Space missions are entering a new era defined by complexity: more sensors, more software-driven behavior, more tightly coupled subsystems and more interactions between spacecraft and orbital infrastructure. As these systems evolve, the number of potential failure modes grows — ranging from thermal drift and aging hardware to configuration errors, environmental disturbances, and unfamiliar system behavior. […]

The post How multi-agent AI can strengthen space missions against the unknown appeared first on SpaceNews.

SAN FRANCISCO – Benchmark Space Systems’ ASCENT-fueled Macaw thruster performed a 10-minute continuous burn, clearing the way for an on-orbit application of the propulsion technology, the company announced Dec. 10. “Because ASCENT has 50% greater impulse density than other monopropellants, mission planners and spacecraft designers can get the similar delta-v [change in velocity] with less […]

The post Benchmark demonstrates high-throughput ASCENT thruster in hotfire testing at Edwards Air Force Base appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASA has lost contact with a Mars orbiter that has circled the planet for more than a decade, collecting science data and serving as a key communications relay.

The post NASA loses contact with MAVEN Mars orbiter appeared first on SpaceNews.

A space solar power startup has emerged from stealth after demonstrating a key technology for its plans to transmit power from space to the Earth.

The post Overview Energy demonstrates technologies for space solar power appeared first on SpaceNews.

Two Shenzhou-21 astronauts embarked on the mission’s first spacewalk late Monday, inspecting and photographing a damaged spacecraft window which triggered an earlier emergency launch.

The post Chinese astronauts inspect debris-damaged Shenzhou-20 spacecraft during spacewalk appeared first on SpaceNews.

Canada has contracted satellite operator Telesat and manufacturer MDA Space to explore options for a multibillion-dollar military communications network to support the Canadian Armed Forces in the Arctic.

The post Canada picks Telesat and MDA to study Arctic military communications constellation appeared first on SpaceNews.

– SCHOTT® Solar Glass exos provides enhanced radiation resistance and optical performance for simple silicon cells up to III-V multijunction satellite solar cells.– Jointly developed with Heilbronn-based AZUR SPACE Solar […]

The post SCHOTT launches high-performance cover glass for next-generation space solar cells appeared first on SpaceNews.

Startup leans on C-band architecture to separate from L-band competitors

The post TrustPoint sets 2027 target for initial rollout of LEO-based navigation services appeared first on SpaceNews.

LeoLabs has won an interagency contract to provide space-surveillance data for the U.S. government, supporting adversarial spacecraft monitoring and the TraCSS orbital traffic coordination platform due to enter full service early next year.

The post LeoLabs lands interagency contract to feed TraCSS and track adversarial spacecraft appeared first on SpaceNews.

It has become conventional wisdom that China’s rise is driven by a coordinated strategy across three fronts here on Earth: dominating critical industries, controlling critical resources and occupying strategically important locations. This is explicit in the Chinese Communist Party’s own planning documents, speeches and industrial policies. We now face the same strategy pointed upward. Beijing […]

The post America must stop treating China’s lunar plans as a footrace appeared first on SpaceNews.

The company is adapting commercial thermal-sensing tech for military applications

The post Muon Space to develop sensor payload for missile defense satellites appeared first on SpaceNews.

Space-based solar power startup Aetherflux has thrown its hat into the emerging market for orbital data centers, joining SpaceX, Amazon and others exploring ways to move energy-hungry artificial intelligence compute off Earth.

The post Space-based solar power startup Aetherflux enters orbital data center race appeared first on SpaceNews.

China launched four missions in four days, accelerating its record-setting launch cadence while expanding its Guowang LEO megaconstellation and deploying new Yaogan reconnaissance assets.

The post China launches 4 times in 4 days, boosting megaconstellation and surveillance assets appeared first on SpaceNews.

The Senate Commerce Committee advanced the nomination of Jared Isaacman to be NASA administrator to the full Senate in a Dec. 8 vote.

The post Senate committee advances Isaacman nomination a second time appeared first on SpaceNews.

The ongoing review could have implications for space projects

The post Pentagon weighs consolidation of DIU tech portfolio appeared first on SpaceNews.

December 8, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is pleased to welcome its four newest members to our Space Supply Chain Council (S2C2): McCollister’s, MERC Aerospace, […]

The post CSF Expands Space Supply Chain Council with Four New Member Companies appeared first on SpaceNews.

MILAN – When the European Space Agency announced its new three-year spending plan last month, two countries stood out for the increased size of their contributions.  Poland boosted its budget from 198 million euros ($230 million) in 2022 to 735 million euros in 2025 (a 276% increase). Spain raised its contribution from 933 million euros […]

The post How Spain and Poland pushed Europe’s new priorities with record contributions appeared first on SpaceNews.

As the space industry explores orbital data centers to meet growing demands for sovereignty, resilience and sustainability, one critical lens remains underutilized: cost. Not just launch cost or CapEx; but total cost of ownership, sourcing strategy and operational efficiency. We think it would be helpful to reframe the conversation around space-based infrastructure from technical feasibility […]

The post Beyond the horizon: cost-driven strategies for space-based data centers appeared first on SpaceNews.

A proposed European Union space law could cost both European and American space companies hundreds of millions of euros in lost revenue annually, according to a new study.

The post Study quantifies costs of EU Space Act to European and U.S. companies appeared first on SpaceNews.

NASA has extended an agreement with a nonprofit organization to manage the portion of the International Space Station designated as a national laboratory, likely for the final time.

The post NASA extends agreement with CASIS for ISS national lab appeared first on SpaceNews.

Guetlein said his office has held extensive private engagements with industry.

The post Guetlein defends Golden Dome secrecy, says industry is ‘well informed’ despite criticism appeared first on SpaceNews.

A House hearing on the rise of China’s space program turned into a broader critique of U.S. space policy, including NASA’s current approach to returning astronauts to the moon.

The post China hearing focuses on U.S. policy shortfalls appeared first on SpaceNews.

he Department of the Air Force has approved plans to convert a former Delta 4 launch site at Cape Canaveral into a complex for SpaceX’s Starship.

The post SpaceX gets approval to build Starship launch complex at Cape Canaveral appeared first on SpaceNews.

The company founded by SpaceX veterans is opening a solid rocket motor manufacturing campus in New Mexico

The post Castelion raises $350 million to scale hypersonic missile production appeared first on SpaceNews.