Commercial Space
NASA Selects SpaceX for NEO Surveyor: Advancing Planetary Defense
NASA Selects SpaceX to Launch NEO Surveyor: A Leap in Planetary Defense
The selection of SpaceX to launch NASA’s Near Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor mission marks a significant milestone in planetary defense. Scheduled for a September 2027 launch, this mission aims to detect and track potentially hazardous asteroids and comets that could pose a threat to Earth. With a $100 million contract awarded to SpaceX, the mission underscores the growing collaboration between NASA and private space companies in advancing scientific and defense objectives.
NEO Surveyor is designed to operate from the Earth-sun L-1 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. Equipped with a 50-centimeter telescope and infrared detectors, the spacecraft will identify near-Earth objects, determine their orbits, and assess their sizes. This mission is critical for achieving NASA’s goal of detecting 90% of NEOs larger than 140 meters within a decade, a target mandated by Congress to mitigate the risk of catastrophic impacts.
The importance of this mission was highlighted by recent events, such as the discovery of asteroid 2024 YR4, which initially had a small but non-zero chance of impacting Earth in 2032. While subsequent observations reduced the risk, the incident underscores the need for advanced detection systems like NEO Surveyor to ensure planetary safety.
The NEO Surveyor Mission: Objectives and Design
The primary objective of the NEO Surveyor mission is to discover and characterize potentially hazardous asteroids larger than 140 meters in diameter. By cataloging these objects, NASA aims to provide early warnings and develop mitigation strategies to prevent potential impacts. The spacecraft’s infrared detectors will enable it to detect objects that are difficult to observe with visible light, particularly those inside Earth’s orbit.
NEO Surveyor’s design includes a 50-centimeter telescope operating in two infrared wavelengths, allowing it to identify NEOs as small as 10 meters in diameter. The spacecraft, with a total mass of no more than 1,300 kg, will be positioned at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point, providing an optimal vantage point for continuous monitoring. This location minimizes interference from Earth’s atmosphere and maximizes the telescope’s efficiency.
The mission’s timeline includes a primary phase of five years, during which it aims to detect two-thirds of NEOs larger than 140 meters. Over its anticipated 12-year lifespan, NEO Surveyor is expected to catalog approximately 200,000 to 300,000 new NEOs, significantly enhancing our understanding of these celestial bodies and their potential threats.
“The NEO Surveyor mission represents a critical step forward in our ability to detect and track near-Earth objects. Its advanced infrared technology will allow us to identify threats that were previously undetectable, ensuring the safety of our planet.” – NASA Planetary Defense Coordination Office
SpaceX’s Role in Advancing Planetary Defense
SpaceX’s selection to launch the NEO Surveyor mission highlights the company’s growing role in supporting NASA’s scientific and defense initiatives. The Falcon 9 rocket, known for its reliability and cost-effectiveness, will carry the spacecraft into orbit from Florida’s launch facilities. This partnership reflects the increasing reliance on private space companies to achieve national and international space exploration goals.
The $100 million launch contract includes mission-related expenses, ensuring that the spacecraft is delivered to its designated orbit with precision. SpaceX’s proven track record in launching scientific missions, such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) and the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), makes it a trusted partner for NASA’s ambitious projects.
This collaboration also underscores the broader trend of public-private partnerships in space exploration. By leveraging the expertise and resources of private companies, NASA can focus on advancing scientific research and developing innovative technologies to address global challenges, such as planetary defense.
Global Implications and Future Prospects
The NEO Surveyor mission is part of a global effort to enhance planetary defense capabilities. By detecting and tracking near-Earth objects, this mission contributes to international initiatives aimed at preventing asteroid impacts. The data collected by NEO Surveyor will be shared with global space agencies, fostering collaboration and improving our collective ability to respond to potential threats.
Looking ahead, the success of NEO Surveyor could pave the way for more advanced missions focused on asteroid detection and mitigation. Technologies developed for this mission, such as infrared detection systems, could be adapted for future projects, further enhancing our planetary defense capabilities. Additionally, the mission’s findings could inform the development of strategies to deflect or destroy hazardous asteroids, ensuring the long-term safety of our planet.
As we continue to explore the cosmos, missions like NEO Surveyor remind us of the importance of vigilance and innovation in protecting Earth from celestial threats. By investing in planetary defense, we not only safeguard our future but also deepen our understanding of the universe and our place within it.
