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Zenk Space raises $26 million, targets June debut launch
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-18 02:22
Zenk Space, a Chinese startup, has secured 180 million yuan ($26 million) to fund its first orbital launch, the Zhihang‑1 kerolox rocket, scheduled for June. The round was led by Wenzhou Bay New Area Investment Group and included several state‑owned and private investors, giving the company a solid financial base for pre‑launch activities. Zhihang‑1, a 49.8‑meter, 4,000‑kg‑to‑SSO launcher that uses YF‑102 engines, plans a partial engine recovery system inspired by ULA’s SMART. The company has already completed a static‑fire test, moved the first stage to a rehearsal site, and is targeting a June launch to showcase China’s growing commercial space sector.
NASA and Eta Space Finalize Integration for LOXSAT Cryogenic Fuel Demonstration
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 23:02
NASA announced on May 14 that the Liquid Oxygen Flight Demonstration, or LOXSAT, has entered its final pre‑launch testing phase at Rocket Lab’s Spacecraft Production Complex in Long Beach. The spacecraft, built to showcase liquid‑oxygen propulsion, will undergo final integration and systems checks before its scheduled launch later this year. This milestone is part of NASA’s broader effort to validate new propulsion technologies for future deep‑space missions. The successful completion of this phase brings LOXSAT one step closer to taking flight.
Kymeta Flat Panel Antennas Integrated into Red Cat Variant 7 USV for Resilient Military Satcom
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 22:06
On May 14, 2026, Red Cat Holdings Inc. Announced that flat‑panel satellite terminal maker Kymeta has joined its Red Cat Futures Initiative, a new defense partnership aimed at advancing satellite communications technology. The collaboration will integrate Kymeta’s satellite antenna solutions with Red Cat’s space‑based networking capabilities to deliver faster, more secure data links. By combining their expertise, the two companies plan to enhance military and commercial satellite connectivity. This partnership underscores a growing trend toward hybrid satellite‑ground networks in defense applications.
Do Satellite Providers Have a Say in Ground-Level Restrictions
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 21:39
Anti‑vaccine group ICAN released a documentary in October 2025 claiming its study on vaccine safety was suppressed by authorities. The film alleges that key data were withheld, sparking a heated debate over vaccine transparency.
SmallSat Europe Speaker Focus: Moritz Novak, GATE Space
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-16 21:43
Moritz Novak co-founded GATE Space to develop green propulsion systems for maneuverable smallsats and is leading Austria’s first military satellite. At SmallSat Europe, he will present a Tech Brief on redefining satellite mobility for defense. The event underscores a shift toward sustainable, agile satellites in national security. GATE Space aims to position Austria at the forefront of defense satellite technology.
Artemis III deep into processing and planning for key HLS test
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 17:29
NASA is gearing up for Artemis III, a crewed low‑Earth‑orbit flight slated for next year that will test rendezvous and docking between the Orion capsule and uncrewed pathfinder versions of Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2 and SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System. This marks the first time NASA will integrate multiple human‑rated vehicles from commercial partners in a single campaign, serving as a critical dress rehearsal before the first crewed lunar landing on Artemis IV. The launch will use the Space Launch System without its upper stage, adding a structural spacer, and the mission will run longer than Artemis II to evaluate life‑support systems, docking performance, and a new Orion heat‑shield design.
Watch NASA's new Mars helicopter rotor break the speed of sound (video)
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 15:00
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory completed 137 tests of a new Mars helicopter rotor, spinning blades fast enough to exceed the speed of sound in a simulated Martian atmosphere. The rotors reached Mach 1.08 without damage, and the data suggest a 30 % lift boost, enabling future drones to carry heavier instruments and travel farther. These results are feeding the design of the SkyFall mission, which plans to launch three next‑generation helicopters to the Red Planet in 2028.
SpaceX Dragon capsule delivers science and supplies to space station
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 13:53
SpaceX's 34th Dragon cargo spacecraft docked with the International Space Station at 6:37 a.
Watch an asteroid the size of a blue whale hurtle towards Earth live online TODAY
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 13:00
A newly discovered near‑Earth asteroid, 2026 JH2, roughly the size of a blue whale, will make a close fly‑by of Earth on May 18 at just 56,628 miles away. The asteroid, first spotted on May 10 by the Mount Lemmon Survey, will pass at 19,417 mph and peak in brightness at magnitude 11.5, offering a spectacular but harmless view. Astronomers are broadcasting a live stream from robotic telescopes in Italy starting at 3:45 p.m. EDT, allowing viewers to watch the fast‑moving dot of light streaking across the stars.
Giant radio telescope sees Artemis 2 astronauts on Orion flying around the moon. 'There are 4 people in those pixels.'
Original Publication Date: 2026-05-17 12:00
NASA’s Orion spacecraft, part of the Artemis 2 moon mission, is shown in a pixel‑based image that maps its distance and Doppler shift. The vertical axis represents range, increasing downward, while the horizontal axis displays the frequency shift from the expected return signal. The image was captured when Orion was more than 213,000 miles (343,000 km) from Earth. This data helps scientists track the spacecraft’s trajectory and communication performance.