The International Space Station is set to retire in 2030, with government agencies, private companies, universities, and research institutes transitioning to Starlab. Voyager Technologies will continue to deliver mission management expertise, having been the largest commercial user of the ISS for 36 countries and 1,400 payloads and satellites.
Vertical Aerospace has selected UK-based Evolito to power its new Valo eVTOL aircraft. Evolito will provide an electric propulsion unit with advanced features, including lightweight and efficient architecture.
A new report from the Atlantic Council warns that the U.S. is vulnerable to Russian escalation in space, citing concerns over the resilience of current satellite systems. The report urges a shift toward more robust architectures to blunt potential attacks.
Tomorrow.io has announced DeepSky, a satellite constellation designed to improve atmospheric forecasts through large-scale data collection. According to SpaceNews, the initiative aims to refine weather intelligence by feeding artificial intelligence models with vast quantities of data.
The Exploration Company is in talks to acquire Orbex, a U.K.-based developer of small launch vehicles. According to SpaceNews, Orbex has faced financial difficulties.
SWISSto12, a Swiss satellite maker, has secured €73 million in funding from the European Space Agency (ESA) to support its industrial rollout plan. The company manufactures small geo-stationary satellites and lightweight radio-frequency systems using patented 3D technologies.
Starfish Space has secured a contract from the Space Development Agency to provide deorbiting services for satellites in a missile-tracking and communications constellation. According to SpaceNews, the award marks evidence that deorbiting services are moving into the mainstream.
NASA confirmed the safe return of its SpaceX Crew-11 mission following a medical concern for one of the astronauts. The crew, consisting of Mike Fincke, Zena Cardman, Kimiya Yui, and Oleg Platonov, splashed down on January 15, 2026, after an accelerated departure from the International Space Station.
Japan's SkyDrive has agreed to sell up to 20 electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to Dubai-based helicopter operator AeroGulf Services. The framework of the agreement includes pricing structure and delivery timelines for 10 units in 2028 and a further 10 units in 2029, according to SkyDrive.
Rocket Lab is facing a delay in the development of its next-generation rocket, Neutron, due to a testing setback. According to SpaceNews, a tank built for the vehicle was damaged during qualification testing, which may impact the launch of the first flight.
Rocket Lab successfully launched the first satellites for Open Cosmos, a new constellation being developed by the company. According to SpaceNews, the launch utilizes spectrum previously assigned to Rivada Space Networks.
Researchers at Overview Energy successfully demonstrated wireless power transmission from an airborne platform in flight, marking a significant milestone for space-based solar power. The test was conducted using a Cessna Caravan single-engine turboprop flying at altitudes above 5,000 meters, with the system transmitting power via a low-density, eye-safe infrared beam to conventional photovoltaic panels on the ground.
Open Cosmos has activated Ka-band spectrum filings, deploying two satellites to meet deployment deadlines for sovereign and enterprise broadband. This move comes after Liechtenstein reassigned the frequencies from Rivada, according to SpaceNews reports.
NASA has launched its twin ESCAPADE spacecraft on a historic journey to study Mars' space weather. The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket carried the spacecraft into orbit around Earth before launching them towards Mars.
NASA has selected Pilatus' PC-12 for its urban transport systems research program, Breaking Defense reports. The aircraft will undergo modifications to support various research missions, including the testing of a prototype radio system for in-flight information exchange.
NASA has delayed its Artemis II crewed lunar mission due to technical issues encountered during a 'wet dress rehearsal' at Kennedy Space Center. The agency is now targeting early March for the launch, with an additional window on March 11 and further options in April if needed.
MHI-TC has delivered a self-propelled mobile seaport passenger boarding bridge to Yokohama City, entering service on January 13th. The bridge features automated steering control and is compatible with large cruise ships.
Europe is poised to launch its first satellite from the mainland, thanks to the efforts of launch operators who are crucial to the success of spaceports like SaxaVord and Andøya. According to SpaceNews, these operators will play a key role in galvanizing the European space industry, which has long relied on the Guiana Space Centre in South America for its launch needs.
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract by Korean aerospace manufacturer to provide primary imagery for the country's next-generation geostationary weather satellite. The agreement was announced in California, and L3Harris will deliver the imaging services as part of the project.
Japan Airlines and lunar exploration company ispace have formalized a partnership to develop transportation systems and infrastructure supporting long-term Moon operations. The agreement, signed November 28, 2025, builds on over a decade of collaboration and aims to establish a "cislunar economy"—a connected Earth-Moon network of services and technology.
With the fiscal year 2026 appropriations process complete, a key House appropriator expressed concerns about the adequacy of NASA's funding for 2027. The appropriator believes there is 'room for improvement' in the agency's budget and hopes to see enhancements in the next spending bill.
