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Zenno Astronautics to relocate to the United States
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 22:11
New Zealand startup Zenno Astronautics, which develops superconducting magnets for spacecraft attitude control and acceleration, announced plans to relocate its operations to the United States. The company said the move will help it access larger markets and advanced aerospace infrastructure. Zenno’s technology aims to provide lighter, more efficient propulsion and stabilization for future space missions. The relocation marks a significant step for the firm as it seeks to expand its global footprint.
SpaceX launches Northrop mission to extend the life of aging satellites
Also covered by: NASASpaceFlight
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 21:26
On July 21, a Falcon 9 launched from Cape Canaveral at 5:15 p.m. EDT, carrying Northrop Grumman’s first multi‑mission robotic servicing spacecraft, MRV‑1, and three Mission Extension Pods into geostationary transfer orbit. The MRV will use robotic arms to attach propulsion modules to commercial satellites, extending their operational life by roughly six years without refueling. The launch employed the Falcon 9’s full thrust, so the first stage was not recovered, ending its record‑setting 32‑flight career. Intelsat and Optus are among the first customers to benefit from this scalable servicing concept, which has already been demonstrated with two earlier vehicles.
Northrop adds to charges on Vulcan solid rocket motor program
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 19:40
Northrop Grumman has taken a $91 million charge for its GEM 63XL solid rocket booster program after a significant performance anomaly on a February Vulcan Centaur launch that still delivered its payload to orbit. The company says redesigned motors, proven in a static‑fire test, will not be delivered until the end of the year, and ULA has not yet scheduled a return to flight. Despite the setback, Northrop remains optimistic about sales growth in its space division, citing higher volumes in national‑security programs and improved GEM 63XL performance. Meanwhile, the company is restructuring its HALO lunar habitat module contract to align with NASA’s new Gateway plans, which could extend revenue over a longer period.
UK and Florida commit $400,000 to joint space projects
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 12:00
The UK government and Space Florida have each pledged $200,000 to launch a joint research and commercialization fund under Florida’s International Aerospace Innovation Fund, with applications opening this fall for 2027 funding. The partnership, formalized at Farnborough Airshow, will support projects that involve a Florida‑based aerospace company, an international partner, and clear commercial potential, with no cap on award size. Space Florida’s CEO highlighted the growing dual‑use technology in space and the strategic importance of global collaboration, noting that the UK’s ambition is opening new doors for British firms already active in Florida. This funding move follows a 2023 trade agreement between the UK and Florida and dovetails with Space Florida’s existing partnerships with Switzerland, Japan, France, and Israel.
US Space Force Triples NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 Capacity to $17B as Total Launch Budget Reaches $30B
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 16:37
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) announced on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, an new launch program. The program aims to alleviate industry-wide medium-to-heavy launch constraints, the SSC said.
Contrivian Merges with Big Network to Build Vertically Integrated Multi-Modal Connectivity Platform
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 14:17
San Francisco‑based Contrivian announced on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, that its merger with networking software innovator Big Network has closed, combining Contrivian’s AI‑driven infrastructure solutions with Big Network’s cutting‑edge network‑management platform. The deal, valued at an undisclosed amount, will create a unified product suite that offers enterprise customers a broader range of cloud‑connected services.
Resolve Optics Develops Radiation-Resistant Athermalized 6mm Lens for Satellite Imaging Payloads
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 14:09
Resolve Optics Ltd. Announced on July 21, 2026 that it has adapted and delivered a flight‑ready 6 mm focal‑length lens for orbital camera systems, meeting aggressive delivery schedules demanded by space agencies. The compact lens, engineered for high‑resolution imaging in microgravity, promises to enhance data quality for Earth observation missions. Resolve Optics highlighted its rapid prototyping capabilities and collaboration with satellite manufacturers to ensure seamless integration. This development marks a significant step forward in commercial optics for the growing commercial space sector.
