Update: NASA's Swift Observatory reenters over Indonesia after 22-year mission
NASA confirms Swift reentered over Indonesia's North Sumatra region at 7:39 a.m.
original 2026-11-02
#us-gov
Redwire wins $20 million DARPA contract for second VLEO propulsion demo
Redwire's $20 million DARPA Otter award funds a subscale SabreSat flight test ahead of a full air-breathing VLEO demo.
FAA proposes new rules to streamline commercial launch licensing
The FAA unveiled three proposed rules and a technical-corrections final rule aimed at speeding up commercial launch and reentry licensing.
Viasat, SES Space & Defense and Astranis win NASA Ka-band relay contracts
NASA picked three companies to develop commercial Ka-band relay concepts succeeding its aging TDRS fleet.
LeoLabs secures $150 million conditional DoW loan for radar expansion
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital will match LeoLabs' own $150 million, funding $300 million in radar expansion.
Space Force weighs 5-satellite proliferated cislunar constellation for 2029
The Space Force says it may launch up to 5 seed satellites to cislunar space by late 2029 to shape a future constellation.
Voyager names former Space Force chief Saltzman to lead advisory board
Voyager named retired Space Force chief Gen. Chance Saltzman chairman of its board of advisors.
NASA's Swift Observatory reenters over Indonesia after 22-year mission
NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory reentered over North Sumatra at 7:39 a.m. EST Nov. 4, nearly 22 years after launch.
Update: Quantum Space to go public via SPAC merger at a $1.2 billion post-deal value
The SEC declared the deal's registration statement effective and Inflection Point set a Nov. 20 shareholder vote, with the combined company now expected to l...
original 2026-06-08
Update: SpaceX declines three Space Force launch bids as Falcon 9 phase-out looms
An Ars Technica/Quilty Space analysis finds the launch shortfall could reach 150 missions by 2030, doubling if military demand is included, as Space Force de...
original 2026-10-22
Update: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile ask FCC to drop two bands from Starlink Mobile plan
SpaceX tells the FCC that T-Mobile's proposed interference protections would create 400 km buffer zones cutting millions off from direct-to-cell service, acc...
original 2026-10-20
ESI Motion to supply solar array electronics for Lockheed's SDA satellites
ESI Motion's SuperNova and Pulsar motor controllers will drive solar arrays on Lockheed's SDA missile-tracking satellites.
Rocketdyne to supply 28 thrusters per NOAA GeoXO weather satellite
Rocketdyne will supply 28 monopropellant and electric-propulsion thrusters per spacecraft under a new Lockheed Martin GeoXO contract.
Update: Space Force awards first operational CASR contracts to six SDA firms
Aviation Week reports the six initial CASR contracts total just $1.37 million combined, with the Space Force now developing similar commercial-reserve arrang...
original 2026-10-22
Update: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile ask FCC to drop two bands from Starlink Mobile plan
The FCC's Oct. 29 vote opened a formal rulemaking rather than granting the spectrum outright, leaving the carriers' band-exclusion request undecided during a...
original 2026-10-20
Update: FAA seeks input on new US spaceport sites and launch corridors
SpaceX's own FAA comment says it alone expects 10,000 launches a year and proposes integrating its Cleared platform into FAA flow management.
original 2026-08-25
Firefly's SciTec expands FORGE missile-warning system to GEO sensor data
SciTec integrated a geostationary Wide Field of View sensor into the Space Force's FORGE missile-warning ground system.
Update: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile ask FCC to drop two bands from Starlink Mobile plan
CTIA filed a formal 10-page petition on Oct. 22 quantifying the disputed bands at 290 MHz, about 60% of the FCC's 482 MHz proposal, and citing new T-Mobile i...
original 2026-10-20score 2 → 3
Update: SpaceX gets access to classified DoD space-tracking data, sources say
The Guardian independently confirmed the Space Force/SpaceX classified tracking-data arrangement, adding a named critic's warning that it could make SpaceX t...
original 2026-09-23score 3 → 4
FCC approves Amazon's transfer of Globalstar's satellite licenses
The FCC approved transferring Globalstar's satellite licenses to Amazon, clearing the way for their $11.57 billion merger.
EarthDaily wins $3 million NASA task order to benchmark against Landsat
EarthDaily will supply its own satellite imagery for NASA and USGS to test against Landsat's data standards.
SpaceX asks FCC to add 900 MHz band to satellite-to-phone rules
SpaceX's Oct. 23 FCC filing urges adding the lower 900 MHz band to its draft satellite-to-phone rules, backing NextNav's spectrum bid.
Stoke Space lines up $150 million Pentagon loan for second Florida launchpad
The Pentagon's Office of Strategic Capital commits a $150 million conditional loan for Stoke Space's second Cape Canaveral launchpad.