Conclusion
The NEO Surveyor mission represents a significant advancement in planetary defense, leveraging cutting-edge technology and public-private partnerships to detect and track near-Earth objects. With SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket set to launch the spacecraft in 2027, this mission underscores the critical role of collaboration in addressing global challenges.
As we look to the future, the success of NEO Surveyor will not only enhance our ability to protect Earth from potential asteroid impacts but also inspire further innovation in space exploration. By continuing to invest in planetary defense, we ensure the safety of our planet and pave the way for new discoveries that expand our understanding of the universe.
FAQ
What is the NEO Surveyor mission?
The NEO Surveyor mission is a NASA initiative designed to detect and track near-Earth objects (NEOs) that could pose a threat to Earth. It uses a space-based infrared telescope to identify and characterize these objects.
Why is the NEO Surveyor mission important?
The mission is critical for planetary defense, as it aims to detect 90% of NEOs larger than 140 meters within a decade. This helps mitigate the risk of catastrophic asteroid impacts.
What role does SpaceX play in the mission?
SpaceX has been selected to launch the NEO Surveyor spacecraft aboard its Falcon 9 rocket. The $100 million contract includes mission-related expenses, ensuring a precise and reliable launch.
Sources: SpaceNews, Wikipedia, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics
Commercial Space
Starfighters Space Plans STARLAUNCH 1 Captive-Carry Flight Test
Starfighters Space schedules a December 2026 captive-carry flight of STARLAUNCH 1 aboard an F-104 Starfighter from Kennedy Space Center.
Starfighters Space, Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) will conduct the first captive-carry flight test of its STARLAUNCH 1 suborbital development vehicle using a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter in December 2026. The mission marks the program’s transition from ground-based design to active flight testing, establishing operational procedures for future drop tests and powered launches.
In a press release issued on October 13, 2026, the company confirmed that the airframe design for STARLAUNCH 1 has been finalized and inert flight hardware has been ordered. The December 2026 flight will originate from the company’s base at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center and proceed to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed Cecil Spaceport in Jacksonville, Florida.
Transitioning to active flight testing
The upcoming captive-carry flight represents a critical milestone for the STARLAUNCH program. Inert flight hardware is expected to arrive at the Kennedy Space Center hangar in November 2026. Engineering teams will then begin assembly and testing of the rocket-aircraft interface to ensure the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter can safely carry the suborbital vehicle.
Tim Franta, CEO of Starfighters Space, stated that the planned captive-carry flight will move STARLAUNCH 1 from design and ground-based development directly into flight testing.
“Our approach is deliberately incremental: build the hardware, integrate it with the aircraft, fly it, collect data, and use those results to advance toward separation and powered flight. This work on STARLAUNCH 1 is also expected to generate engineering and operational experience to inform the future development of STARLAUNCH 2.”
The December 2026 mission is designed to test aircraft integration, evaluate aerodynamic behavior, and establish operational procedures. Piercarlo Ciacchi, Director of Flight Operations and Chief Pilot of Starfighters Space, noted that the flight will capture essential data for the FAA and the United States Space Force (USSF).
“December’s captive-carry mission would essentially be step one of a multi-flight campaign, building processes for our launch team while capturing data for the FAA and the Space Force as we move toward propulsive air launch.”
Following the December 2026 captive-carry mission, the company plans to conduct a drop test over the Atlantic Ocean. This will be followed by a demonstration of the integrated propulsion system.
Hardware integration and propulsion development
The December 2026 flight may also serve a dual purpose by incorporating hardware from the company’s Wind Tunnel in the Sky program. On October 8, 2026, Starfighters Space announced the completion of its first flight hardware for this initiative, manufactured by Italian engineering firm Robby Moto Engineering S.R.L. (RME). The assembled flight articles measure 3.65 meters in length and 178 millimeters in diameter.
During the STARLAUNCH 1 flight, the company may fly this newly completed Wind Tunnel in the Sky hardware under the opposite wing of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter on a customer-funded rideshare mission. In this configuration, the hardware will simultaneously serve as an aerodynamic counterweight for the STARLAUNCH 1 vehicle.
Propulsion development is also advancing in parallel. On September 9, 2026, Starfighters Space signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Florida-based Vaya Defense & Space to evaluate the Vortex-Hybrid rocket engine for the STARLAUNCH system. Data collected during the December 2026 flight will support Vaya Defense & Space in developing a hybrid rocket motor aligned with the specific requirements of STARLAUNCH 1.
