Op-ed: A Resilient Europe Means Learning from the US Model
Amid shifting global power balances and an ongoing war on European soil, it’s more important than ever for Europe to quickly address its fragmented, painfully slow, and overly cautious procurement process—or risk permanently lagging behind those who want to do it harm.
Kepler Communications: Optical Comms Have Reached Maturity
Not long ago, laser communication was experimental, tested through one-off missions and technology demonstrators. But today, Kepler Communications has proved that optical networking in space is no longer theoretical—it’s operational. Several critical shifts have propelled optical communications into reality: “There’s a perception that laser comms are still where they were 10 years ago,” said Stephen…
NASA’s FY26 Plan Would Cut Gateway, Phase Out SLS, Orion
The Trump administration’s proposed budget for NASA focuses on beating China back to the Moon and sending the first humans to Mars at the expense of every other part of the space agency’s budget.
AeroVironment Acquires BlueHalo in $4.1B Deal
As warfare becomes increasingly dependent on space-based infrastructure and the link between space capabilities and terrestrial systems, AV aims to use its technologies to connect military tech in different domains.
Lockheed Martin Hands Over Orion for Artemis II
It is scheduled to carry four astronauts around the Moon in early 2026.
Isaacman Pays The Moon Price, Heads For Senate Floor
Sen. Ted Cruz made clear he was voting “yes” because of Isaacman’s commitment to prioritize the Moon.
True Anomaly Raises $260M Series C
While the company has only sent three of its Jackal satellites to LEO so far, its goal is to take on higher and higher orbits with Jackal missions to GEO and cislunar space as soon as next year.
Start Your Engines: The Lunar Rover Race Has Begun
Payload spoke with several companies building next-gen lunar rovers—including Astrolab, ispace, Intuitive Machines, and Lunar Outpost—about the biggest challenges and opportunities in this sector.
New Mexico Adds First Space Tourism Director
Sheli Hinds Armstrong will serve as the first director of space tourism at the SpaceValley Foundation, an Albuquerque-based nonprofit.
House Panel Advances Three Space Bills
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee approved three bills on Tuesday morning designed to increase astronaut safety, tap the private sector for scientific data, and maintain US leadership for the next generation of deep space exploration.
Kuiper Launches First Production Internet Satellites
Amazon’s long-awaited Starlink competitor finally has a toehold in orbit.
Radian Plans Re-entry Vehicle For Hypersonic Tests
Radian Aerospace said it will build a hypersonic reentry vehicle to generate cash, and support the development of its sled-launched single-stage-to-orbit rocketplane.
