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Avio Reports Influx of Commercial Satellite Customers as SpaceX Freezes New Falcon 9 Orders
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 22:13
On September 16, 2026, Avio announced a surge in commercial satellite operators lining up for launch slots after SpaceX paused new reservations for its Falcon rockets. The Italian manufacturer, which builds the Ariane 5 and 6 for Arianespace, said the influx could boost its launch schedule and revenue.
Impulse Space Closes $308 Million Series D Extension to Expand In-Space Transportation Services
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 18:30
On September 16, 2026, in‑space mobility pioneer Impulse Space secured an additional $308 million in its Series D round, bringing the total Series
Silicon Valley Space Week Speaker Focus: Alyssa Goessler Goodwin, AE Industrial Partners
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 18:16
SpaceX’s first quarterly report as a public company showed revenue soaring 92 percent to $7.8 billion, yet the company’s shares slipped in the market. The earnings were highlighted by panelist Alyssa Goessler Goodwin of AE Industrial Partners during the opening session of Satellite Innovation at Silicon Valley Space Week. Goodwin noted that despite the strong financials, investor sentiment remains cautious. The event underscored the mixed reaction to SpaceX’s rapid growth and its impact on stock performance.
BAE Systems Secures $16 Million Award to Qualify Radiation-Hardened RH45 Microelectronics
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 14:38
On September 16, 2026, BAE Systems secured a $16 million contract under the Defense Production Act Title III, funded by the U.S. Department of War’s Warfighting Investments, Resourcing, and Execution directorate. The award is part of a broader effort to accelerate key defense capabilities and support national security priorities.
Space Inventor and Astroscale Japan Develop In-Orbit Satellite Servicing Architecture
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 14:30
On September 16, 2026, Danish satellite maker Space Inventor and Japan’s Astroscale announced a joint technology that will enable satellites to be serviced, maintained, and repaired while in orbit. The partnership blends Space Inventor’s satellite design expertise with Astroscale’s experience in debris removal and in‑space operations. Together, they aim to extend the lifespan of space assets and reduce the risk of orbital debris. This development marks a significant step toward a more sustainable and resilient space environment.
Summer Goes Out With a Heat Dome
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-17 04:01
In mid‑September 2026, a powerful heat dome over the south‑central United States pushed temperatures to record‑breaking highs, with Dallas hitting 101°F, Memphis 99°F, and Nashville 100°F—12°F above normal.
Hydrosat Unveils Osiris Constellation Ahead of 2027 Launch
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 13:00
Hydrosat has announced its next‑generation satellite constellation, Osiris, which promises both higher‑resolution imagery and a wider swath than its current VanZyl‑1 and VanZyl‑2 satellites, with the first upgraded satellites slated to launch next year. Each Osiris craft will carry five integrated sensors, delivering 25‑meter resolution in long‑wave infrared over a 160‑to‑340‑kilometer swath and 10‑meter resolution in visible near‑infrared. The company is already serving defense customers with its thermal data, winning contracts from NASA, the NRO, and SpaceWERX, while also offering its payload to other space operators, including a recent memorandum of understanding with Kazakhstan. Hydrosat’s CEO says the commercial mix is expanding, with 40% of revenue now coming from pure commercial customers and that growth is expected to continue.
Viasat and Space42 Commit Up to $1B to Equatys Joint Venture
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 12:45
Space42 and Viasat have announced Equatys, a joint venture that will provide shared satellite‑and‑ground infrastructure for direct‑to‑device connectivity and advanced mobile satellite services. The partners plan to invest up to $1 billion in equity—$400 million each at launch, with an additional $200 million from Space42 later—while future funding will come from equity and debt, and operators will not need to invest in the system. Equatys will launch with fewer than 200 satellites, scaling to 2,800 across 60 orbital planes and three altitude layers, with commercial service targeted for the end of 2029. The platform, modeled after telecom tower economics, aims to reduce dropped calls, fill metropolitan coverage gaps, and keep satellite costs comparable to terrestrial networks, though operator customers and launch markets are still being explored.
Space weather caused a 16-minute train delay in 1848: 'Our research has a hint of a detective story'
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 22:00
A team of space‑weather scientists has uncovered that a 16‑minute train delay in Exeter in 1848 was caused by a solar storm flooding the railway’s telegraph signals, not by weather or track obstructions as once thought. The original 1841 report in Nature was found to be a mistake, because the line had not yet opened; the real event lined up with a powerful solar storm that struck Earth on Oct. 18, 1848. Professor Jim Wild of Lancaster University and Mike Hapgood of RAL Space pieced together railway timetables, newspapers, and geomagnetic data to revise the historic record. While it no longer holds the title of the earliest recorded space‑weather disruption, the incident remains one of the first clear examples of solar activity affecting critical infrastructure.
The battlefield now extends all the way to the moon, U.S. military's highest-ranking officer says
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 21:00
Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that the modern battlefield now stretches from the ocean floor to cislunar space, where the U.S. And China are racing to build lunar bases near the south pole. He said the U.S. Must adapt now to fight in contested environments, emphasizing the importance of maintaining space superiority and a robust data advantage. Meanwhile, the Space Force confirmed it operates electromagnetic weapons in orbit to defend against satellite attacks, a move that could shape future space conflicts. The U.S. Must ensure it can strike anywhere on the globe at any time while sustaining its forces, Caine said.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket-landing team gets 1st-ever Neil Armstrong Space Prize
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 20:00
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 landing team has become the first recipients of the inaugural Neil Armstrong Space Prize, awarded by Purdue University at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., on September 15, 2026. The prize honors the engineers who made reusable rocket boosters a reality, transforming the economics of spaceflight and opening new possibilities for science and commerce. Purdue’s award, named after the university’s most famous alumnus, aims to become the “Nobel” of space exploration.
Roman Space Telescope starts waking up as NASA powers on instruments for the 1st time
Original Publication Date: 2026-09-16 18:00
NASA has begun powering up the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope as it continues its three‑month trek to Lagrange point 2. The Wide Field Instrument and Coronagraph have been activated and are undergoing calibration, with initial telemetry showing nominal readings. Engineers are cooling the infrared detectors to about –300 °F and decontaminating the coronagraph, while the telescope remains on schedule to deliver its first science images in early 2027. Thanks to precise launch and fuel savings, the mission is expected to operate for 22 years.