Section

Space

Astronomy, space industry

Ars Technica

Engineers Address Issues with Satellite Supporting NASA's Swift Mission

Engineers are working to resolve issues with the Link satellite, which is intended to assist NASA's Swift gamma-ray observatory. The satellite has encountered multiple malfunctions, including a loss of communication and failures in its reaction wheels and thrusters. Katalyst Space Technologies operates the Link satellite under a $30 million NASA contract.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Washington Examiner

NASA Opens New Wind Tunnel at Langley Research Center

NASA inaugurated the Flight Dynamics Research Facility at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, on July 31, 2026. The $57 million facility is the first new wind tunnel built by NASA in over 40 years and will support research for various aerospace applications, including missions to the Moon and Mars. It replaces two older facilities and aims to enhance testing capabilities while reducing costs.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

NASA's Swift rescue satellite encounters attitude control issues

NASA's Link satellite, intended to support the Swift gamma-ray telescope, has encountered attitude control issues shortly after its launch. The satellite is currently spinning and experiencing communication problems due to failures in two of its three reaction wheels and some loss of functionality in its thruster system.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: -0.10
Ars Technica

Experts express concerns over Starship heat shield technology

SpaceX's Starship successfully launched on July 27, 2026, showing progress toward its operational capabilities. However, experts have raised concerns about the heat shield technology, indicating it may not support the goal of frequent and low-cost flights.

Bias: 33 Sentiment: +0.00
Ars Technica

SpaceX Completes 13th Starship Test Flight with Successful Splashdown

SpaceX completed its 13th Starship test flight on July 24, 2026, with a successful splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The company plans to attempt a tower catch of the Starship on its next launch, while also deploying upgraded Starlink V3 satellites during the flight. This mission is part of SpaceX's ongoing development for future lunar missions and operational capabilities.

Bias: 14 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

Northrop Grumman's Robotic Satellite Launches for Decade-Long Mission

Northrop Grumman's Mission Robotic Vehicle, designed for satellite servicing, was launched on July 24, 2026, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft will take approximately one year to reach its operational orbit, where it will work alongside other satellites.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

US Space Force increases National Security Space Launch contract value to $17 billion

The US Space Force has announced an increase in the maximum value of its National Security Space Launch contract to $17 billion, up from $5.6 billion. This change is intended to address the rising demand for military satellite launches and allows for the selection of various launch providers for different mission types.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Ars Technica

US Space Force increases National Security Space Launch contract to $17 billion

The US Space Force has announced an increase in the maximum value of its National Security Space Launch contract to $17 billion, up from $5.6 billion. This change is in response to rising demand for military satellite launches and allows for selection from multiple launch providers for various missions.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
cbsnews.com

Meteorite that struck New Jersey home contains prebiotic molecules

A meteorite that crashed into a New Jersey home in July 2024 has been found to contain prebiotic molecules and other essential components for life, according to a study in Science Advances. The meteorite, identified as a rare CM1/2 carbonaceous chondrite, is considered one of the most scientifically valuable meteorites recovered. Some fragments will be preserved at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

Felt-tip pen and plastic piece from Apollo 11 auctioned for $857,600

At a Sotheby's auction on July 15, 2026, a felt-tip pen and a piece of molded plastic associated with the Apollo 11 mission sold for $857,600. The pen was used to address a critical malfunction during the mission, highlighting its significance in the successful return of the astronauts.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

SpaceX plans Starship's 13th test flight for Thursday

SpaceX is set to conduct the 13th test flight of its Starship spacecraft on Thursday, featuring the deployment of 20 Starlink Version 3 satellites. The flight aims to test laser communication links between the new satellites and existing Starlink systems.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

China successfully recovers its first reusable orbital-class rocket

On July 10, 2026, China announced the successful recovery of its first reusable orbital-class rocket booster in the South China Sea. The Long March 10B rocket launched from Hainan Island and successfully landed on an offshore vessel, marking a significant milestone in China's space program.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.50
Scientific American

China's Long March 10B Rocket Launches and Recovers First Stage Booster

China's Long March 10B rocket was launched on July 10, 2026, successfully recovering its first-stage booster. This event represents a significant milestone in China's space program and highlights the ongoing rivalry in space exploration with the United States.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.00
Fox News — Latest

NASA Administrator Confirms Agency Has Unexplained UFO Imagery

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed the agency has captured images of unidentified objects that remain unexplained. He expressed confidence that humans may eventually conclude the existence of life beyond Earth, although he did not claim the images are proof of extraterrestrial life. NASA continues to seek more data to understand these phenomena.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

City Labs Launches Satellite BOHR, Advancing Nuclear Power in Space

City Labs successfully launched its satellite BOHR on July 8, 2026, as part of a SpaceX mission. This launch represents progress in the field of nuclear micro-power technology for space, with potential implications for future lunar and interplanetary missions.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

Katalyst Space Technologies Launches Mission to Rescue NASA's Swift Satellite

Katalyst Space Technologies has launched a mission to rescue NASA's Swift satellite, which is in danger of losing its orbit. This mission, the first of its kind, follows a contract awarded by NASA to Katalyst in September 2025. The Link satellite is now successfully in orbit, completing a project that usually takes several years in under a year.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.10
Ars Technica

Katalyst Space Technologies Initiates Mission to Rescue NASA's Swift Satellite

Katalyst Space Technologies has launched a mission to rescue NASA's Swift satellite, which is in danger of falling out of orbit. The mission, initiated on July 4th, follows a contract awarded by NASA to Katalyst in September 2025, and the Link satellite has successfully reached orbit in a notably short timeframe.

Bias: 4 Sentiment: +0.10
Washington Examiner

NASA Assists Investigation into Blue Origin Rocket Explosion

NASA is assisting in the investigation of the Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explosion that occurred on May 28, 2026. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed the agency's support in resolving the issues related to the incident while emphasizing the importance of continuing progress on the Blue Moon lander for the Artemis program.

Bias: 30 Sentiment: +0.10