SpaceNews

Electron launches confidential commercial satellite Rocket Lab launched a payload for an undisclosed commercial customer Nov. 20, just hours after the company announced plans for the launch.

Electron launches confidential commercial satellite

Rocket Lab launched a payload for an undisclosed commercial customer Nov. 20, just hours after the company announced plans for the launch.

Space Force roadmap set to define what the service needs and why Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman says work on the service's "objective force" analysis is nearly complete, publication likely in 2026

Space Force roadmap set to define what the service needs and why

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman says work on the service's "objective force" analysis is nearly complete, publication likely in 2026

Voyager Technologies acquires Estes Energetics The deal strengthens domestic access to energetics and propellants at a time of rising demand for munitions

Voyager Technologies acquires Estes Energetics

The deal strengthens domestic access to energetics and propellants at a time of rising demand for munitions

The ultimate backup: why humanity needs a lunar seed vault — now Humanity is losing the genetic diversity that sustains life on Earth at a pace that should alarm every nation. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, about 75% of the world’s crop varieties have disappeared in the last century. According to Marie Haga, former Executive Director of the Global Crop Trust, it’s closer to 80%. In the United States alone, more than 17,000 named varieties of apples once existed; today only about 5,000 remain.

The ultimate backup: why humanity needs a lunar seed vault — now

Humanity is losing the genetic diversity that sustains life on Earth at a pace that should alarm every nation. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, about 75% of the world’s crop varieties have disappeared in the…

Reimagining space stations for the commercial age In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss sits down with Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space for a fireside chat at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, the next installment of the Center’s Discovery Series.

Reimagining space stations for the commercial age

In this episode of Space Minds, host Mike Gruss sits down with Marshall Smith, CEO of Starlab Space for a fireside chat at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, the next installment of the Center’s Discovery Series.

Industry expects Germany to increase ESA contributions With ESA members set to decide on the agency’s budget for the next three years, all eyes on how much Germany will offer to support an ambitious series of programs.

Industry expects Germany to increase ESA contributions

With ESA members set to decide on the agency’s budget for the next three years, all eyes on how much Germany will offer to support an ambitious series of programs.

SSC introduces streamlined ground station service Swedish Space Corp. has rolled out a new ground station service designed to provide streamlined support for operators of small satellites and constellations.

SSC introduces streamlined ground station service

Swedish Space Corp. has rolled out a new ground station service designed to provide streamlined support for operators of small satellites and constellations.

Italian-Dutch space company Revolv Space launches new, larger solar array drive assembly WARSAW, Poland — Italian-Dutch company Revolv Space has its first customer for the company’s next-generation solar array drive assembly (SADA) for medium-sized platforms and constellations, a product known as MARA. Filippo Oggionni, the chief commercial officer and co-founder of Revolv Space, told SpaceNews that the company has sold 10 units of MARA, which Revolve launched at this week’s Space Tech Expo in Bremen, Germany.

Italian-Dutch space company Revolv Space launches new, larger solar array drive assembly

WARSAW, Poland — Italian-Dutch company Revolv Space has its first customer for the company’s next-generation solar array drive assembly (SADA) for medium-sized platforms and constellations, a product known as…

Kymeta and iRocket working on multi-orbit Golden Dome interceptor connectivity Kymeta is working on a conformal antenna that could be integrated into the body of missiles being developed by iRocket, enabling the multi-orbit connectivity they say will be vital for the U.S. Golden Dome interceptor network.

Kymeta and iRocket working on multi-orbit Golden Dome interceptor connectivity

Kymeta is working on a conformal antenna that could be integrated into the body of missiles being developed by iRocket, enabling the multi-orbit connectivity they say will be vital for the U.S. Golden Dome interceptor…

OQ Technology demos European emergency smartphone alert from space OQ Technology has become the first European satellite operator to send an emergency broadcast message directly to an unmodified smartphone from low Earth orbit, the Luxembourg-based venture announced Nov. 19.

OQ Technology demos European emergency smartphone alert from space

OQ Technology has become the first European satellite operator to send an emergency broadcast message directly to an unmodified smartphone from low Earth orbit, the Luxembourg-based venture announced Nov. 19.

Katalyst selects Pegasus to launch Swift reboost mission A startup with a NASA contract to raise the decaying orbit of an astronomy satellite has selected the rarely used Pegasus rocket for the mission.

Katalyst selects Pegasus to launch Swift reboost mission

A startup with a NASA contract to raise the decaying orbit of an astronomy satellite has selected the rarely used Pegasus rocket for the mission.

