SPACEHAUS · Commercial space intelligence
Commercial space news and intelligence for the week ending 2026-05-11.
Week ending
May 11 — Cowboy Space raised **$275 million** at a **$2 billion valuation** to build rockets with upper stages that convert into orbital data centers once in low Earth orbit. The company emerged from stealth less than two years ago as Aetherflux, originally focused on space-based solar power before pivoting to orbital data center infrastructure.
May 11 — LiveEO completed a **€28 million Series B2** funding round. The company is focused on satellite-based infrastructure monitoring using agentic AI technology.
May 11 — U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) awarded SkyFi a contract to build tactical Earth observation imagery tools for special operations forces.
May 11 — EarthDaily Analytics launched **6 new satellites** and secured a contract win with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The constellation expansion enhances the company's Earth observation capabilities.
May 11 — Rocket Lab announced the acquisition of Motiv Space Systems, adding Mars-proven robotics heritage and capability to its portfolio. Motiv has heritage in robotic systems for planetary exploration missions.
May 11 — Globalstar reworked its service agreement with Apple to reflect Amazon's purchase of the satellite operator. The company is preparing for the imminent launch of **9 fleet-refreshment satellites** to upgrade its constellation.
May 10 — The European Space Agency (ESA) and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) finalized a collaboration agreement for the Ramses mission to study asteroid Apophis during its close Earth flyby in 2029. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2028.
May 11 — China launched the Tianzhou-10 cargo spacecraft late Sunday, which successfully docked with the Tiangong space station hours later. The mission delivered supplies, equipment, experiments, and propellant to the orbital outpost.
May 11 — NASA's Psyche spacecraft will perform a gravity assist flyby of Mars on May 15, passing within **2,800 miles** of the planet. The maneuver will reshape the spacecraft's trajectory toward the metal-rich asteroid Psyche and provide the first full instrument calibration run.
May 10 — Administrators FRP revealed that Scottish rocket firm Orbex was burning through **£2 million per month** before entering administration in February 2026, having accumulated losses of nearly **£73.3 million** despite receiving more than **£130 million** in public and private funding.
May 11 — NASA's former chief of staff returned to the agency in a new role overseeing launch operations, a move that raised some concerns on Capitol Hill regarding the leadership transition.
May 7 — NASA began using a full-scale replica of Blue Origin's commercial lunar lander at Johnson Space Center. The training mockup supports crew training and testing as NASA and industry partners prepare for future Artemis missions.
May 11 — Spire Global opened a new facility in Munich, Germany to support German space-based intelligence capabilities. The facility expands the company's European footprint and government services presence.