Satellite Systems, Satcom & Space Systems

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

May 1, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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30 Apr 26. Blue Origin’s pursuit of the heavy-lift market. For years, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 has maintained a near-monopoly on cost-effective, high-frequency launches due to its proven reusability. The ability to recycle New Glenn boosters is the primary mechanism through which Blue Origin intends to offer competitive pricing and reliable scheduling to satellite operators.

The shift toward reusable heavy-lift vehicles is particularly urgent as the industry moves toward mega-constellation deployments. Operators like AST SpaceMobile, which aims to have up to 60 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026, require a stable and affordable launch market to achieve commercial viability.

Outlook for AST SpaceMobile and New Glenn

The off-nominal orbit of BlueBird 7 introduces uncertainty into AST SpaceMobile’s 2026 service rollout. The company has over $1.2 billion in contracted revenue commitments and had intended for this launch to anchor its initial commercial capacity. If the satellite cannot be moved into its target orbit, AST may need to accelerate its upcoming launch manifest to maintain its timeline for nationwide cellular broadband coverage.

For Blue Origin, the focus now shifts to diagnosing the second-stage performance issue that led to the orbital discrepancy. Despite the payload error, the data gathered from the booster’s second flight and landing will inform the refurbishment process for future missions. The company still expects to launch its Mark 1 lunar lander later this year as part of its commitments to the NASA Artemis program, provided the New Glenn upper stage is cleared for flight. (Source: Satnews)

16 Apr 26. Blue Origin Unveils Project Quartz Global Ground Station Network. On Thursday, April 16, 2026, Tory Bruno, the President of Blue Origin’s National Security Group, announced the development of Project Quartz, a brand new global network of ground stations and operation centers. In a statement released via social media, Bruno confirmed that the infrastructure is currently being deployed, sharing images of the first site under construction.

This initiative marks a significant expansion of the company’s internal capabilities to support complex orbital missions and national security requirements.

Integration with the National Security Portfolio

The unveiling of Project Quartz comes less than two months after Tory Bruno transitioned from United Launch Alliance (ULA) to lead Blue Origin’s newly formed National Security Group. Under Bruno’s leadership, the company has prioritized the operationalization of heavy-lift and orbital logistics platforms. Project Quartz is designed to provide the dedicated ground segment necessary to manage the company’s increasing manifest, including the New Glenn heavy-lift rocket and the Blue Ring orbital logistics vehicle. By establishing a proprietary network, Blue Origin reduces its reliance on third-party ground-station-as-a-service providers, ensuring tighter control over data security and latency for sensitive Department of Defense (DoD) missions.

Infrastructure for Tactical Responsiveness

The rationale for a dedicated global ground network is tied to the U.S. military’s push for tactical responsiveness and the Golden Dome missile defense initiative. As the DoD seeks to establish resilient sensing layers in multiple orbits, the ability to maintain continuous command and control (C2) through a secure, high-capacity ground network is a prerequisite. Project Quartz will likely serve as the primary downlink and operations hub for missions like DarkSky-1, where the Blue Ring spacecraft will test its ability to maneuver and refuel in contested environments. This infrastructure ensures that data from proliferated LEO and MEO constellations can be processed and disseminated to warfighters at mission tempo.

Future Operational Outlook

Moving forward, Project Quartz is expected to scale in parallel with the flight certification of the New Glenn rocket. As Blue Origin prepares for its awarded missions under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 2 contract, the global ground network will provide the foundational support for high-value payloads. The company’s long-term vision includes integrating this network with upcoming projects like the TeraWave constellation and Project Sunrise orbital data centers. By building a complete end-to-end ecosystem—comprising launch vehicles, spacecraft buses, and a global ground segment—Blue Origin positions itself as a primary vertically integrated partner for future sovereign space requirements

(Source: Satnews)

20 Apr 26. Saltzman Rolls Out Space Force Objective Force, Flags CR as Top Risk.

Chief of Space Operations uses his final Space Symposium briefing to set force design through 2040, scale procurement and press allied integration.

Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, used what he called his last major roundtable with industry journalists at Space Symposium 2026 to roll out the service’s newly released Future Operating Environment and Objective Force documents. Speaking on the record during the April 13-16 symposium, Saltzman framed the two documents as the baseline for how the Space Force will grow, buy and fight through 2040.

The unclassified Objective Force lays out key global mission areas, Saltzman said, while classified annexes — including electronic warfare and portions of the orbital warfare mission — remain to be finished. He said he declined to delay the unclassified release until every annex was done. “That was just about prioritization and getting as much information out as fast as possible,” the general said.

That was just about prioritization and getting as much information out as fast as possible.

Declarative language in the documents is deliberate, Saltzman said. It is meant to force debate, not to serve as an intelligence estimate or a strategy. “This is not an intelligence estimate. It is not definitive. We are not drawing conclusions, even though we use declarative statements,” he said. “The reason you use declarative statements is to generate debate and discussion.” (Source: Satnews)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 26, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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23 Mar 26. Spectra Group (UK) Ltd launches final production version of GENSS tactical communications system at the Satellite Show.

Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, specialists in delivering secure, reliable and resilient beyond line-of-sight communications for operations in denied and contested environments, formally launches the production version of GENSS at the Satellite Show (Stand 2840). GENSS is an Evergreen software-defined tactical communications system shaped by operational experience and designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK. It delivers adaptable, efficient voice and data connectivity for distributed forces, with a system architecture designed to support capability evolution as operational requirements and technologies change. First introduced as a concept at the Mobile Deployable Communications conference in London in 2024, the system has since undergone extensive development, testing and refinement in collaboration with specialist user groups to ensure it meets the demands of modern distributed operations. The system has already attracted interest from NATO-aligned users; more news to follow soon.

GENSS extends tactical communications beyond the traditional line-of-sight “bubble”, enabling secure voice and data connectivity across challenging operational environments. The system currently supports secure L-Band tactical satellite networking (L-TAC) and beyond-line-of-sight voice and data communications, while also enabling MANET network extension and bridging to allow mission systems such as ATAK to operate across dispersed units. By combining efficient bandwidth usage, adaptive waveform techniques and low-power transmission methods, GENSS enables resilient communications for mobile forces operating in contested or denied environments and is designed to reduce the probability of detection and interception through low-power transmission and adaptive waveform techniques, enhancing its security and operational effectiveness.

Built as a software-defined system with modular architecture, GENSS is designed to support continuous capability evolution through software development, new waveforms and system integrations. The system builds on Spectra’s heritage in tactical satellite communications, including the widely deployed and award-winning SlingShot system, which enables L-Band satellite access for existing radios. GENSS extends this approach by acting as a network extension and integration system, allowing voice and mission data from multiple tactical systems to be securely distributed across beyond-line-of-sight networks. It has been designed and developed through a collaborative effort of tactical communication experts, seasoned military specialists and top-tier British scientists and engineers.

GENSS, combined with other Spectra Group products, delivers a robust layered communications network to support mission-critical headquarters and uncrewed systems over the horizon. Being a modular, hardware-agnostic radio system by design, it has proven to be operationally adaptable, providing excellent interoperability through straightforward software reprogramming, allowing it to adapt quickly and easily to diverse user needs. GENSS is backwards compatible with SlingShot and supports efficient L-TAC access and network extension, ensuring easy integration with a wide range of existing tactical radios. GENSS is therefore a robust and agile solution for voice and data transmission across multiple operational environments.

Simon Davies, Chief Executive at Spectra Group said, “Since leaving the services, my focus has been to help develop communications technology that genuinely supports the needs of the soldier on the ground. SlingShot demonstrated how L-Band satellite services could extend the reach of existing radios. GENSS builds on those lessons as a software-defined communications system designed to extend tactical networks and evolve as operational requirements change. I am extremely proud to launch GENSS at the show and to already have a NATO customer in final negotiations for its purchase.”

16 Mar 26. Lynk Global Files for FCC Experimental License to Test Multi-Orbit D2D Relay.

Direct-to-Device (D2D) pioneer Lynk Global, Inc. has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an experimental license to begin technical validation of a first-of-its-kind multi-orbit relay architecture.

The application, accepted for filing on Monday, March 16, 2026, marks a critical step in Lynk’s strategic partnership with SES, aimed at utilizing Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary (GEO) assets to backhaul cellular traffic from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) “cell-towers-in-space.”

Solving the “Ground Station Gap”

Current D2D solutions, including those from SpaceX/T-Mobile and AST SpaceMobile, typically rely on a dense network of terrestrial ground stations to relay signals from satellites back to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This requirement creates significant geographical limitations, particularly over oceans and in politically sensitive regions.

Lynk’s proposed experimental campaign seeks to bypass this bottleneck by testing inter-satellite links. Under the “multi-orbit, multi-spectrum” model, a user’s text or voice data is received by a Lynk LEO satellite, relayed upward to an SES mPOWER (MEO) or SES-17 (GEO) satellite, and then down-linked to an existing SES gateway. This approach potentially allows for “always-on” global connectivity without the capital-intensive deployment of thousands of new ground stations.

Merger Integration and Spectrum Expansion

The experimental request coincides with the finalization of Lynk’s merger with Omnispace. The combined entity, which will operate as Lynk Global Holdings, Inc., integrates Lynk’s operational LEO platform with Omnispace’s 60 MHz of globally coordinated S-band spectrum.

Frequency Bands: The testing will utilize S-band frequencies (2 GHz) compatible with 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards.
Network Depth: SES, a major shareholder in the merged company, provides access to over 70 satellites across MEO and GEO orbits.
Target Device: Unmodified standard 5G and LTE smartphones.

Strategic Validation

The FCC filing follows a series of successful 2025 field trials, including a notable demonstration in Portugal with MEO where Lynk proved its ability to provide two-way messaging and emergency alerts in remote maritime environments.

“The D2D market is entering a phase where reliability and guaranteed SLAs [Service Level Agreements] will separate the winners,” stated SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh during a briefing at MWC 2026. “By utilizing our multi-orbit edge, Lynk can deliver a lower-cost business case with higher resilience than LEO-only systems.”

Technical Objectives: The “Relay Payload”

The experimental license specifically covers the operation of a new “Relay Payload” slated for launch on Lynk’s next generation of “Tower” satellites. Key technical benchmarks include:

Latency Management: Measuring the round-trip delay of LEO-to-MEO-to-Ground paths for real-time voice applications.
Handover Stability: Testing the seamless transfer of a mobile session as LEO satellites move across the field of view of the MEO relay.
Interference Mitigation: Ensuring the high-power relay links do not disrupt adjacent terrestrial or primary satellite services.

Outlook for 2027

Pending FCC approval, testing is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. If successful, the multi-orbit relay function will become a standard feature of the “Lynk-Omnispace” constellation, which targets a 5,000-satellite deployment by 2030. This architecture is designed to provide broadband speeds directly to mobile phones, positioning the company to compete for the 5.2 billion existing mobile users globally who frequently traverse “not-spots” in terrestrial coverage. (Source: Satnews)

25 Mar 26. Terran Orbital Introduces New Star Tracker Product Line at SATSHOW. Terran Orbital Corporation, a Lockheed Martin company, today announced the introduction of its new star tracker product line at SATSHOW 2026, expanding the company’s growing portfolio of components and modules designed to deliver mission-ready performance at scale.

The new product line includes three models, M10, H6, and F4, engineered to support a wide range of mission requirements while balancing performance, cost, and scalability. Built on Terran Orbital’s proven flight heritage and uncompromising quality standards, these star trackers are designed to deliver reliable, high-accuracy attitude determination for next-generation satellite missions.

“Our new star tracker line reflects Terran Orbital’s commitment to delivering high-performance, modular components backed by real flight heritage,” said Peter Krauss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital. “Customers can move forward with confidence knowing they are integrating solutions that are proven, reliable, and fully compatible with their mission architectures.”

Terran Orbital’s star trackers feature robust onboard algorithms capable of rapid initial attitude acquisition and continuous high-rate quaternion output directly to spacecraft ADCS systems. Each unit undergoes extensive testing across temperature ranges and slew rates against simulated night sky conditions to ensure consistent performance in orbit.

Key highlights of the product line include:

Proven Flight Heritage: Dozens of units already operating successfully in orbit, providing customers with trusted, mission-proven performance
Uncompromised Quality: Designed and tested to meet rigorous environmental and operational standards, including vibration and thermal performance
Guaranteed Compatibility: Seamless integration with existing spacecraft architectures through standardized interfaces and support for on-orbit software updates
Advanced Performance Options:

o M10 offers a cost-efficient, low-mass solution with significant heritage

o H6 builds on a flight-proven design with enhanced optics for improved performance and extended lifetime

o F4 delivers the highest accuracy and fastest measurement update rates, enabled by FPGA-based image processing

Operational Flexibility: Support for on-orbit updates, customizable star catalogs, and calibration algorithms to reduce alignment and distortion errors
Proudly Made in the USA: Manufactured domestically to ensure quality control, supply chain reliability, and compliance with U.S. mission requirements

With this introduction, Terran Orbital continues to advance its strategy of productizing space systems through modular, scalable components that support both commercial and defense customers.

Attendees of SATSHOW 2026 are invited to visit Terran Orbital to learn more about the new star tracker line and the company’s expanding components and modules portfolio.. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

09 Mar 26. SpaceX Evolves Beyond Broadband with “Million-Satellite” AI Data Center Plan; Amazon Mounts Legal Challenge. While SpaceX continues to dominate the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband market with over 11,000 active Starlink satellites, the company has officially pivoted its long-term strategy toward space-based computing. Following the February 2, 2026, merger with xAI, SpaceX has filed an unprecedented application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy up to one million satellites dedicated to an “Orbital Data Center” network.

This strategic shift redefines the “Starlink competition.” SpaceX is no longer merely competing with internet service providers; it is now positioning itself against terrestrial cloud giants like Microsoft, Google, and its primary orbital rival, Amazon.

The New Competitive Landscape: Amazon Project Kuiper

As of March 9, 2026, Amazon’s Project Kuiper (rebranded as Amazon Leo) remains the most significant direct competitor to Starlink’s core broadband business.

Constellation Status: Amazon currently has 212 satellites in orbit following its first heavy-lift mission on an Ariane 64 in February.
Service Rollout: Amazon anticipates beginning commercial service in the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, and France by the end of Q1 2026.
Legal Friction: On March 6, 2026, Amazon filed a formal objection to SpaceX’s million-satellite plan, calling the application “speculative” and an attempt to “warehouse” orbital altitudes (500 km to 2,000 km) to block competitors.

Rationale: Bypassing the Terrestrial Grid

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has described the move as a necessity for scaling artificial general intelligence (AGI). “Global electricity demand for AI simply cannot be met with terrestrial solutions without imposing hardship on the environment,” Musk stated. By moving compute-heavy workloads to orbit, SpaceX plans to leverage near-constant solar energy and the natural 3-Kelvin cooling of deep space.

This vertical integration—combining the Starship launch vehicle, Starlink connectivity, and xAI processing—is intended to drive the cost of AI inference down to levels unattainable on the ground.

It is one of the more ironic arrangements in the space industry. In late 2023, Amazon signed a contract with SpaceX—its primary rival in the satellite internet sector—to launch three Falcon 9 missions.

So, How is it that Amazon LEO gets to use SpaceX to get their sartellite to orbit?

While the two companies are fierce competitors (Jeff Bezos vs. Elon Musk), several pragmatic business and legal factors forced them into this “frenemy” agreement:

The FCC “Use It or Lose It” Deadline

Under its FCC license, Amazon (under its “Amazon Leo” or Project Kuiper brand) is legally required to have half of its 3,236-satellite constellation in orbit by July 2026. If they miss this milestone, they risk losing their spectrum rights—the specific radio frequencies needed to transmit data. With the clock ticking, Amazon simply couldn’t afford to wait for unproven rockets.

The “Other” Rockets Were Delayed

Amazon originally booked a massive block of 77 launches with three other providers: ULA (Vulcan), Arianespace (Ariane 6), and Blue Origin (New Glenn). However, as of early 2026, many of these heavy-lift rockets faced development delays:

Vulcan Centaur: Experienced several schedule slips throughout 2024 and 2025.
Ariane 6: Only recently began its high-cadence launch phase (the first successful heavy-lift Ariane 64 mission for Amazon just occurred in February 2026).
New Glenn: Has yet to begin the high-volume cadence required to meet Amazon’s massive deployment needs.

SpaceX is the “Only Game in Town”

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is currently the only rocket in the world with the launch cadence and reliability to guarantee orbital slots on short notice. By using SpaceX, Amazon “de-risked” its schedule. In fact, two of the three contracted Falcon 9 missions have already flown (in July and August 2025), and the third was successfully completed in October 2025.

Legal Pressure from Shareholders

Amazon was actually sued by a pension fund (the Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund) for not including SpaceX in its original launch bids. The lawsuit argued that Amazon’s leadership—specifically Jeff Bezos—was letting a personal rivalry with Elon Musk interfere with the company’s best interests by ignoring the most cost-effective and reliable launch provider. Shortly after these legal pressures intensified, Amazon announced the SpaceX contract. (Source: Satnews)

11 Mar 26. Rheinmetall Withdraws From Mynaric Bidding Process; Rocket Lab Acquisition Clears Major Competitive Hurdle. On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Rheinmetall AG confirmed that it has officially decided not to submit a formal bid for Mynaric AG, the German laser communications specialist. The announcement, confirmed by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, effectively ends a brief but intense period of speculation regarding a “national solution” that would have seen the German defense giant challenge Rocket Lab’s standing $150 million acquisition agreement.

It was previously reported here that the proposed deal directly threatens the acquisition agreement previously signed by Rocket Lab in September 2025.

That intervention by Rheinmetall introduced a “national solution” narrative that aligned with growing German regulatory resistance to foreign ownership of critical dual-use space technology.

The withdrawal now leaves Rocket Lab as the sole remaining suitor for Mynaric, a critical supplier of optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) and various European institutional programs.

Context: The Sovereignty vs. Solvency Debate

The acquisition of Mynaric has been a geopolitical lightning rod since Rocket Lab first announced its intent in March 2025. Following Mynaric’s exit from the StaRUG restructuring process in August 2025, a definitive agreement was signed in September. However, the deal has languished in the German Ministry of Economic Affairs for months under a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) review.

In February 2026, reports surfaced that Rheinmetall was considering an intervention to prevent “critical dual-use technology” from being fully absorbed by a U.S.-headquartered firm. Despite this interest, Rheinmetall leadership concluded that Mynaric’s technology could be accessed through commercial licensing or subcontracts without the complexities of a full acquisition, particularly given Mynaric’s heavy reliance on U.S. defense revenue (reported to be over 90% of its current backlog).

Rationale: Why Rheinmetall Stepped Back

Industry analysts suggest several factors influenced Rheinmetall’s decision:

Customer Base Alignment: Mynaric is functionally an American defense supplier. A German “national solution” would have risked decoupling the company from its primary revenue stream: the SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
Integration Costs: While Mynaric has successfully scaled production to “double-digit terminals per week,” it remains a capital-intensive business. Rheinmetall, currently managing an €80 billion backlog, may have prioritized organic space growth over the integration of a formerly distressed asset.
Technology Access: Papperger stated that the specific laser technology provided by Mynaric can still be utilized by Rheinmetall through standard procurement channels for its own upcoming constellation projects.

Operational Resilience: Mynaric’s Recent Wins

Despite the ownership uncertainty, Mynaric’s operational side has shown significant resilience. On March 5, 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) awarded Mynaric a contract to develop a laser communications demonstration system for the High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON) project.

This contract reinforces Mynaric’s dual-market importance, serving both the U.S. Department of Defense and European high-capacity optical relay networks. To date, Mynaric has delivered over 350 terminals, with dozens currently active in orbit.

Regulatory Outlook

With Rheinmetall no longer at the table, the German government faces a binary choice: approve the sale to Rocket Lab or risk the financial stability of one of its most innovative aerospace firms.

“Rocket Lab is the best option for Mynaric’s long-term survival,” said an industry source familiar with the FDI review. “If the deal is blocked now without a domestic alternative, Germany loses its hub for next-gen space comms entirely.”

A final decision from the Ministry of Economic Affairs is expected by the end of March 2026. If approved, Rocket Lab will immediately integrate Mynaric into its Space Systems division, providing the vertical integration necessary to fulfill its own $515 million prime contract for the SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer. (Source: Satnews)

16 Mar 26. L3Harris Unveils XL-300P: The First P25 Handheld with 5G and Satellite Direct-to-Device Connectivity.

To solve the critical communications gap where terrestrial signals fail, L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) introduced the XL-300P at the IWCE 2026 event in Las Vegas today, Monday, March 16, 2026.

The new device is the industry’s first land mobile radio (LMR) to integrate a native 5G modem and 3GPP-standard Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) capabilities, providing first responders with a triple-layered redundancy of P25, cellular broadband, and satellite connectivity in a single handheld form factor.

Bridging the Terrestrial-Satellite Divide

The XL-300P addresses the “Supplemental Coverage from Space” (SCS) mandate by supporting the 3GPP Release 17 standard for satellite-direct-to-device (D2D) messaging and emergency alerts. According to the company, the device will immediately support T-Mobile’s “T-Satellite” service, powered by the Starlink constellation, and is hardware-ready to integrate with the AST SpaceMobile constellation once that network achieves commercial maturity.

This multi-path approach ensures that mission-critical voice and data can be relayed even in deep “not-spots” or during terrestrial network outages caused by natural disasters.

“We’ve packed a lot into this device—it’s the pinnacle of what we’ve been designing in the XL series,” said James Potter, Director of Strategic Solutions for L3Harris, during the unveiling. “It has a new board, a new LTE 5G modem, and the first land mobile radio implementation of 5G. When satellite D2D is ready to go, we’re ready.”

Strategic Realignment and Heritage

The launch follows a major January 2026 corporate restructuring at L3Harris, which consolidated its tactical radio and electronic warfare capabilities into the “Communications & Spectrum Dominance” (CSD) unit led by Jon Rambeau.

The XL-300P builds on the heritage of the XL-Extreme 400P, utilizing the same ruggedized materials designed for space vehicle reentry. It also evolves the company’s previous satellite integration efforts, such as the Iridium DTCS mission module for the AN/PRC-163, by embedding the satellite functionality directly into the internal architecture of a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) handheld.

Technical Specifications and Security

Designed to meet the most stringent federal requirements, the XL-300P features:

Multi-Band P25: Interoperability across VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz LMR bands.
Broadband Convergence: 5G/LTE connectivity with FirstNet® priority and preemption.
Cybersecurity: FIPS 140-3 Level 3 compliance, providing end-to-end multikey encryption for secure voice, data, and location services.
User Interface: Voice-activated radio controls and a glove-friendly keypad with high-visibility color displays.

L3Harris will begin taking orders for the XL-300P immediately, with shipping scheduled to commence in July 2026. The company also confirmed plans to develop a mobile (vehicular) version of the 5G/satellite hybrid radio to support the U.S. Army’s push for resilient communications at the tactical edge.

As the “Golden Dome” missile defense and proliferated LEO architectures come online through 2027, L3Harris expects the XL-300P to serve as the primary ground interface for integrated joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) operations among public safety and defense agencies. (Source: Satnews)

08 Mar 26. Space Development Agency Faces “Growing Pains” as PWSA Scaling Hits Chokepoints. In a status update released March 5, 2026, the Space Development Agency (SDA) acknowledged significant hurdles in scaling its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Despite the successful launch of initial operational batches last fall, the agency is now grappling with a two-to-three-month schedule slip driven by supply chain bottlenecks, technical anomalies, and a 45-day government shutdown that recently paralyzed civilian oversight.

Acting SDA Director Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo described the current phase as a period of “growing pains,” noting that the transition from small-scale demonstrations to mass production has exposed critical “chokepoints” in the defense industrial base.

Supply Chain and Technical Setbacks

The primary delays are centered on Tranche 1, the agency’s first fully operational layer. Key issues identified include:

Contact Failures: SDA and its vendors have struggled with the on-orbit checkout process. Notably, Lockheed Martin has yet to establish contact with one of its satellites launched in late 2025. While 95% of Lockheed’s batch is reported healthy, the silence of the remaining unit highlights the risks of rapid deployment.
Component Scarcity: Sustained shortages of optical communications terminals (OCTs) and encryption devices continue to serve as the “critical path” for all vendors, including Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems.
Launch Schedule Pressure: The next dedicated SDA mission, T1TL-A, is roughly four months behind schedule due to a combination of factors, including the 45-day government shutdown, a since-resolved Falcon 9 upper-stage anomaly that briefly paused SpaceX launches in early February, and a software issue with satellites built by Northrop Grumman that emerged just before they were to ship to the launch site.

Strategic Context: The GAO Warning

These operational challenges coincide with a critical Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-26-107085) released on January 28, 2026. The GAO warned that the SDA is overestimating the technology readiness of its tracking layer and lacks a unified architecture-level schedule to track how individual tranche delays impact global missile defense capabilities.

The report specifically criticized the lack of transparency between the SDA and combatant commands regarding whether the planned capabilities—specifically the generation of timely, three-dimensional tracks for hypersonic threats—will meet warfighter needs on the current timeline.

Operational Adjustments and Pivot Strategy

In response to the delays, Dr. Sandhoo stated that the agency is exercising its “principle to pivot.” SDA is considering shifting planes of satellites between vendors—potentially moving a second batch of York Space Systems satellites onto an earlier launch slot if Lockheed Martin requires more time for troubleshooting.

“You don’t realize the weak points until you actually do it,” Sandhoo told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The agency has also centralized payload processing, moving away from individual vendor-managed plans to a more integrated SDA-led coordination model to alleviate processing chokepoints.

Timeline to 2027

Despite these setbacks, the SDA maintains its goal of achieving initial warfighting capability by early calendar year 2027. The next launch, originally slated for late 2025, is now tentatively targeted for late March or April 2026, pending the resolution of vendor software readiness issues and continued coordination across SDA’s launch and payload processing pipeline.

Correction, March 13, 2026: An earlier version of this article stated that SpaceX was “currently investigating” a Falcon 9 anomaly and that the investigation was pending resolution before the next SDA launch. The Falcon 9 anomaly from the February 1 Starlink 11-4 mission has been resolved and SpaceX resumed flights in early February. The article has been updated to reflect this and to more accurately characterize the range of factors contributing to the Tranche 1 launch delay. (Source: Satnews)

09 Mar 26. Lockheed Martin Commits £100M to UK Space Hub; New Manufacturing Plant to Create 2,000 Jobs. On Monday, March 9, 2026, Lockheed Martin announced a strategic investment of more than £100 million in the United Kingdom’s space sector, centered on a massive expansion in the North East region.

The investment is headlined by the proposed construction of an £85 million satellite manufacturing facility at the NETPark science park in County Durham and the official launch phase of a world-class technology center in Newcastle.

The initiative is designed to anchor the UK as a primary hub for sovereign satellite production and resilient space architecture, supporting approximately 2,000 jobs across the national supply chain and injecting an estimated £1.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) into the economy over the next two decades.

Infrastructure: NETPark and NESST

The investment is divided into two primary pillars focused on production and research:

NETPark Satellite Facility (£85m): Based in the newly developed Phase 3 of the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield. This facility will serve as an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) hub, allowing Lockheed Martin to manufacture “onshore” satellites that were previously produced in the United States.
NESST Centre (£50m Total Investment): The North East Space Skills and Technology (NESST) centre is a joint venture between Northumbria University, the UK Space Agency (UKSA), and Lockheed Martin. Lockheed has committed £15 million specifically to NESST to fund collaborative R&D in optical laser communications and space-based solar power over the next decade.

Technical Specs: Sovereign Space Effects

By establishing a “UK Space Prime” presence, Lockheed Martin aims to provide the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and civilian agencies with direct access to advanced space control and security technology. Technical focus areas for the new facilities include:

Optical Satellite Communications: Development of high-bandwidth laser links for secure ground-to-orbit data transfer.
Space-Based Energy: Prototyping for renewable energy collection in orbit.
Resilient Architectures: Designing small-satellite constellations capable of surviving “contested domain” threats (ASAT and jamming).
Software Integration: A separate Software Integration Lab at Lockheed’s Havant facility will develop the sovereign ground segment software to manage these new UK-built assets.

The “Leveling Up” Strategy

The announcement follows the UK Government’s March 4, 2026, reveal of a bolder national space strategy, which allocated £500 million to back high-growth space technologies. Lockheed Martin’s regional focus on the North East addresses historical under-investment in the area by the defense sector.

“Lockheed Martin as a prime contractor will provide access to Space Control and Security technology and expertise that the MOD and other parts of government will need to deliver space effects,” stated Paul Livingston, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK & NATO.

Economic Outlook

The project is expected to support 500 high-skill jobs annually within the North East region alone. Beyond direct employment, Lockheed Martin’s “anchor tenancy” at NESST is intended to create an accelerator for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), allowing British startups to plug directly into Lockheed’s $15 billion global supply chain.

The manufacturing plant at NETPark is slated to begin initial operations by mid-2027, aligning with the UK’s goal of capturing 10% of the global space market by 2030. (Source: Satnews)

26 Mar 26. NSSLGlobal today announces the launch of GUARDIAN its Anti-Piracy Communication System, keeping crews in citadel safe-rooms connected with coastguards, naval vessels, owners and operators despite the dangerous presence of armed and violent intruders on the vessel.

Designed by NSSLGlobal using its near-six decades of maritime solution expertise, the GUARDIAN Anti-Piracy Communications System employs best-in-class satellite communications and VHF radio.

Even if power to the citadel is cut, The GUARDIAN’s powerful battery ensures crews continue to communicate with the outside world by the best method available, regardless of global location.

The system’s satellite connectivity supports voice, SMS, and tracking. The VHF radio features a large display and is designed to be easy to use during times of extreme stress.

Enhanced safety and communications measures are necessary as armed and vicious piracy continue to be a menace to shipping and crew welfare. According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau 121 vessels were boarded by pirates in 2025. Incidents of all types against ships increased by 18%, rising to 137, compared with 116 in 2024. Crew members were taken hostage or kidnapped in many of these attacks and guns were used in 42 incidents – up from 26 in 2024. Knives were employed in 33 incidents.

Piracy takes place in many areas of the globe, but hotspots are the Singapore Straits and Gulf of Guinea, overtaking threats in the waters off Somalia, which nonetheless remain dangerous.

For owners and operators facing the brutal and costly realities of these threats, the installation of the GUARDIAN Anti-Piracy Communication System enables them to fulfil their IMO requirements for citadels to have critical communications capabilities with battery back-up, and aids compliance with insurance mandates.

“Our GUARDIAN Anti-Piracy Communication System is designed to help crews when lives are at stake – it is an extremely important development that we are announcing today,” said Sally-anne Ray, Group CEO, NSSLGlobal.

“Piracy is on the rise in many parts of the globe, and crews must have reliable communications so they can seek help and maintain contact with coastguards, naval vessels and their own headquarters. Operators deserve the best possible protection and most resilient communications system available to protect their people, their assets and their reputations.”

23 Mar 26. Intellian Unveils Future Antenna Technologies and Strategic Market Expansions at Satellite 2026. Intellian Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of satellite communication antennas and ground gateway solutions, is demonstrating unprecedented technological diversification and rapid expansion into high-growth markets at Satellite 2026 in Washington D.C.

Showcasing its most robust and disruptive future roadmap to date across land, maritime, aero, and government sectors, Intellian is solidly positioned at the forefront of satellite communication innovation.

Making its global debut at the show is a next-generation 2.4m flyaway antenna designed for communications-on-the-pause (COTP). Anticipated to be the industry’s first tactical WGS flyaway system capable of simultaneous X-band and Mil Ka-band connectivity, this technology is built to solve critical government and defense challenges. With full specifications to follow later this year, this exclusive preview is already generating significant industry interest.

In the aero sector, visitors can experience the pioneering OW11FA user terminal for OneWeb LEO, developed in a strategic partnership with Panasonic Avionics. Underscoring Intellian’s aggressive expansion into aviation and unmanned markets, the company is also offering exclusive previews of an upcoming L-band solution for both UAVs and USVs, alongside a highly anticipated next-generation UAV design for LEO currently in development.

Intellian’s rapidly growing Flat Panel Series, powered by its advanced Electronically Steered Array (ESA) technology, continues to capture significant market share. The newly available, highly agile Manpack solution is on display, alongside a preview of breakthrough NGO Ka-band solutions.

Furthermore, building upon its established dominance in the maritime sector, Intellian is previewing its future 2026 GMDSS releases, signaling a major expansion of its Iridium GMDSS Safety Systems and radio portfolio.

Eric Sung, Intellian CEO, commented: “Satellite 2026 is a pivotal moment for Intellian. We aren’t just participating in the market; we are defining its future. Over the past few years, we have strategically invested in R&D to diversify our portfolio and aggressively expand our footprint into the high-barrier government and aero sectors. By giving our customers and partners an exclusive first look at these breakthrough products we are demonstrating our unparalleled capacity to translate visionary engineering into scalable, high-demand commercial solutions.”

19 Mar 26. ALL.SPACE, a leader in resilient, multi-orbit communications-on-the-move, announced the certification of the industry’s first multi-orbit, next-generation tactical terminal capability on the SES O3b mPOWER network. Achieved in collaboration with SES Space & Defense, this capability will support government and defense missions.

Designed to meet the operational demands of contested and dynamic environments, the ALL.SPACE electronically scanned antenna capability enables simultaneous, full-duplex connectivity across GEO and MEO networks from a single terminal, delivering resilience, flexibility, and assured performance for defense users operating on the move.

The ALL.SPACE antenna solution is the first ESA-certified for use on the O3b mPOWER network and directly supports SES Space & Defense’s Secure Integrated Multi-Orbit Networking (SIMON) strategy, designed to provide assured, adaptable connectivity by seamlessly integrating capabilities across multiple orbital regimes.

This certification importantly enables Sovereign services over O3b mPOWER, allowing for critical and secure networking, and part of the MEO Global Services (mGS) contract. Both the terminal and the O3b mPOWER network are already incorporated into multiple government and defense Programs of Record, underscoring the readiness for operational deployment and long-term mission support.

The ALL.SPACE terminal capability has been engineered from the outset to meet the exacting requirements of U.S. DoD, UK MoD, and allied defense users, for mobility applications, delivering integrated multi-orbit, multi-link connectivity aligned to modern SATCOM architectures.

Designed for operational flexibility, the solution supports mission-specific requirements while leveraging electronic beam steering with no moving parts to improve reliability in harsh and contested environments. The solution is optimized for land, maritime, and mobile command applications, supporting joint and coalition operations where mission assurance is critical.

“Defense users require communications that are not only high performance, but resilient by design,” said Paul McCarter, ALL.SPACE CEO. “By enabling simultaneous GEO and MEO connectivity from a single, electronically steered terminal-aligned with SES Space & Defense and O3b mPOWER – we are delivering a new level of mission assurance for operations conducted on the move.”

“With certification complete and operational alignment in place, ALL.SPACE and SES Space & Defense are positioned to support government and defense customers seeking the ultimate in resilience: one terminal, multiple orbits, no compromise.”

“O3b mPOWER is designed to deliver secure, high-throughput connectivity for the most demanding government and defense missions,” said SES Space & Defense’s Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation, Michael Geist. “ALL.SPACE’s multi-orbit terminal capability strengthens the O3b mPOWER ecosystem and directly supports our SIMON strategy by enabling integrated, resilient networking across multiple orbits.”

As defense operations rely on assured, adaptive connectivity, the combination of SES Space & Defense’s multi-orbit network infrastructure and ALL.SPACE’s electronically steered, multi-link terminal technology provides a powerful foundation for resilient, future-ready SATCOM.

12 Mar 26. ALL.SPACE and Viasat advance assured Ka-band connectivity for global defense operations

ALL.SPACE terminal certified to access Mil Ka-band through Viasat’s global network

ALL.SPACE, a leader in resilient, multi-network communications-on-the-move, today announced a strategic collaboration with Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, and the successful certification of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network, which provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access to support government and defense missions worldwide.

Designed to meet the operational demands of contested, mobile, and remote environments, the ALL.SPACE electronically steered terminal has achieved Viasat GX Category 4 certification, enabling full-performance operation across Viasat GX high-capacity steerable beams operating in the military Ka-band to support on the move, on the pause, and at the halt.

The certification enables the ALL.SPACE terminal to operate on Viasat’s global GX satellite constellation, which delivers assured, resilient connectivity for defense users across land and maritime domains, including operations in remote and high-latitude regions.

This expanded operational coverage enables Ka-band connectivity into polar and other high-latitude environments, supporting government and defense missions in some of the world’s most challenging and strategically important operating theaters.

In parallel, ALL.SPACE and Viasat have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement under which the companies will work together to integrate, test, and certify the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal family for operation across Viasat global high-capacity Ka-band network.

As part of this collaboration, ALL.SPACE will integrate the Viasat next-gen LSDR modem into the Hydra and Hydra MAX terminals, enabling seamless interoperability between the ALL.SPACE terminal platform and the expanded Viasat global Ka-band network.

The collaboration includes joint customer engagement, demonstrations, and operational trials, supporting government and defense customers seeking resilient, multi-orbit connectivity solutions aligned to modern SATCOM architectures. These activities will further validate interoperability and operational performance, accelerating deployment in support of mission requirements.

The ALL.SPACE terminal capability has been engineered from the outset to meet the exacting requirements of U.S. DoD, UK MoD, and allied defense users, delivering integrated multi-orbit, multi-link connectivity for mobility applications. Leveraging electronic beam steering with no moving parts, the solution improves reliability and survivability in harsh and contested environments while supporting mission-specific configurations across land, maritime, and mobile command operations.

“Defense users require communications that are resilient by design, not just high performance,” said John-Paul Szczepanik, Chief Technology Officer, ALL.SPACE. “Certification on the Viasat GX network, combined with our strategic agreement with Viasat, expands the operational reach of our terminals and reinforces our commitment to delivering assured, mission-ready connectivity wherever operations take place.”

“Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band network is designed to support secure, high-reliability communications for global government and defense operations,” said Vic Farah, Senior Vice President of Government Services and Solutions, Viasat. “We look forward to working with ALL.SPACE to strengthen our ecosystem of connectivity solutions that can help deliver greater flexibility and resilience for customers operating across diverse and demanding mission environments.”

As defense missions increasingly depend on assured, adaptive connectivity, the combination of Viasat’s global Ka-band satellite infrastructure and ALL.SPACE’s electronically steered, multi-link terminal technology provides a powerful foundation for resilient, future-ready SATCOM.

23 Mar 26. Plextek, a leading global provider of advanced engineering consultancy services, will showcase its cutting-edge mmWave radar technology at SATELLITE x GovMilSpace 2026, taking place from 23–26 March at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Visitors can find the Plextek team at booth 1251, where they will present a live demonstration of their radar system in action.

Unlike conventional demonstrations, Plextek’s booth will feature real-time sensor data from its mmWave radar technology, highlighting how the system addresses challenges that cameras and LiDAR struggle to overcome in space environments. The technology enables reliable sensing in conditions such as darkness, solar interference, and dust-obscured environments.

Mick Withers, SVP at Plextek, and Richard Jacklin, Commercial Lead of Space, will be on hand to discuss the technology’s capabilities and applications, including millimetre-scale debris detection for low earth orbit (LEO), rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and sensing solutions designed for challenging lunar environments.

Additionally, during the event, Richard Jacklin will also present a technical session on March 24th at 11am, exploring the latest radar developments for space-based applications. The presentation will focus on the use of millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar operating in the 30-300 GHz frequency range, which is higher spectrum range than most space based radars to date, and how it can provide useful applications in space domain awareness.

“Advances in radar technology are enabling compact, efficient sensing systems that can operate on both small satellites and larger spacecraft,” said Richard Jacklin, Commercial Lead of Space at Plextek. “By combining radar with other sensors, we can support AI-driven guidance and navigation while overcoming the limitations of cameras and LiDAR. This opens up new possibilities for in-space operations and services, as well as future lunar and planetary missions where dust, darkness, and harsh conditions challenge traditional sensing technologies.”

The presentation will also explore how radar can complement existing sensors within AI-driven guidance and navigation systems, as well as its potential role in future exploration missions where environmental conditions limit the performance of optical sensing technologies.

Visitors to booth 1251 will have the opportunity to see live radar data output and learn more about the engineering trade-offs and mission applications behind Plextek’s space-ready sensing systems.

17 Mar 26. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., a leading provider of airborne communications management systems, broadband land, maritime and airborne SATCOM terminals, and ground station solutions, is launching the MPT40 Multi-Platform SATCOM Terminal, a compact, lightweight and cost-effective satellite communication system designed to deliver high performance across diverse military operational environments. The new terminal provides forces with a flexible communication capability that can be deployed across multiple platforms while maintaining reliable, resilient connectivity.

Designed for true operational versatility in a GNSS denied environment, the MPT40 can be installed on military vehicles, small naval vessels or deployed by maneuvering ground forces operating in the field. The same system can be easily transferred between platforms, enabling operational flexibility and simplifying logistics while ensuring mission continuity.

With a particularly low footprint of 50×50 cm (20″x20″)- the terminal is ideally suited for armored vehicles and space-constrained tactical platforms where profile, weight and available space are critical operational considerations. The system is lightweight, easily disassembled and rapidly deployable, supporting quick field setup when mobility and responsiveness are essential.

The MPT40 supports multi-orbit satellite constellations including GEO, MEO, HEO and LEO, delivering reliable broadband connectivity anytime, anywhere. Its advanced design ensures strong performance across all elevation angles, maintaining stable communication links for command-and-control, ISR and other mission-critical applications even in challenging operational environments.

The system complies with stringent Military Standards (810H & 461G), supports operation with virtually any modem, features electronically controlled polarization switching and incorporates a single-LRU Combat Proven architecture — an important advantage particularly for rapid installation, maintenance and operational support.

By combining compact size, high performance and cost efficiency in a single terminal, the MPT40 provides armed forces with a practical, flexible SATCOM solution suited for modern multi-domain operations.

Daniel Eshchar, CEO of Orbit, commented: “We identified a clear operational need among maneuvering forces for one versatile SATCOM system capable of supporting multiple missions and platforms. The MPT40 was designed to answer that need — delivering flexibility, strong performance and reliable connectivity in a compact solution that can move with the force and adapt to evolving operational requirements.”

25 Mar 26. Filtronic Unveils Advanced High Bandwidth DIFI Solution to Enable Fully Virtualised Satellite Ground Stations

Promises lower costs, simpler deployment & greater security for ground terminal operators

Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), a global leader in high-performance and high-frequency solutions for the space, defence and telecoms infrastructure markets, today announced the launch of its Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIFI) solution, engineered to accelerate the industry’s transition from traditional analogue RF infrastructure to flexible and secure RF-over-IP connectivity for cloud-enabled satellite networks.

