Space news

A new look at the heart of our Milky Way galaxy by Euclid, an ESA (European Space Agency) mission with NASA contributions, overlaps with a region scientists will observe with NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launching later this summer. This sneak peek gives astronomers a major jumpstart on a core Roman survey, helping scientists […]

The Expedition 74 crew members continued their spacewalk preparations on Wednesday reviewing robotics activities and configuring tools. The orbital residents also kept up their ongoing biomedical research and advanced technology studies aboard the International Space Station.

During an OHB Capital Markets Update in May, German launch services provider Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) outlined its planned path towards developing a fully reusable heavy-lift rocket called RFA TWO. RFA was founded as a spin-off of OHB, which still holds a 65% stake in the company. It is currently developing its RFA ONE rocket, […] The post Rocket Factory Augsburg Details RFA ONE Upgrades and RFA TWO Plans appeared first on European Spaceflight.

Commercial space station company Vast announced June 24 the addition of several companies and organizations to its network of partners for microgravity research and manufacturing. The post Vast signs additional partners for commercial space station microgravity research appeared first on SpaceNews.

What does an electrician do? Electricity powers the world, and electricians are the ones who get it where it needs to go. An electrician is an expert who is trained to make sure electrical systems and equipment are installed safely and working correctly. Electricians are involved in a variety of systems, including power, lighting, communications, […]

WASHINGTON — York Space Systems said June 24 that a satellite it built for the U.S. Space Force successfully demonstrated two-way tactical communications using ultra-high-frequency (UHF) links from low Earth […] The post York satellite demonstrates two-way UHF communications from low Earth orbit appeared first on SpaceNews.

America’s electric grid is entering a period of unprecedented strain. Utilities across the country are scrambling to keep up as power-hungry AI data centers expand at a staggering pace, often […] The post How space weather could bust the AI boom appeared first on SpaceNews.

WASHINGTON — Vantor has chosen BAE Systems to build its next generation of high-resolution imaging satellites. The selection reunites Vantor with the former Ball Aerospace business that helped develop DigitalGlobe’s […] The post Vantor selects BAE Systems to build next-generation imaging satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

SpaceX launched the first test flight of its Starfall reentry capsule June 23, but the mission remained as secretive as the program itself. The post SpaceX launches secretive Starfall reentry demo mission appeared first on SpaceNews.

Amazon and several other non-geostationary satellite operators have formed a trade association to represent their fast-growing market, with SpaceX notably absent despite having by far the largest NGSO constellation. The post NGSO trade association launches without industry giant SpaceX appeared first on SpaceNews.

From the ESA Blogs.

This is the largest high-resolution photo ever made of our Milky Way galaxy’s centre in visible light. It was taken on 23 March 2025 by the European Space Agency’s Euclid space telescope. Packed with more than 60 million stars, this image opens the door for scientists to confirm the existence of any exoplanet found in this region and measure its mass using tiny changes in starlight over time.

At 15:24 CEST on 15 June 2026, a faint blue glow in space was switched off for the last time. After powering BepiColombo's eight-year journey across the inner Solar System, the spacecraft's solar electric propulsion (SEP) system completed its final thrust arc, marking the end of BepiColombo’s long cruise phase and the beginning of its arrival at Mercury.

From the ESA Blogs.

By Susanne P. Schwenzer, Professor of Planetary Mineralogy at The Open University, UK Earth planning date: Thursday, June 18, 2026 In the area Curiosity is currently exploring, the science team has mapped several areas with different-looking surface texture on the orbital images. If you wanted to have a look yourself at what there is to […]

Apollo astronauts previewed their roles as lunar field geologists in Alaska’s Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes.

German space company OHB will raise about half a billion euros through a stock sale to allow the company to expand facilities and pursue potential acquisitions. The post OHB raises funding for expansion, acquisitions appeared first on SpaceNews.

This week’s launch manifest includes six orbital launches worldwide, including the first Pegasus XL launch… The post Launch Preview: Pegasus XL to launch amongst Falcon 9 and Chinese missions appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

A report by NASA’s inspector general is the latest to highlight the problems that the increasing number of launches is posing to spaceports. The post NASA’s inspector general warns launch sites nearing capacity appeared first on SpaceNews.

WASHINGTON — Boeing won a contract worth up to $2 billion to build two next-generation military communications satellites for the U.S. Space Force, prevailing over Lockheed Martin in a competition […] The post Boeing wins $2 billion Space Force contract for communications satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASA has selected Sean Gallagher as the agency’s chief information officer (CIO). In this role, he is responsible for the agency’s entire portfolio of Information Technology products and services. Gallager has been serving in an acting capacity since January and his permanent role is effective immediately. “Sean Gallagher’s leadership has been instrumental in strengthening NASA’s […]

The uncrewed flight of the spacecraft is still going through testing and analysis before NASA green lights a return to flight mission.

The uncrewed flight of the spacecraft is still going through testing and analysis before NASA green lights a return to flight mission.

Spacewalk preparations filled the schedule aboard the International Space Station on Tuesday as a pair of astronauts gear up for next week’s external robotics repair job. CubeSat maintenance and eye checks rounded out the day for the Expedition 74 crew.

June 23, 2026 – Washington, D.C.—The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is pleased to welcome Sophia Space, a company advancing orbital computing infrastructure for the next generation of space-based data processing, […] The post Commercial Space Federation (CSF) Welcomes New Associate Member appeared first on SpaceNews.

Eight commercial data providers received contracts to provide a range of data in support of NASA’s Earth science priorities.

