SPACE.HAUS — WEEKLY INTEL BRIEFING Thursday, April 30, 2026 ============================================================ Sources scanned: 50 Companies with news: 29 Funding activity: $868M+ Top story: York Space acquires ALL.SPACE for $355M Canonical: https://space.haus/briefings/2026-04-30.html Interactive: https://space.haus/briefing/2026-04-30 FUNDING ROUNDS & INVESTMENT ACTIVITY ------------------------------------ Cosmoleap — N/A [FUNDING] • Apr 30 — Cosmoleap secured $73 million in funding for its reusable rocket featuring tower catch recovery technology, similar to SpaceX's approach. This early demonstration reached power levels higher than any previous U.S. electric propulsion test. (https://spacenews.com/cosmoleap-secures-73-million-for-reusable-rocket-with-tower-catch-recovery/) Seraphim Space Investment Trust — London, United Kingdom [FUNDING] • Apr 29 — Seraphim Space Investment Trust is raising up to £350 million (approximately $437 million) in one of the largest fundraises ever attempted by a UK investment trust. The fund has backed 45 space technology companies since 2021, with nine reaching unicorn status. (https://orbitaltoday.com/2026/04/29/the-uk-fund-betting-350m-on-the-space-boom/) Orbcomm — N/A [FUNDING] • Apr 29 — Orbcomm completed a $460 million refinancing package to support growth initiatives, large-scale customer deployments, and platform expansion. (https://www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2026/04/29/orbcomm-completes-460m-refinancing-to-fund-growth/) CONTRACTS, AWARDS & GOVERNMENT ACTIVITY --------------------------------------- U.S. Space Force — Washington, D.C. [CONTRACT] • Apr 29 — U.S. Space Force selected multiple firms to build counter-surveillance payloads for satellites in geostationary orbit, enhancing the nation's space domain awareness capabilities. (https://spacenews.com/space-force-selects-firms-to-build-counter-surveillance-payloads-for-satellites/) Spire Global — San Francisco, CA [CONTRACT] • Apr 30 — Canadian Space Agency canceled its satellite contract with Spire Global for the WildFireSat constellation. The government remains committed to the wildfire-monitoring program and will seek alternative solutions. (https://spacenews.com/canadian-space-agency-cancels-spire-satellite-contract/) NASA — Washington, D.C. [CONTRACT] • Apr 29 — House Appropriations Committee is poised to reject Trump Administration's proposed deep cuts to NASA's budget for FY2027, recommending $24.4 billion instead, maintaining current funding levels. (https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/house-appropriators-poised-to-reject-proposed-nasa-budget-cuts/) U.S. Space Command — Peterson Space Force Base, CO [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 30 — USSPACECOM took operational control of a new facility in Huntsville, Alabama for its Joint Intelligence Support Element (JISE) team, expanding its operational footprint. (https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/usspacecom-takes-operational-control-of-new-facility-in-huntsville-alabama-for-its-jise-team/) Morocco — Rabat, Morocco [PARTNERSHIP] • Apr 30 — Morocco signed the Artemis Accords, becoming the latest nation to join the U.S.-led framework for peaceful and responsible space exploration. (https://spacenews.com/morocco-signs-the-artemis-accords/) MERGERS, ACQUISITIONS & PARTNERSHIPS ------------------------------------ York Space Systems — Denver, CO [M&A] • Apr 30 — York Space Systems announced plans to acquire ALL.SPACE, a satcom terminal manufacturer, for $355 million. The acquisition will expand York's vertical integration into ground segment capabilities. (https://spacenews.com/york-space-to-buy-satcom-terminal-manufacturer-all-space/) Planet Labs — San Francisco, CA [PARTNERSHIP] • Apr 30 — Planet Labs and Carbon Mapper announced plans to fly the SWIR Tanager sensor for advanced methane and greenhouse gas detection from space, enhancing environmental monitoring capabilities. (https://spacenews.com/planet-and-carbon-mapper-to-fly-swir-tanager/) Sateliot — Barcelona, Spain [PARTNERSHIP] • Apr 30 — Sateliot and Telefónica joined forces to deliver satellite 5G connectivity to strategic sectors, expanding NB-IoT and 5G coverage through satellite-cellular network