Update: SpaceX declines three Space Force launch bids as Falcon 9 phase-out looms
SpaceNews names the specific payload categories (GPS, missile warning, cislunar surveillance, SDA) shifting from Vulcan to SpaceX, while NewSpace Economy cla...
original 2026-10-22
Update: FCC approves second C-band auction, clearing 160 MHz of satellite spectrum
The FCC opened a new docket for public comment on satellite operators' Upper C-band transition plans and set selection criteria for an independent clearingho...
original 2026-07-22
Update: FCC adopts satellite licensing overhaul, creates 'assembly line' review
The FCC's Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on additional Part 100 reforms, including NGSO call sign merging and a new space-based experimental licensing...
original 2026-07-01
Update: SpaceX declines three Space Force launch bids as Falcon 9 phase-out looms
Rocket Lab is expanding Electron test capacity to work through a 100-plus launch backlog as the Space Force launch-capacity gap draws investor attention; Neu...
original 2026-10-22
Update: Space Force awards first operational CASR contracts to six SDA firms
Via Satellite added the program's funding context: a March 2025 wargame with more than a dozen companies and commercial-services budget lines of just $37 mil...
original 2026-10-22
Orbital Operations wins DoD OTA worth up to $35M for Astraeus demo
Orbital Operations wins a DoD OTA worth up to $35M for an in-orbit demo of its Astraeus cryogenic maneuvering vehicle.
SpaceX declines three Space Force launch bids as Falcon 9 phase-out looms
SpaceX turned down three Space Force launch requests while winding down Falcon 9, and no rival offered to fly them either.
Space Force studies third US launch site for heavy-lift rockets by 2030
Space Systems Command is exploring a third US spaceport by 2030 as demand outgrows Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg, says Lt. Gen. Garrant.
FCC lets SpaceX take over Tristar's AWS-3 spectrum for D2D network
The FCC approved transferring three unbuilt AWS-3 licenses from Tristar to SpaceX for its direct-to-device network, waiving reauction.
Space Force awards first operational CASR contracts to six SDA firms
The Space Force picked Anduril, LeoLabs and four other firms for its first operational Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve contracts.
Anduril · LeoLabs · Slingshot Aerospace · InTrack Radar · EOS Space Systems · NorthStar · U.S. Space Force4 sources →
Planet wins NASA evaluation task order for Tanager hyperspectral data
NASA will evaluate over 250,000 square kilometers of Planet's Tanager hyperspectral imagery under its commercial data program.
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile ask FCC to drop two bands from Starlink Mobile plan
Carriers' trade group CTIA met FCC leadership Oct. 20 seeking to strip two bands from an Oct. 29 satellite-spectrum vote.
EraDrive wins $13 million DoD award for satellite autonomy module
The Space Force will buy EraDrive's vision-based Era-Node autonomy modules under a $13 million APFIT award.
FCC authorizes Globalstar's next-generation C-3 satellite system
The FCC cleared Globalstar's 48-satellite C-3 constellation to operate nationwide for direct-to-device smartphone connectivity.
US ambassador Puzder threatens EU with retaliation over Starlink spectrum plan
US ambassador to the EU Andrew Puzder warns of "devastating" retaliation if Brussels reserves 2 GHz satellite spectrum for European firms.
BAE Systems wins Space Force contract to build resilient satellite RF terminals
BAE Systems will build jam-resistant RF terminals for a Space Force data layer spanning low orbit to geosynchronous orbit.
GAO flags cost and data-gap risks in NOAA's scaled-back GeoXO satellites
GAO found NOAA's slimmed-down GeoXO weather satellites still lack a verified cost estimate and risk a data-continuity gap.
Update: SpaceX launches 21 Northrop Grumman satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 network
Aviation Week reports the Transport Layer has reached 84 satellites but integration is lagging: only 4 of 21 Lockheed Martin satellites had been handed to go...
original 2026-10-10
SpaceX launches classified USSF-481 mission for Space Force
Falcon 9 carried a classified Space Force payload to a polar orbit from Vandenberg on booster B1081's 28th flight.
Amazon Leo completes satellite connectivity demo with US Army
Amazon's Leo Pro terminal hit over 400 Mbps in an Army field test, the next step toward tactical soldier connectivity.
SES selects Lyntris to build PTS-G satellite payload for Space Force
Lyntris will build the RF payload for SES's share of the Space Force's anti-jam PTS-G satellite program.
York Space Systems receives two Space Force Data Network task orders
York Space Systems will support two Space Force task orders testing Space Data Network interoperability and an in-orbit demo.
SpaceX launches 21 Northrop Grumman satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 network
A follow-up report details why integrating three vendors' Tranche 1 satellites into one network is lagging behind the launch cadence.
Kapta Space raises $24 million Series A for moving-target radar payloads
Kapta Space closed a $24M Series A to build low-cost radar payloads that track moving targets from orbit.
NASA releases final RFP for Commercial LEO Destinations space stations
NASA issued its final request for proposals for commercial space stations, with industry responses due December 8.
SpaceX asks FCC to end third-party coordination for launch spectrum
SpaceX wants the FCC to drop third-party review that coordinates launch spectrum with aerospace, defense and medical users.
EU SST and US TraCSS publish joint study on sharing collision-warning data
EU SST and the US TraCSS found their conjunction-warning feeds differ sharply in volume, per a joint study presented at AMOS 2026.
Voyager Technologies wins $22.4 million DoW satellite-dispenser contract
Voyager Technologies won a $22.4 million DoW contract to prototype small-satellite deployment dispensers.
FAA proposes five rules to speed up commercial launch licensing
The FAA proposed five rule changes to speed Part 450 launch licensing, including electronic filing and combined safety reviews.
SpaceX wins FCC approval to launch 15,000 Starlink Mobile satellites
The FCC approved 15,000 next-gen Starlink Mobile satellites and waived SpaceX's need to lease spectrum from a carrier.
