Tag: Low Earth Orbit
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Seven Chinese Private Companies Building the Optical Backbone for Satellite Networks
China’s commercial space sector is moving satellite laser communications from isolated technology demonstrations toward multi-satellite networking and batch production. Recent milestones include a 400Gbps intersatellite transmission, 11 optical links connecting a 12-satellite space-computing cluster, and a bidirectional gigabit-class laser link between the ground and a geostationary satellite more than 40,000 kilometers away. Laser communications can…
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The Exploration Company Raises $450 Million for Nyx Space Capsule and Storm Rocket Engine
European space logistics startup The Exploration Company has raised $450 million (€387 million) in Series C funding to advance its reusable Nyx cargo capsule and Storm rocket engine. Announced on September 8, the financing brings the company’s total funding since its establishment in 2021 to approximately $680 million. The round was co-led by U.S. venture…
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SpaceX launches 27 Starlink satellites on 103rd Falcon 9 mission of 2026 (Video)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sept. 6, 2026. It was the 80th Starlink satellite mission of the 2026. Credit: SpaceX SpaceX launched 27 Starlink broadband satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on September 6, 2026,…
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Cowboy Space Takes 291,035-Square-Foot Seattle-Area Site for Orbital Data Center and Rocket Production
Cowboy Space has leased a 291,035-square-foot industrial facility in Kent, Washington, to manufacture rockets and spacecraft for its proposed Stampede orbital AI data center constellation, giving the California-based startup a large production base near Seattle’s established aerospace workforce. Newmark, which arranged the transaction for landlord CenterPoint Properties, said the agreement is the largest industrial lease…
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SpaceX Clears Florida Launch Capacity for Starship by Moving Falcon 9 Starlink Missions West
SpaceX has consolidated its remaining Falcon 9 Starlink launches at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, ending the constellation’s Falcon 9 campaign from Florida as it prepares the Space Coast for Starship-Super Heavy operations. The operational shift removes a large volume of routine Starlink missions from SpaceX’s Florida schedule, freeing launch infrastructure, personnel and range…
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Isar Aerospace to Launch Astroscale’s ADRAS-J2 Mission to Capture and Remove Three-Ton Space Debris
Astroscale Japan has selected Isar Aerospace to launch ADRAS-J2, a robotic spacecraft designed to capture and deorbit a three-ton abandoned rocket stage. The mission is intended to become the first to remove an existing large piece of orbital debris that was not designed for servicing or retrieval. The companies announced the launch agreement on September…
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SpaceX Launches 27 Starlink Satellites as Falcon 9 Booster Completes 35th Flight (Video)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sept. 2, 2026 at 1:42 a.m. PT (4:42 a.m. ET). Credit: SpaceX SpaceX launched 27 Starlink broadband satellites from California on September 2, extending the company’s low Earth orbit communications network while…
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After the Rocket: How Electric Propulsion Moves Satellites
A successful rocket launch is followed by satellite separation. At this point, many people assume the mission is essentially complete: the rocket has delivered the satellite into space, and the satellite only needs to power on and begin operations. However, for many low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation missions, the orbit delivered by the rocket is…
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Why Are Satellites “Oxidized” in Near Vacuum? How Aggressive Is Atomic Oxygen and How Can It Be Prevented?
A satellite entering low Earth orbit (LEO) may lead people to assume that there is almost no atmosphere outside, so how could oxygen still exist? However, for spacecraft operating in LEO, oxygen is not only present but can become one of the most challenging environmental factors for materials. It can gradually thin polyimide films, create…
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NASA Chief Floats Orbital Data Centers as AI Infrastructure Push Extends Into Space
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has publicly endorsed the idea of placing data centers in orbit, arguing that space-based computing infrastructure could eventually address growing concerns over the energy consumption, land use, and local opposition associated with terrestrial AI facilities. Speaking on a recent podcast appearance, Isaacman suggested that future data centers could take advantage of…