integration. (https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/sateliot-and-telefonica-join-forces-to-bring-satellite-5g-connectivity-to-strategic-sectors/) Global Invacom — N/A [PARTNERSHIP] • Apr 29 — Global Invacom secured exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the Prodelin antenna range, expanding its satellite ground equipment portfolio. (https://satnews.com/2026/04/29/global-invacom-secures-exclusive-worldwide-distribution-for-prodelin-antenna-range/) Ethiopia Space Science Society — Addis Ababa, Ethiopia [PARTNERSHIP] • Apr 30 — Ethiopia Space Science Society (ESSS) and Japan's Cross U signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen space cooperation and grow Ethiopia's local space economy through technology transfer and collaboration. (https://orbitaltoday.com/2026/04/30/ethiopia-and-japan-strengthen-space-ties-with-mou/) LAUNCH ACTIVITY & MISSION MILESTONES ------------------------------------ SpaceX — Hawthorne, CA [LAUNCH] • Apr 29 — Falcon Heavy launched the final ViaSat-3 F3 satellite, completing Viasat's trio of terabit-class GEO satellites. This was the 12th Falcon Heavy launch to date and the first in 18 months. The 6-ton satellite will provide high-speed broadband across Asia-Pacific. (https://spacenews.com/falcon-heavy-launches-final-viasat-3-terabit-class-satellite/) • Apr 29 — Falcon 9 launched 24 Starlink satellites (mission Starlink 17-36) from Vandenberg Space Force Base, marking SpaceX's 51st Falcon 9 launch of 2026. Liftoff occurred at 7:42 PM PDT. (https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/04/29/live-coverage-spacex-to-launch-24-starlink-satellites-on-falcon-9-rocket-from-vandenberg-sfb-6/) • Apr 29 — A spent Falcon 9 rocket stage from a 2025 launch is projected to impact the moon's near side in August 2026, according to amateur astronomer tracking data. (https://spacenews.com/falcon-9-rocket-stage-projected-to-impact-moons-near-side-in-august/) Ariane Group — Paris, France [LAUNCH] • Apr 30 — Europe's Ariane 6 rocket successfully launched 32 Amazon LEO satellites (flight VA268) with four P120C boosters. This was the second four-booster configuration flight. Liftoff occurred at 9:57 AM UTC from French Guiana. (https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/europe-ariane-6-rocket-launch-32-amazon-leo-satellites-va267) NanoAvionics — Vilnius, Lithuania [LAUNCH] • Apr 29 — NanoAvionics announced it will launch three milestone payloads on the upcoming SpaceX CAS500-2 mission, advancing its technology demonstration capabilities. (https://satnews.com/2026/04/29/nanoavionics-to-launch-trio-of-milestone-payloads-on-spacex-cas500-2-mission/) EarthDaily Analytics — N/A [LAUNCH] • Apr 29 — EarthDaily Analytics is approaching the launch of six satellites later this quarter, which will enable the company to enter commercial service. CEO Don Osborne previewed the upcoming milestone. (https://www.satellitetoday.com/partner-content/2026/04/29/earthdaily-ceo-don-osborne-previews-upcoming-launch-in-thursday-morning-conversation/) NASA — Washington, D.C. [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 29 — President Trump hosted the Artemis 2 moon astronauts at the White House, congratulating the crew and discussing the mission. The President mused about the possibility of going to space himself. (https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/trump-invited-the-artemis-2-moon-astronauts-to-the-oval-office-heres-what-happened) • Apr 28 — NASA successfully tested a lithium-fed magnetoplasmadynamic thruster on February 24, reaching power levels higher than any previous U.S. electric propulsion test. This milestone supports future deep-space propulsion development. (https://orbitaltoday.com/2026/04/30/nasa-tests-lithium-fed-magnetoplasmadynamic-thruster/) International Space Station — Low Earth Orbit [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 29 — ISS module cracking issues remain unresolved despite successfully stopping air leaks. NASA and Roscosmos continue to monitor the structural integrity of the aging Russian segment. (https://spacenews.com/iss-module-cracking-still-unresolved-despite-stopping-air-leaks/) INDUSTRY CONTEXT ---------------- Sky Perfect JSat — Tokyo, Japan [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 