Space News

Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

New York Times • Kenneth Chang

NASA reworks Voyager power systems to extend interstellar mission into the early 2030s

NASA engineers are reworking the power systems aboard the nearly 50-year-old Voyager spacecraft to conserve energy and keep both probes operating in interstellar space. The changes could extend the mission into the early 2030s, preserving an unprecedented source of long-duration data beyond the solar system.

1 Source

2026-08-18T08:06:23.469981-07:00

Satellite AI Space Debris & Traffic Management

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

By Payload: Slingshot Aerospace announced it is adding new capabilities to its Portal platform to help operators better monitor that crowded environment.

1 Source

2026-08-18T05:51:11.904124-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Satellite Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The National Reconnaissance Office has awarded HawkEye 360 a new contract to provide commercial radio-frequency intelligence, moving the company from a multiyear evaluation program into operational support for U.S.

SpaceWatch Africa

Globalstar Confirms Successful Launch of All 8 HIBLEO-4 Replacement Satellites

SpaceWatch Africa

Eutelsat to play central role in delivering the next phase of Europe’s sovereign IRIS² connectivity infrastructure

Also: Seeking Alpha and 3 more

8 Sources

2026-08-18T02:15:37.146400-07:00

Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Sonia Sirletti

Intesa’s SpaceX Stake Worth Almost $1 Billion at End of June

By Bloomberg: Intesa Sanpaolo SpA owned about $966 million in SpaceX shares at the end of June, according to a regulatory filing detailing the holding for the first time.

2 Sources

2026-08-18T04:36:02.977729-07:00

Satellite Africa Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

By SpaceWatch Global: Airtel Africa, in collaboration with Starlink, has launched commercial operations of a satellite-to-mobile service in the DRC.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:53:14.447961-07:00

Satellite Europe Commercial Space Policy & Regulation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

By European Spaceflight: Starlink has reversed a decision to restrict roaming for Polish customers. The dispute included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:05:09.868159-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization Defense Policy

SpaceWatch Global • K.-P. Ludwig

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

By SpaceWatch Global: SPRIND and SWE 2040 reveal competing visions for Europe in space: technological sovereignty on one side, military interoperability on the other.

1 Source

2026-08-18T01:21:40.761055-07:00

Europe ESA Human Spaceflight & Space Stations

Space.com • Mike Wall

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

By Space.com: On Aug. 18, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot will become the first French woman ever to perform a spacewalk, and you can watch the historic action live.

Also: Economic Times and lemonde.fr

3 Sources

2026-08-17T21:20:10.264488-07:00

NASA reworks Voyager power systems to extend interstellar mission into the early 2030s

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

Globalstar Confirms Successful Launch of All 8 HIBLEO-4 Replacement Satellites

Eutelsat to play central role in delivering the next phase of Europe’s sovereign IRIS² connectivity infrastructure

Intesa’s SpaceX Stake Worth Almost $1 Billion at End of June

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

SpaceX Reverses Starlink Roaming Decision for Polish Customers

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot Set to Become First French Woman to Conduct Spacewalk

How NASA Engineers Are Keeping the Voyagers Alive

Slingshot Aerospace Adds AI-Powered Space Traffic Monitoring to Portal

Intesa’s SpaceX Stake Worth Almost $1 Billion at End of June

NRO Moves HawkEye 360 Satellite RF Intelligence Into Operational Use

Airtel Africa Launches Commercial Starlink Direct-to-Device Service in the DRC

Europe’s Orbital Future: Technological Sovereignty vs. Military Interoperability

How Space Force Is Fighting Wars Today–and Preparing for the Future

Launch Preview: Chang’e 7 headlines week of Chinese and Starlink launches

HEO to use Planet satellites for non-Earth imaging

NASA's SkyFall Mars Helicopters Will Feature a Revolutionary Antenna Design

Firefly Aerospace advances medium-lift rocket and Alpha launcher as $1.5B backlog supports growth

Blue Origin plans second Cape Canaveral launch complex for New Glenn 9×4

Emirates SkyCargo Moves UAE’s First AI Satellite From Dubai to Los Angeles

AST SpaceMobile wins temporary FCC authority to test satellite connectivity in the 800 MHz band

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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