Fully aligned with the IEEE-ISTO STD 4900, Filtronic’s DIFI solution enables seamless interoperability across a rapidly expanding ecosystem of next-generation digital IF systems. As an active member of the DIFI Consortium, Filtronic is participating in regular multi-vendor interoperability trials, reinforcing the company’s commitment to open, standards-based innovation.

DIFI represents a fundamental shift in how signals are transported within modern satellite and defence communication systems. By sampling analogue signals, encapsulating them as encrypted IP packets and transmitting them over standard ethernet networks, DIFI eliminates dependence on heavy analogue IF infrastructure and multiple coaxial cable runs.

This modern approach not only simplifies installation and reduces the operational burden for ground‑segment teams but also drives down both capital expenditure and ongoing operational expenditure. With fewer physical components to install, maintain and replace, operators can achieve lower capex from the outset and reduced opex over the lifecycle of the system. Critically it also adds resilience as they can focus efforts on protecting one centralised secure facility, while eliminating potential vulnerabilities at each individual antenna site.

The global growth in data demand from high throughput satellites, LEO constellations and the new defence applications have all heightened the need for architectures that are scalable, secure and less operationally burdensome. Filtronic’s new DIFI solution directly addresses these pressures, especially for those wishing to take advantage of higher band frequencies such as those used at Ka, Q/V, E, and W bands

The platform features six transmit-and-receive RF channels, each capable of interfacing to carriers up to 2.5 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth on IF carrier frequencies up to 6GHz. The RF signals can be sampled at 8 to 14bit level and the encapsulated RF signals are transmitted over IP via a 100Gbit ethernet port with a second port being enabled should additional data rate be needed. This exceptionally wide bandwidth provides a substantial performance advantage over existing lower‑bandwidth solutions in the market, while maintaining a competitive pricing model. In addition, an internal RF mezzanine board can be customised with tailored IF filtering for Block Upconverter and Block Downconverter applications, giving operators the flexibility to adapt the system to the specific needs of their ground segment.

Nima Razavi-Ghods, Head of Systems Engineering at, Filtronic, said, “Digital IF is a pivotal technology for the future of satellite communications, and its adoption marks a major step forward in enabling truly virtualised, cloud‑ready architectures. With this new product, we’ve focused not only on delivering outstanding bandwidth and performance, but also on ensuring that the solution is practical, interoperable and future‑proof. Our goal is to give operators a platform that reduces hardware complexity, strengthens resilience and unlocks the full potential of digital transformation across the ground segment.”

The introduction of Filtronic’s DIFI platform reflects the company’s ongoing investment in enabling high performance, mission critical communication systems. By offering wider bandwidth, greater flexibility, stronger security and a significantly reduced hardware footprint, the new solution sets a benchmark for the next generation of digital IF infrastructure.

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 24, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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10 Mar 26. ALL.SPACE, a leader in resilient, multi-network communications-on-the-move, today announced a strategic collaboration with Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, and the successful certification of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network, which provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access to support government and defense missions worldwide.

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.MatrixSpace solutions are designed and developed in the United States, without ITAR export restrictions, manufactured under the highest ISO and IATF standards and rigorously tested for quality, reliability and compliance.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 6, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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04 Mar 26. Space firms to scale-up and thrive in Britain with government backing for bolder strategy. A bolder approach to space strategy will see £500m allocated to national programmes to back high-growth technologies and help British companies scale and compete on the international stage.

Speaking today at Space‑Comm Expo in London, Minister Liz Lloyd set out a clear vision to make Britain a competitive, agile space power.

A major package of investment and reform will ensure public funding is focused more sharply on four areas that drive economic growth and national security outcomes: Satellite Communications; In Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (such as refuelling and maintaining satellites and producing products like medicines and semiconductors in space); Space Domain Awareness (such as tracking spacecraft, debris and space weather); and Launch for assured access to space.

A range of practical tools and support schemes for high-potential companies will complement the record levels of public funding available, to improve access to finance, develop the skills and talent pipeline, and ensure space regulation and standards keep pace with innovation.

Ministers are also open to using the government’s buying power to help British space firms scale faster – driving growth, boosting revenues and bolstering national security and defence.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said:

The government recognises that the whole of the space sector – from curiosity driven science to commercial satellite services – makes an important contribution to the UK. But to deliver growth and security for the British people, we need to take a much bolder approach to how we prioritise public funding and support.

Our vision is clear – to make the UK a competitive, agile space power. We’re allocating £500 m today, on top of ESA funding, to drive forward our priorities and will continue to work closely with industry and investors to maximise private capital flows and unlock the full potential of commercial space.

This is just the start, as we prepare to publish our full Plan for Space later this year.

In addition to the £1.7bn committed to European Space Agency (ESA) programmes in November 2025, the government is allocating more than £500m to national space programmes:

£105m to develop civil capabilities for in-orbit servicing and manufacturing (ISAM) – an emerging market where the UK has a strong competitive edge and opportunities to deliver significant commercial returns and strengthen national resilience
£85m to develop the National Space Operations Centre, including £40m to build a new ground‑based sensing network, supporting the 24/7 requirement to protect satellites and manage an increasingly crowded space environment
£80 m to deliver the Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, including for a new £30m funding call opened today to support UK businesses developing smarter satellites, advanced hardware and AI‑enabled data delivery
£65m for the National Space Innovation Programme to accelerate breakthrough technologies and boost commercialisation
£40m for the Unlocking Space Programme to drive market demand for space technology, develop national security capabilities and attract private investment to support the scale up of UK firms
£37m to develop space clusters, building on local strengths and ensuring the benefits of space reach every corner of the UK
£20m to accelerate spaceport infrastructure development in Scotland

Capitalising on the geographic advantage of UK spaceports and assuring access to space remains a key government priority. The UK committed a record £162 m to ESA launch programmes in November, primarily through the European Launcher Challenge, and the focus now is on accelerating launch from Scotland.

The UK’s world-leading expertise in space science and astronomy is also backed with a £91m injection into the UK Space Agency’s national space science programme.

A significant step towards improved coordination of the UK’s space endeavours is the merger of the UK Space Agency into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), which will complete next month, bringing technical space expertise closer to central government. A full Plan for Space will follow, setting out in detail how government departments will work together to deliver the nation’s space priorities

Overall, the UK Space Agency’s budget grew by 8% last year, with £2.8 bn allocated until 2030. This funding supports the UK’s dynamic space sector, which employs more than 55,000 people across the country, and the development of national space capabilities that contribute to wider economic growth and national security. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

02 Mar 26. AeroVironment, Inc. (“AV” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global defense technology leader, today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Space Force’s delivery of BADGER phased array antenna systems to support the Satellite Communications Augmentation Resource (“SCAR”) program:

AV’s innovation and ability to scale ahead of manufacturing remains a key differentiator, giving us a competitive edge in the broader defense market. AV is confident in its ability to successfully deliver our systems ahead of competitors.

We remain in active negotiations with the U.S. Space Force regarding AV’s contract to deliver ground stations to support the SCAR program. AV appreciates that the contract was temporarily paused while both parties work together on a firm-fixed-price contract that provides a commercialized product solution with an expedited delivery timeline. AV is focused on aligning to customer needs and, as separately announced, is actively investing in expanding manufacturing capacity in Albuquerque, New Mexico to support growth in our Space and Directed Energy platforms, including manufacturing for the SCAR program.

As previously announced, AV will report its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 after the market closes on March 10, 2026. Management will host a conference call and live audio webcast at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time that same day to discuss the results. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

02 Mar 26. Aussie hypersonic aircraft achieves first flight in major breakthrough. An Australian-developed hypersonic aircraft has successfully completed its first flight, reaching speeds above Mach 5 and marking a significant milestone for Australia’s emerging hypersonic technology sector.

Brisbane-based aerospace company Hypersonix Launch Systems confirmed that its DART AE hypersonic test aircraft completed the mission following launch from Wallops Flight Facility in the United States.

The mission, dubbed “That’s not a knife”, launched at 7pm Eastern Time on Friday, 27 February (11am AEDT Saturday, 28 February). The test vehicle was carried to altitude aboard the Rocket Lab HASTE rocket launched from Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport.

Once released in the upper atmosphere, the DART AE vehicle conducted its hypersonic flight profile, gathering critical technical data before completing the mission.

The flight was conducted under the US Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit, which partners with industry to accelerate emerging defence technologies.

Hypersonic flight refers to speeds exceeding Mach 5 – more than five times the speed of sound. Hypersonix is developing a new class of autonomous aircraft capable of sustained flight at speeds of up to Mach 12.

The company’s flagship vehicle, DART AE, is a 3.5-metre autonomous aircraft designed to test propulsion systems, materials, sensors and guidance technologies under genuine hypersonic conditions.

Hypersonix co-founder Dr Michael Smart, a former NASA research scientist and former chair of hypersonic propulsion at the University of Queensland, said the successful mission validates years of development work.

“This mission allowed us to test propulsion, materials and control systems in real hypersonic conditions,” Smart said.

“At these speeds and temperatures, there is no substitute for real flight data. The information gathered will directly inform the design of future operational hypersonic aircraft.”

Hypersonix chief executive Matt Hill said the successful flight represents a defining moment for both the company and Australia’s advanced aerospace industry.

“This flight reflects years of focused engineering work and the confidence placed in us by our partners,” Hill said.

“Successfully flying DART AE in a true hypersonic environment demonstrates that an Australian company can design, build and operate technology in one of the most demanding flight regimes on Earth. It is an important step toward delivering operationally relevant hypersonic systems for Australia and its allies.”

The milestone follows a recent $46 m Series A funding round secured by Hypersonix. The investment was backed by the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and Queensland Investment Corporation.

The round was led by High Tor Capital, with additional support from European defence firm Saab and Polish investment group RKKVC.

The funding will support an expanded flight test program, scale up advanced manufacturing in Queensland and accelerate development of the company’s next hypersonic platform, known as VISR – Velos Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance.

Hypersonix currently employs more than 50 staff in Brisbane across aerospace engineering, advanced manufacturing and testing roles.

The company specialises in the design, manufacture and operation of autonomous hypersonic aircraft powered by scramjet engines, capable of sustained flight at extreme speed, range and altitude.

02 Mar 26. Danish satellite manufacturer Space Inventor is partnering with Austrian propulsion specialist GATE Space on the BEACONSAT mission – Austria’s largest domestically developed satellite and the country’s first military satellite.

Space Inventor will deliver the complete satellite platform and core mission engineering required to bring the satellite safely into orbit and ensure long-term operational performance.

BEACONSAT, scheduled for launch in February 2027 is designed to detect and analyse interference with Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), including jamming and spoofing.

The mission directly addresses the growing security challenge often referred to as “navigation warfare” and contributes to European resilience, defence readiness and technological sovereignty.

Commissioned by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defence and supported at European level through ESA’s Marketplace programme as a dual-use technology demonstration mission, BEACONSAT will provide critical data on GNSS interference to support both military and civilian situational awareness.

In addition to advancing GNSS intelligence capabilities, BEACONSAT will demonstrate an in-orbit chemical propulsion system developed by GATE Space. The Austrian company is responsible for the overall mission and is developing the satellite’s chemical propulsion system, thermal control system and structural subsystem.

Space Inventor is responsible for all satellite-related systems and mission engineering. The company has adapted its platform to accommodate propulsion components positioned externally in non-traditional configurations and has developed control algorithms capable of maintaining precise attitude control despite moving liquid mass within the spacecraft.

From a satellite engineering perspective, BEACONSAT presents significant technical challenges. Integrating a liquid-fuel propulsion system into a compact small satellite platform introduces complex dynamic and structural considerations.

Jan Smolders, Chief Commercial Officer, Space Inventor commented on the announcement: “Space-based infrastructure is fundamental to national security and strategic autonomy. BEACONSAT helps strengthen Europe’s ability to detect and respond to navigation interference – a threat that is growing in both scale and sophistication. Just as importantly, this mission proves that European industry has the capability to design, build and operate advanced defence space systems independently. BEACONSAT is a clear demonstration of sovereign European space capacity in action – operationally ready, technologically advanced and built in Europe for Europe.”

Space Inventor’s scope of work covers delivery of the complete satellite bus, including the onboard computer (OBC), attitude determination and control systems, reaction wheels, magnetorquers and power systems.

Beyond the platform itself, the company is responsible for end-to-end system engineering and mission analysis, including orbital and performance calculations, as well as full mechanical and structural integration. This includes adapting the satellite design to accommodate GATE Space’s liquid-fuel thruster and tank within a highly constrained smallsat architecture, and providing mission operations support to ensure stable flight, precise orbital behaviour and long-term operational reliability. The project underscores Space Inventor’s expanding role in European defence and security space missions. As European security increasingly depends on reliable, sovereign space capabilities, BEACONSAT demonstrates how European companies can jointly deliver advanced, operational space systems – from propulsion and payloads to complete satellite platforms.

02 Mar 26. U.S. Space Force Strengthens Partnerships at 45th Cobra Gold. Space Force guardians are participating in the 45th iteration of Cobra Gold for the first time in the exercise’s history, marking a milestone for the service and further integrating space as a warfighting domain within one of the Indo-Pacific’s largest multinational exercises, Feb. 23 to March 6.

The presence of guardians at Cobra Gold signals the continued evolution of the Space Force. It reinforces the U.S.-Thai alliance by enhancing multinational crisis response, mission effectiveness and capability across all domains.

“This marks a significant milestone for the United States Space Force,” said Space Force Maj. Jonathan Brydie, a military exchange program embed assigned to the Joint Force Space Component, Headquarters Joint Operations Command. “As our service continues to mature, our participation demonstrates that we can support real-world operations and major multinational exercises simultaneously. It reinforces that space is a warfighting domain. Integrating space from the outset ensures the joint force operates with synchronized effects across air, land, maritime, cyber and space.”

As the Air Force’s newest military service, the Space Force was established to organize, train and equip forces to protect the United States and allied interests in, from and to space. Its integration into Cobra Gold reflects both operational necessity and the evolving character of warfare.

“Integrating space into Cobra Gold enhances the exercise by educating Indo-Pacific partners on the operational role of the space domain during conflict,” said Space Force Capt. Nicholas Braga, Space Forces Korea chief of future operations. “It also opens dialogue on how nations can responsibly develop and integrate space capabilities that contribute to regional stability.”

In support of Cobra Gold, guardians contributed expertise in space domain awareness, defensive and offensive space operations and operational-level space planning required to maintain space superiority. Rather than operating in isolation, Space Force personnel are embedded alongside air, land, maritime and cyber planners to integrate space effects into decision-making processes.

“We are ensuring space is a deliberate consideration at every decision point,” Braga said. “Branch plans and contingency options are developed with space effects integrated from the beginning, giving commanders greater clarity and flexibility in achieving mission objectives.”

The operational importance of space domain awareness was a central theme throughout the exercise.

“Most command and control systems rely on satellites and space-enabled networks,” Brydie said. “Space superiority is now as vital as air superiority in modern conflict. Maintaining awareness of the space environment allows us to protect those systems and ensure the joint force can operate without disruption.”

Beyond operational integration, Cobra Gold provided an opportunity for the Space Force to deepen relationships with regional allies actively developing their own space competencies.

“It has been a tremendous opportunity to collaborate with partner nations,” Braga said. “The United States is not the only space-capable entity in this region. Working alongside the Republic of Korea and other allies strengthens trilateral and multilateral integration. The cohesion built here enhances deterrence and reinforces our collective posture across Indo-Pacom.”

Coalition partners emphasize shared responsibility in the space domain is essential to regional stability.

“Participating in Cobra Gold demonstrates a shared commitment to the responsible and secure use of space,” said Royal Australian Air Force Staff Officer Mark Wilson, wing commander of Joint Force Space Component, Headquarters Joint Operations Command. “It shows we are willing and capable of sharing information and operational experience to achieve common security objectives.”

“For the U.S. Space Force, Cobra Gold 2026 serves as both a milestone and platform to demonstrate the service’s ability to integrate seamlessly within a complex multinational environment while delivering operational advantage to the joint force,” Braga said.

From space domain awareness to operational-level planning, guardians ensured space effects were integrated at every stage of execution reinforcing deterrence, strengthening alliances and advancing the service’s role as an essential component of joint and coalition operations in the Indo-Pacific. (Source: U.S. DoD)

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

———————————————————————————————————————

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 27, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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25 Feb 26. ImageSat International (TASE: ISI), a global leader in space-based intelligence solutions, reports that the KNIGHT development program is progressing according to schedule and has entered its final stages. The satellite is designed to strengthen ISI’s operational portfolio by delivering persistent, high-clarity observation of critical targets across day, night, and degraded visibility environments, enabling effective collection in low-visibility conditions such as haze, smoke, fog, and during dawn and dusk. For defense and security users, KNIGHT provides reliable monitoring in conditions where conventional electro-optical systems face limitations. Its integrated SWIR channel enhances detection, recognition, and tracking capabilities, while onboard AI processes imagery directly in orbit – prioritizing mission-critical data and accelerating response timelines. Building on the intelligence-centric architecture pioneered by ISI’s RUNNER satellite, KNIGHT incorporates proven in-orbit analytics, real-time movement tracking, and efficient narrow-band intelligence dissemination via embedded AI. It extends this foundation into the very high-resolution domain and into night and limited-visibility operations, combining 35 cm true-color imaging with a dedicated SWIR channel and integrated video capabilities to deliver a richer and more dynamic intelligence picture.

Advanced onboard computing enables real-time image and video assessment, autonomous memory management, and optimized downlink usage. The satellite can filter low-quality data, re-task areas of interest autonomously, and deliver actionable intelligence directly to operational networks. Its flexible processing architecture also allows software and algorithm updates throughout its lifetime, ensuring continuous performance enhancement and evolving analytical capabilities in orbit.

“Completing recent development milestones demonstrates the maturity of the Knight program and our continued execution towards a launch planned for 2027,” said Noam Segal, CEO of ImageSat International. “KNIGHT is being developed to provide defense and security users with clearer and more continuous intelligence, both static and dynamic, regardless of time of day or visibility conditions. By integrating very high-resolution imaging, SWIR sensing, video, and onboard AI-driven processing, it enhances operational flexibility and decision-making confidence in complex environments.”

18 Feb 26. Geopolitical Analysis: U.S. Space Strategy in Africa Facing Chinese Competition. A strategic analysis released by the Atlantic Council highlights a critical shift in the “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus,” warning that the United States must reform its commercial partnership models with African nations to counter China’s deepening influence in the regional space economy.

The report, published in early 2026, surfaces a growing disparity in how global superpowers engage with the continent’s emerging space sectors. While the U.S. has historically focused on high-level diplomatic cooperation, China has pivoted toward tangible infrastructure and “space-economic diplomacy.”

Historical Context and Infrastructure Shifts

Throughout 2025, China demonstrated a commitment to local sovereignty and infrastructure that has resonated with African leadership. A cornerstone of this strategy was the 2025 transfer of a telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) station to Namibia, moving the facility from Chinese ownership to local control.

This follows a decade of Chinese investment in African satellite programs, often involving “turnkey” solutions where China provides the launch, the hardware, and the financing. The Atlantic Council notes that while these deals often involve high debt, they provide immediate orbital capabilities that U.S. commercial entities have been slower to facilitate under equitable terms.

The TT&C and Launch Provider Gap

The U.S. response has seen some momentum via the private sector, specifically the rapid expansion of Starlink across several African nations. However, the analysis argues that a “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus” requires more than just service availability.

Infrastructure Requirements: African nations are seeking domestic ground station capabilities and data sovereignty, rather than just becoming consumers of Western or Eastern bandwidth.
Launch Competition: As African space agencies mature, the demand for dedicated SmallSat launches is increasing. The U.S. must foster partnerships that allow African engineers and scientists to participate in the lifecycle of the mission, rather than acting as passive observers.
Strategic Underinvestment: The report suggests that the U.S. underinvests in African space infrastructure by a significant margin compared to its investments in the Indo-Pacific or European theaters, creating a vacuum that China continues to fill.

Strategic Outlook: The Equitable Partnership Model

To remain competitive, the U.S. must move toward a model of “equitable commercial partnerships.” This involves incentivizing U.S. companies to build local capacity, shared TT&C facilities, and joint ventures in satellite data applications for agriculture and climate monitoring.

The Atlantic Council concludes that the geopolitical competition for space influence in the Global South will not be won through orbital dominance alone, but through the strength of ground-based economic and technical ties. Failure to adapt could result in a fragmented global space architecture where critical ground-segment infrastructure is primarily aligned with Chinese technical standards and security protocols. (Source: Satnews)

19 Feb 26. NBN Co Unveils LEO Wholesale Pricing to Protect Market Share from Starlink. In a statement released Thursday, February 19, 2026, NBN Co launched an industry consultation on wholesale pricing for its upcoming residential Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service, powered by Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper). The move is a strategic attempt to lock in regional customers before a full-scale migration from the aging Sky Muster geostationary (GEO) fleet begins later this year.

The government-owned wholesaler is proposing an aggressive “introductory” price tier for existing satellite customers who upgrade early. Under the proposal, a new 50/10 Mbps LEO plan would be offered to retailers at a wholesale price of $35.84 per month—a rate designed to be equal to or lower than current Sky Muster Plus pricing.

Strategic Migration and “Amazon Leo” Integration

The partnership with Amazon, first announced in August 2025, positions NBN Co to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently dominates the Australian LEO market. Key parameters of the transition include:

Consolidated Tiers: NBN Co plans to fold its existing 12/1 Mbps and 25/5 Mbps Sky Muster tiers into a single 50/10 Mbps LEO-based service.
Hardware Incentives: To accelerate the shift, NBN Co is proposing to provide and install the new Amazon Leo receiving equipment at no cost to eligible existing customers.
Footprint: The service is expected to cover approximately 300,000 users in regional, rural, and remote Australia who lack access to fixed-line or fixed-wireless infrastructure.

Technical Performance and Resilience

The shift to Amazon Leo’s LEO constellation—which currently has more than 150 satellites in orbit and is scaling toward a 3,200-satellite mesh network—will provide significantly lower latency compared to the 600ms+ delay inherent in GEO satellites.

“We want all eligible customers, delivery partners and regional communities to be ready for a smooth transition,” said Gavin Williams, NBN Co Chief Development Officer, Regional & Remote. He noted that the LEO service is designed to deliver “city-fast” broadband to the most remote areas of the continent.

Timeline to 2030

NBN Co has established a multi-year roadmap for the complete decommissioning of its legacy satellite infrastructure.

July – September 2026: Proof-of-concept trials are scheduled to begin in Tasmania.
Q4 2026: Expected commencement of the full commercial rollout.
Q4 2027: Deadline for the bulk of customer migrations to the LEO network.
2028 – 2030: Decommissioning of the two Sky Muster geostationary satellites, which are projected to reach end-of-life by the early 2030s.

Ellie Sweeney, CEO of NBN Co, emphasized that this transition is critical to ensuring the network remains “future-ready” and resilient. While Sky Muster will continue to operate until at least 2028 to ensure continuity, the company is already exploring options for the legacy assets once the transition to Amazon’s LEO network is finalized. (Source: Satnews)

17 Feb 26. Global Shift Toward Sovereign Launch Gains Momentum Amid Geopolitical Tensions. A new analysis released February 17, 2026, highlights a decisive pivot among U.S. allies toward establishing independent, sovereign launch capabilities. Driven by the “SpaceX monopoly” on the commercial market and heightened geopolitical instability, nations including Australia, Canada, Spain, and Germany are aggressively funding domestic rocket startups to ensure guaranteed access to orbit.

The analysis for Ars Technica was written by Eric Berger, the outlet’s Senior Space Editor.

In his report, Berger examines the shift from theoretical “sovereign launch” discussions to actual hardware development and government funding. He highlights that while the U.S. continues to lead through SpaceX, nations such as Australia (Gilmour Space), Spain (PLD Space), and Canada (Maritime Launch Services/MDA Space) are now making significant financial and technical commitments to ensure independent orbital access.

Breaking the SpaceX Bottleneck

While SpaceX continues to dominate the heavy-lift sector, international governments are increasingly wary of relying on a single commercial entity based in the United States. This “Strategic Launch Dynamics” trend is fueled by the need for responsive, domestic missions that do not compete for slot availability on American manifests. The recent operational status of Ariane 6 has provided a blueprint for European independence, but a second tier of mid-to-small-lift vehicles is now emerging to support regional security and commercial needs.

Key International Players and Milestones

Several key companies have reached critical investment or testing milestones within the last year, signaling a transition from “big talk” to hardware readiness:

Canada: MDA Space recently made a $10 m equity investment in Maritime Launch Services to accelerate Spaceport Nova Scotia’s readiness. This partnership aims to create a complete domestic value chain from ground to orbit, catering to both government and commercial clients.
Australia: Gilmour Space Technologies conducted its maiden Eris rocket test in July 2025. Despite an anomaly during flight, the mission confirmed Australia’s ability to develop high-thrust hybrid propulsion and domestic launch infrastructure.
Spain: PLD Space has secured more than €120 m in funding—bolstered by the Spanish government’s PERTE program—to finalize the Miura 5 orbital vehicle. Commercial flights are slated to begin in late 2026.
Germany: Companies such as Isar Aerospace and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) continue to receive substantial backing as Germany seeks to anchor a NewSpace ecosystem within the European Union.

Rationale: Security and Economic Autonomy

The rationale for these bn-dollar investments extends beyond simple prestige. “Establishing sovereign launch capacity that responds to global demand for alternate capabilities is critical,” noted Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. For countries like Canada and Australia, sovereign launch is viewed as an essential component of national security, ensuring that sensitive defense payloads can be deployed without foreign oversight or delays.

Timeline to 2027 Autonomy

The 2026–2027 window is expected to be the “proof of concept” period for this global movement. As commercial activity for vehicles like Miura 5 and Eris begins, the market will determine if these sovereign providers can achieve the launch cadence required to compete with established LEO rideshare services. If successful, the era of a single dominant launch nation may be coming to a close, replaced by a distributed, multi-polar space economy. (Source: Satnews)

16 Feb 26. China Completes In-Orbit Testing of “Three-Body” AI Computing Constellation. China has successfully concluded nine months of orbital testing for its “Three-Body” Computing Constellation, marking a significant milestone in the shift toward autonomous orbital edge computing. Developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), the constellation has demonstrated the ability to run large-scale artificial intelligence models directly on satellite hardware, drastically reducing the latency between data capture and actionable intelligence.

The Shift to “Answers over Images”

Traditionally, remote sensing satellites act as “data pipes,” capturing massive amounts of raw imagery for transmission to ground stations for processing. The Three-Body project, named after the popular science fiction trilogy, represents a move toward Orbital Edge AI. By processing data in space, the satellites can transmit “answers”—such as specific infrastructure damage reports or ship coordinates—rather than raw image files, optimizing limited downlink bandwidth.

The 8B-Parameter Milestone

The constellation consists of three primary experimental units, each equipped with specialized neural processing units (NPUs). Key technical achievements during the testing phase include:

In-Orbit LLMs: Successful deployment and execution of an 8-bn-parameter large language model (LLM) designed for specialized remote sensing analysis.
Autonomous Classification: The satellites demonstrated the ability to classify astronomical phenomena and terrestrial infrastructure types with a 94% accuracy rate without ground intervention.
Inter-Satellite Networking: Real-time data sharing between the three units to verify distributed computing tasks, where one satellite captures data and another processes the workload.
Power Efficiency: Optimization of AI inference tasks to operate within the strict SWaP-C (Size, Weight, Power, and Cost) constraints of a 6U CubeSat platform.

Reducing the Ground Segment Bottleneck

The rationale for the Three-Body constellation is primarily economic and operational. With the proliferation of LEO constellations, the “data deluge” is overwhelming traditional ground station networks. By implementing edge computing, CASIC aims to:

Prioritize Critical Data: Only high-value detections are downlinked immediately.
Autonomous Navigation: Enable satellites to alter their own imaging schedules based on detected changes (e.g., detecting a wildfire and immediately switching to high-resolution infrared mode).
Bandwidth Savings: Reducing the volume of data transmitted by a factor of 1,000 for specific reconnaissance tasks.

Scaling up to 30+ Satellites by 2030

Following the successful validation of the Three-Body pilot, Chinese state media suggests a planned expansion to a 32-satellite “Computing Grid” by 2028. This network is expected to provide real-time AI processing services to commercial and government clients across the Belt and Road Initiative regions.

The technology is also viewed as a precursor to more advanced deep-space missions, where the vast distances from Earth make autonomous decision-making a mission-critical requirement for landers and orbiters. m(Source: Satnews)

16 Feb 26. India Accelerates Military Space Architecture Amid Rising Orbital Weaponization Risks. In response to the rapid expansion of counter-space capabilities by regional adversaries, the Indian government has initiated a multi-layered overhaul of its orbital defense strategy. Following the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval of a 52-satellite surveillance constellation, the Ministry of Defence is pivoting toward a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) architecture to ensure resilient “eyes in the sky” for the Indian Armed Forces.

The Shift from Strategic to Tactical Space

For decades, India’s space assets were primarily civilian-centric. However, the emergence of sophisticated Chinese assets like the Yaogan-41—a high-orbit optical reconnaissance satellite—and Russia’s reported development of anti-satellite (ASAT) technologies have necessitated a shift. This evolution follows India’s own 2019 “Mission Shakti” ASAT test, which signaled the nation’s entry into the elite group of space-faring nations with offensive counter-space capabilities.

The current strategy focuses on high-revisit surveillance and secure communications. A cornerstone of this transition was the successful January 2025 launch of GSAT-20 (now CMS-03), a high-throughput communication satellite launched via a SpaceX Falcon 9. This mission marked the first time ISRO utilized a private American heavy-lift vehicle to deploy a critical national security asset, highlighting a pragmatic shift in launch procurement.

The 52-Satellite Constellation

The new defense constellation is designed to provide 24/7 continuous monitoring of the Indo-Pacific region. The architecture incorporates:

Hybrid Imaging: A mix of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for all-weather/night vision and high-resolution optical sensors.
SmallSat Proliferation: Moving away from large, “exquisite” targets toward smaller, mass-produced satellites that are harder to decapitate in a conflict.
Mission DefSpace Challenges: Under the iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) framework, private Indian startups are being tasked with developing dual-use technologies, including debris management and secure inter-satellite links.

Countering the “Contested Commons”

The militarization of LEO has altered the risk calculus for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The defense establishment now views space not just as a support domain for terrestrial troops, but as a “contested commons” where assets must be capable of maneuvers to avoid electronic interference or physical kinetic threats.

The 52-satellite project serves as a strategic deterrent, ensuring that even if several nodes are neutralized, the remaining constellation can maintain a functional “common operating picture” for ground commanders.

The Strategic Outlook Toward 2030

As India moves toward the 2030 goal of establishing its own space station (Bharatiya Antariksh Station), the integration of defense protocols into civilian missions will increase. The focus is expected to shift toward “space situational awareness” (SSA) to track both orbital debris and adversarial maneuvers in real-time.

The upcoming “Space Policy 2026” revisions are anticipated to further deregulate the sector, allowing private firms to take a lead role in the manufacturing and maintenance of these military-grade constellations, mirroring the successful models seen in the Western commercial-defense nexus. (Source: Satnews)

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 19, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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18 Feb 26. DOD eyes commercial satellites that can spy on other satellites. The Pentagon is looking for cheap commercial satellites that can maintain surveillance on other satellites in orbit, including close-range inspections, according to a Defense Innovation Unit solicitation published Tuesday. The Geosynchronous High-Resolution Optical Space-Based Tactical Reconnaissance project — also referred to as “Ghost Recon” (as in the Tom Clancy novels and video games) — is intended to address a vulnerability in America’s space-monitoring capabilities. The problem is that DOD “lacks sufficient satellites capable of providing high-resolution space-to-space imagery and maintaining custody of both friendly and adversarial satellites in geosynchronous orbit (GEO),” according to the solicitation. Hence, the Pentagon is looking for commercial satellites that can be launched within two years after the contract begins. Within three years, those satellites would become government owned and operated. Within four years, they will have to demonstrate the ability to “perform at least one drive-by (Sub or Super Sync) or an inclined track design reference mission (DRM) per week through the first year of government operations,” the solicitation states. The goal is relatively inexpensive and scalable designs, including space vehicles, satellite buses and payloads that offer “high-resolution space-to-space imagery and accurate object characterization,” DIU said.

“These systems must reduce costs compared to existing and planned programs of record while achieving high-resolution image collection, allowing for increased collection frequency and detailed characterization of resident space objects (RSOs) in GEO. The successful deployment of these capabilities will significantly improve GEO RSO Characterization, Battle Damage Assessment (BDA), Positive Identification (PID), and Combat Identification (CID),” the solicitation notes.

DIU envisions a spacecraft that can move close to other satellites. The result would be “fully resolved imagery of an ESPA Grande-sized spacecraft and its key subsystems (i.e. star tracker, communications payload, mission payload) from a distance of no closer than 10 kilometers,” according to the solicitation. Ghost Recon satellites would also need to maneuver above or below GEO altitude to maximize solar lighting of the target.

Interestingly, DIU suggests satellites from other nations may be less than cooperative when it comes to having their picture taken, such as moving away from American space vehicles. The solicitation cites the possibility of using “several [space vehicles] to support collection of tasked RSO, [which are] used to support collection for uncooperative RSOs.”

While Ghost Recon satellites would mainly track space objects that have already been detected, they may have to search for targets themselves, including “detection and localization of untracked or non-cooperative RSOs,” according to the solicitation. Contractors are asked to detail the capabilities of their designs, including the cost for a Ghost Recon satellite to revisit another space object every 30 days for 10 years. Companies must also specify slew rate, mission payload angular resolution and modular transfer function. Minimum requirements include the ability to “successfully perform rendezvous and proximity operations,” according to the solicitation. Satellites must also be capable of operating for at least three years in GEO, meet National Security Space Launch medium and large standards for launch integration, and use Unified S-Band protocols. Though DIU wants affordable spacecraft that can be deployed within two years, the solution mentions the possibility of refueling these platforms “to extend spacecraft lifespan, increase maneuverability for follow-on missions, and reduce replacement cadence.” The project deadline is March 3. (Source: Defense News)

18 Feb 26. Astrolight, a space and defence-tech company pioneering laser communication solutions across space, ground, and maritime domains, is set to demonstrate its low-SWaP ATLAS-1 laser communication terminals in space for the first time. The terminals will enable secure, high-bandwidth space-to-ground communication on two satellites, each carrying ATLAS-1, scheduled for launch this March aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-16. The satellites support two separate missions coordinated by Astrolight’s clients: the National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. Ahead of the demonstrations in space, each ATLAS-1 terminal completed comprehensive client-led testing to confirm reliable and consistent operation on satellites and across a range of environmental conditions.

“These in-orbit missions are a big milestone for the global small satellite industry,” said Laurynas Mačiulis, CEO of Astrolight. “Smallsat operators have long faced the issue of having to sacrifice data traffic due to the limitations of radio spectrum and antenna size. Because ATLAS-1 is laser-based, it provides high data rates, but with equipment that is smaller and more affordable than many other solutions on the market.”

As laser communication uses narrow, focused beams of infrared light, it can transmit data at up to 100 times faster rates than traditional radio frequency (RF) and is immune to electronic interference.

“With orbit becoming more crowded, operators relying on traditional radio-frequency links are facing growing spectrum licensing limitations and increasing exposure to unintentional interference,” said Mačiulis. “Integrating laser communication into space systems is one of the best ways to deliver secure, high-throughput connectivity while reducing dependence on scarce RF spectrum and its constraints.”

Two satellites carrying ATLAS-1 will be part of Greece’s national small satellite initiative, backed by the European Space Agency. Operating within the ERMIS satellite constellation and the PeakSat mission, they will demonstrate gigabit-per-second downlinks to optical ground stations (OGSs) in Greece, helping to advance Greece’s national space infrastructure. ERMIS, Greece’s first small satellite constellation mission, coordinated by the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, aims to establish novel space communications services such as Low Earth Orbit 5G-IoT, Inter-Satellite Link, and optical downlink. The latter, enabled by ATLAS-1, will support hyperspectral Earth observation capabilities for national needs, including precise agriculture. Laser-based connectivity will be tested with links established between ATLAS-1 and Helmos OGS in Greece. The PeakSat mission, designed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, will specifically evaluate the operational performance of the Holomondas OGS, paving the way for the broader adoption of optical communication technologies in Greece. The laser link between ATLAS-1 on board the satellite and the ground station will be tested across a range of scenarios, including different elevation angles, weather conditions, and illumination environments.

To ensure precise alignment of Holomondas OGS with the satellite’s laser terminal and enable data reception at speeds of up to 1 Gbps, Astrolight has upgraded the station with an advanced 808-nanometer Laser Beacon and a compatible C-band optical receiver, designed to meet the demands of laser communication under varying atmospheric and operational conditions.

“With this first in-orbit demonstration of ATLAS-1, we want to prove that high-speed, secure downlinks don’t have to be reserved for large spacecraft,” said Mačiulis. “In the near future, laser links will save small satellite operators time and resources necessary to pursue more high-scale missions, while enhancing the throughput and security of communication.”

Following the development of ATLAS-1, Astrolight is now working on ATLAS-2, a low-SWaP laser terminal for both inter-satellite and space-to-ground communication.

12 Feb 26. SES Executive Confirms End of the 15-Year Satellite Era. Dispatch from SmallSat Symposium. Coverage and analysis from across the conference, tracking the forces shaping the next phase of the SmallSat market. For decades, the geostationary arc located 35,786 kilometers above the equator served as the undisputed domain of massive, bn-dollar platforms designed to generate revenue for twenty years. That economic certainty officially evaporated, however, during the SmallSat Symposium session titled The Future of GEO Satellites. (GEO = Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit)

Taking the stage, Dr. Bryan Benedict, Senior Director of Innovation at SES Space & Defense, dismantled rather than defended the legacy model. He described the merger between satellite giants SES and Intelsat that created a fleet of over 100 operational spacecraft not as a strategic power play but as a tactic necessary for survival.

Benedict spoke bluntly about the regulatory shifts enabling this consolidation. While antitrust laws would have blocked such a merger a decade ago, regulators changed their stance due to a single existential threat: the commoditization of bandwidth by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations like Starlink: “Our competition is not other GEO operators; it’s proliferated LEO.”

This admission marks a sharp turning point for the industry. The massive battlestar satellites (6,000-kilogram behemoths designed to amortize capital costs over two decades) have become financial liabilities. Rapidly falling bandwidth prices have shattered the spreadsheet logic that underpinned the modern telecommunications industry.

“Likely, the majority of those satellites will not be replaced,” Benedict told the hushed room, “because the business case for them just no longer closes,”.

The Collapse of the 15-Year ROI

The mood in Mountain View reflects a state of forced adaptation. While the halls bustle with startups pitching agility, a reality check came down from the top of the food chain. The mathematics of geostationary orbit are fundamentally broken. Operators can neither predict demand fifteen years out, nor justify locking hundreds of ms of dollars into static hardware.

Benedict detailed the collapse of the return on investment. Under the heritage model, a satellite paid for itself in five to seven years, generating pure profit for the subsequent decade. That window has slammed shut.

“Now you might get your money back at the end of 15 years, and that’s the life of the satellite,” Benedict explained. “So that business case, when you take into account the risk involved, just does not work.”

Financial toxicity has subsequently emptied manufacturing pipelines. Industry veterans accustomed to busy clean rooms now see a significant slowdown. “We’ve been to the spacecraft high bays and they are packed full of commercial GEOs being built?” Benedict asked, then answered, “No, you’re completely wrong. The high bays are not packed with GEOs anymore.”

The MicroGEO Pivot and the Reliability Trap

The MicroGEO revolution now fills the vacuum left by legacy giants. This new class of sub-1,000-kilogram satellites promises to lower the barrier to entry for GEO and enable rapid technology refreshes, mirroring what CubeSats achieved for LEO.

The concept prioritizes fleet redundancy over internal redundancy. Rather than relying on a single exquisite asset with triple-redundant systems, operators launch swarms of cheaper, single-string satellites. If one fails, the network survives.

“You have not internal redundancy but fleet redundancy,” Benedict said.

This shift responds to a practical necessity, not a theoretical exercise. The U.S. Department of Defense has pivoted to a proliferated warfighting architecture, injecting bns into the sector through the $151 bn SHIELD contract vehicle. The Pentagon, viewing large satellites as fat targets, now demands distributed resilience.

However, the transition is fraught with peril. The MicroGEO sector is currently reeling from high-profile failures, including, earlier this year, the loss of Astranis’s UtilitySat, which was stranded in a useless transfer orbit following a propulsion failure. Reliability remains the unspoken ghost in the machine. Benedict, a chemical engineer by training, hinted at the supply chain fragility accompanying this shift.

“Things that we used to call COTS (Commercial Off-The-Shelf), they’re not on the shelf anymore because they were being built for GEO spacecraft,” Benedict noted.

The LEO Threat Was Underestimated

Perhaps the session’s most sobering moment was Benedict’s recollection of the industry’s hubris regarding Starlink and other mega-constellations. Legacy operators spent years convincing themselves that LEO was a niche product that would not cannibalize their core business.

“We were assured by the proliferated LEO companies, ‘This is not a threat for you guys. This is an entirely new business. You guys don’t have to worry,’” Benedict recounted. “Yeah, right.”

That complacency cost the sector dearly. Old Space operators are now scrambling to integrate multi-orbit capabilities, linking GEO, MEO, and LEO into a single network. The user, particularly the military warfighter, has stopped caring about orbital mechanics.

“The warfighter just wants to know they can get connected and they don’t care how—they just want to be connected,” Benedict said.

A Fractured Horizon

The conclusion from here is clear: the geostationary belt is not being abandoned, but gentrified. High-rent, monolithic tenants are moving out, replaced by a higher density of smaller, more agile structures. This is no longer a real estate game of location, location, location. It is a technology race defined by refresh cycles and integration.

Dr. Benedict’s address served as a grim obituary for the status quo. While the Golden Dome of missile defense may provide a lifeline for small satellite manufacturers, the days of easy money for the commercial sector are gone. The high bays are empty, the order books are thin, and the only thing proliferating is risk.

As Benedict stated regarding the sector’s future, “It sounds like the word of God coming from up above.” The commandment is simple: Evolve or de-orbit. (Source: Satnews)

12 Feb 26. Space as a Sanctions Workaround: Financial Engineering & Shadow Procurement Networks.

A strategic examination of Iran’s aerospace trajectory in early 2026 reveals a sophisticated convergence between the nation’s nascent space program and its global sanctions-evasion architecture.

Following the reimposition of UN “snapback” sanctions in October 2025, Tehran has increasingly utilized its civil space ambitions as a legitimate “front” for the procurement of dual-use technologies and the engineering of shadow financial channels.

The analysis, supported by a Feb. 6, 2026, FinCEN advisory, suggests that “Space” has become the ultimate dual-use shield for Iran’s military-industrial complex.

