SpaceNexus Blog

SpaceNexus DeskSeptember 28, 2026

Starship Reaches Orbit: What Flight 14 Changes for Starlink, the Moon and Launch Costs

On its 14th test flight, SpaceX's Starship reached orbit for the first time, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites and splashed down in the Pacific. What the flight proved, what it did not, and what it changes.

The U.S. Says It Has Weapons in Orbit. Here Is Exactly What It Disclosed

Air Force Secretary Troy Meink told a Washington-area conference on September 14 that the United States has on-orbit space control weapons. He did not say what they are, how many exist or when they launched, and the gaps matter as much as the words.

A 1988 U.S. Military Satellite Broke Apart in One of Orbit's Busiest Bands. What Is Confirmed, and What Is Not

U.S. Space Forces-Space confirmed that USA 32, launched in 1988 and identified by independent analysts as a Cold War signals-intelligence satellite, fragmented in an orbit about 775 km up on September 13. Nobody has said why, and there is no evidence it was destroyed on purpose.

The Space Force Wants to More Than Double to 25,000 Guardians. Congress Has Funded It Only Through December 11

A new chief, a $71.1 billion budget request and a five-year plan to grow from under 11,000 uniformed Guardians to about 25,000. The ambition is set; the money is not.

Space Academy Update: NASA Sets the Rules, States Start Bidding, and a Florida Bill Tries to End the Contest

Since the August 28 executive order, the Space Academy commission has met, NASA has told states what it wants (at least 300 acres, about 300 students in 2028, 1,200 by fall 2031) and bids have emerged from Texas, Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Ohio, plus a private proposal in Nevada. Responses are due October 26.

Starship Flight 14: Starship Reaches Orbit for the First Time and Deploys 26 Starlink V3 Satellites

On its 14th test flight, on September 28, 2026, SpaceX's Starship reached orbit for the first time, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites, completed a deorbit burn and splashed down in the Pacific, SpaceX reports. SpaceX brought the ship home after about 3 hours in orbit instead of the nearly 10-hour flight it had planned.

Rocket Lab Protests NASA's Mars Orbiter Award to Blue Origin, Citing Eligibility Rules Set by Congress

NASA picked Blue Origin on September 1 to build the Mars Telecommunications Network, under a contract worth up to about $700 million. Ten days later Rocket Lab asked the Government Accountability Office to review the award, saying it appears inconsistent with eligibility criteria mandated by Congress. Under GAO's standard 100-day schedule, a decision would be due by Monday, December 21.

SpaceNexus DeskSeptember 12, 2026

NASA Clears Relativity Space's Terran R to Bid on Missions Before It Has Ever Flown

NASA added Relativity Space's Terran R to its NLS II launch-services roster on September 9, making the still-unflown rocket eligible to compete for agency missions through 2032. It is the second NASA deal for Terran R this year, after a June Space Act Agreement to fly a Mars orbiter in 2028.

Building in PublicFeatured

Introducing Space Tycoon: An Economic Space MMO With No Combat and Real Space Data

We built a game. Space Tycoon is a free browser MMO where corporations wage purely economic warfare across a hard-science 2150 solar system, and where real NOAA space weather, real launches, and real program milestones flow into the simulation. Here is what it is, why we built it this way, and how to start playing.

SpaceNexus DeskAugust 16, 2026

MarketFeatured

SPCX Since the IPO: What Two Months of Trading Tell Us, and the H2 2026 Outlook

SpaceX priced the largest IPO in history at $135 a share on June 12. Since then, SPCX has popped to ~$2.1 trillion, spiked, retraced more than 30%, dipped below its IPO price, and rebounded to $1.84 trillion. Here is the real trajectory from our market data, and the catalysts that matter for the rest of 2026.

SpaceNexus DeskAugust 15, 2026

MarketFeatured

The Top 50 Space Companies to Watch in the 2nd Half of 2026

Our March list gets its mid-year update. The SpaceX IPO, an unprecedented funding wave, and a brutal small-cap shakeout have redrawn the map: here are the 50 companies that matter for the rest of 2026, with every keep, promotion, and drop justified.

