Commercial Space

Rideshare integrator and space services provider Exolaunch has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Starfall microgravity research mission slated to launch on a Starship mission in 2029.

Vast, the developer of a commercial space station, has started a lunar programs division and unveiled several products intended to serve NASA’s Moon Base program.

ClearSpace says it has secured European Space Agency backing to further develop its Phoenix geostationary orbit rendezvous and proximity operations technology.

The number of planned very low Earth orbit missions in the coming years has surged from a handful to at least 24 by the end of 2030.

Australian spacecraft imaging specialist HEO is looking to expand its systems to geostationary orbit (GEO), supported by a new funding round.

Isar Aerospace co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Josef Fleischmann is exiting the launch startup to set up a business looking to pursue in-space technologies.

Vast is still planning to launch its Haven-1 demonstration space station early next year, CEO Max Haot said, after resetting the schedule earlier this year.

Aspiring direct-to-device market players are gathering radio-frequency spectrum and laying out strategies, but they have yet to solve regulatory, technical and pricing problems.

L3Harris Technologies has begun to build the first Earth-observation satellites for partner Xoople, which aims to turn on its new system in 2028.

Space42 and Viasat have committed $1 billion to shared space infrastructure to formalize their Equatys joint venture plan for a direct-to-device communications constellation.

European startup Space Cargo Unlimited said it has signed a contract with SpaceX for a Starfall space manufacturing mission that would launch aboard a Starship flight in 2028.

Fresh off its inaugural successful orbital mission, Isar Aerospace has secured orders for five dedicated launches from Seops Space.

Elveo Mobile aims to launch its direct-to-device service by mid-2028 and is negotiating with launch operators to deploy its low-Earth-orbit systems.

Sophia Space plans to finance the buildout of its 10-sat edge computing constellation with a $300 million leasing deal.

Swissto12 and Mitsubishi Electric signed a memorandum of understanding under which the satellite manufacturer will supply 3D-printed components for Mitsubishi's payloads.

Satellogic has signed an agreement to expand the Earth-imaging work it does for the U.S. Office of Naval Research, adding six satellites for maritime surveillance.

Muon Space says it has successfully fired its zinc propellant hall-effect thruster in orbit.

French startup HyPrSpace plans to launch its Baguette One suborbital rocket next year for hypersonic experimentation and orbital launcher validation.

ImageSat International plans to launch a new very-high-resolution satellite constellation in 2030 and offer the hardware for sale to customers for direct operation.

TrustPoint expands its push in GPS-independent positioning, navigation and timing services with plans for a 40-satellite constellation, ordering 40 EnduroSat spacecraft.

Aerospace Corp. plans in October to test cubesat-to-ground communications using automotive LEDs and hobbyist telescopes.

Export-Import Bank of the United States' President and CEO John Jovanovic signed a $300 million credit agreement during his Sept. 9 visit to CesiumAstro.

York Space Systems says it will provide “dozens” of satellites for the initial buildout of Tomorrow.io’s future meteorological early warning constellation in low Earth orbit.

Europe should be able to boost Ariane 6 rocket launch cadence to 12 flights a year with a manageable level of investment in 2029, but will need to make more difficult decisions to push rates higher.

United Arab Emirates-based Marlan Space is looking to deploy a 50-satellite constellation in a deal with Loft Orbital.