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Neuraspace raises $18 million to expand sovereign space awareness
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-05 06:00
Portugal‑based Neuraspace has secured 15.6 million euros in fresh funding, combining a €6 million Series B from venture capitalists with €9.6 million from Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan, to boost its European space domain awareness and defense platform. The capital will expand NeuraspaceDEF, an AI‑driven system that fuses data from public catalogs, ground telescopes and its own optical sensors to deliver real‑time satellite tracking, collision alerts and autonomous decision tools for commercial and military users. With more than 600 satellites already monitored and revenue up over 350 percent last year, the company is also adding radar sensors to its optical array to counter growing collision risks and sophisticated counter‑space threats, furthering European sovereignty in space operations. Neuraspace’s latest round underscores its growing role as a key partner for NATO and European defense ministries in safeguarding the increasingly crowded low‑Earth orbit.
Voyager seeks relaxed requirements in NASA commercial space station RFP
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-05 03:01
Voyager Technologies is bullish on its Starlab commercial space station, citing more than $500 million in agreements and a $
SpaceX to begin Starship orbital flights
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 22:51
SpaceX is preparing to launch its upgraded Starlink V3 satellites on the next Starship flight, tentatively scheduled for the end of August, marking the vehicle’s first orbital attempt. Elon Musk announced the company will also try to catch the Starship upper stage back at the launch site—a first for the program—pending regulatory approval. In its Q2 earnings call, SpaceX reported $7.8 billion in revenue, nearly double the previous year, while its AI division spent $15.8 billion on infrastructure, and Musk projects $100 billion in annual recurring revenue by year’s end.
Rocket Lab, STR win Space Force contracts for airborne-target tracking
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 22:47
The U.S. Space Force has awarded $615 million to Rocket Lab, Systems & Technology Research, and a third unidentified company to develop satellite technology that will track aircraft and missile threats from orbit. Rocket Lab’s $397 million share will build and launch a constellation of “Flatellites” on its Neutron rocket, offering low‑latency, high‑bandwidth sensors for the SB‑AMTI program. These contracts diversify the AMTI system, adding alternative sensing solutions to complement the $4.16 billion SpaceX constellation and reduce reliance on a single vendor. The move is part of a Pentagon effort to shift airborne surveillance to space, providing broader coverage without risking aircraft near conflict zones.
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
Also covered by: Space.com
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 16:05
SpaceX launched its 90th Falcon 9 of the year from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Aug. 4, carrying 24 new Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The booster B1063 followed a south‑southwesterly trajectory and, after just 8½ minutes, landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, marking the vessel’s 215th successful touchdown. The launch occurred just before the company’s first quarterly earnings call, which will outline plans for a historic Starship orbital flight and high‑profile NASA missions such as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope and the Crew‑13 crewed flight. The operation was conducted under foggy conditions at the Vandenberg launch site.
ICEYE Appoints Former JPMorgan Managing Director Christos Kolimenakis as CEO of ICEYE UAE
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 23:08
ICEYE has appointed Christos Kolimenakis as Chief Executive Officer of its UAE subsidiary, marking a new era of resident leadership in Abu Dhabi. Kolimenakis brings a 15‑year banking career from JPMorgan Chase to the space‑radar firm. The move underscores ICEYE’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Middle East. With his experience, the company aims to strengthen its market position in the region.
AST SpaceMobile Commences Direct-to-Cellular Operations in Japan Alongside Rakuten
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 16:32
AST SpaceMobile, a direct‑to‑cellular satellite communications firm, has formally notified the Federal Communications Commission that it has met all international regulatory conditions required by its
Rocket Lab Outlines Commercial Innovation Strategy to Challenge SpaceX Market Dominance
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 16:23
Rocket Lab USA Inc. Will launch its first commercial jet in 2026. Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sir Peter […] Rocket Lab USA Inc. Is based in Long Beach, California. Rocket Lab will launch its commercial jet in August 2026. The company will be a primary challenger to capital-intensive aerospace giants.