SpaceNexus DeskAugust 15, 2026

AnalysisFeatured

Artemis Program Update: What Comes After Artemis II

With Artemis II complete, NASA's lunar program enters its most ambitious phase. Here is a detailed look at what comes next, from Artemis III's restructured Earth-orbit docking test to Artemis IV's first crewed lunar landing, the paused Lunar Gateway, commercial lander programs, and NASA's south-pole Moon Base.

SpaceNexus DeskApril 15, 2026

SpaceNexus DeskApril 12, 2026

Space Industry Competitive Intelligence: How to Track Your Competitors

Competitive intelligence is no longer optional in the space industry. Here is how leading companies use structured CI programs to track competitor capabilities, executive moves, contract wins, and strategic direction, and how SpaceNexus tools can help.

SpaceNexus DeskApril 10, 2026

How to Win Government Space Contracts: A BD Professional's Guide to Federal Procurement

A practical guide to navigating the federal procurement process for space contracts, from finding opportunities on SAM.gov and understanding NAICS codes to building teaming arrangements and writing winning proposals.

SpaceNexus DeskApril 8, 2026

Space Industry Career Intelligence: Salary Benchmarks, Clearance Premiums, and Skills in Demand

A look at compensation and hiring in the space industry in 2026: the official wage benchmark for aerospace engineers, how long security clearances take, why cleared roles pay more, and the skills employers are hiring for.

The Launch Manifest: How Missions Get Scheduled and What Causes Delays

Getting a mission from contract to liftoff involves a complex choreography of technical, regulatory, and operational dependencies. This analysis explains how launch manifests are built and why delays are the industry norm rather than the exception.

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion: Status, Challenges, and Timeline

Nuclear thermal propulsion promises to cut transit times to Mars roughly in half compared to chemical rockets, and has been a NASA development priority before. After decades of dormancy, NTP is back on the agenda, but significant technical and regulatory hurdles remain.

Constellation Design Optimization: Coverage, Revisit, and Cost Trade-Offs

Designing a satellite constellation involves fundamental trade-offs between orbital altitude, inclination, satellite count, and mission cost. This guide walks through the analytical framework for constellation optimization.

The LEO Broadband Market: Comparing Mega-Constellation Approaches

Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Telesat Lightspeed are building the four largest commercial broadband constellations in history. Their technical architectures, business strategies, and market positions differ significantly.

In-Space Manufacturing: Microgravity Products with Terrestrial Value

Microgravity enables the production of materials and biological products impossible to make on Earth. From ZBLAN fiber optics to organ tissues, in-space manufacturing is transitioning from ISS research to commercial operations.

Understanding Satellite Link Budgets: A Practical Engineering Guide

A link budget is the fundamental accounting exercise that determines whether your satellite communication system will work. From transmit power to receiver noise floor, every dB matters. This guide explains the methodology that RF engineers use to close satellite links.

The Cislunar Economy: Infrastructure Needed Between Earth and Moon

The region between Earth and the Moon, cislunar space, is becoming a domain of sustained economic and strategic activity. This analysis examines what infrastructure must be built to support a permanent cislunar presence.

Satellite Spectrum Management: Navigating ITU Coordination

Radio frequency spectrum is a finite shared resource managed through a complex international framework. This article explains how the ITU filing process works, why coordination matters, and what operators must do to protect their spectrum rights.

CubeSat vs Microsatellite: Choosing the Right Form Factor

The form factor decision shapes everything from cost and schedule to capability and regulatory burden. This guide compares CubeSats and microsatellites across the dimensions that matter most for mission success.

Space Situational Awareness: Technologies and Market Overview

With about 40,000 tracked objects in Earth orbit and an estimated 1.2 million debris objects larger than 1 cm, space situational awareness has become a critical capability. This overview covers the sensor technologies, data sources, and growing commercial SSA market.

Radiation Hardening for Space Electronics: Strategies and Trade-Offs

Space radiation degrades and destroys electronic components in ways that ground systems never experience. This guide covers the radiation environment, failure mechanisms, and the spectrum of hardening approaches from radiation-hardened ASICs to software mitigation.

The Commercial Earth Observation Market: Trends and Opportunities

Commercial Earth observation is one of the fastest-growing segments in the space industry. A data-driven look at who is buying satellite imagery, what they're paying, and where the market is heading.

