Space News

Middle East Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

SpaceNews.com • Kelevitch

Record maritime GPS jamming concentrated in Middle East Gulf, affecting more than 1,100 vessels

Nearly 978,000 maritime GPS-jamming events were recorded worldwide in the first quarter, with 98% concentrated in the Middle East Gulf. The unprecedented disruption affected more than 1,100 vessels and is accelerating demand for navigation resilience that does not rely exclusively on space-based positioning systems.

1 Source

2026-09-18T08:25:45.093329-07:00

Satellite Africa

Via Satellite • Jeffrey Hill

NigComSat Buys Jupiter Gateway Access from Hughes for Upcoming 2A, 2B Satellites

By Via Satellite: Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NigComSat) signed a contract with Hughes Network Systems earlier this week to utilize its Jupiter scalable gateway system in support of the operator’s NIGCOMSAT-2A and NIGCOMSAT-2B satellites servicing Africa.

1 Source

2026-09-18T08:56:18.526900-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Payload • Douglas Gorman

Exclusive: Space Cargo Unlimited Booked a Third of its Starfall Capacity

By Payload: Space Cargo Unlimited secured a dedicated mission on SpaceX’s new Starfall reentry vehicle, and it's already booked a third of the vehicle.

1 Source

2026-09-18T05:36:05.517915-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Rocket Report: China wants a Raptor 3 engine; SpaceX set for big Starship test

By Ars Technica: “I can tell you SpaceX has already gone captive.".

1 Source

2026-09-18T04:21:47.485215-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceWatch Global • K.-P. Ludwig

Opinion: How Europe Can Close Its Space Competitiveness Gap

By SpaceWatch Global: As the world's spacefaring nations gather in Paris, one narrative dominates: that Europe is falling behind. This narrative is convenient, because it postpones action to some future date.

1 Source

2026-09-18T01:21:15.218776-07:00

Europe ESA Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Aschbacher upbeat about winning support for a European human spaceflight program

By SpaceNews.com: The head of ESA is optimistic that member states will back plans to pursue human spaceflight and other key programs at a critical December meeting.

1 Source

2026-09-18T00:51:00.519537-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Astra projecting early 2027 for the introduction of Rocket 4.0

By SpaceNews.com: Astra is now planning a first launch of its Rocket 4.0 vehicle in early 2027 as it aims to reenter a market increasingly desperate for launch capacity.

Also: Space Intel Report and thedebrief.org

3 Sources

2026-09-17T23:40:42.036907-07:00

Viasat Satellite Commercial Space

PaxEx.Aero • Seth Miller

ViaSat-3 F2 Enters Service over Americas

By PaxEx.Aero: The ViaSat-3 constellation is complete. All three satellites are now providing data services to customers, confirmed with today's news that the F2 spacecraft is online.

2 Sources

2026-09-17T17:16:21.527780-07:00

Record maritime GPS jamming concentrated in Middle East Gulf, affecting more than 1,100 vessels

NigComSat Buys Jupiter Gateway Access from Hughes for Upcoming 2A, 2B Satellites

Exclusive: Space Cargo Unlimited Booked a Third of its Starfall Capacity

Rocket Report: China wants a Raptor 3 engine; SpaceX set for big Starship test

Opinion: How Europe Can Close Its Space Competitiveness Gap

Aschbacher upbeat about winning support for a European human spaceflight program

Astra projecting early 2027 for the introduction of Rocket 4.0

ViaSat-3 F2 Enters Service over Americas

NigComSat Buys Jupiter Gateway Access from Hughes for Upcoming 2A, 2B Satellites

Record Maritime GPS Jamming Drives Demand for Navigation Resilience Away From Space-Based Systems

Exclusive: Space Cargo Unlimited Booked a Third of its Starfall Capacity

Rocket Report: China wants a Raptor 3 engine; SpaceX set for big Starship test

Opinion: How Europe Can Close Its Space Competitiveness Gap

Aschbacher upbeat about winning support for a European human spaceflight program

Space Command says satellite tracking must evolve for combat in orbit

Satellite operators weigh SpaceX IPO impact as dust settles

SpaceX Starship Flight 14: What Pilots and Space Enthusiasts Need to Know

After being sidelined, Boeing's Starliner to get starring role in NASA's spaceflight plans

SpaceX targets Sept. 28 for Starship’s first orbital flight, with 26 V3 Starlink satellites

SpaceX targets Sept. 22 for Starship’s first orbital test, with 26 Starlink V3 satellites

Isaacman frames U.S. return to the moon as a national security imperative amid China competition

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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