https://www.spacebandits.io/industries/launch Dated, sourced milestones from the launch companies Space Bandits tracks. en https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/stoke-space stoke-space/2026-09-08/Raises a $1B first close of a Series E led by Point72 Ventures and Spark Capital, taking total funding to $2.3B, with Nova's debut now early 2027 Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises a $1B first close of a Series E led by Point72 Ventures and Spark Capital, taking total funding to $2.3B, with Nova's debut now early 2027. Source: https://payloadspace.com/stoke-space-raises-1b-initial-series-e-round/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2026-09-05/Spectrum reaches orbit on its second flight, the first orbital launch from Western European soil, and releases five cubesats and a DLR experiment Sat, 05 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Spectrum reaches orbit on its second flight, the first orbital launch from Western European soil, and releases five cubesats and a DLR experiment. Source: https://spacenews.com/isar-aerospace-reaches-orbit-on-second-spectrum-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/hyimpulse hyimpulse/2026-09-02/Extends its Series A by more than €50M, co-led by JOIN Capital and Ace Capital Partners, taking total funding to about €125M Wed, 02 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Extends its Series A by more than €50M, co-led by JOIN Capital and Ace Capital Partners, taking total funding to about €125M. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/hyimpulse-extends-series-a-funding-round-by-e50-million https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/blue-origin blue-origin/2026-09-01/NASA awards a firm-fixed-price contract worth up to $700M to build, launch and operate the Mars Telecommunications Network orbiter, due by the end of 2028 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT NASA awards a firm-fixed-price contract worth up to $700M to build, launch and operate the Mars Telecommunications Network orbiter, due by the end of 2028. Source: https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-selects-blue-origin-as-mars-telecommunications-network-provider/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/galactic-energy galactic-energy/2026-09-01/Pallas-1 reaches orbit on its debut from Jiuquan, with first-stage recovery planned for later flights Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Pallas-1 reaches orbit on its debut from Jiuquan, with first-stage recovery planned for later flights. Source: https://spacenews.com/galactic-energys-pallas-1-rocket-reaches-orbit-on-debut-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2026-09-01/Signs a launch contract with Astroscale Japan to fly the ADRAS-J2 debris-removal mission on Spectrum from Andøya in 2027 or 2028 Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Signs a launch contract with Astroscale Japan to fly the ADRAS-J2 debris-removal mission on Spectrum from Andøya in 2027 or 2028. Source: https://isaraerospace.com/press/isar-aerospace-signs-launch-contract-with-astroscale-japan https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/pld-space pld-space/2026-09-01/Adds €108M to its Series C, led again by Mitsubishi Electric, taking the round to €288M for Miura 5 production and launch infrastructure Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT Adds €108M to its Series C, led again by Mitsubishi Electric, taking the round to €288M for Miura 5 production and launch infrastructure. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/pld-space-adds-e108-million-to-series-c-funding-round https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/agnikul-cosmos agnikul-cosmos/2026-09/India's Technology Development Board agrees to provide ₹200 crore, in convertible debentures, toward a reusable Agnibaan Tue, 01 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMT India's Technology Development Board agrees to provide ₹200 crore, in convertible debentures, toward a reusable Agnibaan. Source: https://en.channeliam.com/2026/09/26/agnikul-cosmos-funding-reusable-agnibaan-rocket/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/isar-aerospace isar-aerospace/2026-08-27/ESA awards a €197.8M European Launcher Challenge contract for Spectrum flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT ESA awards a €197.8M European Launcher Challenge contract for Spectrum flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-e544-million-in-european-launcher-challenge-contracts/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/pld-space pld-space/2026-08-27/ESA awards a €158.9M European Launcher Challenge contract for Miura 5 flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT ESA awards a €158.9M European Launcher Challenge contract for Miura 5 flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-e544-million-in-european-launcher-challenge-contracts/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2026-08-27/ESA awards a €186.9M European Launcher Challenge contract for RFA ONE flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades Thu, 27 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT ESA awards a €186.9M European Launcher Challenge contract for RFA ONE flights through 2030 and vehicle upgrades. