China set for its first one-year human spaceflight mission, confirms Pakistani astronaut flight
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 10:09
China will launch its first one‑year astronaut mission aboard the Tiangong space station this year, with the Shenzhou‑23 crew expected to lift off in April or May. The year‑long stay will gather vital data on human health and performance in microgravity, underscoring confidence in Tiangong’s life‑support and radiation‑mitigation systems. In addition, a Pakistani astronaut will join as a payload specialist on a Shenzhou‑24 flight, while Hong Kong and Macau specialists are slated to fly by 2026, signaling a new era of international cooperation. China also reaffirms its goal of landing astronauts on the Moon before 2030, with 2026 earmarked for advancing launch‑site infrastructure and testing lunar‑mission hardware.
Space Force keeps door open to future human presence in orbit
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 23:14
The U.S. Space Force, which currently operates satellites and provides missile warning, has no armed personnel in orbit but is keeping the door open for future guardians. At the Air & Space Forces Association’s Warfare Symposium, senior officers warned that the strategic landscape could change within 15 years, making a human presence in low Earth and cislunar space a possibility.
Virgin Media O2 launches Europe’s first Starlink direct-to-smartphone service
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 21:14
Virgin Media O2 began providing satellite‑to‑smartphone connectivity across the UK on February 26, becoming the first European operator to deploy Starlink’s Direct‑to‑Cell service. The launch marks a milestone for commercial satellite internet, allowing users to access high‑speed data without relying on traditional cell towers. By tapping into SpaceX’s Starlink network, Virgin Media O2 expands coverage to remote areas and enhances connectivity options for consumers. This move underscores the growing partnership between terrestrial telecoms and satellite providers.
Airbus and Leonardo report increased space revenues for 2025
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 16:20
Airbus and Leonardo, two of Europe’s biggest aerospace primes, both posted higher space‑sector revenues in 2025 compared with the previous year, according to their latest earnings releases. The companies announced the upticks earlier this week, amid ongoing talks with Thales about forming a joint venture called Project Bromo. While neither firm detailed the venture in their reports, the collaboration could reshape the European space market. The news underscores growing commercial momentum for European space players.
NordSpace founder backs Wyvern with new Canada-focused venture arm
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 13:59
NordSpace founder, who launched the Canadian space startup, has invested in Earth‑observation operator Wyvern through a new venture arm focused on advancing Canada’s sovereign space capabilities. The move signals growing domestic investment in space technology and highlights a partnership that could accelerate national data collection. By backing Wyvern, the venture arm seeks to strengthen Canadian expertise in satellite imaging and earth observation services. This development underscores Canada’s commitment to expanding its presence in the global space sector.
Moving On Up @ Encompass Digital Media
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 08:14
Encompass Digital Media, a leader in digital media services with major broadcast facilities in Los Angeles and Atlanta, has appointed Jon Rees as Executive Vice President and General Manager of its Los Angeles operations. Rees will oversee West Coast network operations, broadcast engineering, digital media services, and production, bringing 30 years of experience in multi‑channel network origination, TV production, and cable. CEO Simon Bax praised his technical expertise and leadership as key to delivering innovative broadcast solutions, while COO Bill Tillson highlighted the move as part of the company’s strategy to recruit world‑class talent. Rees’ background includes senior roles at MountainWest Sports Network and Comcast Media Center, where he led high‑definition transitions and new media initiatives.
CapRock’s High Five — It’s All Greek!
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 08:11
CapRock Communications has secured a 60‑month fleet contract with Diamlemos Shipping Corporation for nine C‑band satellite installations, expanding its presence in Greece. The deal, executed with partner Setel, marks CapRock’s fifth contract in the Greek market in six months, all under its SeaAccess Communications service. Diamlemos, a bulk carrier and tanker operator, will benefit from global coverage for its multi‑region trade routes. The partnership underscores CapRock’s focus on Greece, home to one of the world’s largest shipping fleets.
ND SatCom Sets Satellite Sites In Cloud Computing — Bumps Up To XWARP™
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 08:11
ND SatCom, part of SES ASTRA, unveiled XWARP at SatCom Africa in Johannesburg on April 13‑14, 2010, promising near‑zero latency virtualized application delivery over satellite. By combining Citrix XenApp with its SkyWAN® MF‑TDMA router, XWARP turns satellite links into cost‑efficient cloud‑computing channels for mission‑critical software such as SAP, Oracle, SharePoint and Office. The solution already powers two South African reference customers and opens new markets for ICT, SaaS and data‑center providers, especially in fiber‑poor regions. XWARP is poised to redefine satellite as a reliable, secure, and affordable backbone for global IT services.
