SPACE.HAUS · WEEKLY INTEL BRIEFING

Space Industry Weekly Briefing — Friday, July 31, 2026

Weekly intelligence briefing for the commercial space industry, week ending Friday, July 31, 2026. 71 stories across 6 categories including Funding Rounds & Investment Activity, Contracts, Awards & Government Activity, Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships, Launch Activity & Mission Milestones, Industry Context, Additional Updates. AI-curated by space.haus from 50+ industry sources.

Sources scanned: 50
Companies with news: 71
Funding activity: $0
Top story: FCC overhauls satellite licensing process

Funding Rounds & Investment Activity

K2 Space — N/A

FUNDING

Jul 30 — K2 Space raised $500 million in a Series D funding round, valuing the commercial and defense satellite company at $6.8 billion. The funds will be used to expand both commercial and defense satellite capabilities. Source

Outlier Space — New Zealand

FUNDING

Jul 29 — Outlier Space raised $7.3 million to develop New Zealand's first reentry vehicle. The company aims to provide cost-effective return capabilities from orbit. Source

Chinese SSA Startup (unnamed) — China

FUNDING

Jul 29 — A Chinese startup developing a space situational awareness constellation announced raising funds, joining the commercial rush into SSA services. Specific funding amount and company name were not disclosed. Source

NordSpace & NVD — Canada

FUNDING PARTNERSHIP

Jul 31 — NordSpace provided funding to NVD amid Canada's push to expand its space export capabilities. The partnership supports Canada's broader commercial space ecosystem development. Source

Array Labs — N/A

FUNDING

Jul 29 — Array Labs raised an additional $21 million in strategic investment, anchored by Mitsubishi Electric. The funding will support the company's SAR imaging capabilities. Source

Contracts, Awards & Government Activity

SpaceX — Hawthorne, CA

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — SpaceX won $1.6 billion in launch contracts for military satellite networks under the National Security Space Launch program. The contracts will support deployment of classified defense satellite constellations. Source

All Points — N/A

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — Space Force awarded All Points a $250 million contract to expand satellite processing facilities at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The expansion will support increased launch cadence for national security missions. Source

Sphinx Defense — N/A

CONTRACT

Jul 27 — Sphinx Defense secured a $287 million contract for strategic satellite communications software. The contract supports critical infrastructure for military satellite networks. Source

Rocket Lab — Long Beach, CA

CONTRACT

Jul 30 — Rocket Lab won another launch contract from Japan's iQPS Earth observation constellation. This continues Rocket Lab's relationship with the Japanese satellite imaging program. Source
Jul 28 — Rocket Lab secured a $266 million launch contract that includes expanding operations to Alaska. The contract supports U.S. government missions requiring high-inclination and polar orbits. Source

Aalyria — N/A

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — ESA selected Aalyria to build a deep-space network hub using the company's Spacetime network orchestration technology. The system will support multi-orbit constellation communications. Source

Advanced Space — Westminster, CO

CONTRACT

Jul 28 — NASA selected Advanced Space's CAPSTONE 02 mission as the successor to the original CAPSTONE lunar mission. The mission will continue testing operations in a near-rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon. Source

FAA — Washington, DC

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — The FAA proposed a rule that would exempt commercial launch licensing from certain environmental regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The proposal aims to accelerate launch approvals and reduce regulatory bottlenecks. Source

Rocket Lab — Long Beach, CA

CONTRACT LAUNCH

Jul 28 — Rocket Lab received a $266 million contract from the U.S. Space Force, the company's largest-ever launch award, calling for at least 12 suborbital launches for missile defense testing. Rocket Lab is establishing a new launch site in Alaska to support this mission. Source
Jul 31 — Rocket Lab secured a multi-launch deal with iQPS for three dedicated missions using its Electron rocket. Source

Planet Labs — San Francisco, CA

CONTRACT

Jul 30 — Planet Labs' German subsidiary won a one-year, seven-figure contract with the Scottish Government through reseller Computacenter to provide agricultural data and imagery services. Source

Thales Alenia Space — Cannes, France

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — Thales Alenia Space secured a platform development contract from the Italian Space Agency for Italy's PRISMA Second Generation hyperspectral Earth observation mission. The contract is part of an OHB Italia-led consortium. Source

HawkEye 360 — Herndon, VA

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — HawkEye 360 was awarded a multi-year contract to enhance maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean region using its RF geolocation satellite constellation. Source

SES — Luxembourg

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — SES will connect more than 60 Airbus and Embraer aircraft for LATAM Airlines with multi-orbit in-flight connectivity over the next few years. Source

