SN Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/tag/sn/ Covering the business and politics of space Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:56:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png SN Archives - SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/tag/sn/ 32 32 80681979 Senate committee advances FCC satellite licensing bill after changes https://spacenews.com/senate-committee-advances-fcc-satellite-licensing-bill-after-changes/ https://spacenews.com/senate-committee-advances-fcc-satellite-licensing-bill-after-changes/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 20:56:47 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573666 Illustration of satellite coverage for telecommunications services.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved a bill intended to streamline satellite licensing after revising provisions related to automatic approval of applications.

The post Senate committee advances FCC satellite licensing bill after changes appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/senate-committee-advances-fcc-satellite-licensing-bill-after-changes/feed/ 0 573666
Startup bets on new approach to space-based missile defense https://spacenews.com/startup-bets-on-new-approach-to-space-based-missile-defense/ https://spacenews.com/startup-bets-on-new-approach-to-space-based-missile-defense/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573460

‘Our interceptors will actively track hypersonic threats and shortly before impact will deploy large particle clouds’

The post Startup bets on new approach to space-based missile defense appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/startup-bets-on-new-approach-to-space-based-missile-defense/feed/ 0 573460
Crew-12 launches to ISS https://spacenews.com/crew-12-launches-to-iss/ https://spacenews.com/crew-12-launches-to-iss/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:53:38 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573545 Crew-12 launch

A Falcon 9 launched a new crew to the International Space Station Feb. 13 to start a busy schedule of arriving and departing vehicles at the station.

The post Crew-12 launches to ISS appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/crew-12-launches-to-iss/feed/ 0 573545
Vast wins ISS private astronaut mission https://spacenews.com/vast-wins-iss-private-astronaut-mission/ https://spacenews.com/vast-wins-iss-private-astronaut-mission/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:39:14 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573539 Photo of the ISS.

NASA has selected commercial space station company Vast to fly a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in 2027.

The post Vast wins ISS private astronaut mission appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/vast-wins-iss-private-astronaut-mission/feed/ 0 573539
China’s iSpace launch firm raises record $729 million for reusable rockets https://spacenews.com/chinas-ispace-launch-firm-raises-record-729-million-for-reusable-rockets/ https://spacenews.com/chinas-ispace-launch-firm-raises-record-729-million-for-reusable-rockets/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 10:58:22 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573518

Chinese launch firm iSpace has secured a record D++ funding round to accelerate its reusable rocket development efforts and expand its industrial footprint.

The post China’s iSpace launch firm raises record $729 million for reusable rockets appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/chinas-ispace-launch-firm-raises-record-729-million-for-reusable-rockets/feed/ 0 573518
Space startups find more paths to liquidity as investors warm to maturing sector https://spacenews.com/space-startups-find-more-paths-to-liquidity-as-investors-warm-to-maturing-sector/ https://spacenews.com/space-startups-find-more-paths-to-liquidity-as-investors-warm-to-maturing-sector/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 22:27:20 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573441

Young space companies are gaining more ways to cash out or raise larger pools of capital as the industry matures and investors grow more comfortable with the sector.

The post Space startups find more paths to liquidity as investors warm to maturing sector appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/space-startups-find-more-paths-to-liquidity-as-investors-warm-to-maturing-sector/feed/ 0 573441
First Ariane 64 launches Amazon Leo satellites https://spacenews.com/first-ariane-64-launches-amazon-leo-satellites/ https://spacenews.com/first-ariane-64-launches-amazon-leo-satellites/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:53:42 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573434 Ariane 64 launch

The more powerful version of Europe’s Ariane 6 rocket successfully placed a group of Amazon Leo broadband satellites into orbit on the vehicle’s inaugural launch Feb. 12.

The post First Ariane 64 launches Amazon Leo satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/first-ariane-64-launches-amazon-leo-satellites/feed/ 0 573434
Axiom Space raises additional $350 million https://spacenews.com/axiom-space-raises-additional-350-million/ https://spacenews.com/axiom-space-raises-additional-350-million/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 21:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573416 Illustration of Axiom Space’s proposed space station. Credit: Axiom

Axiom Space has raised $350 million to advance development of a commercial space station and new spacesuits for NASA.

