Space News for Wednesday, July 09, 2025

SpaceX launches Starlink Group 10-28 in early morning from Cape – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-07-08 00:00

Falcon 9 launched 28 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the 22nd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-5, GPS III Space Vehicle 06, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, NG-20, TD7, and now 15 Starlink missions. The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on ASDS ASOG after its flight.

Australia’s Gilmour Space and Japan’s Space BD to provide satellite launch services + expand opportunities in Asia-Pacific – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-07-08 00:00

Japanese space business integrator Space BD and Gilmour Space Technologies announce strategic partnership. Space BD will offer dedicated and rideshare opportunities on Gilmour Space’s Eris launch vehicles and ElaraSat platforms. Launches would take place from the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland, Australia.

Ovzon receives additional order from FMV for their mobile satellite terminal – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-07-08 00:00

Ovzon has received an additional order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration. The order is valued at SEK 72 million (~7.6 MUSD) and deliveries are scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2025. The mobile satellite terminals are fully compatible with the satellite network services covered under the order FMV placed with Ovzon in May of 2025.

BlackSky signs Gen-3 early access agreement with existing Gen-2 customer in support of Ukraine – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-07-08 00:00

BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) signed a Gen-3 early access agreement with a current international Gen-2 customer in support of Ukraine. The renewal contract adds Gen-3 very high-resolution imagery to the customer’s active Gen-2 low-latency, high-cadence monitoring services.

NASA’s Hubble and Webb Telescopes Reveal Two Faces of a Star Cluster Duo

Original Publication Date: 2025-07-07 10:58

Open clusters NGC 460 and NGC 456 reside in the Small Magellanic Cloud, a dwarf galaxy orbiting the Milky Way. This highly detailed 527 megapixel mosaic consists of 12 overlapping observations and includes both visible and infrared wavelengths. In Hubble images, dust is often seen silhouetted against and blocking light, but in Webb’s view, the dust – warmed by starlight – shines with its own infrared glow.

Launch Roundup: Falcon 9 flies 500th orbital mission during quiet week

Original Publication Date: 2025-07-07 21:31

SpaceX has launched the 500th orbital flight of a Falcon 9. Launch took place on Tuesday, July 8, from SLC-40 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Onboard was a batch of 28 Starlink v2-Mini high-speed internet communications satellites headed into low-Earth orbit at an altitude of 279 km, inclined 53.16 degrees. The first half of the year drew to a close with 142 orbital launches worldwide, lofting over 2,130 payloads and 15 humans into orbit.