Small Satellite Conference 2026

https://smallsat.org/

Explore the latest technologies driving constellation success under the theme, "The Clouds Above the Clouds" and help shape the future of small satellites as the 40th Annual Small Satellite Conference celebrates the vision and collaboration that propelled the industry forward over the past four decades. $350-$1000. Salt Lake City, UT. August 23-26, 2026.

Global Summit on Space Sciences and Aerospace Engineering (SPACESCIENCE2026)

https://spacescience.researchconnects.org

Sessions covering satellite technology, spacecraft propulsion, space robotics, AI applications in space, active debris remediation, and human spaceflight. $499-$1099. Venice, Italy. August 26-27, 2026.

Space for Inspiration 2026

https://bsgn.esa.int/s4i-2026/

The European Space Agency with the Ministry of Higher Education and Science Denmark will host companies, researchers and investors working at the front edge of commercial space exploration with the theme, "Scaling Research and Production in Space." The conference will highlight four markets with new opportunities for research and production in space. €289-€558. Copenhagen, Denmark. September 1-2, 2026.

3rd Space Visions Symposium 

https://cctsonline.org/space-visions-symposium-3/

The Canaveral Council of Technical Societies brings Karman Line Co-Founder Jim Thomas alongside other speakers to discuss requirements for structures and systems to support space exploration and settlement, construction of large structures in space, logistics support, and in-orbit spacecraft services. $20-$50. Rockledge, FL. September 11, 2026.

World Space Business Week

https://wsbw.com/

Connect with decision-makers, investors and partners in the global space ecosystem from over 600 organizations representing more than 60 countries. Speakers include Firefly CEO Jason Kim, Seraphim CEO and General Partner Mark Boggest, and Vast CEO Max Haot. Paris, France. €660-€3,740. September 14-17, 2026.

ASS Glenn Space Technology Symposium

https://astronautical.org/events/john-glenn-memorial-symposium/

The symposium kicks off Ohio Space Week's collection of events, networking functions, tours, and more. Under the theme, "Igniting America’s Future Space Exploration," the program will include Exploration Architecture, the Artemis program, Space Traffic Management, Space Nuclear Power, and Navigation and Communications. $25-$895, Cleveland, OH. September 15-16, 2026.

Space Defense & Security Summit

https://sds-summit.com/

The 3rd SDSS will feature organizations representing the space and security community with speakers covering major themes in the industry, such as contestation in space, new cooperation models and investments and how defense space activities are organized. The proximity of the summit to World Space Business Week and the Space Innovation Summit also allows participants to participate in multiple events. €792-€2,585. Paris, France. September 15-16, 2026.

AMOS Conference

https://amostech.com/

The 2026 Advanced Maui Optical and Space Surveillance Technologies Conference features a multi-day program on Space Situational/Domain Awareness including Technical Short Courses, the EMER-GEN® program for young professionals, Policy Forum discussions, featured presentations and technical sessions, plus poster sessions, exhibit receptions and special events. $150-$2,295. Virtual and in-person: Maui, HI. September 15-18, 2026.

Space Innovation Summit (SPIN)

https://wsbw.com/space-innovation-summit/

SPIN brings together influential voices shaping space innovation to share insights and inspiration. SPIN highlights the latest thinking in innovation, dual-use technology, and strategic collaboration from key players in the space sector. Hosted in synergy with the World Space Business Week and the Space Defense & Security Summit. €660-€3,740 Paris, France. September 16, 2026.

Inaugural Texas Space Summit 2026

https://www.texasspacesummit.com/

This Texas-led effort to drive humanity's expansion into deep space emphasizes a collaborative environment for industry leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators while highlighting Texas's leadership in the space sector. $795. San Antonio, TX. September 21-23, 2026.

Seattle Space Week 2026

https://www.spacenorthwest.org/seattle-space-week

Pacific Northwest space community leaders, founders, technologists, and builders will gather for multiple events, including Space Northwest Symposium, Seattle European American Air Forum, Manufacturing the Future in the PNW, and Asian Leaders in Space Tech. Speakers include Interlune CEO Rob Meyerson, Portal Space CEO Jeff Thornburg and Stoke Space CFO Tim Beard. $240-$350. Seattle, WA. September 28, 2026 - October 4, 2026.