The Shadow Banking Nexus

The Iranian space program is no longer funded solely through state budgets but through a “shadow banking” network that FinCEN recently valued at over $9 bn in annual transactions.

Mechanism: Iranian oil and petrochemical revenues are laundered through exchange houses in Hong Kong, the UAE, and Singapore.
Procurement: These funds are then used to purchase export-controlled microelectronics—specifically High-Electron Mobility Transistors (HEMTs) and Analog-to-Digital Converters (ADCs)—which are essential for both satellite transponders and ballistic missile guidance systems.
Waystations: Procurement agents route these items through “unwitting” intermediaries in Turkey, Germany, and Malaysia before they reach the Iranian Space Agency (ISA).

The Civil Front for Military R&D

By branding its activities as “civil space exploration,” Iran achieves two strategic goals:

ICBM Maturation: U.S. defense officials have warned that the development of the Simorgh and Zuljanah Satellite Launch Vehicles (SLVs) serves as a critical surrogate for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) staging and shroud separation technologies.
Infrastructure Resilience: The construction of the Chabahar Space Base (scheduled for a Phase 1 opening later in 2026) provides a sovereign launch site that is less vulnerable to the cyber and physical disruption faced by inland military facilities.

Strategic Financial Engineering: Barter and Crypto

As the U.S. targets Iran’s fintech sector, Tehran has shifted toward non-USD settlement methods:

The “Oil-for-Tech” Barter: China secretly funneled an estimated $8.4 bn to Iran in 2025 through a hidden conduit involving state insurer Sinosure and a financial vehicle called “Chuxin,” swapping crude oil for aerospace infrastructure and passenger aircraft parts.
Crypto Rails: Platforms like Nobitex are increasingly used to settle small-to-medium procurement contracts for high-precision components, using cross-chain bridges (Polygon to TRON) to obscure the origin of funds.

Leadership Perspective

“The independence Iranians once dreamed of has been realized in various sectors, partly because the country possessed no other option,” noted a state-aligned editorial in the Tehran Times. Hassan Salariyeh, head of the ISA, recently emphasized that the agency aims to make the “private sector” a dominant force, mirroring Western models to further layer the program’s true ownership.

The 2026-2031 Roadmap

Iran’s 10-year space plan targets a cadence of 10 launches per month by 2031, aiming to become a regional commercial hub. For Western regulators, the challenge of 2026 is “Burst Activity”—rapid-fire financial transfers and shipment name changes designed to outpace law enforcement.

As the Chabahar Space Base becomes fully operational, the international community faces a difficult choice: accommodate a sovereign space power or implement a “maximum pressure” regime that risks pushing Iran’s shadow networks deeper into the unregulated digital economy. (Source: Satnews)

11 Feb 26. The End of the Open Range: LEO’s Spectrum Crunch Hits Home. Dispatch from SmallSat Symposium. Coverage and analysis from across the conference, tracking the forces shaping the next phase of the SmallSat market.

With over 14,000 satellites in orbit and filings for hundreds of thousands more flooding the International Telecommunication Union [ITU], the industry has hit a wall. Success is no longer determined by who can launch the fastest. Instead, it depends on who can find a clear frequency to talk back to Earth without being drowned out by the noise.

During the Satellite Spectrum and Regulation Discussion at SmallSat Symposium, a panel that could have provided a dry recitation of legal codes played out like a crisis briefing. Ahsun Murad, CEO of Optimal Satcom, wasted no time laying out the staggering mathematics of the current orbital environment. He pointed to massive filings coming out of China, specifically the CTC-1 and CTC-2 constellations.

Murad noted, “In total their filings exceed 200,000 satellites now.”

That number silenced the room. It breaks the traditional models of orbital management. The spectrum, once a vast and forgiving resource, has become a contested industrial corridor. The panel delivered a clear warning to those building business cases on the assumption of easily securing Ku or Ka-band rights: You are already too late.

The Regulatory Assembly Line

The U.S. government is frantically attempting to modernize its approach before the sky becomes unmanageable. The FCC’s recent Space Month initiative and the proposed Part 100 rules represent the most significant overhaul of satellite licensing in fifty years. The goal is to dismantle the static, paper-heavy Part 25 regime, designed for an era when satellites were bn-dollar monoliths that stayed in one spot for fifteen years, in favor of a system built for speed.

Karl Kensinger, Special Counsel at the FCC’s Space Bureau, described a system under immense pressure. The agency is trying to move from a bespoke, artisan review process to what the research brief describes as a licensing assembly line.

Kensinger admitted that the current regulatory systems “probably aren’t at the right pace—in fact, definitely are not at the right pace.”

Kensinger’s admission highlights a perilous gap between technology and policy. While SpaceX performs 300,000 collision avoidance maneuvers a year, regulators are still working to implement conditional grants that would allow operators to build at risk while waiting for final checks. The new Part 100 framework aims to disaggregate the review process, allowing safety and spectrum reviews to happen on parallel tracks. Yet this transition creates a fresh purgatory for companies already stuck in the queue. (Source: Satnews)

11 Feb 26. The Dumb Pipe Is Dead: Why Physics Is Forcing AI Into Orbit. Dispatch from SmallSat Symposium. Coverage and analysis from across the conference, tracking the forces shaping the next phase of the SmallSat market.

The concept of the satellite as a simple relay, serving as little more than a shiny mirror reflecting data to control rooms in Houston or Darmstadt, is extinct. At the Computer History Museum, the panel on Autonomy and AI in Space Operations delivered a eulogy for the dumb pipe era and a baptism for the intelligent edge. The consensus among the engineers and operators on stage was absolute. We aren’t automating space operations because it is trendy; we are doing it because the physics of the new orbital environment leaves us no choice.

The industry has hit a wall where human reaction times are physically incapable of managing the chaos we have created. The CRASH Clock, which measures the statistical window before a collision becomes inevitable, has collapsed from 121 days in 2018 to just 2.8 days in 2026. Consequently, the human-in-the-loop, rather than being a safety feature, has become a liability.

Survival in the Clam Chowder

Katherine Monson, CEO of Hale SWx, framed the engineering challenge with a visceral analogy that cut through the usual dry technical jargon. Describing the Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) environment where many next-gen constellations operate, she noted that atmospheric drag is no longer a constant variable.

“It’s the difference,” she said, “between swimming through chicken broth and clam chowder.”

In the clam chowder, density spikes caused by solar activity can drag a satellite out of its operational orbit in hours rather than weeks. A ground-based operator waiting for a telemetry pass to upload a maneuver command is already too late. Monson warned, “4x drag is not something you can come back from if you have electronic propulsion and you were not already orbit-raising before the drag is heating up.”

This scenario represents the killer app for orbital AI. It isn’t about generating poetry; it implies a satellite sensing the weather and firing thrusters instantly to survive. Monson noted the goal is for satellites to utilize very simple logic trains to orbit-raise always when conditions degrade, without asking or waiting for permission.

The Efficiency Guillotine

Physics drives the survival requirement, but economics drives adoption. Ian Canning, CEO of Eutelsat Network Solutions, offered a brutal look at the mathematics of mega-constellations. Eutelsat has aggressively automated its fleet operations, a move that has decimated the traditional mission control headcount.

Canning revealed the scale of this shift: “Plan for 50-plus operators down to five.”

This reduction is not mere cost-cutting; it marks the only way to scale. You cannot hire 50 operators for every 100 satellites when you are launching thousands. However, Canning admitted that the transition creates a trust gap with legacy customers who still find comfort in a crowded control room. When Eutelsat pitched this lean, automated model to government clients, “they completely dismissed our ability to manage that number of satellites with that number of people although we’ve been doing it for three years.”

Breaking the Fairing

Perhaps the most radical engineering vision came from Joe Landon of Rendezvous Robotics, which is utilizing autonomy to break aerospace’s most fundamental constraint: the rocket fairing. For sixty years, everything put in space has had to fold up like an expensive tent to fit inside a cylinder.

Landon argued, “Everything we’ve ever sent to space has had to fit into a rocket. That’s what we’re trying to change.”

His solution involves launching stacks of flat, modular tiles that use autonomy to self-assemble in space into massive structures. Such structures will include antennas and power generation systems far larger than anything a rocket could carry monolithically. This is a technical breakthrough in its purest form, using software to cheat the limits of hardware. Landon also pushed back against the instinct to over-regulate these interactions before they even exist. When pressed on standards for these autonomous agents, he countered, “Maybe we don’t need standards.” He pointed to terrestrial agents that negotiate protocols in real-time, suggesting a future where satellites handshake and coordinate without a pre-written rulebook.

The Verification Trap

The lingering question in the room concerned verification. How do you trust a neural network with a bn-dollar asset? Alan Campbell, a Principal Solutions Architect at AWS, argued for a pragmatic, layered approach to trust, which he called the “on the tin test.” Campbell insisted that every autonomous agent must have a verifiable signature. He summarized the logic simply: “if it’s not what it says in the tin, stop.” He described a shift where operators build instrumentation directly into the agent-to-agent logic to monitor performance in real-time. This is critical because AI models now upgrade at breathtaking rates. An algorithm that worked yesterday might behave differently after a morning update. The engineering challenge is building a wrapper that ensures a consistent output even as the model evolves.

The Integration Task

The industry is moving past the shiny object phase of AI. As Ghonhee Lee of Katalyst Space noted, “The groundbreaking research has been done for us.” The task now is integration. Lee, who is preparing to launch a mission to autonomously dock with an unprepared target (the NASA Swift observatory) later this year, dismissed the idea that trust is the primary bottleneck. “I really don’t think trust is the limiting factor here when we’re talking about autonomy,” Lee argued. He pointed to the long history of autonomous cruise missiles as proof that we know how to validate these systems. The message from Mountain View is clear. The bottleneck is no longer technology; it is architecture. We are moving from a world of bespoke, hand-flown satellites to a world of swarms, self-assembling structures, and edge-computing nodes that think for themselves. The dumb pipe is dead, and the smart satellite has arrived just in time to rescue us from the clam chowder. (Source: Satnews)

17 Feb 26. China Develops Compact ‘Starlink-Killer’ Microwave Weapon. Chinese scientists at the Northwest Institute of Nuclear Technology in Xi’an have developed the “TPG1000Cs,” a compact high-power microwave (HPM) device designed to target satellite constellations such as SpaceX’s Starlink, according to a study.

The device, which is just four meters long and weighs five tons, is reportedly compact enough to be mounted on trucks, warships, planes, or even satellites. It can deliver up to 20 gigawatts of power for one minute, producing roughly 200,000 pulses with consistent performance.

Researchers say the breakthrough was enabled by a specialized liquid insulating material known as Midel 7131.

Microwave weapons could disable a satellite while creating minimal debris and allow for plausible deniability. These weapons work by storing electrical energy and releasing it all at once in a powerful pulse.

Until now, most prototypes for these pulse generators have been large, measuring at least 10 meters long and weighing over 10 tons, making them difficult to deploy on smaller weapons platforms.

For comparison, Russia’s recent Sinus-7 driver weighed about 10 tons, ran for roughly one second, and emitted around 100 pulses per burst.

The development of the device is part of a long-standing effort to build “Starlink-killer” weapons, as Beijing views the Starlink network as a threat to its national security.

Experts in Beijing worry that these satellites could be used against China for reconnaissance and for targeting critical Chinese assets, particularly in the event of a potential invasion of Taiwan.

Shortly after Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022, Ukraine requested that Elon Musk activate SpaceX’s Starlink satellites for use in Ukraine.

Musk responded immediately: “Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.”

With that, Ukraine gained access to critical communication and internet networks. The effective use of SpaceX’s Starlink on the battlefield forced Moscow to develop new tactics for detecting and neutralizing the signals.Top of Form (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 13, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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12 Feb 26. Viasat Unveils Global Satellite Service Portfolio for Government & Defense UAVs. New VuaLe portfolio from Viasat delivers high-resilience connectivity and lightweight terminals for critical uncrewed aerial missions. The new portfolio, named VuaLe, is designed to meet rigorous government requirements by providing flexibility, security, and operational control through a diverse range of terminals and connectivity services. These services include Uncrewed Air, L-MAX, G2X Air, G2X Air Plus, and K-MAX, each offering specific benefits tailored to mission needs and budget considerations. The capabilities are intended to support a wide array of applications, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), public safety, border security, defense, and scientific research. A key component of the launch is Uncrewed Air, a service providing reliable L-band connectivity via Viasat’s global network. This service is intended to enable continuous and resilient communications for mission-critical tasks, making secure satellite links accessible to a broader range of operators. To support these connectivity options, the company has also debuted a suite of compact, lightweight, and low-power terminals. These hardware solutions start at weights as low as 440 grams, providing a dependable Command and Control (C2) link. The small size, weight, and power (SWaP) profile of these terminals makes them suitable for smaller UAV platforms that require global reach and reliability even in challenging environments.

Todd McDonell, President, International Government, Viasat, said, “The launch of this new service portfolio enforces Viasat’s commitment to advancing UAV communications with secure, resilient, and flexible solutions. As demand grows for UAV missions, we aim to enable our customers across government and defense industries to operate with greater situational awareness, operational efficiency and cost control.”

As a global leader in satellite communications, Viasat’s expansion into this dedicated UAV portfolio reflects the increasing demand for situational awareness and efficiency within the defense and emergency response sectors. (Source: https://www.defenseadvancement.com/)

10 Feb 26. Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIDU), an innovative space and defense technology company, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Simera Sense, a leading provider of optical payloads and data analytics for satellite Earth observation. The agreement outlines a strategic collaboration to support the development of next‑generation hyperspectral imaging solutions incorporating onboard data processing and analytics, with the goal of enabling commercially deployable, intelligence‑driven Earth observation missions for government and commercial customers. The combination of Simera Sense’s advanced imaging with Sidus’ integrated FeatherEdge hardware and Cielo AI software will enable direct in-orbit data processing. This system will reduce reliance on ground-based processing, shorten time to insight, and improve operational responsiveness for Earth observation missions.

“Partnering with Simera Sense allows us to advance hyperspectral mission capabilities by supporting intelligent processing adjacent to the data source,” said Jim Larson, Senior Vice President, AI Strategic Initiatives at Sidus Space. “This collaboration reflects our commitment to flexible, partner‑driven solutions that can be adapted across a wide range of mission architectures, use cases and customer needs.”

Embedding intelligence at the point of data collection enables autonomous analytics and scalable deployment across multiple satellites and constellations. By reducing latency and optimizing downlink usage, this approach addresses growing market demand for faster, more actionable Earth observation data across commercial, civil, and defense applications, including environmental monitoring, infrastructure analysis, and situational awareness. Simera Sense’s xScape product family enables small satellites to deploy compact, high‑performance cameras at an attractive cost‑benefit point. As optical payload performance increases, however, data volume and bandwidth constraints become more pronounced. Through onboard decision‑making capabilities such as near‑real‑time observations, event detection, and adaptive imaging, the collaboration aims to prioritize the most relevant data, capture time‑sensitive events, and improve overall mission efficiency.

“Working with Sidus Space enables us to push the boundaries of what hyperspectral missions can achieve,” said Thys Cronje, Chief Commercial Officer at Simera Sense. “Our focus is on delivering exceptional image quality and reliable in‑orbit operation, and integrating onboard processing and analytics unlocks a new level of insight. This partnership enables a hyperspectral solution that doesn’t just capture data; it transforms it into actionable value the moment it’s collected.”

This collaboration reinforces Sidus Space’s strategy to move up the Earth observation value chain, from data acquisition to actionable intelligence, expanding revenue opportunities across commercial, civil, defense, and international markets as demand grows for faster, intelligence‑driven insights from space.

About Sidus Space

Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) is an innovative space and defense technology company offering flexible, cost-effective solutions, including satellite manufacturing and technology integration, AI-driven space-based data solutions, mission planning and management operations, AI/ML products and services, and space and defense hardware manufacturing. With its mission of Space Access Reimagined®, Sidus Space is committed to rapid innovation, adaptable and cost-effective solutions, and the optimization of space system and data collection performance. With demonstrated space heritage, including manufacturing and operating its own satellite and sensor system, LizzieSat®, Sidus Space serves government, defense, intelligence, and commercial companies around the globe. Strategically headquartered on Florida’s Space Coast, Sidus Space operates a 35,000-square-foot space manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing facility and provides easy access to nearby launch facilities. For more information, visit: www.sidusspace.com.

About Simera Sense

Founded in 2018, Simera Sense is a leading provider of end-to-end-earth observation camera solutions for the global small satellite market. Its high-resolution, off-the-shelf’ cameras are used by diverse customers across a wide range of industries.   The core team’s passion for space and satellite engineering fuels their mission, along with a firm belief in the transformative power of small, cost-effective satellites.  Simera Sense has meticulously engineered a suite of cameras that are not only optimally sized, but also configurable for diverse missions. These cameras comply with the leading standardized satellite bus interfaces and data formats.  For more information, contact . (Source: PR Newswire)

10 Feb 26. ELT Group, a global leader in Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and D-Orbit, a pioneering company in the space logistics and in‑orbit services sector, have established a strategic cooperation framework aimed at fostering long‑term collaboration in the space domain. The signing was formalized within the context of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, with the purpose of creating a stable and coherent basis for joint activities aligned with national priorities for technological development, industrial growth, and localization. The Saudi Ministry of Investment sponsored the agreement signing ceremony, highlighting – with the presence of a representative of the Minister – the importance of the initiative. The agreement outlines a shared commitment to jointly assess and pursue business development opportunities, while strengthening industrial and technological cooperation in key capability areas, including RF spectrum monitoring, extensive cyber capabilities, satellite platforms, and in‑orbit services, with specific reference to the Kingdom. By leveraging their complementary expertise and assets, the two parties aim to contribute to the development of an advanced and resilient space ecosystem capable of supporting both institutional and commercial requirements.

Enzo Benigni, Chairman and Ceo of Elt Group comments “For ELT Group, space represents the new frontier of information superiority backed by RF monitoring, surveillance and intelligence systems. The collaboration with D‑Orbit allows us to accelerate this path by integrating our advanced capabilities in electromagnetic spectrum analysis and cyber intelligence with next‑generation orbital platforms. Together, we can contribute to building a space infrastructure that not only meets the objectives of Vision 2030, but also strengthens the Kingdom’s ability to generate, protect, and enhance strategic data from space. This agreement confirms ELT Group’s commitment to being a key technological partner in orbital missions and services.”

Luca Rossettini, CEO of D-Orbit Group said “Space is becoming an increasingly strategic domain for national security, resilience, and technological sovereignty. This cooperation framework with ELT Group brings together complementary capabilities across advanced sensing and spectrum awareness, cyber, and orbital infrastructure domains, enabling the development of space-based services designed to support secure communications, situational awareness, and data integrity. By working together and in alignment with the Kingdom’s national priorities, we aim to contribute to the development of trusted, locally anchored capabilities that strengthen long-term operational readiness while supporting the growth of a competitive domestic space industry.”

A central component of the framework is the exploration of industrial cooperation models consistent with Saudi national localization policies. These include initiatives related to local manufacturing, the transfer of strategic technologies and capabilities, and the development of domestic industrial and technological competencies. In this context, ELT Group and D‑Orbit — also through their respective Saudi entities, Elettronica for Industry LLC and D‑Orbit Saudi LLC — are strategically positioned to support future space‑related activities in the Kingdom, in alignment with national industrial development objectives and with a view to addressing both domestic needs and potential export markets. The foreign direct investment envisaged under this cooperation, encompassing manufacturing capabilities and the sharing of strategic know‑how, is expected to contribute to strengthening Saudi Arabia’s competitiveness in the global space sector.

06 Feb 26. UK Space Agency investment helps launch cutting-edge electric propulsion lab. A new laboratory that will help UK companies develop and test the engines powering the next generation of satellites has opened at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. The Disruptive Experimental Electric Propulsion (DEEP) Lab, built by space technology company Magdrive, gives British businesses access to specialist testing facilities for electric propulsion systems – the technology that allows satellites to manoeuvre, maintain their orbits, and travel further into space using less fuel than traditional chemical rockets. The £3.8m facility has been established with £1.8m from the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund and £2 m of company investment. While Magdrive will be its largest user, the 10,000 square foot laboratory is open to start-ups, established aerospace firms and academic researchers across the UK space sector.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “From ambitious start-ups to established aerospace firms, this facility will give British companies access to testing capabilities that were previously out of reach. Electric propulsion is shaping the future of how we operate in space, and by investing in infrastructure like this we are ensuring that UK innovators can lead the way. By opening its doors to the wider space community, the DEEP Lab will accelerate the pace of discovery and help cement the UK’s reputation as a global leader in space technology.”

Mark Stokes, CEO and co-founder of Magdrive, said: 2We’re delighted to officially unveil the DEEP Lab to the UK space community. A huge thanks goes to the UK Space Agency for supporting us setting up a world-class R&D facility. This milestone accelerates the commercialisation of our next generation And DEEP Lab isn’t just for us, it’s open to companies, startups and academics across the sector, it will also create new opportunities for collaboration and discovery, and to boost national capability and put the UK on the map as a leader in electric propulsion technology.”

Electric propulsion is increasingly vital for satellite operations, offering greater efficiency and manoeuvrability in space. The new laboratory features six key capabilities, including cleanroom assembly areas, a mechanical prototyping workshop, and advanced plasma diagnostic testing chambers. The facility’s centrepiece is a 2-metre diameter vacuum chamber that enables comprehensive thruster testing and validation. Magdrive has brought plasma diagnostics commonly used in the fusion industry to the electric propulsion sector, allowing users to image and monitor plasma evolution from multiple angles.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The opening of Magdrive’s DEEP Lab is a fantastic example of how targeted investment can deliver real impact for the UK space sector. Our funding will not only help create 50 highly skilled jobs but has also established a world-class facility that addresses a genuine gap in our national infrastructure. Electric propulsion is fundamental to the future of satellite technology, and by providing accessible testing capabilities, DEEP Lab will accelerate innovation across the industry. We’re particularly pleased to see this facility supporting start-ups and smaller companies who previously faced barriers to testing and developing their technologies.”

The UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund has awarded more than £45.6m for 13 projects since it launched in 2023. This funding is complemented by over £43.8 m in match funding from the sector, generating a total of £89.6 m of private/public investment in space research and development infrastructure.

On top of that, SCIF funding awards have bolstered organisations’ ability to attract investment, helping to secure venture capital, private equity and follow-on public funding, and has already helped catalyse over £50 m in additional investment.

A collaborative approach

The laboratory can accommodate start-ups, established aerospace companies, and academic researchers. Individual rooms and capabilities can be rented separately under different pricing models designed to cover operational costs rather than generate profit. Enhanced security infrastructure ensures users can access only their booked facilities. The on-site workshop, equipped with a Hurco 5-axis machine and 3D printers, enables rapid prototyping and iteration. A full-time machinist supports users in operating specialist equipment, significantly reducing development timescales.

Building on success

Founded in 2020, Magdrive has attracted over £10 m in funding, including support from the UK Space Agency and European Space Agency. The company is developing next-generation spacecraft propulsion systems at its Oxfordshire base. As part of the Harwell Space Cluster, Magdrive has proximity to more than 100 other space organisations which helps foster collaboration and knowledge exchange within the space ecosystem. The DEEP Lab represents a significant enhancement to the UK’s space infrastructure, providing domestic companies with world-class facilities to develop technologies that will power future satellite missions.

Jim Stretton, Managing Director of Harwell Campus, said: “Magdrive shows what’s possible when public and private investment align within a strong innovation ecosystem. Supported by Harwell’s unique mix of government, academic and commercial partners, the company has scaled from incubator space to a new campus base and has now opened the DEEP Lab. We’re delighted to see Magdrive operating world-class infrastructure that will help smaller space companies accelerate the development of new technologies across the space sector.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

09 Feb 26. New studies for manufacturing advanced materials in orbit. Life-saving medicines, optical fibres and semiconductors could be made in space to benefit people and businesses across the UK. The UK Space Agency has awarded contracts to three UK companies to investigate producing these advanced materials in Low Earth Orbit, where the conditions – including microgravity, natural vacuum, and extreme temperatures – can create products that are difficult, expensive, or impossible to manufacture on Earth. The research supports in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM), which the government identifies as a priority capability area for UK leadership, growth, and national security. Each study will assess technical feasibility, mature key technologies, and develop credible routes to market.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “Space isn’t just about exploration, it’s about innovation that improves everyday lives here on Earth. These pioneering studies show how British ingenuity is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible – leveraging space conditions to innovate the development of life-saving medicines and advanced materials that will power future technologies. By investing in in-orbit manufacturing, we’re backing the jobs and industries of tomorrow while cementing the UK’s position as a global leader in the space economy.”

The three contracts are:

BioOrbit Ltd (£250,000) – The ‘PHARM’ study will design an end-to-end mission to manufacture drugs in microgravity. Microgravity enables the formation of more perfect, reproducible protein crystals for drug formulations that cannot be achieved on Earth, enabling cancer treatments to be given at home. BioOrbit is working with relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that this mission can be readily commercialised.

Space Forge Ltd (£300,000) – The ‘2Forge2Furious’ study will demonstrate how semiconductor seed crystals could be produced commercially in orbit, with the aim of improving the efficiency, reliability and power density of high-power electronic devices, including telecommunications, data centre infrastructure, EV charging and quantum computing.

OrbiSky Ltd (£295,000) – The ‘SkyYield’ study will design a payload to process ZBLAN fluoride glass in microgravity. ZBLAN is a specialist optical fibre that can transmit light with up to 100 times less signal loss than traditional silica fibre, with significant potential for telecommunications and medical imaging.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “By backing these innovative companies to explore manufacturing in orbit, we’re positioning the UK to capture new markets and bring tangible benefits back to Earth—from better medicines to more efficient electronics. These studies demonstrate the government’s ambition to drive forward one of the most exciting frontiers of space technology. The investment is jointly funded by the UK Space Agency’s Sustainability & ISAM and Unlocking Space programmes. The Unlocking Space portfolio supports UK space sector growth by tackling systemic barriers and driving demand, investment readiness, and public sector adoption of space‑based services, data, and technologies by new stakeholder groups. This includes engagement with public and private sector end-users of pharmaceuticals manufactured in microgravity, and identifying interventions which support commercialisation of these products.”

Dr Katie King, CEO of BioOrbit, said: “Space made pharmaceuticals will have a dramatic impact on all of our lives. BioOrbit’s PHARM study ensures that we can produce drugs in space under the same regulation as drugs made on Earth – which will be a world first.”

Josh Western, Space Forge CEO and Co-Founder said: “Space Forge is pleased to be a part of this national effort to place the UK at the forefront of in-space manufacturing. The UK Space Agency has seen the opportunity that this high potential sector has, and placing a contract such as this is a key indicator of the UK’s support for innovation and growth. Space Forge has proven our technology with the ForgeStar-1, generating plasma on a commercial free flying platform for the first time. This study will allow us to progress that development towards true commercialisation.”

Sylvester Kaczmarek, Chief Executive Officer at OrbiSky, said: “SkyYield is about turning the unique conditions of microgravity into real-world capability. With UK Space Agency support, we’ll define a credible, end-to-end payload concept for manufacturing ultra-low-loss ZBLAN optical fibre in orbit, including the process controls and verification needed for commercial adoption. This is an important step towards new UK-led markets in space manufacturing, with clear benefits for telecoms and medical imaging.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

01 Feb 26. Blue Origin to Validate First Booster Reuse on New Glenn-3 Mission for AST SpaceMobile. On January 22, 2026, Blue Origin announced that its upcoming New Glenn-3 (NG-3) mission will mark a historic double-milestone: the first in-orbit reuse of a New Glenn booster and the deployment of AST SpaceMobile’s first next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellite. Targeted for launch no earlier than late February 2026 from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, the mission signals a major shift in the direct-to-device (D2D) landscape and the maturity of heavy-lift reusability.

Proving Orbital Reusability: “Never Tell Me The Odds”

The centerpiece of the NG-3 flight is the first-stage booster, famously nicknamed “Never Tell Me The Odds.” This is the same flight-proven hardware that successfully landed on the recovery ship Jacklyn during the NG-2 mission in November 2025. By refurbishing and reflating this booster within roughly three months, Blue Origin aims to demonstrate the rapid turnaround capability essential for competing in a market dominated by SpaceX. Designed for a minimum of 25 flights, New Glenn’s first stage utilizes seven methane-fueled BE-4 engines. Starting with NG-3, Blue Origin is also phasing in performance upgrades, including higher-thrust engine variants and a reusable fairing, intended to increase launch cadence and reliability for government and commercial payloads.

The Dawn of the Block 2 BlueBird

For AST SpaceMobile, the NG-3 mission is the catalyst for its 2026 commercial rollout. The payload, BlueBird 7, is the first Block 2 satellite designed for 24/7 high-speed cellular broadband directly to unmodified smartphones.

Giant in the Sky: The Block 2 BlueBirds feature massive communication arrays spanning approximately 2,400 square feet (223 square meters), making them the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Massive Capacity: Built on the proprietary AST5000 ASIC, each satellite provides up to 120 Mbps of peak data speed and supports 10 GHz of processing bandwidth.
Constellation Scaling: Blue Origin’s seven-meter fairing is a strategic asset for AST, as it is capable of launching up to eight Block 2 satellites per mission—double the volume of traditional five-meter fairings.

Strategic Impact: The D2D Arms Race

The launch comes as the “Direct-to-Device” revolution reaches a fever pitch. While competitors like SpaceX’s Starlink have launched thousands of smaller nodes, AST SpaceMobile’s strategy relies on fewer, “extra-large” assets capable of catching the weak signals of standard mobile devices from 500 km away. AST plans an aggressive multi-launcher campaign throughout 2026, targeting a fleet of 45 to 60 satellites by year-end to establish continuous coverage across the United States and other key global markets. (Source: Satnews)

04 Feb 26. AT&T and Amazon Forge a Giant in the Skies: The Multi-Layered Strategy Behind the Kuiper-Cloud Pact. The telecommunications and cloud computing sectors witnessed a seismic shift on February 4, 2026, as AT&T and Amazon announced an extensive strategic partnership that effectively merges terrestrial fiber infrastructure with orbital satellite capabilities. This agreement centers on “Amazon Leo,” the recently rebranded commercial wing of Amazon’s Project Kuiper, which will now serve as a primary satellite layer for AT&T’s business and public safety customers. Beyond simple internet access, the deal is a deep integration of AWS cloud services into AT&T’s network, involving the migration of major AT&T workloads to AWS hybrid cloud platforms and the connection of AWS data centers via high-capacity AT&T fiber. This “fiber-to-space” ecosystem is designed to eliminate domestic “dead zones” and provide a resilient infrastructure capable of supporting advanced AI applications at scale. The partnership serves as a formidable counterweight to SpaceX’s Starlink dominance. While Starlink has spent years building a lead in satellite count, Amazon and AT&T are betting on a “high-integration” model. By leveraging AT&T’s existing relationship with ms of business customers and AWS’s software dominance, the two giants are creating a one-stop-shop for connectivity and compute. For AT&T, the move provides an immediate “resilience layer,” particularly for its FirstNet public safety network, ensuring that first responders stay connected even when terrestrial towers fail during disasters. For Amazon, the deal secures a massive, guaranteed revenue base for its Leo constellation even as it works through the logistical challenges of deploying its 3,236-satellite array.

The Market Shock: Why AST SpaceMobile and Globalstar Cratered

While the AT&T-Amazon announcement was a victory for the signatories, it sent shockwaves through the niche satellite-to-phone sector, causing shares of AST SpaceMobile and Globalstar to plummet by 12% and 8%, respectively. The sell-off was driven by a sudden realization among investors that the competitive moats these smaller players once enjoyed are being bridged by tech titans with far deeper pockets.

Globalstar, which has long relied on its exclusive relationship with Apple for emergency SOS services, now faces a world where Amazon and AT&T can offer a much broader suite of commercial satellite services to a wider range of devices.

The sell-off in AST SpaceMobile was particularly acute because AT&T has historically been its most vocal champion. While AT&T remains committed to AST SpaceMobile as its “Plan B” or specialized “cell tower in the sky” for direct-to-smartphone connections, the pivot to Amazon for fixed broadband and backhaul suggests that AST may no longer be the sole beneficiary of AT&T’s satellite ambitions. Following a recent rally driven by the SpaceX-xAI merger announcement, the drop is viewed as a profit-taking sell-off but none-the-less indicates, a potential, broader market correction affecting high-growth space stocks. The broader “Musk Factor” played a role in the volatility with the AT&T deal — SpaceX announced a merger with xAI, valuing the combined entity at $1.25trn and signaling an intent to build “orbital data centers.” Investors are growing increasingly wary of AST’s high cash burn and the significant performance gap between its handful of “BlueBird” satellites and the thousands being deployed by SpaceX and now Amazon. This rapid escalation of the “Space AI” race has forced analysts to re-evaluate the survival prospects of smaller, less integrated companies. For AST SpaceMobile and Globalstar, the threat is no longer just other satellite companies; it is the emergence of vertically integrated “super-platforms” that control the rockets, the satellites, the cloud, and the AI software. With the industry splitting into operational giants and speculative startups, the market is currently favoring the scale and security offered by the Amazon-AT&T alliance. (Source: Satnews)

04 Feb 26. Russia ‘intercepts Europe’s key satellites’ placing NATO satellite at risk. On February 4, 2026, reports from European intelligence and space agencies surfaced detailing a series of aggressive “satellite interceptions” by Russia that have placed NATO’s orbital infrastructure at unprecedented risk. European security officials believe that at least 17 key European satellites have been shadowed or compromised by Russian signals intelligence (SIGINT) spacecraft over the past three years, sparking fears that Moscow could not only steal classified data but actively hijack the satellites to send them “hurtling back to Earth”.

Putin’s Intercepts: Europe’s Key Satellites Under Siege

The primary actors in this orbital espionage are the Russian satellites Luch-1 (launched in 2014) and Luch-2 (launched in 2023). According to tracking data from the French space situational awareness firm Aldoria, Luch-2 has engaged in risky close-range maneuvers, lingering within 20 to 200 kilometers of sensitive geostationary (GEO) assets for weeks at a time. Major General Michael Traut, head of German Space Command, confirmed that these Russian vehicles are likely intercepting “command links”—the unencrypted communication channels used by older satellites to receive instructions from ground control.

The Hacking Threat: From Espionage to Kinetic Chaos

The vulnerability lies in the legacy nature of many European satellites. Numerous critical assets serving Europe, Africa, and the Middle East were launched years ago without modern onboard encryption or robust cybersecurity protections. Intelligence officials warn that if Russia successfully records and analyzes these unencrypted command sequences, it can perform a “functional kill” on the hardware.

Trajectory Manipulation: By mimicking a ground station, Russia could send false instructions to a satellite’s thrusters, forcing it out of its correct orbital slot.
Deliberate Deorbiting: In the most extreme scenario, hijacked commands could be used to burn a satellite’s remaining fuel to lower its perigee, causing it to burn up in the atmosphere or crash uncontrollably into Earth.
Orbital Collisions: Misaligned satellites could be steered into the path of other high-value assets, potentially triggering a “Kessler Syndrome” debris chain.

Expanding the “Shadow” Constellation

Western agencies are also closely monitoring the newly launched Cosmos 2589 and Cosmos 2590, which reportedly possess similar maneuvering capabilities to the Luch series. These “inspector” satellites are viewed as part of Russia’s broader hybrid warfare strategy, mirroring its sabotage of subsea internet cables on Earth. While the original Luch-1 reportedly fragmented or suffered a propulsion failure in January 2026, the arrival of newer Cosmos units suggests that the Kremlin is doubling down on its ability to hold European space assets hostage. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has warned that satellite networks are the “Achilles’ heel of modern societies,” noting that an attack on these systems could paralyze entire nations by taking out GPS, banking, and secure military communications. (Source: Satnews)

03 Feb 26. Germany boosts military space program with satellites and lasers. On February 3, 2026, Major General Michael Traut, head of German Space Command, officially unveiled a massive €35 bn ($41 bn) investment plan to overhaul Germany’s military space architecture by 2030. Announced on the sidelines of a space industry event ahead of the Singapore Airshow, the program is a direct response to a “sharply more contested” orbital environment since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to Major General Michael Traut, head of German Space Command (via Reuters), he plan includes spy satellites, space planes, and non-kinetic systems like lasers, aimed at protecting German and allied assets in orbit. The investment in military space capabilities is to counter rising threats from Russia and China

SATCOM Stage 4: Germany’s LEO Ambition

The flagship of the initiative is SATCOM Stage 4, a secure, encrypted military constellation composed of over 100 satellites. This network is intentionally modeled after the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) architecture, utilizing Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) for both high-bandwidth communications and missile tracking.

Unlike previous generations of German military satellites (like the geostationary SATCOMBw 3), Stage 4 utilizes a Proliferated Low-Earth Orbit (pLEO) architecture.

The constellation will consist of at least 100 satellites (some reports suggest up to 200) designed to network tanks, ships, drones, and individual soldiers in real-time.

Modeled after the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) “Warfighter Space Architecture,” the satellites will provide high-bandwidth, low-latency communications alongside advanced missile tracking capabilities.

The pLEO design ensures that the loss of individual satellites to orbital threats or malfunctions does not compromise the entire network.

In a significant move for domestic industry, Rheinmetall is in active talks with satellite manufacturer OHB to form a joint bid for upcoming military projects under this framework. The initiative also supports broader European goals to create a resilient satellite communications alternative to commercial systems like Starlink, involving major aerospace primes such as Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo.

Deterrence Through Non-Kinetic Action

A defining feature of the German strategy is its focus on non-destructive disruption to avoid creating orbital debris, which would violate international norms. The program prioritizes systems capable of dazzling or interfering with adversary spacecraft and targeting ground-based control stations.

Germany will also deploy small, highly maneuverable “inspector satellites” designed to approach and monitor hostile assets—a capability already demonstrated by Russia and China. Traut emphasized that the goal is a “deterrence posture,” warning that while Germany will not field destructive weapons in orbit, it is prepared to respond to space-based aggression through the electromagnetic, optical, and laser spectrums.

Strategic Rationale: Sovereign Resilience

The investment marks a “turning point” for German defense policy, shifting from a purely supportive stance to one that includes independent mission-critical capabilities. By funding this comprehensive architecture, Germany aims to eliminate its reliance on allied systems for early warning, reconnaissance, and communications. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has noted that without independent orbital situational awareness, “nations go blind” during a crisis. (Source: Satnews)

02 Feb 26. Space Development Agency Issues RFI for Space-to-Air Optical Communication Terminals. The Space Development Agency (SDA), the “constructive disruptor” of Department of Defense space acquisition, has published a high-priority Request for Information (RFI) seeking industry solutions for airborne optical communication terminals.= The initiative aims to integrate military aircraft directly into the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a resilient mesh network of hundreds of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The RFI, posted on January 28, 2026, marks an aggressive move to transition laser communication from experimental demonstrations to an operational multi-domain capability. Industry responses are due by 5:00 p.m. ET on February 27, 2026.

Expanding the Optical Mesh to the Cockpit

Currently, most military aircraft rely on radio frequency (RF) systems for beyond-line-of-sight communication. However, RF links are increasingly vulnerable to electronic jamming and are limited by narrow bandwidth. Optical communications—or lasercom—use modulated infrared light to transmit data at rates 10 to 40 times higher than traditional RF, offering a “fiber-like” connection to platforms in flight.

The SDA is specifically interested in Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) that can be rapidly demonstrated—within a 12-month timeframe—and are compatible with the SDA’s established OCT standards. Key technical areas identified in the RFI include:

Manufacturing Readiness: Availability of products already in production or late-stage development.
Airframe Integration: Preferred installation locations and the ability to handle platform jitter (vibration) while maintaining a precise laser lock.
Environmental Testing: Proven performance in extreme thermal and atmospheric conditions, including thermal, vibration, and EMI/EMC testing.
Link Budgets: Notional scenarios for stable, high-data-rate transmissions between 500 km and 1,000 km altitudes.

Building on Proven Success

This RFI follows a breakthrough proof-of-concept demonstration conducted in August 2025. During that test, the SDA, in partnership with General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) and Kepler Communications, established a bi-directional optical link between a commercial satellite and an airborne terminal. The success of that mission proved that optical links could maintain high-bandwidth stability despite atmospheric turbulence—traditionally the biggest hurdle for space-to-air lasercom. The SDA now aims to normalize this capability across its Tranche 2 and Tranche 3 satellite deployments, with a potential initial operational capability targeted as early as 2027.

Strategic Impact: Secure, High-Speed Data for the Warfighter

By connecting aircraft directly to the PWSA, the Space Force intends to solve the “bandwidth bottleneck” for data-intensive missions. Optical links provide a significantly smaller illuminated “footprint” than RF, making them nearly impossible for adversaries to detect or intercept—properties known as Low Probability of Detection (LPD) and Low Probability of Interception (LPI). This capability will allow drones, intelligence-gathering aircraft, and command-and-control platforms to downlink massive volumes of sensor data in real-time, providing an unprecedented “information advantage” on the modern battlefield. (Source: Satnews)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

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03 Feb 26. US Navy wants commercial satellites for nighttime Earth observation. The U.S. Navy wants commercial satellites that can perform nighttime observation of the Earth, according to a Naval Research Laboratory Request for Information.

“The objective is to understand the availability of systems that can provide data and services related to the remote sensing of nighttime scenes from space to inform potential future collaborations and acquisitions for a technology demonstration,” according to the RFI.

The Navy is looking for space-based sensors on sensor-ready platforms.

“This RFI is focused exclusively on electro-optical (EO) systems,” the service emphasized. Specifically, the Navy is interested in systems that have reached a Technology Readiness Level, or TRL, of 6 or higher. TRL 6 indicates a system that has progressed to the stage of having a functioning prototype.

The spectral response and range of each satellite’s sensors are among the details that the Navy is asking contractors to provide. In addition, companies should specify whether sensors are panchromatic or multispectral, and how many frames per second the imaging systems takes.

The Naval Research Laboratory is also concerned about whether a commercial satellite can perform onboard processing of sensor data.

Not surprisingly given that the Navy is dealing with commercial providers rather than government-owned systems, the Naval Research Laboratory also wants to know how users can submit tasking requests for the satellite, and how long those requests will take to be fulfilled.

“How is the collected data processed and/or exploited (both on-board and on the ground)?” the RFI asked. “How is the final data product disseminated to the end-user, and in what format is it delivered?

Security is also key. In addition to the level of security for data links and the satellite’s onboard systems, contractors must state whether their ground stations are located in the continental United States.

The U.S. government already conducts nighttime Earth observation for civilian purposes, notably the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, or VIIRS, on NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites. These platforms “acquire global daily measurements of nocturnal visible and near-infrared (NIR) light that can be used for Earth system science and applications studies,” according to NASA. The data is used for estimating population, monitoring disasters and understanding the impacts of increased light pollution.

