Space
Space propulsion, satellite servicing, launch systems, in-space manufacturing, debris regulation
Trends in Flight-Operated Small-Satellite Propulsion Technologies
Systematic review of flight-operated small-satellite propulsion systems
Orbital debris requires prevention and mitigation across the satellite life cycle
Lifecycle framework for debris mitigation — prevention at design, collision avoidance in ops, post-mission disposal, and active removal
Numerical Modeling of Liquid Propellant Mass Transfer with Sloshing during On-Orbit Refueling
Models UDMH liquid propellant sloshing dynamics during chaser-target docking for on-orbit refueling
State-of-the-art review of metal in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technologies
Comprehensive review of metal ISAM approaches — PBF and DED dominate, but friction stir methods offer better robustness in space
Progression of Satellite Refueling and Repositioning Technologies Through a Client–Servicer Perspective
Peer-reviewed TRL progression framework for refueling from client and servicer perspectives; 30–39% lifetime extension, ~$280k/kg fuel cost benchmarks
Orbit Fab + Astroscale: First Satellite Refueling in Geostationary Orbit
First commercial GEO satellite refueling, June 2026; SpaceX orbital fuel transfer
SpaceX Starship Propellant Transfer Demo
Ship-to-ship docking + propellant transfer. Block 2 insulation/vacuum jacketing. Two launches, 3-4 weeks apart. Critical for Artemis HLS (~10 tanker launches needed).
In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) State of Play 2025 Edition
Official NASA ISAM roadmap — catalogs active programs, technology gaps, and near-term demo missions
ESA Zero Debris Policy and Requirements
Mandates 5-year post-mission disposal (down from 25), 90% success probability, servicing interfaces for ADR capability
GAO Report: In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (GAO-25-107555)
Official US GAO audit of in-space servicing programs — gaps in DoD/NASA coordination, funding landscape, and recommendations for commercialization
Northrop Grumman MRV / DARPA RSGS: First US Robotic GEO Servicer, Summer 2026 Launch
MRV (DARPA RSGS payload, two NRL dexterous arms on MEV-derived bus) readies for dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 launch summer 2026 with three MEPs; first US/commercial robotic servicer; MEPs extend ~2,000 kg GEO sats 6-8 yrs; ~10-mo electric transit to GEO (36,000 km)
NASA SSPICY: Starfish Space Otter Debris-Inspection Mission, Late 2026
NASA's SSPICY funds Starfish Space ($15M/3yr) to fly the oven-sized Otter (electric propulsion) to inspect multiple consenting US-owned defunct satellites within hundreds of meters; first NASA-funded commercial debris inspection; launches late 2026, inspections 2027
ORBITS Act of 2025 (S.1898) — Orbital Sustainability Act
First US legislation authorizing $150M for active debris removal demos (FY2026-2030)
Japan Active Debris Removal Framework and JAXA CRD2 Program
Japan developing first international ADR legal framework for COPUOS 2026; JAXA/Astroscale CRD2 demo on track for 2027
The State of ISAM 2026
Industry-wide snapshot of ISAM maturity as of 2026 — who is operating, what is funded, and what milestones remain
SpaceX 2026 Starship Milestones
Moon landing tests, Mars transfer window, orbital refueling scale-up
Space Force Satellite Refueling Demos 2026 and 2028
$118.8M in contracts for first government-funded satellite refueling: Astroscale APS-R (2026) + Northrop Elixir (2028)
Starship Flight 12: First V3 (Block 3) Flight, First Launch from Pad 2
First Starship V3/Block 3 flight + first launch from Pad 2 (May 22 2026); Ship 39 reached space on 5 of 6 engines, deployed all 22 Starlink sims, splashed down Indian Ocean ~66.5 min; Booster 19 lost (crashed Gulf of Mexico at 1,450 km/h); FAA grounded V3 pending review
SpaceX Starfall: First Reentry Capsule for In-Space Manufacturing Return (June 2026) + $20B Bond
SpaceX debuted Starfall, a flat-disk reentry capsule (3.1m x 0.75m, 2,100 kg) returning up to 1,000 kg from orbit (~30x Varda) for orbital pharma/protein/semiconductor/optical-fiber manufacturing; first demo June 23 2026 on Falcon 9 from SLC-40; same day opened $20B bond offering (~$100.8B cash) to refinance ~$17.5B X/xAI debt
SpaceX Starship Mars 2026: Musk Says '50/50', Five V3 Vehicles Targeted
SpaceX targeting five Starship V3 vehicles to Mars Nov-Dec 2026 carrying Optimus humanoids; Musk rates Mars 2026 '50/50'; Flight 12 (V2) targeted early May 2026; orbital refueling not yet demonstrated — the binding capability gate