National Phenomenon — Brazilian Hijacking of U.S. Military Satellites
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 08:06
Brazil’s Federal Police are stepping in to stop a growing trend of U.S. Military satellite hijackings, an illegal act that has surged to national prominence. The agency has launched investigations and coordinated with international partners to track and deter the illicit activity. Authorities say the hijackings threaten national security and could disrupt critical communications. The operation underscores Brazil’s commitment to safeguarding space assets and upholding international law.
Chesapeake Bay Locked in Ice
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 05:00
Back in February 1977, a historic winter in the Mid‑Atlantic saw the Chesapeake Bay freeze over, with satellite imagery from Landsat 1 showing ice covering 85 percent of the bay by early February. NASA analysis revealed ice thicknesses up to 30 centimeters in the upper bay, while westerly winds pushed the ice toward the eastern shores, fracturing the surface. The deep freeze killed many shellfish and damaged piers, marinas, and lighthouses, while residents ice‑skated and even drove tractors across the frozen water.
JPL 3D-Printed Part Springs Forward
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 20:23
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory has just demonstrated a 3‑D‑printed titanium spring that popped out of its container on the Proteus Space Mercury One spacecraft, showing how additive manufacturing can simplify and cut costs for future space antennas. The JPL Additive Compliant Canister (JACC) folds into a single‑piece design that includes a hinge, panel, compression spring and two torsion springs, using three times fewer parts than conventional counterparts and weighing just over a pound.
Landsat 9: More Than Just A Picture
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 17:47
NASA’s newest Earth‑watching satellite, Landsat 9, launched in 2021, continues a 50‑year legacy of mapping the planet’s land surface from space.
Inside Project Hail Mary
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 17:19
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory hosted a special event on February 25, 2026, where astronaut and Flight Operations Deputy Director Kjell Lindgren met with Hollywood stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, screenwriter Drew Goddard, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, and “Project Hail Mary” author Andy Weir. The visit highlighted the collaboration between scientists and the creative team behind the space‑thriller, with NASA experts answering the crew’s technical questions. Lindgren even shared insights on human spaceflight with Gosling during the film’s production. This partnership underscores NASA’s commitment to bridging science and media to inspire the public.
NASA Invites Media to Discuss Next Steps for Artemis Campaign
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 16:07
NASA’s crawler‑transporter 2 brought the Artemis II Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft into the Vehicle Assembly Building on Feb. 25, 2026 to troubleshoot helium flow to the upper stage. After the repairs, the rocket will roll back to Launch Complex 39B to prepare for the first crewed Artemis flight that will orbit the Moon and return four astronauts. NASA will host a news conference on Feb. 27 to discuss the test flight and the broader Artemis campaign, streaming live on its YouTube channel. Media may attend in person or virtually by RSVPing before the event.
Vast and Axiom awarded new private missions to ISS, continue work on commercial space stations
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 19:17
NASA has awarded back‑to‑back Private Astronaut Missions to Vast Space and Axiom Space, with launches slated for 2027 and four‑person crews trained by NASA and SpaceX.
ISPTech Raises €5.5M to Scale Green Propulsion Tech
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 09:00
German startup ISPTech has raised €5.5 million in seed funding to scale up production of its non‑toxic, green spacecraft thrusters. The capital will fund a new in‑house test facility and workforce expansion, aiming to boost annual output from a handful to dozens of propulsion systems by the decade’s end. ISPTech, a 2023 spin‑off from the German Aerospace Center, offers two bipropellant lines—HyNOx for small satellites and HIP_11 for larger ones—using ethane/nitrous oxide and hydrogen peroxide/ionic liquid mixtures that deliver higher fuel density than traditional hydrazine. With customers already signed and plans to combine chemical and electric propulsion in a single architecture, the firm expects to deliver its first batch of prop systems later this year.
Mynaric Demos QKD Comms With COTS Tech
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 06:03
German companies have successfully demonstrated two‑way quantum key distribution using commercial off‑the‑shelf hardware, a first for the industry, as part of the €125 million QuNET initiative. The test, conducted with Mynaric’s CONDOR Mk3 optical terminal, proved that secure quantum communications can be achieved with readily available equipment, paving the way for broader market adoption. The consortium plans further tests, including a nationwide QKD link in October, and aims to launch the technology into orbit before the decade’s end. If successful, this could position Germany as a leader in the emerging quantum communications market.
CesiumAstro Acquires AI Firm Vidrovr
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 20:58
CesiumAstro has acquired AI firm Vidrovr, joining SpaceX’s earlier purchase of xAI as space companies look to embed AI directly into satellites. The deal will let Cesium’s satellites prioritize data on‑orbit, reducing latency and improving spectrum efficiency. CEO Trey Pappas says the integration supports autonomous tasking and real‑time decision‑making at the edge. This marks the third acquisition in a month, signaling a growing trend toward orbital data centers.