Amazon — Seattle, WA

CONTRACT

Jul 27 — Amazon filed an FCC application to launch a new LEO constellation of 5,105 satellites for direct-to-device services (voice, messaging, data, emergency services), with deployment planned to begin in 2028. Amazon says it will partner with mobile network operators and work in tandem with Globalstar's next-generation network. Source

Terran Orbital — Irvine, CA

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — Selected to provide the spacecraft platform, mission operations, and launch integration support for CAPSTONE 02, a NASA-sponsored lunar mission led by Advanced Space. The mission will advance autonomous spacecraft operations in cislunar space. Source

Mergers, Acquisitions & Partnerships

Fortastra & Hadrian — N/A

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 29 — Fortastra and Hadrian announced a partnership to streamline satellite production using automated manufacturing technologies. The collaboration aims to reduce production time and costs for satellite components. Source

ORBES & Symphony Space — N/A

PARTNERSHIP OPS UPDATE

Jul 27 — ORBES unveiled its Exo-ORB satellite servicing spacecraft and announced an agreement with Symphony Space. Exo-ORB will provide on-orbit maintenance, refueling, and life extension services for satellites. Source

LatConnect 60 — Western Australia

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 29 — LatConnect 60 announced acceleration of its SWIRSAT constellation growth, anchored in Western Australia with expansion into Malaysia and UAE. The partnerships support regional satellite connectivity and Earth observation capabilities. Source

Sophia Space & Caltech — N/A

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Sophia Space and Caltech announced they have been granted a patent for space-based data center technology. The patent covers key aspects of operating computational infrastructure in orbit. Source

Quantum Space — N/A

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine joined Quantum Space in a senior role. Bridenstine discussed his new position and the company's plans for cislunar space infrastructure. Source

Fortastra — N/A

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 30 — Spacecraft manufacturer Fortastra and industrial manufacturer Hadrian signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a framework for technical collaboration to build advanced spacecraft for urgent national security space missions. Source

Sophia Space — N/A

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 30 — Sophia Space and Caltech collaboratively issued Patent No. 12,679,564 titled 'Space-Based Data Centers,' covering architectures for large-scale, modular orbital data centers. The patent was filed in October 2024 and issued on July 14, 2026. Source

AccelerComm — N/A

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 30 — AccelerComm announced it is powering Eclipse Space's 5G physical layer architecture for sovereign satellite constellations, enabling advanced communications capabilities. Source

Global Konet — South Korea

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 29 — Global Konet and Hanseo University partnered to develop an integrated 100 km BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) satellite communication infrastructure for drones in South Korea. Source

Eutelsat — Paris, France

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 30 — Eutelsat and Poland signed a strategic MoU supporting Poland's participation in the EU's IRIS² secure satellite communications network, strengthening European sovereign connectivity capabilities. Source

ispace — Tokyo, Japan

PARTNERSHIP LAUNCH

Jul 30 — ispace will launch its Mission 3 ULTRA Lunar Lander aboard Mitsubishi Heavy Industries' H3 rocket, marking a strategic partnership for lunar payload delivery. Source

Launch Activity & Mission Milestones

SpaceX — Hawthorne, CA

LAUNCH

Jul 29 — SpaceX successfully launched the classified NROL-95 payload for the National Reconnaissance Office from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 3:10 a.m. EDT. This was the third National Security Space Launch Phase 2 mission for the NRO. Source
Jul 25 — SpaceX launched 24 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 8:51 a.m. PDT, continuing deployment of its broadband constellation. Source
Jul 24 — SpaceX's Starship Flight 13 (Ship 40) achieved a mostly successful test flight from Starbase, Texas. The 407-foot-tall rocket lifted off at 5:51 p.m. EDT with 33 Raptor engines generating 16 million pounds of thrust. The upper stage completed its mission profile and returned intact, positioning the program for a potential tower catch attempt on the next flight. Source

NASA — Washington, DC

LAUNCH

Jul 30 — NASA's Roman Space Telescope is on track for launch on August 30 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The observatory has been fueled and integrated, with all systems showing green for the late August launch window. Source

ispace — Tokyo, Japan

LAUNCH

Jul 29 — Japan's H3 rocket will launch ispace's next lunar lander mission. The partnership marks a significant collaboration between Japan's national launch provider and the commercial lunar transportation company. Source

Impulse Space — Redondo Beach, CA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 28 — Impulse Space's Link spacecraft, launched to reboost NASA's Swift observatory, is experiencing attitude control problems with two of its three reaction wheels not operational. The mission team is working to resolve the issues. Source