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/esa-awards-e544-million-in-european-launcher-challenge-contracts/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/spacex spacex/2026-08-26/Announces Starbase Louisiana, a $100B Gulf Coast Starship site with five launch complexes, building from 2027 for first launches in 2029 Wed, 26 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Announces Starbase Louisiana, a $100B Gulf Coast Starship site with five launch complexes, building from 2027 for first launches in 2029. Source: https://payloadspace.com/spacex-announces-new-starbase-louisiana-spaceport/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/orbex orbex/2026-08-25/Highlands and Islands Enterprise buys the Sutherland Spaceport assets from the liquidators, six months after Orbex entered administration Tue, 25 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Highlands and Islands Enterprise buys the Sutherland Spaceport assets from the liquidators, six months after Orbex entered administration. Source: https://europeanspaceflight.com/orbexs-sutherland-spaceport-assets-sold-to-scottish-development-agency https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/orienspace orienspace/2026-08-06/Closes a pre-C round of several hundred million yuan and begins IPO preparation, with the reusable Gravity-2 aimed at a fourth-quarter debut Thu, 06 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Closes a pre-C round of several hundred million yuan and begins IPO preparation, with the reusable Gravity-2 aimed at a fourth-quarter debut. Source: https://spacenews.com/chinese-launch-startup-orienspace-targets-ipo-secures-funding-for-reusable-gravity-2-rocket/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/i-space-china i-space-china/2026-08-05/First tranche of a Series E raises nearly ¥1 billion for Hyperbola-3 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT First tranche of a Series E raises nearly ¥1 billion for Hyperbola-3. Source: https://technode.com/2026/08/05/chinese-commercial-rocket-company-i-space-completes-first-tranche-of-nearly-rmb1-billion-series-e-funding/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/landspace landspace/2026-08/Zhuque-3 lands its first stage 390 km downrange, China's first orbital-class booster recovery on land and the third company ever to do it; video then showed a fire breaking out in its aft section Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Zhuque-3 lands its first stage 390 km downrange, China's first orbital-class booster recovery on land and the third company ever to do it; video then showed a fire breaking out in its aft section. Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/08/19/landspace-becomes-first-commercial-chinese-company-to-land-an-orbital-class-booster/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/relativity-space relativity-space/2026-08/Engine integration milestone reached for Terran R first stage Sat, 01 Aug 2026 12:00:00 GMT Engine integration milestone reached for Terran R first stage. Source: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/08/relativity-engine-integration-milestone-terran-r/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2026-07-28/Tank problem forces a destack, cancelling the launch window Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tank problem forces a destack, cancelling the launch window. Source: https://spacenews.com/tank-problem-delays-first-rfa-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/skyroot-aerospace skyroot-aerospace/2026-07-18/Vikram-1 reaches orbit on its first flight, the first orbital launch by a private Indian company Sat, 18 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Vikram-1 reaches orbit on its first flight, the first orbital launch by a private Indian company. Source: https://spacenews.com/skyroot-aerospace-reaches-orbit-on-first-vikram-1-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/maritime-launch-services maritime-launch-services/2026-07-07/Isar Aerospace signs a ten-year deal for a Spectrum complex Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Isar Aerospace signs a ten-year deal for a Spectrum complex. Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/11956387/german-aerospace-company-nova-scotia-launch-pad/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/orbex orbex/2026-07-07/Administrators report £689,000 cash against a £117 million deficit Tue, 07 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Administrators report £689,000 cash against a £117 million deficit. Source: https://www.advanced-television.com/2026/07/07/orbex-bankruptcy-details-released/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/orienspace orienspace/2026-07/Third Gravity-1 flight carries nine satellites from the East China Sea, a Chinese commercial payload record Wed, 01 Jul 2026 12:00:00 GMT Third Gravity-1 flight carries nine satellites from the East China Sea, a Chinese commercial payload record. Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/chinas-record-breaking-gravity-1-rocket-launches-9-satellites-from-a-ship-at-sea-video https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-lab rocket-lab/2026-06-29/Agrees to buy the satellite operator Iridium at $54 a share, valuing it at about $8B Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Agrees to buy the satellite operator Iridium at $54 a share, valuing it at about $8B. Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/29/rocket-lab-continues-buying-spree-by-acquiring-satellite-company-iridium/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/maritime-launch-services maritime-launch-services/2026-06-10/Barracuda flight ends in an anomaly late in the boost phase Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Barracuda flight ends in an anomaly late in the boost phase. Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/maritime-launch-completes-suborbital-launch-from-spaceport-nova-scotia-in-partnership-with-t-minus-engineering-302797198.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/spacex spacex/2026-06/Lists on Nasdaq as SPCX in the largest IPO in history Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Lists on Nasdaq as SPCX in the largest IPO in history. Source: https://fortune.com/2026/06/15/gwynne-shotwell-spacex-engineer-mars-nasa-ipo/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/stoke-space stoke-space/2026-06/Completes Nova first-stage structural verification ahead of the rocket’s debut Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:00:00 GMT Completes Nova first-stage structural verification ahead of the rocket’s debut. Source: https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2026/06/stoke-nova-update/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/skyroot-aerospace skyroot-aerospace/2026-05-07/Raises $60M at a $1.1B valuation, becoming India's first space tech unicorn Thu, 07 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises $60M at a $1.1B valuation, becoming India's first space tech unicorn. Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/07/indias-first-space-tech-unicorn-emerges-as-skyroot-gears-up-for-orbital-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/agnikul-cosmos agnikul-cosmos/2026-05/Test-fires four Agnilet engines together as a cluster, a step toward the orbital Agnibaan Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Test-fires four Agnilet engines together as a cluster, a step toward the orbital Agnibaan. Source: https://manufactur3dmag.com/agnikul-3d-printed-rocket-engine-cluster/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/zero-2-infinity zero-2-infinity/2026-05/Enters voluntary insolvency proceedings at a Barcelona commercial court Fri, 01 May 2026 12:00:00 GMT Enters voluntary insolvency proceedings at a Barcelona commercial court. Source: https://www.infoconcursal.es/lstdeta/oBWjwXtw8Xxk=/ZERO-2-INFINITY-SL_concurso-de-acreedores.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/world-view-enterprises world-view-enterprises/2026-04-01/Ondas completes the acquisition of World View Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT Ondas completes the acquisition of World View. Source: https://ir.ondas.com/press-releases/detail/298/ondas-completes-acquisition-of-world-view-enterprises https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/space-pioneer space-pioneer/2026-04/Tianlong-3 fails about 33 seconds into its maiden flight Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:00 GMT Tianlong-3 fails about 33 seconds into its maiden flight. Source: https://spacenews.com/chinas-commercial-tianlong-3-rocket-fails-on-debut-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/world-view-enterprises world-view-enterprises/2026-03-23/Ondas agrees to acquire World View in an all-stock deal Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Ondas agrees to acquire World View in an all-stock deal. Source: https://ir.ondas.com/press-releases/detail/297/ondas-to-acquire-world-view-building-on-shared-vision-for https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/maritime-launch-services maritime-launch-services/2026-03-16/Canada leases a defence pad for $200 million over ten years Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Canada leases a defence pad for $200 million over ten years. Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/government-of-canada-selects-spaceport-nova-scotia-as-dedicated-sovereign-launch-site-for-national-defence-302714604.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/space-one space-one/2026-03-05/Kairos flight 3 terminated about two minutes after liftoff, five payloads lost Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Kairos flight 3 terminated about two minutes after liftoff, five payloads lost. Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/05/japan/science-health/kairos-launch/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/world-view-enterprises world-view-enterprises/2026-03-02/Ondas invests $10 million and signs an ISR partnership Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT Ondas invests $10 million and signs an ISR partnership. Source: https://ir.ondas.com/press-releases/detail/282/ondas-announces-10-million-strategic-investment-in-world https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-factory-augsburg rocket-factory-augsburg/2026-03/First RFA ONE stages shipped to SaxaVord Spaceport Sun, 01 Mar 2026 12:00:00 GMT First RFA ONE stages shipped to SaxaVord Spaceport. Source: https://www.electronicsweekly.com/news/rfa-ships-stages-of-its-rfa-one-rocket-to-saxavord-spaceport-2026-03/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/i-space-china i-space-china/2026-02-13/Closes a ¥5 billion Series D++, the largest Chinese launch round Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Closes a ¥5 billion Series D++, the largest Chinese launch round. Source: