Space is rapidly becoming the world’s most congested frontier. What was once a domain of scientific exploration is now a crowded commercial arena, a global infrastructure layer critical to communications, navigation, climate monitoring and defense. Yet this dependence is threatened by a growing, largely invisible hazard: orbital debris. The European Space Agency’s Zero Debris Technical […]

The post The countdown to clean orbits has begun with ESA’s Zero Debris Charter appeared first on SpaceNews.

China has published coordinated papers outlining dual missions to the solar system’s edge, suggesting the long-studied project is nearing formal approval.

The post China advances plans for dual solar system boundary missions appeared first on SpaceNews.

Japanese launch vehicle startup Interstellar Technologies has raised nearly $130 million to continue development of its Zero small launch vehicle.

The post Japanese launch company Interstellar Technologies raises $130 million appeared first on SpaceNews.

China conducted its third and fourth launches of 2026 with Long March 2C and Ceres-1 rockets lifting off from Jiuquan and a sea platform respectively.

The post China launches AlSat-3A for Algeria, Ceres-1 sea launch adds to Tianqi constellation appeared first on SpaceNews.

Congress has approved a fiscal year 2026 spending bill that largely restores funding proposed for deep cuts to NASA while canceling one major mission.

The post Congress passes minibus spending bill that rejects proposed NASA cuts appeared first on SpaceNews.

Arianespace will begin launches for its largest commercial customer in February as it works to ramp up its flight rate and attract additional business.

The post Arianespace to begin Amazon Leo launches in February appeared first on SpaceNews.

In this episode of Space Minds, SpaceNews host David Ariosto talks with Chiara Manfletti, the CEO of Neuraspace and a professor of space mobility and propulsion at the Technical University […]

The post Managing an orbital economy as space grows more congested appeared first on SpaceNews.

The acquisition brings missile-warning and space data analytics capabilities

The post Parsons buys Altamira for $375 million to expand space and intelligence portfolio appeared first on SpaceNews.

The company’s ground station transmitted time and tracking signals to a spacecraft in orbit

The post TrustPoint demonstrates non-GPS navigation for LEO satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

Atomic-6’s composite material will get its first in-orbit test

The post Portal Space selects ‘Space Armor’ debris shield for 2026 mission appeared first on SpaceNews.

The Space Force is trying to modernize how satellite operators train for conflict in orbit

The post Slingshot wins $27 million Space Force contract for AI training system appeared first on SpaceNews.

SAN FRANCISCO – Hydrosat, a thermal imagery startup focused on water-resource management, has raised $60 million in Series B funding from equity investors and sovereign wealth funds. With the influx […]

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A Crew Dragon spacecraft splashed down off the California coast Jan. 15, bringing back four people from the ISS more than a month early because of a medical issue.

The post Crew-11 makes early return from ISS appeared first on SpaceNews.

An Indian startup is entering the satellite servicing market with plans to develop low-cost spacecraft to extend the lives of satellites.

The post Indian startup Aule Space enters satellite servicing market appeared first on SpaceNews.

Chinese commercial firm CAS Space launched its first Lihong-1 suborbital flight and recovery test mission, seeing a successful parachute descent of the capsule.

The post CAS Space conducts first suborbital launch and capsule landing test appeared first on SpaceNews.

A delay in one European Space Agency mission is creating an opportunity for an earlier, and more capable, launch for another ESA spacecraft.

The post ESA’s Comet Interceptor mission moves up launch appeared first on SpaceNews.

When President John F. Kennedy stood before Congress in May 1961 and declared that the United States would land a man on the moon before the decade’s end, his purpose was not to invent the space program, but to impose a clear objective, a deadline and the resources to unify these efforts. The success of […]

The post Taiwan’s Moonshot: why ‘T-Dome’ needs systems engineering, not just a shopping list appeared first on SpaceNews.

If you stayed in a hotel last night, there’s a good chance you saw that familiar placard in the bathroom: “Help save the planet — hang your towel and we won’t wash it.” At a recent panel, I asked the audience how many had seen that sign. Most hands went up. Then I asked them […]

The post Space sustainability will evolve into a data-driven system appeared first on SpaceNews.

Boulder-based startup plans 2026 demonstrations tied to space domain awareness

The post ThinkOrbital raises seed funding to advance X-ray space inspection appeared first on SpaceNews.

SpaceX’s 2026 IPO plans were an early Christmas present for space investors who were already bullish about the year ahead. The move helps push the industry further into the mainstream investment and public consciousness. It also paves the way for others to go public in a capital-intensive business. Despite ongoing financial uncertainty, demand for sovereign […]

The post Bringing outsiders into the space fold appeared first on SpaceNews.

The global security environment is becoming more volatile, not less. The war in Ukraine grinds on. China is increasingly assertive in the Indo-Pacific. The Middle East remains unstable. North Korea continues to test missiles and challenge regional stability. Together, these dynamics are straining the international system in ways not seen since the early Cold War. […]

The post When allies can’t count on U.S. ISR, commercial space becomes strategic appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASA says it is “very unlikely” the agency will be able to recover a Mars spacecraft that has been out of contact for more than a month.

The post NASA pessimistic about odds of recovering MAVEN appeared first on SpaceNews.

From civil science and exploration missions to national security, there are many space activities to look forward to in 2026. There will be at least three missions heading to the moon, Vast’s Haven-1 is scheduled to launch as the first prospective commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) destination. But perhaps more importantly, there will be a […]

The post Space operations will become more dynamic this year appeared first on SpaceNews.

Funding backs expansion of “virtual constellation” that aggregates imagery from commercial operators

The post SkyFi raises $12.7 million to scale satellite data marketplace appeared first on SpaceNews.