58th Girl Scouts Unite Event, July 23-25, 2026 Join NASA in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #206) for Hyperwall Storytelling by NASA experts. Full Hyperwall Agenda below. Thursday, July 23 11:00AM – 11:15 AMFrom Daisy to NASA EngineerBarbara Hilton11:15AM – 11:30 AMExploring Mars, The Planet Next DoorLindsay Hays11:30AM – 11:45 AMGet Ready With Me: Going to […]

SAN FRANCISCO – Ubotica Technologies, an Irish company focused on artificial intelligence for spacecraft, has raised $11 million to expand commercial sales of its maritime-intelligence platform. The platform, Live Maritime […] The post Ubotica raises $11 million to scale maritime-intelligence platform appeared first on SpaceNews.

American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference, June 25-29, 2026 Join NASA in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #2243) for Hyperwall Storytelling by NASA experts. Full Hyperwall Agenda below. FRIDAY, JUNE 26 SATURDAY, JUNE 27 SUNDAY, JUNE 28 MONDAY, JUNE 29

Flight tests are a big part of how NASA turns breakthrough ideas into reality. From flying humans faster than the speed of sound to proving designs that helped shape the space shuttle, flight testing transforms bold concepts into safer, more efficient technologies that benefit the public. “Flight tests are a way to safely and effectively […]

SAN FRANCISCO – Sophia Space announced the selection June 22 of an Apex bus for its first orbital computing node. Pasadena, California-based Sophia plans to demonstrate its Thermal Integrated LEO […] The post Sophia selects Apex bus for on-orbit computing demonstration appeared first on SpaceNews.

The Moon appears half-illuminated in this photo captured by the Artemis II crew on flight day 6. The terminator – the difference between light and darkness – provides a stark contrast and even greater perspective of the Moon’s rocky, uneven, and otherworldly surface features. The near side, which is what we can see from Earth, […]

The European Space Agency (ESA) has made initial decisions on the future of its contributions to NASA’s Gateway space station after the US space agency “paused” the programme. The agency largely expects to proceed with developing most of its planned Gateway hardware while awaiting the results of studies on how best to repurpose each element. […] The post ESA Details Next Steps for Agency’s Gateway Contributions appeared first on European Spaceflight.

English: Paxi and the European Space Agency

Jason Peterson’s responsibilities for NASA’s Artemis II mission went beyond his usual role as the range operations manager at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. Peterson credits his military experience with preparing him for the 12-to-16-hour workdays that helped bring the Artemis II test flight around the Moon and into view for audiences around the world.

The European Space Agency (ESA) leads the design, development, qualification and R&D of flagship EU Space programmes Galileo and EGNOS. It also implements satellite navigation programmes focused on innovation, competitiveness and in-orbit demonstrations, with ESA optional programmes NAVISP, FutureNAV, Celeste (LEO-PNT), Genesis and Moonlight.

Astronomers using NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope have found something they never expected — ultraviolet light from a galaxy that existed just 1.4 billion years after the big bang.

Located 12 million light-years away and undergoing rapid star formation, edge-on spiral galaxy Messier 82 (M82) is a scientifically unique sight to behold, and now NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has revealed previously unseen details. M82’s intense star formation, thought to be the result of a galaxy merger, will be a short-lived event in astronomical […]

Loft Orbital is working with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to test the use of artificial intelligence on spacecraft to improve Earth science monitoring. The post Loft Orbital to test AI models on spacecraft for Earth observation appeared first on SpaceNews.

Companies are looking to fill demand from defense and intelligence agencies for persistent surveillance rather than one-off imagery purchases. The post Satellogic partners with SynMax to build intelligence services around upcoming Merlin constellation appeared first on SpaceNews.

A state-funded tender for tank tooling, a delivered stainless steel forging and launch pad planning suggest that China is developing 7-meter-diameter reusable rockets. The post China appears to be developing 7-meter-diameter reusable rockets appeared first on SpaceNews.

Mitchell Institute workshop participants found little consensus on where competition ends and conflict begins as China expands counterspace capabilities The post Report: U.S. needs framework for responding to hostile acts in space appeared first on SpaceNews.

Relentless rains are threatening a lake in Kenya’s Great Rift Valley that has become a key hub in the global flower trade.

A new report from NASA’s Office of Inspector General spells out dire launch infrastructure needs at Kennedy Space Center and Wallops Flight Facility. One solution is for Congress to pass […]

NASA’s safety advisers say that while the agency and Boeing make progress in addressing problems with the CST-100 Starliner, it could be up to a year before it flies again. The post NASA and Boeing still uncertain about when Starliner will return to flight appeared first on SpaceNews.

The mission is the debut of a new reentry capsule developed by SpaceX that weighs about 2,100 kg (4,600 lbs). Liftoff from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for 6:43 a.m. EDT (1043 UTC).

The White House has issued an executive order aiming to unify and accelerate U.S. development of quantum technologies, including space systems that could enable next-generation navigation, sensing and secure communications. The post Trump signs executive order to accelerate quantum space infrastructure appeared first on SpaceNews.

SpaceX has told NASA it plans to launch Starship every eight days from Kennedy.

NASA will begin processing the awards of multiple contracts for the Solutions for Enterprise‑wide Procurement (SEWP) VI Government-wide Acquisition Contract. The contract provides streamlined access to commercial products and services, including hardware, software, cloud services, cybersecurity tools, engineering and consulting services, and data intensive mission support capabilities. This competitive acquisition was conducted within three categories: […]

SpaceX is set to launch a demonstration mission for its Starfall reentry vehicle early on… The post SpaceX to test upcoming Starfall reentry vehicle with demonstration mission on Tuesday appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.