China   M&A   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Ars Technica • Eric Berger

Orbex exits as Skyrora eyes assets while China’s reusable-rocket milestone tightens SpaceX price pressure

UK small-launcher Orbex has exited the market, prompting rival Skyrora to explore buying its assets. The move follows China’s successful reusable-booster test — called a ‘significant milestone’ — as SpaceX’s aggressive pricing forces a strategic rethink across commercial launch suppliers.

Also: Space Daily and South China Morning Post
2026-02-13T04:10:26.399521-08:00
ISS   ESA   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   NASA  
European Spaceflight • Andrew Parsonson

ESA’s Sophie Adenot Becomes First of 2022 Astronaut Class to Fly to ISS Aboard SpaceX Crew-12

By European Spaceflight: Sophie Adenot has blasted off aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, becoming the first career astronaut of the agency’s 2022 class to travel to the ISS.

Also: ESA and ESA
2026-02-13T02:49:44.584235-08:00
Satellite   Europe   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
Bloomberg • Lionel Laurent

Musk’s SpaceX ‘Subsidies’ Are The Wrong Target

By Bloomberg: To get a sense of where geopolitical power is shifting, look to space, where European leaders are scrambling to throw money and resources at alternatives to Elon Musk’s $1.5 trillion SpaceX empire of satellites, rockets and artificial intelligence.

Also: Space Daily
2026-02-13T01:59:05.580394-08:00