Satellogic
May 26 — Satellogic secured a defense-monitoring contract worth over **$18 million** to track military development and infrastructure using its Earth observation constellation.
SPACEHAUS · Commercial space intelligence
Space Industry Weekly Briefing — 2026-05-26
Commercial space news and intelligence for the week ending 2026-05-26.
Week ending
Contracts, Awards & Government Activity
Rocket Lab
May 25 — The U.S. Space Force awarded Rocket Lab a **$90 million** contract to build two satellites that will host payloads designed to track objects in geosynchronous orbit.
Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships
Orbit Fab
May 26 — Orbit Fab and Thales Alenia Space (UK) announced a partnership to study refueling solutions for electric-propulsion satellites, aiming to extend satellite lifespans through in-orbit servicing.
Exolaunch
May 26 — Exolaunch and SEOPS purchased Falcon 9 launches from SpaceX for dedicated rideshare missions. SEOPS will begin its Waymaker LEO rideshare services in **2028**.
Launch Activity & Mission Milestones
SpaceX
May 26 — SpaceX launched Starship V3 for the first time in its 12th flight test, with mixed results that advanced the program in some areas while encountering setbacks in others.
May 26 — SpaceX launched its **60th Falcon 9** mission of 2026, deploying 24 Starlink satellites (mission Starlink 17-37) from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The company's IPO prospectus suggests ambitions to reach **10,000 launches annually**.
May 26 — Code in recent Starlink firmware suggests SpaceX may soon release a battery-powered version of its Starlink Mini dish, offering untethered portability for vanlifers, emergency responders, and users requiring fast internet from remote locations.
China National Space Administration
May 25 — China launched the Shenzhou-23 mission carrying three astronauts to the Tiangong space station for a record **year-long stay**, marking a significant milestone in China's human spaceflight program.
Industry Context
European Smallsat Industry
May 26 — Regulations and access to capital continue to hinder Europe's smallsat industry, creating ongoing challenges for European space startups and manufacturers competing in the global market.
Canadian Space Agency
May 25 — The Canadian Space Agency is shifting to agile procurement practices and has reset its WildFireSat mission timeline, aiming to accelerate development cycles and improve responsiveness.
NASA
May 26 — NASA released its 2026 Civil Space Shortfall Ranking list, consolidating input from over **450 responses** from industry, government, and universities to identify technology development priorities for upcoming exploration and science missions.
China Space Debris
May 26 — China continues to leave rocket bodies in high low Earth orbit at an increasing rate, adding to space debris concerns despite international calls for responsible space operations.
Additional Updates
Mega Engine
May 26 — Chinese startup Mega Engine advanced its reusable staged-combustion rocket engine through successful testing, marking progress in China's commercial reusable launch vehicle development.
Viasat
May 25 — Viasat demonstrated Uzbekistan's first satellite-enabled smartphone messaging, showcasing direct-to-device connectivity capabilities in collaboration with local partners.
DARPA
May 25 — DARPA is preparing to launch its robotic deep-space repair satellite in **summer 2026** to extend the operational life of geosynchronous satellites through in-orbit servicing.
ORBITInsure
May 26 — ORBITInsure launched **Warren AI™**, an AI-native underwriting engine designed specifically for the space economy to streamline insurance processes and risk assessment.