Kratos wins more than $100 million in space intelligence data contracts
Kratos won more than $100 million in combined contracts for space intelligence data and cyber-warfare tools for the Pentagon.
York Space Systems clears design review for Space Force Tetra 3, 4 satellites
York Space Systems cleared design review to build its first GEO spacecraft for the Space Force's Tetra 3 and Tetra 4 missions.
Update: FCC exempts satellite operations from NEPA review, opens 1,050 MHz of spectrum
The same Sept. 30 FCC meeting also opened a rulemaking exploring 1,450 MHz more Ku/Ka-band and D-band spectrum, plus bands for non-connectivity space uses, p...
original 2026-09-30
SpaceX flies Falcon Heavy's first mission for the NRO
A Falcon Heavy carrying the classified NROL-97 payload lifted off Oct. 1, the NRO's first flight on the rocket.
FCC exempts satellite operations from NEPA review, opens 1,050 MHz of spectrum
The FCC voted Sept. 30 to exempt space operations from NEPA review and open 1,050 MHz of satellite spectrum.
US ambassador warns EU Space Act could burden American space companies
Per Space Intel Report, the US ambassador to the EU warned EU Space Act rules could burden American providers but not Chinese rivals.
FEMA signs agency-wide hazard-monitoring subscription with ICEYE
FEMA moved from buying ICEYE satellite data event by event to a standing, agency-wide multi-year subscription.
FAA opens comment on Blue Origin bid to launch New Glenn 50 times a year
The FAA opened public comment on Blue Origin's bid to raise New Glenn's launch cadence at SLC-36A from 12 to 50 flights a year.
FAA opens new environmental review for SpaceX Starship buildout at Cape Canaveral
The FAA will prepare a supplemental environmental review for up to 76 Starship launches a year from Cape Canaveral's SLC-37.
Northrop Grumman delivers first 21 satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 Transport Layer
Northrop Grumman delivered the first 21 of 150 planned SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites to Vandenberg Space Force Base.
SpaceX launches classified USSF-385 mission for Space Force
SpaceX flew a classified Space Force mission from Vandenberg, the fourth in a suspected Starshield deployment series in six weeks.
Update: Space Force picks 15 firms for $981 million space test and training contract
Redwire confirmed its own selection Sept. 24, with President Mike Gold saying the award "underscores Redwire's role as a trusted provider" to Space Systems C...
original 2026-07-31
L3Harris completes design review for SDA Tranche 3 tracking satellites
L3Harris finished the preliminary design review for its 18 SDA Tranche 3 missile-tracking satellites.
Update: Spire, PlanetiQ, Ethereal Space win $67 million in NOAA weather-data task orders
Spire Global said Sept. 22 that NOAA awarded it a $33.2 million task order to deliver GNSS radio occultation (GNSS-RO) data, including RO profiles with Tempo...
original 2026-09-22
SpaceX gets access to classified DoD space-tracking data, sources say
Per Breaking Defense: SpaceX won access to the Pentagon's classified space-tracking catalog in exchange for its own Stargaze data.
Viasat wins $42 million Marine Corps satcom task order
Viasat's Inmarsat Government unit won a $42 million initial task order under its $307 million Marine Corps satcom IDIQ.
Spire, PlanetiQ, Ethereal Space win $67 million in NOAA weather-data task orders
NOAA's own release shows Spire's $33.2 million task order was one of three simultaneous awards, not a single company plus surge options.
Katalyst wins Pentagon award to demo in-orbit power beaming
Katalyst will use its Nexus spacecraft to assemble NRL solar-power tiles in orbit and beam the energy to Earth as microwaves.
FAA proposes new environmental exclusions for ocean reentry vehicles
The FAA published a draft environmental review and proposed new exclusions for commercial reentry vehicles splashing down in the ocean.
NASA awards SpaceX three more Crew Dragon flights for $946 million
NASA modified SpaceX's Commercial Crew contract to add Crew-15, Crew-16, and Crew-17 for $946 million.
Northrop Grumman, True Anomaly selected for Space Force GHOST-R satellite awards
DIU and Space Force picked Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly to build GHOST-R prototype satellites for tracking GEO objects.
Space Force seeks commercial docking-capable spacecraft for Tactically Responsive Space
Space Force's Space Safari office wants commercial spacecraft that can rendezvous with and dock to other satellites on short notice.
FAA clears environmental review for Relativity's Terran R at Cape Canaveral
The FAA cleared its environmental review of Relativity's Terran R program at Cape Canaveral SLC-16, per the Federal Register.
Update: SpaceX wins $2.29 billion Space Force contract for data network backbone
Space Force officials confirmed Sept. 15 that SpaceX may define the SDN Backbone's own satellite count and constellation architecture rather than follow a fi...
original 2026-05-26
SpaceX wins FCC authority to offer Starlink Mobile internationally
The FCC granted SpaceX global facilities-based and resale authority to carry Starlink Mobile traffic between the US and foreign markets.
Space Force lets SpaceX set its own design for $2.3B network
Space Force set performance targets, not a satellite count, for SpaceX's Space Data Network contract.
Northrop Grumman confirmed as prime for Space Force's RRS-G tracking program
Space Force named its ground-target-tracking program RRS-G and confirmed Northrop Grumman as prime, per Breaking Defense.
