Space News Digest 7 November 2026

1. Kuva Space appoints Ioannis Malounas as Director of Product
The Espoo hyperspectral satellite company has hired a hyperspectral-imaging PhD and former EdenCore COO and Kubota digital lead to turn its data into everyday decision tools for farmers, ports and environmental agencies.
https://kuvaspace.com/en/resources/kuva-space-welcomes-ioannis-malounas-as-director-of-product

2. AST SpaceMobile will build its own 20-tonne Blacklift rocket with Firefly engines
A deal worth over USD 1.3 billion covers 27 Miranda and nine Vira engines for the first three rockets plus a manufacturing licence; Blacklift is meant to carry five BlueBird satellites per launch from late 2028.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/11/07/ast-spacemobile-unveils-1-3-billion-engine-deal-with-firefly-aerospace-to-power-new-heavy-lift-rocket/

3. CesiumAstro raises USD 730 million at a valuation above USD 4.5 billion
The Janus Henderson-led Series D, plus USD 100 million in EXIM and JPMorgan debt, will fund the planned 737-satellite Synchronicity constellation and expanded US spacecraft production.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/finance/2026/11/06/cesiumastro-raises-730m-series-d-to-fund-synchronicity-constellation/

4. Blue Origin unveils the Northstar engine and a GS3 third stage for New Glenn
Northstar targets 715,000 lbf of thrust versus BE-4's 640,000; the BE-7-powered GS3 can put up to 14 tonnes directly into GEO, with a government cislunar mission booked for 2028.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2026/11/05/blue-origin-reveals-new-kick-stage-engines-for-its-new-glenn-rockets/

5. ESA's reusable Prometheus engine completes its first hot-fires at the P5 bench
ArianeGroup's methane engine fired several times at Lampoldshausen on 29 October, including a cold-gas-spray combustion chamber and multiple restarts without a high-pressure starter.
https://www.esa.int/media/first-prometheus-hot-fire-at-p5

6. MTG-I2 weather satellite delivers its first images
The second Meteosat Third Generation imager will scan Europe and North Africa every 2.5 minutes once operational in Q2 2027, giving European forecasters, Finland's included, a far sharper view of fast-developing storms.
https://www.esa.int/articles/about-us/directorates/earth-observation-programmes/meteorological-missions/meteosat-third-generation/mtg-i2-weather-satellite-delivers-first-images

Image: Kuva Space