SpaceNews

SpaceNews is a publication available in both print and online formats that focuses on the latest developments in the space and satellite sectors. It offers news, insights, and analysis on a wide range of topics relevant to its audience, which includes government representatives, policymakers, and leaders in the space industry. SpaceNews covers various subjects, including civil, military, and commercial space operations, as well as the satellite communications industry.

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SpaceX launches latest GPS III satellite for U.S. military

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Sandra Erwin

WASHINGTON — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched the U.S. military’s latest Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite on May 30. The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 1:37 p.m. Eastern, carrying the GPS III SV-08 satellite — an eighth installment in the U.S. Space Force’s third-generation GPS constellation. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 booster successfully returned to Earth after launch, landing on a droneship stationed in the Atlantic.
China’s Astronstone raises early funding for stainless steel rocket with “chopstick” recovery

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Andrew Jones

HELSINKI — Astronstone, one of China’s newest commercial launch startups, has raised early-stage funding for a stainless steel, reusable launch vehicle modeled on SpaceX’s Starship system. Established in mid-2024, Astronstone announced May 29 it had secured more than 100 million yuan ($13.9 million) in part for the development of its AS-1 (Astronstone-1) stainless steel, methane-liquid oxygen reusable launch vehicle, with a “chopsticks” system for first stage recovery.
With strategic acquisitions, Rocket Lab pursues prime defense contractor status

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Sandra Erwin

WASHINGTON — Rocket Lab’s $275 million acquisition of satellite payload provider Geost is just the latest move in a broader campaign to establish itself as a serious contender for U.S. military satellite contracts. “We’re not done,” Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck said in an interview, hinting at more acquisitions to come.
China launches classified Shijan-26 satellite with Long March 4B rocket

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Andrew Jones

HELSINKI — China carried out its ninth launch of the month early Thursday, sending the secretive Shijian-26 spacecraft into orbit. A Long March 4B rocket lifted off at 12:12 a.m. Eastern (0412 UTC) May 29 from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, northwest China. Insulation tiles fell away from the rocket’s payload fairing as it climbed into a cloudy sky.
New report details China’s push to dominate artificial intelligence

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Sandra Erwin

WASHINGTON — China’s campaign to lead the world in artificial intelligence is being driven by a tightly coordinated effort between state and private sectors — and increasingly, that effort is reaching into space.
Maxar Intelligence taps tech veteran to lead commercial business

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Sandra Erwin

WASHINGTON — Maxar Intelligence has appointed longtime technology executive Todd Surdey to lead its commercial operations as the company seeks to expand the market reach of its AI-powered geospatial technologies. Surdey takes on the role of senior vice president and general manager of Maxar’s enterprise business segment, which supplies geospatial data and analytics to sectors including consumer mapping, energy, automotive and telecommunications.
Chinese launch startup conducts vertical takeoff and splashdown test

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Andrew Jones

HELSINKI — Chinese rocket maker Sepoch has carried out a first vertical liftoff and splashdown landing ahead of a potential orbital launch attempt later this year. The Yuanxingzhe-1 (YXZ-1) verification rocket lifted off from an elevated steel structure at the Haiyang spaceport, Shandong province, at 4:40 p.m. Eastern (2040 UTC) May 28. Video of the test shows the test article soaring vertically from a launch pad, before shutting down its engines at around 2.5 kilometers in altitude.
NASA switches to backup propellant line on Psyche spacecraft

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Jeff Foust

AMSTERDAM — NASA has decided to switch to a backup propellant line on its Psyche asteroid mission to allow the spacecraft to resume use of its electric propulsion system. The thrusters on the Psyche spacecraft, on its way to an asteroid also known as Psyche, shut down at the beginning of April after pressure fell in a line feeding xenon propellant to those thrusters.
Space One and Space BD to launch satellite for Japanese military

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Jeff Foust

AMSTERDAM — The Japanese military has selected companies Space One and Space BD to launch a small satellite. The companies announced May 28 that they won a contract from the Japan Ministry of Defense for the launch of an optical imaging satellite that will be built by Canon Electronics. The announcement did not disclose the value of the contract or the projected launch date.
Space Force orders two more GPS IIIF satellites for $509.7 million

1 week ago | spacenews.com | Sandra Erwin

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force has ordered two additional Global Positioning System satellites from Lockheed Martin. The $509.7 million contract covers GPS III satellites 21 and 22, which are part of the advanced GPS III Follow-on constellation designed to provide enhanced positioning, navigation and timing services to both civilian and military users worldwide. Delivery of the two satellites is scheduled by 2031, according to a contract announcement May 28.