Intellian and Network Innovations to build multi-band WGS flyaway terminals
Intellian's new terminal spans Mil X-band, Military Ka-band and commercial Ka/Ku-band across every orbit, deployable in under 30 minutes.
Update: Rocket Lab protests NASA's Mars orbiter award to Blue Origin
A re-run corroboration search found two independent trade-press pickups (The Register, SatNews) the original found_none crawl missed three days ago; attached...
original 2026-09-11score 2 → 3
State Department launches Space Catalyst Partnership
A new State Dept initiative links Artemis Accords countries to U.S. commercial space firms, starting with a Peru rural-broadband pilot.
USA 32 spy satellite breaks apart at 775 km after 38 years in orbit
A retired 1988 NRO reconnaissance satellite fragmented Sept. 13 at 775 km, adding debris near 200+ active satellites including Iridium.
Antares wins $161 million Space Force contract for nuclear reactor demo
Nuclear microreactor startup Antares won a $161 million DoD award to demonstrate its R1-S reactor for spacecraft power.
Rocket Lab protests NASA's Mars orbiter award to Blue Origin
Rocket Lab has filed a GAO protest challenging NASA's $700 million Mars orbiter award to Blue Origin.
SpaceX launches classified USSF-153 mission for Space Force
SpaceX's Falcon 9 carried an undisclosed number of classified satellites to orbit for the Space Force from Vandenberg.
Sierra Space puts Ghost reentry vehicle through cargo drop tests
Per Aviation Week: Sierra Space drop-tested its Ghost reentry vehicle from 68,500 feet in a Space Command logistics exercise.
NASA names Henry Helgeson as its first Chief Commercial Officer
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman created a Chief Commercial Officer post and named Henry Helgeson to fill it.
SpaceX and Blue Origin skip Paris summit amid White House pressure
SpaceX and Blue Origin skipped the Paris space summit after the White House urged US firms to stay away, per Fortune.
Space Force picks Texas site for third Northrop Grumman DARC radar
The Space Force picked Lake Kickapoo, Texas for the third and final Northrop Grumman DARC deep-space radar site.
BAE Systems clears critical design review for Space Force missile-tracking satellites
Space Systems Command completed critical design review for the second batch of BAE-built MEO missile warning and tracking satellites.
SpaceX sues Texas AG, Grimes County to block Terafab records release
SpaceX sued Texas's AG and Grimes County to keep sealed the tax-incentive and cost records behind its $119 billion Terafab chip plant.
Update: FAA proposes waiving 13 environmental laws for launch and reentry licensing
The FAA proposes using the Transportation Secretary's authority to waive requirements not necessary to protect public health and safety, property, national s...
original 2026-07-28
Update: FAA finalizes environmental review for expanded SpaceX Starship reentry zones
The FAA published a Notice of Availability for the Final Tiered Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact/Record of Decision (FONSI/ROD),...
original 2026-07-14
NASA's Isaacman pushes back on calls to commercialize every program
Per NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman: not every NASA problem has a commercial fix.
Schiess sworn in as Space Force's third Chief of Space Operations
Gen. Douglas Schiess took over as Space Force's top uniformed officer, succeeding Gen. Chance Saltzman.
SpaceX urges FCC to sunset $4.5 billion rural broadband fund
SpaceX urged the FCC to sunset its High-Cost rural subsidy fund as 'rent-seeking'; rural ISPs' trade group objected.
NASA consolidates launch programs into single procurement office
NASA is merging its launch programs into one office weighing block buys of launch services, per SpaceNews.
Telesat and Cailabs to pursue optical ground links for government missions
Telesat Government Solutions and Cailabs US will study pairing Lightspeed's optical inter-satellite links with Cailabs' ground stations.
Kymeta lands $20M DoD order for 100+ Osprey u8 satcom terminals
Kymeta secured a $20 million DoD order for more than 100 Osprey u8 multi-orbit satcom terminals.
Blue Origin wins $700M NASA Mars Telecommunications Network contract
NASA picked Blue Origin over Rocket Lab to build and operate a $700 million Mars telecom orbiter due by December 2028.
House panel advances bill to fast-track FCC satellite licensing
The House Energy and Commerce Committee's telecom subcommittee advanced the SAT Streamlining Act, per CCIA.
All.Space wins DIU award to scale Hydra terminal production
The Defense Innovation Unit tapped All.Space's Hydra satcom terminal for its 10ⁿ rapid-manufacturing program.
Update: White House sets 1,000-launch-a-year goal in new national space policy
For national-security "space superiority" missions, the policy also requires the ability to launch within 48 hours and directs the Department of Transportati...
original 2026-08-20
Spire, Muon Space, Weather Stream win NOAA microwave-sounder awards
NOAA's TMATE program awarded Spire, Muon Space, and Weather Stream a combined $46.5 million to build new microwave sounding instruments.
LeoLabs wins $20.68M Space Force OTA for Scout-S radar
LeoLabs will deliver a modified Scout-S radar system for the Space Force under a $20.68 million prototype award.
TraCSS stays in pilot mode, commercial SSA data buys on hold
OSC's acting TraCSS program manager says the space-traffic system remains in pilot mode and commercial SSA data purchases stay on hold.
