https://spacewatch.global/space-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Fri, 31 Jul 2026 08:20:38 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/rocket-lab-secures-multi-launch-deal-with-iqps-for-three-dedicated-missions/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76057 Rocket Lab has signed a multi-launch deal with the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc (“iQPS”) for three new dedicated launches on Electron. This contract is iQPS' third multi-launch booking on Electron in less than a year, bringing the total number of launches booked to 18.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/scotland-selects-planet-for-sustainable-agricultural-reform-support-as-planet-opens-new-london-office/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76064 The Scottish Government’s Agricultural and Rural Economy Directorate has selected Planet Labs Germany for a 7-figure award. Under this one-year agreement, Planet will deliver PlanetScope data and advanced analytics to support Scotland’s Agricultural Reform Route Map. The award comes weeks after Planet announced the opening of its new office in central London, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to the United Kingdom as a critical partner within the high-growth space economy.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/thales-alenia-joins-ohb-italia-led-consortium-to-develop-the-prisma-satellite-for-the-italian-space-agency/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76071 Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with OHB Italia for the development of the PRISMA Second Generation Earth observation satellite for the Italian Space Agency (ASI). Scheduled for launch in 2031, the satellite will carry a hyperspectral instrument, built by Leonardo, featuring enhanced functional and resolution capabilities compared to the first generation.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/ispace-to-launch-its-mission-3-ultra-lunar-lander-aboard-mitsubishi-heavy-industries-h3-rocket/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76031 ispace, inc. and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. have signed a contract for the launch and transportation of ispace’s Mission 3 ULTRA Lunar Lander using the latter's H3 rocket which is currently scheduled for 2028. This marks the first time ispace will launch its Japanese lunar lander aboard a Japanese rocket, having relied on SpaceX for its previous launches. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/eutelsat-and-poland-sign-strategic-mou-supporting-polands-participation-in-iris%c2%b2/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76042 Following Poland's commitment to participate in the construction of the IRIS² constellation satellites, Eutelsat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Country to deepen cooperation in support of Europe's future secure satellite communications infrastructure under the IRIS² program.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/impulse-space-unveils-electra-its-first-electric-propulsion-system-to-expand-post-launch-options-for-spacecraft/ Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76049 Impulse Space has unveiled Electra, the company's first electric propulsion system, purpose-built to expand what's possible for a spacecraft after launch. This comes barely two months after the company successfully raised $500 million in Series D funding as the company scales its effort to build in-space mobility infrastructure.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/hawkeye-360-awarded-multi-year-contract-to-enhance-indian-ocean-region-maritime-domain-awareness/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76008 HawkEye 360, Inc. has been awarded a multi‑year contract to deliver advanced space‑based RF data and analytics to the Indian Navy and regional partner nations, strengthening the Indian Ocean Region’s maritime domain awareness and enhancing security cooperation across the Indo‑Pacific. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/array-labs-raises-additional-21m-in-strategic-investment-anchored-by-mitsubishi-electric/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76013 Array Labs has raised $21 million in an oversubscribed strategic investment round, anchored by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, one of Japan's largest defense and aerospace companies, with continued participation as well from Catapult Ventures, Kompas VC, and Y Combinator. As part of the financing, Array Labs and Mitsubishi Electric have also entered into a partnership to develop and bring to market, satellite-based airborne tracking services for defense and mainly security customers in the Asia Pacific Region. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/esa-commissions-optical-ground-station-in-luxembourg-to-advance-quantum-enabled-ultra-secure-satellite-communications/ Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=76018 The European Space Agency has commissioned a new optical ground station in Windhof, Luxembourg, to help test an ultra-secure, international communications network. This follows the ground breaking ceremony in Noordwijk, The Netherlands, for a dedicated OGS to communicate with the EAGLE-1 satellite for quantum technology-based ultra-secure communication earlier this month. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/rocket-lab-awarded-record-266m-missile-defense-contract-with-u-s-space-force-for-suborbital-launches/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75972 Rocket Lab has been awarded its largest launch contract to date, a $266 million multi-launch contract with the U.S. Space Force, solidifying the vertical integrator’s position in launch and critical mission enabler for programs with significant importance for the U.S.' national security. Under the contract, Rocket Lab will execute 12 suborbital launches, with up to six additional launches, with the first launch tentatively taking place no earlier than the end of this year.