The Global Positioning System has been the backbone of the modern world for decades, powering everything from stock trades to power grids. The U.
Breaking Defense reports on five stories that surprised the space world in 2025, including the ESA's new defense role, US loosening of counterspace ops rules, and a prize competition for SBI prototypes. The agency's billion-euro funding package signals a significant shift in its capabilities.
Firefly Aerospace has completed the Integration Readiness Review (IRR) of its Blue Ghost M1 lunar lander, marking key progress milestones across multiple areas. The review was held at Firefly's headquarters in Cedar Park, TX, and was led by Ray Allensworth, Blue Ghost Program Manager.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded the NASA Venture Class Launch Services Demonstration 2 (VCLS Demo 2) contract for the launch of two CubeSat constellations to a 550 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit. The company will bridge demand between pure small launch capability and the National Security Space Launch program, according to Firefly President Leslie Kovacs.
Firefly Aerospace, Inc., has been awarded a $112 million NASA contract to deliver multiple lunar payloads in 2026. As part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Firefly will utilize its Blue Ghost spacecraft in a two-stage configuration to place a satellite into lunar orbit and then deliver research payloads on the far side of the Moon.
Firefly Aerospace has agreed to deliver Fleet Space's Seismic Payload for Interplanetary Discovery (SPIDER) on its second lunar mission in 2026. The Blue Ghost lander will provide power and communications, enabling SPIDER to capture seismic data from the lunar surface.
Firefly Aerospace has shipped its Blue Ghost lunar lander to NASA JPL for final testing before launching in Q4 2024. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1 lander is integrated with 10 scientific instruments and technology demonstrations that will help pave the way for humanity's return to the Moon.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract by NASA worth up to $2.6 billion over 10 years. The program aims to acquire end-to-end commercial payload services between Earth and the lunar surface.
Firefly Aerospace has saved the Space Foundation's International Student Art Contest, which was threatened by a lack of sponsorship in 2019. The contest, now in its eleventh year, inspires thousands of children to envision possibilities in space.
Firefly Aerospace has received a $10 million contract addendum from NASA under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative for Blue Ghost Mission 1. The additional data collected includes images, communications data, and lander performance data, which could provide critical insights into the Moon's surface and environment.
Firefly Aerospace has closed a third tranche of Series C funding, valuing the company at $1.5 billion pre-money. The round is being led by existing investors AE Industrial Partners and new investor Mitsui & Co.
Firefly Aerospace successfully completed environmental testing on Blue Ghost, a lunar lander designed to support NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The lander will be shipped to Cape Canaveral, Florida, in mid-December for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
Firefly Aerospace has partnered with Blue Origin's Honeybee Robotics to provide the lunar rover for its upcoming mission to the Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon's near side in 2028. Firefly will deploy the Blue Ghost lander, which will then deploy the Honeybee Robotics rover to investigate the subsurface composition of the dome.
Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Blue Ghost lunar lander on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone in the company's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. With a target landing date of March 2, 2025, Firefly's 60-day mission will include approximately 45 days on-orbit and 14 days of lunar surface operations.
Firefly Aerospace has introduced its Elytra orbital vehicle line, which offers enhanced on-orbit mobility and services. According to Firefly Aerospace, CEO Bill Weber, 'Elytra further expands our on-orbit services by opening access to more orbits, extending the life of each mission, and providing deorbiting services to help minimize space debris.
Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its Blue Ghost lunar lander on the Moon's surface as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The mission marks a historic milestone for the company, which has become the first commercial entity to achieve a fully successful soft-landing on the lunar surface.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a fixed-price NASA contract for a dedicated Alpha launch of the Investigation of Convective Updrafts (INCUS) mission from Wallops Flight Facility. The company will provide responsive operations and mission flexibility, with the Alpha rocket supporting dedicated missions like INCUS.
Firefly Aerospace has completed the Critical Design Review of its Blue Ghost lunar lander, paving the way for construction and a September 2023 launch. The lander will carry NASA payloads to the Mare Crisium lunar basin, with several commercial payloads also on board.
Firefly Aerospace has selected Volta Space Technologies to host a wireless power receiver on its Blue Ghost Mission 2 lander on the far side of the Moon. The payload will demonstrate technologies for surviving lunar night and supporting a lunar orbit power grid, as part of Volta's planned LightGrid network.
Firefly Aerospace has announced an agreement with the United Arab Emirates' Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre to deliver the Rashid 2 Rover to the far side of the Moon on Firefly's Blue Ghost lander. The rover will demonstrate lunar surface mobility and in-situ resource utilization technologies, while payloads from Australia, the European Space Agency, and NASA will also be included.