Update: SpaceX launches 21 York-built satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 network
Sandhoo said August 24 at the Small Satellite Conference that on-orbit checkouts for this second York-built plane are progressing two to three times faster t...
original 2026-07-16
FAA seeks input on new US spaceport sites and launch corridors
SpaceX's FAA comment says it alone expects 10,000 launches a year, with outdated air traffic control the real bottleneck.
Update: White House sets 1,000-launch-a-year goal in new national space policy
The FAA followed up by opening two requests for public and industry input implementing the policy, per it-boltwise.de: one on where to site new spaceports an...
original 2026-08-20
Office of Space Commerce opens pilot for new mission-authorization framework
OSC's new pilot invites companies to apply for one streamlined authorization path for novel in-space activities.
White House sets 1,000-launch-a-year goal in new national space policy
The White House sets a 1,000-launch-a-year goal and the FAA opens two implementation RFIs with an Oct. 26 comment deadline.
Update: Space Force awards five satellite firms $60 million for network tests
Rocket Lab said Aug. 18 it will use a Rocket Lab-built Photon spacecraft to demonstrate secure optical inter-satellite links and interoperability with the SD...
original 2026-08-13
HawkEye 360 wins NRO's first operational commercial RF contract
HawkEye 360 became the first commercial RF provider to reach an operational NRO contract after completing three BAA test phases.
Firefly wins NASA payload-processing contract for Vandenberg missions
NASA added Firefly to its Spacecraft Processing Operations Contract, letting it compete for payload-processing task orders at Vandenberg.
Viasat picks Rocket Lab to build small GEO satellite for Space Force
Viasat picked Rocket Lab to build the satellite bus for its Space Force PTS-G anti-jam GEO satellite.
Update: Firefly, D-Orbit and Katalyst win Pentagon deorbit-as-a-service study awards
The Space Development Agency and Defense Innovation Unit awarded Firefly Aerospace, D-Orbit USA and Katalyst Space a combined roughly $8.4 million for prelim...
original 2026-08-13
Spire and PlanetiQ win NOAA radio-occultation data contracts
NOAA awarded Spire $3.7 million and PlanetiQ $2.7 million for GNSS radio-occultation weather data through early December.
Astranis unveils Perceptor satellite line for GEO surveillance
Astranis is building a new MicroGEO-based satellite line to inspect and track other spacecraft in geostationary orbit.
Space Kinetic wins $50M Space Force award, its largest to date
Space Kinetic landed a $50 million Space Force OTA to develop Whirlwind, a thrusterless satellite-flinging maneuver system.
Space Force awards five satellite firms $60 million for network tests
Amazon Leo, Lockheed, Northrop, Rocket Lab and York Space each get $12M to test linking to Space Force's satellite network.
Firefly, D-Orbit and Katalyst win Pentagon deorbit-as-a-service study awards
SDA and DIU tapped Firefly, D-Orbit and Katalyst for a combined $8.4 million to design commercial satellite-deorbit services.
Impulse Space wins $28M Space Force deal for two more Victus Salo missions
Space Force added Victus Salo 2 and 3 to Impulse Space's responsive-space contract, expanding the award to $62.8 million total.
Firefly's SciTec wins $94 million Space Force radar contract
SciTec, a Firefly Aerospace subsidiary, won a $93.7 million Space Force contract to modernize ground-based radar.
Lunar Outpost adds retired Space Force general to its board
Retired Space Force Lt. Gen. John Shaw joined Lunar Outpost's board, representing investor Industrious Ventures.
Proteus Space names ex-Space Force CTIO Kim Crider to board
Proteus Space elevated former Space Force CTIO Kim Crider from advisor to its board of directors.
Golden Dome program launches digital hub for commercial engagement
Golden Dome opened a public web portal letting companies submit concepts and access unclassified program data before formal solicitations.
Voyager Technologies wins Space Force space-to-space comms deal
Voyager Technologies won a Space Force contract to develop space-to-space communications; value undisclosed.
Update: FCC proposes opening unlicensed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth bands to satellites
The FCC voted unanimously August 6 to adopt the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and seek public comment, per Broadband Breakfast, but the adopted item dropped...
original 2026-07-15
FCC Space Bureau chief Jay Schwarz steps down, deputy takes over
Jennifer Gilsenan becomes acting FCC Space Bureau chief as Jay Schwarz retires after 18 months leading the bureau, per SpaceNews.
Update: NRO awards Capella, ICEYE and Umbra new commercial radar-imagery contracts
Via Satellite's own write-up independently confirms the same NRO Commercial Radar Capabilities awards to Capella, ICEYE US and Umbra, with additional detail...
original 2026-08-05score 2 → 3
FCC votes to open unlicensed spectrum for direct-to-device satellite links
The FCC unanimously adopted a rulemaking exploring ~200 MHz of unlicensed Wi-Fi and IoT spectrum for direct-to-device satellite service.
Senate passes bill to create Commerce Dept space industry advisory panel
The Senate passed Sen. Gary Peters' bill requiring Commerce to set up a panel advising on commercial space policy.
NRO awards Capella, ICEYE and Umbra new commercial radar-imagery contracts
The NRO awarded Capella Space, ICEYE U.S. and Umbra new contracts to expand government use of commercial SAR imagery.
Spire wins $3 million NOAA extension for hyperspectral sounder data
NOAA extended its evaluation of Spire's Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder data with a $3 million contract add-on.
