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Space nuclear programs face near- and long-term challenges
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-19 02:36
At a recent Space Nuclear Industry Symposium, officials highlighted NASA's Space Reactor 1 Freedom and the Lunar Reactor 1 projects, underscoring a growing interest in space nuclear power. Despite this momentum, industry faces short‑term hurdles such as a limited HALEU supply, a small skilled workforce, and scarce ground‑test sites, while competition for fuel with programs like the Army's Janus microreactors adds another layer of risk.
Rocket Lab to test Space Force data network connection in orbit in 2027
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 22:52
Rocket Lab will use its Photon spacecraft for a 2027 in‑orbit demonstration of the U.S. Space Force’s Space Data Network, testing interoperability between the SpaceX‑built backbone and other commercial satellites. The $12 million contract covers design, ground testing and the flight, and it is part of a $60 million effort that also includes Amazon LEO, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems. The demo will showcase secure optical communications between satellites and ground systems, helping the Space Force create a multi‑vendor network that avoids reliance on a single provider. This marks the first detailed plan from the consortium on how the SDN will be tested in orbit.
SpaceX exceeds 11,000 satellites in low Earth orbit
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 13:13
SpaceX lifted off a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base this Tuesday night, sending 24 new Starlink broadband satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The launch, which began at 9:01 p.m. PDT, added to the company’s growing constellation, now totaling just over 11,000 satellites in orbit.
Viasat Selects Rocket Lab to Build Small GEO Satellite Bus for Space Force PTS-G Program
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 23:15
On August 17, 2026, Viasat Inc. Announced it had selected Rocket Lab Corporation to build a small geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellite bus for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command. The partnership marks the first time Rocket Lab will produce a GEO bus, expanding its portfolio beyond the well‑known Electron launch vehicle. Viasat’s decision comes as the U.S. Military seeks to modernize its space capabilities with more agile, cost‑effective satellite platforms. This collaboration underscores the growing importance of commercial providers in national defense space programs.
All Points Awarded On-Ramp to NASA Spacecraft Processing and Operations Contract
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 15:49
On August 18, 2026, Merritt Island‑based All Points Logistics secured an on‑ramp selection for NASA’s multi‑award Spacecraft Processing and Operations Contract, a key addition to the agency’s spacecraft support program. The move expands the company’s role in handling spacecraft processing, from assembly and testing to launch operations.
Enterprise Sector Adopts Vertical Analytics Platforms and APIs to Replace Raw Satellite Imagery
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 15:38
Earth‑observation companies are shifting from selling raw satellite imagery to delivering ready
NASA Mission Studies Air Pollution Over Ethiopia
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-17 18:30
NASA’s MAIA project deployed a ground‑based sensor network across Addis Ababa, giving the first long‑term, multi‑site look at fine particulate matter and black carbon from 2022 to 2025.
Zhuque-3 Completes Second Flight with Successful First-Stage Landing
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-19 03:23
LandSpace’s Zhuque‑3 lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center on August 18, delivering its payload to orbit before its first stage softly landed 390 km downrange, marking the rocket’s second successful flight and adding it to the small group of flight‑proven, partially reusable orbital boosters.
Deep Dive: FY27 Defense Space Budget
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 17:45
The Space Force has asked for a record $71.3 billion for fiscal year 2027, a 120 percent jump that would be the largest percentage increase for any military
Touchdown! Private Chinese rocket aces landing on 2nd-ever flight
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-19 01:29
LandSpace’s Zhuque‑3 rocket made history on Aug. 18, 2026 by successfully landing its first stage on land, becoming the first private Chinese orbital rocket to do so. The touchdown, achieved with a set of landing legs similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, marked China’s first booster recovery on terra firma and a milestone toward reusable launch vehicles. The mission also delivered the Honghu‑03 satellite to low‑Earth orbit, confirming the rocket’s engineering maturity. This success puts LandSpace at the forefront of China’s push for reusable spaceflight technology.
NASA astronaut and 1st female French spacewalker remove failed ISS antenna but run out of time for replacement
Also covered by: Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 19:36
NASA astronaut Anil Menon and ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot completed the 282nd ISS EVA, a 6‑hour 23‑minute spacewalk that removed a failed Space‑to‑Ground antenna that had stopped tracking NASA’s data‑relay satellites.
Starship lives! SpaceX craft arrives at Christmas Island after 24-day ocean ordeal
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 17:29
SpaceX’s Starship upper stage, Ship 40, survived its first intact ocean splashdown after Flight 13, marking a milestone for the V3 design. After a 24‑day recovery effort amid rough seas, the 171‑foot spacecraft now floats off Christmas Island, awaiting detailed inspection by engineers. The successful splashdown gives SpaceX a rare chance to study the vehicle up close and refine its aerodynamics, heat‑shield and other systems. With Ship 41 and the next flight on the horizon, the company is pushing toward full reusability and future NASA missions.
SpaceX launches its 100th mission of the year, sends Starlink satellites to orbit
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 16:00
SpaceX marked its 100th mission of 2026 with a Falcon 9 launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying 24 Starlink satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The booster, B1097, returned to the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” after just 8.5 minutes, making it the 12th flight of that rocket. This launch is the company’s 97th Falcon 9 flight of the year, while 74 of its 138 missions so far have focused on expanding the Starlink constellation. SpaceX plans to phase out Falcon rockets in favor of Starship, aiming for up to a thousand launches a year.
Hydrogen-powered 'rocket car' tops 400 mph in record-breaking test (video)
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 15:00
A hydrogen‑powered car, the JCB Hydromax, shattered the land speed record in Utah, hitting 412 mph on its second run and averaging 406 mph. Retired RAF pilot Andy Green said the vehicle’s performance exceeded expectations, marking the fastest speed for a hydrogen internal‑combustion engine. The record demonstrates hydrogen’s potential as a clean, high‑performance power source, though the car remains a construction‑industry prototype. This breakthrough could pave the way for more sustainable, high‑speed vehicles in the future.
Against all odds, SpaceX finally tugs Starship into port after 24 days at sea
Original Publication Date: 2026-08-18 19:01
SpaceX’s latest Starship test flight, launched on July 24, completed a halfway circumnavigation of the globe and splashed down intact in the Indian Ocean. Unlike past missions that ended in fiery disintegration after tipping over, this Starship remained upright and survived the splashdown, surprising engineers and analysts alike. Equipped with sensors, cameras, buoys, and drones, the intact vessel will provide crucial data on the heat shield’s performance for future flights. The company will now analyze the recovered data to refine its design and launch procedures.