However, nighttime satellite imagery can also be useful to the military and intelligence agencies. For example, VIIRS has detected the wakes left by ships sailing in the North Sea at 2:30 a.m., a capability that could be used for tracking and targeting of warships. That’s because vessels leave “‘ship tracks — narrow clouds brightened by small airborne pollution particles emitted from the vessels,” NASA said. “Water vapor condenses around the tiny particles of pollution to form thin, winding clouds.”

Night imaging from space can also detect lights on the ground that might indicate whether strikes against an adversary’s electrical grid have been successful or, for example, track wildfires that could hamper ground and air operations. (Source: Defense News)

03 Feb 26. Gilmour Space taps Transcelestial lasers to boost satellite data links for AI era. Australian launch and satellite manufacturer Gilmour Space Technologies has entered a long-term strategic partnership with laser communications specialist Transcelestial to deliver next-generation, high-speed satellite data links designed for the AI era. The collaboration will begin with an upcoming mission to qualify Transcelestial’s laser communications terminal for integration on Gilmour Space’s satellite platform, followed by an in-orbit demonstration to validate performance in real operating conditions. The partnership will also explore the establishment of an Optical Ground Station in Queensland to support future laser-based satellite networks. As part of the demonstration mission, Gilmour Space will fly a Transcelestial terminal aboard one of its satellites, enabling a live test of wireless optical communications in orbit. The effort aims to address a growing challenge facing satellite operators: the widening gap between how much data modern spacecraft can generate and how quickly it can be delivered to users on the ground.

“Satellites are not just sensors in orbit anymore – they’re becoming full-blown orbital data centres, and the network layer is now falling behind,” said Rohit Jha, CEO and co-founder of Transcelestial. “Industry leaders like Gilmour Space are thinking ahead and partnering with us to change that for the AI era.”

Jha said Gilmour Space’s rapidly expanding satellite capabilities would see its satellite bus become one of the first in the world to be laser communications enabled by default.

“That puts them ahead of most bus manufacturers globally, and we’re excited to see what this unlocks for the industry,” he said. “To solidify that, we’re also rapidly moving toward our first demonstration this year and are super excited to be working with the Gilmour team.”

The planned flight comes as satellite missions increasingly rely on high-resolution sensors and time-sensitive data and connectivity workloads, placing growing pressure on traditional radiofrequency downlink systems. Transcelestial’s laser communications technology enables high-bandwidth satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground links while also offering enhanced security. The point-to-point optical links are resistant to jamming and incorporate built-in post-quantum cryptography to support quantum-safe communications.

Gilmour Space’s head of satellites, Mark Grimminck, said data transmission remains one of the key limitations in satellite operations.

“One of the biggest constraints is getting data from the platform to the ground,” Grimminck said. “Laser communication links are one of the clearest paths to relieving that bottleneck, and our collaboration with Transcelestial is about proving how this technology performs in real operations.”

Delivery of the laser communications terminal is scheduled for May 2026, ahead of a planned in-orbit demonstration launch on SpaceX’s Transporter-18 mission later that year.

Beyond the initial downlink test, the two companies plan to explore how optical communications can support future satellite networking requirements, including satellite-to-satellite connectivity to enable more resilient, lower latency constellations.

“We’re focused on making it easier for satellite customers to adopt next-generation communications options without taking on unnecessary integration risk,” Grimminck said.

The partnership will also examine opportunities to strengthen Australia’s optical communications ecosystem, including the potential co-hosting of an Optical Ground Station in Queensland and joint applications for Australian research and development grants to support future demonstrator missions and advanced network capabilities. (Source: Space Connect)

28 Jan 26. U.S. Space Command Urges Pentagon Pivot to Sustained On-Orbit Logistics and Maneuver. Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM), delivered a keynote address at the Space Mobility Conference in Orlando, Florida, calling for a foundational shift in military space strategy. Whiting argued that the Department of Defense must move beyond a “launch-centric” model toward an architecture defined by Dynamic Space Operations (DSO)—encompassing on-orbit refueling, logistics, and sustained maneuverability.

Moving Beyond “Positional” Space Warfare

Historically, satellite operations have been “positional,” where spacecraft minimize movement to conserve limited fuel supplies. Gen. Whiting stressed that this legacy approach creates predictable targets for adversaries like China and Russia, who are rapidly fielding maneuverable counterspace capabilities. To counter this, Whiting introduced the “Apollo Maneuvers” exercise concept. This new training framework will simulate complex satellite movements, responsive launch surges, and spectrum maneuvering to “shatter enemy cohesion,” a concept Whiting borrowed directly from U.S. Marine Corps warfighting doctrine (MCDP 1).

The Logistics Backbone: Refueling and Servicing

A critical component of this pivot is the development of on-orbit infrastructure. Whiting emphasized that “sustained space maneuver” is only possible if the Pentagon invests heavily in logistics-enabling technologies:

In-Orbit Refueling: Establishing “orbital gas stations” to allow satellites to “maneuver without regret”—performing mission-critical shifts without permanently shortening their operational lifespan.
Space Access, Mobility and Logistics (SAML): A formalized mission area focusing on satellite repair, life extension, and debris mitigation.
Standardized Interfaces: Industry-wide adoption of refueling ports, such as those developed by Orbit Fab or Northrop Grumman, to ensure interoperability across the fleet.

“We want capabilities that allow us to operate our systems until the mission is complete—not until the fuel they are launched with runs out,” Whiting stated, underscoring the shift from treating propellant as a scarce commodity to an accessible resource.

Operational Milestones for 2026

The Space Force is currently preparing for a series of high-profile logistics demonstrations throughout 2026 to prove the feasibility of these concepts. Key upcoming missions include:

Tetra-5 and Tetra-6: Testing on-orbit docking and hydrazine refueling hardware in Geosynchronous Orbit (GEO).
Starfish Space “Otter”: A 2026 mission funded by Space Systems Command (SSC) to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD) with existing military satellites.

Timeline to 2028 Superiority

While the fiscal year 2026 defense budget allocated $14.5 m for SAML activities—a figure Whiting has urged to grow—the command aims to have sustained maneuver capabilities fully operational by 2028. This roadmap aligns with the Space Force’s “Race to Resilience,” targeting 2026 as the pivotal year for transitioning to a full-spectrum warfighting architecture. (Source: Satnews)

28 Jan 26. GAO Report Warns of Technological and Schedule Risks in SDA Missile Tracking Program. On January 28, 2026, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a critical report titled “Missile Warning Satellites: Space Development Agency Should Be More Realistic and Transparent About Risks to Capability Delivery” (GAO-26-107085). The congressional watchdog warned that the Space Development Agency (SDA) is overestimating the technology readiness of critical elements within its Tracking Layer constellation, potentially jeopardizing its ability to field hypersonic missile defense capabilities on schedule. Acting Director Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo remains the official head of the Space Development Agency (SDA) as of January 28, 2026, and he is navigating a period of significant institutional pressure. This newly released Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-26-107085) has flagged critical risks in the agency’s flagship missile-tracking program, placing the SDA’s rapid acquisition model—and by extension, its current leadership—under intense federal oversight.

Technological Maturity and Contractor Delays

According to the GAO, the SDA’s current strategy of rapid, biennial “tranches” has led to unplanned work as contractors struggle to modify commercial spacecraft for specialized military missions. While the agency has reported achieving early milestones for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), the GAO asserts these reports fail to reflect underlying schedule risks. Perhaps most significantly, the report highlights that the SDA and its partners have yet to fully demonstrate the generation of timely, three-dimensional tracks on the ground—a baseline requirement for countering hypersonic glide vehicles.

Budgetary Scale and Contractual Scope

The Tracking Layer is a massive procurement effort aimed at deploying hundreds of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). As of January 2026:

Total Investment: The PWSA is projected to cost nearly $35 bn through fiscal year 2029.
Active Contracts: Over $4.7 bn has been awarded for the first 101 satellites.
Key Primes: Major contractors including Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and L3Harris are currently developing satellites for Tranches 1 and 2 of the Tracking Layer.

Criticism of the Requirements Process

The GAO report also flagged a lack of transparency between the SDA and the combatant commands that will ultimately use the data. Combatant commanders reported having “insufficient insight” into how the SDA defines requirements or whether the planned capabilities will meet operational needs for missile warning and tracking (MW/MT). Under the leadership of Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, who assumed the role in September 2025, the agency has maintained its “constructive disruptor” status, awarding contracts every two years regardless of previous satellite performance. The GAO recommends moving toward an “architecture-level schedule” to better understand how delays in individual tranches impact the overall delivery of global missile defense.

Path Forward and Air Force Oversight

The GAO has recommended that the Secretary of the Air Force ensure the SDA follows a more collaborative process with warfighter participants to define and prioritize requirements. Additionally, the report urges the Department of Defense to create a reliable life-cycle cost estimate, noting that limited cost data was collected for Tranches 1 and 2.

The Tracking Layer is intended to provide global “stereo” coverage for missile defense, replacing legacy systems like SBIRS with a more resilient, proliferated mesh network by the end of the decade. (Source: Satnews)

26 Jan 26. Oman Secures Dedicated Orbital Asset in Nine-Figure Deal with Astranis. On Monday, January 26, 2026, Oman’s MB Group and San Francisco-based Astranis Space Technologies Corp. announced a nine-figure agreement for the procurement of a dedicated, sovereign communications satellite. This deal marks a significant expansion of Oman’s National Space Program and reflects a growing international trend where nation-states bypass shared commercial constellations to secure independent orbital assets. Under the terms of the agreement, Astranis will manufacture and operate a MicroGEO satellite specifically tasked for Omani national interests, ensuring dedicated bandwidth that remains outside the control of global telecommunications conglomerates.

The Rise of the Sovereign-Commercial Nexus

The Oman-Astranis contract is the latest in a series of “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus” agreements that have accelerated in early 2026. This trend involves governments utilizing commercial satellite buses to achieve rapid national autonomy in space. It follows the January 21, 2026, announcement that France commissioned Loft Orbital to develop the nation’s first sovereign Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, as well as Satellogic’s January 8 seven-figure commitment for high-frequency sovereign monitoring. For Astranis, the Oman deal validates its “Satellite-as-a-Service” model, which allows smaller nations to deploy a dedicated 400 kg geostationary satellite for a fraction of the cost of traditional three-ton spacecraft.

Digital Sovereignty and Geopolitical Stability

The rationale for Omani investment in a dedicated asset is driven by the mandate for digital sovereignty. Geopolitical instability and the increasing vulnerability of undersea fiber-optic cables have led nations to prioritize independent, space-based communications infrastructure. By owning the capacity and controlling the encryption of a dedicated Astranis satellite, Oman ensures the continuity of its vital services and national security communications without being subject to the data-sharing policies or “kill switches” of foreign-owned megaconstellations. This move aligns with Oman Vision 2040, which seeks to establish the Sultanate as a regional hub for secure geospatial intelligence and communications.

Future Trajectory of Statist Megaconstellations

The shift toward national orbital ownership is expected to redefine the commercial landscape through 2027. While massive LEO networks like Starlink and Blue Origin’s TeraWave offer global reach, they lack the specific tasking priority that sovereign states now demand. Industry analysts predict that as more countries like Germany, Sweden, and Taiwan seek “orbital borders,” the market will bifurcate between consumer-grade global internet providers and specialized “statist” providers that offer hardware-level isolation. The Astranis-Oman partnership serves as a blueprint for this emerging segment of the space economy. (Source: Satnews)

27 Jan 26. Australia Secures First Sovereign Sub-Meter Imaging Capability via Satellogic Asset Sale. On Tuesday, January 27, 2026, Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL) and HEO (formerly HEO Robotics) announced the successful sale and transfer of NewSat-34™, an operational Earth Observation (EO) satellite. The transaction marks the establishment of Australia’s first sovereign sub-meter imaging capability, providing the nation with independent, high-resolution orbital intelligence. This “legacy” in-orbit asset sale represents a pivot in commercial satellite procurement, allowing sovereign entities to bypass traditional build-and-launch timelines to achieve immediate operational status.

The Evolution of the Satellogic-HEO Partnership

The transfer of NewSat-34 is the culmination of a multi-year strategic alignment between the two companies. In March 2024, Satellogic and HEO expanded their partnership to integrate HEO’s non-Earth imaging (NEI) software with Satellogic’s Aleph-1 constellation. More recently, in January 2026, Satellogic secured a seven-figure contract for high-frequency monitoring, underscoring the company’s shift toward specialized “Space-as-a-Service” and asset-transfer models. By acquiring an already-deployed satellite, HEO can immediately offer sub-meter resolution Earth imagery and proximity-aware NEI services to the Australian government and commercial clients.

Sovereign Autonomy in a Contested Domain

The acquisition of NewSat-34 addresses a critical gap in Australia’s national space strategy. Traditionally, Australia has relied heavily on data from foreign-owned commercial constellations or international partners. However, the rise of the “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus” has driven nations to prioritize “statist” control over orbital infrastructure to ensure data security and tasking priority. NewSat-34 allows for high-revisit sub-meter imaging that remains under Australian jurisdiction, essential for applications ranging from national security and disaster response to environmental monitoring of the Great Barrier Reef.

Outlook for Australia’s Orbital Infrastructure

The successful handover of NewSat-34 is expected to serve as a blueprint for future sovereign satellite acquisitions in the Asia-Pacific region. As HEO takes operational control of the asset, the company plans to utilize its automated tasking platform to integrate NewSat-34 data with its existing analytics suite. For Satellogic, the deal validates its “Constellation-as-a-Service” business model, demonstrating the liquid market value of operational LEO assets. Through 2027, the Australian space sector is projected to further expand its sovereign footprint, potentially acquiring additional “legacy” assets to build a resilient, multi-sensor constellation that reduces Western commercial dependencies. (Source: Satnews)

02 Feb 26. SD Government, (SDG) the division of Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO) providing satellite communications to global governments, has received US Air Force Air Mobility Command (AMC) T-1 certification for the Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Tactical Removeable Airborne Satellite Communications (TRASC) capability for C-130 aircraft. The T-1 certification will provide multiple satcom options, beginning with a Gogo Plane Simple Ku-band terminal, and subsequently expanding to offer a Gogo Plane Simple Ka-band terminal, and other network compatibilities to C-130 operators. The TRASC hatch is designed to match the outer mold line of the original Lockheed L-382 design for the C-130, making it suitable for all C-130 variants. Electromagnetic interference/electromagnetic compatibility testing has been completed on the C-130J – Block 6 and latest Block 8 standards – and legacy C-130H, for compatibility across the AMC fleet. The AMC T-1 Military Flight Release paves the way for sister commands and partner nations, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and others to implement the Roll-on/Roll-off capability immediately. Developed with R4 Integration, Inc. (R4), specialists in airborne and ground systems engineering, the TRASC BLOS solution integrates a Gogo Plane Simple® terminal within the Multi-Purpose Hatch System (MPHS) designed and patented by R4 to replace the existing C-130 standard forward escape hatch. The purpose-built housing has been optimized for installation in less than 30 minutes, enabling immediate plug-and-play global broadband capability from the airframe. C-130 variants requiring additional testing will benefit greatly from the AMC certification, as testing timelines and expenses will be reduced. In addition to the AMC fleet, the RO/RO TRASC system is ideal for Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Civilian Cargo Fleets, and international C-130 units as well as US Air Force Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), US Marine Corps, US Navy, and the US Coast Guard.

“We are proud to deliver a platform that gives military forces much-needed situational awareness to support global command and control decisions. It also makes the C-130 much more resilient and consistently connected during training and operational missions,” says Hayden Olson, Executive Vice President of SDG. “This capability instantaneously brings all C-130 variants into the modern age of high-throughput Beyond-Line-of-Sight communications.”

25 Jan 26. TeraWave: Blue Origin Enters the High-Capacity Backbone Market with 6 Tbps Constellation. In a strategic expansion that shifts its focus from launch services to orbital infrastructure, Blue Origin announced on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the development of “TeraWave”—a multi-orbit satellite communications network. Designed to deliver symmetrical data speeds of up to 6 terabits per second (Tbps), the system targets the high-end backbone needs of data centers, enterprise cloud providers, and government agencies. This initiative marks the first major constellation project under Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp and follows the company’s recent move to scale its national security operations.

A Hybrid Architecture for Massive Data Trunking

Unlike consumer-focused Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, TeraWave utilizes a hybrid orbital strategy to maximize throughput and minimize latency. The system architecture, detailed in Blue Origin’s January 21 announcement, consists of 5,408 optically interconnected satellites.

LEO Layer: 5,280 spacecraft operating at altitudes between 520 and 540 kilometers. These units will utilize Q/V-band radio frequency (RF) links to provide individual customer connections of up to 144 Gbps.
MEO Layer: 128 high-capacity satellites positioned in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) across five altitude shells (8,000 to 24,200 km). This layer serves as the constellation’s optical backbone, capable of handling 6 Tbps for massive data replication and inter-cloud transfers.

Strategic Context: Beyond the Consumer Market

The TeraWave filing explicitly positions the network as an “enterprise-grade” service, distinguishing it from Amazon’s Amazon Leo (formerly Project Kuiper), which is tailored for residential broadband. While Amazon Leo targets 1 Gbps downlink speeds, TeraWave is engineered for 6,000 times that capacity. The timing of the reveal coincides with the December 2025 appointment of former ULA CEO Tory Bruno to lead Blue Origin’s National Security Unit, signaling a direct challenge to SpaceX’s Starshield and specialized government secure-link offerings.

The Rationale for Symmetrical Connectivity

A core differentiator for TeraWave is its focus on symmetrical upload and download speeds—a critical requirement for real-time Internet of Things (IoT) data transfers, AI-driven edge computing, and predictive maintenance in remote industrial sites. By utilizing laser inter-satellite links (ISLs) to move data across the constellation rather than routing through ground stations, Blue Origin aims to bypass terrestrial fiber bottlenecks and provide “route diversity” for global hubs.

Deployment Timeline and Launch Strategy

Deployment of the first TeraWave satellites is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2027. Blue Origin intends to leverage its heavy-lift New Glenn vehicle, which features a 7-meter fairing capable of housing larger satellite batches compared to current industry standards. According to CEO Dave Limp, the network is designed for “rapid global deployment” and will limit its initial user base to approximately 100,000 high-capacity customers to ensure sustained performance without the congestion issues often associated with residential megaconstellations. (Source: Satnews)

26 Jan 26. ESA Expands IRIS² Low-LEO Component and Introduces Industrialization Cost Reimbursements. In a move to accelerate the deployment of Europe’s third flagship space program, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced on Monday, January 26, 2026, a significant expansion of the IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) network’s low-LEO segment. Simultaneously, ESA is implementing a new fiscal policy to reimburse Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE) costs for companies scaling production. This decision addresses a critical bottleneck in the “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus,” shifting ESA’s traditional role from funding primary research to supporting the industrial mass production required for multi-orbit megaconstellations.

Strategic Shift in Procurement and Design

The expansion of the low-LEO component is designed to broaden the pool of potential industrial contributors beyond the initial prime contractors. By opening this segment, ESA allows the European space industry to propose novel payload architectures and satellite designs that can be integrated into the final operational IRIS² network. This modular approach is intended to prevent technology lock-in and ensure the constellation remains adaptable to emerging threats and technical advancements.

Context: The Financial Bridge to Mass Production

Historically, ESA funding through programs like ARTES 4.0 has prioritized the development of new, high-risk technologies. However, the unique demands of IRIS²—which requires the rapid manufacture of hundreds of satellites—have exposed a gap in conventional funding models. Under the new reimbursement framework, ESA will cover NRE expenses specifically associated with the “industrialization” of existing products. This means companies that have already developed a functional component can now receive support for the expensive transition to high-rate production lines, tooling, and automated testing rigs. This policy change follows the December 2024 signing of the 12-year, €10.6 bn concession agreement between the European Commission and the SpaceRISE consortium. The consortium, led by SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat, is now moving from the political planning phase into physical hardware acquisition, as evidenced by the January 5, 2026, issuance of Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for 272 Low Earth Orbit satellites.

Technical Specifications: The IRIS² Multi-Orbit Shells

The updated IRIS² architecture is structured as a resilient, multi-layered system designed to provide secure governmental communications and commercial high-speed broadband.

Low-LEO Layer: Now expanded to invite broader participation, this segment focuses on low-latency data and secure links for governmental authorities.
LEO-High Layer: Comprising the bulk of the 272 LEO units, with Airbus Defence and Space and Aerospacelab identified as primary candidates for the platform and payload.
MEO Layer: Consisting of 18 satellites at an altitude of approximately 8,000 km, leveraging the existing expertise of SES to provide high-throughput backhaul and global coverage.

Rationale: Reducing Commercial Dependencies

The rationale for this dual-pronged approach—segment expansion and NRE reimbursement—is rooted in Europe’s mandate for strategic autonomy. European Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius and ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher have consistently emphasized the need for a “Space Shield” to protect European digital sovereignty. By reimbursing scaling costs, ESA is effectively subsidizing the modernization of the European supply chain, making it more competitive against vertically integrated entities like SpaceX. This ensures that the 30% subcontracting requirement for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) is not just a regulatory quota but a viable industrial reality.

Timeline and Outlook to 2030

As the IRIS² project moves into 2026, the focus shifts to the Critical Design Review (CDR) and the mobilization of manufacturing facilities. The new reimbursement policy is expected to see immediate uptake from hardware vendors in Germany, France, and Spain who are currently retrofitting factories for the 2027 manufacturing commencement. While initial governmental services are targeted for 2030, the ability of the industry to scale tech via these new ESA reimbursements will be the primary factor in meeting the 2031 deadline for full operational readiness. (Source: Satnews)

30 Jan 26. New facility to boost UK space SMEs opens with £3.9m government backing. A new facility designed to help small businesses thrive in the UK space sector has opened at Airbus Defence and Space’s Stevenage site, backed by £3.9 m from the UK Space Agency. Airbus Launchpad opening with Kata Escott, Managing Director Airbus Defence and Space UK, Kevin Bonavia, MP for Stevenage, and Craig Brown, Director of Investment at the UK Space Agency. Credit: Airbus The Airbus Launchpad will provide SMEs, start-ups and research organisations with access to laboratories, workspaces and testing facilities through a no-cost residency programme. The facility can accommodate over 50 people and aims to strengthen the UK space supply chain while developing homegrown skills and capabilities. The UK Space Agency funding comes from the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund and was match-funded by Airbus. Three companies – Applied Atomics, Spintex and Stars Edge – will take up residence from early February.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “By backing our SMEs and start-ups, we’re helping brilliant British ideas become successful businesses that create jobs and strengthen our supply chain. This partnership between Airbus and the UK Space Agency shows what we can achieve when industry and government work together to build a space sector where the smallest of businesses can thrive.”

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “The Airbus Launchpad is another important example of how collaboration between industry leaders and innovative SMEs can strengthen our space sector. By giving start-ups and smaller businesses direct access to world-class facilities and expertise, we’re helping turn brilliant ideas into the products and services of tomorrow. Our £3.9m investment through the Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund will help develop homegrown skills, diversify the supply chain, and create new space capabilities for the UK. The Airbus Launchpad forms part of Airbus’ Community for Space Prosperity programme, which aims to grow UK space supply chain activity through research, innovation and outreach.”

Kata Escott, Managing Director Airbus Defence and Space UK, said: Successful SMEs are essential for the future of the UK space sector and I’m proud that we are able to use our position as the UK’s largest space company to lean in and support their development. This initiative is about creating the conditions for collaboration, innovation and growth. By connecting with SMEs and innovators, and in partnership with the Government, we are accelerating progress for the UK at a time when it has never mattered more.”

The Airbus Launchpad is the latest facility to open with support from the UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund, which is helping to build world-class facilities for the UK space sector. Earlier this month, the £20m Westcott Space Hub opened in Buckinghamshire with £5.8m in government backing, providing testing facilities, training spaces and commercial workspace for space businesses. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

January 30, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

21 Jan 26. AST SpaceMobile Submits Formal Comments to FCC Space Modernization NPRM. In a critical regulatory move for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) sector, AST & Science, LLC (AST SpaceMobile) submitted formal comments on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) landmark Space Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The filing addresses the agency’s sweeping proposal to overhaul satellite licensing and adapt federal oversight to the rapid deployment of massive, software-defined constellations.

The Transition to a Modular Licensing Framework

The “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” NPRM, designated as SB Docket No. 25-306, seeks to replace the legacy Part 25 regulatory framework with a new “Part 100” structure. This proposed overhaul introduces a modular “licensing assembly line” intended to expedite application processing for space systems that meet standardized technical criteria. The FCC’s goal is to transition from a manual, bespoke review process to an industrialized model capable of managing the unprecedented scale of modern megaconstellations, such as the SpaceMobile cellular broadband network.

Strategic Significance for Direct-to-Device Competition

AST SpaceMobile’s submission arrives during a pivotal phase for the D2D industry. Following the successful deployment of the next-generation BlueBird 6 satellite on December 23, 2025, the company is scaling its infrastructure to support global cellular connectivity via standard smartphones. The regulatory environment has grown increasingly competitive after the FCC granted a landmark Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) license to SpaceX and T-Mobile on December 16, 2025. While competitors have engaged in technical disputes regarding power flux density (PFD) limits and signal interference, AST SpaceMobile under Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan has advocated for architectures that maximize antenna gain while maintaining strict interference controls. The company’s comments to the FCC are expected to emphasize the need for regulatory certainty and technological neutrality as operators vie for dominance in the ubiquitous connectivity market.

Upcoming Regulatory Milestones

The closure of the initial comment period on January 20 marks the end of the first major phase of the rulemaking process. According to the FCC schedule, reply comments are due by February 18, 2026. These subsequent filings will allow AST SpaceMobile and other industry stakeholders to respond directly to the positions taken by rival operators, further shaping the final “Part 100” rules that will govern the future of the American space economy. (Source: Satnews)

27 Jan 26. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced today that it was awarded a subcontract to provide Infrared Mission Payloads in support of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tracking Layer Tranche 3 (TRKT3), a piece of the U.S. military’s advanced missile defense program. As the space-based mission payload provider, DRS will design, build, integrate, and test advanced infrared mission payloads to support TRKT3’s accelerated capability to provide global detection, warning, and tracking of ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons. The infrared capability will be used from the earliest stages of an adversarial launch through interception, including delivering precision fire-control sensing data for missile interceptors.

“This award recognizes our innovative best-in-class technology, and continued investment in advanced space-based capabilities for programs such as the TRKT3 mission,” said John Baylouny, DRS’ Chief Executive Officer. “These investments allow our people to push the boundaries of advanced sensing and space payload manufacturing to support a wide range of national security priorities.”

“As the payload provider, DRS is incredibly proud to support this missile defense mission to defend the homeland,” said Jerry Hathaway, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems business unit. “This award builds upon our next-generation technologies developed by our innovative DRS space sensing and engineering teams, as well as our expertise in complex space mission payload design and manufacturing.”

DRS is a leading provider of multi-domain advanced cooled and uncooled infrared systems for the U.S. government and multiple allied nations around the world. It has extensive installed mission capabilities across multiple domains, including ground, sea, air, and space. Advanced sensing mission technology is a key strategic focus for DRS as the company brings together its industry-leading multi-domain sensing capabilities, secure communications, and laser technologies mission capabilities for a range of critical efforts, including Golden Dome, Counter-UAS, autonomous maritime fleet protection, and ground combat mounted and dismounted systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

28 Jan 26. Airbus Defence and Space and Hisdesat have agreed to prolong and expand their long-standing and successful collaboration in the international radar Earth observation market with the signing of an agreement to commercialize imagery and applications from the future PAZ-2 radar satellites. The agreement, formalized during the European Space Conference in Brussels (Belgium), extends the existing partnership for the commercialisation of radar imagery from the PAZ satellite in constellation with the German TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X satellites, an alliance first established in 2018.

“This partnership aims to push the boundaries of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) based Earth observation and provide innovative solutions to meet growing global demand for both military and commercial markets,” said Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space.

Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, indicated that reinforcing this commercial alliance “will ensure the continuity of the excellent work carried out since 2018 between the Hisdesat and Airbus teams” and “will drive the penetration of SAR imagery—capable of performing in any weather condition—compared to other Earth observation tools”.

Led by the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Hisdesat, PAZ-2 is one of the most advanced Earth observation programmes in the world. It consists of twin satellites that will replace the current PAZ satellite, in service since 2018, ensuring and enhancing the current capabilities. The PAZ-2 programme is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism and will provide radar imagery and services primarily to the Spanish Ministry of Defence. In July 2025, Hisdesat awarded Airbus Defence and Space the contract for the manufacture of these two new satellites. The PAZ-2 satellites are scheduled to fly in constellation and will integrate advanced technologies enabling unprecedented image quality with an improved resolution of up to 10 centimetres. They will also increase coverage to 6.7 m km2 per day per satellite, offering a maximum image swath width of 500 km. To meet the requirements of urgent operations, the PAZ-2 mission will provide reliable near-real-time services, with a latency from acquisition to availability of only five minutes. These enhancements will strengthen intelligence and surveillance capabilities for defence and security missions, as well as civil applications in infrastructure monitoring, risk management, border control, and disaster assessment. The first of the PAZ-2 satellites is expected to enter service by mid-2031. This next-generation Earth observation programme consolidates the leadership of the Spanish space industry, with 65% national participation under the direction of Airbus Defence and Space, which serves as the prime contractor for the space segment.

20 Jan 26. FY26 Defense Bill: Congress Unlocks Billions for ‘Golden Dome’ and Restores SDA Tranche 3. Congressional appropriators released the Joint Explanatory Statement (JES) for the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act on Monday, cementing an $838.7 bn topline that prioritizes the administration’s “Golden Dome” missile defense architecture and reverses proposed cuts to the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) proliferated constellations.

The agreement, negotiated between House and Senate leadership, fully funds the Department of Defense’s pivot toward space-based interceptors and integrated sensor networks. The bill specifically allocates approximately $13 bn for missile defense and space programs to support the Golden Dome initiative, a multi-layered shield championed by President Trump via Executive Order 14186.

Restoring the Transport Layer A critical victory for the space industrial base is the restoration of funding for the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The Space Force’s original FY26 budget request had eliminated funding for the Tranche 3 Transport Layer, a move that threatened to break the agency’s two-year “spiral development” cadence.

The final JES rejects that pause, adding $500 m specifically to keep the Tranche 3 Transport Layer on schedule. This funding aligns with the SDA’s recent contract awards to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Rocket Lab, ensuring that the mesh network of low Earth orbit (LEO) data relays continues to expand without production gaps.

Key Space Allocations The explanatory statement outlines targeted investments designed to accelerate commercial integration and polar coverage:

Next-Gen OPIR Polar: $474 m added to bolster the polar segment of the strategic missile warning architecture, stabilizing a program previously earmarked for uncertain reconciliation funding.
Commercial ISR: $55 m to continue the space-based Commercial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance pilot, plus an additional $50 m to transition commercial tactical ISR procurement into a formal Space Force program of record.
Golden Dome Integration: Significant (but classified) portions of the $1.6 bn increase for air and missile defense capabilities are directed toward the “connective tissue” of the Golden Dome—specifically the AI-driven command and control systems required to link Tranche 3 Tracking Layer sensors with kinetic interceptors.

Strategic Context The bill reflects a consensus that reliance on ground-based radars is insufficient against maneuvering hypersonic threats. By funding the Golden Dome’s mix of space-based sensors and interceptors, Congress is validating the architecture outlined by Gen. Michael Guetlein, the program’s director.

“Golden Dome is the central story of the budget for defense,” said Sam Wilson, director of strategy at The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, in a statement regarding the broader fiscal shift. “This is a signature effort guiding how they’re approaching national security, and there is a heavy focus on space within that.”

Timeline The House is expected to vote on the consolidated appropriations package, which includes the Defense, Homeland Security, and other division titles, later this week. Upon passage, it will move to the Senate for final approval before heading to the President’s desk for signature. (Source: Satnews)

26 Jan 26. Rheinmetall in talks with OHB about German army satellite project, says source. Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) is in talks with German satellite maker OHB (OHBG.DE about a satellite project for the German armed forces, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters on Monday. (Source: Reuters)

20 Jan 26. Polish Space Sector Achieves First Profitable Year Amid Record ESA Investment. Marking a watershed transition from research-heavy development to commercial maturity, Poland’s space sector reported its first combined annual profit in 2025. This milestone, driven by a surge in national defense procurement and a tenfold increase in contributions to the European Space Agency (ESA), positions the country as an emerging “space power” in Central and Eastern Europe. The shift signifies that Polish entities, once primarily component suppliers, are now increasingly serving as prime contractors and consortium leaders for complex orbital missions.

Scaling Sovereign Capabilities Through Public Procurement

The primary catalyst for this commercial expansion has been the implementation of the “Polish Fangs” deterrence concept through the Ministry of National Defence. In May 2025, the ministry signed its largest-ever space contract—a PLN 860 m ($237 m) agreement with a consortium led by Finnish-Polish provider ICEYE and state-owned Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności Nr 1. Known as the MikroSAR program, the deal includes the delivery of three synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, providing the Polish Armed Forces with 25-centimeter resolution all-weather imaging. This capability is supplemented by the CAMILA project, a EUR 52 m Earth observation constellation led by Creotech Instruments with support from CloudFerro.

Strategic Financial Commitment to ESA

To sustain this momentum, the Polish government has pledged EUR 731 m to the ESA for the 2026–2028 period. Of this total, approximately EUR 550 m is allocated to “optional programs,” ensuring that the majority of the funding returns to Polish industry through specialized contracts in Earth observation, secure communications, and robotic exploration.

“This is a great day for the Polish Armed Forces and Poland, because they are gaining full independence in radar reconnaissance and imaging,” stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, regarding the MikroSAR acquisition. “Freedom and independence will only be defended by sovereignty and innovation”.

Outlook: Establishing a Regional Hub

The next phase of Poland’s strategy involves deep integration with European security infrastructure. On November 28, 2025, officials signed a letter of intent with the ESA to establish a new research and development center in Poland focused on space security and resilience. This facility is expected to complement existing European operations by focusing on crisis response and dual-use technologies, further cementing Poland’s role as a strategic partner in the continent’s defense architecture. (Source: Satnews)

20 Jan 26. SDA Operationalizes Laser Mesh Network as Foundation for Proliferated LEO Warfare. The U.S. Space Force is rapidly transitioning laser communications from a specialized niche into the primary data transport layer for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). By establishing rigorous interoperability standards for Optical Communication Terminals (OCT), the Space Development Agency (SDA) is effectively treating laser links as critical infrastructure, enabling a resilient “mesh network” in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) that can scale across multiple vendors and platforms.

The Shift to Optical Interoperability

Unlike traditional radio frequency (RF) communications, which are susceptible to jamming and bandwidth limitations, optical inter-satellite links (OISL) provide a high-bandwidth, low-probability-of-intercept backbone. The SDA has mandated that all satellites within the PWSA comply with its OCT standard, ensuring that hardware from different manufacturers—ranging from Northrop Grumman to Lockheed Martin—can communicate seamlessly in orbit. This focus on standardization has accelerated the deployment of “Proliferated LEO,” moving the Department of Defense (DoD) away from a small number of “exquisite” high-altitude satellites toward a vast network of hundreds of smaller, interconnected vehicles.

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

The PWSA’s Transport Layer serves as the “connective tissue” for the entire architecture, utilizing laser links to move massive amounts of data across the globe in seconds.

Data Transmission: OCTs enable multi-gigabit-per-second data rates, significantly exceeding legacy RF systems.
Resiliency: The mesh network architecture allows data to be rerouted automatically if a single satellite is disabled or destroyed.
Cross-Domain Connectivity: Successful testing has demonstrated the ability to link space-based assets directly to airborne terminals, providing real-time tactical data to the edge.

Strategic Vision for Future Conflict

“The SDA is delivering a capability that is not only resilient to the threats we face today but is designed to evolve at the speed of the commercial market,” said Dr. Derek Tournear, Director of the Space Development Agency. “By operationalizing laser communications, we are ensuring that the warfighter has the data they need, when they need it, regardless of the environment.”

Outlook for the Militarization of LEO

As the SDA continues to launch Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 satellites, the PWSA is expected to achieve global persistence by 2027. This maturation reflects a broader trend in the defense sector: the shift from viewing space as a sanctuary to treating it as an active combat domain where high-speed, jam-resistant data transmission is the ultimate competitive advantage. Future iterations of the architecture will likely integrate even more sophisticated quantum-resistant encryption and automated battle management aids directly into the laser-linked mesh. (Source: Satnews)

19 Jan 26. ICEYE Expands Space-Based Intelligence Cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. On Monday, January 19, 2026, ICEYE, a global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, announced a significant expansion of its cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The new agreement ensures that the Ministry will receive an increased volume of high-resolution satellite imagery from ICEYE’s SAR constellation to bolster tactical situational awareness and national security.

Scaling Tactical Situational Awareness

The partnership builds on ICEYE’s continuous support for Ukraine initiated in 2022, which first granted the government full access to a dedicated satellite through the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation. The expanded agreement allows the Ukrainian Armed Forces to utilize space-based intelligence as a tactical tool, reducing uncertainty during time-sensitive operational timelines. This follows a previous November 2024 contract between Rheinmetall and Ukraine, supported by the German government, which also integrated ICEYE’s SAR data into the nation’s defense framework.

High-Resolution Capabilities of the Gen4 Constellation

The agreement leverages ICEYE’s Generation 4 (Gen4) satellite technology, which was officially introduced and expanded in late 2025. These Gen4 assets provide the highest fidelity commercial SAR imagery available, featuring:

Ground Resolution: Up to 16 cm.
Footprint Modes: Scan Wide capabilities covering areas of 200 km by 300 km.
Efficient Targeting: Electronic beam-steering technology that enables the capture of dozens of high-resolution scenes within minutes of imaging time.

Persistent Monitoring Across All-Weather Conditions

SAR technology provides a distinct advantage over optical sensors by utilizing radar pulses instead of sunlight. This allows ICEYE to penetrate nighttime, cloud cover, and smoke—environmental factors that frequently obstruct traditional imaging in the Ukrainian theater. By providing persistent monitoring, the constellation ensures that tactical decision-makers have access to reliable data regardless of the time of day or atmospheric conditions.

“Today’s operational environment makes one thing clear: space is no longer only a strategic domain, it is a tactical layer of defense,” said John Cartwright, Senior VP of Data Product at ICEYE. “This agreement strengthens assured access to our high-resolution SAR imagery, helping Ukraine make decisions faster and with greater confidence. ICEYE stands firmly with Ukraine in the face of these hostilities, and is deeply committed to strengthening Europe’s security more widely by ensuring our allies have the best decision-ready data when they need it most.”

Strengthening Allied Security Architectures

The expansion of this partnership reinforces a broader trend of sovereign satellite missions supported by ICEYE technology. Beyond Ukraine, the company has recently secured agreements to deliver sovereign intelligence capabilities to the Swedish Armed Forces and the Finnish Defence Forces. Moving forward, ICEYE intends to continue scaling the world’s largest SAR constellation to meet the global demand for persistent, actionable Earth Observation data. (Source: Satnews)

19 Jan 26. Eutelsat prepares for its next expansion. Chris Forrester — The news that Eutelsat has ordered 340 new OneWeb satellites, additional to its existing contract for 100 extra craft, secures the company’s future and can only benefit revenues once the fleet is in operation. The 340 will guarantee Eutelsat’s existing services although at a cost of around $2.56 bn (€2.2bn) plus the cost of launches. Some of those launches are already booked. Eutelsat ordered about ten launches (“multiple launches”) from MaiaSpace to deploy a portion of the 440 new OneWeb satellites. Launches are scheduled from late 2027 to 2029. MaiaSpace thus secures 50 percent of the planned launches over the period. MaiaSpace was founded in 2022 as a wholly owned subsidiary of ArianeGroup. The company is developing a two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle called Maia, designed to deliver up to 4,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit when flown in its expendable configuration with the optional ‘kick’ stage. The first 100, needed to ensure continuity of service, were ordered in December 2024 but observers say that the satellite operator needed to put its own finances in order before it could order the additional 340. Eutelsat restructured its core finances by raising €1.5 bn in December 29025, including an extra chunk of capital placed into the operator by the French government which as a result now controls 29.65% of Eutelsat. The new order will be fulfilled by Airbus Defence & Space at its Toulouse, France, facility, and the first batches should be ready for launch towards the end of this year. These early launches will replace OneWeb satellites launched in 2019 and 2020 and now reaching the end of their planned lives. In its January 12 statement Eutelsat said the new fleet would integrate technology upgrades including advanced digital channelisers, enabling enhanced on-board processing capabilities as well as greater efficiency and flexibility and suggesting that the new craft could carry ‘hosted payloads’ for the French military. Indeed, Eutelsat is reportedly talking to other European defense ministries and pitching similar options for dedicated payloads. But there’s certainly going to be a slight disappointment for French pride in that the order has gone to Maia Space. Despite Maia being an Ariane subsidiary, some would have preferred Arianespace itself to be a carrier. There’s also the underlying fear that other rocket providers will be called upon to fill the gap given that Ariane itself is fully booked for 2026 and much of 2027 on other non-Eutelsat contracts.

Consequently, Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher might have to select SpaceX – which can carry 45 OneWebs – will be called into play. However, it is worth remembering that Eutelsat still has a contract in place with Jeff Bezos for a flight on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. The contract was signed with much fanfare at the 2017 Washington Satellite Show by Rodolphe Belmer, then CEO at Eutelsat, and with Bezos. It could well be that a New Glenn launch during 2027 could carry OneWeb satellites.

The new OneWeb contract is just the first stage of Eutelsat’s growth plan. The next step, now being made with the SpaceRISE consortium of which it is a key part, is the important European IRIS2 multi-orbit highly-secure satellite scheme. IRIS2, backed by the European Commission and European Space Agency but also with plenty of private cash from the likes of SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, calls for 272 satellites in LEO (at 1200 kms) and 18 in MEO (at 8000kms). They would operate with laser connectivity. The IRIS2 contract was signed with the SpaceRISE consortium which has to design, deliver and operate the Infrastructure of Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) for a concession period of 12 years. Eutelsat has to pay for its place in the consortium, and is said to be in talks with financing sources including the French BPIFrance and EK Export Finance agencies. SpaceRISE issued its Requests for Proposals (RFP) on December 28 2025 to Europe’s satellite builders and launch suppliers, and there’s a requirement that some 30% of the satellite contract value must go to small and medium-sized industry businesses. These combined elements will keep Eutelsat busy for a year or two, but its OneWeb revenue growth should help fund expansion. Eutelsat says it expects its LEO revenues to grow by around 50% – and possibly more – as 2026-2027 unfolds. Eutelsat is targeting total revenue of between €1.5bn and €1.7bn by the end of 2028-2029. Much of that will come from OneWeb. With the first OneWeb launches now likely to take place before calendar year-end 2026, Eutelsat’s revenue stream should grow commensurately. (Source: Satnews)

26 Jan 26. MDA Space (TSX: MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. (“Hanwha”), a global leader in smart technologies and aerospace solutions. Through this MOU, MDA Space and Hanwha will explore opportunities to collaborate on the development of Korea’s sovereign Low Earth Orbit (K-LEO) defence constellation, leveraging MDA’s AURORA™ software-defined digital satellites. The K-LEO constellation is a flagship national initiative designed to strengthen Korea’s sovereign defence capabilities and ensure secure, resilient communications and data services for national security operations. MDA Space and Hanwha will work together to assess how MDA AURORA’s flexible, software-defined architecture can support Hanwha in addressing evolving mission requirements, maximizing operational efficiency, and enabling robust, scalable satellite solutions for the K-LEO defence program.