Rocket Lab wins $397 million Space Force contract for AMTI Flatellites
Rocket Lab and STR split $615 million to build airborne-target-tracking satellites for the Space Force's SB-AMTI program.
Update: True Anomaly images Rocket Lab's satellite in VICTUS HAZE drill
Payload reports Jackal produced a validated mission plan within 30 minutes of tasking, then flew a 23-minute ingress and burn sequence to close to about 10 k...
original 2026-07-02
K2 Space wins $22.9 million Space Force laser comms contract
The Space Force awarded K2 Space $22.9 million to build and test laser communications terminals on two satellites by 2028.
Update: FCC approves second C-band auction, clearing 160 MHz of satellite spectrum
Upgraded the lead to the Federal Register's official Report and Order text (FCC 26-46), published July 31 with the docket numbers and Sept 29, 2026 effective...
original 2026-07-22score 4 → 5
Space Force picks 15 firms for $981 million space test and training contract
Rocket Lab, Firefly, Redwire, Sierra Space, Viasat and York join legacy primes competing for NITE-STAR training-range task orders.
Amentum · BAE Systems · Boeing · CACI · Firefly Aerospace · L3Harris · Lockheed Martin Space · Northrop Grumman · Pacific Crest Alliance · Parsons Government Services · Redwire · Rocket Lab · Sierra Space · Viasat · York Space Systems · Space Systems Command3 sources →
Blue Origin's Air Force rocket-cargo study contract grows to $13 million
The Air Force Research Laboratory added $11.7 million to Blue Origin's REGAL contract to study rocket-based cargo delivery.
Update: FAA proposes waiving 13 environmental laws for launch and reentry licensing
Upgrades the lead to the Federal Register's official publication of the proposed rule (Docket FAA-2026-8614, Notice No. 26-11), fetched via the Federal Regis...
original 2026-07-28score 4 → 5
Update: True Anomaly images Rocket Lab's satellite in VICTUS HAZE drill
True Anomaly said July 29 that after being tasked by Space Systems Command on July 14, its Jackal-0004 spacecraft carried out what the company called the fir...
original 2026-07-02
SpaceX launches NROL-95 mission for National Reconnaissance Office
A Falcon 9 carried the NRO's classified NROL-95 payload from Cape Canaveral, landing its booster back at the Cape.
SpaceX wins $1.6 billion Space Force order for 18 Falcon 9 launches
The Space Force ordered 18 Falcon 9 launches through 2027 for missile-tracking, targeting and comms satellites, worth $1.6B.
All Points wins $250 million Space Force satellite-processing contract
All Points Logistics will build a new satellite processing center at Vandenberg, the largest Space Force award of its kind to date.
Update: FCC approves second C-band auction, clearing 160 MHz of satellite spectrum
On July 27, the FCC published the order setting gross incentive payments at approximately $5.6 billion for SES and $504 million for Eutelsat, per SatNews and...
original 2026-07-22
FAA proposes waiving 13 environmental laws for launch and reentry licensing
The FAA formally published its proposal to waive 13 federal laws, including NEPA, for launch and reentry licensing.
Update: FCC approves second C-band auction, clearing 160 MHz of satellite spectrum
On July 27, the FCC published the order setting gross incentive payments at approximately $5.6 billion for SES, $504 million for Eutelsat, and just under $20...
original 2026-07-22
Update: Rocket Lab wins $266 million Space Force contract for HASTE launches
SpaceNews reports the Kodiak site will be Rocket Lab's fourth launch location alongside its existing pads in New Zealand and Virginia, supporting the Pentago...
original 2026-07-21
Sphinx Defense wins $287 million Space Force contract for ESS mission planning software
Sphinx Defense won a $287 million Space Force award for ESS mission planning software, per SpaceNews.
SpaceX wins FCC exemption for Starlink routers from foreign-router ban
The FCC exempted SpaceX's Starlink routers from its foreign-router ban, granting conditional approval through February 2028.
Update: FCC adopts satellite licensing overhaul, creates 'assembly line' review
The FCC voted July 22, 2026 to adopt the Space Modernization Order on a unanimous 3-0 vote, replacing the legacy Part 25 satellite rules with a new Part 100,...
original 2026-07-01
Frequency Electronics wins $18 million in satellite program contracts
Frequency Electronics won $18 million in contracts, including an $11 million first-time award for a proliferated satellite program.
Update: SpaceX launches Northrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle to extend satellite life
SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV-1) and three Mission Extension Pods on a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral on July 21 at 5:15 p.m.
original 2026-07-14
Update: FCC adopts satellite licensing overhaul, creates 'assembly line' review
On July 21, the bipartisan leadership of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee wrote to the FCC asking it to postpone the vote and confine its r...
original 2026-07-01
Update: Rocket Lab launches VICTUS HAZE Puma spacecraft for Space Force
Score moved from 5 to 4.
original 2026-06-19score 5 → 4
Vast creates special programs division, names ex-Slingshot CEO to lead it
Vast hired ex-Slingshot Aerospace CEO Melanie Stricklan to lead a new division chasing national security work.
FCC approves second C-band auction, clearing 160 MHz of satellite spectrum
The FCC voted to auction 160 MHz of upper C-band spectrum for 5G by July 2027, forcing satellite operators to relocate.
