SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/ Covering the business and politics of space Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:09:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png SpaceNews https://spacenews.com/ 32 32 80681979 A new book captures the forces shaping space: China, the moon and industry https://spacenews.com/a-new-book-captures-the-forces-shaping-space-china-the-moon-and-industry/ https://spacenews.com/a-new-book-captures-the-forces-shaping-space-china-the-moon-and-industry/#respond Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:09:49 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573581

In this episode of Space Minds, Mike Gruss sits down with David Ariosto to discuss his new book, “Open Space.” David talks about how some of the themes of the […]

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Senate committee advances FCC satellite licensing bill after changes https://spacenews.com/senate-committee-advances-fcc-satellite-licensing-bill-after-changes/ 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.

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Startup bets on new approach to space-based missile defense https://spacenews.com/startup-bets-on-new-approach-to-space-based-missile-defense/ 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’

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Crew-12 launches to ISS https://spacenews.com/crew-12-launches-to-iss/ 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.

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Vast wins ISS private astronaut mission https://spacenews.com/vast-wins-iss-private-astronaut-mission/ 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.

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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/ 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.

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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/ 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.

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First Ariane 64 launches Amazon Leo satellites https://spacenews.com/first-ariane-64-launches-amazon-leo-satellites/ 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.

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Axiom Space raises additional $350 million https://spacenews.com/axiom-space-raises-additional-350-million/ 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.

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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/ 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

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It is time to take astronomy off Earth https://spacenews.com/it-is-time-to-take-astronomy-off-earth/ 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, interference with radio telescopes and the loss of dark skies. At the same time, commercial operators point to the enormous economic, scientific and national security […]

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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/ 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

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Launch companies debate how to compete against SpaceX https://spacenews.com/launch-companies-debate-how-to-compete-against-spacex/ 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.

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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/ 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

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FCC Space Bureau chief shares agenda for regulatory reform https://spacenews.com/fcc-space-bureau-chief-shares-agenda-for-regulatory-reform/ 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 additional spectrum for space activities, streamline the satellite licensing process and give spacecraft operators more flexibility to modernize operations. “We’re seeking to extend the reach […]

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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/ 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.

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UK launcher Orbex files for administration after failed funding efforts https://spacenews.com/uk-launcher-orbex-files-for-administration-after-failed-funding-efforts/ 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 a notice of intention to appoint administrators — a process in the U.K. that’s similar to declaring bankruptcy — after fundraising, merger and acquisition efforts […]

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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/ 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

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Integrate Raises $17M to Commercialize the World’s First Ultra-Secure Project Management Platform for Classified Programs https://spacenews.com/integrate-raises-17m-to-commercialize-the-worlds-first-ultra-secure-project-management-platform-for-classified-programs/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 20:40:09 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=573086 Integrate logo

SEATTLE, Feb. 11, 2026 — Integrate, the developer of the world’s first ultra-secure project management platform for dynamic multi-entity execution, today announced a $17 million Series A raise led by FPV Ventures with participation from Fuse […]

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Demand for sovereign systems extends to the Earth-observation stack https://spacenews.com/demand-for-sovereign-systems-extends-to-the-earth-observation-stack/ 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 events that are not among the great powers. At the SmallSat Symposium in Mountain View, representatives of Earth-observation companies said middle powers that previously relied […]

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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/ 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 low Earth orbit and beyond. The company conducted water-impact tests on a mock capsule from Jan. 13 through 28. The testing campaign was not a […]

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Register Now: New Approaches to Collapse Space Kill Chains https://spacenews.com/new-approaches-to-collapse-space-kill-chains-event/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 19:30:53 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572516

Join Leidos and SpaceNews on Thursday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m. ET to hear how the U.S. Space Force is partnering with industry to accelerate new approaches for collapsing space kill chains through rapid commercial integration and unclassified technology cohorts.

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How much is vertical integration squeezing the smallsat opportunity? https://spacenews.com/how-much-is-vertical-integration-squeezing-the-smallsat-opportunity/ 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.

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Motiv Space Systems and PickNik Robotics Collaborate on Software for NASA’s Fly Foundational Robotics (FFR) Mission https://spacenews.com/motiv-space-systems-and-picknik-robotics-collaborate-on-software-for-nasas-fly-foundational-robotics-ffr-mission/ Wed, 11 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=572637 Picknik robotics logo

Boulder, CO and Pasadena, CA — February 11, 2026 — Motiv Space Systems announced a contractual agreement with PickNik Robotics to support software development for NASA’s Fly Foundational Robotics (FFR) […]

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