“We are honoured to partner with Hanwha in support of Korea’s sovereign K-LEO defence constellation,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “This collaboration highlights the global confidence in MDA AURORA’s secure dual-use software-defined satellite technology to deliver mission-critical flexibility, performance, and resilience for national defence networks. Together with Hanwha, we look forward to advancing Korea’s defence infrastructure and enabling a new era of secure connectivity.”

“This MOU marks an important first step in exploring collaboration with a global partner to advance Korea’s defence space capabilities,” said Jae-il Son, CEO of Hanwha Systems. “We will continue to assess next-generation satellite solutions capable of addressing evolving operational requirements.”

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

January 24, 2026 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

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14 Jan 26. SpaceX Activates Free Starlink Service in Iran Amid National Internet Blackout. On Tuesday, January 13, 2026, SpaceX began waiving all subscription fees for its Starlink satellite internet service in Iran. The move follows a near-total communications blackout imposed by the Iranian government starting January 8, aimed at suppressing escalating nationwide protests. Activists and independent monitoring groups confirmed that Iranians with access to the approximately 50,000 to 100,000 smuggled terminals can now connect to the web without a paid subscription. The “Free Iran” activation mirrors similar crisis-response deployments in Ukraine, Sudan, and recently Venezuela, positioning Starlink as a primary tool for bypassing state-level censorship.

Circumventing a Sophisticated Digital Lockdown

The Iranian regime’s current shutdown is described as the most comprehensive in its history, affecting fiber-optic networks, cellular data, and even whitelisted government landlines. In response, SpaceX pushed a critical software update to terminals inside Iran on January 13 to boost signal resilience against government jamming efforts.

Despite the “free” service, users face extreme physical risks. Technical reports indicate:

Signal Jamming: Iranian security forces are utilizing military-grade jammers, allegedly sourced from Russia and China, to disrupt GPS and L-band satellite signals in urban centers like Tehran.
Aerial Surveillance: Authorities have reportedly deployed drones over residential neighborhoods to identify the telltale flat-panel satellite dishes on rooftops.
Legal Penalties: Under a law enacted in late 2025, possession of an unlicensed Starlink terminal is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, or even the death penalty if the user is accused of espionage.

Executive and Geopolitical Perspectives

The activation of free service followed high-level discussions between the Trump administration and Elon Musk. On January 11, President Trump publicly stated his intent to work with Musk to boost internet access for Iranian demonstrators as part of a “soft power” campaign for internet freedom.

“We can confirm that the free subscription for Starlink terminals is fully functional,” said Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based activist who has assisted in smuggling units into the country. “We tested it using a newly activated terminal inside Iran. It is the only way for Iranians to communicate with the rest of the world right now”.

Outlook: The Fight for Orbital Sovereignty

As of January 14, connectivity remains “patchy” in major cities but more stable in border regions where jamming is less concentrated. The Iranian government has officially protested the Starlink activation to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), labeling it a violation of national sovereignty. The situation serves as a critical test for the “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus,” where a private aerospace firm effectively overrides a nation-state’s domestic law. Analysts expect SpaceX to continue iterative software updates to counter evolving jamming techniques as the death toll from the internal unrest is estimated to exceed 2,000 as of Tuesday. (Source: Satnews)

20 Jan 26. National Reconstruction Fund backs Gilmour Space with cornerstone investment to build sovereign launch capability. The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation has made a major $75 m cornerstone investment in Australian rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies, anchoring a $217m capital raise aimed at scaling Australia’s sovereign space capability. The National Reconstruction Fund Corporation (NRFC) investment, made through preferred equity, was jointly led with superannuation fund Hostplus, which also committed $75 m. The funding round values the Queensland-based company at more than $1 bn and brings together government, superannuation funds and private investors in one of the most significant capital injections yet into Australia’s space sector.

NRFC chief executive David Gall said the investment reflected the fund’s mandate to back nationally significant manufacturing and technology capabilities. “Space technologies are fundamental to national resilience, economic productivity and regional growth,” Gall said. “Gilmour’s pioneering technology has the potential to be a cornerstone of the Australian space industry. Our investment will help secure Australia’s access to essential space services, strengthen advanced manufacturing and create highly skilled jobs, particularly in regional Queensland.”

Founded on the Gold Coast, Gilmour Space is developing an end-to-end, sovereign space capability spanning the design, manufacture, testing and launch of rockets and satellites from Australia. The company conducted the first test flight of an Australian-developed orbital launch vehicle in July last year and is now progressing towards regular commercial launch operations. NRFC funding will support continued development and qualification of Gilmour Space’s Eris orbital launch vehicle, scale satellite and rocket manufacturing, and expand infrastructure at the Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland. Bowen is the first and only spaceport in Australia licensed by the Australian Space Agency and other regulators for orbital launch operations.

Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres said the investment demonstrated how public capital could catalyse private sector confidence. “Making things in Australia is about more than good ideas – it requires long-term commitment and collaboration between the public and private sectors,” Minister Ayres said.

Minister Ayres added, “The National Reconstruction Fund investment in Gilmour Space is creating new opportunities for high-skilled jobs in Queensland and crowding in private investment, including from superannuation funds.”

Gilmour Space co-founder and chief executive Adam Gilmour said the NRFC backing was a strong vote of confidence in Australia’s ability to compete globally in space.

“Australians rely heavily on space-based services that are largely supplied from overseas,” he said. “Developing sovereign capability at home gives Australia greater resilience, choice and control. NRFC’s investment allows us to build on the technical and regulatory milestones we’ve already achieved and scale our manufacturing and launch capability to meet growing market demand.”

The company has already demonstrated its satellite capability through the successful on-orbit operation of its 100-kilogram ElaraSat satellite bus, launched on a US rideshare mission last year. It currently employs more than 220 people and works with hundreds of Australian suppliers across aerospace engineering, manufacturing and skilled trades. Hostplus chief investment officer Sam Sicilia said the NRFC-led round highlighted the strength of Australia’s investment ecosystem.

“This partnership between government and long-term institutional investors positions Gilmour Space for its next phase of growth,” he said. “It supports the development of critical national capability while delivering the potential for strong, risk-adjusted returns for our members.”

Other investors participating in the Series E round include the Future Fund, HESTA, Blackbird, Main Sequence, QIC, Funds SA, NGS Super and Brighter Super.

The funding underscores the NRFC’s role in mobilising capital into strategically important industries, using public investment to accelerate innovation, build sovereign capability and support long-term economic growth.

(Source: Space Connect)

19 Jan 26. Westcott Space Hub opens to boost UK space innovation and create hundreds of jobs. A new £20 m space innovation hub has officially opened in Buckinghamshire, supported by UK Space Agency funding, providing cutting-edge facilities to help space businesses grow and creating up to 300 jobs.

£20m new UK space innovation hub in Buckinghamshire

The Westcott Space Hub, led by URA Thrusters in partnership with Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust, Skyports Drone Services, Westcott Shared Facilities Ltd and Buckinghamshire Council, spans 62,000 square feet and offers state-of-the-art testing facilities, training spaces and commercial workspace for the growing UK space sector. Located at Westcott Venture Park, a site with over 50 years of heritage as a rocket engine test site, the Hub addresses a critical gap in research and development infrastructure in Buckinghamshire.

Backed by £5.8m from the UK Space Agency, the facility will support collaboration between small and medium-sized enterprises, major industry players, academia and other stakeholders in the local space ecosystem.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “The opening of the Westcott Space Hub marks another exciting milestone for the UK’s space ambitions. By combining world-leading testing facilities with space for businesses to grow and collaborate, we’re giving British innovators the tools they need to compete on the global stage. This investment is about more than infrastructure – it’s about creating skilled jobs, attracting private investment, and ensuring that the next generation of space technologies are designed, built and tested right here in the UK.”

The Hub includes:

42,000 square feet of flexible commercial space featuring offices, laboratories and workshops, with 33% already pre-let
A 10,000 square foot training facility with a 150-seat lecture auditorium, 15 classrooms and a fully equipped workshop
10,000 square feet of shared facilities including a clean room, mechanical environmental testing facilities, and propulsion testing facilities, with a vacuum chamber for testing electric propulsion engines – the only facility of its type in the UK and one of the largest in the world.

The Hub, with the support of the Buckinghamshire Council and Westcott Shared Facilities, is one of the few campuses in the world with world-class assembly, integration and testing facilities to hire.

Alberto Garbayo, CEO of URA Thrusters, said:

The Westcott Space Hub, in conjunction with our historic existing testing sites in Westcott, has made us one of the few companies in the world with capacity for full integration, production and in-vacuum testing for both, chemical and electric thrusters.

Westcott is becoming one of the leading propulsion testing sites in the world, but, thanks to the Hub, it is becoming an even more attractive place to conduct other space business activities: over the next few years we will see more Westcott-made technologies going into orbit, including deep-space.

Westcott Space Hub. Credit: Skyports Drone Services.

The project, which began in December 2023, has been delivered with £15 m in match funding, demonstrating significant private sector confidence in the UK space industry. The Hub is expected to create approximately 100 direct jobs and 200 roles within the wider supply chain over the coming years.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “This world-class facility will provide companies with access to cutting-edge testing infrastructure that was previously unavailable in this country, helping them to scale up and compete globally. Our £5.8m investment is already delivering results, leveraging substantial private sector funding and creating high-skilled jobs. By bringing together businesses, researchers and training facilities under one roof, the Hub will foster the collaboration essential for growing the UK’s thriving space economy. As part of the wider announcement on the Westcott Space Hub, the opening of the Skylark Café and Conference Facility marks an important step in fostering collaboration and innovation within the Westcott Space Cluster. The modern facility provides dedicated spaces for networking, knowledge exchange, and strategic partnerships, supporting businesses, researchers, and innovators working in the UK’s growing space sector.”

Steven Broadbent, Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, said: “The opening of the Westcott Space Hub marks a transformative moment for Buckinghamshire and the UK’s space sector. This project exemplifies the power of collaboration between local government, industry leaders and national agencies. Buckinghamshire has a proud heritage in propulsion and aerospace innovation, stretching back to the Skylark rocket programme. The Hub builds on that legacy by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for research, development and training, attracting cutting-edge businesses and generating high-skilled jobs for our residents. Buckinghamshire Council is proud to play its part in this exciting journey.”

URA Thrusters, which develops sustainable propulsion solutions for spacecraft, has expanded into one of the main buildings of the Hub which will enable other companies to access world-class testing and development facilities without relocating abroad.

URA will deliver the Flight Models of two UK and European first propulsion solutions from Westcott. The first water electrolysis propulsion system and the first low power (50 W) electrospray thruster, which are planned to be launched from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, in 2027.

Westcott Venture Park is already home to an established and growing community of innovative companies focused on space propulsion, autonomous systems, robotics, and communications, and is home of the National Space Propulsion Test Facility (NSPTF), also funded by the UK Space Agency. Thanks to the new shared facilities, Westcott is able to offer world-class testing and development.

The UK Space Agency’s Space Clusters Infrastructure Fund has awarded more than £45.6 m for 13 projects since it launched in 2023. This funding is complemented by over £43.8 m in match funding from the sector, generating a total of £89.6 m of private/public investment in space research and development infrastructure.

15 Jan 26. MDA Adds 340 Vendors to $151bn SHIELD Enterprise in Third Major Tranche/ The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has executed a third massive tranche of contract awards under its Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) program, adding 340 contractors to the vehicle today, Jan. 15, 2026.

This latest round of awards reinforces SHIELD’s status as a cornerstone acquisition strategy for the agency, operating under a shared ceiling of $151 bn. According to the Department of Defense contract announcement released today, the vehicle is designed to allow the MDA and other defense entities to “rapidly compete orders” under a single, flexible enterprise structure.

Rapid Expansion of the Industrial Base

The announcement follows a rapid-fire sequence of expansion for the indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) vehicle. The MDA previously announced an initial tranche of 1,014 awards on Dec. 2, 2025, followed closely by a second announcement of 1,086 awards on Dec. 18, 2025.

With today’s addition, the total number of vendors eligible to compete for task orders has swelled significantly, reflecting a strategy to maximize competition. The selection process was highly contested, with the MDA reporting that 2,463 offers were received via the System for Award Management website.

Several important satellite and space companies were included in the awards:

Major Launch & Infrastructure Providers

Blue Origin, LLC
Firefly Aerospace Inc
Relativity Space, Inc.
Axiom Space Inc
Gravitics, Inc.
Evolution Space, Inc.

Satellite Manufacturing, Operations & Services

Maxar Space LLC
AST Space Mobile USA LLC
Hawkeye 360 Federal, Inc.
Astroscale US Inc
Antaris, Inc.
NovaWurks, Inc
Oakman Aerospace, LLC

Space Domain Awareness & Communications

LeoLabs Federal, Inc.
SES Space & Defense, Inc.
Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services, Inc.
Skyloom Global Corp.
BlueHalo LLC

Propulsion & Specialized Tech

Exoterra Resource LLC
Astro Digital US Inc
Odyssey Space Research, L.L.C.

Technical Priorities and Timeline

The SHIELD vehicle differs from traditional hardware procurement by emphasizing digital maturity and speed. According to the contract solicitation details, the scope encompasses “a broad range of work areas” intended to deliver capabilities to the warfighter with increased agility.

Specific technical requirements outlined in the award notification include:

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning: Applications to accelerate decision-making and threat identification.
Digital Engineering: Maximizing the use of model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and agile processes.
Open Architectures: Ensuring new systems can integrate seamlessly with existing defense networks.

Program Structure

Performance under the SHIELD contracts will take place across the United States. If all options are exercised, work is scheduled to continue through December 2035.

The MDA confirmed that no funds will be obligated on the base awards; instead, funding will be obligated at the individual order level as specific mission requirements are competed among the pool of vendors. The contracting activity is the MDA, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

What This Means

The sheer volume of vendors now attached to SHIELD suggests the MDA is moving toward a “marketplace” model of acquisition. By lowering the barrier to entry for hundreds of companies, the agency is betting that increased competition will drive down costs and surface non-traditional solutions for homeland defense. (Source: Satnews)

13 Jan 26. Department of Defense Adopts SpaceX Iteration Model to Accelerate Defense Acquisition. Speaking alongside SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, Hegseth outlined an “AI-first” transformation designed to operate at wartime speed, explicitly citing SpaceX’s rapid prototyping and “fail fast” methodology as the new blueprint for the Department of War. The visit is a centerpiece of the “Arsenal of Freedom” industry tour, which included a stop at Lockheed Martin’s F-35 facility in Fort Worth just 24 hours prior. During the Starbase event, Hegseth confirmed the appointment of Emil Michael as the department’s sole Chief Technology Officer (CTO), tasked with dismantling the “bureaucratic underbrush” that has historically slowed the deployment of space and AI assets.

Transition to the Warfighting Acquisition System

The visit marks the operational phase of the Warfighting Acquisition System, a policy overhaul announced by the Department of the Air Force on January 8. This mandate shifts the acquisition culture from compliance-based oversight to a dynamic model that prioritizes the speed of delivery over “exquisite” multi-decade development cycles. Under this new framework, Program Executive Officers have been redesignated as Portfolio Acquisition Executives (PAEs), granted the authority to make immediate trades between cost and performance to meet urgent warfighter needs. This structural shift aligns with the administration’s broader “Golden Dome” initiative, which seeks to field a proliferated layer of space-based interceptors and sensors. By leveraging commercial manufacturing scales seen at Starbase, the Department of War aims to bypass legacy prime contractors that Hegseth characterized as “risk-averse.”

Deployment of Grok and Gemini Military AI

A critical technical pillar of the Starbase announcement is the immediate integration of xAI’s Grok and Google’s Gemini into military networks. Hegseth directed the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO) to enforce “data decrees” that will make combat-proven intelligence available across federated IT systems for AI exploitation.

Technical specifications for the AI rollout include:

Security Clearance: Deployment at Impact Level 5 (IL5), enabling the secure handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Network Reach: Integration across both unclassified and classified Pentagon networks by the end of January 2026.
Operational Intent: Utilizing Grok’s “anti-woke” architecture to provide tactical analysis without the ideological constraints found in rival consumer-grade models.

Perspective on Bureaucratic Disruption

“Winning requires a new playbook. Elon wrote it with his algorithm—question every requirement, delete the dumb ones, and accelerate like hell,” said Secretary Pete Hegseth. “In modern warfare, the fastest innovator and iterator will be the winner, and no one can out-innovate an American entrepreneur who has been liberated from the constraints of cycling bureaucracy. We are clearing the debris, Elon-style, with a chainsaw.”

Hegseth’s remarks underscored a pivot toward the “Musk Stack”—a vertically integrated approach to defense where launch, connectivity, and intelligence are treated as a singular, rapidly evolving ecosystem rather than isolated government programs.

Outlook for National Security Space Launch

As the Department of War moves to operationalize these reforms, industry watchers are focusing on the 2027 “fly-off” for the next generation of space-based interceptors. The Starbase visit reinforces the military’s intent to utilize Starship as the primary heavy-lift platform for the 480-satellite MILNET constellation, a partnership intended to secure American orbital dominance. The successful integration of commercial AI into the Pentagon’s core signifies a permanent shift toward the “sovereign-commercial nexus,” where the distinction between private innovation and national defense continues to blur. (Source: Satnews)

12 Jan 26. As SpaceX Targets 50,000 Starlink Satellites, China Files for 200,000-Unit Mega-Constellation. In a significant escalation of the orbital broadband race, China has submitted a major regulatory filing with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for a massive satellite constellation totaling approximately 200,000 spacecraft. The move highlights a strategic ambition to deploy a network that would quadruple the current long-term deployment goals of SpaceX’s Starlink, which is working toward a 50,000-satellite architecture. The filing indicates that China is moving to operationalize a parallel commercial launch sector, often referred to as a “Shadow Starlink,” to compete directly with Western Low Earth Orbit (LEO) dominance.

Geopolitical Competition in the LEO Sector

This development validates the ongoing “Surge” strategy from Chinese space authorities, specifically focusing on the G60 Starlink and Guowang projects. By filing for such a high volume of orbital slots, China is positioning itself to challenge the primary-occupant status currently held by the United States and its commercial partners.

The scale of this competition directly impacts several industry layers:

Regulatory Oversight: Increased pressure on the ITU to manage orbital debris and spectrum allocation for hundreds of thousands of active nodes.
National Security: The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expressed concerns regarding the geopolitical implications of a Chinese-controlled global broadband network.
Commercial Viability: The massive influx of capacity could fundamentally alter the economics of global satellite internet pricing.

The Rise of the G60 Breakout

The filing is part of a broader trend where China seeks a “breakout” from traditional state-run space operations to more agile, commercially modeled constellations. This “G60 Breakout” represents a move toward high-cadence manufacturing and launch capabilities intended to match the vertical integration of the “Musk Stack”.

The strategy focuses on building domestic launch hubs and satellite production facilities that can output thousands of units annually, a necessity if China intends to populate even a fraction of the 200,000 slots requested in the ITU filing.

Outlook: Regulatory and Orbital Hurdles

As China and the U.S. move closer to a 2027 milestone for constellation maturity, the international community faces unprecedented challenges in space traffic management. While the filing for 200,000 satellites represents a declaration of intent, significant technical and regulatory hurdles remain before such a fleet can be successfully deployed.

Future scrutiny from the ITU and the FCC will likely focus on the “bring-into-use” (BIU) requirements, which mandate that a percentage of the filed satellites must be operational within a specific timeframe to retain the spectrum rights. Failure to meet these milestones could lead to a significant reduction in China’s authorized orbital capacity. (Source: Satnews)

09 Jan 26. Rivada Space Networks: Time for an announcement? For many years Rivada Space Networks has kept the market on tenterhooks regarding its plans for a 576-craft mega-constellation for its ‘Outernet’ laser-linked LEO fleet. Fresh news might be forthcoming, although nothing is congfirmed – as yet. But there are clues that something is bubbling under. Rivada Networks (the Space division is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rivada Networks) is backed, in part, by Peter Thiel, a German-US entrepreneur and co-founder of PayPal (with Elon Musk), Palantir Technologies and a high-profile investor in Facebook, and according to Forbes worth some $25bn. Rivada has continued to state that it is still working with Terran although its preliminary work has been suspended. On December 1st 2025 Declan Ganley, CEO at Rivada, said the firm had won a long-running dispute with Chinese-backed entities over Rivada’s rights to satellite spectrum. He commented: “I received good Thanksgiving day news from my excellent legal teams in Liechtenstein and Germany.” Rivada’s second major problem is timing. Under ITU rules, Rivada must launch 300 satellites (288+12 spares) by this Summer (144 by June, and 144 by September), and the rest must be deployed by mid-2028. Failure to meet these days places Rivada’s ITU orbital spectrum priorities at risk. An extremely dated announcement once talked of Rivada’s deployment starting in 2024 and with global coverage by 2026. Those commitments have clearly been missed, and – as yet – there’s no firm news on the cash. Even if money were to turn up tomorrow then Rivada would need to heavily lobby the ITU for permission to launch well after the mid-Summer 2026 dates. But there might be signs of ‘white smoke’ from above Rivada’s Munich, Germany HQ. The first clue is that Rivada is hiring, including a Director Procurement, and VP/Procurement Management, IT Support Engineer, Ground Segment System Architect. Rivada’s Berlin office wanted a Director Spevctrum Development. Rivada has also made no secret that it has won some valuable contracts. Just before the holiday it announced that NOW Group had signed a new deal with Rivada, as has Commercis Partners, and around a half-dozen other business (based in the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, India, Singapore and Australia) as well as a December 2024 contract with the US Navy. Rivada puts up regular VIP speakers at industry conferences and summits, extolling the vertues of its Outernet scheme. Clemens Kaiser (Chief Program Officer) is scheduled to speak at Germany’s Handelsblatt’s Security Conference in Berlin on January 18. But what of the clues that something is bubbling under? Senior staff hirings are one indicator. The Christmas holiday period also saw a slew of celebratory images issued by Rivada, as well as reminders of a “New Year, New Job” invitations for the above listed hirings. The message said: “From traditional German Christmas markets to sun-soaked Hawaiian beaches, our employee merchandise has been involved with lots of festivities across the globe, showing that our team spirit spreads far and wide…just like Rivada’s Outernet where connectivity reaches everywhere with pole-to-pole coverage!” Rivada has been busy signing up businesses, service agreements and market access licences with – it claims – a combined value more than $18bn in connectivity. Three months ago Rivada’s SVP/Corporate Communications said that a little more patience was needed. Just before the holiday he updated his comment, saying: “While I can’t disclose anything right now, I hope to be able to say more very soon!” Does this imply positive news? Does Rivada now have the bns of funding needed to re-start production? And the vital question as to whether Rivada – and its licensing authorities – can pursuade the ITU to grant it some sort of postponement to its mid-Summer 2026 launch obligations? (Source: Satnews)

16 Jan 26. Starlink-rival Eutelsat signs deal with Europe’s MaiaSpace to launch satellites. European satellite operator Eutelsat (ETL.PA), osaid on Friday it had signed a deal with French space startup MaiaSpace for the future launches of its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, in a major strategic boost for Europe as it seeks to catch up with U.S. rival SpaceX. The agreement with MaiaSpace, a subsidiary of Europe’s largest rocket maker ArianeGroup, is a multi-launch deal set to start in 2027.MaiaSpace will add a complementary launch option alongside existing partners, said Arlen Kassighian, chief engineering officer at Eutelsat. Eutelsat owns OneWeb, which is currently the world’s only other operational LEO constellation besides Elon Musk’s Starlink. OneWeb is considered a strategic asset by the French and British governments, two of Eutelsat’s largest shareholders, because its satellites provide secure internet access to governments, militaries, businesses and consumers in underserved areas.

French President Emmanuel Macron last year called on Europe to step up its space strategy to counter Starlink, and said on Thursday that France would accelerate the use of LEO satellite constellations.

MaiaSpace is developing a partially reusable mini-launcher that would make it the first of its kind in Europe. Reusable rockets help reduce launch costs and allow for more frequent launches. SpaceX has been using its partially reusable Falcon 9 rocket for more than a decade and is testing an upgraded version, Starship, designed for full reusability. Ariane 6 is Europe’s main heavy launch system but it is not reusable. SpaceX’s rockets have supported a high launch frequency that enabled the deployment of more than 9,000 Starlink satellites. Eutelsat has relied on SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organisation for recent launches, though OneWeb sent its first satellites into orbit with Russia’s Soyuz before cancelling the partnership in the wake of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Eutelsat, which acquired OneWeb in 2023, plans to launch 440 Airbus-built LEO satellites in the coming years to replenish and expand its constellation. MaiaSpace, founded in 2022, expects to begin commercial operations in 2026. (Source: Reuters)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

January 16, 2026 by

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15 Jan 26. TrustPoint, a pioneer in next-generation space-based positioning and navigation solutions, has successfully transmitted its first Low Earth Orbit Navigation System (LEONS) time-transfer and tracking signals from a compact TrustPoint ground node to spacecraft in orbit. This milestone marks a critical step toward achieving GPS independence, accelerating the advancement of TrustPoint’s next-generation commercial navigation infrastructure, and strengthening the company’s ability to deliver resilient, precise, and globally available positioning and timing when it matters most. To deliver accurate time and position to users on Earth, GNSS satellites must first know their own time and orbital state. Today, most LEO spacecraft depend on GPS or heritage MEO signals for that information, but growing interference and jamming are increasingly affecting LEO, degrading or denying those links. TrustPoint’s LEONS eliminates that vulnerability. Originally developed to power TrustPoint’s own constellation, LEONS delivers GPS-independent time transfer and orbit tracking, and is designed to scale for other LEO operators seeking resilient timing and navigation for their space systems. This demonstrated ground-to-space infrastructure lays the foundation for a more robust, GPS-independent position, navigation, and timing (PNT) layer in orbit, paving the way for fully independent PNT for users on Earth.

“With the pace of modern threats accelerating, the difference between concepts and capabilities matters,” said Nicole Hilliard, Director of Government Programs at TrustPoint. “This milestone demonstrates that commercial partners can field resilient, GPS-independent PNT capabilities that strengthen national security architectures and justify continued investment in companies that deliver.”

This demonstration is a major step forward in TrustPoint’s contributions to the SpaceWERX AltPNT Challenge. The challenge awarded the company two contracts to accelerate the transition of alternative PNT capabilities from concept to deployment. The program aims to rapidly field new, resilient options for precise, dual-use PNT.

About TrustPoint

TrustPoint is creating a new class of resilient navigation solutions designed to power the next era of autonomy and national security. Built on a modern C-band LEO architecture, TrustPoint’s system delivers secure, high-performance PNT that works reliably in environments where legacy services struggle. By combining advanced satellite capabilities with scalable ground infrastructure, TrustPoint provides a trusted foundation for autonomous navigation, critical infrastructure, and national security. Learn more at www.trustpointgps.com

About SpaceWERX

As the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force and a unique division within AFWERX, SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SpaceWERX employs military, civilian and contractor personnel executing an annual $457m budget. Additionally, SpaceWERX partners with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office (COMSO) as a collaborative program. Since it was aligned under AFRL in Aug. 2021, SpaceWERX has awarded over 1,470 contracts worth more than $1.46bn to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: spacewerx.us. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

14 Jan 26. Airbus UpNext, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, has launched a new demonstrator called Airbus UpNext SpaceRAN (Space Radio Access Network). Its mission is to enable standardised global connectivity by exploring advanced 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) capabilities. Airbus is committed to providing customers with a secure and cost-effective way to stay connected in an increasingly digitised world. This demonstrator aims to explore the 5G NTN, a versatile connectivity technology compatible with all types of business applications. Whether for commercial, defence or governmental use, it will confirm the feasibility of providing universal connectivity that is standardised, interoperable, and globally available. Airbus UpNext SpaceRAN will leverage Airbus’ software-defined satellite1 capabilities to manage and optimise 5G signals in orbit. By processing data directly in space rather than simply relaying it, the demonstrator2 will prove that we can reduce latency, maximise data throughput, and enable more efficient network management and routing, opening the door to user to user direct connectivity.

“The successful exploration of this technology will unlock advantages across various sectors. For commercial aviation, it holds the potential to boost operational efficiency and simplify interoperability, all while enabling enhanced passenger experiences,” says Michael Augello, CEO of Airbus UpNext. “Similarly, for the military and government sectors, it aims to provide more resilient and secure communications, supporting improved situational awareness and accelerating real-time decision-making.”

To bring this initiative to life, Airbus has assembled a consortium of partners, including Aalyria, AccelerComm, CesiumAstro, Deutsche Telekom, Eutelsat, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Keysight Technologies, Onati, Radisys, Sener and ST Engineering iDirect. Developed as part of Air!5G, a project supported by the French government through the France 2030 investment plan under the Future Networks strategy, this demonstrator is expected to show its first results by 2028. It will be key to preparing the next generation of wireless technology (6G) and eventually driving down the cost of orbital data transmission.

12 Jan 26. US Federal Communications Commission approves 7,500 Starlink satellites. The US Federal Communications Commission has formally approved the expansion of SpaceX’s second generation of Starlink satellite deployment. Under the new authorisation, the company can build, launch and operate an additional 7,500 second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellites, lifting the total constellation to 15,000 satellites worldwide. The expansion is expected to improve high-speed, low-latency internet access across the globe, including enhanced mobile connectivity and supplemental coverage delivered directly from space. The decision by the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) was supported by collaboration with the US Department of Commerce and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. FCC chairman Brendan Carr said the approval marked a turning point for next-generation communications services: “President Trump is restoring America’s technology leadership.” As part of the approval, SpaceX will upgrade its Gen2 satellites with new form factors and advanced technologies. The satellites will operate across a wide range of frequencies – including Ku, Ka, V, E and W bands – and support both fixed and mobile satellite services. The FCC has also waived a number of outdated technical rules that previously restricted overlapping beam coverage, allowing SpaceX to significantly increase network capacity. New orbital shells will be added at altitudes between 340 and 485 kilometres, designed to optimise coverage, performance and latency. The expanded network will enable direct-to-mobile connectivity outside the United States and provide supplemental mobile coverage within the US, laying the groundwork for future satellite-enabled mobile services.

Chairman Carr added, “This FCC authorisation is a game changer. By approving 15,000 new and advanced satellites, the FCC has given SpaceX the green light to deliver unprecedented satellite broadband capabilities, strengthen competition, and help ensure no community is left behind.”

SpaceX was first licensed to operate the original Starlink Generation 1 network in March 2018. Since then, the company has rapidly deployed satellites to deliver broadband to remote and underserved areas in the US and overseas. Nearly 4,000 satellites have been launched so far, with Starlink now providing high-speed internet to more than 1 m locations worldwide, most of them households. Demand for the service has surged, particularly in regions with limited or non-existent broadband options, prompting SpaceX to accelerate deployment. With the authorisation of the second-generation Starlink network, SpaceX said users can expect even faster speeds and greater reliability. The Gen2 satellites will deliver substantially higher throughput than earlier models, translating to more bandwidth and improved performance for customers. The company said the upgrade will ultimately bring high-speed internet access to millions more people, regardless of where they live. (Source: Space Connect)

12 Jan 26. Satellite communications solutions provider SES will provide secure uninterrupted satellite communications to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for a minimum of 16 years thanks to a new extended agreement. The service will be provided via the SES Intelsat 22 satellite and an ultra-high frequency (UHF) military communications payload. Under the renewed arrangement, SES will reposition the IS-22 satellite to a new orbital slot specified by the ADF, continuing a mission that has been the cornerstone of Australia’s secure military communications since IS-22’s launch in 2012. SES will build a dedicated ground segment, including a purpose-built antenna facility on Australian soil, solidifying the infrastructure needed for seamless operations now and into the future.

“This agreement ensures critical communications capability for the ADF and its strategic partners across the Indo-Pacific,” said Philippe Glaesner, SVP of SES Global Government. “At a time when secure, sovereign communications are more vital than ever, it provides operational certainty and supports Australia’s long-term resilience and leadership in defense. We are proud to serve as both a technological partner and strategic enabler for the ADF.”

The IS-22 satellite’s UHF payload has been virtually irreplaceable for the Australian Defence Force, supporting both national missions and joint operations with key allies, most notably the United States. With no other comparable UHF capacity immediately available in the Indo-Pacific, the continuation of service via IS-22 positions Australia to maintain a critical communications advantage, while supporting multinational defense collaboration. The current industry context has seen a sharp increase in demand for secure military satellite communications worldwide, particularly in UHF, where supply is extremely limited. By securing access to the IS-22’s capabilities for years to come, the ADF will maintain not only continuity but a strategic edge in command and control, secure mobility, and coalition interoperability. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

12 Jan 26. HawkEye 360, the global leader in signals intelligence data and analytics, today announced the successful launch of its latest satellite trio, Cluster 13, and confirmed initial communications with the satellites. Cluster 13, integrated via Exolaunch, launched into a sun-synchronous orbit as part of the Twilight rideshare mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. This successful deployment and initial contact advance HawkEye 360’s ability to support U.S. Government and international partners with consistent, high-quality radio-frequency insights across multi-domain mission environments. Operating in a sun-synchronous orbit, the satellites provide consistent opportunities to collect RF data over key regions, strengthening the delivery of RF insights worldwide.

“Cluster 13 strengthens our ability to provide the critical RF insights our partners need to navigate today’s complex mission landscape,” said John Serafini, CEO of HawkEye 360. “Alongside our recent acquisition and funding milestone, this launch reflects a continued investment in the technology, people, and capabilities our customers rely on, reinforcing HawkEye 360’s role as a leader in signals intelligence.”

The payload leverages advanced RF detection, enhanced onboard processing, and upgraded waveform-collection capabilities first introduced across recent launches. Together, these technologies capture a broader range of signals with greater clarity, improve geolocation performance, enhance onboard processing, and increase overall collection capacity. As a result, HawkEye 360 strengthens multi-domain mission support and enables customers to access RF insights more efficiently. Following commissioning and on-orbit checkout, the satellites will integrate into HawkEye 360’s space-derived signals intelligence architecture. This integration advances the company’s use of scalable signal processing and AI-enabled analytics to detect, characterize, and geolocate radio-frequency activity worldwide, reinforcing HawkEye 360’s defense-tech mission to deliver trusted domain awareness and support critical operations for defense and government partners. (Source: PR Newswire)

05 Jan 26. UK Space Agency Seeks Satellite Direct-to-Device Solutions for Delayed Emergency Services Network. The UK Space Agency (UKSA), acting on behalf of the Home Office’s Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme (ESMCP), has officially invited industry input to integrate satellite direct-to-device (D2D) technology into the national Emergency Services Network (ESN). The move aims to leverage Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations to eliminate terrestrial coverage gaps that have plagued the project for over a decade.

Solving the “Final 5%” Coverage Gap

The ESN is intended to replace the aging Airwave TETRA-based radio system with a modern 4G/5G platform provided by EE (BT Group). While terrestrial infrastructure covers most of the population, significant “not-spots” remain in rural and coastal areas. By utilizing D2D technology, the UKSA hopes to provide emergency personnel with seamless connectivity using standard smartphones, bypassing the need for specialized satellite handsets or external antennas. The integration focuses on Mission-Critical Messaging, SMS and location data in remote locations. Further, future-proofing for high-bandwidth video and voice-over-LTE via satellite as constellations mature. Providing a redundant backup to terrestrial cell towers during network outages or natural disasters will be a critical component of the project.

Key Contenders and Partnerships

Several major space players are positioned to support the ESN expansion:

SpaceX (Starlink): Currently the most mature D2C provider. Notably, BT Group (EE’s parent company) signed a broadband agreement with Starlink in 2025, making them a front-runner for any ESN satellite extension.
AST SpaceMobile: Partnered with Vodafone Group, AST expects to provide “intermittent nationwide” LEO service in 2026, with continuous service planned for later in the year as more BlueBird satellites are deployed.
Eutelsat OneWeb: The UK-backed LEO operator is also developing D2D capabilities to complement its existing enterprise and government broadband offerings.

Regulatory and Program Milestones

The timing of the UKSA’s request for information coincides with Ofcom’s new regulatory framework, which came into force in late 2025. This framework allows Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) to use their existing terrestrial spectrum for satellite-to-phone links, removing legal barriers for a 2026 commercial launch. However, the ESN project itself remains a “high-risk” endeavor. Originally slated for 2017, the full transition from Airwave is now not expected until December 2029, with total program costs estimated to exceed £11 bn.

Looking Ahead

The Home Office is currently finalizing a £1.11 bn framework for ESN-compliant end-user devices, which is expected to be awarded in summer 2026. These devices will likely be the first to feature the integrated satellite-terrestrial roaming capabilities currently being explored by the UKSA. (Source: Satnews)

06 Jan 26. Congress Rejects White House Cuts, Proposes $24.4bn for NASA in FY2026. In a bipartisan rebuke of proposed executive austerity, the House Appropriations Committee released its Fiscal Year 2026 spending bill on January 5, 2026, proposing $24.4bn for NASA. The figure stands in stark contrast to the deep cuts requested by the Trump administration, which had sought to reduce the agency’s topline to under $22 bn by targeting Earth Science and long-duration exploration missions. The proposed budget represents a $1.1 bn increase over the FY2025 enacted level, signaling strong legislative support for maintaining American leadership in both deep-space exploration and planetary science.

Saving Flagship Science: Dragonfly and Roman

Congressional appropriators specifically moved to protect several “at-risk” flagship missions that had been zeroed out or significantly reduced in the White House budget request:

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: Received its full requested funding of $380m, ensuring a 2027 launch remains on schedule to study dark energy and exoplanets.
Dragonfly: The nuclear-powered rotorcraft mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan, was allocated $435m, rejecting the White House’s proposed “indefinite pause” on the project.
Earth Science: While the administration sought a 20% reduction, Congress restored funding to $2.2 bn, supporting the Earth System Observatory and climate-monitoring constellations.

The Mars Sample Return (MSR) Compromise

One of the most debated lines in the budget—Mars Sample Return—received $650m. While lower than the $1 bn some advocates sought, it is significantly higher than the administration’s proposed $300m “skeleton” budget. This allocation is designed to keep the mission viable while NASA completes its internal architecture review to reduce total program costs.

Artemis and Lunar Infrastructure

The Artemis program remains the agency’s largest single investment, with Congress proposing $7.6bn for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate. This includes full funding for the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft, as well as continued support for the Human Landing System (HLS) and the development of the Lunar Gateway.

“This budget reflects the understanding that NASA is not a discretionary luxury, but a strategic engine for American innovation,” said a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee during the bill’s markup. “By rejecting these short-sighted cuts, we are ensuring that the Artemis Generation stays on the Moon and our robotic explorers reach Titan and Mars”.

Timeline and Next Steps

The bill now moves to the House floor for a full vote before being reconciled with the Senate version, which is expected to be released later this month. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson welcomed the proposal, stating that the agency is “grateful for the bipartisan recognition of NASA’s value to the nation”.

If the $24.4bn figure holds through reconciliation, it will mark the fourth consecutive year of budget growth for the agency despite shifting political climates in Washington. (Source: Satnews)

13 Jan 26. Orbion Space Technology has delivered 33 Aurora Hall-effect propulsion modules to York Space Systems (York) for use on spacecraft being built for a military constellation. Propulsion units from earlier production runs are already operating on York spacecraft in orbit. Orbion, which produces its Hall-effect electric propulsion systems through a vertically integrated, high-volume process at its facility in Houghton, Michigan, enables the reliable maneuvering and long-duration propulsion of spacecraft for commercial, civil, and national-security purposes. As part of its commitment to strengthening national space infrastructure, it is manufacturing propulsion systems for a number of upcoming U.S. defense missions. Brad King, the co-founder and CEO of Orbion, says customers trust the company because it delivers consistently.

“Our customers rely on us to provide propulsion systems that perform as expected on orbit,” he said. “Their confidence comes from our consistency. For Orbion, delivering flight-ready hardware is not a milestone – it’s the way we operate.

Michael Lajczok, CTO of York, said: “Building and sustaining national security constellations requires partners who are proven on orbit and reliable in production. Orbion has proven to be a partner we can depend on, with the consistency and execution these missions demand.”

Orbion’s structured production line allows for the steady output of flight-ready systems, with the Aurora thruster moving through design, qualification, assembly, and acceptance testing under one roof. This approach allows Orbion to standardize components, shorten lead times, and maintain quality control throughout the full lifecycle. This delivery supports national-security missions in Low Earth Orbit that require precise maneuvering, sustained propulsion, and the ability to avoid collisions reliably. Working alongside York Space Systems, Orbion’s hardware is supporting the deployment and long-term operation of the military constellation, meeting its need for stable on-orbit positioning and response mission operations.

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06 Jan 26. Sierra Space, a proven defense-tech company delivering solutions for the nation’s most critical missions and advancing the future of security in space, announced today the completion of the first nine satellite structures, Plane 1 of the 18 total satellites Sierra Space is contracted to deliver for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer (T2TRK) program. Achieved three months ahead of schedule, this milestone underscores Sierra Space’s ability to meet key program milestones with efficiency and precision, helping to ensure that the T2TRK program remains on track for delivery and launch readiness.

“We stood up our high-rate manufacturing facility, Victory Works, to meet the demanding requirements of our customer,” said Erik Daehler, Senior Vice President of Sierra Space Defense. “To go from a successful Critical Design Review to completing the Plane 1 satellite structures—three months ahead of schedule—is a powerful validation of our investment in scalable infrastructure. Our team is energized as we move into the next phase of Plane 1 development, focusing on assembly, integration, and testing, while also beginning the satellite structure build for Plane 2, the remaining nine satellites of the 18-satellite constellation for SDA.”

The next stage currently planned for Plane 1 is a transition to the assembly, integration, and testing (AI&T) phase, during which components, subsystems, and payloads are expected to be integrated and subjected to rigorous testing to verify performance and readiness for deployment.

“As we move closer to delivering this capability, every phase of development is essential to ensuring mission success,” added Daehler. “We believe the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer will provide unmatched missile tracking capabilities for SDA and its mission partners, and we remain committed to meeting each milestone with precision and speed.”