Digital Twins for Spacecraft: Modeling Satellites in Real Time

Digital twins, continuously updated simulation models synchronized with physical spacecraft telemetry, are changing how operators manage satellite health, predict anomalies, and plan operations. Here's how they work and why they matter.

Multi-Orbit Satellite Architectures: Combining LEO, MEO, and GEO

No single orbital regime is optimal for every application. An analysis of why leading satellite operators are building multi-orbit architectures, and what the technical and economic trade-offs look like.

Satellite Data Analytics: Turning Raw Imagery into Actionable Intelligence

The bottleneck in Earth observation is no longer data collection; it is analysis. Modern satellite analytics pipelines use machine learning and cloud computing to convert terabytes of daily imagery into decision-ready intelligence.

Space Industry Workforce: Skills Gaps and Hiring Trends in 2026

The space industry is growing faster than its pipeline of qualified workers. Analyzing hiring data, job posting trends, and workforce surveys reveals where the gaps are most acute, and what companies are doing about them.

Quantum Key Distribution via Satellite: Securing Communications from Space

Quantum key distribution promises theoretically unbreakable encryption. Satellite-based QKD is the only practical path to global coverage, and early experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of the approach, though significant engineering challenges remain.

Mega-Constellation Regulatory Challenges: Spectrum, Debris, and Liability

The deployment of satellite mega-constellations is straining regulatory frameworks that were not designed for thousands of satellites from a single operator. Here is an analysis of the spectrum, debris, and liability challenges regulators and operators are grappling with.

Space Debris Removal Technologies: Active Methods and Their Readiness

The orbital environment is increasingly congested with non-functional satellites, rocket bodies, and fragmentation debris. Active debris removal (ADR) is technically feasible, but no fully operational commercial ADR service yet exists. Here is where the leading approaches stand today.

Direct-to-Device Satellite Service: Architecture and Business Case

Satellite connectivity that reaches smartphones without specialized hardware is no longer a future concept; it's shipping in consumer devices today. Understanding the technical architecture and economics behind direct-to-device service reveals both its remarkable potential and its real constraints.

Space Sustainability Ratings: How ESG Frameworks Apply to Orbit

The Space Sustainability Rating, conceived by the World Economic Forum and developed with ESA, MIT and others, scores satellite missions on how responsibly they operate. Here is how it works and where it falls short.

Next-Generation PNT: Beyond GPS for Resilient Navigation

GPS vulnerabilities (jamming, spoofing, and signal denial) are driving investment in alternative and complementary PNT technologies. Here is a technical overview of the emerging navigation landscape.

How to Size Solar Arrays for Your Spacecraft Mission

Solar array sizing is one of the earliest and most consequential design decisions in spacecraft development. Get it wrong and you face either a power-starved mission or unnecessary mass penalty. This guide walks through the engineering methodology step by step.

Payload Integration: A Step-by-Step Guide for First-Time Launchers

Getting your spacecraft from the factory to orbit involves months of integration, testing, and coordination with your launch provider. This guide walks through every step of the payload integration process, from delivery to launch.

Satellite End-of-Life Management: Deorbit, Graveyard, or Passivation

When a satellite reaches end-of-life, operators face three disposal options: controlled deorbit, graveyard orbit, or passivation. This guide explains each approach, when to use it, and the regulatory requirements that apply.

On-Orbit Servicing and Life Extension: How the Market Is Taking Shape

Satellites are often retired because they run out of propellant while their payloads still work. On-orbit servicing aims to change that, and a new generation of companies is racing to capture the opportunity.

Optical Inter-Satellite Links: Enabling High-Bandwidth Space Networks

Laser-based inter-satellite links are transforming how data moves through space constellations, enabling gigabit-per-second throughputs without relying on ground relay stations. Here is how the technology works and why it matters.

Ground Segment as a Service: How Cloud-Based Ground Stations Work

Traditional satellite ground stations cost tens of millions of dollars to build and operate. Cloud-based ground segment services have fundamentally changed that calculus. This guide explains the architecture, providers, and trade-offs.

Space Insurance: How Underwriters Assess Launch and In-Orbit Risk

Space insurance is a specialized and often misunderstood market. This overview explains how underwriters evaluate launch vehicle reliability, satellite design heritage, orbital environment, and operator track record to set premiums.