28th Small Payload Ride Share Association Symposium

https://www.sprsa.org/

Under the theme "Changing Space Priorities & New Challenges," this year's SPRSA Symposium will cover the pending LEO environmental crisis, new civil space priorities, contested space & resilience, assessing the role of space logistics, and SPRSA community support initiatives. $400-$600. Silicon Valley, CA. September 29, 2026 - October 1, 2026.

Strategies in Satellite Ground Segment 2026

https://www.ssgsconference.com/

SSGS, the only conference dedicated exclusively to the satellite ground segment, returns to explore opportunities and vendor capabilities, share insights and solutions revolutionizing bandwidth and connectivity, as well as celebrate Strategies in Satellite Ground Segment 2026 awardees. £220-£250. London, UK. September 30-October 1, 2026.

International Astronautical Congress 2026  

https://www.iac2026.org/

The 77th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2026) is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and will be hosted by the Turkish Space Agency (TUA). The event gathers over 6,000 space sector professionals and researchers, with 2026's core theme "The World Needs More Space" emphasizing international cooperation, space safety, accessibility, and peaceful exploration. €0-€1,950. Antalya, Turkey. October 5-9, 2026.

2026 Mars Society International Convention

https://convention.marssociety.org/

The International Mars Society Convention brings together scientists, engineers, and visionaries to advance human exploration and settlement of Mars. $0-$350. Los Angeles, CA. October 22-24, 2026.

Silicon Valley Space Week

https://svspaceweek.com/

This year's SVSW focuses on space defense tactics, secure satellite communications, and improving collaboration between commercial tech companies and government/military buyers. Professionals in the space sector are invited to the Satellite Innovation Conference targeting commercial space, and the MilSat Symposium, targeting national security and defense. $150-$1,895. Online and in-person in Mountain View, California. October 27-29, 2026.

Robotically Manipulated Payload Challenge

https://rmpc.nasatechleap.org/

NASA Flight Opportunities is inviting applicants to propose payloads that can be manipulated by a robotic arm in low Earth orbit, to advance persistent infrastructure for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing. Up to three winners will each receive up to $500,000 to develop a flight-ready payload and demonstrate it in orbit in early 2028. A virtual information session is available on June 18. Phase 1 deadline August 12, 2026.

NASA Space Roboticist Challenge

https://spaceroboticistchallenge.com/

Selected researchers will run experiments on the Fly Foundational Robots' 7-Degree-of-Freedom robotic arm mission in low Earth orbit. Teams gain access to simulation and validation facilities at Goddard Space Flight Center, working directly with NASA engineers on your experiment design. Launch Webinar: June 24, 2026. Registration Close Date: September 23, 2026.

Rock and Roll with NASA Challenge

https://www.herox.com/NASARockandRoll

NASA is seeking innovative designs for a lightweight, compliant and durable rover wheel capable of carrying heavy cargo, handling freezing lunar nights and sprinting across sharp regolith at 24 km/h. The phased challenge is open to students, independent inventors and aerospace firms. The current phase Involves live physical prototype testing at the NASA Johnson Space Center Rock Yard. Prize: $155,000. Submission Deadline: November 4, 2025.

NASA TechPort

https://techport.nasa.gov/help/fundingOpportunities

TechPort is designed to help external innovators, companies, researchers, and students find appropriate avenues to fund and develop technology in collaboration with NASA. The Interactive Funding Locator Tool allows users to scan open or upcoming NASA opportunities while the Direct Access to Official Space Agency Portals point users to the selection, evaluation, and proposal submission frameworks across NASA's primary directorates. 

SpaceNews Job Exchange

https://jobs.spacenews.com/

Find jobs, post openings and connect at this launchpad for space industry careers.

The solar system's biggest space jobs site | Space Crew

https://spacecrew.com/

Accelerate your space career with email alerts for key space industry insights and over 4000 space company jobs.

Jobs in the Space Field & Tech Industry | Space Talent

https://www.spacetalent.org/

Space Talent is a resource for careers at the intersection of space and tech. They match employers with top talent while providing insights and resources to grow your career.

