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Rocket Lab Expands Launch Infrastructure and Vehicle Architecture to Capture Domestic Launch Market Share
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 18:24
On September 17, 2026, market evaluations of the U.S. Launch sector underscored Rocket Lab as a primary commercial candidate to address domestic launch capacity constraints.
Space Force Grants SpaceX Architectural Design Authority for $2.29 Billion Space Data Network Backbone
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 17:17
On September 15, 2026, U.S. Space Force officials announced that SpaceX will design the satellite count and constellation architecture for the $2.29 billion Space Data Network.
EnduroSat Secures $205 Million Funding Round and Wins 24-Bus Contract for Vantor Earth Observation Constellation
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 15:59
EnduroSat closed a $205 million Series B financing round on September 17, 2026, boosting its capital to accelerate production scaling. The new funds will help the satellite‑bus manufacturer expand its operational footprint into the United States defense market. By securing this investment, EnduroSat positions itself as a key supplier for advanced satellite platforms amid growing demand for space infrastructure. The financing underscores the company’s growing influence and its strategic push into global defense satellite services.
Russian Satellite Imagery Assists Iranian Targeting of U.S. Military Facilities
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 14:44
Defense intelligence released on September 17, 2026, confirming that Russian Earth‑observation and synthetic‑aperture‑radar satellite constellations are actively supplying high‑resolution imagery to Iranian military forces. The data is intended to aid Iran in target acquisition and operational planning, potentially boosting its strategic capabilities. Analysts warn that this cooperation could shift regional power dynamics and raise concerns among Western allies. The move underscores the growing role of commercial space assets in modern conflict.
NASA Awards Launch Services for StarBurst Gamma-Ray Detector
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 20:37
NASA has chosen SpaceX to launch its StarBurst mission, a small satellite that will probe neutron star mergers and the origins of short gamma‑ray bursts. The satellite will ride a Falcon 9 on a Bandwagon rideshare launch from Cape Canaveral no earlier than 2028. StarBurst will survey the sky for brief, powerful explosions, combining its high‑energy observations with gravitational‑wave data and follow‑up from other telescopes for a multimessenger approach. This launch falls under NASA’s VADR contract, a 10‑year, $1 billion‑cap program that supports low‑cost, high‑impact astrophysics research.
NASA Unveils Enterprise, the First Space Shuttle
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 15:22
On September 17, 1976—America’s bicentennial Constitution Day—NASA unveiled its first space shuttle, OV‑101, at Rockwell’s Palmdale facility. Originally slated to be named Constitution, the orbiter was renamed Enterprise after a massive letter‑writing campaign from Star Trek fans convinced President Gerald Ford to adopt the beloved fictional starship name. The rollout drew nearly 100,000 fans, Gene Roddenberry, cast members, and other dignitaries, turning the ceremony into a pop‑culture landmark. Although not built for spaceflight, Enterprise completed crucial atmospheric tests that paved the way for the shuttle program’s first orbital missions in 1981, and it now hangs on display at New York’s Intrepid Museum.
Icarus Robotics Completes Parabolic Flight Test Ahead of ISS Mission
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 13:00
Icarus Robotics has completed a four‑flight parabolic test of its free‑flying robot, JOY, validating its manipulation, positioning, and movement in zero‑gravity across 66 weightless periods. The startup says the robot performed better than expected, giving it high confidence for a 2027 ISS deployment with Voyager. Once aboard the station, JOY will take over routine tasks—moving cargo, conducting experiments—and prove that robotic labor is essential for sustained human presence in orbit. Beyond the ISS, Icarus plans to deploy similar robots for debris removal, spacecraft servicing, and building infrastructure on the Moon and Mars.
Impulse Space Raises $308M Series D Extension
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 12:45
Impulse Space has just closed a $308 million extension to its Series D round, bringing total funding to $808 million and lifting its valuation to $5.4 billion.
EnduroSat Raises $205M, Notches Vantor Sat Win
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 11:52
EnduroSat, the Bulgarian satellite manufacturer, secured $205 million in a funding round co‑led by Riot Ventures and Atreides Management. The capital will fund a new U.S. Manufacturing plant, expand its 188,000‑sq‑ft Sofia Space Center, and enable the production of larger spacecraft, positioning the company as the EU’s largest defense hub. This raise follows a flurry of nine‑figure deals in Europe, with rivals Open Cosmos and The Exploration Company also pulling in hundreds of millions.