Albedo announced its second mission to ultra-low Earth orbit (VLEO) called Vicinity, the launch of which is planned for 2027 year. Here are the key features of this new mission and platform: New Vicinity platform: Unlike the first satellite Clarity-1 (Precision base), which had built-in solar panels, Vicinity is equipped with deployable solar panels. High power: This upgrade allows you to generate significantly more energy, which is necessary for an energy-consuming payload, such […]

Space security is moving from a narrow arms control issue to a central policy issue, as dependence on satellites deepens, and the tools for their violation are proliferating, says the new report of the "Safe World" Foundation (SWF). For reference: The Secure World Foundation is a private, non-profit think tank, engaged in the promotion of peace, sustainable and safe use of outer space. SWF cooperates with […]

8 April 2026 Bulgarian satellite manufacturer EnduroSat and British defense technology startup Shield Space announced plans to launch a cubesat into orbit next year, able to maneuver near other satellites for their inspection. This is the first step to creating a "mothership", which will be able to carry dozens of such devices to perform tasks on demand. Companies claim, what's new […]

Japanese private company Astroscale has completed a critical review of the project for two cubesats, which are scheduled to launch next year to help the British military monitor space weather and track objects in low Earth orbit. British subsidiary of Japanese Astroscale, which maintains satellites in orbit announced this stage 8 April 2026 of the year for the Orpheus mission. There was a mission […]

Mittens, operator of Earth observation satellites, formerly known as Maxar, is planning the first major overhaul of its space architecture in almost a decade, aiming to combine their signature high-resolution images with fast repeat visit rates, offered by constellations of small satellites. 8 the company announced in April, which will expand its current fleet of 10 electro-optical satellites of DZZ with two new ones […]

Italian launch service provider Avio has delayed the launch of the European Space Agency's SMILE mission aboard the Vega C rocket after discovering a problem on the production line of a subsystem component. Avio began preparations for the launch of SMILE in mid-February 2026 year from the transfer of the P120C first stage from the launch vehicle storage building to the ZLV launch pad. The transfer marked the beginning of the first flight […]

The European company The Exploration Company has completed the initial pressure testing of the pressurized structure of the Structural Test Model (STM) Nyx, own development. The structure was manufactured by the French company CNIM Systèmes Industriels in mid-February 2026 year. For reference: Aerospace company The Exploration Company, founded in 2021 year, develops reusable spacecraft. Her main project is the Nyx capsule, intended for the delivery of goods and, […]

Hungary moves to build national space satellites and expand defense ties with US industry in several partnerships, announced by the Hungarian defense and space company 4iG during the visit of US Vice President JD Vance to Budapest 7 April 2026 year. The central element is the agreement with Northrop Grumman to build a geostationary communication satellite as part of the program under […]

08 April 2026 year Fr. 20:35 (UTC) from the Taiyuan Launch Center, China was launched using the Long March 6A launch vehicle 5 "Hulianwang" China Communications. «SatNet LEO Group 21» – the next batch of communication satellites "Hulianwang" within the framework of the global project "GuoWang". Communication satellites, will be launched in low Earth orbit for Chinese State Satnet, managed […]

6 April 2026 year, four astronauts from the USA and Canada became human, which moved away from Earth at the greatest distance in history, when they flew around the moon as part of the Artemis mission 2. The Orion spacecraft, codenamed Integrity, broke the record for the longest distance, on which people moved away from the Earth, established by the Apollo mission 13 56 years ago - 400 […]

07 April 2026 year Fr. 14:33 (UTC) from VPB Vandenberg, California, The launch of the STP-S29A mission was carried out by the USA using the Minotaur IV launch vehicle. Space testing program (STP) is a program of the US Space Force under the auspices of the Space Systems Command. STP performs tasks: development of missions, integration of the payload with the space systems management system, integration of spacecraft with […]

07 April 2026 year Fr. 16:32 (UTC) from the Wenchang Satellite Launch Center, China, with the help of the "Long March 8" launch vehicle, China's 18th space vehicle "G60 Polar Group 07" was launched. G60 Polar Group 07 – is a group of 18 communication satellites in low Earth orbit with a payload in the Ku bands, Q and V for grouping […]

07 April 2026 year Fr. 02:50 (UTC) from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, USA, with the help of the "Falcon" launch vehicle 9 Block 5 ”was launched 25 US spacecraft "Starlink Group 17-35". Satellites "Starlink v2" – these are larger and more powerful communication satellites of SpaceX. They weigh approx 750 kg and have a design with two solar panels to enlarge […]

In the modern space race, not only getting into orbit is becoming more and more important, and the cost of each kilogram of payload. That is why the first flight of the Chinese commercial rocket Kinetica-2 attracted special attention: 30 March 2026 In 2018, the carrier of the CAS Space company successfully launched from the Dongfeng site at the Jiuquan Cosmodrome and launched three vehicles into orbit: New March-01, […]

Yuxing-3 commercial satellite 06 (also Xiyuan-0) successfully completed orbital testing of a flexible robotic arm, intended for complex manipulations in space. Such technologies belong to solutions, which will allow repair, to refuel and service the devices right in orbit. The main achievement of the mission is the verification of the flexible manipulator in several modes. During the tests, the system performed software-controlled simulated refueling, remotely controlled simulation […]

Planet Labs company, which is engaged in satellite imaging, said on Saturday, that will indefinitely hide images of Iran and the Middle East conflict region at the request of the US government. California company Planet Labs (PL.N), announced this decision in an e-mail to customers and informed, that the US government has asked all providers of satellite imagery to indefinitely withhold […]

According to the Donald Trump administration's budget request for 2027 fiscal year, funding of the US Space Force is planned to increase to 71,2 billion dollars. This is almost twice the level 2026 year, which was close to 40 billion dollars. Key indicators of the budget of the Space Forces Total amount: 71,2 billion dollars (growth on 77% compared to the previous year). The main focus: Development and testing […]

This confirms the successful participation of the Japanese satellite operator SKY Perfect JSAT accompanying the NASA Artemis II mission, which started 1 April 2026 year. The company became the only private firm in Asia, chosen by NASA to ground track the Orion spacecraft during its historic journey around the Moon. Mission details and role of SKY Perfect JSAT: Launch and first signals: After the successful launch of the SLS rocket, experts […]

31 March 2026 Italy and NASA signed a historic statement of intent to jointly create the first permanent base on the surface of the moon. This agreement was the result of a change in NASA's strategy, which decided to suspend the development of the Gateway orbital station in favor of deploying a full-fledged infrastructure directly on the lunar surface. Key aspects of cooperation: "House on the Moon" Made in Italy: The main contribution of Italy will be the development and […]