AI and Machine Learning in Satellite Operations

From autonomous anomaly detection to predictive maintenance and AI-assisted mission planning, machine learning is reshaping how satellite operators manage fleets of hundreds or thousands of spacecraft.

Synthetic Aperture Radar: How SAR Satellites See Through Clouds

Unlike optical cameras, synthetic aperture radar satellites operate day and night through clouds, smoke, and weather. This article explains the physics of SAR imaging, key operating modes, and the growing commercial SAR market.

Hyperspectral Imaging from Orbit: Applications Beyond Traditional Remote Sensing

Hyperspectral satellites are transforming how we see Earth, from crop disease detection to mineral prospecting. Here's a technical deep-dive into the technology and its emerging commercial applications.

Reusable Launch Vehicle Economics: How Reuse Changes the Cost Equation

Reusability has fundamentally altered launch economics, but the math is more nuanced than it appears. A detailed look at how vehicle reuse actually affects cost per kilogram and what it means for the commercial launch market.

Space-Based Solar Power: Current Programs and Technical Hurdles

Several national programs are actively developing space-based solar power, but massive engineering challenges remain. An honest assessment of where the technology stands and what it would take to make it viable.

The Satellite IoT Market: Connecting Billions of Devices from Space

Non-terrestrial network IoT is one of the fastest-growing segments in the satellite industry. Here's what's driving demand, who the key players are, and how satellite connectivity differs from cellular IoT.

Additive Manufacturing in Space: 3D Printing Beyond Earth

Additive manufacturing is changing how we build rockets on Earth, and may transform how we sustain operations beyond it. A technical look at the current state of 3D printing in space systems, from rocket engines to in-orbit fabrication.

How to Estimate Total Mission Cost for a Small Satellite

Mission cost estimation is part art, part engineering, and full of hidden line items. A structured guide to building a realistic cost model for a small satellite mission from concept through operations.

Spacecraft Thermal Management: Passive and Active Cooling Techniques

Thermal management is one of the most demanding engineering disciplines in spacecraft design. This guide covers the passive and active techniques engineers use to keep satellites and spacecraft within safe temperature limits.

Small Launch Vehicle Comparison: Dedicated and Rideshare Options

The small launch market has matured considerably, with dedicated small-lift vehicles now competing directly with rideshare services. Here is a practical comparison of the leading options for small satellite operators.

LEO vs MEO vs GEO: Choosing the Right Orbit for Your Mission

Orbit selection is one of the foundational decisions in satellite mission design. Understanding the engineering and operational trade-offs between LEO, MEO, and GEO is essential for any satellite program manager or mission architect.

Climate Monitoring from Space: How Satellites Track Global Change

Satellites provide the only truly global, consistent, long-term view of Earth's climate system. From sea surface temperatures to ice sheet dynamics, here is how the space segment underpins modern climate science.

The Defense Space Market: Trends in Military and Intelligence Satellites

Defense space spending is growing rapidly across major spacefaring nations. Here is an analysis of the key trends shaping the military satellite market, from resilient architectures to commercial integration.

SpaceNexus Engineering Tools: A Complete Guide to Our Free Calculators

SpaceNexus offers 7 free engineering calculators: orbital, link budget, power budget, thermal, radiation, constellation designer, and mission simulator.

The FCC 5-Year Deorbit Rule: What Every Satellite Operator Needs to Know

The FCC now requires LEO satellites to deorbit within 5 years of end-of-life. Here's how the rule works, who it affects, and how to comply.

How to Use the SpaceNexus Space Weather Dashboard

A step-by-step guide to monitoring solar activity, geomagnetic storms, and aurora forecasts using the SpaceNexus Space Weather module.

Space Industry Investment Trends: Q1 2026 Review

A data-driven look at Q1 2026 space investment activity: top deals, sector trends, and what investors are betting on.

Beginner's Guide to Watching Rocket Launches in Person

Want to see a rocket launch? Here's everything you need to know: where to go, how to get tickets, what to bring, and tips for first-timers.