Building on this momentum, Sierra Space is also preparing to expand its capabilities to meet future demands for advanced fire-control and missile defense tracking systems.

“This mission is too important to not be continuously evolving,” said John Wagner, Sierra Space Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. “We are scaling our production capabilities and advancing our detection technologies, including the next generation of fire-control missile defense sensors. We believe our infrastructure, expertise, and track record position us to support the Department of War’s evolving needs for advanced tracking and missile defense.”

Sierra Space is contracted to deliver two orbital planes of satellites—18 in total—equipped with advanced infrared sensors to detect and track ballistic, hypersonic, and next-generation missile threats.

Sierra Space’s progress highlights its ability to combine commercial agility with deep defense expertise, delivering advanced solutions that meet the Department of War’s priorities. With over 30 years of spaceflight heritage and a track record of supporting more than 500 missions, Sierra Space continues to lead the way in building resilient mission systems for national security and allied partners.

About Tranche 2

The Tranche 2 Tracking Layer’s 54 satellites will build upon the Tranche 1 Tracking Layer capabilities with a select number of satellite vehicles that will incorporate fire control missile defense infrared sensors that can generate fire control quality tracks to provide preliminary missile defense mission capabilities in support of warfighter missions around the globe.

The Tracking Layer is focused on delivering a global constellation of infrared missile warning and missile tracking satellites that integrate with the Transport Layer’s low-latency meshed communication network, enabling advanced missile tracking from proliferated low-Earth orbit. Once completely fielded, the Tranche 2 constellation will consist of approximately 270 operational Transport and Tracking Layer satellites.

About Sierra Space

Headquartered in Colorado, Sierra Space is an industry-leading defense-tech space company. We design, manufacture, and deliver satellites, spacecraft and space subsystems including reusable spaceplanes, hypersonic technologies, propulsion systems, and infrastructure for the nation’s most critical missions.

With more than three decades of space flight heritage, expansive classified and unclassified infrastructure and disruptive cutting-edge technology, Sierra Space is trusted by National Security, civil and commercial customers. Our flight-proven technologies advance our customers’ missions, including safeguarding our nation, protecting space-based assets, and enabling the next generation of space exploration and economic development.

Sierra Space is dedicated to defining the new era of space defense, strengthening deterrence today and preserving freedom of action for generations to come. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

05 Jan 26. Exxelia introduces a custom Smart Integrated Magnetics solution for space power conversion applications. Exxelia has developed a new Smart Integrated Magnetics solution designed for advanced power conditioning and distribution units (PCDUs) operating in constrained and demanding environments such as space systems. This solution is not a standard catalog product; it is the result of a custom development. It has been engineered to meet specific electrical, thermal and mechanical requirements defined at system level and can be adapted to meet any set of customer specifications. Exxelia new Smart Integrated Magnetics solution combines the transformer and the inductor of a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) within a single, compact magnetic assembly. This integrated approach aims to reduce volume, mass and interconnection complexity while maintaining electrical performance at high switching frequencies. The targeted application is isolated DC-DC power conversion in space-grade PCDUs, where efficiency, reliability, and mechanical robustness are key design drivers. From a technical standpoint, this Smart Integrated Magnetic is designed for a power level of 1 to 2kW at a switching frequency of 100 to 200kHz (example). The associated inductor provides an inductance of few µH. The overall assembly reaches an efficiency level close to 99% under nominal operating conditions, reflecting careful optimization of core materials, winding architecture and magnetic coupling. Particular attention has been paid to losses and thermal behavior, which are critical in low-convection environments. Mechanical integration was a central aspect of the development. The complete magnetic solution fits into a low-profile / planar package measuring approximately 75 × 65 × 20 mm, with a total mass of around 250 g. This compact form factor is intended to facilitate integration into densely populated power electronics modules, while also supporting resistance to mechanical stresses typically encountered during launch and operation. The design was carried out to address severe environmental constraints, including thermal cycling and mechanical loads, which are characteristic of space applications. Material selection, impregnation processes and structural design were adapted accordingly to ensure long-term stability and compatibility with qualification requirements. This Smart Integrated Magnetics solution illustrates Exxelia’s capability to deliver fully customised magnetic components, developed in close interaction with system architects and power electronics engineers. While the solution presented here is specific to a given program and set of constraints, it reflects a broader approach that can be adapted to other high-reliability applications requiring compact, efficient and integrated magnetic designs.

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About Exxelia

Exxelia is a leading global designer and manufacturer of high performance passive components and subsystems with factories in France, Morocco, United States, India and Vietnam. Exxelia’s product portfolio includes a wide range of capacitors (film, tantalum, ceramic and electrolytic capacitors) and ruggedized magnetic products (inductors, transformers, rotor, stator, etc.), resistors, slip rings, position sensors, medical sensors and high-precision mechanical parts. Recognized worldwide for its advanced design and technical expertise, Exxelia develops both “catalog” and “custom” products exclusively serving high-reliability markets such as aeronautic, space, defense, medical, transportation, telecommunication infrastructure and advanced industrial applications. Additional information can be found at www.exxelia.com.

29 Dec 25. U.S. Space Force and SpaceX Partner to Develop 480-Satellite MILNET. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) has confirmed the deployment of a dedicated military satellite communications architecture, designated “MILNET,” in partnership with SpaceX. The constellation will consist of approximately 480 satellites designed to provide high-bandwidth, resilient communications for global military operations. While funded by the Space Force to meet specific Department of Defense (DoD) connectivity requirements, the program’s acquisition is being administered through the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). This arrangement allows the Space Force to leverage the existing Starshield contract framework—originally established in 2021 and expanded in 2024—to rapidly procure compliant satellite buses and launch services without initiating a new, multi-year solicitation process.

Integration with Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture

MILNET is designed to operate as a high-capacity “backbone” layer alongside the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) currently being built by the Space Development Agency (SDA).

While the SDA’s Transport Layer focuses on low-latency tactical data inputs (such as Link 16), MILNET provides the heavy-lift data transport required to move massive intelligence and sensor files across theaters. This hybrid approach allows the USSF to utilize SpaceX’s volume production to achieve orbital density, complementing the SDA’s multi-vendor tactical mesh.

Technical Specifications and Security

The MILNET satellites will operate in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and utilize Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISL)—standardized laser communications terminals—to form a mesh network that reduces reliance on ground stations. Key technical parameters include:

Satellite Count: ~480 units.
Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO).
Encryption: National Security Agency (NSA) High Assurance Internet Protocol Encryptor (HAIPE) compliance for classified data transport.
Infrastructure: Interoperable with both Starshield and SDA-compliant ground terminals.

SpaceX has begun production of these units, which adapt the Starshield bus to host specific USSF communications payloads while retaining the hardening requirements mandated by the NRO’s baseline standards.

Strategic Implications

In a statement regarding the program’s objective, military officials emphasized the need for “resilient, distributed communications that can withstand electronic warfare and kinetic threats.” The deployment underscores the DoD’s strategy of “Buy vs. Build,” utilizing commercial-derivative architectures to accelerate the fielding of resilient orbital capabilities.

Timeline to Operational Status

The USSF expects the first batch of dedicated MILNET satellites to begin deployment in mid-2026. Initial operating capability is projected for late 2027, concurrent with ongoing validation tests to ensure seamless data handoffs between the MILNET mesh and the SDA’s Transport Layer.

Correction & Update Note

A previous version of this article conflated the specific mission profiles of the SDA Transport Layer and the new MILNET initiative.

Procurement Clarification: MILNET is not a separate $1.8 bn contract but is procured via Task Orders attached to the existing NRO Starshield contract vehicle. This explains why an Intelligence Community agency (NRO) is managing a Space Force communications buy.
Tactical Data Links: The article has been updated to reflect that MILNET primarily serves as a high-bandwidth backhaul layer (strategic data transport). It complements, rather than replaces, the SDA Transport Layer, which remains the primary carrier for direct-to-weapon “tactical” data links (like Link 16).
OISL Context: References to Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISL) have been contextualized to clarify that while they are a core feature, they are a standard capability of the Starshield platform rather than a unique development for this specific program. (Source: Satnews)

01 Jan 26. AT&T, AST SpaceMobile Advance Satellite-to-Cell Expansion Following BlueBird 6 Deployment. AT&T and AST SpaceMobile announced several infrastructure milestones on December 30, 2025, to support the expansion of direct-to-cell satellite connectivity across the United States. The updates follow the December 23 deployment of BlueBird 6, the first of the company’s Block 2 satellites, which is designed to provide broadband services directly to unmodified smartphones using AT&T’s terrestrial spectrum. The information was disclosed in a report from Zacks Investment Research and confirmed by company statements detailing the activation of a fourth satellite ground gateway. This gateway acts as the primary interface between the orbiting satellite constellation and AT&T’s core network.

BlueBird 6 Technical Specifications

BlueBird 6 was launched aboard an Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) LVM3 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. The satellite features a phased array antenna measuring approximately 2,400 square feet, making it 3.5 times larger than the five BlueBird Block 1 satellites launched in September 2024. The Block 2 architecture is designed to support peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps, enabling voice, video, and high-speed data transmissions.

FirstNet Integration and Public Safety Testing

AT&T is currently integrating these satellite capabilities into FirstNet, the dedicated communications platform for public safety. Field testing is underway with the Texas Department of Public Safety, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office in Colorado. These agencies are evaluating satellite-based mission-critical push-to-talk (MCPTT) and FirstNet Fusion services to provide connectivity in remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable.

Program Context and Market Dynamics

The collaboration is governed by a definitive commercial agreement signed in May 2024. This partnership faces competition from T-Mobile US, which is beta testing a similar service with SpaceX’s Starlink, and Verizon, which recently entered its own agreement to utilize AST SpaceMobile’s network via 850 MHz low-band spectrum. To date, AST SpaceMobile has secured partnerships with more than 50 mobile network operators globally.

Timeline to 2026 Commercial Service

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile intend to initiate a beta satellite service for a select group of commercial and FirstNet users in the first half of 2026. The company aims to accelerate its launch cadence to one mission every 1–2 months, targeting a constellation of 45–60 satellites by the end of 2026 to provide continuous cellular broadband coverage throughout the United States. (Source: Satnews)

24 Dec 25. DoD Report: China’s ISR Fleet Swells to 510+ Satellites, ‘Informatized’ Warfare Accelerates. The Department of Defense (DoD) released its mandated “2025 Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China” report on Tuesday, confirming that Beijing’s operational satellite fleet has expanded to more than 1,189 spacecraft, with a specific emphasis on space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). According to the assessment, China now operates over 510 ISR-capable satellites equipped with optical, multispectral, radar, and radiofrequency sensors. This figure represents a massive surge in persistent monitoring capabilities, allowing the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) to track U.S. carrier strike groups and expeditionary forces across the Indo-Pacific with increasing revisit rates.

A Decade of Exponential Growth

The 2025 report underscores a dramatic shift in the orbital balance of power. Since 2015, China’s on-orbit presence has grown by approximately 927 percent. The PLA’s strategy has transitioned from merely owning space assets to integrating them into “informatized” warfare—a concept that treats information dominance as the decisive factor in modern conflict. This expansion is not limited to military-specific platforms. The report highlights the “Civil-Military Fusion” strategy, noting the deployment of the G60 (Thousand Sails) commercial megaconstellation. As of mid-2025, China had launched approximately 90 satellites for the G60 network, which is projected to grow to 13,000 satellites to compete directly with Western proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) architectures.

Counterspace and Dual-Use Threats

The DoD assessment raises specific concerns regarding dual-use technologies that function as counterspace weapons. The report cites operations involving the Shijian-21 (SJ-21) and Shijian-25 (SJ-25) satellites, which have conducted close-proximity maneuvers and probable refueling experiments in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO). While Beijing characterizes these missions as debris mitigation or servicing trials—such as the documented tugging of a defunct BeiDou satellite to a graveyard orbit—U.S. defense officials warn these capabilities can be repurposed to grapple and disable adversary spacecraft during a conflict.

Additionally, the report details the PLA’s continued fielding of ground-based counterspace weapons, including:

Direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missiles capable of targeting LEO satellites.
Directed energy weapons (lasers) designed to blind or damage optical sensors.
Electronic warfare jammers targeting GPS and satellite communications.

‘Intelligentization’ by 2027

The release aligns with the PLA’s broader modernization timeline. The report notes that Beijing is accelerating the “intelligentization” of its forces—the integration of AI and autonomy into military command structures—ahead of its 2027 centennial goals.

This trend was visible in January 2025, when Chinese medical teams utilized the Apstar-6D satellite to conduct remote robotic surgeries from 3,000 kilometers away, demonstrating the high-throughput, low-latency capabilities now available to PLA logistics and field support units.

The DoD concludes that the PLA views space superiority not just as a support function, but as a critical “destroy and disrupt” theater essential for deterring or defeating third-party intervention in a regional crisis. (Source: Satnews)

25 Dec 25. SpaceRISE Consortium Initiates Procurement for IRIS² Satellite and Launch Services. Operational signals from the SpaceRISE consortium—comprising SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat—indicated the multi-orbit IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) program has transitioned into the active procurement phase. The consortium has begun the preparation of Request for Proposal (RFP) documentation for both satellite hardware and launch services, marking the first significant movement toward physical acquisition since the signing of the concession agreement. The shift into procurement was confirmed by recent talent acquisition requirements at Eutelsat, where newly appointed procurement and system engineering roles are tasked with the immediate “preparation of the satellite and launch services RFP.” This phase follows the signing of a 12-year concession contract between the European Commission (EC) and SpaceRISE on December 16, 2024, which allocated approximately €10.6 bn for the development and operation of the sovereign European constellation.

Strategic Transition to Hardware Acquisition

The initiation of the RFP process suggests that the “competitive dialogue” stage—previously focused on narrowing the field of prime contractors for the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) segment—is reaching a conclusion. As of late 2025, the competition for the LEO segment was centered on two primary bidders: Airbus Defence and Space of France and Aerospacelab of Belgium. The current procurement push indicates the consortium is moving beyond design reviews to finalize contractual awards for the manufacturing of the 272-satellite LEO fleet. The IRIS² program serves as the European Union’s flagship initiative to establish a secure, multi-layered communications backbone. By integrating the existing LEO expertise of Eutelsat (via its OneWeb assets) and the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) capabilities of SES, the architecture aims to provide resilient governmental communications and bridge the digital divide for EU member states.

Technical Architecture and Mission Parameters

The planned constellation will utilize a multi-orbit architecture to ensure continuous coverage and high-performance throughput:

LEO Segment: 272 satellites at an altitude of 1,200 km, designed for low-latency broadband and 5G-equivalent connectivity.
MEO Segment: 18 satellites at an altitude of 8,000 km, leveraging SES’s established orbital infrastructure to provide high-capacity throughput.
Inter-Satellite Links: The fleet will employ optical laser technology to maintain mesh network connectivity, reducing reliance on terrestrial ground stations outside of European borders.
Sustainability: Consortium members have committed to non-emissive satellite designs to minimize interference with astronomical observations and strict debris mitigation protocols.

“IRIS² is integral to Europe’s space strategy and is already fostering enhanced collaboration and innovation between the industry and public sectors,” said Adel Al-Saleh, chief executive officer of SES, during the program’s initial contract signing.

Timeline to 2030 Operational Status

The next milestone for the SpaceRISE consortium involves the evaluation of the upcoming satellite and launch RFPs. While the European Commission targets initial governmental services by 2030, the 2026–2027 period is expected to focus on the Critical Design Review (CDR) and the first batch of satellite manufacturing.

The launch services RFP will likely prioritize European launch vehicles, specifically the Ariane 6, to maintain the program’s mandate for strategic autonomy. Full operational readiness of the constellation remains slated for 2031, following a phased deployment beginning in late 2029. (Source: Satnews)

24 Dec 25. Second Reusable Rocket Failure in One Month Leaves China Chasing U.S. Lead. China’s ambition to operationalize reusable launch vehicles encountered another setback on Tuesday, Dec. 23, as the state-owned Long March 12A successfully delivered its payload to orbit but failed to recover its first-stage booster. The incident marks the nation’s second failed recovery attempt in less than 30 days, underscoring the persistent technological gap between China’s aerospace sector and established U.S. heavyweights like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), a subsidiary of the state-run China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. (CASC), confirmed that the rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center at 10:00 a.m. local time. While the second stage functioned nominally, placing test satellites into their designated orbits, the reusable first stage crashed during its return attempt.

Methalox Configuration

The Long March 12A (CZ-12A) represents a significant evolution in CASC’s medium-lift portfolio. Standing 62 meters tall, the vehicle is capable of lifting 12 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO). Unlike its predecessor, the standard Long March 12, which utilizes kerosene, the 12A variant has been upgraded to run on methane and liquid oxygen (methalox)—a fuel combination favored for reusability due to its cleaner burn and lower coking properties.

The vehicle features a 3.8-meter diameter core, optimized for transport via China’s rail network, and is designed to bridge the capacity gap for high-density constellation deployments.

A Difficult December

The crash follows a similar failure earlier this month by commercial provider LandSpace. On Dec. 3, that company’s Zhuque-3 rocket also failed to stick its landing after a successful orbital insertion, highlighting the difficulty of the “last mile” in vertical recovery. These back-to-back failures place China approximately a decade behind the United States in reusable rocketry. SpaceX first recovered a Falcon 9 booster in December 2015. More recently, Blue Origin successfully landed its heavy-lift New Glenn booster on its second attempt in November 2025, further cementing the U.S. advantage.

Critical Path for Constellations

Despite the setbacks, the development of the Long March 12A remains a national priority. Beijing views reusable launch vehicles as the only viable economic path to deploying the Guowang and Qianfan megaconstellations, which aim to field nearly 26,000 satellites combined. Without the rapid turnaround and cost reductions promised by reusability, these state-backed networks may struggle to compete with the deployment cadence of Starlink. CASC engineers are currently analyzing telemetry data to determine the cause of the landing anomaly, with no date set for the next test flight. (Source: Satnews)

24 Dec 25. AST SpaceMobile Deploys BlueBird 6, Largest Commercial Array in LEO. AST SpaceMobile successfully deployed BlueBird 6 into low Earth orbit on Tuesday, marking the first successful launch of its next-generation Block 2 satellites. The spacecraft lifted off at 10:25 p.m. EST (Dec. 23) aboard an ISRO LVM3 rocket from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India.

Block 2 Payload Specifications

The BlueBird 6 satellite features a phased array antenna spanning nearly 2,400 square feet, making it the largest commercial communications array ever deployed in low Earth orbit. The spacecraft is approximately 3.5 times larger than the BlueBirds 1-5 satellites launched in September 2024 and offers 10 times the data capacity. Designed to connect directly to standard smartphones without specialized hardware, the system supports peak data rates of up to 120 Mbps for voice, data, and video applications.

Program Context and Manufacturing

This mission validates AST SpaceMobile’s transition to scaled manufacturing at its facilities in Midland, Texas, following announcements that the satellite was ready to ship in October. The Block 2 architecture leverages AST’s portfolio of over 3,800 patents to support agreements with more than 50 mobile network operators globally, including AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone.

“BlueBird 6 is a breakthrough moment for AST SpaceMobile,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “This launch validates years of U.S. innovation and American manufacturing… and marks the transition to scaled deployment.”

Launch Cadence to 2026

The successful deployment initiates an aggressive launch campaign. AST SpaceMobile aims to orbit 45 to 60 satellites by the end of 2026, targeting a launch cadence of one mission every one to two months on average. This constellation is intended to provide continuous space-based cellular broadband coverage across the United States and select global markets. (Source: Satnews)

01 Jan 26. Starlink plans to lower satellite orbit to enhance safety in 2026. Starlink will begin a reconfiguration of its satellite constellation by lowering all of its satellites orbiting at around 550 km (342 miles) to 480 km over the course of 2026, Michael Nicolls, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink engineering, said on Thursday. The company is looking to increase space safety by lowering the satellites’ orbit. This comes after Starlink said in December that one of its satellites experienced an anomaly in space, creating a “small” amount of debris and cutting off communications with the spacecraft at 418 km in altitude, a rare kinetic accident in orbit for the satellite internet giant. The company had said the satellite, one of nearly 10,000 in space for its broadband internet network, quickly fell four kilometers in altitude, suggesting some kind of explosion occurred on board.

“Lowering the satellites results in condensing Starlink orbits, and will increase space safety in several ways,” Nicolls said in a post on social media platform X, adding “the number of debris objects and planned satellite constellations is significantly lower below 500 km, reducing the aggregate likelihood of collision.”

The number of spacecraft in Earth’s orbit has jumped sharply in recent years as companies and countries race to deploy tens of thousands of satellites for internet constellations and other space-based services such as communications and Earth imagery. SpaceX, long known for its rocket launch business, has become the world’s largest satellite operator through Starlink, a network of nearly 10,000 satellites beaming broadband internet to consumers, governments and enterprise customers. (Source: Reuters)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 28, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

22 Dec 25. Collins Aerospace, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, showcased its latest innovation in anti-jam Assured Positioning Navigation and Timing (APNT) technology during the U.S. Army’s All-Domain Persistent Experiment at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The successful demonstration highlighted Collins’ smallest APNT ground solution to date, offering advanced capabilities in a portable, modular form.

The business’s Compact Modular Open Systems Standards (CMOSS) Mounted Form Factor (CMFF) card can be used to provide resilient navigation for ground vehicles, including robotic and autonomous platforms. While paired with an external antenna, the solution demonstrated exceptional performance in a denied and degraded GPS environment.

“Our card provides highly precise navigation in contested environments, and a scalable, cost-effective solution that is ready now for integration on a variety of platforms,” said Sandy Brown, vice president and general manager of Mission Critical Products at Collins Aerospace. “The smaller form factor allows for faster mission customization and improved situational awareness.”

During the experiment, Collins’ APNT system maintained assured navigation despite the presence of a significant number of jammers and spoofers. Leveraging Military-code GPS and internal and external organic sensors, the solution fused multiple data sources to ensure uninterrupted connectivity for ground vehicles, even in the absence of reliable GPS data.

All-Domain Persistent Experiment is the Army’s open-air experimentation environment to test capabilities in Denied/Degraded, Intermittent, Limited conditions to advance sensor technologies, networks, data processing, PNT and electronic warfare systems. (Source: PR Newswire)

22 Dec 25. Rocket Lab Successfully Launches for iQPS, Ends 2025 with 21 Launches and 100% Mission Succes. Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 21st Electron rocket of the year to deploy the latest satellite to space for multi-launch customer Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company.

‘The Wisdom God Guides’ mission launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on December 21 at 7:36 p.m. (06:36 UTC) to deploy the QPS-SAR-15 to space for iQPS. The spacecraft will join the company’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation providing near-real time imagery across twelve different orbits for iQPS’ global customers. Rocket Lab first launched for iQPS in 2023 and has gone on to deploy seven satellites to the iQPS constellation, making Electron the primary launcher for iQPS. A further five launches on Electron for iQPS are planned from 2026.

Today’s mission has set a new annual launch record for Electron: 21 launches in one year with 100% mission success. The record cements Electron as both America’s preeminent small launch provider and the world’s most frequently-launched small-lift orbital rocket.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Congratulations to iQPS on this latest successful mission for their constellation, and to the Rocket Lab team on a fantastic record-setting year of Electron launches. Electron makes frequent and reliable launch look easy as it outpaces all other American small-lift orbital rockets, year after year. In 2026 we’re expanding Electron’s global reach with more multi-launch constellation deployments, dedicated missions for domestic civil space and international space agencies in Japan and Europe, and both suborbital and orbital launches with defense applications for hypersonic technology and national security. Our new record of annual launches and the breadth of upcoming missions goes to show how much of a global impact Electron continues to have on the space industry, and we’re looking forward to another year of continued execution in 2026.”

‘The Wisdom God Guides’ mission was Rocket Lab’s 79th overall Electron mission and final scheduled launch for 2025. The next Electron launch is slated to take place in early Q1 2026. (Source: ASD Network)

22 Dec 25. NGC Selected for Space Development Agency’s TRKT3 Mission. Northrop Grumman is set to deliver 150 satellites as part of Tranches 1, 2 and 3 for the Space Development Agency’s missile defense initiative, providing scalable solutions for rapid missile warning and tracking. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) was competitively awarded a Tracking Layer of Tranche 3 (TRKT3) contract by the Space Development Agency (SDA) to deliver resilient, integrated missile warning and tracking satellites, a component of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) mission.

Northrop Grumman’s TRKT3 will:

Accelerate the capability to provide global detection, warning and tracking of hypersonic weapons and advanced missiles from the earliest stages of launch through interception.
Provide precision fire-control sensing data with sufficient accuracy for interception.
Deliver data to decision makers to act quickly against hypersonic threats when integrated with the Transport Layer, PWSA’s mesh satellite communications network.
Build on Tracking Layer capabilities of Tranche 1 (T1) and Tranche 2 (T2) with targeted technology enhancements, expanded coverage and increased integration.
Capitalize on more than 30,000 square feet of allocated PWSA manufacturing space for the production and delivery of 18 satellites equipped with infrared sensors at speed and scale.

Experts:

Brandon White, vice president and general manager of space-enabled multi-domain operations division at Northrop Grumman: “Northrop Grumman’s contributions to both high and low altitude layers of our nation’s missile warning and tracking architecture help protect our nation from a wide range of threats. With our extensive history of fielding operational Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) satellites, we are poised to rapidly deliver the TRKT3 satellites to the SDA.”

Market forecast by Region, Type, Application, and End-User. Market and Technologies Overview, Country and Impact Analysis, and Leading Companies

Details on Program:

The PWSA is SDA’s initiative to create a global mesh-networked missile defense and communications architecture in low-Earth orbit. TRKT3 is the third installment of the tracking layer that responds to the rise of hypersonic missiles, which maneuver in flight and require infrared tracking and low-latency, timely data to counter effectively. The tracking layer works hand-in-hand with the transport layer, which provides the high-speed data that U.S. troops need to combat threats when operating around the globe. Northrop Grumman is providing both space vehicles and ground systems for the tracking and transport layers of this next-generation constellation. The company is on course to deliver 150 satellites as part of Tranches 1, 2 and 3 that will enhance the capabilities of PWSA. The first plane of Northrop Grumman’s Transport Layer of Tranche 1 satellites is scheduled for launch in early 2026. (Source: ASD Network)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 18, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

17 Dec 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) successfully integrated its third Gen-3 satellite into commercial operations just three weeks following launch, reflecting an exponential increase in commissioning speed since the launch of its first Gen-3 unit. This accomplishment reflects another remarkable performance milestone as the company seamlessly expands reliable capacity for very high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enabled analytics for customers worldwide.

“Integrating our latest Gen-3 satellite into the BlackSky Spectra platform in just 21 days following launch is proof positive that our first-of-its-kind end-to-end architecture is delivering incredible operational value to our customers at disruptive speed, scale and economics,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Achieving effective market penetration and expansion with Gen-3 is the direct result of meeting customer commitments and delivering exceptional mission-relevant value through a disciplined ‘land and expand’ approach.”

BlackSky customers now have access to all three current Gen-3 satellites through the Spectra® tasking and analytics platform with the ability to collect time-diverse, high-cadence day and nighttime imagery, including high off-nadir collections, with automated AI-enabled vessel, aircraft and vehicle detection and identification analytics.

“With every successful Gen-3 performance milestone, BlackSky demonstrates that we are unequivocally meeting global demand for flexible, secure tactical ISR capabilities at unprecedented speed. When we launched our first Gen-3, we received first light imagery in 5 days with our second and third units delivering imagery in as fast as twelve hours,” added O’Toole.

BlackSky’s rapid commissioning process places tasking capacity into customers’ hands quickly and increases the overall operational life of each satellite as they come online sooner. Customers no longer have to wait months to access capacity from newly launched on-orbit assets — timelines typically associated with traditional commissioning timelines. BlackSky’s best-in-class Gen-3 capabilities continue to exceed performance specifications for low-latency, very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics where speed-to-insight is essential to mission success. With three Gen-3 satellites now on orbit, the company plans to grow the constellation at a regular cadence. Each new Gen-3 satellite expands capacity, lowers latency, adds flexibility and increases customer applications for automated real-time and predictive battlefield monitoring. The company is leveraging its full technology stack of vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, software and AI solutions to meet global customer demand for guaranteed access to data, when and where customers need it, through novel delivery models like capacity sharing, Assured subscription access or full sovereign systems.

16 Dec 25. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (NASDAQ: DRS) announced today the successful first on-orbit test of its revolutionary multi-channel software-defined radio (SDR) with integrated advanced cryptography. This milestone marks a significant advance in validating a technology poised to establish a new standard for secure U.S. military satellite data transport at the tactical edge. The eXtended Crypto Module3-Space (XCM3-Space) adapts the company’s next-generation crypto and multi-channel SDR capabilities to the space domain, addressing emerging cyber and electronic warfare threats to military satellite data transport. Leveraging deep expertise in multi-domain secure tactical communications, Leonardo DRS developed this capability to enable high-performance secure satellite communications across multiple frequencies and networks simultaneously. The Department of War has routinely called on its industrial base to invest and innovate at speed. Leonardo DRS has seriously undertaken that charter through increased research and development investment across its business. This internal investment, which was completed in less than twelve months, also demonstrates the company’s ability to design, build, test and launch unique and operational capabilities rapidly. The future of space-based data transport in low-earth orbit will require computing and processing at the edge. This capability will be a key enabler for space-based detection and interception of ballistic and hypersonic missile threats, which will require onboard data encryption and decryption capabilities.

“Secure, flexible satellite data transport is the backbone of modern military operations,” said Larry Ezell, senior vice president and general manager of Leonardo DRS Airborne and Intelligence Systems. “Our investments in next-generation low Earth orbit SDR provides a decisive leap forward, overcoming the limitations of legacy systems that are rigid and difficult to update once deployed. With crypto-enabled, fully reprogrammable architecture, this SDR is designed to support current and future secure transport needs for the U.S. Space Force, Space Development Agency, the Missile Defense Agency’s Golden Dome priorities, and other critical all-domain missions.”

Launched aboard a Proteus Mercury satellite in late November, the XCM3-Space testbed operated successfully in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), meeting all primary objectives. A second system is scheduled for launch in 2026 to demonstrate additional edge processing and waveform capabilities. Leonardo DRS accelerates delivery of advanced tactical-edge solutions by integrating cutting-edge commercial technologies with proven open-architecture innovations. Alongside XCM3-Space, the company’s strategic investments in AI and open-architecture edge computing promise to transform the space domain.

16 Dec 25. Eutelsat Network Solutions, the company that empowers the U.S. government and its allies to connect confidently, and Intellian Technologies, a leading global provider of satellite communication antennas and ground gateway solutions, today announced a strategic partnership. Under the agreement, Eutelsat Network Solutions will initiate the global launch and availability of Intellian Technologies’ OW7MP Manpack satellite communications (SATCOM) user terminal. Eutelsat Network Solutions is a wholly owned independent U.S. proxy company and subsidiary of Eutelsat, a global connectivity provider and world’s only GEO–LEO operator. The Intellian OW7MP Manpack is engineered to operate on Eutelsat’s low-latency OneWeb low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network.

“We’re proud to serve as the worldwide launch partner for Intellian’s OW7MP Manpack,” said Ian Canning, President and CEO, Eutelsat Network Solutions. “The Manpack offers the exceptional connectivity and continuous situational awareness our customers expect, operating in even the most challenging government and military environments.”

“Eutelsat Network Solutions is a leader known for its reputation and dedication to delivering customer-first solutions,” said Eric Sung, CEO of Intellian Technologies. “Eutelsat Network Solutions is a trusted partner to its customers, providing dependable, enterprise-grade connectivity engineered to perform in the most challenging environments. We are proud to form this strategic partnership and launch the Manpack terminal first through Eutelsat Network Solutions, accelerating access to reliable SATCOM connectivity worldwide.”

Intellian’s OW7MP Manpack is designed for demanding, high-pressure conflict environments, offering rapid deployment through one-touch network acquisition and automated true north calibration. Its optimized, lightweight form factor and durable construction are engineered to withstand front-line, mission-critical operations, all while fitting easily into a standard military backpack. The OW7MP Manpack also offers situational performance without disruption. It features resilient Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) support, enabling the use of alternative positioning, navigation and timing (A-PNT) devices to maintain operations in denied environments. To learn more about the Intellian OW7MP Manpack user terminal or schedule a demo, visit https://eutelsatns.us/contact/.

16 Dec 25. CTech delivers equator-optimised satcom to Asian country. Turkish firm CTech has delivered satellite communications (satcom) systems to support unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) exported to an Asian country operating in the equatorial region. The company said the delivery features its SkyARX Ku-20 Qx airborne terminal, which has been adapted for the specific tracking challenges associated with geostationary satellites positioned directly above the equator. UAVs conducting beyond-line-of-sight missions rely on satcom to transmit high-definition video; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data; and command-and-control information. However, in equatorial areas the satellite appears almost overhead, requiring the aircraft-mounted antenna to point at elevation angles approaching 90°. Conventional three-axis stabilised antennas struggle in this geometry, as the required tracking speed and acceleration increase sharply near the zenith – an issue commonly referred to as the ‘keyhole effect’. This can result in intermittent tracking or the temporary loss of a link. To mitigate this challenge, CTech said it has developed a four-axis antenna architecture for the SkyARX Ku-20 Qx terminal. According to CTech CEO Cüneyd Fırat, this antenna incorporates a cross-elevation axis in addition to the traditional azimuth, elevation, and polarisation axes, reducing mechanical stress and maintaining accurate tracking at high elevation angles. According to CTech, the system provides 0.2° RMS (root mean square) tracking accuracy and improved stabilisation against aircraft roll, making it suitable for UAV platforms operating in turbulent or dynamic flight conditions. The Ku-band terminal supports DVB-S2 with VCM/ACM, AES-256 encryption, and uplink power control. It is qualified to MIL-STD-810G, MIL-STD-461E, and MIL-STD-704F standards, and is certified for operation up to 45,000 ft. CTech states that the solution is designed to ensure uninterrupted, secure connectivity for ISR and command missions in regions where airborne satcom links typically face their greatest limitations. (Source: Janes)

15 Dec 25. UK Space Agency goes global with 23 new projects. A new batch of 23 projects will strengthen international space partnerships, develop national capabilities and boost economic growth, the UK Space Agency announced today. This is the second round of projects from the successful International Bilateral Fund (IBF), representing a £6.5 m boost for UK companies and universities collaborating internationally on space innovation with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania, and the USA. From autonomous 3D printing and lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection, biotech manufacturing, medical research and deep space radar, these collaborations span life sciences, communications, in-orbit servicing, Earth observation and advanced materials. They showcase the breadth of expertise across the UK’s vibrant space sector, which employs more than 55,000 people and generates £18.6 bn in annual revenue.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “This £6.5m boost shows Britain leading the way in space innovation. From improving mobile coverage to monitoring Earth’s forests, these 23 projects will create jobs, strengthen partnerships with our allies, and keep the UK at the cutting edge of space technology. It’s an exciting time for our space sector and great news for British businesses reaching for the stars. The space funding boost, announced during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, demonstrates the UK’s commitment to international partnerships and a wide range of areas where the space sector can contribute to economic growth. As set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is increasing bilateral research & development funding with international allies. The IBF is a critical mechanism for this, providing targeted support for UK-led international collaborations and building capabilities and partnerships across the global space sector.”

Today’s announcement follows the agreement between NASA and the UK Space Agency to develop AI models to support future exploration missions, under the Transatlantic Tech Prosperity Deal, as well as the successful launch of the NASA IMAP mission on 23 September, for which UK scientists contributed a key instrument.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “These new projects span the full spectrum of UK space expertise, from telecommunications, propulsion and environmental monitoring to cutting-edge technologies that could change how we develop treatments for deadly diseases using microgravity. By combining home-grown talent with global expertise, we want to strengthen our capabilities, support growth, and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UK Space Agency, ahead of its integration into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) from 1 April 2026. The merger will create a single civil space unit, streamlining strategy, policy, and delivery, building on recent achievements and ensuring the government supports the UK space sector effectively.

UKspace Executive Director, Colin Baldwin, said: “The UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund is going from strength to strength, providing a stimulus for the UK’s space sector to forge new partnerships with organisations around the globe, covering such a broad range of space interests. We are pleased to see so many of UKspace’s members and partners involved in the selected projects, enabling them to bring their world-class expertise to these exciting collaborations.

Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said: “Advancements in space technology make our world smaller, our society more innovative and our lives more prosperous. We are delighted to see the IBF enabling international partnerships to that end. ADS has worked extensively to champion the UK’s thriving space sector in key strategic markets such as Japan and Lithuania. We look forward to working in close collaboration with government to build on this important work further.”

Call 2 Projects to date

Preparing to launch an Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator, University of Leicester x NASA Glenn Research Centre x Perpetual Atomics x Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory – £499,000

Advancement of Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator (Am-RSG) technology towards a near-term flight opportunity, and accelerating commercial, civil and defence applications of the Am-RSG to provide further opportunities and increase the customer base for the technology. This project will establish a strategic UK sovereign capability and help build international partnerships for export and trade.

UK-India-5G-from-orbit, AccelerComm Ltd x Radisys India Ltd (India) – £498,000

The next generation of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) is dependent on 5G base stations operating on board satellites. Making this happen in the extreme environment of an orbiting satellite requires technology developed by AccelerComm and Radisys. This project will integrate the latest versions of AccelerComm’s technology into Radisys’s lab in India, providing a valuable resource for joint research and demonstrations to customers and partners around the world.

AquaWatch AUK: Satellite Mission Development for Water Monitoring Innovation, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) x Pixalytics Ltd x Assimila Ltd x University of Stirling x RAL Space x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Deloitte (Australia) – £479,000

Building on the successes of earlier AquaWatch-AUK projects, this initiative strengthens the UK-Australia Space Bridge, enabling satellite development to address global water quality challenges through innovative Earth Observation technologies. By integrating satellite and in-situ measurements, it creates a scalable monitoring system that improves data access, supports better decision-making, and benefits industries like tourism and agriculture.

Long Baseline Multistatic Radar for Deep Space Domain Awareness, University of Birmingham x Goonhilly Earth Station x University of Manchester x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Lincoln Laboratory (USA) – £452,000

This project proposes Long Baseline Multistatic Radar (LBMR), linking powerful transmitters (e.g., Millstone Hill, Kwajalein) with sensitive receivers in the UK and Australia. The system will enable real-time detection and tracking of smaller, distant GEO objects. The project will deliver a live demonstration, a significant step towards validating LBMR as a scalable, low-cost solution for operational Space Domain Awareness.

SLOSH-CAT: Slosh Control Algorithm Testing, Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd x Space Machines x University of Sydney (Australia) – £447,000

SLOSH-Cat explores how liquid fuel moves inside spacecraft and how that movement affects their ability to stay stable and point accurately in space. Using advanced sensors and motion tracking, the team studies how shifting fuel can cause small disturbances. These insights help improve the software that controls spacecraft, making them safer and more precise as Space Machines prepares for its MAITRI mission launch next year.

ARGUS: Autonomous Rendezvous for GEO Utility & Surveillance, Lunasa Ltd x Space Machines Company PTY Ltd (Australia) – £392,000

This project will develop a key technology for an upcoming ISAM mission, integrating Lúnasa’s autonomous StarLogic RPO kit into Space Machines’ commercial GEO inspection satellite, GEO-Viper. The system will be upgraded for the GEO environment, advancing from TRL-5 to TRL-7 to deliver a flight-ready rendezvous, proximity, and operations solution.

RANGER: Relative Autonomous Navigation for GNSS-Enabled Rendezvous, Lunasa Ltd x Infinite Orbits (France) – £367,000

This project aims to advance Lúnasa’s high-precision R-GNSS relative navigation technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through integration with Infinite Orbits’ servicing satellite, in preparation for a forthcoming commercial in-orbit servicing mission. The project will encompass hardware-software integration, simulation and performance analysis, as well as testing and qualification for space readiness.

PROJECT BRIDGE, Frontier Space Technologies Ltd x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) x Undisclosed US Pharma (USA) – £366,000

This project will design a Cargo Handling System for next-generation space infrastructure, enabling safe, repeatable life sciences research in orbit. By combining UK engineering with real-world pharma input, BRIDGE supports the future of space-based drug development and biomanufacturing, positioning the UK as a leader in microgravity-enabled health innovation and shaping how biological science is done in space after the ISS.

Project MITHRIL: Avionics Integration and Control Demo on the Impulse Mira Platform, Lodestar Space Ltd. x University College London x Impulse Space (USA) – £363,000

This project integrates Lodestar’s MITHRIL onto the Impulse Mira spacecraft and develops formation flying techniques to enable responsive Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for UK and US dual-use needs. It culminates in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop validation campaign, de-risking the future orbital launch while strengthening joint US and UK on-orbit response capacity. This project is being catalysed through private investment.

UK detector technology for NASA high-resolution imaging of the Moon and Mars, Open University x BAE Space Mission Systems x University of Arizona (USA) – £362,000

This project will design a TDI rolling scene simulator and conduct radiation testing of the CIS125 detector at Moon/Mars mission representative doses to advance the UK-developed CIS125 ‘CCD in CMOS’ detector for future high-resolution imaging missions to the Moon, Mars, and Earth. This international collaboration builds on strong US-UK partnerships and aims to lay the foundation for HiRISE2, a next-generation imaging instrument delivering a world-leading resolution for planetary science, commercial, and defence applications.

In-Orbit Distributed Additive Manufacturing with Manufacturability Intelligence (IN-DAMMI), Autonomous Manufacturing Ltd x Photocentric, APWorks GMBH (Germany) – £330,000

A UK-Germany collaboration that will connect space-ready 3D printers to Earth-based control software, allowing engineers to remotely manufacture parts in orbit. It will also use AI to identify which spacecraft components are suitable for in-space production. By reducing reliance on Earth-based supply chains, this innovation will lower launch costs, increase mission flexibility, and strengthen the UK’s position in space manufacturing.

Cosmic Maker II: International Demonstration of Autonomous Multi-Material 3D Printing in Microgravity, Photocentric Ltd x Voyager Space Nanoracks (USA/Italy) x Novespace (Germany) – £299,000

Cosmic Maker II will demonstrate autonomous 3D printing in space-like conditions using advanced ceramic and polymer materials. Building on the success of the ESA- and BSGN-supported Cosmic Maker I, this next phase will validate the system during real microgravity through a parabolic flight campaign. The 3D printing platform designed to enable in-orbit manufacturing of tools, components, and research parts for the International Space Station and future platforms like Starlab.

Edit 15 December 2025: Voyager Technologies Europe is not participating in the delivery of this project.