Take Root Bio and Heriot-Watt University Spin Space Recycled-Life Systems into Terrestrial Biofuel Production
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 15:00
Take Root Bio, a space biotechnology firm, has unveiled a new platform that adapts closed‑loop life‑support technology from spaceflight to tackle industrial waste on Earth. The system uses engineered microbial consortia to break down waste streams into reusable resources, mirroring the regenerative processes used in long‑duration space missions. The company plans to launch a pilot program in a Scottish facility this year, with full commercial rollout targeted for 2027. This innovation promises to slash waste volumes and boost sustainability across multiple industries.
IBSAT Becomes Authorized Amazon Leo Distributor Across Spain and Portugal
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 14:54
Satellite telecom provider IBSAT has signed a new agreement to expand enterprise access to low Earth orbit broadband across the Iberian Peninsula. The deal will deploy LEO satellite constellations and ground infrastructure to deliver high‑speed, low‑latency connectivity to businesses in Spain and Portugal. By bridging the digital divide, the partnership aims to support economic growth in rural and underserved areas.
August 2026 Satellite Puzzler
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 16:31
NASA’s Earth Observatory has released its August 2026 “puzzler” satellite image, inviting listeners to identify the location and share clues that caught their eye. Participants can submit guesses via the website, and the first correct answer will earn bragging rights, while particularly thoughtful responses may also be highlighted. The challenge offers no monetary prize, but the reveal—scheduled a week later—will include a detailed explanation of the image’s features. Tune in next week to see if your guess matches the mystery spot.
NASA Provides Updates on Moon Base Cargo Landers, Tech Demonstrations
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 16:14
NASA is moving ahead with its Moon Base plan, bringing commercial partners Blue Origin, Firefly Aerospace, Intuitive Machines and Voyager Lunar Systems into a 2028 delivery schedule that will lay the groundwork for a sustained lunar presence. Blue Origin’s Blue Moon MK1 lander is in final testing, while Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 2 will be the first American landing on the Moon’s far side, and Intuitive Machines’ Nova‑C IM‑3 will deploy a data‑relay satellite and deliver payloads to the Reiner Gamma swirl. These robotic missions will test critical technologies, deploy scientific instruments, and build infrastructure that will support future human crews, with the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative ensuring a reliable lunar supply chain. The coordinated effort marks a major leap forward in commercial lunar delivery and the realization of a resilient South‑Pole outpost.
Crew-13 pilot reflects on career, training, and upcoming science ahead of flight to ISS
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 20:05
NASA has advanced the launch of its next International Space Station crew, Crew‑13, to no earlier than September 12, 2026, cutting two months of training but still meeting all objectives, according to pilot Luke Delaney.
While SpaceX recovers Ship 40, Ship 41 prepares for testing ahead of Flight 14
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 16:27
SpaceX has successfully recovered Ship 40 from the Indian Ocean after a flawless soft landing on Flight 13, with the vehicle remaining intact thanks to a controlled flip and precise engine burn. Drone footage and Starlink satellite images show the heatshield largely intact, giving engineers a rare chance to inspect the thermal protection system on site. Meanwhile, crews are preparing Ship 41 for Raptor engine testing at Massey’s, with a potential Flight 14 window opening as early as late August. The company’s rapid recovery and ongoing pad repairs keep the Starship program on schedule for the next launch.
FL Governor Candidate Launches Space Race Policy
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 15:36
Rep. Byron Donalds, a Florida governor candidate, has unveiled a bold plan to make the state the world’s hub for space exploration, promising thousands of high‑paying jobs and rapid launch‑site approvals. His proposal includes an Office for Space Industry, relocating NASA headquarters to Florida, and building a Space Force training facility. Donalds also calls for a Space Race Summit to align companies and state officials, while accelerating permits and workforce training for trade jobs like welders and electricians. With incumbent Governor Ron DeSantis ineligible to run, Donalds will face former Rep. David Jolly in the November general election after winning the August Republican primary.
