Maxar Technologies on July 16 purchased Neptec, a Canadian company with robotic expertise deemed useful for in-space activities like satellite servicing and building space stations. SpaceNews.com

A solid rocket booster designed for both the Ariane 6 and Vega C next-generation launchers completed a successful test firing Monday, clearing a hurdle for the maiden flights of both vehicles. SpaceNews.com

Ken Gabriel, CEO of Draper Labs: The idea of small satellites making up large constellations is a “powerful shift." SpaceNews.com

Virgin Orbit says an agreement that could lead to LauncherOne missions from an English airport is part of an effort to both better meet the needs of its customers as well as support the U.K. space industry. SpaceNews.com

With the announcement that Scotland will be home to Britain's first spaceport, the U.K. is on the road to offering a one-stop-shop for building, operating and now launching satellites. SpaceNews.com

The British government announced July 16 that it will provide funding to two companies, including an American aerospace giant, who plan to use a newly announced launch site in Scotland. SpaceNews.com

After years of study and consideration, the British government announced July 15 that it will start development of a new spaceport in northern Scotland, while an English airport signed a deal that could also lead to launches from its facility. SpaceNews.com

The space market worldwide has averaged $269 billion over the past five years, growing more than 5 percent each year. SpaceNews.com

The military wants to apply quantum computing to secure communications and inertial navigation in GPS denied environments. SpaceNews.com

On his first foreign trip since taking office nearly three months ago, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine traveled to Israel this week to meet with the country’s prime minister and other officials. SpaceNews.com

Gogo, an inflight connectivity provider leasing capacity on dozens of satellites, bulldozed its old business plan July 13 amid looming concerns over unprofitability, encroaching debt deadlines, and a potential buyout. SpaceNews.com

The White House nominated a veteran Senate aide with little space experience to be NASA’s deputy administrator July 12, a month after the agency’s administrator said he wanted someone with technical expertise for the job. SpaceNews.com

Blue Origin will begin flying two customers on the same New Glenn rocket after the launch vehicle has performed five missions with solo customers, according to Ted McFarland, Blue Origin’s commercial director of Asia-Pacific business. SpaceNews.com

“We are going to need a bigger boat,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said July 12, quoting the 1975 movie Jaws as a metaphor for the challenge of handling 5G needs. “Or in our case, more spectrum.” SpaceNews.com

China’s state-owned fleet operator is making forward-leaning investments in high-throughput satellites and low-Earth-orbit constellations without worrying, at least initially, about whether these projects are backed by sound business plans. SpaceNews.com

Amid growing concerns about commercial crew delays, a GAO report recommended NASA share more schedule information with Congress and develop contingency plans to maintain access to the International Space Station. SpaceNews.com

Using free data from the European Space Agency, a startup in Finland created a geospatial information service that is entirely enabled by artificial intelligence. SpaceNews.com

U.S. aerospace and defense in 2017 posted a positive trade balance. But there are concerns that escalating trade wars could hurt future growth. SpaceNews.com

A Silicon Valley startup developing electric propulsion systems for satellites has raised $10 million and added the billionaire founder of LinkedIn to its board. SpaceNews.com

Intelsat-901, a 17-year-old communications satellite running low on propellant, is awaiting a first-of-its-kind service call from a robotic spacecraft carrying a fresh tank of fuel. SpaceNews.com