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NRO nominee says commercial space, AI are reshaping spy satellite agency
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 22:22
President Trump’s nominee, Roger Mason, told the Senate Intelligence Committee that the National Reconnaissance Office is undergoing a rapid transformation driven by commercial space innovation and artificial intelligence. Mason, who currently serves as chief growth officer at V2X Corp., emphasized the agency’s expanding satellite constellation—now over 200 low‑Earth‑orbit imaging satellites—and the need to integrate AI to manage the flood of intelligence data. He stressed that strong ties with private industry and clear, long‑term signals of government requirements are essential to keep the NRO competitive and to support U.S. Forces increasingly reliant on space‑based intelligence.
Global SSA Market to Reach $61B as Governments Prioritize Space Security, Resilience, and Orbital Safety
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 15:11
Novaspace’s second Space Situational Awareness report projects global spending on SSA to reach $61 billion by 2035, reflecting a sharp rise in government
The importance of determining an equilibrium state for space traffic management
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 13:00
The rapid rise of human and robotic missions in low‑Earth orbit has made space traffic management a critical priority. Experts argue that without a robust system, the growing number of satellites and debris could lead to collisions and operational disruptions. The article highlights the need to define an equilibrium state—balancing launch cadence, orbit allocation, and debris mitigation—to keep the orbital environment safe and sustainable. Implementing effective STM will be essential for the continued growth and reliability of space activities.
UK explores Vast space station mission for astronaut with physical disability
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 12:25
The U.K. Government is exploring a mission that could send astronaut John McFall, who has a physical disability, to Vast’s planned Haven‑1 space station. If approved, McFall would become the first disabled person to live in orbit, marking a milestone for inclusive space exploration. The proposal follows McFall’s previous successful missions and underscores Britain’s commitment to expanding opportunities for all astronauts. The project remains in the planning stages as officials weigh the technical and logistical challenges.
Voyager to acquire lunar lander developer Astrobotic
Also covered by: SatNews, Payload Space
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 11:54
Voyager Technologies has agreed to acquire Pittsburgh‑based Astrobotic for up to $300 million in cash, stock, and earn‑out payments, taking on $9 million of debt
Researchers call for regulations to protect low Earth orbit environment
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 11:00
Researchers in Boulder, Colorado, warn that the growing number of satellite and space hardware re‑entries is introducing exotic materials into Earth’s atmosphere, potentially harming the low‑Earth‑orbit environment. They call for stricter regulations and enhanced protective measures to mitigate contamination risks. The study stresses the need for greater oversight as space debris continues to increase. The findings were first reported by SpaceNews.
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-03 01:39
SpaceX lifted off a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on June 3, 2026, deploying
SpaceX launches sunrise Starlink mission following weather scrub
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-03 01:09
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40 on June 4, 2026, carrying the Starlink 10‑43 mission that will add 29 broadband satellites to its 10,000‑strong constellation. The launch, delayed the day before by poor weather, proceeded at 6:26 a.m. EDT after a 95 percent favorable forecast. The rocket followed a north‑easterly trajectory, and its first‑stage booster, B1090, successfully landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas” in the Atlantic, marking the 619th booster landing to date. This successful flight underscores SpaceX’s growing track record of rapid, reliable launches and precise landings.
MDA Space Selected by BAE Systems for U.S. Space Force Missile Warning Constellation
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 18:10
MDA Space has won a new contract from BAE Systems to supply critical payload technologies for the United States Space Systems Command’s MEO EPOCH 2 constellation. The deal is part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. Space capabilities in mid‑earth orbit. MDA’s advanced payloads will enable the constellation’s next‑generation communications and sensing missions. This partnership underscores the growing collaboration between U.S. Defense contractors and space technology firms.
Typhoon Jangmi
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-03 04:00
Typhoon Jangmi, a slow‑spinning storm that formed in the Philippine Sea, barreled north‑northwest toward southern Japan from late May into early June 2026. Satellite images from NASA’s Suomi NPP and NOAA‑20 show a large eye and powerful rainbands, with sustained winds reaching 120‑130 km/h, equivalent to a Category 1 hurricane. The typhoon’s outer bands already touched land as it approached Okinawa, prompting forecasts of heavy rainfall along Japan’s Pacific coast and a turn northeast toward the Amami region.
NASA Space Roboticist Challenge
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 20:56
NASA is offering a rare chance for U.S. Researchers to work with a seven‑degree‑of‑freedom robotic arm that will launch to low‑Earth orbit as part of the Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) mission. Participants must first register for eligibility by September 23, then submit a concise white paper by October 2 to compete for one of 15 spots that advance to the simulation and validation phase at Goddard Space Flight Center. Teams that pass validation will be awarded on‑orbit experiment time, providing a unique opportunity to conduct real space research. For details and to register, visit https://spaceroboticistchallenge.com.
Look Up!
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 16:06
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and NASA’s Jack Hathaway, both flight engineers on Expedition 74, watched from the ISS cupola as SpaceX’s Dragon cargo ship docked on May 17, 2026. The station was orbiting 259 miles above the Indian Ocean, just west of the Maldives, at the time of the photo. The image captures the engineers monitoring the automated docking from the cupola’s panoramic view. This moment highlights international collaboration aboard the space station.
Blue Origin initiates LC-36 recovery, targets RTF by end of 2026
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-03 01:16
Blue Origin suffered a catastrophic loss when a New Glenn rocket exploded during a static fire test, wrecking Launch Complex‑36 at Cape Canaveral. CEO Dave Limp announced the company is already repairing key infrastructure—including the damaged lightning protection tower and transporter‑erector—and plans to resume launches before the year's end. While the propellant farm and iconic water tower remain largely intact, the incident has accelerated a shift toward vertical integration and a streamlined 7×2 vehicle configuration.