Phantom Space Acquires Vector Launch Assets
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 13:32
Phantom Space has just acquired the assets and IP of the bankrupt Arizona launch company Vector Launch, a move that bolsters its Daytona rocket program. The deal, funded by an eight‑figure Series B, brings launch control tech, ground‑support equipment, a mobile launcher, and a large inventory of parts into Phantom’s inventory. With Daytona slated for stage‑level testing this year and a first flight targeted for late 2027, the company is also advancing satellite launches and a parallel cloud service. Phantom is now pursuing a Series C raise to fund Daytona’s debut and expand its cloud ambitions.
Canada’s NordSpace Opens VC Arm for Sovereign Space Investments
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 13:00
NordSpace has launched NordSpace Ventures, a new VC arm that will invest in Canadian space, defense, and dual‑use tech, starting with Edmonton‑based Wyvern, which will gain access to the company’s advanced manufacturing and testing facilities. The move gives NordSpace a direct stake in domestic partners that are integral to its future launch ambitions. The company plans to redo its Taiga suborbital rocket test from the Atlantic Spaceport Complex in March or April, after last year’s weather‑related setbacks. Meanwhile, Maritime Launch Services secured a $10 million government credit facility to support its sovereign‑defense‑focused suborbital missions.
Artemis 2 moon mission shouldn't launch until late 2026, new analysis of solar superflares suggests
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-27 11:00
New research on solar superflares suggests NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission, originally slated to launch in April 2026, should be postponed until the end of 2026 to avoid heightened solar activity. Scientists found that the Sun is in a superflare‑rich period from mid‑2025 to mid‑2026, increasing radiation risks for astronauts outside Earth’s magnetic shield. The study, based on 50 years of X‑ray data, identifies two cycles that predict when such dangerous storms peak. Delaying the launch would give the crew a safer window before the next surge of solar storms is expected to begin in early 2027.
Astronomers just watched a star 1,540 times the size of our sun transform into a hypergiant. Will it go supernova?
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 22:00
Astronomers have watched a colossal star in the Large Magellanic Cloud, WOH G64, shrink from a red supergiant to a yellow hypergiant in just a year, a rare transition that could precede a powerful supernova. The star, 1,540 times the Sun’s size, 28 times its mass, and 282,000 times its brightness, is located about 163,000 light‑years from Earth. Led by Gonzalo Muñoz‑Sanchez, the team noted a dramatic rise in surface temperature and a color shift that marks the star’s rapid evolution, a process usually associated with violent events. This unprecedented observation may finally explain whether such massive stars explode, collapse directly into black holes, or pass through a fleeting yellow hypergiant phase before their ultimate demise.
US Space Force pauses national security launches on ULA Vulcan rocket due to booster glitch
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 21:00
The U.S. Space Force has halted all national‑security launches on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket after a solid‑rocket‑booster anomaly re‑occurred during the February 12 mission that deployed two reconnaissance satellites. The booster glitch, which was corrected by the rocket’s BE‑4 engines, mirrors a similar issue in October 2024 that caused a nozzle to fall off and the vehicle to veer off‑course. Space Force Colonel Eric Zarybnisky said the pause will last until ULA fully investigates the defect and implements corrective actions, potentially delaying dozens of planned missions. This grounding could disrupt ULA’s national‑security launch schedule amid an already turbulent period for the company.
NASA shakes up leadership of human spaceflight program in wake of critical Starliner report
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 19:30
NASA has reshuffled its human spaceflight leadership after a critical report on Boeing's Starliner crewed flight. Joel Montalbano and Dana Hutcherson have been appointed acting associate administrator for the Space Operations Mission Directorate and acting program manager of the Commercial Crew Program, respectively, replacing Ken Bowersox and Steve Stich. The change follows the agency's designation of the first Starliner test flight as a “Type A mishap,” a classification shared with the Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters. The new leaders aim to restore confidence and keep the U.S. At the forefront of low Earth orbit and future lunar missions.
One Fire star projector review: A great projector for kids
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 15:00
A dome-shaped projector sits atop a white star‑shaped stand, positioned in front of a blue box on a brown wooden surface. The arrangement creates a striking contrast of colors and shapes, highlighting the projector’s sleek design. The scene suggests a modern, minimalist setup, perhaps for a presentation or home theater. This visual composition showcases the interplay of geometry and color.
ULA isn't making the Space Force's GPS interference problem any easier
Original Publication Date: 2026-02-26 13:31
The U.S. Space Force keeps the GPS constellation humming by regularly launching new satellites to replace aging ones, ensuring the network that powers everything from cell phones to military precision remains reliable. With 31 operational satellites orbiting over 12,000 miles above Earth, the system currently exceeds the minimum 24 needed for worldwide coverage, boosting navigation accuracy. The constant replenishment strategy guarantees that GPS continues to guide airliners, naval vessels, and even precision munitions with pinpoint precision. This ongoing effort underscores GPS’s vital role in modern life.