https://www.yicaiglobal.com/news/interstellar-secures-biggest-financing-in-chinas-private-commercial-aerospace-industry https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/orbex orbex/2026-02-11/Enters administration after a failed Series D and sale talks Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Enters administration after a failed Series D and sale talks. Source: https://spacenews.com/uk-launcher-orbex-files-for-administration-after-failed-funding-efforts/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/space-epoch space-epoch/2026-02/Raises an undisclosed Series B toward a first orbital launch and recovery attempt Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Raises an undisclosed Series B toward a first orbital launch and recovery attempt. Source: https://spacenews.com/chinas-space-epoch-raises-new-funding-targets-2026-launch-and-recovery-attempt/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/spacex spacex/2026-02/Acquires xAI in an all-stock merger valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 GMT Acquires xAI in an all-stock merger valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion. Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/elon-musk-confirms-spacex-merger-with-xai-ahead-of-ipo-220616795.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/astra astra/2026-01-20/Ships 110 satellite engine systems in twelve months Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Ships 110 satellite engine systems in twelve months. Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260120050820/en/Astra-Ships-110-Satellite-Engines-Focuses-on-2026-Test-Flight-of-New-Rocket https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/galactic-energy galactic-energy/2026-01/Ceres-2 is destroyed on its debut; Ceres-1 returns to flight at sea the same week, its ledger at 23 flights and 89 satellites Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Ceres-2 is destroyed on its debut; Ceres-1 returns to flight at sea the same week, its ledger at 23 flights and 89 satellites. Source: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202601/16/WS6969ad6ca310d6866eb34224.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/space-epoch space-epoch/2026-01/Breaks ground on a Hangzhou plant sized for 25 rockets a year, built around sea-recovered reuse Thu, 01 Jan 2026 12:00:00 GMT Breaks ground on a Hangzhou plant sized for 25 rockets a year, built around sea-recovered reuse. Source: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2026-01-09/China-breaks-ground-on-its-first-sea-recovery-reusable-rockets-plant-1JN0TIKow9O/p.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/landspace landspace/2025-12/Zhuque-3 reaches orbit on its debut; the first stage is lost during its landing attempt Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT Zhuque-3 reaches orbit on its debut; the first stage is lost during its landing attempt. Source: https://spacenews.com/zhuque-3-reaches-orbit-on-test-flight-first-stage-lost-during-landing-attempt/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/landspace landspace/2025-12/Shanghai Stock Exchange accepts its STAR Market IPO application Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT Shanghai Stock Exchange accepts its STAR Market IPO application. Source: https://spacenews.com/landspace-targets-1-billion-for-reusable-rockets-as-ipo-application-accepted/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/rocket-lab rocket-lab/2025-12/Completes a record 21 Electron launches in 2025; Neutron’s debut moves to 2026 Mon, 01 Dec 2025 12:00:00 GMT Completes a record 21 Electron launches in 2025; Neutron’s debut moves to 2026. Source: https://nasaspaceflight.com/2025/12/rocket-lab-2025-overview/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/agnikul-cosmos agnikul-cosmos/2025-11-22/Raises ₹150 crore (about $17M) at a $500M valuation Sat, 22 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT Raises ₹150 crore (about $17M) at a $500M valuation. Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/spacetech-startup-agnikul-raises-rs150-cr-to-fuel-3d-printed-rocket-expansion-hits-500-mn-valuation-503296-2025-11-22 https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/maritime-launch-services maritime-launch-services/2025-11-20/Second suborbital demonstration flies a T-Minus Barracuda Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT Second suborbital demonstration flies a T-Minus Barracuda. Source: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/maritime-launch-completes-second-successful-suborbital-demonstration-from-spaceport-nova-scotia-launching-t-minus-engineering-s-barracuda-vehicle-863554512.html https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/relativity-space relativity-space/2025-11-12/SES expands multi-launch agreement for Terran R Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT SES expands multi-launch agreement for Terran R. Source: https://spacenews.com/ses-expands-launch-contract-with-relativity-space/ https://www.spacebandits.io/startups/maritime-launch-services maritime-launch-services/2025-11-03/MDA Space invests $10 million and becomes an equity owner Mon, 03 Nov 2025 12:00:00 GMT MDA Space invests $10 million and becomes an equity owner. Source: https://mda.space/article/mda-space-makes-10-million-investment-in-maritime-launch-becoming-an-equity-owner-and-a-strategic-partner