang celebrates milestone as China launches AI satellites and prepares for lunar south pole mission

Radiation vest tested on NASA moonshot can cut astronauts' exposure in solar storms, study suggests

AST SpaceMobile: Beta D2D commercial service in US should start this year for half-day coverage, continuous service in 2027

These 13 Environmental Laws Could be Waived to Speed Up Airport-to-Spaceport Conversions

Firefly Aerospace Reports Record Quarter Backed by Launch and Defense Announcements

Satellogic Reports Positive Operating Income and EBITDA, Projects Continued Profitability

SpaceX wraps Starlink double header day with the launch of 24 Starlink satellites from California

#SpaceWatchGL Analysis: India’s Space Industry Push Pays Off With Successful Launch

Rocket Lab’s Neutron debut faces schedule risk as company unveils GHOST deployable launch system

Long March 7A fails shortly after liftoff during communications-satellite launch

Vietnam’s VinSpace signs SpaceX launch deal for first satellites in 2027

SpaceX shares rebound after $7.8 billion Q2 revenue beat as satellite and Starship ambitions raise commercial-space stakes

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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