Redwire lands $44 million DARPA award to build air-breathing satellite Program aims to prove a new class of spacecraft that can survive and maneuver in the drag-heavy regime of very low Earth orbit

Redwire lands $44 million DARPA award to build air-breathing satellite

Program aims to prove a new class of spacecraft that can survive and maneuver in the drag-heavy regime of very low Earth orbit

Quindar raises $18 million to scale satellite operations software Startup founded by ex-OneWeb engineers aims to replace bespoke ground systems with automated tools

Quindar raises $18 million to scale satellite operations software

Startup founded by ex-OneWeb engineers aims to replace bespoke ground systems with automated tools

‘Department of War’ Executive Order should prioritize readiness against space stalkers  The administration has yet to follow up on its 200th Executive Order, which called for enhanced readiness. This silence represents a profound missed opportunity. Amidst a severe, persistent partisan divide, focusing on genuine military readiness offers a pathway for non-partisan decisions. To ensure this initiative cost-effectively achieves its goal of preparing for war so as to keep peace—not just for the United States but the free world—the administration must channel the Executive Order's mandate into tangible action, starting with what I consider to be the most urgent threat: readiness against space stalkers, or spacecraft that can approach and attack satellites in orbit.

‘Department of War’ Executive Order should prioritize readiness against space stalkers 

The administration has yet to follow up on its 200th Executive Order, which called for enhanced readiness. This silence represents a profound missed opportunity. Amidst a severe, persistent partisan divide,…

Senate Commerce Committee schedules hearing on Isaacman renomination The Senate Commerce Committee plans to hold a second confirmation hearing next month for Jared Isaacman’s nomination to be NASA administrator.

Senate Commerce Committee schedules hearing on Isaacman renomination

The Senate Commerce Committee plans to hold a second confirmation hearing next month for Jared Isaacman’s nomination to be NASA administrator.

U.S. government and companies criticize draft EU Space Act A U.S. government official warned that a draft European space law could “stifle innovation,” as other countries also assess the potential impacts of the proposed legislation.

U.S. government and companies criticize draft EU Space Act

A U.S. government official warned that a draft European space law could “stifle innovation,” as other countries also assess the potential impacts of the proposed legislation.

European officials stress space autonomy despite lingering dependencies European government officials stressed the need to build strong, autonomous space capabilities, even as the continent continues to rely on foreign companies for some launches.

European officials stress space autonomy despite lingering dependencies

European government officials stressed the need to build strong, autonomous space capabilities, even as the continent continues to rely on foreign companies for some launches.

Ursa Major secures $100 million in new capital as it leans hard into defense work The company now counts liquid engines for hypersonic vehicles and solid rocket motors as its core lines of business.

Ursa Major secures $100 million in new capital as it leans hard into defense work

The company now counts liquid engines for hypersonic vehicles and solid rocket motors as its core lines of business.

Eutelsat approves nearly $1 billion capital boost Eutelsat is a step closer to the financing needed to refresh its OneWeb LEO broadband constellation, after the French operator’s board approved plans Nov. 18 to raise nearly $1 billion from anchor shareholders.

Eutelsat approves nearly $1 billion capital boost

Eutelsat is a step closer to the financing needed to refresh its OneWeb LEO broadband constellation, after the French operator’s board approved plans Nov. 18 to raise nearly $1 billion from anchor shareholders.

The next generation of radar needed to detect micro-debris and enable a safer LEO  As someone deeply involved in the space sector, I’ve seen firsthand how low Earth orbit (LEO) is becoming increasingly congested. Satellite operators, space agencies and aerospace companies are all facing a growing threat from orbital debris. With more than 10,000 active satellites already in orbit and millions of smaller fragments accumulating, the risk of collision is rising sharply.

The next generation of radar needed to detect micro-debris and enable a safer LEO 

As someone deeply involved in the space sector, I’ve seen firsthand how low Earth orbit (LEO) is becoming increasingly congested. Satellite operators, space agencies and aerospace companies are all facing a growing…

Avoiding a harmful lunar ‘gold rush’ As shown by the recent SpaceNews editorials by Mustafa Bilal and Stirling Forbes, there is currently much talk of a coming lunar “gold rush,” with nations and companies seemingly in a mad scramble to access the moon for its alleged resources. But how realistic is this vision, and could the pursuit of it do more harm than good — both in space and on Earth?

