May 2
Trump 2026 space budget to cancel NASA rocket & lunar station

U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2026 budget proposal for NASA calls for a 24% cut to the agency and would eliminate key parts of the Artemis Moon program. The outline would cancel NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the planned Lunar Gateway station after the Artemis III mission in 2027, redirecting funding toward Mars-focused programs championed by SpaceX’s Elon Musk. There will be $1 billion in new “Mars-focused programs” aimed at “transformative space technologies.” Agency spokespeople later clarified that this umbrella covers advanced propulsion, long-duration life-support and bulk-cargo delivery systems. Separately, but relatedly, Elon confirmed SpaceX will still be going to the Moon in his Mars presentation at the end of May.

May 4
Starlink service goes live in Democratic Republic of Congo

Elon Musk confirmed via X that Starlink has begun operating in the D.R. Congo after regulators reversed a prior ban. The approval expands Starlink’s African footprint and targets underserved rural connectivity markets.

May 7
House white-paper questions Musk’s dual roles and contract flow

A leaked draft from the House Armed Services and Science Committees asks the Pentagon and NASA to describe how they prevent conflicts of interest while Elon Musk advises the White House on cost cutting and SpaceX secures multibillion-dollar contracts. Lawmakers want details on procurement briefings, any recusal protocols, and whether Musk’s policy access is logged. The memo also floats public hearings along with tougher ethics-disclosure rules that could affect future awards if oversight tightens.

May 7
Vast completes Haven-1 pressure vessel, holds 2026 launch slot

Commercial-station startup Vast says primary structure work will wrap by July, keeping its first habitat on track for a Falcon 9 launch and crewed Dragon visit in May 2026. Progress sustains SpaceX’s post-ISS commercial-station manifest and diversifies its customer roster beyond Starlink and government payloads.

May 8
India grants Starlink a conditional Letter of Intent

The Indian telecom ministry issued Starlink a provisional GMPCS license that becomes permanent once SpaceX builds Indian ground gateways and clears national-security checks. Unlocking the world’s largest untapped broadband market could add millions of users once final approvals land. India has over 250 million households without fixed broadband, making it a high-priority target for satellite ISPs looking to leapfrog poor infrastructure with space-based coverage.

May 8
Diplomatic cables show U.S. embassies pitching Starlink in trade talks

Freedom-of-information releases reveal diplomats in Vietnam, the Philippines, and other tariff-negotiation venues urged local regulators to license Starlink, calling it critical digital infrastructure. The memos underscore Washington’s view of Starlink as a strategic asset and highlight SpaceX’s growing soft-power footprint.

May 8
FCC Targets EchoStar’s Underused Spectrum After SpaceX Complaint

U.S. regulators moved to investigate EchoStar’s use of 2 GHz spectrum for mobile-satellite services after a challenge by SpaceX. In a proceeding announced May 12, the FCC pressed EchoStar to justify its hold on this spectrum band, which SpaceX alleges is largely idle and “ripe for sharing.” SpaceX had petitioned the FCC claiming EchoStar’s deployment was so minimal that others (like Starlink) should be allowed to utilize the frequencies. The FCC’s inquiry implies EchoStar could risk losing its licenses if it cannot prove more substantial usage or plans. News of the FCC scrutiny sent

EchoStar’s stock down ~8% that day, reflecting investor concern. EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen defended his company’s efforts but admitted the outcome of the FCC review is uncertain.

This development signals the FCC’s willingness to reconsider spectrum assignments amid the rise of satellite mega-constellations. For SpaceX, opening up underutilized bands could enable Starlink’s direct-to-cell services or other offerings to operate with less interference or more bandwidth. Pushing a competitor to either use it or lose it is a bold strategic move by SpaceX. It also highlights Elon Musk’s influence in telecom policy debates. If SpaceX succeeds, it gains spectrum at the expense of a rival, further strengthening Starlink’s hand in the race for global connectivity. Investors see this as SpaceX leveraging policy to clear roadblocks to its growth.

May 12
SpaceX Customers Navigate New U.S. Tariffs on Satellite Launches

U.S. trade policy is impacting SpaceX’s international launch customers, as recent tariffs on imported technology have effectively raised the cost of launching foreign-built satellites in the U.S. As of April, the Trump administration imposed a 10% import tariff on most goods (including satellites) entering the country, with some nations’ goods facing up to 25% duties. On May 12, reports surfaced that German rideshare broker Exolaunch is helping satellite startups navigate these fees by using a U.S. Customs “duty drawback” program to reclaim up to 99% of the tariffs paid on satellites once they are launched and re-exported to space. One Canadian cubesat startup had even considered canceling a SpaceX launch after being hit with a 25% import duty, before learning most of that cost could be refunded later.

