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Report links Starliner problems to overconfidence and unrealistic schedules
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 22:19
A recent report attributes Boeing’s persistent technical glitches with the CST‑100 Starliner to a mix of overconfidence and unrealistic deadlines, compounded by NASA’s limited insight into the vehicle’s design. The analysis suggests that rushed schedules and a lack of thorough oversight have stalled progress and amplified safety concerns. As a result, the partnership faces renewed scrutiny over how to ensure the Starliner meets its commercial crew mission objectives.
FCC to vote on satellite licensing overhaul July 22
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 19:45
The FCC will vote on July 22 on a Space Modernization Order that would replace its long‑standing Part 25 rules with a new Part 100, speeding up satellite licensing to months or weeks and cutting the public notice window to 15 days.
Unseen threats overhead: Drones endanger U.S. rocket launch sites
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 13:00
A single errant drone can force a U.S. Rocket launch to be scrubbed, incurring millions of dollars in delay costs. The incident highlights how a small, unseen threat can disrupt both commercial and government launch schedules. The ripple effect extends across multiple launch service providers, prompting heightened security protocols. This event underscores the growing vulnerability of space operations to terrestrial drones.
Vantor offers up-to-date imagery with WorldView 3D
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 12:30
Vantor, the company formerly known as Maxar Intelligence, unveiled its new WorldView 3D platform on July 1, offering customers updated, high‑definition satellite imagery. The launch emphasizes the system’s focus on delivering real‑time, currency‑driven data for a range of applications. Vantor’s announcement underscores its commitment to advancing satellite imaging technology and meeting growing demand for timely, high‑resolution imagery. The news was first reported by SpaceNews.
Latitude plans to conduct first launch from Oman
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 12:03
French startup Latitude plans to launch its small rocket from Oman’s Etlaq Spaceport in late 2027 after signing a letter of intent. The agreement, announced during Oman’s Sultan Haitham’s visit to France, follows weeks of feasibility studies and will test a vehicle capable of carrying 200 kg to low Earth orbit. Latitude’s Navier engine has undergone two hot‑fire tests, and the company intends to use the Omani site alongside its Guiana Space Center launches. The move positions Oman as a growing space hub and reflects France and Oman’s shared ambition to build independent space capability.
Blue Origin outlines new launch pad approach as it pushes to return New Glenn to flight
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 11:16
Blue Origin plans to return its New Glenn rocket to flight from a rebuilt launch pad by year‑end after a pad explosion. The company will use a horizontal/vertical hybrid CONOPS, moving the vehicle horizontally and raising it with a crane, bypassing the destroyed transporter/erector. NASA and the Space Force are supporting the investigation, which points to the aft section of the first stage, and both agencies remain committed to launching Blue Moon landers on New Glenn. If the recovery succeeds, it would set a new benchmark for rapid post‑explosion recoveries in the industry.
The SpaceX IPO tells one story. Here is the more important one.
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 11:00
SpaceX’s IPO drew headlines about its rockets, valuation, and high‑profile founders, but the deeper significance lies in what the public listing reveals about the future of space commerce. The move signals a growing maturity and mainstream acceptance of private space enterprises, suggesting a shift toward broader commercial space activity. It also hints at increased investor confidence and a potential boost for satellite, launch, and exploration markets. Ultimately, the IPO marks a pivotal moment for the industry, underscoring its transition from niche to mainstream.
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 17:12
SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg on July 1, 2026, adding 24 new Starlink satellites to its constellation of more than 10,700. The rocket lifted off at 7:57 p.m. PDT and followed a south‑southwesterly trajectory. After a successful flight, the first‑stage booster B1100 landed on the drone ship “Of Course I Still Love You” in the Pacific, marking SpaceX’s 632nd booster landing and the 207th on that vessel. This launch is part of SpaceX’s rapid deployment, having already deployed nearly 1,600 satellites in the first half of 2026.
The SatNews Offices Will Be Closed Friday, July 3.
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 20:33
SatNews offices will close in observance of the country’s independence celebration. The temporary shutdown honors the national holiday and allows staff to participate in festivities. Business will resume on Monday, July 6, 2026.
AST SpaceMobile Finalizes Assembly of Next-Generation BlueBirds for August SpaceX Launch
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 16:16
AST SpaceMobile, the direct‑to‑device satellite operator, has moved into final flight preparations for its upcoming orbital campaign. The company is finalizing logistics and launch arrangements to deploy its next generation of satellites. This effort is part of AST’s strategy to expand global broadband coverage and connect underserved regions. The launch is expected to proceed once all systems pass final checks.
SEOPS Completes Multi-National Integration of 10 Payloads for SpaceX Transporter-17 Mission
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 15:42
On July 1, 2026, Houston‑based launch integration and mission services provider SEOPS announced it has finished the final physical processing and hardware integration for ten customer spacecraft. This milestone marks a key step toward upcoming launch schedules and showcases SEOPS’ expanding capabilities in spacecraft integration. The company’s progress supports a range of commercial and government missions slated for the coming months. SEOPS remains focused on delivering reliable, on‑time integration services for its diverse client base.