SpaceX — Hawthorne, CA

LAUNCH

Jul 25 — SpaceX successfully conducted its 13th Integrated Flight Test (IFT-13) of the Starship system one week after a scrub due to engine failures, marking a mostly successful mission. Source

Arianespace — Évry-Courcouronnes, France

LAUNCH

Jul 28 — Arianespace announced plans to launch the MTG-I2 weather satellite aboard Ariane 6's first geostationary mission next month, following Ariane 6's successful inaugural flight. Source

NASA / ISS — Houston, TX

LAUNCH

Jul 26 — NASA astronaut Chris Williams and two Russian cosmonauts, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev, returned to Earth aboard Soyuz MS-28 after 8 months on the International Space Station. Source

Katalyst Space — N/A

LAUNCH OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — Katalyst Space's LINK spacecraft, launched to rescue NASA's Swift Observatory, has encountered technical issues with attitude control. According to NASA, two of three reaction wheels have failed and there are problems with one thruster system, causing the spacecraft to tumble in a multi-axis spin. Source

Momentus — San Jose, CA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Momentus' Vigoride 7 orbital transfer vehicle completed orbital altitude adjustments as hosted payload testing progresses on the mission. Source

True Anomaly — Colorado Springs, CO

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — True Anomaly detailed a space-to-space pursuit between the Rocket Lab-built Puma spacecraft and True Anomaly's Jackal-0004 spacecraft as part of the Victus Haze mission for the U.S. Space Force, demonstrating on-orbit maneuvering capabilities. Source

NASA / ISISPACE — N/A

LAUNCH

Jul 30 — NASA and ISISPACE successfully deployed the GRITSS CubeSat on July 7, 2026, to advance precision in orbital reference frame measurements for improved Earth observation and navigation. Source

ESA — Paris, France

OPS UPDATE

Jul 31 — ESA's HydroGNSS two-satellite Scout mission completed commissioning and entered full scientific operations, providing global surface water monitoring data now openly available for research. Source
Jul 26 — ESA's Cebreros deep-space ground station in Spain was cleared to return to service after inspections confirmed no damage from nearby wildfires. Source
Jul 29 — ESA commissioned an optical ground station in Luxembourg to advance quantum-enabled ultra-secure satellite communications capabilities for European sovereign connectivity. Source

Industry Context

Space Industry (General) — N/A

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — Public space stocks have plunged more than 60% in just two months, reflecting broader market volatility and investor concerns about commercial space company valuations and near-term profitability. Source
Jul 31 — Industry experts call for regulatory frameworks and 'rules of the road' for orbital data center constellations as multiple companies pursue space-based computing infrastructure. Source
Jul 31 — Analysis of recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East highlights how space assets are becoming integral to modern warfare, driving demand for resilient military satellite networks. Source

GEO Satellite Industry — N/A

OPS UPDATE

Jul 27 — The upper C-band spectrum auction offers another opportunity for the GEO satellite industry following spectrum reallocation. Proceeds could provide additional financial lift to operators like SES and Intelsat. Source

Spain / Thirty Meter Telescope — Madrid, Spain

CONTRACT

Jul 31 — Spain offered a package worth up to €1 billion (approximately $1.1 billion) to support construction of the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) on La Palma in the Canary Islands. The package includes €400 million in direct funding, with the remainder in infrastructure and support. The Spanish site is currently the designated alternative to Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Source

Spain Government — Madrid, Spain

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — Spain announced plans to invest up to $2.3 billion into secure satellite communications to be integrated into Europe's IRIS² network as part of a broader Spanish defense buildup. Source

SES — Luxembourg

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — SES reported its Networks business surpassed €1 billion ($1.1 billion) in revenue during the six-month fiscal period ending June 2026. The company expressed optimism for a second-half bounce after a 'soft' Q2 and stated it is 'days away' from finalizing the IRIS² deal with the European Union. Source

Viasat — Carlsbad, CA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 28 — Viasat disclosed it has $291 million in satellite manufacturing payments committed through 2031 and $510 million in capacity lease commitments on other satellites, providing transparency on its infrastructure investment pipeline. Source

Airbus Defence and Space — Toulouse, France

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — Airbus Space Systems reported a 3.9% increase in H1 revenue, continuing its rebound in the commercial satellite manufacturing sector. Source

Indra Group — Madrid, Spain

OPS UPDATE

Jul 27 — Indra Group's space division is on track to reach $455 million in revenue this year, demonstrating continued growth in the European space sector. Source

Germany — Berlin, Germany

CONTRACT

Jul 28 — German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced the government is considering building a dedicated launch facility for its armed forces to ensure military satellites can be deployed without competing for capacity with commercial payloads. Source