29 — Sky Perfect JSat reported space revenue up 7.9% in FY 2025 with increased profitability. The company projects national security programs to grow at 30% CAGR through 2030. (https://www.spaceintelreport.com/sky-perfect-jsat-space-revenue-up-7-9-in-fy-2025-profit-up-too-national-security-programs-at-30-cagr-through-2030/) T-Mobile & AT&T — N/A [PARTNERSHIP] • Apr 29 — T-Mobile and AT&T executives stated that satellite direct-to-device (D2D) service is complementary to terrestrial networks and both carriers plan to use multiple satellite providers. They emphasized satellite providers will not become future MVNOs. (https://www.spaceintelreport.com/t-mobile-theyre-not-future-mvnos/) FCC — Washington, D.C. [CONTRACT] • Apr 30 — The FCC is scheduled to vote on April 30 to replace 1990s-era EPFD (Equivalent Power Flux Density) limits, modernizing regulations for non-geostationary satellite systems. Industry observers note this formalizes existing waiver practices. (https://satnews.com/2026/04/29/the-waiver-was-the-policy-thursday-is-the-paperwork/) Canada — Ottawa, Canada [CONTRACT] • Apr 29 — Canada tightened re-entry regulations as SpaceX Starlink constellation satellites increasingly deorbit. The new rules address growing concerns about satellite debris re-entry frequency and safety. (https://satnews.com/2026/04/29/canada-tightens-re-entry-regulations-as-spacex-starlink-constellations-descend/) ADDITIONAL UPDATES ------------------ CATALYST — N/A [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 30 — CATALYST unveiled its UrbanSAR satellite product for city skylines, offering advanced synthetic aperture radar capabilities for urban infrastructure monitoring and movement detection. (https://payloadspace.com/catalyst-unveils-its-sat-product-for-city-skylines/) Rocket Lab — Long Beach, CA [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 30 — Rocket Lab unveiled the ST-HP star tracker, optimized for accuracy in increased radiation environments, enhancing attitude determination for satellites in challenging orbital regimes. (https://spacewatch.global/2026/04/rocket-lab-unveils-new-star-tracker-st-hp-optimized-for-accuracy-in-increased-radiation-environments/) Bright Ascension — Scotland, United Kingdom [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 29 — Bright Ascension finalized a leadership transition with John Baughn appointed as CEO, marking a new chapter for the satellite operations software provider. (https://satnews.com/2026/04/29/bright-ascension-finalizes-leadership-transition-with-john-baughn-as-ceo/) Sierra Space — Louisville, CO [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 30 — Sierra Space elected retired U.S. Space Force Lt. Gen. John E. Shaw to its board of directors, adding national security space expertise to its governance. (https://www.sierraspace.com/press-releases/sierra-space-elects-retired-lieutenant-general-john-e-shaw-to-board-of-directors/) Exploration Labs — California [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 30 — Exploration Labs proposed Apophis EX, the first commercial deep space rideshare mission, to rendezvous with potentially hazardous asteroid Apophis for planetary defense research. (https://www.space.com/space-exploration/asteroid-comet-missions/this-is-going-to-be-what-makes-the-earth-secure-how-one-california-company-plans-to-protect-us-from-dangerous-asteroids) ESA — Paris, France [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 30 — ESA completed sterilization testing of ExoMars Rosalind Franklin rover's 35-meter diameter parachute through a specialized bake-out process, ensuring planetary protection compliance for the Mars mission. (https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2026/04/Baking_a_parachute_for_Mars) NASA JPL — Pasadena, CA [OPS UPDATE] • Apr 29 — The U.S.-Indian NISAR satellite mission mapped extreme subsidence in Mexico City, identifying areas sinking by more than half an inch per month due to groundwater pumping. (https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/us-indian-space-mission-maps-extreme-subsidence-in-mexico-city) ============================================================ Generated by space.haus · AI-curated from 50+ industry sources. Verify before making business decisions.