BioPTSS: Biofeedback Integrated Personalised Tourniquet System For Spaceflight, Northumbria University x Western Clinical Engineering Group x Delfi Medical Innovations Inc. x Canadian Space Agency x European Space Agency x NASA (Canada, Germany, USA) – £287,000

This project aims to improve astronaut health on missions beyond low Earth orbit by developing and optimising blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) with the associated Personalised Tourniquet System for Spaceflight (PTSS). Building on the recent SpaceX launch evaluating BFRE in orbit, it will integrate biofeedback technology into space-qualified PTSS hardware for real-time monitoring and optimisation of the exercise stimulus.

ISAM Biotech Pilot Project: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Solutions in a New Commercial Space Incubator, Kayser Space Limited x Kings College London x COMAT (France) – £252,000

This project will develop a commercial platform to support biotech research and in-orbit manufacturing in microgravity, demonstrating vascularised tissue growth in a relevant environment. It will also mature the business case for future Low Earth Orbit customers, creating a scalable asset for drug development, organoids, and tissue engineering beyond the ISS.

Beam-Steering Conformal Antenna Array Integrated with Flexible LoRa Electronics for Lightweight Satellite Communication, University of Leeds x University of New South Wales (UNSW) (Australia) – £150,000

This project will create a lightweight, curved satellite communication system by integrating a printed beam-steering antenna with a flexible long-range wireless circuit on a carbon fibre structure. The prototype will demonstrate low power use, reduced weight, and improved reliability for next-generation nano/pico-satellites and mobile platforms, paving the way for more agile and cost-effective space missions.

ETV Phase 1 – Preliminary Design Review of the Economical Transfer Vehicle, Meridian Space Command x Alpha Impulsion (France) – £150,000

This project will advance the development of the Economical Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the world’s first “self-eating” spacecraft. he ETV is a next-generation logistics and payload-hosting spacecraft powered by an autophage engine that actively consumes its own structural tank during flight. Designed for high delta-V missions, it will transport payloads across Earth orbits and beyond, supporting future in-orbit servicing, infrastructure, and deep space logistics.

QUIVER – Derisking High-Rate Intersatellite Links for Realtime Collaborative Constellations, Open Cosmos Ltd x Panasonic Operational Excellence Co. (Japan) – £147,000

This project will explore higher-frequency, high-bandwidth radio links to enable satellites to work together for faster, more comprehensive monitoring and data collection. It will combine the advantages of radio and optical links while avoiding some of their limitations. A key focus will be designing a suitable antenna and developing tools to analyse and optimise constellation operations.

Project Oracle of Nyx: Onboard Threat Characterisation for Dual-Use Applications for Nyx, Lodestar Space Ltd. x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) – £135,000

Project Oracle of Nyx will pioneer new approaches to Space Domain Awareness (SDA) through the development of a dual-use sensor suite to detect and characterise orbital threats. Lodestar’s sensor suite will be designed to interface with TEC’s Nyx spacecraft, laying the groundwork for future missions to the ISS.

Flora Fidelity: Advancing Hyperspectral Forestry Monitoring Through UK-Canada Space Collaboration, Gentian (UK) x Bullfinch Earth (Canada) – £127,000

A UK–Canadian collaboration applying Earth Observation, wearable sensors and AI technologies to solve long-standing challenges in forest monitoring: the lack of efficient forest surveys combining below-crown and above-crown forest data and the difficulty in obtaining accurate, low-cost, precisely-located ecological data for training satellite-based models.

IGNITE – Innovative GaN-based Wireless Transmission for Space Energy, Bumblebee x MDA Space (Canada) – £127,000

This project will create a proof-of-concept high-frequency Inductive Wireless Power Transfer (IWPT) system that replaces failure-prone mechanical connectors on lunar rovers, robotic arms and payload interfaces. The system has the potential to significantly extend the service life of this equipment which will increase scientific knowledge and reduce mission costs.

Physical Emulator Interface for Scalable Microgravity-R&D Modules for Quantum and Advanced Materials, Elethron x Atmos Space Cargo GmbH (Germany) – £127,000

Elethron is developing an integrated solution comprising powerful computational engines and autonomous, space-based advanced materials fabrication laboratories designed to integrate with the emerging free-flyer supply chain.

Astro-SANITAS (Stable Anti-Necrotic for In-space Tissue Augmentation and Survival): Halting Aging and Safeguarding Life in Space, LinkGevity x Delta Biosciences (Lithuania) – £120,000

A groundbreaking pharmaceutical that blocks tissue degeneration and halts aging -poised to redefine human resilience under extreme stress. Astro-SANITAS is advancing a world-first technology to protect astronaut cells from death, enable in-orbit tissue manufacturing, and unlock transformative health applications on Earth.

RootSpace: A UK–Canada Innovation Incubator for Space Biosystems and Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Take Root Bio Limited x University of Guelph (Canada) – £99,000

A UK–Canada collaboration exploring how space farming technologies could support future human missions and sustainable food systems on Earth. The project will deliver a prototype digital twin of a Martian biosphere, expand a Lunar Crop Catalogue of resilient plants, and design an incubator to accelerate startups, linking space science with climate-resilient agriculture. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

10 Dec 25. FCC Initiates “Part 100” Rulemaking to Overhaul Space. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has officially published its “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), formally launching a regulatory transition that would replace the agency’s legacy Part 25 satellite rules with a streamlined “Part 100” framework. Published in the Federal Register on December 5, 2025, the proposal seeks to dismantle the static, one-size-fits-all licensing model in favor of a “licensing assembly line” designed to reduce administrative latency for commercial space operators. The rulemaking introduces specific provisions for emerging sectors, including In-space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) and lunar missions, which have historically struggled to fit within traditional geostationary (GSO) or non-geostationary (NGSO) definitions.

From Part 25 to Part 100

The proposed Part 100 rules aim to shift the FCC’s regulatory posture from prescriptive design requirements to performance-based standards. Under the current Part 25 regime, applicants often face prolonged processing times due to rigid technical constraints that do not account for novel orbital trajectories or rapid spacecraft iteration.

The new framework proposes a modular application system. Operators would be able to submit “base” certifications for standard satellite buses and payloads, allowing for expedited approval of routine operations while reserving in-depth review for complex or non-standard mission elements. This “assembly line” approach is intended to synchronize regulatory approvals with the increasingly rapid pace of commercial satellite manufacturing and deployment.

Key Technical Provisions

The NPRM outlines three primary pillars for the Part 100 regime:

Variable Trajectory Spacecraft Systems (VTSS): A new licensing category created specifically for spacecraft that do not maintain fixed orbital parameters. This designation targets lunar landers, orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs), and ISAM platforms that require operational flexibility beyond standard GSO/NGSO station-keeping boxes.
Automated Self-Certification: The rules propose a “bright-line” expedited pathway where applicants meeting specific orbital safety and spectrum interference criteria can leverage automated self-certification to bypass lengthy review cycles.
Nationwide, Non-Site Licensing: For the ground segment, the FCC proposes a “Nationwide, Non-Site License” for certain earth stations, eliminating the need for site-by-site permitting in favor of a broader authorization model that requires only registration of active terminals.

Regulatory Outlook

The FCC has established a comment deadline of January 20, 2026, with reply comments due by February 18, 2026. If adopted, the Part 100 rules would represent the most significant restructuring of U.S. commercial space regulations in decades, aligning domestic policy with the requirements of a high-frequency launch and on-orbit servicing economy. (Source: Satnews)

09 Dec 25. China Executes Quadruple Launch Surge in 96 Hours. A Long March-8A carrier rocket carrying the 14th group of low-orbit internet satellites blasts off from the Hainan commercial spacecraft launch site in south China’s Hainan Province, Dec. 6, 2025. Deploying assets ranging from the new Long March 8A to classified reconnaissance platforms, China has successfully executed four orbital missions in a span of 96 hours, a surge that underscores the nation’s accelerating launch cadence and expanding LEO infrastructure. The sequence, which concluded early Tuesday, December 9, utilized four different spaceports—Hainan, Taiyuan, Jiuquan, and Xichang—demonstrating the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)’s ability to coordinate simultaneous campaigns across its vast ground segment. This burst of activity comes as Beijing races to establish its national satellite internet infrastructure, known as Guowang (SatNet), and bolster its Yaogan remote sensing capabilities.

Strategic Shift to Commercial and High-Cadence Ports

The flurry of activity began on Saturday, December 6, with a milestone mission from the Wenchang Commercial Space Launch Site in Hainan. This marked the successful launch of the Long March 8A, an upgraded variant of the medium-lift vehicle designed specifically for commercial payload aggregation. The mission successfully deployed a group of internet satellites, signaling the operational maturity of China’s newest coastal spaceport, which is intended to relieve pressure on inland military bases. Following the Hainan debut, operations shifted rapidly to the mainland. On Monday, December 8, a Long March 6A lifted off from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center. While the specific payload was not disclosed, the Long March 6A is the primary workhorse for the G60/Qianfan megaconstellation, suggesting this mission added capacity to China’s commercial LEO broadband network. Hours later, the pace intensified with two launches occurring within a short window on December 9. A Long March 4B launched from Jiuquan carrying the Yaogan 47 remote sensing satellite, followed closely by a Long March 3B from Xichang deploying the TJSW-22 (Communication Technology Test Satellite) into a geostationary transfer orbit.

The Megaconstellation Imperative

This coordinated surge reflects a broader strategic imperative driven by CASC Chairman Wu Yansheng to secure orbital slots and frequencies before the window for LEO deployment narrows. The deployment of the Long March 8A is particularly significant; as a variant capable of carrying 7000 kg to LEO, it is tailored for the high-volume “bus” launches required to build out the 13,000-satellite Guowang constellation. Simultaneously, the deployment of Yaogan 47 continues the expansion of the People’s Liberation Army’s space-based surveillance network. Western analysts typically categorize the Yaogan series as dual-use or military assets used for maritime monitoring and optical reconnaissance, critical for the PLA’s anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) strategies.

2025 Launch Cadence Outlook

With these four successful missions, China is on track to exceed its 2024 record. The integration of commercial providers is also accelerating; CAS Space is preparing a Kinetica-1 solid rocket for launch from Jiuquan later this week, further augmenting the state-owned CASC manifest. The operationalization of the Hainan commercial pad suggests that 2025 will see a definitive shift toward coastal launches, allowing for larger payload fairings and reduced risk of falling debris over populated inland areas. (Source: Satnews)

16 Dec 25. Viasat Introduces Next-Gen Global Ka-band Network to Support Resilient Government SATCOM. Viasat’s unified Ka-band network will support high-speed, resilient multi-network connectivity for multi-domain mission operations. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications (SATCOM), today announced a significant evolution of its network for government customers by unifying Viasat Ka-band satellites, the Global Xpress satellite fleet, and select partner satellites into a fully integrated global Ka-band satellite communications network. Fully interoperable with MILSATCOM Ka-band networks, this evolved Ka-band network capability will provide seamless global, multi-orbit Ka-band connectivity for government and military users, offering increased performance, expanded coverage, and greater resiliency for missions across air, land, and sea. Leveraging an integrated waveform, upgraded gateways and common ground architecture, Viasat’s expanded global Ka-band connectivity for government will enable customers to seamlessly roam between Ka-band satellite networks, including Viasat satellites, Global Xpress Ka-band satellites (part of Viasat’s global fleet following the acquisition of Inmarsat in 2023), and other commercial and government Ka-band satellites. Moving forward, government users operating across domains will be able to access this evolved Ka-band network through upgraded, single terminal solutions rather than needing multiple hardware solutions. Viasat’s integrated Ka-band network will offer government users ubiquitous roaming and faster connectivity, with data rates up to 200 Mbps with a 45cm or equivalent antenna, and features electronically and mechanically steered beams that offer the flexibility to dynamically allocate bandwidth and deliver dedicated secure connectivity for mobile government platforms. The unified Ka-band network will incorporate the ultra-high-capacity ViaSat-3 satellites, each designed to move significant bandwidth to meet real-time demand in high-concentration areas. The recently launched ViaSat-3 F2 satellite will provide additional resilience for the Americas and the ViaSat-3 F3 satellite is planned to deliver coverage over the Asia-Pacific region.

“By unifying our Ka-band satellites into a single next-generation network, we are delivering the resilient, secure, and high-capacity connectivity that government missions demand around the world,” said Victor Farah, Senior Vice President of Government Services and Solutions at Viasat. “This advancement reflects our commitment to providing trusted, user-centric communication services that give warfighters the global reach and information advantage they require in today’s increasingly contested environments.”

Viasat’s global network is designed to support national security and mission operations in contested environments, including dedicated Mil-Ka access and specific features built in for increased resilience against threats attempting jamming, interference, and denial attacks to disrupt communications. Viasat’s integrated Ka-band network is part of Viasat’s global, multi-orbit network roadmap, helping Viasat further deliver resilient and secure connectivity with the flexibility to meet different customer and mission needs.

With abundant bandwidth capacity and redundant layers across the unified network, Viasat government satcom, part of Communication Services, offers customers scalable service models that enable multi-mission flexibility for entire military fleets, including dedicated beams that provide sovereign control and predictable performance. (Source: ASD Network)

11 Dec 25. USSF Authorizes Export of ‘Meadowlands’ Offensive Space Warfare System. In a historic shift for U.S. space defense policy, L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) confirmed yesterday that its Meadowlands offensive space warfare system has successfully completed an “international Initial Baseline Review.”

This milestone, announced via the L3Harris newsroom on December 10, explicitly clears the path for the export of these advanced electromagnetic warfare (EW) capabilities to allied nations. This authorization marks the first time the U.S. Space Force (USSF) has permitted the foreign sale of its premier mobile satellite jamming capability, moving the asset from a strictly U.S.-proprietary guard to a federated coalition architecture.

From Unilateral to Federated Space Control

The Meadowlands system (technically known as the Counter Communications System Block 10.2) is a mobile, ground-based weapon designed to temporarily and reversibly jam adversary satellite communications. Until now, this capability was exclusively held and operated by USSF Space Delta 3.

The decision to authorize Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) signals a distinct pivot in Pentagon strategy:

Distributed Lethality: By equipping “Five Eyes” partners (likely the UK, Australia, and Canada) and key NATO allies with Meadowlands units, the USSF effectively multiplies the number of jamming nodes globally.
Complicating Targeting: A distributed network of allied jammers makes it significantly harder for adversaries like Russia or China to target or characterize the source of electronic attacks, as the “kill chain” is no longer solely reliant on U.S. assets.

System Capabilities & Open Architecture

Unlike its predecessor, the heavy and static CCS Block 10.1, Meadowlands is designed for rapid mobility. The system is mounted on wheeled trailers, allowing for a smaller logistical footprint and quick deployment to forward operating bases.

Critically, the export-authorized variant features an Open Architecture (OA) design. This allows allied operators to:

Share Threat Libraries: Rapidly ingest new frequency data on hostile satellites.
Software-Defined Updates: Push updates across the coalition fleet instantly, bypassing traditional, sluggish hardware retrofit cycles.

Market Impact

For L3Harris, this authorization opens a lucrative new revenue stream. Offensive space control has historically been a classified, niche market limited to U.S. DoD budgets. By essentially productizing space electronic warfare for the international market, L3Harris is positioning Meadowlands as a standard defensive commodity for allied nations, similar to missile defense batteries. This development follows SatNews’ October 2024 reporting on the initial U.S. deployment of Meadowlands. The expansion to foreign sales less than 14 months later underscores the urgency the Pentagon places on countering the proliferation of Chinese and Russian military constellations. (Source: Satnews)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 12, 2025 by

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11 Dec 25. PowerBank Corporation (NASDAQ: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: 103) (“PowerBank” or the “Company”), today congratulates Smartlink AI (“Orbit AI”) on the successful launch of the DeStarlink Genesis-1 satellite.
This inaugural satellite marks Orbit AI’s first step toward building its Orbital Cloud network — an architecture where AI compute, connectivity and blockchain-verified processing occur directly in low-Earth orbit.
DeStarlink Genesis-1 satellite, pictured November 10, 2025. Source: PowerBank Corporation. (CNW Group/PowerBank Corporation)
Orbit AI is developing DeStarlink, the first decentralized low-Earth-orbit network for global connectivity, and DeStarAI, a suite of orbital AI data centers powered by solar arrays and naturally cooled in space. Together, these systems form the Orbital Cloud, a unified infrastructure layer designed to enable sovereign, censorship-resistant connectivity and in-orbit compute services.
By 2032 projected size of Global Satellite Market is USD$615B1. Additional opportunities span orbital infrastructure, in-orbit data centers, and satellite data services, representing a combined market potential of USD$115.64B over the next decade2-4.
A core differentiator of the Orbital Cloud is its solar-powered execution layer. Satellites are equipped with lightweight, space-grade solar panels that harvest continuous sunlight during orbit, intended to enable round-the-clock AI inference, blockchain node operation, and on-board data processing. PowerBank’s future contributions will focus on supporting advanced solar modules, adaptive energy management systems, and thermal control solutions–components essential to powering the next generation of larger, higher-compute satellites in the constellation.
“Today marks a transformative moment in the evolution of space-based infrastructure,” said Dr. Richard Lu, CEO of PowerBank. “The successful launch of DeStarlink Genesis-1 validates our vision of supporting solar-powered solutions for the digital economy. This demonstrates how clean energy and advanced computing can converge to build resilient, globally accessible infrastructure beyond terrestrial constraints. PowerBank is proud to collaborate with Orbit AI in pioneering this new frontier where our solar energy expertise can help power the next generation of orbital computing and connectivity.”
Through its collaboration with Orbit AI, PowerBank intends to contribute advanced solar energy systems and adaptive thermal control solutions, reflecting its broader shift toward digital asset, data center, and Real World Asset infrastructure, where solar power supports digital infrastructure deployments and high-growth AI markets. PowerBank’s contribution focuses on solar power and adaptive thermal technologies essential to future satellite’s “Execution Layer.”
Orbit AI plans to expand its constellation beginning in 2026, with larger-scale deployments anticipated through 2028–2030. PowerBank expects to continue as a key partner in these developments.
Key Milestones
• Q4 2025: Launch of Genesis-1 with Ethereum wallet, blockchain node, and initial AI inference payload.
• 2026: Expansion to 5–8 orbital nodes integrating compute and connectivity.
• 2027–2028: Full constellation rollout and commercialization of Orbital Cloud services.
• 2028–2030: Autonomous network governance; large-scale orbital compute and communication operations.
PowerBank’s collaboration with Orbit AI on the Orbital Cloud initiative reflects the Company’s strategic expansion into high-growth digital infrastructure markets. The successful launch of Genesis-1 marks the first step in a multi-year roadmap of Orbit AI to establish a fully operational constellation of solar-powered, AI-enabled satellites that will redefine global connectivity and digital sovereignty from low-Earth orbit. At this time PowerBank elected not to make any additional investment in Orbit AI.
About PowerBank
PowerBank Corporation is an independent renewable and clean energy project developer and owner focusing on distributed and community solar projects in Canada and the USA. The Company develops solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects that sell electricity to utilities, commercial, industrial, municipal and residential off-takers. The Company maximizes returns via a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple leading North America markets including projects with utilities, host off-takers, community solar, and virtual net metering projects. The Company has a potential development pipeline of over one gigawatt and has developed renewable and clean energy projects with a combined capacity of over 100 megawatts built.
To learn more about PowerBank, please visit www.powerbankcorp.com.
(Source: PR Newswire)

11 Dec 25. AMTI ASAP: Space Force readying multi-source acquisition for satellites to track aircraft. “So the focus is going to be on delivering AMTI [airborne moving target indication] capability very quickly,” Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said.
The Space Force and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) are working to craft an acquisition strategy based on multiple contract awards for developing and fielding satellites that can track aircraft and drones, Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said today.
“The drivers we’re getting in the department is: deliver capability very quickly. So the focus is going to be on delivering AMTI [airborne moving target indication] capability very quickly. But we also have to make sure that we have a long-term strategy that goes with that. So we’re in the process of researching what that looks like,” he told reporters during the Space Force Association’s Spacepower 2025 conference here in Orlando.
“It’s going to be a competitive acquisition, probably be multiple awards to different contractors so we don’t end up with a single source. So that’s what we’re going through right now,” Meink added. “We’re gonna start building the capability pretty quickly.”
He explained that one of the challenges is that because the program is being jointly funded by the service and the spysat agency, it requires getting authorizations and appropriations from different congressional committees.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman said during the press briefing that there are also technical challenges to AMTI.
“So GMTI [ground moving target indication] and AMTI sound like they’re really close, just because one little letter that is all you changed, [but it] turns out they’re pretty different. What it takes to accomplish AMTI is different than what it takes to accomplish GMTI,” he said. “Things on the ground move slower than things on the air, so require different levels of fidelity tracks.”
Meanwhile, Meink said, the Department of the Air Force is working with Congress to address lawmakers’ concerns about the Trump administration’s plan announced in June to cancel the E-7 Wedgetail program in favor of a space-based system. The E-7 had been envisioned as a replacement the outdated E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System fleet, with Boeing winning a whopping $2.6 billion award last August for two rapid prototypes to be delivered by fiscal 2028.
Along with provisions aimed at preventing the Wedgetail’s termination, the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) would also authorize a total of $846.7 million to continue the radar plane’s development and procurement. The House passed the policy bill on Monday; it now is in the hands of the Senate.
Meink said the Air Force would complete the E-7’s “rapid prototype test” as directed by the NDAA.
In addition, he stressed that the Wedgetail “already is being flown by some of our allies and partners,” and the Air Force is “working with them to see how they fit into the production run going forward on each set of new capability that the rapid prototypes will bring on.”
(Source: Breaking Defense.com)

10 Dec 25. Overview Energy, a space solar energy company making satellites to beam energy from orbit to Earth’s grid, today emerged from stealth after successfully transmitting power from a moving aircraft to a ground receiver 5 kilometers (3 miles) below—the company’s second major milestone on the path to delivering grid-scale clean energy from space.
Overview’s satellites will beam energy to large solar projects on Earth, allowing them to generate power at night and turn solar into a reliable 24/7 resource. The satellites will collect continuous sunlight in geosynchronous orbit and transmit it as safe, low-intensity near-infrared light, using wavelengths already proven in fiber-optic networks, medical imaging, and security cameras. This wavelength choice makes the architecture both highly efficient and passively safe, able to link the constant light of the sun in space to the real-time needs of Earth’s grid with dispatchable utility-scale power.
A single Overview satellite cluster will be capable of serving multiple continents and dynamically shifting power delivery based on demand. The system is being designed from the start to strengthen grid reliability and to meet the needs of energy-intensive users like data centers, growing cities, and large military bases. Existing and future solar projects will serve as the receivers for Overview’s system. Together, these elements form a flexible, resilient energy network that can deliver power instantly to where it’s needed.
“Imagine sunlight collected 36,000 kilometers above Earth, then arriving as clean energy wherever the grid needs it,” said Marc Berte, Founder and CEO of Overview Energy. “That’s what we’re making real. Our airborne milestone proved that the core transmission system works in motion—the same foundation that will operate in orbit. Space solar energy will only matter when it powers real demand on Earth, and we’re designing for that scale from day one.”
Overview’s airborne demonstration validated that its power beaming system works in motion, which is a world’s first for high-power wireless energy transmission. The test used the same optics and laser chain that will be taken to space and successfully transmitted power via near-infrared light from a moving aircraft to a ground receiver. It confirmed that the company’s system—lasers, optics, and control—performs under real-world conditions, forming a bridge between laboratory validation and Overview’s upcoming orbital demonstration in low Earth orbit.
“Overview Energy is building a key pillar for our growing energy demand, one that can dynamically allocate energy where it is the most valuable and scale without the constraints of ground-based generation and transmission,” said Reed Sturtevant, General Partner at Engine Ventures. “Their space solar energy approach isn’t just technically ambitious; it’s designed with real-world deployment in mind from the get-go. Engine Ventures backs companies like Overview where the founders bring technical depth and commercial discipline to build infrastructure that will have global impact.”
While in stealth, Overview has designed its system to meet the technical, safety, economic, and regulatory requirements of real-world deployment. The airborne demonstration marks Overview’s second major milestone, after validating its laser and optics system at thousands of watts in the lab. A low Earth orbit demonstration will follow in 2028, proving end-to-end functionality from space. Commercial operations in geosynchronous orbit are targeted to begin with the world’s first megawatt transmission from space in 2030.
Founded in 2022, Overview is led by experts in energy, lasers, space, manufacturing, business, and regulation. Its leadership team has founded deep tech startups, built high-power laser systems, led space programs, launched constellations of satellites, stood up manufacturing lines, and shaped global space regulation. The company has raised $20M to date and is backed by Engine Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, Prime Movers Lab, EQT Foundation, Earthrise Ventures, Aurelia Institute, and others.
For more information, visit overviewenergy.com.
About Overview Energy
Overview Energy is turning uninterrupted sunlight in space into energy on Earth wherever it’s needed. Its satellites will collect solar energy 24/7 in geosynchronous orbit and beam it to receivers on the ground—existing and future utility-scale solar projects—as safe near-infrared light. The system will be able to shift power across continents in real time based on demand, without changing infrastructure on the ground. Founded in 2022, Overview has already achieved first-of-its-kind power beaming from a moving airborne transmitter and is backed by leading investors in energy, aerospace, and climate technology. (Source: PR Newswire)

10 Dec 25. Kongsberg, Helsing team up for European satellite-intel constellation. Norway’s Kongsberg and Germany’s Helsing are teaming up to provide Europe with a sovereign satellite constellation for space-based intelligence, surveillance and targeting by the end of the decade, the companies said in a joint statement on Wednesday. The plan is to deploy a satellite fleet with interconnected communications for defense use by 2029, with Germany’s Hensoldt providing sensor technology and German startup Isar Aerospace the preferred launch parter. Kongsberg and Helsing signed their teaming agreement to speed up the roll out of critical European space capabilities, the companies said.
European leaders increasingly see their dependency on American space-based intelligence as a strategic liability, with the U.S. halt on data sharing with Ukraine earlier this year setting off alarm bells across the continent. Finland’s ICEYE has been one of the most visible beneficiaries, selling at least eight radar satellites this year to European countries seeking a sovereign space capability.
“Sovereign monitoring, intelligence, and targeting are fundamental to credible deterrence,” Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace President Eirik Lie said in the statement. “Communication, oversight and connectivity are key to operate defense assets effectively, and Europe needs full control over these capabilities.”
The cooperation is a response to Europe’s greater need for deterrence and addresses the strategic issue of space-based intelligence, Kongsberg and Helsing said, with the companies citing “key lessons from recent geopolitical events.”
Kongsberg wasn’t immediately able to answer questions on the required investment or how many satellites are planned for the constellation, which countries the partnership is targeting, or who would own the satellites.
The teaming agreement combines Kongsberg’s satellites with Helsing’s artificial-intelligence capabilities, pulling together synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical and radio-frequency data for satellite-image analysis, they said. The companies said they have operational experience in Ukraine, with Helsing AI algorithms used there as well as deployed in orbit for data analysis.
“The war in Ukraine demonstrates that most reliable targeting begins in space,” Helsing co-Chief Executive Officer and co-founder Gundbert Scherf said. “Together with Kongsberg, we will provide crucial integrated space defense systems to ensure Europe wins the fight for sovereignty.”
Hensoldt will provide SAR, electro-optical/infrared and electronic warfare sensors, while Kongsberg Satellite Services will contribute with its ground network to communicate with satellites.
The cooperation will include setting up local satellite production in Germany to create “a self-reliant European defense capability,” the companies said.
With Norway’s satellite expertise and Hensoldt’s sensors, “we can build a resilient space architecture that gives Europe the information advantage it needs,” Hensoldt Chief Executive Officer Oliver Dörre said. “Europe’s security depends on sovereign sensing and intelligence.” (Source: Defense News)

09 Dec 25. MDA Space Ltd. (TSX: MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with the Government of Canada and Telesat Corporation to develop and deliver military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) capabilities. This partnership is part of the Enhanced Satellite Communication Project – Polar (ESCP-P), one of the key procurements being led by Canada’s newly formed Defence Investment Agency (DIA).
“MDA Space has a long history as a trusted mission partner to the Canadian Armed Forces, delivering the advanced technologies and mission outcomes they need to accomplish their critical mandate,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “We understand the significance of the missions they execute and the challenges inherent in their operations. With this partnership, and in close collaboration with the Department of National Defence and Telesat, we are ready to deliver essential Arctic military satellite communications capabilities at the speed of innovation and operational relevance.”
A longstanding program of record, ESCP-P will significantly enhance the ability of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and the broader Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to conduct sovereignty operations in the Arctic, supporting the defence of Canada and North America. The project will deliver secure wideband and narrowband satellite communications capabilities that are essential to fulfilling the CAF’s continental defence mandate. It is also leveraging Canadian industry to create high-quality jobs across the country while unlocking a multi-bn dollar investment in Canada’s defence sector.
The Government of Canada selected MDA Space and Telesat as strategic partners because of their combined expertise in secure satellite communications and space-based infrastructure. This strategic partnership leverages the global technology and operational strengths of the domestic space sector while reinforcing the government’s commitment to Arctic security and Canadian sovereignty.
Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy will apply to ESCP-P, ensuring the project will generate high-value jobs in Canada, foster innovation, and strengthen Canada’s domestic space and defence sectors. As a result of the application of the ITB Policy, this strategic partnership will engage Canada’s space ecosystem, including small and medium-sized businesses, to maximize economic opportunities and advance national capabilities. (Source: PR Newswire)

09 Dec 25. The European Robotic Orbital Support Services (EROSS) project, funded by the European Commission and coordinated by Thales Alenia Space, has reached major development milestones in 2025, consolidating Europe’s position at the forefront of on-orbit servicing and in-space operations. Bringing together leading partners from across Europe – including Thales Alenia Space in France, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Sener Aerospace and Defence, GMV, PIAP Space, Almatech, CSEM, TRASYS, Kongsberg and SINTEF – the consortium exemplifies the strength and depth of European collaboration in this strategically important domain.
Following the successful completion of the System and Satellite Preliminary Design Reviews, the EROSS consortium – uniting this broad network of European industry and research organisations – is now progressing toward the mission’s Critical Design phase. The seamless integration of contributions from multiple countries and centres of excellence is a defining feature of the project, demonstrating Europe’s ability to jointly develop complex, next-generation technologies.
Since 2016, EROSS partners have been advancing the maturity of key enabling technologies for autonomous rendezvous and robotic servicing, from inspection and refuelling to repair and orbital transfer. These capabilities, now approaching Technology Readiness Level 6, form the foundation for future operational missions supporting both institutional and commercial users in Europe.
“In a context where European space sovereignty matters more than ever, Thales Alenia
Space is proud to coordinate the EROSS consortium,” says Bertrand Denis, VP Observation, Science and Exploration at Thales Alenia Space in France. “Technologies used for on-orbit servicing developed in the framework of current and upcoming phases of EROSS leverage our long experience in space exploration, and will strengthen European resilience thus contributing to Europe’s space sovereignty,” Bertrand Denis added.
Reflecting this long-term commitment to technical excellence, the German Aerospace
Center (DLR) emphasises the transformative potential of this work: Prof. Dr. Alin Albu-Schaeffer, director of the Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), states: “EROSS is a game-changer for orbital services, and it puts European space innovation very visibly on the map. Over the last 20 years, DLR has developed the robotics technology needed for operations such as capturing, repairing, and assembling satellites in space. With this mission, we are not just demonstrating what’s possible; we are proving that Europe is leading the way in the future of robotic space operations.”
Building on its technical achievements, the consortium is preparing an ambitious in-orbit demonstration to validate these capabilities in real operational conditions – with both prepared and unprepared client spacecraft – while laying the groundwork for the provision of proto-services to European stakeholders.
Since early 2025, all critical flight components for the rendezvous and robotics subsystems of the EROSS spacecraft have advanced towards Technology Readiness Level 6. These include the robotic arm, developed by the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and Kinetik Space; the grippers, designed by PIAP Space, Almatech and CSEM; the standard mechanical interfaces, led by Sener and Space Applications Services; the refuelling interface by Sener; the vision algorithms contributed by GMV, Thales Alenia Space and TRASYS; the Guidance, Navigation and Control algorithms developed by Thales Alenia Space; and the lidar sensors provided by Kongsberg, SINTEF, Thales Alenia Space and CSEM. Communication and dissemination best practices are implemented under the guidance of Tipik Communication Agency.
Stressing the importance of this key priority for Europe, Diego Rodriguez, Space General Manager at Sener Aerospace and Defence adds: “We believe it is essential for Europe to preserve its autonomy in critical on-orbit servicing technologies and EROSS stands as a cornerstone of that ambition. The EROSS consortium offers a solid and proven foundation, with validated outcomes and a clear roadmap for the path ahead. Furthermore, the upcoming phases will strengthen Europe’s competitiveness while enabling Sener to consolidate key technologies and deliver high-value industrial impact.”
At the end of November 2025, all these critical components were successfully submitted to design reviews, confirming their maturity and the robustness of the Europeandeveloped building blocks. With the detailed design phase now under way, the consortium is advancing toward a key contractual milestone at the end of 2025: satellitelevel approval of the overall maturation status and the coordinated planning of the next steps of the detailed design phase. This milestone illustrates not only the technical readiness of the project but also the effectiveness of Europe’s collaborative approach to shaping the future of on-orbit servicing.
“Be bold, be brave, be ambitious. In space, the sky’s the limit,” said Commissioner
Andrius Kubilius, in July 2025. This call resonates strongly with the ambition driving the EROSS consortium. As the project progresses toward a key contractual milestone at the end of 2025 – satellite-level approval of the overall maturation status and coordinated planning of the next steps of the detailed design phase – the results already achieved demonstrate that Europe is indeed rising to this challenge. By advancing the maturity of critical technologies through a deeply collaborative, pan-European effort, EROSS embodies the bold and forward-looking spirit highlighted by Commissioner Kubilius and contributes directly to strengthening Europe’s autonomy and leadership in on-orbit servicing.

09 Dec 25. UK Space Agency launches pilot programme to accelerate commercial growth within the UK’s space ecosystem.
Eighteen space businesses across the UK will receive funding and support from their local space cluster to accelerate their commercial growth, as part of a pilot initiative designed to strengthen the UK’s space sector supply chain.
The UK Space Agency’s new Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme (SECP) is delivered in partnership with 6 of the UK’s local space clusters and managed by the Midlands Aerospace Alliance. The programme provides targeted research and development funding alongside strategic and commercial business guidance.
Supporting innovation and growth
The 18 organisations will each receive up to £30,000 to invest in technology development, market validation, and customer engagement. Participating businesses will also benefit from dedicated support from their space cluster leads – locally embedded sector experts – who bring a deep knowledge of supply chains, partnership opportunities, and insight into market demand for space-enabled services. This will enable them to refine their products and services in line with specific commercial opportunities, and establish new growth-driving partnerships within the UK’s connected space ecosystem.
Jon Hulks, Space Ecosystem Development Manager at the UK Space Agency, said:
The Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme harnesses the networks and expertise found across the UK’s space cluster network to drive local economic growth. Working together, we are enabling individual space companies to take the next step in their commercial journey and enhancing the unique capabilities and supply chain resilience that underpin the UK’s national space ecosystem.
Strengthening local economies
The UK Space Agency has worked with each space cluster partner to ensure the programme addresses their particular market needs and strengthens their local economy, delivering on the government’s commitment to enhance the resilience of the space sector supply chain as outlined in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy: Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan.
In the Cornwall Space Cluster, the programme prioritises projects that boost the region’s recognised strength in satellite communications. Kernow Enterprises Ltd is developing a space-enabled autonomous communication system, and, through the cluster support enabled by the programme, has already established new partnerships with leading Cornish organisations including Goonhilly Earth Station, the National Drone Hub, Selletronics, and Skentel.
In the Midlands Space Cluster, harnessing the region’s local advanced manufacturing expertise, Future Aerospace Engineering are developing acid-resistant laminate and coating systems for next-generation spacecraft through its HESPERIA Materials Demonstrator project. The £11,200 award will help the company advance materials that could prove crucial for long-duration space missions and harsh orbital environments. Likewise, Space South Central is supporting Lunasa’s ECLIPSE project with £29,844 to develop an orbital testbed for advanced payload validation and inspection. This technology will enable more thorough testing and verification of space hardware in orbit, potentially reducing mission risks and improving satellite performance.
In the North West Space Cluster, which is home to leading expertise in nuclear power for space, Cerberus Nuclear is creating the Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) with £14,220 in funding. This database tool will help engineers design more radiation-resistant space systems, addressing one of the key challenges facing satellites and spacecraft operating in harsh space environments.
The programme also supports the wider space community. Every company that applied receives bespoke guidance from their cluster to refine and pursue the commercialisation opportunities they identified.
Andrew Mair, Chief Executive Officer of the Midlands Aerospace Alliance, said:
We are pleased to be able to build on the success of the “Pivot into Space” R&D grant programme that the UK Space Agency previously supported in the Midlands by playing our part in this wider programme. For us, it’s all about mobilising local clusters across the country’s space ecosystem system to work closely with small companies that already have their own brilliant ideas and benefit from the kickstart of a small R&D grant, some key expertise and access to the wider network to accelerate their journey towards commercialisation.
The UK Space Agency’s Space Ecosystem Commercialisation Programme is supporting the following companies:
Midlands Space Cluster
Third Planet Orbital: TPOD Capability Expansion – £19,680 New 16U deployer and release sequencer test kit.
PGM Reball: 3D Printed Unitary Ball Nut – £29,074 3D printing a unitary ball nut that incorporates geometry only additive manufacturing can achieve.
Future Aerospace Engineering: HESPERIA Materials Demonstrator – £11,200 Acid-resistant laminate and coating systems for next-generation spacecraft and habitats.
NDE Clarke Pitchline: LIFTAR Launcher Integrated Flexible Transport and Rotation Drive System – £30,000 Designing and testing a flexible launch drive system.
South Central Space Cluster
Lunasa: ECLIPSE – £29,844 Orbital testbed for advanced payload validation and inspection.
Lodestar: ECLIPSE AI-Driven On-Orbit SDA Payload – £30,000 LiDAR integration to enhance space situational domain awareness.
Satraka Ltd: Satcom Dual-band Feed System – £30,000 Manufacturing and verifying a compact Ka/Ku dual-band feed system for satellites.
Space West
Space AM: LoRa as an alternative to GNSS/GPS – £28,200 LoRa tested as positioning alternative to GNSS/GPS.
Cornwall Space Cluster
Skentel Group Ltd: Remote Sensing With Non-Terrestrial Networks – £8,193 5G connectivity to augment existing terrestrial network sensor devices.
Kernow Enterprises Ltd: Emdrone – Space Domain – £29,923 Developing a space-enabled autonomous communication system with defence applications.
Flann Microwave Ltd: Compact 3-Way Waveguide Switch – £20,000 Design and development of a prototype electro-mechanical 3-way waveguide switch.
Piran Composites Ltd: Dual-Use Composite Development – £30,000 Digitally traceable composite manufacturing process for dual use in UAVs and small satellites.
Space North East England
Digventures Ltd: Deep Time: Citizen-Powered Earth Observation – £29,985 Refining citizen science platform to include enhanced QA validation.
Nascent Semiconductor: Enhanced Performance Satellite Electronics – £30,000 Novel scalable semiconductor fabrication process for satellites.
ViperRF: Ka-Band Amplifier for EO Telemetry – £12,734 Developing production tooling techniques for a Ka-Band amplifier chip.
North West Space Cluster
SmartIR Ltd: VER : Enabling Next-Generation CubeSat Thermal Control – £26,400 Thermal control system for next-generation CubeSats.
ThinkITTech: AM Powder Optimiser AI – £18,000 AI-driven optimisation for 3D printing metal powder for the space sector.
Cerberus Nuclear: Materials in Orbital Radiation Environments Database (MORED) – £14,220 Database tool for radiation-resistant space system design. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

02 Dec 25. Russia’s Space and Satellite Sector Under Strain. Russia’s space and satellite market is currently operating under intense strain, simultaneously prioritizing high-demand military launches while struggling to address significant infrastructure damage, supply chain disruptions, and tightening global export controls. This complex environment is fundamentally reshaping market risk for all operators and suppliers involved.
Looking across the past four weeks, the activities within Russia’s space sector reflect two concurrent races:
1. Meeting Military Demand: Maintaining a rigorous schedule of high-priority military and classified launches.
2. Patching Exposures: Urgent efforts to repair damaged launch infrastructure, stabilize vulnerable supply chains, and navigate increasingly complex international regulatory environments.
For commercial operators and suppliers, this volatile setting elevates systemic risk. However, it also creates specific strategic openings for companies specializing in:
• Sovereign Components: Providers capable of delivering domestically sourced or hard-to-substitute spacecraft and satellite components.
• Secure Ground Support: Solutions ensuring the security and resilience of critical ground infrastructure.
• Essential Services: Companies offering niche, difficult-to-replace services vital for the continuity of Russian space operations.
A number of elements have come into play to exacerbate the Russian Satellite dilemma, including damage to the Baikonur launch site following the Soyuz MS-28 mission launched successfully on Nov 27.
The recent damage at Baikonur’s Site 31/6, Russia’s sole operational crew-rated launch complex, has generated an immediate near-term capability gap for crewed missions. This incident significantly elevates scheduling uncertainty, operational risk, and insurance liability for all involved stakeholders.
The failure underscores critical systemic vulnerabilities: ageing infrastructure, minimal launch redundancy, and a growing disconnect between Roscosmos’ strategic objectives and its existing resource and capital constraints.
Financial and Commercial Impact
• Increased Risk Premiums: International partners, space insurers, and commercial launch customers are likely to face escalated risk premia on future mission contracts, reflecting the increased operational and political risk profile.
• Vostochny Acceleration: A prolonged outage at Baikonur may compel the Russian Federation to immediately accelerate development and activation of alternative launch infrastructure at Vostochny Cosmodrome, a move demanding considerable capital investment and a significant lead time. (Source: Satnews)