NASA Adds Kuva US to $476 Million Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition On-Ramp Contract
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 14:14
Kuva US, Inc., the domestic subsidiary of Finnish hyperspectral Earth observation company Kuva Space, announced its selection under NASA’s Commercial Satellite Data program. On Wednesday, July 1, 2026, Kuva US, Inc. Announced its selection under the Commercial Satellite Data Program.
Myriota Unveils Hybrid 5G Satellite and Cellular IoT Network Subscriptions
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 14:08
Satellite Internet of Things (IoT) provider Myriota announced the formal integration of terrestrial cellular connectivity into its HyperPulse 5G network. On July 1, 2026, terrestrial cellular connectivity will be integrated into Myriota's HyperPulse network.
NASA Seeks Volunteers for New Yearlong Simulated Moon, Mars Mission
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 16:15
NASA is now recruiting volunteers for its first year‑long Moon and Mars Exploration Analog, set to begin in August 2027 at the Johnson Space Center. Participants will live and work in two confined habitats that mimic months of interplanetary travel, using augmented‑reality goggles to perform astronaut‑style tasks and rover missions in a simulated lunar or Martian environment. The program blends elements of the HERA and CHAPEA analogs to study crew health, performance, and technology under realistic resource constraints, providing data that will shape future Artemis and Mars missions.
NASA announces new lander contracts for Moon Base Phase One
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 21:38
In June 2026, NASA announced a Phase‑One Moon Base push, awarding nearly $600 million to four commercial landers—Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1, Astrobotic’s Peregrine 2 and 3, Intuitive Machines’ IM
Blue Origin accelerates LC-36 recovery via hybrid plan
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 13:20
Blue Origin has launched an intensive cleanup and recovery effort at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex‑36 after a New Glenn anomaly that damaged the pad a month ago. Despite predictions of a 12‑ to 18‑month stand‑down, CEO Dave Limp insists the company will have the vehicle back in flight by the end of 2026, citing rapid progress on structural repairs, debris removal, and a new hybrid horizontal‑vertical integration concept. The company has deployed heavy‑lift cranes, dismantled the support tower in segments, and is moving damaged flight hardware back to its Exploration Park, all while continuing vehicle production at its manufacturing facilities. Blue Origin’s five‑phase recovery plan is now in Phase 3, focusing on major repairs and new launch operations, with the aim of returning to full operational status as quickly as possible.
Exclusive: Lunar Forge Unveils Plans to Build Lunar Infrastructure Out of Dust
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 12:45
NASA’s ambitious plan to build a Moon base has overlooked the cost of construction materials, but a new startup called Lunar Forge is aiming to solve that gap by turning lunar dust into usable building blocks. Using laser sintering, the company can fuse regolith into strong, reactor‑grade structures—lab tests have shown compressive strengths over 200 MPa, well above typical concrete. Lunar Forge plans its first on‑moon demonstration in 2027, with subsequent flights adding power and AI‑controlled operations to build fission‑reactor housing before the 2030 launch window.
Atlas V rocket launches 29 Amazon Leo broadband satellites to orbit from Florida (video)
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 20:00
United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V lifted off from Cape Canaveral early Thursday, carrying 29 of Amazon’s Leo broadband satellites into low‑Earth orbit. The launch, which began at 12:30 a.m. ET, successfully deployed the craft and tied the Atlas V’s record for heaviest payload—about 18 tons. Amazon’s Leo constellation, originally Project Kuiper, now has 400 satellites in orbit after 15 missions and will eventually total roughly 3,200, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink. The Atlas V 551 variant, with five solid boosters and a 5‑meter fairing, has been the most active vehicle for the megaconstellation.
'Rocket's Red Glare': How NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission celebrated America's 250th birthday
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 19:00
NASA’s Artemis 2 mission launched on April 1, 2026, with a Space Launch System rocket proudly painted with “America 250” logos to mark the United States’ 250th birthday. The powerful launch, driven by 8.8 million pounds of thrust, carried four astronauts—including Canadian Jeremy Hansen—on a 10‑day lunar fly‑by in the Orion spacecraft. The crew sported red‑outlined patches quoting the anthem’s line “The rocket’s red glare,” celebrating America’s spirit of discovery. NASA rolled out a full slate of America‑250 celebrations across the summer to honor the milestone.
This weird 'hot Jupiter' exoplanet has a hotspot in the wrong place, and astronomers aren't sure how
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 18:00
A newly studied hot Jupiter, CoRoT‑2 b, is turning astronomers on their heads by failing to be tidally locked, even though it orbits its star in just 41 hours. The planet, 3.5 times the mass of Jupiter and 1.5 times its size, has a rotation period of about three Earth days—almost twice as long as its year—so its day is shorter than its orbit. This unusual spin means its hottest spot sits on the side opposite the direction of its orbit, defying the typical pattern seen on other hot Jupiters. Researchers are exploring why this gas giant behaves so differently, and future observatories may reveal whether such quirks are common among exoplanets.
The growing number of satellites in orbit could soon make telescopes obsolete. 'For astronomy, this would obviously be catastrophic'
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-01 16:56
Tereza, a London‑based science and technology journalist originally from Prague, began her career as a reporter, scriptwriter and presenter for Czech Public Service Television.