The archive

News archive

Every dispatch, feature and dossier published by the Space Exploration .IN newsroom.

Conceptual illustration of generic satellites, orbital paths, a launch and global communications links above Earth

Space policy

UK publishes £7.8bn space strategy through 2030

The September 8 policy groups government plans around satellite communications, orbital awareness, in-orbit services and access to space; it is a delivery framework, not a record of completed projects.

15 September 20262 min read

Conceptual illustration of a communications satellite linking a ground gateway and remote homes

India space policy

DCC approves India’s satcom spectrum assignment terms

Reports cite a 5% adjusted-gross-revenue charge, falling to 4% for rural and remote service; Cabinet action, spectrum assignment and security steps remain unfinished.

14 September 20262 min read

Conceptual flat illustration of a generic rocket icon and a generic satellite icon following separate curved paths above Earth

Launch

Rocket Lab launches confidential-customer satellite from New Zealand

The company calls Happily Ever Faster its 95th Electron mission and says one Earth-observation satellite reached a 500 km circular orbit. The customer and payload identity remain undisclosed.

14 September 20261 min read

Conceptual cross-section of bright wrinkle ridges fading beneath a rough impact-debris blanket on a stylized planetary surface

Planetary science

Mercury contraction may be underestimated by up to 30%, study finds

The authors found fewer mapped shortening features in rough terrain and use that pattern to revise estimates of the planet's cooling-driven contraction.

13 September 20261 min read

Conceptual illustration of a deep-space research instrument linked by orbital arcs to abstract satellites and modular space hardware

Space policy

ISRO lays out role in space-sector reform clarification

The agency's September 6 statement keeps advanced research and national missions with ISRO while casting industry as the route to scale mature capabilities.

09 September 20262 min read

Conceptual illustration of three generic Earth-observation satellites using spectral bands, radar pulses and optical imaging above Earth

Space industry

Pixxel closes $100 million Series C round

Temasek and Seraphim co-led the financing, lifting Pixxel's disclosed funding to $195 million. The company has not published a valuation or a budget for its planned satellite, software and manufacturing expansion.

08 September 20263 min read

Conceptual illustration of six generic satellites tracing orbital paths above Earth's curved horizon

Space industry

Kepler Aerospace raises $8 million for planned satellite constellation

The Bengaluru company says the seed round will fund development of six intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites and mission infrastructure. A December 2027 first-launch target is prospective, and no launch provider has been finalised.

08 September 20262 min read

Conceptual sequence of generic unmarked satellites moving from an elliptical transfer orbit toward a high orbit above Earth

Missions

ISRO publishes update on EOS-05's final orbit-raising operation

The September 7 notice records a 1,247-second liquid-apogee-motor firing and an estimated 34,903 km by 35,884 km orbit; it does not announce commissioning or services.

08 September 20261 min read

Conceptual illustration of a generic small rocket rising above Earth toward a curved orbital path with seven symbolic payload markers

Launch

Isar’s Spectrum reaches orbit on its second flight

The German company’s launcher lifted off from Andøya, Norway, on September 5 and deployed its mission payloads. The European Space Agency called it the first launch to orbit from continental Europe; the cited accounts differ on whether it carried five or six CubeSats.

07 September 20262 min read

Conceptual illustration of an unmarked satellite following an elliptical orbit around Earth

Missions

ISRO details EOS-05's first planned orbit manoeuvre

The agency's September 5 notice reports a completed engine burn and an updated transfer orbit; it does not say the spacecraft has reached its intended geostationary slot.

07 September 20261 min read

A bright engine exhaust plume fires beneath a semi-cryogenic power-head test article inside a steel test stand

Launch

ISRO publishes 200-tonne power-head test result

The agency says a 35-second firing in Tamil Nadu was the first full-thrust run of the engine power head. A complete engine, stage qualification and a flight date were not announced.

07 September 20262 min read

Stylised illustration of visitors walking among generic rocket, engine and satellite displays in an exhibition hall

Space industry

Bengaluru Space Expo roster lists many space and related companies

The organiser’s 12-page roster names many space and space-related exhibitors; company-controlled posts verify plans from Skyroot, Pixxel, XDLINX, Manastu, GalaxEye, Bellatrix, Maargin and General Datum.

06 September 20264 min read