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France to fly two astronauts on Vast missions
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 01:05
Commercial space station developer Vast has secured a deal with France to fly two French astronauts on its 2027 missions, including the first private crew to the International Space Station and the inaugural flight to its Haven‑1 station. Veteran ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet will command the ISS mission, while reserve astronaut Arnaud Prost will lead the Haven‑1 flight, both aboard SpaceX Crew Dragon capsules for roughly two weeks each. The agreements, announced at the Choose France Summit, underscore France’s commitment to commercial space and will involve science experiments, technology demos, and outreach with French companies and universities. Vast will also set up a European headquarters in Paris, positioning the company as a key partner for sovereign astronauts on private missions.
Northrop Grumman partners with Apex on space-based interceptors for Golden Dome
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-01 14:57
Northrop Grumman announced on June 1 that it has teamed up with satellite maker Apex to build space‑based interceptors for the U.S. Space Force’s Golden Dome missile‑defense initiative.
China conducts surprise launch of Long March 12B, delivers Qianfan satellites on debut flight
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-01 10:43
China launched its first reusable Long March 12B rocket from Jiuquan on June 1, 2026, adding
New Glenn failure worsens constrained launch market
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-01 09:46
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a static‑fire test at Cape Canaveral on May 28, damaging Launch Complex 36 and potentially delaying the vehicle’s launch schedule for a year or more.
Launch Preview: SpaceX and Chinese rockets to launch internet satellites to LEO
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-01 22:05
SpaceX is busy this week with three Falcon 9 launches, each deploying batches of Starlink v2 Mini satellites from Florida and California. Meanwhile, China debuted its new Chang Zheng 12B rocket on June 1, successfully placing two G60 communication satellites into polar orbit from Jiuquan.
Bellatrix Aerospace Tapped to Build Korean VLEO Demo Sat
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-01 13:00
Bellatrix Aerospace is partnering with Korean optical payload maker TelePIX to launch a VLEO demo satellite, slated for 2028, that will combine Bellatrix’s air‑breathing electric propulsion and satellite bus with TelePIX’s wide‑swath, high‑resolution Chouette payload. The satellite will orbit between 180 km and 230 km, offering imaging twice the width of comparable LEO satellites and serving as a testbed for future VLEO constellations. Bellatrix, which recently raised $20 million and expanded into the U.S., sees the mission as the first step toward a broader portfolio of ultra‑LEO platforms and orbital transfer vehicles. The project underscores a growing demand for sustained operations in the 180–250 km altitude range, promising new partnerships and missions in the years ahead.
Opinion: Commercial Space Is Generating Signals Decision-Makers Cannot Hear
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-01 12:09
Commercial space is producing more operational data than ever—launch schedules, debris rates, and reuse metrics—but the signals that matter are slipping past decision‑makers. The industry is racing toward a circular economy, yet governance decisions often lag behind, letting short‑term, single‑use models win out and leaving sustainability risks unaddressed. In the UK, consultations on end‑of‑life liability limits and new financing tools like debris‑retrieval bonds are already shaping market behavior, but they are built on assumptions that may not match future regulatory frameworks.