These tariffs create a near-term friction point in SpaceX’s launch business. Higher upfront costs for non-U.S. satellite customers could strain smaller space startups or push some toward alternative launch providers, despite the appeal of SpaceX’s Rideshare pricing. While workarounds like duty drawback programs allow many customers to reclaim most of the tariff cost post-launch, the process adds administrative complexity and cash flow delays. That said, the pain is likely to be short-lived. The Trump administration has already shown a willingness to issue exemptions or carveouts when national interest is at stake, and satellite exports tied to strategic tech or allied partners may receive flexible treatment. Strategically, SpaceX and its customers continue to lobby for clearer, long-term trade policies, but the current headwinds appear more procedural than structural.

May 19
SpaceX to initiate new Starlink shell from Vandenberg

The U.S. Department of the Air Force released draft documents outlining plans for a new SpaceX launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The proposed site aims to support increased launch cadence and accommodate larger vehicles. Establishing this site would bolster SpaceX's West Coast operations and contribute to the company's long-term launch infrastructure. SpaceX plans to construct a new orbital shell for its Starlink constellation with upcoming launches from Vandenberg - these mission will place satellites into a polar orbit, expanding coverage to higher latitudes.

May 20
City of Starbase officially incorporated in Texas

The Cameron County Commissioners Court certified the May 3 election results, officially incorporating the City of Starbase in Texas. This formal recognition grants municipal status to the area surrounding SpaceX's launch site near Boca Chica. The move solidifies SpaceX's presence in the region and could influence future infrastructure and governance developments.

May 20
Axios Harris survey shows lower SpaceX brand ranking - does it matter?

The 2025 Axios Harris 100 drops SpaceX several spots, attributing the decline to Elon Musk’s polarizing public profile. Brand-perception scores carry little weight with the company’s core stakeholders: government agencies, enterprise customers, and the millions of rural consumers who rely on Starlink for broadband access. Contract flow, launch cadence, and subscriber growth continue to accelerate, and none are influenced by opinion polling. For products such as Tesla, which have immediate substitutes, public opinion may hamper uptake. For SpaceX, this is far from the case, and so the survey result has no bearing on demand for SpaceX launch services or the uptake of Starlink connectivity.

May 20
Elon Musk denies SpaceX is the frontrunner for ‘Golden Dome’ missile-defense project

Elon Musk publicly refuted claims that SpaceX is the frontrunner for President Trump's proposed $500 billion "Golden Dome" missile-defense initiative. Despite reports suggesting potential collaborations with companies like SpaceX and Palantir, Musk stated, "This is not true," distancing his company from the project.

May 20
Australia to Starlink: Not So Fast, Elon

Australia’s communications watchdog has issued a formal warning to Elon Musk’s Starlink, stating that the satellite provider may be breaching local laws by supplying equipment without proper licenses. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is investigating Starlink’s compliance with regulatory requirements for both service provision and hardware distribution. While Starlink is registered as a foreign satellite operator, the ACMA says it must still adhere to specific licensing rules before selling or operating user terminals within Australia.

May 24
Elon Musk commits to focusing '24/7' on SpaceX, Tesla, and X

Following a two-hour global outage of the social media platform X, Elon Musk announced he would dedicate himself "24/7" to his companies, including SpaceX, Tesla, and X. He acknowledged that operational improvements are needed at X and emphasized his commitment to enhancing platform performance and reliability.

A few days later Elon Musk acknowledged in an Ars Technica interview that he had spent excessive time on political activities and expressed a renewed focus on SpaceX's objectives. He emphasized the challenges faced in Washington and his intention to concentrate on advancing space exploration initiatives.

May 27
SpaceX's Starship Flight 9 Reaches Space, Takes the Next Step in Testing

SpaceX launched its Starship for the ninth time on May 27, achieving the first-ever reuse of a Super Heavy booster. The vehicle's two stages separated as planned, and the upper stage reached space, marking an improvement over the previous two flights. However, both stages were lost before completing their full flight objectives. The booster was destroyed during an attempted splashdown, and the Starship vehicle lost control during reentry, disintegrating over the Indian Ocean. Musk noted leaks led to the loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phase. Despite the loss, the flight provided valuable data for future missions. Musk stated SpaceX aims to launch the next three Starship test flights at a rapid pace (potentially every three to four weeks), aligning with the company’s infamously aggressive iterative testing approach.

May 29
Big Ambitions for Musk's Optimus Mars Colony

Elon Musk reaffirmed SpaceX’s bold ambition to launch an uncrewed Starship mission to Mars by late 2026, aiming for the next Earth-Mars transfer window. Musk acknowledged the enormous technical hurdles still ahead (citing the need to master in-orbit refueling, booster reusability, and overall vehicle reliability) and candidly estimated only a 50% chance of hitting the target. Despite the odds, Mr. Musk emphasized that even partial progress within this timeframe would dramatically accelerate SpaceX’s long-term goal of enabling interplanetary human settlement.

