Space News

Europe Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Isar Aerospace to begin commercial Spectrum launches after successful test flight

German launch startup Isar Aerospace says it is ready to begin commercial launches of its Spectrum rocket after a successful test flight earlier this month, marking a transition from development testing toward operational launch services in Europe’s emerging commercial space market.

3 Sources

2026-09-16T01:36:48.515875-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Space threats prompt Europe to bolster domestic capabilities and strengthen alliances

By SpaceNews.com: PARIS – Growing threats to space systems are prompting European nations to strengthen domestic space capabilities while improving coordination with allies, government officials said at the Novaspace Space Security and Defense Summit.

Also: Via Satellite and SpaceWatch Global

3 Sources

2026-09-16T02:10:42.798369-07:00

Satellite Africa Thales

NEW

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Nigeria Moves Ahead With Satellite Upgrade as Thales Wins NigComSat-2A Contract

By SpaceWatch Global: Nigeria is updating its orbital infrastructure with a new communications satellite called NigComSat-2A and also a four-satellite EO program.

2 Sources

2026-09-16T02:16:33.762518-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

HawkEye 360 Expands European Presence with Leonardo Partnership and Luxembourg Subsidiary

By SpaceWatch Global: HawkEye 360 is expanding in Europe through a Leonardo partnership, its first Luxembourg subsidiary, and a separate collaboration with ERA.

1 Source

2026-09-16T01:35:35.887866-07:00

Satellite Intuitive Machines Commercial Space

NEW

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

KSAT Expands Satellite Services through Intuitive Machines and PierSight Collaborations

By SpaceWatch Global: KSAT will operate Intuitive Machines’ EAGLE spacecraft and explore integrating PierSight’s SAR and AIS data into its Vake maritime platform.

1 Source

2026-09-16T02:16:33.237478-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Planet wins German federal contract for dedicated constellation services

By SpaceNews.com: ARIS – The German Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) will acquire dedicated Earth-observation capacity from Planet Labs Germany, under a contract announced Sept.

1 Source

2026-09-16T01:00:45.050664-07:00

Africa Space Policy & International Cooperation Policy & Regulation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Djibouti signs the Artemis Accords as the State Department unveils new space partnership program

By SpaceNews.com: Djibouti became the latest country to sign the Artemis Accords as the U.S. State Department rolls out a new program to provide benefits to signatories.

Also: SpaceWatch Global

2 Sources

2026-09-15T22:40:41.815134-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Hydrosat to provide thermal intelligence through commercial data and sovereign satellites

By SpaceNews.com: the company announced Sept. 15 at World Space Business Week. To continue reading this article: Register now to read 3 free articles this month. You’ll also receive our weekly Editor’s Choice, SpaceNews This Week and Opinions newsletters.

Also: Aviation Week and defence-industry.eu

3 Sources

2026-09-15T23:16:50.549703-07:00

Isar Aerospace to begin commercial Spectrum launches after successful test flight

Space threats prompt Europe to bolster domestic capabilities and strengthen alliances

Nigeria Moves Ahead With Satellite Upgrade as Thales Wins NigComSat-2A Contract

HawkEye 360 Expands European Presence with Leonardo Partnership and Luxembourg Subsidiary

KSAT Expands Satellite Services through Intuitive Machines and PierSight Collaborations

Planet wins German federal contract for dedicated constellation services

Djibouti signs the Artemis Accords as the State Department unveils new space partnership program

Hydrosat to provide thermal intelligence through commercial data and sovereign satellites

Nigeria Moves Ahead With Satellite Upgrade as Thales Wins NigComSat-2A Contract

KSAT Expands Satellite Services through Intuitive Machines and PierSight Collaborations

Space threats prompt Europe to bolster domestic capabilities and strengthen alliances

Isar Aerospace ready to begin commercial Spectrum launches

HawkEye 360 Expands European Presence with Leonardo Partnership and Luxembourg Subsidiary

Planet wins German federal contract for dedicated constellation services

Progress MS-35 poised to launch cargo to ISS from Kazakhstan

Isaacman says U.S. return to the moon carries national security stakes

SpaceX tells prospective Falcon 9 commercial customers that the rocket is no longer accepting new reservations

Jared Isaacman on NASA’s New Era

Avio completes second successful Vega C launch of 2026 with FLEX and Sentinel-3C

Satellite constellation activity accelerates as allies fund military communications and commercial operators expand production

Space-sector announcements span satellite inspection, rapid Earth imagery, direct-to-device connectivity and lunar exploration

Air Force secretary reveals U.S. has deployed undisclosed space-control weapons in orbit

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