Blue Origin Commits to Return to Flight This Year
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 20:39
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded last week, sending seismic waves up to 220 km, but CEO Dave Limp says the damage is manageable and the company plans to launch again before year‑end. A review found that key infrastructure—propellant tanks, water tower, and the booster—remains usable, and a new launch concept eliminates the need for a transporter‑erector. The swift return to flight is a boost for NASA’s lunar agenda, which relies on Blue Origin to deliver landers and lunar transport vehicles by 2028.
NDAA Would Cut SDA, RCO Offices
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 17:45
House lawmakers are poised to strip the Pentagon of two key space acquisition offices, the Space Development Agency and the Space Rapid Capabilities Office, in this year’s defense authorization bill. The proposed cuts would shift responsibilities to the Space Force’s acquisition executive, potentially slowing the rapid deployment of commercial satellites that bolster communications, tracking, and missile defense. While the bill still faces committee markup and full House and Senate approval, lawmakers may debate the rationale for eliminating these offices this week. The draft also calls for briefings on emerging space priorities, from cislunar awareness to commercial imagery partnerships.
Northrop Grumman Taps Apex for Golden Dome SBI Collab
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 12:33
Northrop Grumman has teamed up with Apex to build space‑based interceptor satellites for the U.S. Golden Dome missile‑defense shield, aiming to field operational capabilities by 2027. The partnership follows a trend of defense primes, such as Raytheon and Anduril, collaborating with space‑industry scale‑ups to meet the DoD’s high‑volume, low‑cost satellite requirements. Golden Dome is projected to cost about $185 billion and could deploy up to 7,000 satellites at full capacity. Meanwhile, Apex is launching its own Project Shadow demo this month to validate key SBI features, including inter‑satellite links and infrared tracking payloads.
Impulse Space Closes $500M Series D
Also covered by: SpaceNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 12:15
Impulse Space has closed a $500 million Series D, pushing its total capital raised to more than $1 billion. The round was led by 137 Ventures and BANNER VC and will enable the in‑space mobility company to expand its workforce beyond 500 employees. The funding will also support growth of its manufacturing facilities in Redondo Beach.
Scientists locate source of mysterious radio signals after 20 year search: A vampire star and its victim
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 21:00
After two decades of mystery, Australian astronomers have pinpointed the source of long‑period radio transients. The culprit is a compact white dwarf siphoning material from a nearby red dwarf in the system ASKAP J1745‑5051. When the stars swing close every 1.4 hours, their magnetic fields clash, producing synchrotron radio bursts and X‑ray flares from the accreting material. The discovery, detailed in Nature Astronomy, may help astronomers distinguish between white‑dwarf binaries and other exotic sources of these puzzling radio signals.
China launches debut mission of Falcon 9-like rocket with no advance notice (video)
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 20:00
China surprised the world by launching its Long March 12B on June 1, 2026 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert, without issuing the usual airspace‑closure notice. The partially reusable two‑stage vehicle, which bears a striking resemblance to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, successfully carried two Qianfan (“Thousand Sails”) internet‑megaconstellation satellites into low‑Earth orbit. Although the first‑stage booster was not recovered on this debut flight, officials say a landing attempt will be made on a later launch. This marks the first time China has launched a reusable rocket that also delivered functional payloads on its maiden voyage.
SpaceX wins $4 billion Space Force contract for satellites that target 'airborne threats' anywhere on Earth
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 18:00
The U.S. Space Force has awarded SpaceX a $4.16 billion contract to build a satellite constellation that will track and target airborne threats worldwide. The Space-Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB‑AMTI) program aims to have the system operational by 2028, providing a space‑borne complement to traditional aircraft sensors and reducing risk in contested airspace. SpaceX is the first of nine vendors selected, and the architecture will fuse space sensors with secure communications and advanced ground‑processing to deliver continuous battlefield awareness. This initiative supports the Golden Dome missile defense and marks a strategic shift toward space‑based surveillance for joint warfighters.
'Hot Jupiter' winds blasting at over 15,000 mph reveal 1st evidence of exoplanets with magnetic fields
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 16:00
Astronomers have, for the first time, detected magnetic fields on exoplanets by measuring wind speeds on seven scorching gas giants, using the Very Large Telescope and Gemini North. The winds, ranging from 4,470 to 15,530 miles per hour, far exceed those on Jupiter, and their behavior reveals magnetic fields four times stronger than Saturn’s and about half as strong as Jupiter’s.
Student-powered 'moon' rovers put to the test | Space photo of the day for June 2, 2026
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 14:00
NASA’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge, now in its 32nd year, drew 600 students from 44 teams to design and build human‑powered rovers that could traverse the Moon. After months of design, testing and several readiness reviews, the teams drove their rovers through a half‑mile obstacle course in Huntsville, Alabama, in April 2026. Participants ranged from middle‑schoolers to college‑students and received mentorship from NASA experts, giving them a realistic taste of the engineering rigor required for lunar exploration. The event underscores how Earth‑bound trials are paving the way for future Moon missions.
In a surprise launch, China debuts another big rocket designed for reusability
Original Publication Date: 2026-06-02 16:05
China’s race to land the first reusable orbital booster is unfolding differently than the U.S. Story, where SpaceX’s Falcon 9 first landed in 2015 and Blue Origin followed a year later. While several Chinese private firms seemed poised to achieve the milestone, the recent launch of the Long March 12B—backed by a powerful state‑owned aerospace giant—signals that established players may now have the upper hand. The competition remains tight, with several companies and state entities poised to attempt a booster landing this year.