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/orbes-unveils-exo-orb-a-locally-hosted-inspection-maintenance-robot-for-large-orbital-infrastructure/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75977 California-based ORBES has unveiled Exo-ORB, a compact autonomous escort satellite that flies alongside large space assets to inspect, film and eventually maintain them, offering a 3rd person point of view to protect billion-dollar national security assets and large infrastructure.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/arianespace-to-launch-mtg-i2-weather-satellite-aboard-ariane-6s-first-geostationary-mission-next-month/ Tue, 28 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75988 Arianespace has announced Ariane 6's latest launch mission, launching the MTG-I2 meteorological satellite with the Ariane 62 configuration from Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana on the 27th of August. The mission, designated VA270, will mark the fourth Ariane 6 launch of the year and the rocket's first launch to a geostationary orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/voyager-and-reditus-space-renew-partnership-for-commercial-microgravity-access-on-the-enos-reentry-vehicle/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75938 Voyager Technologies has renewed its partnership with Reditus Space to deliver end-to-end microgravity mission services aboard the latter's ENOS reusable reentry vehicle. Under the partnership, Reditus Space will provide on-orbit operations and vehicle management, while Voyager will serve as implementation partner, guiding customers through payload development, hardware qualification and mission integration.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/esa-awards-execution-contract-for-magpie-esas-lunar-polar-ice-exploration-mission-to-ispace-europe/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75945 ESA has awarded ispace-EUROPE the second phase of the MAGPIE (Mission for Advanced Geophysics and Polar Ice Exploration.) contract, Europe's first lunar polar ice exploration mission. The contract, valued at €65 million, funds the mission's full remaining delivery, including rover and payload development, manufacture, testing, transportation to the lunar surface and lunar surface operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/esa-and-uksa-launch-new-incubed-funding-call-for-eo-based-proposals-in-the-united-kingdom/ Mon, 27 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75954 ESA has launched a new call for proposals in collaboration with the UK Space Agency, through the ESA InCubed program. This comes as more than £2.5 million were awarded to five projects that use satellite data to improve public services during 2024's InCubed call. For the new round of applications. ESA and the UK Space Agency invite UK-based organizations to submit proposals that demonstrate a clear route to market, credible commercial demand and a strong plan for operational deployment, before an August 21 deadline.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/chinas-gravity-1-rocket-launches-nine-payloads-into-orbit-from-the-east-china-sea/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:05:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75925 China has launched the Gravity-1 Y4 carrier rocket from the East China Sea, placing nine satellites into their preset orbit as the country demonstrates open-sea mobile launch capability. The flight marks Gravity-1's first open-sea launch, the launcher's third mission, and China's first commercial sea-based launch in the East China Sea off the Yangtze River Delta. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/iceye-and-kt-sat-partner-to-bring-near-real-time-flood-intelligence-to-south-korea/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75913 ICEYE has announced a strategic partnership with KT SAT to deliver advanced flood monitoring solutions to South Korean government agencies and commercial organizations. The partnership marks the first deployment of ICEYE Solutions in South Korea and the first use of the technology by the Korean Government. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/from-satellite-data-to-startups-azercosmos-launches-azerbaijans-first-national-space-incubation-program/ Fri, 24 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75919 Azercosmos has launched its first-ever National Space Incubation program to support the development of space startups and strengthen Azerbaijan’s innovation ecosystem. The six-month program is designed for early-stage startup teams working on Earth Observation applications, digital platforms and other space-based solutions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/northrop-grumman-launches-mission-robotic-vehicle-ushering-in-a-new-era-of-in-space-servicing/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:00:58 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75896 Northrop Grumman has launched its "first-of-its-kind" Mission Robotic Vehicle and three Mission Extension Pods, in partnership with DARPA, as it aims to pioneer autonomous in-space satellite servicing, life extension, refueling, and AI-enabled operations to enhance space asset resilience and sustainability.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/07/uk-space-agency-unveils-62-million-funding-program-alongside-300000-joint-fund-with-space-florida/ Thu, 23 Jul 2026 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=75877 The UK Space Agency has unveiled a new funding program at the ongoing Farnborough International Airshow, pledging up to £62 million to develop homegrown satellite communications and space technologies. During the Airshow, UKSA also penned down a consequential agreement with Space Florida, establishing a £300,000 joint fund to help turn innovative ideas into commercial reality. ]]>