The post Axiom Space raises additional $350 million appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/axiom-space-raises-additional-350-million/feed/ 0 573416
ThinKom gets military contract to supply portable ground stations for satellite communications https://spacenews.com/thinkom-gets-military-contract-to-supply-portable-ground-stations-for-satellite-communications/ https://spacenews.com/thinkom-gets-military-contract-to-supply-portable-ground-stations-for-satellite-communications/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:07:16 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573407

The contract will examine the performance of ThinKom’s “portable gateway” for use by dismounted forces

The post ThinKom gets military contract to supply portable ground stations for satellite communications appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/thinkom-gets-military-contract-to-supply-portable-ground-stations-for-satellite-communications/feed/ 0 573407
It is time to take astronomy off Earth https://spacenews.com/it-is-time-to-take-astronomy-off-earth/ https://spacenews.com/it-is-time-to-take-astronomy-off-earth/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573001 Illustration of the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Credit: NASA/CXC & J. Vaughan

Astronomy and commercial space are often portrayed as being on a collision course, yet their futures are deeply intertwined. As satellite constellations expand, astronomers raise concerns about trails across images, […]

The post It is time to take astronomy off Earth appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/it-is-time-to-take-astronomy-off-earth/feed/ 0 573001
Software startup Integrate makes push into defense market following Space Force award https://spacenews.com/software-startup-integrate-makes-push-into-defense-market-following-space-force-award/ https://spacenews.com/software-startup-integrate-makes-push-into-defense-market-following-space-force-award/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:47:46 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573324

The company developed a collaborative project management platform designed to operate in classified environments

The post Software startup Integrate makes push into defense market following Space Force award appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/software-startup-integrate-makes-push-into-defense-market-following-space-force-award/feed/ 0 573324
Launch companies debate how to compete against SpaceX https://spacenews.com/launch-companies-debate-how-to-compete-against-spacex/ https://spacenews.com/launch-companies-debate-how-to-compete-against-spacex/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:20:11 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573297 Electron launch of NEONSAT-1A

Launch companies are divided on how to compete with SpaceX in a market where demand outstrips supply, yet customers remain price sensitive.

The post Launch companies debate how to compete against SpaceX appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/launch-companies-debate-how-to-compete-against-spacex/feed/ 0 573297
ULA’s Vulcan launches Space Force mission; solid booster anomaly under investigation https://spacenews.com/ulas-vulcan-launches-u-s-space-force-mission-to-geosynchronous-orbit/ https://spacenews.com/ulas-vulcan-launches-u-s-space-force-mission-to-geosynchronous-orbit/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 10:02:57 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573265

USSF-87 sends GSSAP payloads and propulsive ESPA ring on fourth Vulcan flight

The post ULA’s Vulcan launches Space Force mission; solid booster anomaly under investigation appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/ulas-vulcan-launches-u-s-space-force-mission-to-geosynchronous-orbit/feed/ 0 573265
FCC Space Bureau chief shares agenda for regulatory reform https://spacenews.com/fcc-space-bureau-chief-shares-agenda-for-regulatory-reform/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-space-bureau-chief-shares-agenda-for-regulatory-reform/#respond Thu, 12 Feb 2026 05:05:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573192 Schwarz at SmallSat Symposium 2026

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — The U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau is pursuing an ambitious agenda for regulatory reform. The space plank of the FCC’s Build America Agenda would allocate […]

The post FCC Space Bureau chief shares agenda for regulatory reform appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/fcc-space-bureau-chief-shares-agenda-for-regulatory-reform/feed/ 0 573192
SpaceX IPO may suck oxygen from market before unleashing broad capital surge https://spacenews.com/spacex-ipo-may-suck-oxygen-from-market-before-unleashing-broad-capital-surge/ https://spacenews.com/spacex-ipo-may-suck-oxygen-from-market-before-unleashing-broad-capital-surge/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 22:49:50 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573112

Space investors and dealmakers anticipate SpaceX’s planned IPO this year will trigger a surge of capital across the industry, but not without the risk of pulling investor attention away from other companies in the run-up.

The post SpaceX IPO may suck oxygen from market before unleashing broad capital surge appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/spacex-ipo-may-suck-oxygen-from-market-before-unleashing-broad-capital-surge/feed/ 0 573112
UK launcher Orbex files for administration after failed funding efforts https://spacenews.com/uk-launcher-orbex-files-for-administration-after-failed-funding-efforts/ https://spacenews.com/uk-launcher-orbex-files-for-administration-after-failed-funding-efforts/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:50:49 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573101 Orbex Prime

MILAN — United Kingdom-based launch company Orbex announced that its business is folding after multiple attempts to stay solvent fell through.  The company announced Feb. 11 that it has filed […]

