Space News

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Space Exploration & Science Missions Commercial Space

Payload • Kevin M. O'Connell, Rei Goffer

Redwire’s SpaceMD Books Up to 32 Mini-Labs on Future SpaceX Starfall Mission

Redwire subsidiary SpaceMD will fly up to 32 mini-labs aboard a future SpaceX Starfall mission, marking the reentry vehicle’s first dedicated mission. The agreement expands Redwire’s role in commercial microgravity research and establishes an initial payload commitment for Starfall’s planned operations.

1 Source

2026-08-07T05:51:44.401318-07:00

Satellite Europe LEO Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Airbus

Aviation Week • Robert Wall

IRIS² Enters Operational Phase After Review Completed: Eutelsat CEO

By Aviation Week: The European Union’s flagship IRIS2 broadband satellite constellation process has passed the so-called Rendezvous One review, allowing the program to progress to its operational phase, Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher says.

Aviation Week

Europe Expands IRIS² As Constellation Gets The Green Light

SpaceNews.com

Europe increases size and cost of IRIS² constellation

Also: Bloomberg and Space Intel Report

6 Sources

2026-08-07T03:45:35.668869-07:00

Satellite LEO Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

AST SpaceMobile Expands Direct-to-Device Network With Three New BlueBird Satellites

By SpaceWatch Global: AST SpaceMobile launches three new satellites, BlueBird 11, 12, and 13 into orbit, expanding its satellite-based cellular broadband network.

1 Source

2026-08-07T00:51:42.410929-07:00

Leadership Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ASI Board Resigns to Allow for the Appointment of an Extraordinary Commissioner

By European Spaceflight: Three Italian Space Agency board members have resigned to clear the way for the appointment of an extraordinary commissioner.

1 Source

2026-08-07T00:15:34.840075-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Scaleup Europe Fund Makes its First Space Bet

By Payload: Scaleup Europe, a new €5B fund created by the European Commission, announced this week that it completed its first investment in ICEYE.

1 Source

2026-08-06T23:15:07.252160-07:00

ArianeGroup Europe ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

OHB to European governments: Invest now in Europe’s spaceport to capture demand and industry will follow

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY — Space hardware provider OHB SE of Germany said Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket is at risk of losing German and other government and commercial business if European political authorities don’t agree to a sharp ramp-up in launch capacity soon.

1 Source

2026-08-06T13:31:06.063199-07:00

ISS Human Spaceflight & Space Stations NASA

Space.com • Robert Z. Pearlman

NASA astronauts complete 6.5-hour spacewalk to prepare ISS for solar array upgrade

By Space.com: Jessica Meir and Anil Menon completed a 6.5-hour spacewalk to install solar array mounting hardware outside of the International Space Station on Thursday, Aug.

Also: The Guardian and newsnationnow.com

3 Sources

2026-08-06T13:10:34.010432-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Space.com • Mike Wall

Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing satellite after 5-week delay (video, photos)

By Space.com: Rocket Lab launched its eighth mission for the Japanese Earth-imaging company iQPS on Thursday morning (Aug. 6), five weeks later than originally planned.

2 Sources

2026-08-06T11:43:59.542960-07:00

Redwire’s SpaceMD Books Up to 32 Mini-Labs on Future SpaceX Starfall Mission

IRIS² Enters Operational Phase After Review Completed: Eutelsat CEO

Europe Expands IRIS² As Constellation Gets The Green Light

Europe increases size and cost of IRIS² constellation

AST SpaceMobile Expands Direct-to-Device Network With Three New BlueBird Satellites

ASI Board Resigns to Allow for the Appointment of an Extraordinary Commissioner

Scaleup Europe Fund Makes its First Space Bet

OHB to European governments: Invest now in Europe’s spaceport to capture demand and industry will follow

NASA astronauts complete 6.5-hour spacewalk to prepare ISS for solar array upgrade

Rocket Lab launches Japanese Earth-observing satellite after 5-week delay (video, photos)

Redwire Books Starfall’s First Dedicated Mission

IRIS² Enters Operational Phase After Review Completed: Eutelsat CEO

AST SpaceMobile Expands Direct-to-Device Network With Three New BlueBird Satellites

ASI Board Resigns to Allow for the Appointment of an Extraordinary Commissioner

Scaleup Europe Fund Makes its First Space Bet

OHB to European governments: Invest now in Europe’s spaceport to capture demand and industry will follow

Redwire to fly dedicated Starfall mission for microgravity research

SpaceX to Build Natural Gas Power Plants for Texas Chip Factory

BlackSky Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results

Gilat demonstrates breakthrough AI-based interference detection and cancellation technology for satellite links

Blue Origin identifies BE-4 engine issue as trigger of New Glenn explosion, targets return later this year

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

Neuraspace raises €15.6M to expand AI-powered space traffic management and domain awareness

China, Russia and commercial launch providers advance a busy run of satellite deployments

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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