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Blue Origin Identifies Cause of New Glenn Explosion as BE-4 Oxygen Valve

Blue Origin Identifies Cause of New Glenn Explosion as BE-4 Oxygen Valve

Blue Origin has traced the cause of an explosion during a hotfire test of its New Glenn rocket to the main oxygen valve of one of its BE-4 engines. The incident occurred on May 28 at Launch Complex 36, prior to New Glenn's planned fourth orbital mission. The company has not yet detailed the specific failure mode within the valve, and the fault-tree analysis is ongoing. The BE-4 engine, which uses liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas, powers both New Glenn's booster and the first stage of United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket.
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European Commission Expands IRIS² Constellation, Increasing Cost by 47%

European Commission Expands IRIS² Constellation, Increasing Cost by 47%

The European Commission has finalized an agreement with the SpaceRISE industrial consortium to expand the IRIS² constellation, a secure connectivity project. Initially estimated at 10.6 billion euros, the cost has now risen to 15.6 billion euros, marking a 47% increase. The expansion includes adding 66 satellites to the high low Earth orbit (LEO) shell, enhancing defense, security, and safety services. The project, led by satellite operators Eutelsat, Hispasat, and SES, aims to boost secure governmental capacity by over 60% within the EU. The constellation's launch is scheduled for 2029, with funding from the European Commission, the European Space Agency, and contributions from EU member states.
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ESA Invites Innovators to Test Software on Hera's Deep Space Mission

ESA Invites Innovators to Test Software on Hera's Deep Space Mission

The European Space Agency (ESA) is offering European researchers and companies the opportunity to run innovative software on its Hera mission, which is set to complete its primary planetary defense goals around the Didymos and Dimorphos asteroids by mid-2027. The mission will then transition into a flying software laboratory, allowing for the testing of next-generation onboard intelligence and AI-based operations. This initiative aims to accelerate European innovation in space technology by providing a platform for testing new approaches in a real mission environment.
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Scientists Utilize Total Solar Eclipse in Spain to Study Sun's Mysteries

Scientists Utilize Total Solar Eclipse in Spain to Study Sun's Mysteries

Scientists are preparing to study a total solar eclipse that will be visible in northern Spain on August 12. This event provides a rare opportunity to observe the sun's corona and chromosphere, which are typically obscured by the sun's bright light. The eclipse will allow researchers to examine the sun's magnetic field and atmospheric conditions, which can lead to solar storms affecting Earth. Historically, solar eclipses have been pivotal in scientific discoveries, such as confirming Einstein's theory of relativity. The upcoming eclipse will last for a minute and 40 seconds, offering a brief but valuable window for scientific observation.
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NASA Joins Artemis III Orion Crew and Service Modules for Lunar Mission

NASA Joins Artemis III Orion Crew and Service Modules for Lunar Mission

NASA has successfully joined the Orion crew and service modules for the upcoming Artemis III mission. This assembly took place on July 30, 2026, at the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The crew module is designed to carry and sustain astronauts Randy Bresnik, Andre Douglas, Frank Rubio, and ESA astronaut Luca Parmitano. The service module will provide power and propulsion for the Orion spacecraft. The mission aims to test rendezvous and docking capabilities with commercial human landing systems from Blue Origin and SpaceX, marking a significant step in NASA's efforts to return humans to the Moon.
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SpaceX Prepares for Starlink Satellite Launch from Vandenberg Base

SpaceX Prepares for Starlink Satellite Launch from Vandenberg Base

SpaceX Prepares for Starlink Satellite Launch from Vandenberg Base
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SpaceX Rocket Debris Crashes into Moon After Year in Space

SpaceX Rocket Debris Crashes into Moon After Year in Space

A piece of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which had been floating in space since January 2025, is believed to have crashed into the moon on August 5, 2026. The rocket's second stage, weighing four metric tons, was on a trajectory to impact the moon's surface at high speed, traveling at 5,400 miles per hour. The impact was expected to occur at Einstein Crater on the moon's western limb. This event was unintentional, as the rocket stage had been left in space after a lunar lander mission required more thrust than usual. Astronomers had determined earlier this year that the stage was on a collision course with the moon due to a combination of solar activity and gravitational forces.
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SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket with AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Satellites from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket with AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Satellites from Cape Canaveral

SpaceX Launches Falcon 9 Rocket with AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Satellites from Cape Canaveral
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Starfighters Space Backs Legislation to Enhance NASA Infrastructure

Starfighters Space Backs Legislation to Enhance NASA Infrastructure

Starfighters Space, a commercial space company operating at Kennedy Space Center, has announced its support for the Space Ready 2.0 Act. This legislation, introduced by Congressman Mike Haridopolos and Senator Ashley Moody, seeks to authorize NASA to collaborate with public and private entities to modernize shared infrastructure at NASA centers. The act proposes a pilot program that allows voluntary contributions from private companies towards infrastructure projects, without creating new federal spending. Starfighters Space, which operates a fleet of Mach 2+ supersonic aircraft, emphasizes the importance of modern infrastructure to support its operations and the broader space industry.
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NASA Could Accept Private Funds Under New Space Infrastructure Bills

NASA Could Accept Private Funds Under New Space Infrastructure Bills

NASA Could Accept Private Funds Under New Space Infrastructure Bills
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SpaceX's Crew Dragon Future Raises Concerns Amid Transition to Starship

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Future Raises Concerns Amid Transition to Starship

SpaceX's Crew Dragon Future Raises Concerns Amid Transition to Starship
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SpaceX Rocket Part Allegedly Crashes into Moon, Raising Concerns

SpaceX Rocket Part Allegedly Crashes into Moon, Raising Concerns

A part of a SpaceX rocket is believed to have crashed into the moon, according to recent observations by a Chilean telescope. This incident highlights the growing concerns over space debris and its potential impacts on lunar and other celestial bodies. The crash is thought to have created a cloud of dust, which was detected by the telescope. This event underscores the challenges faced by space agencies and private companies in managing the increasing amount of debris in space, which can pose risks to both current and future space missions.