Space

By Robert Wall
AST SpaceMobile says it is targeting up to 13 launches next year to build out its satellite communications constellation.
Commercial Space

By Mark Carreau
Russia's Soyuz MS-27 made a successful parachute-assisted landing in remote Kazakhstan early Dec. 9, safely returning three crewmembers from the ISS.
Operations & Safety

By Mark Carreau
The U.S. Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee reported favorably on the renomination of Jared Isaacman to become NASA administrator late Dec. 8.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. Space Force will not award a second contract to build a future missile warning and tracking constellation in medium Earth orbit until fiscal 2027.
Satellites

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. Space Force is seeking prototype proposals for space-based interceptors.
Missile Defense & Weapons

By Mark Carreau
A lunar-orbiting, human-tended Gateway space station could provide an asset for establishing an efficient Mars exploration strategy, a longtime proponent says.
Space Exploration

By Vivienne Machi
After two successful launches in back-to-back months, the third Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 mission won’t launch until 2026.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Vivienne Machi
The U.S. Space Force expects to release a solicitation for the next batch of new launch providers under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program this month
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Matthew Fulco
The companies will integrate Spacesail's low-Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity into Airbus' High Bandwidth Connectivity (HBC)-plus.
Connected Aerospace

By Irene Klotz
After three orbital flight tests, Boeing’s crewed passenger spacecraft still needs work.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Robert Wall
A sense of urgency led member states to fuel ESA with record funding.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

Aviation Week Network Staff
ESA's 3.4-metric-ton Infrared Space Observatory underwent checkout prior to an Ariane launch that was set for Nov. 10.
Space

By Vivienne Machi
The National Reconnaissance Office is continuing to build out its proliferated satellite constellation.
Satellites

By Brian Everstine
The Pentagon is casting a wide net for work under the Golden Dome air and missile defense program.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Mark Carreau
NASA administrator nominee Jared Isaacman, in a repeat Senate confirmation hearing after having his initial nomination retracted, got bipartisan support.
Budget, Policy & Regulation

By Garrett Reim
Shield AI announced tests of its Hivemind autonomy software for use on spacecraft, calling autonomy in space a natural extension of the air domain.
Commercial Space

By Chen Chuanren
Korean Air’s Aerospace Division and Hyundai Rotem have launched a joint program to develop a 35-ton-class reusable methane rocket engine for launch vehicles.
Launch Vehicles & Propulsion

By Robert Wall, Chen Chuanren
China completed the inaugural launch of the ZhuQue-3 rocket, but failed to recover the first stage that was a key objective of the flight.
Operations & Safety

By Garrett Reim
I2CAT, a R&D center in Spain, launched a testbed satellite that will be used for experiments to further advance 6G satellite network technologies.
Satellites

By Mark Carreau
The nonprofit Aurelia Institute has opened a global competition that looks beyond the ISS, to build an infrastructure to live and work in near-Earth venues.
Commercial Space

By Robert Wall
Iceye says it has finalized a contract with Portugal to provide the country’s air force with a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite.
Satellites

By Irene Klotz
SpaceX has been cleared to develop Cape Canaveral SFS’ Space Launch Complex-37 for Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations.
Operations & Safety

By Mark Carreau
All eight of the International Space Station’s docking and berthing ports have parked crew and resupply spacecraft—a first.
Operations & Safety

By Garrett Reim
Reditus Space plans to launch its ENOS reusable spacecraft in the summer of 2026, with biotech, pharmaceutical and advanced materials payloads.
Commercial Space

By Robert Wall
Europe is ending its meeting to set the European Space Agency’s 2026-28 funding framework with a record commitment of €22.1 billion—and a sense of urgency.
Budget, Policy & Regulation