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U.S. Air Force expands Blue Origin rocket cargo contract
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-02 12:03
The Air Force Research Laboratory has added $11.7 million to a Blue Origin contract, raising the total to about $13 million, to study how commercial rockets could deliver military supplies point‑to‑point worldwide. The work, slated for completion by October 2027, will define technical and mission requirements for adapting New Glenn rockets to rapid cargo transport, potentially cutting delivery times from hours or days to under an hour. The contract remains a studies and systems‑analysis effort, not an operational launch, and is part of the laboratory’s REGAL program that also funds Anduril, Sierra Space and Rocket Lab.
Rising Uncontrolled Space Debris Re-Entries Accelerate Demand for Orbital Mitigation Frameworks
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-02 14:07
International space agencies and regulatory bodies are reevaluating orbital disposal procedures to mitigate the escalating threat of uncontrolled space debris re‑entering Earth’s atmosphere, a statement released in Santa Rosa, California on August 2, 2026.
Double digits! Air-launched 'Talon A' hypersonic vehicle notches big flight milestone
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-02 14:00
Stratolaunch’s reusable hypersonic vehicle, Talon‑A, has completed more than ten successful flights, marking a major milestone for the company and the hypersonic testing industry. The 28‑foot craft, launched from the belly of a modified Boeing 747 or the massive Roc carrier, travels at speeds over Mach 5 and returns to land on California runways, testing sensors and advanced materials. Stratolaunch says this routine service will enable customers, including U.S. Defense agencies, to innovate at unprecedented speed. The company’s achievements signal growing interest in hypersonic technology worldwide.
On this day in space! Aug. 2, 1971: Apollo 15 makes 1st-ever televised liftoff from the moon
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-02 14:00
Apollo 15 became the first mission to broadcast a lunar liftoff live on television when the “Falcon” lander lifted off the Moon on August 2, 1971, a moment captured by an RCA camera mounted on the crew’s lunar rover. The camera, positioned about 300 feet from the lander, remained fixed during the launch due to technical difficulties, allowing viewers to see the brief pop and sparks as Falcon vanished from sight. This historic broadcast followed the crew’s earlier Moonwalks and rover test drives, marking a new era of real‑time coverage that would become standard for later missions. The Apollo 15 mission, which launched on July 26, returned to Earth with a splashdown on August 7, 1971.
Rocket issue delays 1st orbital rocket launch from the UK
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-02 10:00
German startup Rocket Factory Augsburg has postponed its first launch of the RFA One rocket, citing an undisclosed issue that requires further investigation after a test at the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. The company had aimed for an August or September launch but has not yet set a new date, and will de‑stack the staged vehicle while it digs into the problem. This delay pushes back the United Kingdom’s inaugural vertical launch from the region, amid growing demand for launch capacity and a push for European spaceflight autonomy. RFA One, a three‑stage rocket designed for small satellite deployments, remains a key player in Europe’s efforts to increase launch cadence and reduce costs.