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K2 Space Raises $500M Series D at $6.8B Valuation to Scale Large, High-Power Satellites

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/k2-space-raises-500m-series-d-at-6-8b-valuation-to-scale-large-high-power-satellites-302838793.html

K2 Space raised $500 million in a Series D funding round led by Kleiner Perkins and ICONIQ, valuing the company at $6.8 billion, with participation from Lightspeed, Altimeter, ARK Invest, T. Rowe Price, and others. The satellite manufacturer, which has secured over $1 billion in total contracts, plans to use the capital to scale production at its Torrance, California factory to build up to 100 high-power satellites annually. Additionally, K2 plans to introduce a 100kW "Giga-class" satellite platform in the second half of 2028 to deploy orbital compute.

A prototype rotating detonation engine tested at the Marshall Space Flight Center. Image Credits: NASA

Venus Aerospace raises $90M Series B to build a new kind of rocket engine

https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/08/venus-aerospace-raises-90m-series-b-to-build-a-new-kind-of-rocket-engine/

Venus Aerospace closed a $91 million Series B funding round to scale production of its more efficient Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) that uses a supersonic detonation wave instead of subsonic combustion. The round was led by Mercury Fund, with backing from Lockheed Martin Ventures along with PEAK6, Draper Associates, MESH, and others. 

Karman Space & Defense Expands into International Market with Agreement to Acquire Glasgow-Headquartered Walker Precision Engineering, a Leading Supplier to the European Missile Industry, for $94 Million

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260720717950/en/Karman-Space-Defense-Expands-into-International-Market-with-Agreement-to-Acquire-Glasgow-Headquartered-Walker-Precision-Engineering-a-Leading-Supplier-to-the-European-Missile-Industry-for-%2494-Million

Karman Space & Defense, a supplier of launch, propulsion, and payload protection systems to the US military, announced an agreement to acquire Glasgow-headquartered Walker Precision Engineering for approximately $94 million (£70 million) in cash, enabling Karman to serve allied nations in Europe with technologies for crucial missile seekers, guidance systems, and flight controls.

A SpaceX vet raised $65M to pull wire harnesses out of the Cold War era

https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/15/a-spacex-vet-raised-65m-to-pull-wire-harnesses-out-of-the-cold-war-era/

California-based Senra Systems raised a $65 million Series B round for its Amp software platform that modernizes the traditional manual work of wire harness manufacturing. The round was co-led by Lowercarbon Capital and Interlagos, with participation from Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, General Catalyst, and Founders Fund. The round brings Senra’s total funding to over $112 million.

SWISSto12 Closes US$70 Million Series C to Meet Growing Multi-Orbit Demand

https://swissto12.com/swissto12-closes-us70-million-series-c-to-meet-growing-multi-orbit-demand/

Swiss space technology company SWISSto12 closed a $70 million (€61 million) Series C funding round to scale manufacturing and integration capacity of its lightweight 3D-printed radio frequency hardware and payloads. SWISSto12 has secured seven HummingSat contracts with global operators and over 2,000 HummingLink solutions are deployed and active in orbit.

deltaVision raises €10.2M to build the plumbing for in-orbit refuelling

https://thenextweb.com/news/deltavision-orbital-refuelling-funding

Munich-based component and subsystem supplier deltaVision closed its first outside funding round of €10.2 million ($11.6 million) to build out its core spacecraft fuel component manufacturing footprint for the emerging in-orbit satellite refueling market. The investment round was co-led by KT Ventures and Valemount Capital, with additional backing from Futury Capital and several industrial family offices. 

Beyond Reach Labs Raises $10M Seed, Moves to NYC

https://payloadspace.com/beyond-reach-labs-raises-10m-seed-moves-to-nyc/

Aerospace hardware startup Beyond Reach Labs closed a $10 million seed round led by Interlagos, with participation from TerraForge Capital, Off-Piste Capital, Augur VC, and Y Combinator, and relocated operations to New York City. Narrowing its short-term focus to satellite solar arrays that can deliver more power without the bulk, Beyond Reach Labs intends to start manufacturing its deployable hardware to be flight-qualified by the end of 2026.

ORiS Raises €5M in Pre-Seed Funding

https://www.finsmes.com/2026/07/oris-raises-e5m-in-pre-seed-funding.html

Italian startup ORiS secured €5 million (~$5.4 million) in pre-seed funding to develop laser-based wireless power transmission systems for orbit and dual-use defense applications. €4.5 million in equity raised was led by Earlybird Venture Capital and Pitchdrive, with participation from Galaxia, Vento, and the Piemonte Next Fund.