Space Law Basics: The Outer Space Treaty and Why It Still Matters

The 1967 Outer Space Treaty is the foundation of international space law. Nearly 60 years later, it shapes everything from satellite licensing to lunar mining.

Space Weather's Impact on Technology: GPS, Power Grids, and Aviation

Solar storms don't just affect satellites: they threaten GPS accuracy, power grid stability, aviation communications, and even pipeline corrosion. Here's how.

Satellite Internet for Rural Areas: What's Actually Available in 2026

Starlink, Kuiper, and fixed wireless are competing to connect rural America. A practical comparison of what's available, what it costs, and how it performs.

Space Mining: The Trillion-Dollar Opportunity That's Closer Than You Think

A single asteroid can contain more platinum than has ever been mined on Earth. Here's where space mining stands in 2026 and who's working to make it real.

SpaceX Starship: The Complete Guide to the Most Powerful Rocket Ever Built

Starship is the largest and most powerful rocket ever flown. Understand its design, mission profile, and why it matters for the future of space exploration.

What Is Earth Observation? How Satellites Image Our Planet

Earth observation satellites capture imagery used for agriculture, disaster response, climate monitoring, and intelligence. Learn how the technology works.

The Artemis Program: NASA's Plan to Return Humans to the Moon

Artemis is NASA's program to return astronauts to the Moon. Here's the full mission architecture, timeline, and what it means for the space industry.

The Space Economy Value Chain: Where $686 Billion Flows

The global space economy reached $686B in 2025 (Space Foundation). Understand where the money flows: from launch services to satellite operations to ground equipment and services.

FCC Satellite Licensing: A Complete Guide for Operators in 2026

Every satellite communicating with the US needs FCC authorization. Learn about the licensing process, spectrum allocation, and the new 5-year deorbit rule.

Space Industry Supply Chain: From Raw Materials to Orbit

Building a satellite or rocket requires thousands of components from hundreds of suppliers. Understand the space supply chain from materials to launch.

How GPS Satellites Work: The Space Infrastructure Behind Navigation

GPS is powered by 31 satellites in MEO orbit. Learn how the system works, who operates it, and why it matters beyond turn-by-turn directions.

What Is NewSpace? The Commercial Space Revolution Explained

NewSpace refers to the wave of private companies transforming the space industry. Learn how it differs from traditional aerospace and why it matters.

The Space Debris Problem: 47,000 Tracked Objects and Counting

Space surveillance networks track about 47,000 objects in orbit, and ESA estimates millions more are too small to track. Understanding the debris problem is critical for every satellite operator.

Commercial Space Stations: Who Will Replace the ISS After 2030?

Four commercial stations are competing to follow the ISS: Axiom Station, Vast Haven-1, Orbital Reef and Starlab. Where each one stands as of September 2026.

Why Space Industry Professionals Need Real-Time Alerts in 2026

From launch scrubs to solar storms to funding announcements: the space industry moves 24/7. Here's why real-time alerts are no longer optional.

Space Industry Glossary: 69 Essential Terms Every Professional Should Know

From apogee to zero-gravity, from ITAR to TRL: the definitive glossary of space industry terms for professionals, investors, and enthusiasts.

Satellite Internet in 2026, Starlink vs Kuiper vs OneWeb: Who's Winning?

The satellite internet race is heating up. Compare Starlink, Amazon Kuiper, OneWeb, and Telesat in coverage, speed, pricing, and market strategy.

How to Fundraise for a Space Startup: From Pre-Seed to Series A

Space tech companies raised a record $12.4B of private investment in 2025, per Seraphim Space. Learn how to navigate the unique fundraising landscape: from SBIR grants to VC rounds to strategic investors.

What Is Space Situational Awareness (SSA)? A Complete Guide

Space Situational Awareness tracks every object in orbit to prevent collisions. Learn how SSA works, who runs it, and why it matters for every satellite operator.

Space Industry Conferences Worth Attending in 2026: The Complete Guide

From SATELLITE to IAC to SmallSat: a curated guide to the most valuable space industry conferences, trade shows, and summits in 2026.

Building in Public

SpaceNexus Product Roadmap 2026: What We're Building Next

From iOS launch to WebSocket feeds to AI predictions: here's our public roadmap for the rest of 2026 and what it means for space professionals.