Xona Clears Final Regulatory Hurdle for PNT Constellation
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 12:45
Xona Space Systems has secured FCC approval to broadcast its Pulsar navigation signals from a full satellite constellation, becoming the only private network cleared to operate in the heavily protected L‑band alongside GPS. The company’s Pulsar signals are up to 100 times stronger than GPS, include cryptographic spoofing protection, and can be added to existing GNSS hardware via software updates. With the regulatory hurdle cleared, Xona plans to launch its first six satellites in October and begin operations in early 2027, gradually expanding to a persistent multi‑satellite view. This milestone positions Xona as a key player in enhancing GPS resiliency for both commercial and military users.
Kreios Taps Kongsberg NanoAvionics for 2028 VLEO Demo
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 12:27
Spanish startup Kreios Space plans its first very low Earth orbit flight in 2028, using a Kongsberg NanoAvionics MP42 microsatellite bus to test its air‑breathing electric propulsion at altitudes from 300 to 350 km down to 90 km. The mission will fire the thruster at multiple altitudes, collect atmospheric data, and host up to two payloads before the satellite drifts back to Earth. Although the bus isn’t fully VLEO‑optimized, the quick deployment lets Kreios gather critical data in six to ten months, accelerating the design of future long‑duration VLEO buses. By 2029 the company aims to launch a fully drag‑compensated platform capable of staying at 200‑250 km for extended periods.
SpaceX wants to launch next Starship this month (and catch it, too), Elon Musk says in 1st earnings call since historic IPO
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 22:55
SpaceX aims to launch its 14th Starship test flight this month, hoping to catch the upper stage on the launch tower—a first for the vehicle—if regulators approve. The flight will also deploy a batch of V3 Starlink satellites into orbit, marking the first successful orbital deployment by Starship. Musk highlighted the heat shield’s survival on Flight 13, boosting confidence for the upcoming mission. Meanwhile, SpaceX’s Q2 earnings show a 92 % revenue jump, driven largely by Starlink, while the company plans to pivot toward AI data centers in the coming years.
SpaceX launches 3 giant BlueBird direct-to-cell satellites on Falcon 9 rocket
Also covered by: Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 22:00
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lifted off from Cape Canaveral at 3:50 a.m. EDT, carrying three of AST SpaceMobile’s next‑generation BlueBird satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The launch brings the company’s constellation to 13 spacecraft, with the new satellites boasting antennas 2,400 sq ft in size and expected to deliver nearly twice the download speeds of earlier models. AST SpaceMobile says the expanded fleet positions it for beta cellular‑broadband services later this year, directly to unmodified smartphones. The Falcon 9’s first stage successfully landed on the drone ship “A Shortfall of Gravitas,” marking its 30th landing.
'A very busy mission': SpaceX on track to launch 4 astronauts to the ISS on Sept. 12
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 17:00
SpaceX’s Crew‑13 is set to lift off from Cape Canaveral on September 12, carrying commander Jessica Watkins, pilot Luke Delaney, Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk and Russian cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov aboard the Dragon “Grace.” The four will dock with the International Space Station the next day to join Expedition 75/76 for a seven‑month stay, where they’ll conduct maintenance, a few spacewalks and a host of science experiments. Their research will tackle heart disease and Parkinson’s disease, study crop production for long‑duration missions, and test new medical diagnostics. This mission marks Watkins as the first active NASA astronaut to fly on Dragon twice, underscoring the growing international collaboration in low‑Earth orbit.
A 9,000-pound SpaceX rocket will crash into the moon tonight. Will you be able to see it?
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-04 15:58
Tonight, a discarded SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage will slam into the moon at 2:35 a.m. EDT, striking near Einstein Crater on the western limb.