VXB Secures $4M Seed Round to Collapse Multi-Year Space Hardware Design Cycles into Days

https://www.vxbaerospace.com/news/vxb-secures-4m-seed-round-to-collapse-multi-year-space-hardware-design-cycles-into-days

Los Angeles-based VXB Aerospace secured an oversubscribed $4 million seed round led by Dauntless Ventures, with participation from Fulcrum Venture Group, existing pre-seed investor Investible, and strategic angels. VXB plans to scale its engineering team, expand enterprise onboarding across defense and commercial customers, and extend its generative design software platform's capabilities for new classes of complex aerospace components.

India's Skyroot launches Vikram-1 in first private orbital rocket mission

https://www.reuters.com/science/indias-skyroot-launches-vikram-1-first-private-orbital-rocket-mission-2026-07-18/

Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, a 22-meter-tall, four-stage orbital rocket with three solid-fuel stages and a liquid-fuel orbital adjustment module powered by a 3D-printed engine, placing customer payloads into a 450 km low-Earth orbit. This marks India as the third country to have a private company achieve orbital launch, after the US and China.

SpaceX eyes tower catch for next Starship after auspicious end to 13th flight

https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/07/spacex-eyes-tower-catch-for-next-starship-after-auspicious-end-to-13th-flight/

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 successfully lifted off and achieved first test deployment of Starlink V3 satellites. The Super Heavy booster suffered a partial engine ignition failure during its final landing sequence. Starship upper stage executed an in-space Raptor engine relight, which should enable an upcoming orbital test and attempt to catch the upper stage at the launch tower, and subsequent deployment of operational V3 satellites. Starship achieved its softest vertical splashdown yet, remaining fully intact and floating.

Amazon seeks federal approval to launch 5,105 satellites for direct-to-device network

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/27/amazon-satellite-internet-network.html

Amazon has applied for FCC approval to launch 5,105 satellites for a direct-to-device (D2D) network targeting underserved areas, remote worksites, and emergency operations. The network will integrate Amazon’s existing infrastructure with assets from satellite operator Globalstar, which Amazon plans to acquire for $11.6 billion. Deployment is scheduled to begin in 2028, positioning Amazon to directly compete with SpaceX's Starlink Mobile service.

The Space Force is now seeking to buy up to $30 billion in rocket launches

https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/07/the-space-force-is-now-seeking-to-buy-up-to-30-billion-in-rocket-launches/

US Space Force expanded the cumulative funding ceiling of its NSSL Phase 3 program to $30 billion across a 10-year ordering window. The driver behind this is an increase from $5.6 billion up to $17 billion in the contract ceiling for Lane 1. The adjustment follows industry-wide shortages in medium-to-heavy launch capacity, paired with an unprecedented surge in required dense low-Earth orbit defense satellite deployments, particularly for the Space Development Agency.

Starship - Critical Path

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a0ecQMq-rM

SpaceX's operational philosophy revolves around identifying and focusing heavily on the critical path, defined as the longest set of sequential events gated by each other that must be completed to achieve a launch. Launches and testing are quickly iterated to learn from real-world failures. The design of Pad 2 targets capability to support a Starship launch every 60 minutes. 

Artist’s concept of exoplanet LHS 1140 b surrounded by a helium-rich atmosphere with a nearby rocky planet orbiting the same cool red dwarf star in the distance. Image Credits: Melissa Weiss/CfA

Could Life Exist on This Nearby World? In a First, Astronomers Find an Atmosphere on an Earth-Like Exoplanet in the Habitable Zone

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/could-life-exist-on-this-nearby-world-in-a-first-astronomers-find-an-atmosphere-on-an-earth-like-exoplanet-in-the-habitable-zone-180989149/

Using WINERED (Warm INfraRed Echelle Designed spectrograph), astronomers discovered an atmosphere on LHS 1140 b, the first observationally confirmed atmosphere on a rocky exoplanet within its star's habitable zone. Located 49 light-years away, LHS 1140 b is a rocky super-Earth 1.7x Earth's radius and 5.6x its mass with temperatures that could allow liquid surface water.