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NASA and Small Business Administration partner on funding key space technologies
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-06 01:43
NASA and the SBA signed a memorandum of agreement last week on the partnership. Under the agreement, NASA will identify what it calls “strategic aerospace technology focus areas’ The SBA will work to attract capital through its Small Business Investment Company. The SBA provides government-guaranteed loans to match private capital.
Airbus to build Aeolus-2 wind-monitoring satellite
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-05 15:17
European Space Agency has awarded Airbus Defence and Space a €51 million contract to develop Aeolus‑2, the successor to the 2018 Aeolus wind‑monitoring satellite. The new mission, slated for launch in 2034, will carry an upgraded lidar system with twice the power and an additional aerosol sensor to deliver global wind profiles every seven days. Airbus will build the spacecraft in the UK, while ESA and Eumetsat plan to integrate its data into operational weather models to improve forecasts worldwide. The project promises enhanced accuracy for weather prediction and new skilled jobs across the United Kingdom.
Semiconductor manufacturing test bed flies alongside Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 launch
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-04 21:56
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launched the Starlink 10‑50 mission from Cape Canaveral, deploying 29 new v2 Mini satellites while carrying two Besxar Space Industries Fabship test beds on the first‑stage booster.
Breaking Orbital Silence: Planet Labs Restores Strategic Middle East Imagery Pipelines
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-05 22:27
Planet Labs PBC has quietly lifted administrative restrictions on its satellite imagery, ending a period of tight information control that had drawn criticism. The decision follows concerns over limited data access and calls for greater transparency. By opening up its platform, the company aims to broaden use of its high‑resolution imagery for research, environmental monitoring, and commercial applications. The change is expected to improve collaboration with governments, NGOs, and the scientific community.
SpaceX Controlled-Deorbit Report Discloses Decommissioning of 260 Starlink Satellites Over Six Months
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-05 20:12
SpaceX has reported to the FCC that it successfully completed controlled atmospheric deorbit maneuvers on 260 of its Starlink satellites, meeting the regulatory requirements for debris mitigation. The semi‑annual filing confirms the company’s adherence to federal satellite debris rules and its ongoing commitment to responsible space operations. This update highlights SpaceX’s efforts to maintain a clean orbital environment as it expands its global broadband constellation. The company’s latest compliance report underscores its dedication to industry best practices for orbital debris management.
BNP Paribas Outlines Steep Regulatory Obstacles in SpaceX Mobile Integration Strategy
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-04 21:19
In a research briefing released to institutional clients on Thursday, July 2, 2026, BNP Paribas senior equity analyst Sam McHugh detailed the steep regulatory and commercial challenges facing the U.S. Housing market. The steep regulatory and commercial hurdles face the housing market in 2026.
The Biggest Fundraises of H1 2026
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-06 02:42
In the first half of 2026, more than $6.6 billion was invested in the space industry, a record‑breaking surge that signals the sector’s growing mainstream appeal. Six companies secured $500 million or more each, with Stoke Space adding a $350 million boost to its already massive $510 million Series D, while iSpace, True Anomaly, Sierra, ICEYE, Impulse Space, and Vast raised between $500 million and $729 million. Funding spanned launch, infrastructure, communications, propulsion, orbital compute, bus building, and Earth observation, reaching investors across the U.S., Finland, Germany, Spain, and China, and no single VC dominated the scene. Analysts are watching to see if the momentum carries into the second half, especially after SpaceX’s IPO and sustained government backing.
NASA tests advanced new Mars rover prototype in the California desert (video)
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-05 14:00
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory just completed a 16‑mile, 37‑hour autonomous trek across Southern California’s desert with its new rover prototype, ERNEST, short for Exploration Rover for Navigating Extreme Sloped Terrain. The four‑wheeled machine uses novel gimbal joints, an active suspension system, and AI trained through thousands of virtual hours to “squirm,” climb obstacles, and steer each wheel independently. ERNEST’s ability to navigate low‑lighting and night‑time conditions, coupled with its faster speed—up to 0.6 mph—shows promise for future lunar and Martian missions that will need robots capable of covering greater distances with minimal human intervention. NASA hopes this breakthrough will inform the design of larger rovers that can explore previously unreachable terrains on the Moon and Mars.
The missing 500 million: Cosmic bombardment melted Earth's first crust
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-05 10:55
Scientists still debate how Earth's continents formed, with the oldest continental rocks dating back about 4.03 billion years. A new theory suggests that a sustained barrage of asteroid impacts kept the early crust hot and thin, allowing buoyant, silica‑rich landmasses to emerge. The evidence for this process is sparse, as most of the earliest geological record has been erased. If this hypothesis holds, it means our very land was forged by ancient cosmic bombardment.