Washington DC (SPX) Jan 03, 2026
Simultaneous ground- and space-based observations of a newly discovered free-floating planet have enabled direct measurement of its mass and distance from Earth, according to a new study. The findings offer insights into the diverse and dynamic pathways by which planets can be cast adrift into interstellar space. Although studies to date have only revealed a handful of such free-floating p

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 03, 2026
On 17 December, two Galileo satellites lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, aboard an Ariane 6 rocket, marking the 14th launch dedicated to Europe's Galileo constellation and reinforcing European satellite navigation capacity, resilience and autonomy. The spacecraft, designated SAT 33 and SAT 34, were launched at 06:01 CET and separated from the launcher after a fli

SpaceX plans to lower the orbits of some of its Starlink satellites, a move the company says is intended to improve space safety following two recent incidents.

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 01, 2026
Anysignal has raised 24 million dollars in a Series A financing round to expand development of autonomous radio frequency sensing technology aimed at mission critical space and national security applications. The company develops software defined systems that use artificial intelligence to sense, identify, and manage radio frequency signals across contested and congested electromagnetic en

Sydney, Australia (SPX) Jan 01, 2026
A collaboration led by Macquarie University has reconstructed how errors develop and spread inside working quantum computers, revealing that noise can link events across time rather than appearing as isolated random faults. The researchers show that small inaccuracies in quantum processors can linger, evolve and correlate across different computational steps, creating a form of temporal me

Los Angeles CA (SPX) Jan 01, 2026
The Space Development Agency has selected four contractor teams to build and operate 72 Tracking Layer satellites for Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture in low Earth orbit, under agreements valued at approximately 3.5 billion dollars. The awards, issued under Other Transaction Authority, go to Lockheed Martin of Sunnyvale California, Rocket Lab USA of Long Beach Ca

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 01, 2026
The German Aerospace Center has successfully completed ground roll tests of HAP alpha, an uncrewed high altitude solar powered aircraft designed to operate in the lower stratosphere for extended periods, marking a key milestone toward future flight testing. Ground roll tests verified the aircraft's steering, braking, propulsion response, and ground handling behavior under realistic operati

Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 01, 2026
ESA reports that its Proba-3 mission has achieved autonomous formation flying in orbit with millimetre-level precision. Ian Carnelli, ESA Head of Systems Department, stated: "Proba-3 proves that bold in-orbit experimentation is essential to turning breakthrough ideas into real space capabilities. ESA does not just design innovation, it flies it". Proba-3 operates as two spacecraft fl

Paris, France (SPX) Jan 01, 2026
Many launchers and satellites rely on separate propulsion systems for major orbital maneuvers and for attitude control, with the latter provided by compact reaction control thrusters that steer and stabilise the vehicle. Spanish firm Arkadia Space has developed a new 250 newton monopropellant reaction control thruster, designated ARIEL, for use on reusable European launchers and other spac