Musk’s vision centers on using Starship’s fully reusable system to conduct mass cargo deliveries and, eventually, crewed missions to build a self-sustaining Martian city. He revealed that the first cargo trip would likely involve five Starships, and also updated Starship’s long-term payload capacity goal, stating it could eventually reach 300 metric tons (300,000 kg) to low Earth orbit. Achieving an independent Martian city would require launching up to 1,000–2,000 Starships every 26 months, ferrying supplies, equipment, and personnel to Mars. While skeptics have pointed to the repeated setbacks in Starship testing, Musk remains adamant that rapid iteration and scaling are key to success.

May 30
South Korea Clears Cross-Border Deals for Starlink and OneWeb Access

South Korea has granted approval for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to operate within the country. South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT announced it has approved three cross-border satellite service agreements: one linking SpaceX with Starlink Korea, another between Hanwha Systems and OneWeb, and a third involving KT Sat and OneWeb. This decision opens a new market for Starlink, allowing it to provide high-speed internet access across South Korea, including remote and underserved areas, as international confidence in SpaceX's satellite broadband capabilities grows.

May 30
Starlink V3 satellites edge toward first launch

Elon Musk used a Saturday-night post on X to put a firm stake in the ground for the long-awaited “full-size” Starlink V3 satellites: he expects the first batch to ride Starship “in 6–9 months,” a window that runs from December 2025 into March 2026. Unlike today’s V2-Mini units, each V3 bus is at least two metric tonnes once fueled and too large for Falcon 9 fairings.

That extra mass makes room for upgraded optical inter-satellite lasers, and it lets each “full-size” bird carry a full tri-band RF stack: the familiar Ka-band arrays that will keep serving today’s user dishes, plus new V- and E-band hardware reserved for high-capacity gateway and trunk links. Musk says that these larger satellites will operate at approximately 350 km altitude, down from the current 550 km, reducing latency by about 5 milliseconds due to decreased light-travel distance. To accommodate the heft, the FAA’s recently revised environmental assessment now authorises up to twenty-five orbital Starship launches per year from Boca Chica, giving SpaceX the cadence it needs to populate the new layer quickly.

If the schedule holds, engineers hope to demonstrate gigabit-class throughput across a V3 swarm before the end of 2026, paving the way for lunar relay tests later in the decade.

May 31
Isaacman nomination withdrawn, NASA leadership in limbo

Just before midnight on 31 May, the White House announced it was withdrawing President Trump’s nomination of entrepreneur-astronaut Jared Isaacman to serve as NASA Administrator, only days before an expected Senate confirmation vote.

A brief statement cited an internal “review of prior associations” but offered no further explanation; observers on Capitol Hill note that Isaacman’s philanthropic donations span both political parties, a point that had drawn scrutiny during committee hearings. Space policy analysts see the move as a fresh complication for an agency already facing proposed double-digit budget cuts for FY 2026. SpaceNews reports that Senate leadership has taken NASA off the floor calendar until a new nominee is named, likely pushing any confirmable successor into late summer.

Isaacman, for his part, thanked lawmakers and said he would refocus on the privately funded Polaris series of SpaceX missions, including the first commercial spacewalk now tentatively slipping into 2026.

June 1
Geomagnetic storm puts SpaceX on the defensive

A fast-moving coronal mass ejection from active region 4100 slammed into Earth during the small hours of 1 June, prompting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to issue a rare G4-level severe geomagnetic-storm watch; the sort of event that can charge spacecraft surfaces and thicken the upper atmosphere enough to tug satellites from their orbits.

Within hours SpaceX called off its planned Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, citing the disturbed space-weather environment and retargeting liftoff for the early hours of 3 June. The scrub was the company’s first weather-related stand-down tied to solar activity since the 2022 solar-max cycle began.

Starlink’s existing constellation, parked mostly around 550 kilometres, is riding out the storm, but operators have commanded many vehicles into higher-thrust attitude modes to counter the drag spike that accompanies an expanded thermosphere. A NASA-led study published just days earlier warned that recurrent storms during solar maximum are already shortening Starlink satellite lifetimes by roughly ten days as cumulative drag rises, a manageable hit, but one that underlines how tightly the megaconstellation’s economics are now coupled to space weather.

The company has experience in this arena: a milder G2 storm in February 2022 forced 38 newly launched Starlinks to re-enter when they were still coasting at 210 kilometres. After that loss SpaceX rewrote flight rules so fresh satellites raise their orbits more aggressively and enter an “edge-on” safe mode whenever KP spikes above seven.

So far, tracking data from amateur network KeepTrack.Space shows only centimetre-scale altitude dips across the main fleet, well within the margin the satellites’ Hall-effect thrusters can correct in a single orbit-raising burn