This digest covers space-related developments from August 17 to 23, 2025, summarizing key advances, announcements, launches, and policy shifts across the global space sector.
Weekly Metrics Snapshot
Based on Jonathan McDowell’s Launch Log baseline and corroborating agency and industry reports, this week recorded 6 orbital launches across 3 countries (China, Russia, United States), collectively deploying approximately 42 payloads to orbit. Notable activity included China’s broadband constellation additions, Russia’s Bion-M biosatellite flight, a classified Russian military cluster, one U.S. defense spaceplane mission, and a high-cadence Starlink deployment.
This Week’s Top Stories
SpaceX launches eighth mission of the X-37B military spaceplane
SpaceX launched the U.S. Air Force X-37B (OTV-8) on a Falcon 9, initiating a new long-duration mission to test technologies including laser communications and advanced navigation. The flight underscores continued U.S. investment in maneuverable, reusable space systems with defense applications. read more
SpaceX adds 24 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg, sustaining commercial cadence
SpaceX executed another West Coast Starlink mission with 24 spacecraft, reinforcing broadband capacity and the company’s high-frequency launch operations. Persisting cadence pressures competitors and shapes global LEO communications markets. read more
Russia launches Bion-M No. 2 biosatellite to LEO
Roscosmos launched Bion-M No. 2 on a Soyuz-2.1b from Baikonur to conduct space biology experiments with animals and microorganisms over a month-long mission. Results will inform life-science research and deep-space human health risk models. read more
Russia’s Angara 1.2 launches classified Kosmos payloads
An Angara 1.2 lifted off from Plesetsk carrying classified Kosmos satellites, signaling continued modernization of Russia’s national security space architecture. The mission highlights diversification beyond Soyuz for defense launches. read more
China adds Guowang broadband group on Long March 6A
China’s state program launched a Long March 6A with a new batch for the planned Guowang broadband constellation, advancing China’s response to global LEO internet networks while diversifying orbital regimes. read more
CAS Space’s Kinetica-1 carries seven satellites, including first Latin American payloads
Chinese commercial firm CAS Space orbited seven payloads—among them two Mexican femtosatellites—marking the company’s first mission for a Latin American client. The flight underscores evolving South-South space cooperation and new rideshare channels into SSO. read more
NASA sets coverage for SpaceX CRS-33 cargo mission to ISS (target: Aug. 24)
NASA confirmed coverage plans for the CRS-33 Dragon cargo launch, foregrounding new station logistics and research deliveries. The advisory outlines timelines and broadcast details relevant to ISS operations stakeholders. read more
Japan’s H3 selected to carry ESA mission for first Apophis pass in 2029
ESA confirmed plans tied to a close Apophis encounter in 2029, with Japan’s H3 assigned to support the mission. The decision strengthens Europe-Japan collaboration on planetary science and space safety. read more
JAXA targets October debut for next-gen HTV-X cargo spacecraft
Japan outlined an October debut for its HTV-X ISS resupply vehicle, signaling renewed competition and redundancy in station logistics following years of transition in Japan’s launch program. read more
Firefly signs agreement to study Alpha launches from Japan
Firefly Aerospace will assess operating its Alpha rocket from a new Japanese commercial spaceport, expanding access to mid-inclination orbits and fostering U.S.–Japan commercial launch ties. read more
Platinum Equity to acquire Anuvu, reshaping in-flight connectivity supply
Private equity firm Platinum Equity agreed to purchase Anuvu after the operator activated its first two small GEOs, consolidating capabilities across aero IFC and satellite services. read more
SpinLaunch raises $30 million to advance Meridian Space constellation
SpinLaunch secured new funding to progress its planned broadband constellation, extending investor interest in alternative smallsat deployment architectures and ground-driven launch assist concepts. read more
Globalstar pivots toward defense with secure satcom offerings
Globalstar detailed secure communications products—including covert tracking—for government customers, reflecting continued convergence between commercial LEO services and defense requirements. read more
Space Dynamics Lab deepens ties with U.S. Space Force
Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory formalized a new affiliation with the Space Force to accelerate prototyping and operational technology transition, reinforcing academia-government integration in national security space. read more
Remarks from NASA’s acting administrator raise uncertainty on Earth science portfolio
Comments by NASA’s acting administrator prompted questions about the long-term direction of Earth science programs, with implications for climate observations and mission prioritization. read more
Blue Origin proposes Blue Ring–based Mars communications orbiter concept
Blue Origin outlined a Mars telecom relay concept leveraging its Blue Ring platform, joining emerging industry proposals to commercialize deep-space communications services. read more
Amentum assumes operations at U.S. space launch ranges following protest withdrawal
After a rival protest was withdrawn, Amentum began work on a multibillion-dollar ranges contract, affecting range sustainment, modernization, and mission assurance across U.S. launch sites. read more
In Case You Missed It
- Industry voices concerns over possible UK Space Agency restructuring and its impact on funding continuity and governance. read more
- A steam micro-propulsion system is tasked to raise orbit of an Artemis 2 cubesat, spotlighting low-cost station-keeping for small spacecraft. read more
- New Chinese launch vehicle plans continue to emerge to support future constellation deployment, indicating sustained domestic competition. read more
- Italian-Dutch firm Revolv Space secures its first U.S. contract for solar array drive assemblies, expanding European hardware presence in the U.S. market. read more
- Blue Origin proposes a Mars telecom orbiter concept based on Blue Ring, reflecting growing commercial interest in deep-space infrastructure. read more
- Schriever Wargame planning points to broader allied roles as the U.S. shifts toward coalition-led space strategy. read more
- Commentary: FAA’s informed consent rules may leave spaceflight participants without adequate safety transparency, fueling policy debate. read more
- Blue Origin scrubbed the planned NS-35 New Shepard flight due to an avionics issue; a new target is forthcoming. read more
Upcoming Events
- SpaceX CRS-33 to ISS (August 24, 2025): NASA coverage for the 33rd Commercial Resupply Services mission. read more
- IMAP (No Earlier Than September 23, 2025): NASA mission to study the heliosphere and interstellar boundary. read more
- CLPS Flight: Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark 1 (October 2025): NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services delivery to the Moon. read more
- Sentinel-6B (No Earlier Than November 2025): Ocean altimetry follow-on mission supporting climate and sea-level monitoring. read more
- AAS Glenn Space Technology Symposium (September 8–10, 2025): Technical forum on maturing space technologies. read more
- World Space Business Week (September 15–19, 2025): Global industry gathering focused on satellite communications and downstream markets. read more
Key Takeaways
- Launch cadence remained robust across three major spacefaring nations, with diversified mission types: broadband LEO deployments, bioscience research, classified defense payloads, and a reusable military spaceplane.
- Commercial dynamics accelerated, including M&A (Anuvu), capital raises (SpinLaunch), and cross-border launch initiatives (Firefly–Japan), signaling sustained investor confidence and new market entry points.
- Policy and security developments—ranging from NASA portfolio signals to allied space wargaming—highlight an environment where governance and strategy are evolving alongside rapid technical progress.
- Emerging partnerships with Latin American payloads on Chinese commercial launchers illustrate a broadening global supplier landscape and new access routes to orbit for regional customers.