The STARLAUNCH development pathway
Starfighters Space operates the world’s only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ supersonic aircraft. Based at the Kennedy Space Center, the company utilizes its fleet to provide pilot training, in-flight testing, and microgravity research, while actively developing air-launch capabilities for space payloads.
The STARLAUNCH program is the company’s primary air-launch initiative. STARLAUNCH 1 serves as the initial suborbital development vehicle, designed to pave the way for STARLAUNCH 2, a larger vehicle intended for orbital launches.
The program has met several technical milestones throughout the year. On January 21, 2026, the company announced the successful completion of subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel testing for STARLAUNCH 1. These tests demonstrated clean separation behavior at Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.3. Subsequently, on February 20, 2026, the program advanced to a Critical Design Review (CDR) with support from GE Aerospace to confirm design maturity.
Addressing the hypersonic testing bottleneck
The aerospace and defense industries are currently facing a significant bottleneck in hypersonic testing. Traditional ground-based wind tunnels are heavily oversubscribed and typically offer only seconds of test time per run. Airborne platforms like the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter fleet offer sustained testing at speeds exceeding Mach 2 in real atmospheric conditions.
This capability provides a complementary method to compress development timelines for defense primes and commercial space companies, allowing them to gather sustained aerodynamic data outside of traditional laboratory environments.
AirPro News analysis
We view the activation of the STARLAUNCH flight test campaign as a notable indicator of the shifting economics in high-speed aerospace testing. By utilizing legacy supersonic platforms to bypass the constraints of ground-based infrastructure, commercial operators are positioning themselves to capture overflow demand from defense primes and space launch developers. If the December 2026 captive-carry flight successfully validates the aerodynamic integration, it will likely accelerate the timeline for propulsive air-launch systems, offering a viable alternative to traditional vertical launch architectures for smaller payloads.
The dual-use nature of the December 2026 flight, which tests the launch vehicle while simultaneously flying a commercial payload as a counterweight, demonstrates a highly efficient approach to flight test monetization. This strategy allows the operator to offset development costs while proving out multiple distinct business lines on a single sortie.
Photo Credit: Starfighters Space
Commercial Space
Space Cargo Unlimited Books SpaceX Starfall for 2028 Mission
Space Cargo Unlimited signs with SpaceX to launch a 1-tonne in-space factory on Starfall in 2028, its first European customer.
Luxembourg-based startups Space Cargo Unlimited has secured a contract with SpaceX to launch a one-tonne modular space factory aboard the new Starfall reentry capsule. The mission, targeted for 2028, marks a significant capacity increase for commercial in-space manufacturing and establishes the company as the first known European customer for the Starfall vehicle.
Announced on September 15, 2026, the agreement will utilize Space Cargo Unlimited’s BentoBox payload platform to produce materials in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) before returning them to Earth. According to Reuters, the startup is currently in discussions with more than 100 potential customers, with approximately 40 percent originating from the life sciences and biotechnology sectors.
Scaling up microgravity production
The upcoming 2028 mission represents a tenfold increase in payload capacity for Space Cargo Unlimited. The company previously operated missions with a 100-kilogram limit. The Starfall contract expands that capacity to 1,000 kilograms, or one metric ton.
In a press release detailing the agreement, Space Cargo Unlimited Co-founder and CEO Nicolas Gaume highlighted the historical barriers to orbital production.
“For more than thirty years, we’ve known that manufacturing in microgravity can create materials and products that simply cannot be produced on Earth. The challenge has never been the science. The challenge has been making access commercially practical, repeatable and scalable.”
Demand for the expanded capacity appears robust. Reporting by Payload indicates that Space Cargo Unlimited has already sold one-third of its 1,000-kilogram allocation for the 2028 flight.
Starfall and the commercialization of Starship
The Space Cargo Unlimited contract is part of a broader commercial rollout for SpaceX’s Starfall reentry vehicle, which is designed to fly on the heavy-lift Starship launch system. SpaceX conducted the first demonstration mission of the Starfall capsule on a Falcon 9 rocket on June 23, 2026.
Other aerospace integrators are also securing space on future Starfall flights. In August 2026, Redwire subsidiary SpaceMD announced plans to fly 32 variants of its PIL-BOX payloads on a 2028 Starfall mission to research microgravity drug development. On September 21, 2026, German launch integrator Exolaunch confirmed an agreement for a Starfall mission scheduled for no earlier than 2029.