Rocket Lab wins $266 million Space Force contract for HASTE launches
Space Systems Command awarded Rocket Lab $266 million for 12 HASTE suborbital launches from Alaska, with an option for six more.
House Intelligence Committee advances bill limiting commercial EO imagery sharing
A House Intelligence Committee bill would let the government block commercial EO operators from sharing sensitive imagery.
HawkEye 360 debuts tactical RF downlink with Lockheed Martin in Pacific drill
HawkEye 360 relayed commercial RF intelligence direct to Lockheed Martin's Aegis-linked C2 system during Valiant Shield 2026.
BQP wins first federal contract, a SpaceWERX space-tracking AI award
BosonQ Psi Federal's quantum-assisted AI software aims to classify unidentified orbital objects faster for the Space Force.
SpaceX in early talks to supply Pentagon AI computing power
Per the Wall Street Journal, the multi-billion-dollar computing deal is still being negotiated and could fall apart.
Space Force triples NSSL Lane 1 launch contract ceiling to $17 billion
Space Force raised the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch contract ceiling from $5.6 billion to $17 billion for its seven-provider vendor pool.
Space Force · SpaceX · United Launch Alliance · Blue Origin · Rocket Lab · Stoke Space · Impulse Space · Relativity Space3 sources →
SpaceX launches 21 York-built satellites for SDA's Tranche 1 network
The Falcon 9 mission puts the military's proliferated data-relay constellation at the halfway mark of its planned 126 satellites.
Slingshot Aerospace wins $69.2M Space Force AI training contract
Slingshot's largest contract yet funds AI-powered mission-rehearsal training for Space Force Guardians.
Office of Space Commerce defends licensing framework as Congress questions TraCSS cuts
OSC's director defended a novel-activity licensing plan before a House panel as the White House proposed an 80% cut to TraCSS funding.
FCC proposes opening unlicensed Wi-Fi and Bluetooth bands to satellites
FCC proposes letting Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and IoT devices link directly to satellites across 225+ MHz of unlicensed spectrum.
FAA finalizes environmental review for expanded SpaceX Starship reentry zones
The FAA issued a final environmental finding clearing wider SpaceX Starship reentry and splashdown zones in the Pacific.
SpaceX launches Northrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle to extend satellite life
Northrop's Mission Robotic Vehicle launched on a Falcon 9, the first US multi-client GEO satellite-servicing spacecraft.
L3Harris and Sierra Space win $1.75 billion SDA missile-tracking award
The Space Development Agency awarded the two companies a combined $1.75 billion to build 36 Tranche 3 missile-tracking satellites.
Update: Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to NSSL Lane 1
Per Via Satellite, Space Systems Command awarded both companies $5 million firm-fixed-price task orders for risk and capability assessments; Impulse said it...
original 2026-07-08
Space Force completes reorganization into nine acquisition portfolios
Space Force finished restructuring procurement around nine mission-focused portfolios instead of individual programs, per SpaceNews.
Space Force awards Pulse Space $40 million for laser power tech
Pulse Space won a $40 million Space Force contract to mature laser-based power and data transmission between spacecraft.
NASA finds Umbra SAR data misses geolocation accuracy spec
NASA's CSDA program found Umbra's SAR data underperforms on geolocation accuracy and radiometric calibration versus reference systems.
Update: Rocket Lab completes VICTUS HAZE mission for Space Force in record time
Corroboration correction (found_none was wrong): Defense Scoop and Space.com both cover the VICTUS HAZE mission and its on-orbit maneuvers.
original 2026-07-07score 3 → 4
Update: NASA and SBA partner to unlock capital for space suppliers
NASA and SBA partner to unlock capital for space suppliers
original 2026-07-06
Update: Blue Origin has seven Blue Moon landers in production, first slips to 2027
Blue Origin has seven Blue Moon landers in production, first slips to 2027
original 2026-07-06
Update: Blue Origin has seven Blue Moon landers in production, first slips to 2027
Corroboration correction (found_none was wrong): SatNews independently reports the same seven-lander Blue Moon production figure from the July 6 Spacetide talk.
original 2026-07-06score 2 → 4
Update: GAO flags cost overruns, schedule risk in Space Force satellites
GAO flags cost overruns, schedule risk in Space Force satellites
original 2026-07-02
Update: True Anomaly images Rocket Lab's satellite in VICTUS HAZE drill
True Anomaly images Rocket Lab's satellite in VICTUS HAZE drill
original 2026-07-02
Update: FCC adopts satellite licensing overhaul, creates 'assembly line' review
FCC to vote on satellite licensing overhaul July 22
original 2026-07-01
Update: NASA awards $590 million across four lunar lander missions
NASA awards $590 million across four lunar lander missions
original 2026-06-30
Update: Space Force fields L3Harris's Meadowlands satellite-jamming system
Space Force fields L3Harris's Meadowlands satellite-jamming system
original 2026-06-30
Space Force adds Relativity, Impulse Space to NSSL Lane 1
Space Force added Relativity Space and Impulse Space to its NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 launch-services pool.
York Space Systems closes $300 million buy of All.Space
York Space Systems closed its purchase of satcom terminal maker All.Space at $300 million, down from the $355 million first announced.