IHI Corporation and Kuva Space Partner to Evaluate Japanese Sovereign Hyperspectral Constellation
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 11:57
On July 21, 2026, IHI Corporation and Finnish firm Kuva Space signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on hyperspectral satellite data services. The partnership will combine IHI’s aerospace expertise with Kuva Space’s advanced imaging technology to deliver high‑resolution spectral data for Earth observation, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Both companies aim to accelerate the development of AI‑driven analytics and expand commercial applications of hyperspectral imagery. The MoU marks a significant step toward strengthening Japan’s position in the growing global satellite data market.
A Week of Smoky Skies Across North America
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-22 04:00
In July 2026, a surge of Canadian wildfires—over 180 in Ontario and many in Minnesota—ignited during a lightning‑heavy season, sending vast smoke plumes across North America.
NASA to Host Media Briefing on Roman Telescope, Launching Next Month
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 20:07
NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is preparing the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope for an August 30 launch, nine months ahead of schedule, after technicians lifted it onto a specialized work stand. The telescope will deliver a field of view at least 100 times larger than Hubble’s, enabling sweeping, deep surveys of the cosmos and the first direct imaging of planets around nearby stars. A virtual news conference on July 29 will preview the mission, with NASA officials from Headquarters, Goddard, and JPL detailing its status and scientific goals.
FCC Eyes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Bands for Satellites
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 17:45
The FCC plans to open more than 225 MHz of unlicensed spectrum, letting everyday Part 15 devices such as Wi‑Fi routers and Bluetooth gadgets communicate directly with satellites. This could enable satellites to harvest signals from billions of IoT sensors for asset tracking, precision agriculture, and emergency communications, bypassing costly spectrum purchases. Critics—including Wi‑Fi incumbents, existing D2D operators, and radio astronomers—warn of potential interference and congestion in the shared bands. Comments are due within 30 days, and formal rules may take a year or more to take effect.
James Webb Space Telescope discovers the secrets of cosmic 'factories' that filled the early universe with stardust
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 21:00
The James Webb Space Telescope has turned its eye to the nearby dwarf galaxy Sextans A, a metal‑poor neighbor that mimics the early universe.
Alien life likely can't survive on exoplanets smaller than Mars, scientists say
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 20:15
Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have modeled Earth‑like planets in the habitable zones of sun‑like stars and found that a world must be at least as large as Mars to keep an atmosphere for billions of years.
Space Force orders 36 more Golden Dome missile-tracking satellites, for $1.75 billion
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 19:00
The U.S. Space Force has just ordered 36 new Golden Dome missile‑tracking satellites, a $1.75 billion deal split between L3Harris Technologies and Sierra Space. Each company will supply 18 infrared‑sensor spacecraft, slated for launch by the end of 2028, to bolster the Space Development Agency’s global tracking network. These new satellites will join a growing constellation that will eventually total 108 craft, providing real‑time missile warning and defense coverage from low Earth orbit. The expansion marks a key milestone in the Golden Dome initiative, enhancing the United States’ ability to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic threats worldwide.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sends Starlink satellites to orbit a day after rare launch abort
Also covered by: Spaceflight Now
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 18:30
On July 21, 2026, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:49 a.m. PDT (10:49 a.
Artemis III astronauts will beam 4k video from Orion to Earth using SpaceX Starlink lasers
Original Publication Date: 2026-07-21 17:00
NASA’s Artemis III, slated for the second half of 2027, will equip the Orion capsule with two Starlink mini‑laser terminals, giving the crew a high‑bandwidth link to Mission Control and the potential to stream live 4K video from orbit. The upgrade, part of a partnership with SpaceX, adds to Orion’s existing communications and taps into the company’s expansive Starlink constellation of over 10,000 satellites and 25,000 lasers. In addition to the laser panels, the mission will launch a Starship rocket, making Artemis III the most complex crewed flight yet in the program. These enhancements aim to streamline data transfer for the upcoming lunar landing scheduled for Artemis IV in 2028.