Spaceflight Daily Report, Thursday 27th August 2026

Image credit: Arianespace

Launch of MTG-I2

Arianespace launched an Ariane 6 rocket from Kourou in French Guiana at 2011 UTC, or 1711 local time (GFT). This was carrying MTG-I2, also known as Meteosat-14, a geostationary weather imaging satellite operated by EUMETSAT. This completes the organisation's Meteosat Third Generation constellation. This was the 9th flight of the Ariane 6, which flew in its 62 configuration, meaning it had two strap-on boosters. It was also the first Ariane 6 to deliver a payload to geostationary orbit. [Source: Arianespace]

First Batch of European Launcher Challenge Funding Awarded

The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed the first three contracts as part of its European Launcher Challenge programme, which aims to help fund the development of private launch vehicles. They have awarded €186.9 million to Rocket Factory Augsberg (RFA) to continue development of their RFA One rocket, €158.9 million to PLD Space to continue development of their Miura 5 rocket, and €197.8 million to Isar Aerospace to continue development of their Spectrum rocket. These awards are mainly funded by Germany and Spain, with the United Kingdom, Norway, and Austria also making contributions. A fourth contract is expected soon, which will award funding to ArianeGroup subsidiary MaiaSpace to continue development of their Maia rocket. [Source: ESA]

International Space Station Activities

NASA published their daily blog post on the crew's activities aboard the International Space Station. The Cygnus cargo spacecraft, berthed to the Unity module, fired its thrusters for 20 minutes and 43 seconds to raise the station's perigee by 2.6 miles. The astronauts spent their day preparing for Tuesday's spacewalk and carrying out routine research and maintenance. [Source: NASA]

Spaceflight Daily Report, Wednesday 17th June 2026

Image credit: NASA/Jessica Meir

Launch of Guowang Group 22

CASC/SAST launched a Long March 12 (Chang Zheng 12) from Wenchang in Hainan at 0244 UTC, or 1044 local time (CST). It was carrying Guowang Group 22, a batch of nine satellites for the Chinese state-owned internet constellation. This was the 6th flight of the Long March 12. [Source: SAST]

Launch of CentiSpace-1 Group 05

ExPace, a subsidiary of the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), launched a Kuaizhou 11 from Jiuquan in Gansu at 0358 UTC, or 1158 local time (CST). It was carrying CentiSpace-1 Group 05, a batch of eight navigation satellites operated by the company Future Navigation. This was the 6th flight of the Kuaizhou 11. [Source: ExPace]

Launch of BlueBird 8 to 10

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 0639 UTC, or 0239 local time (EDT). It was carrying BlueBird 8, 9, and 10, a batch of three satellites for AST SpaceMobile's cellular broadband constellation. This was the 653rd flight of the Falcon 9, and the 29th flight of booster B1077, which successfully landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic Ocean. [Source: SpaceX]

Launch of Amazon Leo LE-03

ESA launched an Ariane 6 from Kourou in French Guiana at 1221 UTC, or 0921 local time (GFT). It was carrying Amazon Leo LE-03, a batch of 36 satellites for the internet constellation. The rocket was in its 64 configuration, meaning it had four strap-on boosters. The boosters are newly upgraded, allowing for four additional satellites compared to previous missions. This was the 8th flight of the Ariane 6. [Source: Arianespace]

Splashdown of CRS-34

The Cargo Dragon serving the CRS-34 mission, which departed the International Space Station yesterday, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean under its parachutes at 1211 UTC, returning various science experiments from the station back to Earth. [Source: NASA]

Announcement of Relativity Space Mars Orbiter

Relativity Space have announced they will be developing a commercial Mars orbiter in partnership with NASA, as part of their new Interplanetary Sciences Program. It will include various instruments for the scientific study of Mars, as well as acting as a communications relay. The spacecraft is planned to be launched in late 2028 on the company's Terran R reusable rocket, which has yet to fly. [Source: Relativity Space]

International Space Station Activities

NASA published their daily blog post on the crew's activities aboard the International Space Station. The astronauts conducted routine research and maintenance, and prepared for the next spacewalk. [Source: NASA]