Arianespace’s Ariane 6 successfully launches Metop-SGA1 weather satellite “This is the beginning of an exciting new chapter” – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 00:00
Ariane 6 lifted off from Europe’s Spaceport carrying EUMETSAT’s Metop-SGA1 satellite. Ariane 6 is the new European heavy-lift launcher operated by Arianespace. The spacecraft was built by Airbus Defence and Space and will be operated throughout its lifetime by EUMETSAT.
ULA, GO Vulcan! GO Centaur! GO USSF-106! and they did! – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 00:00
The United launch Alliance rocket departed Space Launch Complex-41 on Tuesday night at 8:56 p.m. EDT. The 10-hour countdown started at 10:09 a.m. EDT under the guidance of ULA Launch Conductor Scott Barney. The USSF-106 payloads feature demonstrations and experiments from Department of Defense customers, including the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3). The Air Force Research Laboratory’s NTS-3 is the military’s first experimental navigation satellite system in nearly 50 years.
SpaceX to launch Starlink Group 17-4 smallsats from California on Wednesday – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 00:00
SpaceX plans a Wednesday to launch 24 Starlink Group 17-4 Starlink smallsats low-Earth orbit to join the Starlink constellation. A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. This will be the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched four Starlink missions.
Viasat unveils HaloNet capability for near-Earth comms + beyond – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 00:00
Viasat unveils next-generation connectivity architecture that unifies space and terrestrial connectivity into a cohesive service offering. HaloNet is designed to provide simultaneous connectivity to thousands of space vehicles (SV) across the full range of orbital inclinations, including polar and retrograde orbits, at any latitude.
KP Labs + Simera Sense to deliver integrated AI-powered optical payloads for future space missions – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 00:00
KP Labs and Simera Sense have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The MoU aims to establish a foundation for closer collaboration between Simera Sense and KP Labs. By bringing together advanced optical sensing and in-orbit AI processing, both companies aim to accelerate the delivery of smarter small satellite missions.
The Mission: Blue Origin’s Mars Telecommunications Orbiter – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 00:00
The Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO) is ready to support NASA’s Mars mission in 2028. MTO is designed to establish a high-speed communications relay network for continuous coverage between Earth and Mars. The orbiter builds upon Blue Origin’s Mars Next-Generation Relay and Mars Sample Return architecture commercial proposals.
Raptor 3 testing ramps up at SpaceX McGregor
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-12 01:53
SpaceX has conducted 24 engine firings at its McGregor test facility this past week. The activity highlights SpaceX’s ongoing push to refine its next-generation Raptor engines. The McGregor test site serves as the company’s primary rocket development and test facility for propulsion systems.
Launch Roundup: Vulcan and Ariane launch ahead of Starlink missions
Original Publication Date: 2025-08-11 19:09
After a week of weather delays across the U.S. Launch cadence increases. An Ariane 6 carrying a weather satellite launched ahead of a navigational technology satellite and a classified payload. A Chinese Chang Zheng 5B rocket is expected to launch after today. Four Falcon 9 Starlink missions are also scheduled for launch during the week.