Space News

JWST Space Exploration & Science Missions NASA

Reuters • Will Dunham

NASA says Roman Space Telescope’s potential operational life could reach 22 years

NASA says the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could operate for as long as 22 years—more than twice its previously announced lifespan—even before reaching its planned orbit. The extended mission would give the flagship observatory substantially more time to conduct wide-field space science and sustain long-term research programs.

Also: CNA

2 Sources

2026-09-17T03:20:13.529549-07:00

ISS LEO Human Spaceflight & Space Stations Commercial Space Policy & Regulation

NEW

Reuters • Akash Sriram, Mariam E Sunny

Drugmakers prepare for next phase of space pharmaceuticals as ISS retirement nears

By Reuters: As the International Space Station nears the end of its operational life, drugmakers are laying the groundwork for commercial pharmaceutical research and manufacturing in low Earth orbit, while working with regulators to establish rules for ‌producing medicines in space.

Also: CNA

2 Sources

2026-09-17T03:37:31.484901-07:00

China Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China conducts four launches inside 48 hours as launch options diversify

By SpaceNews.com: China carried out four launches in quick succession, starting Tuesday, using its Jiuquan and Hainan spaceports and a maritime mission from the East China Sea.

1 Source

2026-09-17T03:51:03.945215-07:00

Satellite Intuitive Machines Commercial Space

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Intuitive Machines eyes orbital data center opportunities

By SpaceNews.com: Intuitive Machines is examining how it can leverage satellite capabilities it gained from an acquisition into the emerging market for orbital data centers.

1 Source

2026-09-17T03:51:04.062201-07:00

Satellite Europe Defense Industry & Major Contractors Airbus

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

Airbus to Build SpainSat NG-III as Spain Replaces Lost Communications Satellite

By SpaceWatch Global: Hisdesat contracts Airbus to build SpainSat NG-III, replacing SpainSat NG-II and completing Spain’s secure communications architecture.

1 Source

2026-09-17T01:55:58.031900-07:00

Satellite Europe Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)

NEW

FlightGlobal • David Kaminski-Morrow

Galileo demonstrates authenticated civil positioning service amid rising spoofing concerns

By FlightGlobal: Civil tests with European constellation combine verified navigation and ranging data. Europe’s navigation satellite system Galileo has demonstrated authenticated civil positioning capability for the first time, with five satellites transmitting encrypted signal components.

1 Source

2026-09-17T03:36:37.969929-07:00

Europe ESA Commercial Space Space Policy & International Cooperation Policy & Regulation

SpaceWatch Global • Niels Buus

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe Doesn’t Need More Projects. It Needs a Market.

By SpaceWatch Global: Europe excels at funding space projects, but globally competitive companies need durable markets built on standards, procurement and strategic continuity.

1 Source

2026-09-17T01:21:47.768763-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Vantor taps EnduroSat, CACI for 24-satellite Earth imaging constellation

By SpaceNews.com: GTON — Vantor has selected EnduroSat and CACI International to build a planned 24-satellite Earth imaging constellation designed to revisit locations as frequently as every 15 minutes, the company said Sept.

European Spaceflight

EnduroSat’s $205 Million Funding Round Pushes European NewSpace Investment Above €1 Billion in September

Also: Via Satellite

3 Sources

2026-09-16T23:10:40.909680-07:00

NASA says Roman Space Telescope’s potential operational life could reach 22 years

Drugmakers prepare for next phase of space pharmaceuticals as ISS retirement nears

China conducts four launches inside 48 hours as launch options diversify

Intuitive Machines eyes orbital data center opportunities

Airbus to Build SpainSat NG-III as Spain Replaces Lost Communications Satellite

Galileo demonstrates authenticated civil positioning service amid rising spoofing concerns

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Europe Doesn’t Need More Projects. It Needs a Market.

Vantor taps EnduroSat, CACI for 24-satellite Earth imaging constellation

EnduroSat’s $205 Million Funding Round Pushes European NewSpace Investment Above €1 Billion in September

Intuitive Machines eyes orbital data center opportunities

China conducts four launches inside 48 hours as launch options diversify

Drugmakers prepare for next phase of space pharmaceuticals as ISS retirement nears

Galileo demonstrates authenticated civil positioning service amid rising spoofing concerns

NASA says new Roman telescope's lifespan could more than double, to 22 years

Airbus to Build SpainSat NG-III as Spain Replaces Lost Communications Satellite

NASA spacecraft discovers a huge new crater on the moon

Space Force to review Vulcan commercial flights before clearing military missions

EnduroSat raises $205 million to accelerate satellite production in US and Europe

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket-landing team gets 1st-ever Neil Armstrong Space Prize

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

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

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

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

More in Space

Impulse Space raises an additional $308 million

SPACECOM needs more capabilities to target space adversaries: Whiting

Musk Backer Valor Hands Investors $8.5 Billion of SpaceX (1)

Roman Space Telescope starts waking up as NASA powers on instruments for the 1st time

European MNOs Disagree on the Value of Satellite D2D

Space Force names GMTI program, selects Northrop Grumman as prime

India’s satcom market is ready for scale as regulation, pricing and use cases align

Satellite Firms Pursue Deals to Compete With SpaceX in Direct-to-Device Connectivity