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Surface CubeSat contracted for Ramses asteroid mission

The European Space Agency has contracted Spanish company EMXYS for the first CubeSat designed to operate on the surface of an asteroid. Don Quijote is a shoebox-sized spacecraft that will be deployed onto the Apophis asteroid by ESA’s Ramses mission before the asteroid flies by Earth on 13 April 2029.

Final Atlas 5 Amazon Leo mission launches

An Atlas 5 lifted off July 2 carrying a set of Amazon Leo satellites in the final launch by that vehicle to carry a satellite payload. The post Final Atlas 5 Amazon Leo mission launches appeared first on SpaceNews.

Authorisation paves the way for Aeolus-2 wind mission

Building on the remarkable success of the Earth Explorer Aeolus wind mission, the European Space Agency has given Airbus Defence and Space in the UK the authorisation to proceed to begin the development of Aeolus’ successor, Aeolus-2 – which is set to be built to enhance operational weather forecasts.

What’s Up: July 2026 Skywatching Tips from NASA

A predawn Moon-and-planets meetup, a returning comet, a great chance to see the Milky Way, and Saturn’s rings at a new angle. Skywatching Highlights Transcript An early morning hangout with the Moon and planets, a comet swings by, prime time for the Milky Way, and Saturn’s rings shine at a new angle. That’s What’s Up […]

Live coverage: ULA to launch final Atlas 5 rocket supporting Amazon Leo’s broadband internet satellite constellation

The Leo Atlas 8 mission is also the final flight of an Atlas 5 551 configuration. Liftoff from pad 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is scheduled for 12:24 a.m. EDT (0424 UTC).

Report links Starliner problems to overconfidence and unrealistic schedules

A new report links the long-running technical problems with Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle to a combination of overconfidence, unrealistic schedules and NASA’s lack of insight into the vehicle. The post Report links Starliner problems to overconfidence and unrealistic schedules appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASA announces new lander contracts for Moon Base Phase One

In June 2026, NASA announced four new lunar landers as part of its Moon Base… The post NASA announces new lander contracts for Moon Base Phase One appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.

NASA’s Chandra Examines Milky Way at Arms’ Length

A new result using NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory shows that the outer spiral arms in the Milky Way galaxy may reach wider than previously thought. This finding may lead astronomers to adjust their understanding of our home galaxy’s structure. A team of astronomers made this discovery by making precise measurements of distances to dust clouds […]

NASA chief praises progress Blue Origin is making after launch failure

"We've got time into 2027 before we're getting nervous."

FCC to vote on satellite licensing overhaul July 22

The FCC is set to vote July 22 on an order to overhaul its satellite application process, creating a “licensing assembly line” to keep up with increasingly large and complex constellation plans. The post FCC to vote on satellite licensing overhaul July 22 appeared first on SpaceNews.

Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 24 Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg SFB

The Starlink 17-46 mission will fly on the 77th Falcon 9 rocket launch of the year. Liftoff from pad 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for 7:57 p.m. PDT (10:57 p.m. EDT / 0257 UTC).