Space

The second Trump administration has developed a striking way to illuminate a new key area of focus: bathe it in the president’s favorite hue.

Kongsberg's NanoAvionics unit has introduced the MP42D, a larger version of its MP42 microsatellite, reflecting the industry trend toward more capable small satellites as customer demand grows.

NASA is loaning its two Orbiting Carbon Observatory science missions to Caltech which will operate them for the next four years.

China’s previously undisclosed suborbital reusable space vehicle has been designated AT-1B, with CASC targeting commercial missions from around 2030.

As China’s launch demands grow, its rocket industry is scaling up to provide more sustainable and capable systems.

Two astronauts successfully completed the delayed installation of a high-data-rate, air-to-ground Ku band antenna on the exterior of the International Space Station’s U.S. segment.

The Aerospace Corp. has licensed its DiskSat technology to three commercial companies as it pushes to make the new satellite configuration an industry standard.

SpaceX plans to begin construction next year on a massive new spaceport in Louisiana that includes 10 launch and landing complexes for its Starship-Super Heavy launch system.

NASA is in the early stage of setting up a headquarters-level office to oversee launch service procurements agencywide, including rideshares.

To expand capabilities to provide space systems with greater autonomy and resilience in demanding environments, Austin, Texas-based CesiumAstro announced the acquisition of 1Aardvark of Manassas, Virginia.

German space startup Constellr has signed an agreement with Danish satellite maker Space Inventor for a pair of thermal satellites.

Katalyst Space is demonstrating technologies needed for future robotic servicing.

NASA is looking to scale down and standardize a flight-proven inflatable heat shield for small satellite operators.

Small satellites have been moving off dedicated small launch vehicles and increasingly turning to shared rides on medium- and heavy-lift rockets, an analysis of the industry shows.

China has scrubbed plans to commence the Chang'e-7 lunar lander mission in the currently-planned window, citing that it does not meet launch requirements.

Kongsberg says it is stepping up the pace of deployment for its N3X maritime surveillance satellite to address Norwegian military demands.

StarCloud and Muon Space, both space startups looking to provide satellites for orbital data centers, separately announced venture capital rounds each worth $250 million.

The U.S. Space Force’s innovation arm has awarded millions of dollars to 11 startups looking to take new technologies from the prototyping phase to demos.

President Trump has issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum aimed at reinvigorating leadership in space transportation.

German hypersonic vehicle developer Polaris says it has completed the first flight of a prototype of Cobra, its air-to-air missile-launch uncrewed air vehicle.

A NASA-funded project has demonstrated an electric powertrain combining cryogenically-cooled power distribution with a superconducting electric motor to increase efficiency and power density.

CAS Space completed propulsion-system tests for its Kinastra-1 upper stage, clearing it for the inaugural test flight early next year.

The U.S. office is increasingly incorporating commercial remote-sensing vendors into its space-based architectures as partners instead of as an afterthought.

Following reports in May that SpaceX was interested in acquiring land in Louisiana for its Starship program, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and the state’s economic development agency plan an announcement Aug. 25 that is expected to confirm the project.

Two spacewalking astronauts will revive their attempt to install a replacement high-data-rate Ku band communications antenna outside the International Space Station on Aug. 25.