BOEM seeks input on using offshore oil platforms for rocket launches
The Interior Department's BOEM opened a comment period on repurposing offshore oil rigs and new platforms for rocket launch and re-entry.
Earthjustice petitions FCC to pause orbital data center licensing
An Earthjustice-led coalition asked the FCC to complete a full environmental review before licensing any orbital data center satellites.
BlackSky wins US R&D contracts for Gen-3 AI target-recognition analytics
BlackSky says it won multiple US R&D contracts to add AI target-recognition and damage detection to its Gen-3 imagery.
Rocket Lab completes VICTUS HAZE mission for Space Force in record time
Rocket Lab says it finished all VICTUS HAZE mission phases for Space Force ahead of deadline, including on-orbit tracking in under 59 hours.
SES wins 5-year Space Systems Command Ku-band deal
SES Space & Defense won a 5-year blanket purchase agreement to supply the US Space Force with managed Ku-band connectivity.
Martin Materials Solutions wins $7.1M Pentagon coverglass production award
A Defense Production Act grant expands U.S. manufacturing of radiation-resistant satellite solar cell cover glass.
Update: NASA awards $590 million across four lunar lander missions
NASASpaceflight independently covered the same June 30 Moon Base Phase One lander awards (Astrobotic, Intuitive Machines, Firefly), including a direct on-rec...
original 2026-06-30score 3 → 4
NASA and SBA partner to unlock capital for space suppliers
NASA and the SBA signed an agreement to help attract private capital for space technology suppliers.
Blue Origin has seven Blue Moon landers in production, first slips to 2027
Blue Origin says seven Blue Moon lunar landers are in production, with the first cargo lander now slipping to Q1 2027.
NASA releases draft RFP for Commercial LEO Destinations space stations
NASA issued a draft RFP for Commercial LEO Destinations, planning to fund at least two station builders in early development.
BAE Systems' Endura chip passes radiation test
BAE Systems says its Endura processor passed radiation testing for classified and missile-defense satellite missions.
GAO flags cost overruns, schedule risk in Space Force satellites
A GAO assessment found cost overruns and schedule slips across several Space Force missile-warning and satcom programs.
True Anomaly images Rocket Lab's satellite in VICTUS HAZE drill
True Anomaly's Jackal spacecraft found, approached, and photographed a Rocket Lab-launched target for Space Systems Command.
FCC adopts satellite licensing overhaul, creates 'assembly line' review
The FCC voted to replace Part 25 with Part 100, calling it a 'licensing assembly line' for satellite operators.
NASA awards $590 million across four lunar lander missions
Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines split nearly $600 million in new NASA lunar lander task orders.
Space Force fields L3Harris's Meadowlands satellite-jamming system
The Space Force operationally accepted L3Harris's mobile counter-communications jammer.
Parsons wins $245 million Navy contract for satellite ground systems
Parsons' ground-systems unit won a five-year, $245 million Navy IDIQ to keep running NRL's Blossom Point tracking facility.
Rocket Lab launches VICTUS HAZE Puma spacecraft for Space Force
Rocket Lab built, launched, and will operate a rendezvous-capable spacecraft for a Space Force rapid-response exercise.
SpaceX launches NROL-179 reconnaissance mission on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg
Another batch of NRO satellites, widely believed to be Starshield-derived, reached orbit June 19, per Spaceflight Now.
Starlink wins $8.2 million Louisiana BEAD grant for 10,635 rural locations
ConnectLA signed an $8.2 million BEAD deal with Starlink for 10,635 rural locations too costly to reach with fiber.
BlackSky wins NRO contract modification to accelerate AROS broad-area imaging satellites
The mod funds a path to a flight-ready broad-area mapping system in 2028; NRO puts total contract value above $150M, per Defense Daily.
Office of Space Commerce opens TraCSS to foreign governments, UK and Australia first
TraCSS begins onboarding read-only National Government Accounts; the pilot spans 52 users in 21 countries, 11,000+ spacecraft.
Quantum Space to go public via SPAC merger at a $1.2 billion post-deal value
The Bridenstine-led spacecraft maker merges with Inflection Point VI, with a $300M PIPE, targeting Nasdaq as QSPC in Q4.
FAA drops aircraft exposure cap on falling space-launch debris
The FAA quietly dropped its rolling cap on aircraft exposure to falling launch debris in a June 8 memo, The Air Current reported.
Amazon Leo wins conditional FCC waiver of 50% deployment deadline, with spectrum cost
The FCC waived the July 2026 1,616-satellite milestone; late satellites temporarily lose processing-round spectrum priority.
Blue Origin, Boeing, Umbra revealed as Space Force SB-AMTI vendors
Blue Origin, Boeing and Umbra signed SB-AMTI contracts June 2, growing the Space Force's tracking-satellite vendor pool to 12 companies.
SpaceX wins $4.16 billion Space Force airborne-tracking satellite contract
Space Systems Command awarded SpaceX $4.16 billion for the initial phase of its SB-AMTI airborne-threat-tracking satellite program.
SpaceX wins $2.29 billion Space Force contract for data network backbone
Space Systems Command awarded SpaceX $2.29 billion to build the backbone of its new military Space Data Network.
FCC approves SpaceX's spectrum purchase from EchoStar
The FCC approved SpaceX's roughly $17 billion purchase of EchoStar spectrum, with a $2.4 billion escrow condition.