NATO — Brussels, Belgium

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — NATO announced its July summit decision on the HALO mega-constellation project and outlined multiple space initiatives including federated spaceports, Arctic telecommunications, and surveillance capabilities. Questions remain about how many of these initiatives can be sustained long-term. Source

U.S. Department of Transportation — Washington, DC

CONTRACT

Jul 29 — The Department of Transportation issued a proposed rule to waive 'unnecessary environmental laws and regulations' for space launches and reentries, potentially streamlining regulatory processes for commercial space activities. Source

Boeing / Starliner — Houston, TX

OPS UPDATE

Jul 31 — NASA declined again to indicate when the next Starliner flight will take place. NASA and Boeing agreed after problems encountered with the 2024 Crewed Flight Test that additional testing and analysis is required before the next mission. Source

Federal Communications Commission — Washington, DC

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — The FCC adopted a major overhaul of its space and earth station licensing process, described as a "licensing assembly line" designed to streamline satellite authorization procedures. Source

Amazon — Seattle, WA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Signaled its intent to enter the direct-to-device market, expanding its satellite communications ambitions beyond Project Kuiper broadband services. Source

Additional Updates

Boeing — Arlington, VA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 31 — NASA is still assessing flight opportunities for Boeing's Starliner-1 mission. Boeing continues working with NASA to schedule the next Starliner flight following technical reviews. Source

L3Harris — Melbourne, FL

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — L3Harris delayed the IPO of its missile business to 2027 despite surging defense demand. The company cited market conditions for the timing decision. Source

Intel — Santa Clara, CA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 27 — Intel debuted a new radiation-hardened chip designed specifically for space computing applications. The chip is manufactured at Intel's Fab 52 facility in Chandler, Arizona. Source

Blue Origin — Kent, WA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 31 — Blue Origin continues rebuilding Launch Complex 36 and preparing testing alternatives for the New Glenn second stage, two months after a pad explosion. The company is evaluating options to maintain the launch schedule. Source

ESA — Paris, France

OPS UPDATE

Jul 28 — ESA opened a call for proposals to repurpose the Lunar Gateway's communications module. The agency is seeking alternative uses for the module as Gateway architecture evolves. Source

Hop Aero — N/A

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Hop Aero unveiled plans to deliver cargo via rocket using its Rook vehicle. The company aims to provide rapid point-to-point cargo delivery using suborbital rocket technology. Source

ArianeGroup — Évry-Courcouronnes, France

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — ArianeGroup completed a wet dress rehearsal of the Themis reusable booster demonstrator at the Esrange Space Centre in Sweden on July 23, the first substantive update on the test campaign in more than ten months. Source

MaiaSpace — France

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — MaiaSpace, an ArianeGroup subsidiary, scrapped plans to conduct a suborbital test flight of its Maia rocket, opting instead to proceed straight to a full orbital launch attempt in the second half of 2027. Source

Impulse Space — Redondo Beach, CA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Impulse Space unveiled 'Electra', its first electric propulsion system designed to expand post-launch options for spacecraft orbital maneuvering and deployment. Source

ORBES — N/A

OPS UPDATE

Jul 28 — ORBES unveiled 'Exo-ORB', a locally hosted inspection and maintenance robot designed for large orbital infrastructure such as space stations and satellite platforms. Source

Astro Digital — Santa Clara, CA

OPS UPDATE

Jul 30 — Astro Digital selected Everspin's 64Mb STT-MRAM memory technology for its Raven Bus geosynchronous satellite program, providing radiation-hardened data storage. Source

Resecurity — N/A

PARTNERSHIP

Jul 29 — Cybersecurity firm Resecurity joined Space ISAC as a member, bringing cyber threat intelligence and digital risk protection capabilities to the space industry information sharing community. Source

NASA — Houston, TX

OPS UPDATE

Jul 29 — NASA converted test expert Ray Williams to civil servant status in a strategic workforce shift, recognizing his expertise in developing state-of-the-art plant growth facilities for spacecraft over a 38-year career. Source

Sierra Space — Louisville, CO

OPS UPDATE

Jul 27 — Sierra Space's Lead Plant Scientist Dr. Robert Morrow was awarded the prestigious AIAA Jeffries Aerospace Medicine and Life Sciences Research Award for excellence in scientific and technical leadership toward development of state-of-the-art plant growth facilities for spacecraft over his 38-year career. Source

ESA / UKSA — Paris, France

OPS UPDATE

Jul 27 — ESA and UKSA launched a new InCubed funding call for Earth observation-based proposals in the United Kingdom, supporting commercial EO innovation and business development. Source