Space News

ArianeGroup Europe ESA Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA shelves Ariane 6 Block 3 evolution and ICARUS upper-stage plans

ESA has confirmed that the proposed Ariane 6 Block 3 evolution, including the lightweight ICARUS upper stage, has been shelved. The decision removes a planned pathway for upgrading Europe’s heavy-lift launcher, with implications for future Ariane 6 performance and development priorities.

1 Source

2026-08-20T08:05:11.583021-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space Space Debris & Traffic Management Sustainability & Climate Initiatives

Ars Technica • Scott K. Johnson

SpaceX’s orbital data centers would create a new category of e-waste

By Ars Technica: The yeetcycling math resembles asteroid mining in reverse.

1 Source

2026-08-20T07:05:16.545627-07:00

China Moon Space Exploration & Science Missions

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China's Chang'e-7 lunar ice-hunting mission set for Sunday launch

By SpaceNews.com: HELSINKI — China will launch a complex, multi-spacecraft mission late Sunday to study and land near the lunar south pole, including a search for evidence of water-ice.

2 Sources

2026-08-20T06:10:43.208533-07:00

Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Payload • Jacqueline Feldscher

Portal Books Dedicated Falcon 9 Amid Constrained Launch Market

By Payload: While Thornburg said Portal is expected to take up about half of the fairing with its own spacecraft, it’s working with launch integrator Maverick Space Systems to sell the other half to customers looking for rideshare opportunities in a turbulent market.

Also: SpaceNews.com, GeekWire and cosmiclog.com

4 Sources

2026-08-20T06:05:12.356796-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

Bloomberg • Yash Roy

Muon Space Raises $250 Million With Google, Salesforce Backing

By Bloomberg: Satellite startup Muon Space Inc. closed a $250 million funding round, raising capital from Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Salesforce Ventures LLC after launching 11 satellites into orbit and opening a manufacturing facility in California.

1 Source

2026-08-20T03:21:23.284901-07:00

Satellite Space Force Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

Last-minute abort stalls Cape Canaveral Starlink mission

By Spaceflight Now: Update Aug. 20, 11:58 a.m. EDT (1558 UTC): SpaceX scrubbed the mission.

3 Sources

2026-08-20T02:13:31.888101-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space Asia-Pacific (APAC)

Space.com • Mike Wall

Rocket Lab launches private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit (video)

By Space.com: Rocket Lab launched its ninth mission for the Japanese company iQPS this morning (Aug. 20), sending an Earth-observation satellite into low Earth orbit.

2 Sources

2026-08-19T21:13:15.176159-07:00

Satellite Space Exploration & Science Missions Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Space Debris & Traffic Management NASA

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

2026-08-19T12:40:44.639330-07:00

ESA shelves Ariane 6 Block 3 evolution and ICARUS upper-stage plans

SpaceX’s orbital data centers would create a new category of e-waste

China's Chang'e-7 lunar ice-hunting mission set for Sunday launch

Portal Books Dedicated Falcon 9 Amid Constrained Launch Market

Muon Space Raises $250 Million With Google, Salesforce Backing

Last-minute abort stalls Cape Canaveral Starlink mission

Rocket Lab launches private Japanese Earth-observing satellite to orbit (video)

Katalyst Space and NASA abandon plans for Swift reboost

NASA calls off mission to rescue Swift gamma-ray observatory

NASA, Katalyst Call Off Risky Mission to Save Falling Satellite

ESA Confirms Ariane 6 Block 3 Upgrades Have Been Shelved

SpaceX’s orbital data centers would create a new category of e-waste

China's Chang'e-7 lunar ice-hunting mission set for Sunday launch

Portal Books Dedicated Falcon 9 Amid Constrained Launch Market

Muon Space Raises $250 Million With Google, Salesforce Backing

Last-minute abort stalls Cape Canaveral Starlink mission

Another Chinese Company Successfully Lands a Reusable Rocket Booster

NASA’s Attempt to Save the Swift Telescope Has Failed

Stoke Space conducts second stage fit checks, completes first stage engines ahead of Nova debut

ATMOS Moves Forward with Phoenix 3 as Phoenix 2 Launch Slips

LandSpace’s Zhuque-3 Completes Second Orbital Flight With First-Stage Landing

NASA releases sharpest images yet of crater formed by SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage on the Moon

SpaceX Plans Three Starlink Launches as China Schedules Reusable-Booster Test and Chang’e 7 Lunar Mission

Satellite connectivity buildout advances with Globalstar deployment, IRIS² milestone, Viasat- Rocket Lab contract and ReOrbit R&

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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