The European Union plans to create a 'Space Shield' program as part of its readiness roadmap. ESA will fund development of space-based ISR technologies in support of this effort.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk announced that the company has shifted its focus from Mars to building a self-growing city on the Moon, citing ease of access and speed as reasons for the change. This move comes after years of ambition to return US astronauts to the Moon and establish a foundation for a human mission to Mars.
Pilots working for EASA have been conducting test flights of the COMAC C919 in Shanghai as part of the airline's bid to secure certification by Western regulators. According to The South China Morning Post, the flights are aimed at demonstrating the aircraft's reliability and safety.
Dassault Aviation has unveiled its reusable Vortex spaceplane at the Paris Space Hub, part of the SIAE pavilion dedicated to space activities. This maneuverable vehicle can be configured for various missions, and its display marks Dassault's entry into the space sector.
D-Orbit, an Italian space logistics specialist, has secured $124 million in the first closing of a Series D investment round announced Jan. 22. Breaking News reports that the funding will be used to drive strategic acquisitions and accelerate the build-out of its orbital logistics infrastructure.
China's Shenzhou-20 spacecraft, damaged by debris impact during its mission, successfully returned to Earth after on-orbit repairs. According to SpaceNews reports, the incident marked China's first human spaceflight emergency.
China's Aero Engine Corporation (AECC) is developing the AEP20, a small turboprop engine designed to compete with piston engines in light aircraft and drone markets. Producing 320 shaft horsepower, the engine weighs one-third less than comparable piston engines and is engineered to last twice as long.
China has launched its fourth publicly disclosed reusable experimental spacecraft into orbit, marking a significant advancement in its recoverable spaceflight program. According to AeroTime, the mission will focus on technology verification for reusable spacecraft, with the goal of supporting the peaceful use of outer space.
China has successfully completed the first flight of its large unmanned 'mothership' aircraft, Jiutian, which is designed to carry dozens of smaller drones. The platform can deploy up to 100 UAVs in flight and has a range of several thousand miles.
China has completed the maiden flight of the Tianma-1000, a domestically developed mid-altitude UAV designed for long-distance cargo transport. Developed by Xi'an Aisheng Technology Group, a subsidiary of China North Industries Group Corporation, the UAV features advanced artificial intelligence systems and an optical guidance landing system.
Blue Origin plans to reuse a New Glenn booster on the rocket's next launch, marking the first time the company will attempt this feat. According to SpaceNews, the reusable booster will carry a satellite for AST SpaceMobile.
Blue Origin is set to launch a bespoke high-speed Starlink rival, targeting enterprise customers with up to 6 Tbps capacity. According to SpaceNews, the company plans to deploy over 5,400 satellites from late next year.
Blue Origin successfully launched its first New Shepard mission of 2026, carrying five paying customers and one employee on board after a last-minute change in the crew list. According to SpaceNews, this marks an important milestone for Jeff Bezos' space venture, which continues to push the boundaries of commercial spaceflight.
ArianeGroup has successfully completed the first launch of SyLEx, France's new sovereign suborbital test system, marking a significant milestone in European aerospace independence. The inaugural flight on November 28, 2025, from the DGA Missile Testing Centre in Biscarrosse validated both the single-stage rocket and its dedicated launch pad, developed in under three years.
Ariane 6 successfully launched two Galileo satellites from Kourou on December 17, 2025, marking another step in the gradual buildup of Europe's next-generation launch system. Manufactured by OHB System AG, each satellite weighs approximately 700 kg at launch and is designed for an operational lifetime of 12 years.
Archer Aviation has signed a deal with Serbia to become the official air mobility provider for EXPO 2027, an international specialized exhibition in Belgrade. Archer's Midnight eVTOL will be showcased at the event, and the Serbian government may purchase up to 25 units of this aircraft type.
Tokyo-based vertical air mobility company AirX has placed a firm order for two eVTOLs from Eve Air Mobility, with options for up to 48 additional aircraft. The agreement marks a significant step toward advancing sustainable urban air mobility solutions in Japan.
Airbus has completed a new phase of trials for its fello'fly project, which uses migrating geese as a source of inspiration for flight innovation. The trial involved eight flights over the North Atlantic Ocean and aimed to show that wake energy retrieval is a feasible and safe method to guide two aircraft to meet at a precise time and place.
Airbus has secured an order for six A350F freighters from Air China Cargo, marking the first time the all-new aircraft will be operated on the Chinese mainland. The deal reflects growing demand for efficient freighter aircraft in Asia and underscores Airbus' commitment to providing innovative solutions for cargo carriers.
AE Industrial Partners, LP led a $75 million Series B growth equity investment in Firefly Aerospace, an emerging leader in economical launch vehicles and spacecraft. The investment will support Firefly's next stage of growth by providing capital for future Alpha flights, the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander Program, and additional launch and in-space solutions.