The post UK launcher Orbex files for administration after failed funding efforts appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/uk-launcher-orbex-files-for-administration-after-failed-funding-efforts/feed/ 0 573101
Space companies bet on Golden Dome as questions persist over scope and funding https://spacenews.com/space-companies-bet-on-golden-dome-as-questions-persist-over-scope-and-funding/ https://spacenews.com/space-companies-bet-on-golden-dome-as-questions-persist-over-scope-and-funding/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 21:35:31 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573096

At SmallSat Symposium, executives cite enduring missile threat as rationale for continued investment

The post Space companies bet on Golden Dome as questions persist over scope and funding appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/space-companies-bet-on-golden-dome-as-questions-persist-over-scope-and-funding/feed/ 0 573096
Demand for sovereign systems extends to the Earth-observation stack https://spacenews.com/demand-for-sovereign-systems-extends-to-the-earth-observation-stack/ https://spacenews.com/demand-for-sovereign-systems-extends-to-the-earth-observation-stack/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:14:49 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573069

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. – At the recent World Economic Forum in Switzerland, much of the conversation revolved around the concerns of middle powers, nations with the wherewithal to influence international […]

The post Demand for sovereign systems extends to the Earth-observation stack appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/demand-for-sovereign-systems-extends-to-the-earth-observation-stack/feed/ 0 573069
The Exploration Company completes water-impact tests for its Nyx space capsule https://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-completes-water-impact-tests-for-its-nyx-space-capsule/ https://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-completes-water-impact-tests-for-its-nyx-space-capsule/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:46:28 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573063 The Exploration Company conducted water-impact tests on a 1:4-scale model of its Nyx space capsule in January. Credit: The Exploration Company

MILAN — The French-German aerospace company The Exploration Company completed mock splashdown tests for its Nyx space capsule, a modular, reusable spacecraft designed to transport cargo and eventually crew to […]

The post The Exploration Company completes water-impact tests for its Nyx space capsule appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/the-exploration-company-completes-water-impact-tests-for-its-nyx-space-capsule/feed/ 0 573063
How much is vertical integration squeezing the smallsat opportunity? https://spacenews.com/how-much-is-vertical-integration-squeezing-the-smallsat-opportunity/ https://spacenews.com/how-much-is-vertical-integration-squeezing-the-smallsat-opportunity/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:36:22 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572962

As SpaceX and other vertically integrated space giants expand their reach, questions are growing over just how much room other small satellite companies have to build scalable businesses.

The post How much is vertical integration squeezing the smallsat opportunity? appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/how-much-is-vertical-integration-squeezing-the-smallsat-opportunity/feed/ 0 572962
Reusable launch vehicles will change everything in space, and on Earth https://spacenews.com/reusable-launch-vehicles-will-change-everything-in-space-and-on-earth/ https://spacenews.com/reusable-launch-vehicles-will-change-everything-in-space-and-on-earth/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572692 Flight 11 preview

“When you have a fully reusable vehicle … you can send it anywhere … to the moon … past Mars”  —Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator. Imagine a future where thousands of […]

The post Reusable launch vehicles will change everything in space, and on Earth appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/reusable-launch-vehicles-will-change-everything-in-space-and-on-earth/feed/ 0 572692
Eutelsat gets nearly 1 billion euros in French-backed ECA financing https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-gets-nearly-1-billion-euros-in-french-backed-eca-financing/ https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-gets-nearly-1-billion-euros-in-french-backed-eca-financing/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 13:30:31 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572949 OneWeb satellite

Eutelsat has signed a 975 million euro ($1.2 billion) France-backed export credit agency financing package to help fund 440 replacement satellites for its OneWeb LEO broadband constellation.

The post Eutelsat gets nearly 1 billion euros in French-backed ECA financing appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-gets-nearly-1-billion-euros-in-french-backed-eca-financing/feed/ 0 572949
Stoke Space adds $350 million to Series D round https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-adds-350-million-to-series-d-round/ https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-adds-350-million-to-series-d-round/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:57:54 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572946 Stoke Nova

Stoke Space has raised an additional $350 million to advance work on its reusable launch vehicle and future projects.

The post Stoke Space adds $350 million to Series D round appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-adds-350-million-to-series-d-round/feed/ 0 572946
China tests crewed spacecraft abort and rocket recovery in major lunar milestone https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/ https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/#respond Wed, 11 Feb 2026 10:00:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572912

China took a major step forward in its lunar and human spaceflight programs late Tuesday with successful in-flight abort and rocket recovery tests.

The post China tests crewed spacecraft abort and rocket recovery in major lunar milestone appeared first on SpaceNews.

]]>
https://spacenews.com/china-tests-crewed-spacecraft-abort-and-rocket-recovery-in-major-lunar-milestone/feed/ 0 572912