NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said today he’s “extremely confident” Artemis III will launch next year to test rendezvous and docking operations between Orion and test versions of the two human lunar landing systems. A Wet Dress Rehearsal for Artemis III is planned for November, around the same time as a Max Power event at Kennedy Space Center that will highlight American aeronautics and space innovation.
China experienced a launch failure today of their relatively new Long March 7A rocket. Introduced in 2020, the first launch failed, but the track record since then has been perfect. The cause is under investigation.
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the two weeks August 9-22, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The House and Senate are in recess except for pro forma sessions.
During its first earnings call since going public, SpaceX officials said today the next Starship test flight, IFT-14, will put operational Starlink Version 3 satellites into orbit. If they get regulatory approval, they also will try to catch the Starship upper stage back at the launch site for the first time.
NASA and SpaceX are getting ready to launch Crew-13 to the International Space Station in September. For the first time, if an emergency occurs on the launch pad and the crew needs to escape, Tesla Cybertrucks will be waiting for them instead of the usual Mine-Resistent Ambush Protected vehicles or MRAPs.
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of August 2-8, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate is in session this week. The House is on summer break, with only pro forma sessions between now and August 31.
NASA declined again today to indicate when the next Starliner flight will take place. The agency and Boeing agreed after problems encountered with the 2024 Crewed Flight Test that the next mission, Starliner 1, will carry cargo only, but the question remains as to when. Boeing said earlier this week they are working with NASA to resolve uncertainties about the date and additional cost impacts are possible. Boeing must absorb any cost increases under this fixed price contract.
Katalyst Space’s efforts to reboost NASA’s Swift observatory has encountered a setback. The LINK on-orbit servicing spacecraft is in a multi-axis spin. LINK must attach itself to Swift and raise the orbit to avoid reentering later this year. Other systems are working properly and Katalyst remains hopeful they can regain control of LINK and complete the mission.
The Department of Transportation wants to loosen environmental regulations for space launches and reentries. A proposed rule released today would allow DOT to waive “unnecessary environmental laws and regulations” to spur American innovation. The public has 30 days to comment. [Update, July 30: per the Federal Register, comments are due by August 31, 2026.]
Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the week of July 26-August 1, 2026 and any insight we can offer about them. The Senate is in session this week. The House is on summer recess, returning August 31 with only pro forma sessions until then.