Avoiding a harmful lunar ‘gold rush’

As shown by the recent SpaceNews editorials by Mustafa Bilal and Stirling Forbes, there is currently much talk of a coming lunar “gold rush,” with nations and companies seemingly in a mad scramble to access the moon for its alleged resources. But how realistic…

China’s space ambitions hit a new gear Bipartisan commission report says China is moving fast, and the United States must decide whether to match the pace

China’s space ambitions hit a new gear

Bipartisan commission report says China is moving fast, and the United States must decide whether to match the pace

Dcubed to demonstrate in-space manufacturing of solar arrays German satellite component company Dcubed is moving into in-space manufacturing with a series of missions to demonstrate production of large solar arrays in orbit.

Dcubed to demonstrate in-space manufacturing of solar arrays

German satellite component company Dcubed is moving into in-space manufacturing with a series of missions to demonstrate production of large solar arrays in orbit.

Novaspace Expands to India — Accelerating the Growth of the Nation’s Space Economy Bangalore, November 18, 2025 — Novaspace, the global consulting and market-intelligence firm dedicated to the space sector, announces the opening of its new office in India, marking a strategic milestone in its mission to connect global expertise with one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-evolving space ecosystems. Building on more than 40 years of heritage in advising governments, space agencies, and industry leaders, Novaspace’s expansion into India reflects both a commitment to local collaboration and a vision for global impact.

Novaspace Expands to India — Accelerating the Growth of the Nation’s Space Economy

Bangalore, November 18, 2025 — Novaspace, the global consulting and market-intelligence firm dedicated to the space sector, announces the opening of its new office in India, marking a strategic milestone in its…

SEOPS buys Spectrum launch from Isar Aerospace SEOPS, an American mission services provider, has purchased a Spectrum launch from Isar Aerospace to broaden launch options for its customers.

SEOPS buys Spectrum launch from Isar Aerospace

SEOPS, an American mission services provider, has purchased a Spectrum launch from Isar Aerospace to broaden launch options for its customers.

York Space Systems files to go public The satellite manufacturer files for IPO as defense-driven demand lures investors

York Space Systems files to go public

The satellite manufacturer files for IPO as defense-driven demand lures investors

Orion: Safeguarding Humanity’s Return to the Moon and the Journey Beyond NASA’s Orion spacecraft is built around a single, uncompromising principle—crew must return home safely. From the millisecond‑response launch abort system (LAS) perched atop the capsule to the autonomous flight software that steers the vehicle when it disappears behind the Moon, every subsystem has been engineered with redundant designs to provide continuous protection throughout launch, deep‑space cruise, lunar operations and the fiery re‑entry that follows.

Orion: Safeguarding Humanity’s Return to the Moon and the Journey Beyond

NASA’s Orion spacecraft is built around a single, uncompromising principle—crew must return home safely. From the millisecond‑response launch abort system (LAS) perched atop the capsule to the autonomous flight software that…

Leanspace raises €10 million Series A round to bring software-defined satellite operations to enterprise and institutional space programs STRASBOURG, November 17th, 2025 - Leanspace, a European satellite operations technology provider, today announced it has raised €10 million in Series A funding. The financing round includes new strategic investors: ISAI Cap Venture, Capgemini’s corporate venture arm, and Qwaltec, a US-based space and defense contractor, alongside historical investors specializing in space, defense, and enterprise software: VC firms 42CAP and Karista, and Arnaud Guérin, co-founder of military AI platform Preligens.

Leanspace raises €10 million Series A round to bring software-defined satellite operations to enterprise and institutional space programs

STRASBOURG, November 17th, 2025 - Leanspace, a European satellite operations technology provider, today announced it has raised €10 million in Series A funding.…

How Golden Dome could make nuclear weapons irrelevant  For nearly 80 years, the specter of nuclear war has haunted humankind, shaping foreign policy, military strategy, and international relations. The principle of "mutually assured destruction" (MAD) has been the cornerstone of global stability since the dawn of the atomic age. Yet, this fragile equilibrium has always depended on one terrifying certainty: No defense is strong enough to reliably stop a determined nuclear attack.

How Golden Dome could make nuclear weapons irrelevant 

For nearly 80 years, the specter of nuclear war has haunted humankind, shaping foreign policy, military strategy, and international relations. The principle of "mutually assured destruction" (MAD) has been the cornerstone of global stability…

China to launch Shenzhou-22 spacecraft Nov. 25 to provide lifeboat for astronauts China is set to launch an uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft to the Tiangong space station to provide the Shenzhou-21 astronauts with a means of returning home.

China to launch Shenzhou-22 spacecraft Nov. 25 to provide lifeboat for astronauts

China is set to launch an uncrewed Shenzhou spacecraft to the Tiangong space station to provide the Shenzhou-21 astronauts with a means of returning home.