SpaceX is actively transitioning the Starship program from developmental testing to revenue-generating operations. Speaking to the vehicle’s long-term capabilities, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk noted the company’s aspirations are to deliver well over one million tons to orbit annually.
While Space Cargo Unlimited has publicized the 2028 target for its BentoBox mission, SpaceX has not officially confirmed the specific timetable for this flight.
AirPro News analysis
We view the transition from 100-kilogram research payloads to one-tonne commercial batches as a critical threshold for the in-space manufacturing sector. The high concentration of prospective biotechnology customers suggests that pharmaceuticals and advanced materials will likely drive the initial economic viability of orbital factories. If SpaceX can maintain the projected 2028 timeline for Starfall operations, the bottleneck for microgravity manufacturing will shift from launch availability to payload integration and terrestrial market demand.
Sources: Space Cargo Unlimited
Photo Credit: Space Cargo Unlimited
Commercial Space
Dawn Aerospace Aurora Spaceplane to Support Astral Materials
Dawn Aerospace will conduct up to 100 microgravity flights for Astral Materials using the Aurora spaceplane from Oklahoma starting 2028.
Astral Materials has selected Dawn Aerospace to conduct up to 100 microgravity test flights using the Aurora spaceplane to accelerate the development of next-generation semiconductor manufacturing hardware. The campaign, announced on September 1, 2026, will operate out of the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat, Oklahoma.
In a press release issued on September 1, 2026, Dawn Aerospace detailed the agreement, which leverages the rapid reusability of the Aurora spaceplane to provide high-cadence microgravity testing. Astral Materials plans to use these flights to refine its microgravity furnace hardware. The system is designed to reduce gravity-driven defects, such as convection and sedimentation, during the growth of semiconductor crystals. These materials have potential applications in photonics, quantum computing, and high-power electronics.
Rapid iteration in suborbital flight
The Aurora spaceplane is designed to reach a top speed of Mach 3.7 and a maximum altitude of 100 kilometers, providing payloads with up to 127 seconds of microgravity per flight. According to the manufacturers, the vehicle supports a four-hour turnaround time between flights. This operational tempo allows researchers to conduct multiple tests within a single day.
Astral Materials Chief Technology Officer Jiya Janowitz highlighted the value of this cadence for hardware development, noting that payloads can be recovered in approximately 45 minutes.
“We can test an idea, recover it in around 45 minutes, make an adjustment on the ground and test it again later that same day. That kind of rapid iteration has never existed for microgravity manufacturing, and it fundamentally changes how quickly we can develop our technology.”
Astral Materials Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jessica Frick stated that the Aurora spaceplane provides a practical pathway to validate manufacturing systems before scaling to commercial production in orbit, where longer-duration microgravity is available.
Commercial operations and Oklahoma infrastructure
Commercial flight operations for the Astral Materials campaign are slated to begin in 2028 at the Infinity One Oklahoma Spaceport. The Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) welcomed the partnerships in an official social media statement on September 1, 2026, emphasizing the state’s focus on attracting high-cadence commercial spaceflight operations.
This agreement follows an April 16, 2026, announcement in which Dawn Aerospace and OSIDA launched the Suborbital Spaceplane Challenge. That initiative offered United States researchers up to 25 flights aboard the Aurora spaceplane to stimulate utilization of the Oklahoma facility.
Dawn Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Stefan Powell noted that routine access is required to transition microgravity manufacturing from a scientific curiosity to a viable industry, comparing the need for rapid experimentation to previous industrial revolutions.
AirPro News analysis
The partnership between Dawn Aerospace and Astral Materials highlights a critical gap in the current space manufacturing ecosystem. While orbital platforms like the International Space Station offer long-duration microgravity, the cost and lead times associated with orbital launches prohibit the rapid trial-and-error necessary for hardware development. Suborbital spaceplanes like Aurora serve as an essential stepping stone. By providing brief but frequent periods of microgravity, these vehicles allow companies to validate complex systems before committing to expensive orbital deployments.
We note a minor discrepancy in Dawn Aerospace’s published materials regarding the commencement of operations at the Oklahoma site. The main announcement targets 2028 for commercial flights, while the company’s boilerplate text references 2027. Regardless of the exact start date, establishing a reliable suborbital testbed will be vital for the commercial viability of in-space manufacturing applications.
Sources: Dawn Aerospace
Photo Credit: Dawn Aerospace
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