01 Dec 25. Blue Origin Announces New Glenn “Block 2” Upgrades. Blue Origin has publicized their plans for a substantial “Block 2” variant. This action signals the company’s intent to rapidly increase payload performance in order to seize a larger share of the burgeoning launch market and to better compete in the highly contested Kuiper and National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 bids. The rapid iteration to a more capable “Block 2” addresses competitive pressures within the super heavy-lift sector, positioning New Glenn to rival the evolving mass-to-orbit economics presented by its competitors.
Enhanced Propulsion Systems Drive Performance Gains
Primary enhancements across the New Glenn platform include higher-performing engines on both stages. The total thrust for the seven BE-4 booster engines is increasing significantly from 3.9 m lbf (17,219 kN) to 4.5 m lbf (19,928 kN) (Following the first “lbf” I would indicate that the abbreviation stands for “pound force” – also, for “kN” note that is “Kilonewton”). This is achieved through advanced propellant subcooling and design refinements. The BE-4 engine has already demonstrated 625,000 lbf on the test stand at current propellant conditions and is slated to achieve 640,000 lbf later this year, a notable increase from the current operational thrust of 550,000 lbf.
The total thrust of the two BE-3Us powering New Glenn’s upper stage will also increase from the original design of 320,000 lbf (1,423 kN) to 400,000 lbf (1,779 kN) thrust, a transition planned over the next few missions. The BE-3U has already demonstrated 211,658 lbf on the test stand during validation testing.
Concurrent Upgrades and Operational Efficiencies
These propulsion enhancements will immediately benefit customers already manifested on New Glenn for a variety of destinations, including low-Earth orbit, lunar missions, and deep space exploration.
Additional vehicle upgrades focus on reusability and cost efficiency:
• A reusable fairing designed to support increased flight rates and lower turnaround times.
• An updated, lower-cost tank design methodology.
• A higher-performing, reusable thermal protection system.
New Glenn 9×4: The Super-Heavy Class Variant
The next chapter in New Glenn’s roadmap is the introduction of a new super-heavy class rocket variant, internally named New Glenn 9×4—named for the number of engines on each stage (nine BE-4s on the booster, four BE-3Us on the upper stage).
This 9×4 configuration is specifically designed for a subset of missions requiring substantial additional capacity and performance. The vehicle targets a payload capacity of over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, over 14 metric tons direct to geosynchronous orbit, and over 20 metric tons to trans-lunar injection. Furthermore, the 9×4 vehicle will feature a significantly larger 8.7-meter fairing to accommodate bulkier payloads.
Both the enhanced current variant (7×2) and the new 9×4 super-heavy vehicle will serve the market concurrently, providing customers with more flexible launch options for critical missions such as mega-constellation deployments, lunar and deep space exploration initiatives, and national security imperatives like the Golden Dome program. (Source: Satnews)

02 Dec 25. Arianespace launches KOMPSAT-7 satellite. On December 1st, 2025, Arianespace launched the KOMPSAT-7 (KOrea Multi-Purpose SATellite-7) satellite. The mission—VV28—used an Arianespace operated Vega C rocket, launched from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.
KOMPSAT-7 was placed in Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of 576 km., with spacecraft separation occurring 44 minutes post lift-off.
KOMPSAT-7’s mission is to provide high-resolution satellite images to address South-Korea’s governmental and institutional needs. The satellite was developed by KARI at its facility in Daejeon, South Korea.
David Cavaillolès, Chief Executive Officer of Arianespace, said, “By launching the KOMPSAT-7 satellite, set to significantly enhance South Korea’s Earth observation capabilities, Arianespace is proud to support an ambitious national space program. This mission marks the fourth satellite Arianespace has launched for the Korea Aerospace Research Institute. We thank our South Korean partners for their continued trust and look forward to further strengthening our collaboration. (Source: Satnews)

02 Dec 25. BAE Systems, GlobalFoundries Partner in Chip Manufacturing for Space. BAE Systems and GlobalFoundries (GF) have formally entered a strategic partnership aimed at significantly advancing and streamlining the supply chain for high-reliability, radiation-hardened (rad-hard) microelectronics essential for next-generation space missions. This collaboration directly addresses the pressing industry need for more rapid access to cutting-edge, resilient chip technology.
The partnership leverages GlobalFoundries’ state-of-the-art U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities—specifically its specialized 300mm wafer fabrication processes—and BAE Systems’ decades of expertise in designing and producing certified rad-hard components for mission-critical satellite and deep-space applications.
Addressing the Capability Gap
Traditionally, the space microelectronics sector has lagged commercially available technology due to the stringent requirements for surviving the harsh radiation environment of orbit. This new agreement seeks to bridge that gap by applying advanced commercial manufacturing techniques to produce trusted components capable of withstanding extreme conditions, including exposure to high-energy particles and cosmic rays.
By utilizing GF’s existing, high-volume fabrication lines, the companies expect to achieve greater manufacturing efficiency and higher yield rates compared to existing, more specialized facilities. This is crucial for increasing the supply velocity and affordability of devices like Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), memory, and specialized ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) vital for on-board data processing, command and control, and satellite communication systems.
Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience
A key focus of this collaboration is reinforcing the domestic supply chain for space-grade electronics. Manufacturing these critical components within secure, trusted U.S. facilities mitigates geopolitical risk and ensures compliance with strict defense and national security requirements. This partnership directly supports government and commercial space programs that demand assured access to high-performance, rad-hard components for platforms ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations to complex national security satellites.
This joint effort is expected to accelerate the insertion of new technologies into spacecraft architectures, reducing the time-to-market for advanced processing capabilities. This improved capability will, in turn, enable satellites to perform more sophisticated tasks, process data faster on-orbit, and enhance communication throughput—all critical factors in the rapidly expanding space economy.
The BAE Systems and GlobalFoundries alliance represents a significant step forward in transforming how the industry sources and utilizes advanced, high-reliability microelectronics for the enduring demands of the space domain. (Source: Satnews)

01 Dec 25. Congress desires LEO, but threats are real. Just before the holiday the U.S. Congressional Research Service (a non-partisan research operation) released a study which addressed the potential to bridge the ‘digital divide’. There are filings with the International Telecommunication Union for some 1 m proposed non-Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) satellites. This means multiple headaches for the regulators and existing operators.
Most recent work in the U.S. and in other developed countries have concentrated their efforts by boosting terrestrial connectivity with fibre — increasingly to the home — and ensuring that if ‘hard-wired’ telcos cannot reach the home then cellular operators can bridge the gap.
But if there’s no cellular then remote communities and business and individual users can only depend on satellite, and in the recent past there have been a handful of perfectly satisfactory suppliers in the shape of ViaSat, Iridium, Intelsat/SES, EchoStar/Hughes, Iridium and Globalstar/Apple to step into the void, albeit at a price!
Now there’s Starlink and Eutelsat’s OneWeb, and during 2026 there will be rival satellite systems from AST SpaceMobile and Amazon Leo as well as the likes of Lynk Global and by 2027 Canada’s Lightspeed to provide competition and connectivity. Then there’s potential constellations from Viasat/Space42 and Greg Wyler’s E-Space as well as those from China and Russia. But adding tens of thousands of new orbiting satellites poses extreme risks, says a new highly detailed and comprehensive 160-page report from investment firm Summit Ridge Group (SRG).(Source: Satnews)

05 Dec 25. ICEYE, the world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems has secured new financing, led by General Catalyst with broad pan-European participation. The funding will be used to accelerate the company’s delivery of sovereign satellite systems and data intelligence services.
Rafal Modrzewski, Co-Founder & CEO of ICEYE, said: “ICEYE’s SAR technology has become a core strategic and tactical tool for governments and institutions worldwide. Our team has a strong track record of turning advanced SAR technology into concrete results for customers who need answers in minutes, not days. This funding enables us to deepen that commitment by investing in the expansion of our world-leading SAR constellation, next-generation sensing capabilities, and data intelligence services that help governments and organizations manage risk and respond faster. For European nations and allies, that means greater control over their own space-based intelligence – and a partner capable of delivering at industrial scale.”
Jeannette zu Fürstenberg, Managing Director and Head of Europe at General Catalyst, said: “Europe’s security starts with sovereign space capability. ICEYE enables that, with the world’s largest SAR constellation, software-defined satellites, and fully sovereign missions that put independent visibility back in Europe’s hands. Ministries and intelligence agencies can secure borders via on-demand imagery, while nations seeking full control can deploy their own turnkey satellite missions. That’s why we see ICEYE as a rising global space prime.”
ICEYE has secured EUR 150 m in new funding, as well as a EUR 50 m secondary placement, valuing the company at EUR 2.4 bn (USD 2.8 bn). The Series E round was led by General Catalyst, with strong pan-European participation, including A.P. Moller Holding in Denmark, Bpifrance in France, Vinci (BGK Group) and RiO Family Office from Poland, as well as Finnish investors Solidium, Ilmarinen, European Tech Collective, Keva, Lifeline Ventures, Tesi, Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company, and Peter Sarlin.
The new capital builds on ICEYE’s strong momentum, powering the continued growth of its SAR constellation and the accelerated deployment of sovereign satellite systems, advanced sensing capabilities, and data intelligence services.
Sovereign space capability at unprecedented speed and scale
With the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE delivers objective, near real-time insights to detect, understand, and respond to change on Earth — day or night, in any weather. SAR uses radar pulses that pierce clouds, smoke, and darkness, providing a continuous view of the Earth that supports rapid response for defense and intelligence, security, disaster response and recovery, insurance, maritime monitoring, and finance.
ICEYE is accelerating the shift to software-defined satellites with its fourth-generation platform, which delivers the world’s highest-fidelity commercial SAR imagery of up to 16 cm resolution. The ICEYE platform is engineered so new capabilities can be deployed via software updates from the ground rather than hardware refresh cycles.
ICEYE has a proven track record in building sovereign systems for Europe and its allies, and has signed agreements with the Polish Armed Forces, Portuguese Air Force, Royal Netherlands Air Force, Greek National Space Program, and Finnish Defence Forces, alongside a separate SAR data agreement with NATO Allied Command Operations.
With 62 satellites successfully launched to date, the company plans to scale up to an average production rate of one satellite per week starting next year, deploying sovereign space capability for allied nations at unprecedented speed and scale.
About ICEYE
ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.
Owning the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.
ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation. (Source: PR Newswire)
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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.
The company combines novel artificial intelligence and radar technologies to identify movement and provide context in real-time. MatrixSpace sensors are the smallest, lightest and most portable high-performance systems on the market powered by AI. They deliver actionable insights that empower a broad range of public and private enterprises to protect assets and maintain safety with superior situational awareness.
For the modern, mobile battlespace, MatrixSpace provides both high performance 4D radar and jam-resistant mesh networked communications engineered to perform in the harshest conditions—day or night, in any weather, and in remote, rugged locations. Designed for flexibility, our radar systems can be integrated with tactical vehicles or mounted on structures like buildings, TOCs, or stanchions. Offering 360° coverage, they provide unmatched field-of-view advantages, while low energy consumption allows for solar/battery-powered operation in off-grid environments at twice the duration and a fraction the cost of alternatives. The MatrixSpace AI platform removes clutter and classifies objects, so operators can act confidently without specialized radar expertise.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com
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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

December 5, 2025 by

http://matrixspace.com

04 Dec 25. Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business entered a strategic collaboration agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) to significantly advance satellite data processing and mission control operations. Through this effort, Raytheon is equipping customers with the mission-critical space capabilities needed to meet national security objectives. The collaboration enables Raytheon to identify initiatives for deploying scalable cloud-based solutions using AWS artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) services. Raytheon will leverage AWS to help customers reduce mission costs, increase program flexibility, and accelerate the delivery of capabilities to operations.

“Our customers rely on Raytheon to solve their most complex problems across space, data processing, command and control, and mission management functions,” said Erich Hernandez-Baquero, vice president of Space Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance at Raytheon. “This collaboration with AWS empowers our teams to accelerate responsible AI innovation, increase agility while maintaining the highest levels of security, optimize resources, and strengthen systems to drive effective results for our customers.”

The collaboration expands options for customers to leverage combined Raytheon and AWS solutions for better decision-making, operational coordination, and flexibility including:

Improved mission data processing and reporting leveraging AWS and Raytheon’s collection and mission engineering capabilities running on AWS.
Bringing mission management to the edge with the AWS Outpost family of services, a suite of fully managed solutions delivering AWS infrastructure and services to virtually any on-premises or edge location for a truly consistent hybrid experience.
Advanced constellation command and control using modular, software-defined systems for task scheduling and asset coordination.
Scalable mission management to rapidly and securely incorporate new capabilities into operations for expanding architectures using AWS serverless technologies.
Incorporate AWS advanced AI and ML services to revolutionize software development and mission operations by leveraging Amazon SageMaker and Amazon Bedrock.

“This collaboration unites the security, reliability, and higher levels of availability from AWS with Raytheon’s space systems expertise to create new possibilities for our customers in the space industry,” said David Appel, vice president of U.S. Federal at Amazon Web Services. “This relationship embodies our customer-obsessed approach, driving innovations that boost mission performance, cost efficiency, and operational agility. Together, we’re propelling space technology forward, ensuring our customers maintain their competitive edge in this critical domain.”

Raytheon and AWS are actively executing programs for government and commercial customers under this agreement. (Source: PR Newswire)

03 Dec 25. Shield AI and Sedaro today announced a strategic partnership to advance autonomous operations in orbit. The collaboration establishes Shield AI’s Hivemind Pilot as Sedaro’s preferred autonomy software for on-orbit demonstrations, extending the company’s proven edge autonomy from air and sea into space. Shield AI and Sedaro announced a strategic partnership that establishes Shield AI’s Hivemind Pilot as Sedaro’s preferred autonomy software for on-orbit demonstrations, bringing the same resilient, edge-based autonomy that is redefining warfare to satellites delivering critical infrastructure and national defense capabilities. Under the agreement, Shield AI will use the Sedaro Platform as its primary environment for developing, testing, and demonstrating Hivemind in space-relevant scenarios. The combination of Hivemind’s battle-proven autonomy and Sedaro’s high-fidelity simulation platform will accelerate the design, simulation, and validation of autonomous behaviors for orbital missions.

“The strategic partnership with Sedaro and its technology is a critical enabler of at-the-edge, in-orbit autonomy,” said Christian Gutierrez, vice president of Hivemind Solutions at Shield AI. “Combining Hivemind Pilot with Sedaro’s high-fidelity models and simulation environment will unlock multi-agent cognitive teaming for space applications and new mission capabilities for our customers.”

This partnership marks Shield AI’s deliberate expansion into the space domain, bringing the same resilient, edge-based autonomy that is redefining warfare to satellites delivering critical infrastructure and national defense capabilities. By integrating Hivemind with Sedaro’s collaborative, edge deployable simulation architecture—trusted by the U.S. Space Force, Space Development Agency, NASA, and leading primes—Shield AI can rapidly iterate autonomous behaviors for proximity operations, swarm coordination, defensive counter-space, and cognitive battle management across constellations.

“At Sedaro, we make it easier, faster, and safer to design, simulate, and operate missions at scale,” said Robbie Robertson, CEO and co-founder of Sedaro. “Integrating Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy brings that same agility to on-orbit systems, dramatically reducing time from concept to proven capability.”

The companies will collaborate on deployment designs ranging from ground-based centric control to in-orbit cognitive capabilities, paving the way for scalable, autonomous spacecraft operations in contested and communications-limited environments.

About Shield AI

Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed deep-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With nine offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia-Pacific, Shield AI’s technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube. (Source: PR Newswire)

03 Dec 25. QuesTek Innovations Executive Vice President of Market Operations Jason Sebastian, PhD detailed recent materials advancements in space exploration during a keynote speech at the Stainless Steel World Conference & Expo in Maastricht. The speech, delivered during the event’s Sustainability Day on November 19, outlined challenges and opportunities facing space OEMs as they develop novel materials and make advancements in reusable rockets. QuesTek Innovations EVP Jason Sebastian, PhD, delivers a keynote on materials advancements in the space industry at the Stainless Steel World Conference & Expo in Maastricht, The Netherlands. © Stainless Steel World

“Now, I’m not a rocket scientist. I guess I’m a rocket materials scientist,” Sebastian joked before defining the core challenge of materials engineering for space applications. “There are three main properties that you’re concerned with: Tensile strength, fatigue strength and burn resistance. But there are fundamentally trade-offs here. Elements like aluminum and titanium that you can add to nickel superalloys to provide strength are exactly the elements that exacerbate the burn resistance and make it worse.”

Drawing on recent collaborations with leading private sector space companies, Sebastian showed how QuesTek’s ICMD® materials engineering and design platform is producing breakthroughs in both materials performance and development time. ICMD®, launched in 2023, was built on computational models developed by QuesTek in order to resolve client challenges in hundreds of engagements, including those completed on behalf of clients such as NASA. The software has a growing global subscriber base of OEMs and academic institutions and was named to TechRound’s SaaS66 list of the top software platforms in Europe.

QuesTek announced expanded additive manufacturing capabilities for the platform earlier this year. In his keynote, Sebastian explained that developing novel materials for additive manufacturing is the key to balancing the tradeoffs involved in rocket design.

“To get the most out of materials and really get the most out of your closed cycle engine development, you want burn resistant alloys that are also printable,” Sebastian told the capacity crowd at the Maastricht Exhibition & Conference Centre. “Additive manufacturing is so important because of the complexity of these engine designs.”

Sebastian cited a recent example in which a printable material designed using ICMD® was able to reduce dramatically the number of parts on a rocket. The new parts — too intricate to be manufactured by any other method — were printed and flew on test rockets within a year.

For industry leaders, the approach Sebastian outlined enables higher burn resistance without losing strength while simultaneously reducing development and qualification timelines.

It also supports more complex regenerative cooling pathways and accelerates closed-cycle engine commercialization.

“This opportunity to deliver a keynote at such a large and highly regarded conference in The Netherlands was the perfect capstone to our strategic expansion in Europe this year,” says Bill Mahoney, COO of QuesTek Innovations. “Jason expertly outlined the materials engineering landscape and how QuesTek is leading the path forward.”

For more on QuesTek’s work in the space industry, see Fast Company’s 2025 Most Innovative Companies in space (QuesTek is number 6) and Jason Sebastian’s interview on Fox News following the successful launch and platform landing of SpaceX’s Starship rocket.

About QuesTek

Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, QuesTek’s Materials by Design® technology and ICMD® software platform are proven to reduce the development time and cost and increase the performance of novel materials. In its market space, QuesTek is the first provider to execute the full cycle from novel design to production, certification, and flight operations with proprietary materials, in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional, or purely algorithmic methods. questek.com. (Source: PR Newswire)

04 Dec 25. Titomic Limited (ASX: TTT), a global leader in cold spray additive manufacturing utilizing their Titomic Kinetic Fusion™ technology, is pleased to announce the successful completion of a hot fire test on a solid rocket motor thrust chamber produced for a major U.S. aerospace and defense prime. The milestone marks a major step forward in validating Titomic’s proprietary Titomic Kinetic Fusion (TKF)™ technology for demanding aerospace and defense applications, confirming the capability of cold spray additive manufacturing to produce high-performance components for mission-critical systems. https://news.northropgrumman.com/srm/Northrop-Grumman-Collaborates-to-Rapidly-Develop-Test-Solid-Rocket-Motor-Components . The thrust chamber, manufactured using Titomic’s advanced cold spray process, underwent rigorous hot fire testing under extreme operating conditions. The results demonstrated exceptional structural integrity, strength, and thermal resilience, not only meeting but exceeding the performance expectations required for aerospace and defense propulsion systems. The successful test highlights the robustness and reliability of Titomic’s manufacturing approach, which enables rapid production of high-quality metallic components without the need for traditional high-heat or melting processes. This achievement reinforces the growing confidence in Titomic Kinetic Fusion™ as a transformative manufacturing technology for the aerospace and defense sectors. By eliminating conventional barriers in metal manufacturing, Titomic offers the ability to produce large and complex geometries with improved material properties, significantly reduced lead times and minimal material waste. These advantages present clear opportunities for meeting increasing market demands for innovative and complex aerospace and defense applications. enhancing efficiency, sustainability, and responsiveness across global supply chains. The successful hot fire test represents a key validation milestone for both Titomic and the prime, providing a strong foundation for future collaboration, including the potential integration of cold spray technology into operational programs. It also demonstrates Titomic’s capability to deliver localized manufacturing solutions in the United States, aligning with its strategy to strengthen partnerships with major defense primes and expand its presence in the Department of Defense.

“This successful test validates the strength and performance of Titomic’s technology in one of the most challenging environments imaginable,” said Jim Simpson, CEO of Titomic, “It represents not only a technical achievement but further affirms cold spray as a critical additive manufacturing capability for advanced aerospace and defense solutions. Titomic delivered the components to its customer within weeks of receiving the order, demonstrating our ability to rapidly deliver – from prototype to production – critical missile components which today has significant lead times.”

Further adoption of Titomic Kinetic Fusion™ in propulsion applications is a recent contract with another major U.S. prime contractor evaluating the capability for rocket engine repair. “We are truly excited about the continued interest in our demonstrated TKF™ solutions,” said Dr. Patti Dare, Titomic USA President. (Source: PR Newswire)

03 Dec 25. L3Harris Enhancing Marine Corps’ Resilient, Multi-Orbit SATCOM Operations. L3Harris Technologies is enhancing the operational capabilities of the U.S. Marine Corps’ satellite communications (SATCOM) terminals through a new delivery order under the Marine Corps Wideband Satellite – Expeditionary (MCWS-X) program. The company has supported the program since 2020, delivering its tri-band Panther™ 2 man-portable SATCOM terminal. This latest order also includes upgraded Ku-band transceivers, increasing the fleet-wide power output to 25W.

“Our Panther 2 terminals allow a single Marine to deploy a fully operational SATCOM capability, accessing multiple frequency bands through a variety of resilient waveforms, in under 10 minutes,” said Bill Scorse, Director, Engineering, L3Harris. “The upgraded transceivers for this order extend the Marines’ ability to push more data across the battlespace for actionable intelligence, supporting their Joint All-Domain Command and Control objectives with multi-orbit pathway diversity.”

L3Harris’ broad portfolio of resilient waveform technology and software-defined communication systems are trusted by the U.S. Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and global allies to deliver the latest capabilities, keeping fighting forces ahead of emerging threats on the modern battlefield. The company’s flexible architectures and open-system approaches are a step ahead of tomorrow, providing near-instantaneous, assured connections to relay crucial battlespace intelligence across various echelons.

“Our SATCOM solutions provide resiliency and pathway diversity to support multiple types of missions and avoid single points of failure with protected modems and waveforms for secure, wideband anti-jam communications,” said Mike Pedaci, General Manager, Tactical Communications, L3Harris. “These systems deliver resilient SATCOM with connectivity to different orbits, constellations, frequency bands and provider networks ‘on the fly’ so our warfighters are never fighting alone.” (Source: ASD Network)

03 Dec 25. Marotta Controls, a longstanding and leading innovator in aerospace and defense, today announced the launch of its new Delta-V product family, a comprehensive line of in-space propulsion components engineered to meet the needs of modern satellite and spacecraft manufacturers. Developed over the past five years, Delta-V brings Marotta’s proven “CoRe®” philosophy from the launch vehicle sector to orbit, offering off-the-shelf propulsion components that reduce lead times and streamline spacecraft development. This new product line, already in production and in orbit, is Marotta’s latest strategic move to meet growing demand in the commercial space sector. It includes a robust catalog of fill/drain valves, thruster valves, isolation valves, latching valves, and pressure regulators — each designed and qualified to support both monopropellant and bipropellant propulsion architectures. The majority of components in the Delta-V lineup have already been integrated into commercial and government spacecraft, including lunar landers, which feature Marotta’s FDV060 valve for propellant service operations.

“We built Delta-V with the same philosophy that made our launch vehicle products a success: designing components spacecraft engineers can trust and procure quickly,” said Max Wolfinger, Vice President, Space Systems at Marotta Controls. “By transitioning from custom valve builds to a catalog-driven model, our customers can now design spacecraft around components that are already available. This dramatically reduces time to launch.”

Marotta’s investment in Delta-V has been substantial, spanning internal R&D, design-for-manufacturing innovations, and a scheduled expansion of its New Jersey-based production facilities. Multiple components in the new catalog were funded through Marotta’s Independent Research and Development (IRAD) programs and are currently being manufactured at scale.

“We’re providing a catalog of purpose-built spacecraft valves — shifting the approach from designing the components around the system to designing the system around the components,” added Jonathan Black, Senior Director, Space Programs and Business Development at Marotta Controls. “That means building satellites faster, at lower cost, and with fewer technical unknowns.”

The company reports that most lead times for Delta-V components are now measured in months instead of years, meeting the market needs for rapid spacecraft design, build, and manufacture.

As satellite constellations, lunar missions, and defense programs seek faster delivery and increased production volume, Delta-V positions Marotta as a key enabler of scalable propulsion infrastructure. The components are orbit-agnostic and have been designed for use across a wide range of mission profiles, from low Earth orbit (LEO) to cislunar transport.

“Our commitment to the space sector is accelerating,” said Patrick Marotta, President & CEO, Marotta Controls. “Delta-V represents our next step. With this product line, the company is bridging its heritage in precision controls with the industry’s growing need for ready-to-integrate, high-reliability propulsion systems.”

To learn more about Marotta’s Delta-V in-space propulsion product line and to download the full catalog, visit https://marotta.com/delta-v-propulsion-series.

03 Dec 25. UK Space Agency invests £17m to drive next wave of space innovation. The UK Space Agency has announced £17m for seventeen UK space projects through its National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), unveiled today at Space Comm Expo in Glasgow. This investment will accelerate breakthrough technologies, boost commercialisation, and reinforce the UK’s global leadership in space innovation. The selected projects span five strategic themes critical to the UK’s space ambitions: space domain awareness, in-orbit servicing and manufacturing, Earth observation, satellite communications, and position, navigation and timing. Together, these projects will deliver transformative technologies to enhance climate monitoring, improve connectivity, enable sustainable satellite operations, and strengthen national security. From quantum communications and robotic servicing tools to AI-powered pollution tracking and refuellable propulsion systems, these innovations will help build a resilient, competitive UK space sector.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “Space technology benefits people’s lives every day – from checking the weather to navigating your car journey home from work. This funding backs the brilliant UK innovators developing the next generation of space technology. By supporting our space sector, we’re strengthening the UK’s position as a world leader in space innovation and building technologies that will benefit people across the country for years to come.”

Commercial and public benefits

NSIP’s newly funded projects will also deliver tangible public value. Together, these projects are anticipated to create up to 140 skilled jobs across the UK, strengthening the talent pipeline in engineering, data science and advanced manufacturing.

Innovations in Earth observation and satellite data will enhance services such as weather forecasting, agricultural monitoring, and disaster response. HR Wallingford’s AI tool will use satellite data to assess how farming practices affect water quality in our rivers and bathing waters, supporting environmental protection and more sustainable land use.

Magdrive Ltd is developing a compact, versatile and efficient metal-based plasma propulsion system, targeting mass production in the UK to support the next generation of satellite constellations.

Several projects will also contribute to national security and resilience. The University of Birmingham’s AI-powered satellite radar analysis system will help understand and respond to objects in space, improving space domain awareness and shaping the future of autonomous satellite operations, making space missions safer and smarter with bespoke AI-approaches developed by Alan Turing Institute.

BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is developing a satellite-based service to detect and track radio signals from Earth, with applications in both civil and defence contexts. The programme is advancing the UK’s sustainability goals. Protolaunch’s water-based propulsion system and Orbit Fab’s first step to developing a refuellable electric propulsion system which will promote greener satellite operations, while Lodestar Space will develop autonomous, modular robotic tools to service spacecraft in orbit, reducing space debris and extending satellite lifespans.

Professor Mark Sims and Professor Anna Hogg, Space Academic Network (SPAN) Co-Chairs said: “We are pleased to see how the UK Space Agency NSIP programme enables great innovation across industry and academia, often jointly supporting the development of real future technologies for the UK space sector. The strengthening of collaboration between industry and academia over the last decade clearly demonstrates the power of working together. The wide variety of technologies now being developed through NSIP is exciting to see, each one representing an opportunity to advance the sector and drive future growth.”

Building a world-leading space economy

This new investment from the UK Space Agency builds on the UK’s £18bn space sector, which continues to grow rapidly and is a leading destination for space investment globally.

UKspace Executive Director, Colin Baldwin, said: “We offer our congratulations to all the successful recipients of these awards. This investment expands the impact of the NSIP and provides the opportunity for space companies and academic institutions to develop innovative new sovereign capability that strengthens the UK in several important areas. We also welcome the government’s announcement that from 2026 it will be spending more on civil space than ever before. We look forward to working with the emerging “One Government” approach to space to deliver security and growth for our nation.”

The UK last week agreed a £1.7bn investment in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes at the ESA Council of Ministers in Bremen, boosting the UK’s total commitment to £2.8 bn over the next decade. This funding will sustain thousands of high-skilled jobs, drive innovation, and deliver benefits for people and businesses—from improved connectivity to more resilient infrastructure.

Every £1 invested in ESA returns £7.49 to the UK economy, with contracts flowing back to UK industry and universities. Today’s announcement complements recent UK Space Agency funding that reinforce the UK’s strategic direction in space. These include £6.8m in International Bilateral Fund awards to support global partnerships, and £6.9m in government funding for satellite communications projects, leveraging the space sector’s talents and strengthening the UK’s reputation as a world leader in space technology.

Together, these efforts reflect a coordinated approach to growing the UK’s space economy, advancing innovation, and delivering lasting value to citizens and stakeholders across the country.

Projects

Magdrive Ltd receives £2m to ready a powerful propulsion system for small satellites for mass production.
B2Space Ltd with partners SuperSharp Space Systems and University of South Wales receives £2m to create a UK-led Earth observation system using high-altitude platforms with advanced sensors, satcom connectivity and onboard AI.
Lightricity Ltd with partners AVS Added Value Solutions UK Ltd and IQE PLC receives £1.9m to create a fully flexible roll-out foldable solar panel for small satellites that can generate several kilowatts of power.
BAE Systems Digital Intelligence receives £1.47m to develop a satellite-based service to detect and track radio signals from Earth for defence and civil use.
Toshiba Europe Ltd, together with Heriot-Watt University and Cambridge, University has secured £1.45m to space-qualify critical quantum optoelectric components and integrate them into a UK-developed secure quantum communication systems for small satellites.
Filtronic Broadband Ltd receives £1.18m to build a high-powered amplifier system for satellite communications using advanced UK technology.
Lodestar Space Ltd with partners Magdrive Ltd and Cranfield University receives £1m to develop autonomous, modular robotic tools to service spacecraft in orbit.
Protolaunch Ltd with partners University of Southampton and Naicker Scientific Ltd receives £1m to develop a water-based propulsion system that combines chemical and electric thrust for sustainable and dynamic satellite movement.
University of Bristol with partners University of Bath, Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd, University of Strathclyde and University of York receives £980,000 to create a UV-based secure communication devices for smaller size and longer distance inter satellite CubeSats links.
University of Edinburgh with partner UK Astronomy Technology Centre (STFC) receives £850,000 to develop a compact, high-resolution CubeSat instrument to measure pollution from space, with global coverage.
The University of Southampton has received £800,000 and partnered with Cranfield Plasma Solutions to develop a plasma torch system for simulating the extreme thermal conditions of spacecraft atmospheric re-entry. This innovation will fill a key UK capability gap by providing high-fidelity, contamination-free material ablation testing, supporting sustainable space operations.
University of Birmingham with partner Alan Turing Institute receives £610,000 to design an AI-powered satellite radar system to understand the shape and structure of objects in space.
University of Strathclyde with partner BAE Systems PLC receives £540,000 to develop a new satellite navigation system that avoids relying on GPS by maintaining an agreed time through synchronisation.
University of Leicester with partner TWI Ltd receives £485,000 to build a robot-mounted welding system for in-space repair and structural joining, validated through vacuum and simulated-environment testing.
Orbit Fab Ltd with partner TAS UK receives £340,000 to create a refuellable electric propulsion system for satellites by developing a fluidic flatsat.
HR Wallingford receives £320,000, with support from Southern Water, Thames Water, and Evenlode Catchment Partnership to build an AI tool that uses satellite data to assess how farming affects water quality.
STFC RAL Space receives £260,000 to develop a new technology to support the calibration of next-generation meteorological satellites using UK-made electronics. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

03 Dec 25. USAF seeks advanced data fusion capability for PWSA. A SpaceX Falcon 9 loaded with a Tranche 0 payload variant for the Space Development Agency’s PWSA sits on the launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. (Space Development Agency) The US Air Force (USAF) is looking to industry to develop a large-scale data fusion system and associated digital architecture that meet the massive information-sharing requirements for the Pentagon’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The effort “seeks innovative solutions to develop and demonstrate a secure, adaptable software environment capable of ingesting, integrating, and analysing high-volume, low-latency data streams from diverse space-based sources”, according to a presolicitation notice issued in November. The programme is scheduled to begin officially accepting proposals on 3 December.

“While various data fusion tools exist, few are designed to meet the scale, velocity, and multivendor integration demands of PWSA,” service officials wrote in the presolicitation notice. This [effort] seeks innovative solutions to develop and demonstrate a secure, modular, and extensible data fusion environment specifically tailored to support proliferated low Earth orbit (pLEO) space vehicles (SVs), they added.

In the end, USAF programme officials are aiming to develop “an extensible fusion platform that enables real-time situational awareness, advanced analytics, and dynamic mission adaptability” in support of PWSA command-and-control (C2) capabilities, the presolicitation noted. The PWSA consists of several capability sections (or layers) within the architecture, each one supported by constellations of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. The sections include the tracking layer, the transport layer, the battle management layer, the navigation layer, the deterrence layer, the support layer, and the custody layer. (Source: Janes)

03 Dec 25. A cluster of British designed and built satellites has been successfully launched into low Earth orbit, providing defence, security and civil sectors with UK space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to enhance the nation’s ability to protect against modern threats. Three BAE Systems designed and built Azalea radio frequency (RF) satellites, have been successfully launched via Exolaunch as part of the Transporter-15 rideshare mission with SpaceX on 28 November, 2025. Communications with the UK-produced satellites were successfully established across the first three contact opportunities between 23:05 and 04:55 GMT. This marks a crucial milestone in the Company’s self-funded Azalea mission which will see the three satellites fly in formation at an altitude of 350 miles, using their ultra-wideband RF sensors to monitor and geolocate radio signals on Earth across vast distances. They are joined by a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite that can see through clouds to create images of the earth’s surface. Launched aboard the same Transporter-15 mission, the satellite from Finnish company ICEYE becomes part of a four satellite cluster with advanced multi-sensing capabilities. The cluster will process RF and SAR data in space, designed to deliver actionable information directly to decision-makers across land, sea and air in near real time – helping them protect armed forces, safeguard critical national infrastructure and detect illegal activity at sea. Over the coming months, BAE Systems will trial this novel fusion of RF and SAR data, collaborating with customers to explore a range of use cases including intelligence gathering and supporting disaster relief.

Andrea Thompson, Group Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Digital Intelligence business, said: “Building on decades of experience in defence, security and space innovation, our Azalea mission reflects the critical role space plays in defence and national security, offering a unique vantage point of Earth which enables us to better understand and respond to today’s complex threats.

“This cutting-edge technology is designed to deliver near real-time, space-based insights directly to users, empowering them to make informed decisions that help protect the UK and its allies. I’m incredibly proud of the team for their work to boost the UK’s space capability.”

Weighing around 150 kilograms each, the RF spacecraft carry the Azalea Enhanced Software Defined Radio – designed, developed, built and operated by BAE Systems. The equipment uses artificial intelligence (AI) to accurately process RF and SAR data onboard the satellites, turn it into actionable intelligence and transmit it securely back to Earth. Like a mobile phone operating system update, the payload can be rapidly reconfigured remotely whilst it is in-orbit, ensuring Azalea remains at the cutting edge of space technology to deliver future customer missions. The satellites will travel at approximately 7.6 kilometres per second, orbiting the Earth every 90 minutes.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency said: “The successful launch of the Azalea constellation will increase the availability of advanced information from space, to help meet the fast-growing global demand from civil, national security and defence customers.

“The new satellites, which will use AI to convert raw data into actionable intelligence, represent a significant and welcome investment by BAE Systems in the UK space industry, which plays a vital role in driving economic growth and keeping us safe.”

To learn more about Azalea, visit: https://www.baesystems.com/en-uk/product/azalea

02 Dec 25. Deloitte Selects Spire to Deliver Advanced Satellite Capabilities, Expanding Their On-Orbit Cyber and Data Operations. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, announced that Deloitte has contracted with them to design, build and operate eight satellites. These satellites will support Deloitte’s on-orbit cyber payloads, as well as its space data capabilities for commercial and government clients. The mission consists of eight satellites with advanced radio frequency and geolocation payloads, as well as serving as a platform for advancing Deloitte’s Silent Shield mission to further innovate in satellite vehicle defense and resilience.

“We’re in an exciting era where space is enabling unprecedented innovation. By working with Deloitte, we’re bringing next generation capabilities to orbit by deploying small satellites that can be built in months, not years,” said Theresa Condor, CEO at Spire. “This approach helps our customers to move quickly, experiment, and stay agile as their needs change. By combining Spire’s trusted satellite infrastructure with Deloitte’s vision and leadership in the field, this program moves us closer to building more resilient and adaptable space-based assets for commercial and defense markets.”

Earlier this year, Deloitte launched its first satellite, Deloitte-1, on the SpaceX Transporter-13 mission as part of its Silent Shield program. Spire has collaborated with Deloitte to test and validate Deloitte’s cyber intrusion detection system payload for satellites in orbit, strengthening the resilience and security of space systems against cyber threats. Silent Shield utilizes Spire’s advanced satellite technology, helping Deloitte study real-time satellite signaling patterns and evaluate the detection and mitigation of cyber anomalies.

“Spire’s integrated technology gives us a powerful and relevant platform to engineer, test, validate, and refine our on-orbit cyber solutions with the goal of advancing the cyber resiliency of on-orbit assets with edge cyber detection and response,” said Brett Loubert, leader of Deloitte’s U.S. Space practice. “As space becomes even more critical to our technology and security, our focus on cyber resilience and reliable access to space data enables our clients to operate even more confidently and adapt to more sophisticated threats.”

Spire’s Space Services model and robust space infrastructure offers end-to-end satellite manufacturing, launch management, and operational capabilities. With over 34 ground stations and a partner ground station network, Spire offers secure, encrypted data transmission to Deloitte’s cloud environment. (Source: ASD Network)

02 Dec 25. Chinese Researchers Sketch a 2,000-Drone Plan to Knock Starlink Offline. China may have just found a way to take aim at Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite constellation: a massive swarm of special signal-jamming drones. Researchers at Zhejiang University and the Beijing Institute of Technology modelled how roughly 1,000 to 2,000 coordinated jammers could overwhelm the satellite network. Each drone would broadcast noise at varying power levels, saturating the system and cutting ground terminals off from connectivity. For full coverage over Taiwan, the study estimates at least 935 synchronised jammers would be needed in the air. The strategy draws heavily from lessons in Ukraine, where Starlink kept communications alive despite Russian attempts to cut fibre networks and jam signals. Ukrainian forces restored command links within days, as SpaceX rolled out rapid software updates to counter interference. Starlink’s thousands of fast-moving satellites, constantly shifting orbital planes and handing off connections in real time, reportedly make the network tough to disrupt. Ground terminals also hop between satellites within seconds, keeping users online even under attack.

“The orbital planes of Starlink are not fixed, and the movement trajectories of the constellation are highly complex, with the number of satellites entering the visible area constantly changing,” said the researchers, as quoted by South China Morning Post.

“This spatiotemporal uncertainty poses a significant challenge for any third party attempting to monitor or counter the Starlink constellation.” (Source: UAS VISION/NextGenDefense)

02 Dec 25. ISI Unveils a Revolution in Real-Time Movement Tracking via RUNNER Satellite. Real-time insights powered by onboard AI and embedded AI agents mark a new era of dynamic intelligence, fundamentally changing how organizations access and use satellite-based intelligence. December 02,2025, Israel, ImageSat International (TASE: ISI), a global leader in space-based intelligence solutions, introduces the only satellite delivering real-time movement tracking from orbit. RUNNER’s unique, game-changing capability lifts satellite intelligence from static images to live, actionable answers for defense intelligence customers, and commercial sectors such as urban management, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response. RUNNER, a pioneer of in-orbit embedded AI, has already been operational for more than three years, proving both its reliability and paradigm-shifting value. On-board analysis of movements and In-scene-dynamics enables direct dissemination of critical space-based intelligence within existing operational networks due to the compressed nature of high-level symbology, and when space-based agents become members of the warfighter networks, their utilization shall increase substantially. At the heart of RUNNER’s success is ISI’s unique multi-sensor architecture, industry-leading image stabilization, and fault-tolerant hardware, all built on decades of operational experience. The platform delivers sub-meter true-color video and dynamic analytics, with instant mapping and classification even at night or through cloud cover. RUNNER’s advanced embedded AI agents and eight onboard GPU processors enable live analysis of movement types and operational zones within seconds, providing unprecedented insight where timing and context are critical. What truly distinguishes ISI is its decades-long proprietary intelligence data archive, accumulated and continuously enhanced by generative AI. ISI is the world’s first satellite company to deploy generative AI models trained exclusively on its own unique database, turning every observation into an enriched, analyst-ready product tailored for mission reality.

“RUNNER changes the rules for satellite intelligence,” said Noam Segal, CEO of ISI. “For the first time, analysts and operators have instant access to dynamic movement tracking, embedded AI agents, and actual intelligence data, at the speed of operations and tailored for warfighter needs. This capability is a true game changer, expanding real-time intelligence to support mission decisions worldwide.”

About ImageSat International (ISI):

ImageSat International (ISI) is a global leader in space-based intelligence solutions. Leveraging over two decades of operational expertise, ISI delivers advanced satellite systems, high-resolution imagery, and AI-powered analytics to defense, homeland security, and civilian organizations worldwide. The company designs, manufactures, and operates its own satellite constellations, including proprietary new-space platforms and multi-sensor solutions, empowering customers with secure, actionable intelligence for their most critical missions. ISI’s cloud and ground technologies provide autonomous, real-time intelligence collection and dissemination, supporting rapid response and strategic decision-making globally. For more information, visit www.imagesatintl.com.

01 Dec 25. Aechelon Technology, Inc. (“Aechelon”), the leading provider of advanced geospatial and visual simulation solutions, today announced the successful proof-of-concept integration of Vantor’s 3D operational terrain into Aechelon’s Project Orbion. This collaboration allows Aechelon to transform ICEYE’s high-resolution space-based synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery into high-fidelity, physics-accurate 3D terrain visualizations. The capability will be demonstrated interactively at I/ITSEC 2025 in Orlando, Florida. Through this partnership, Aechelon’s SkyBeam™ AI exploitation system visually fuses ICEYE’s SAR detections of changes and objects on the ground with Vantor’s highly accurate, global-scale 3D spatial foundation—which is updated continuously to reflect the operational terrain—to create a mission-ready synthetic environment. This integration unlocks 24/7, all-weather updates to Project Orbion’s living 3D environment.

“Aechelon and Vantor have sustained a decades-long partnership—we’ve been continuously integrating Vantor’s high-resolution imagery and advanced 3D data into our products and delivering them at scale across a range of defense programs,” said Nacho Sanz-Pastor, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Aechelon Technology Inc. “This marks the first integration of Vantor’s software-enabled spatial intelligence capabilities with Project Orbion, expanding the roster of industry leaders we’ve brought together to advance next-generation geospatial intelligence.”

Vantor’s 3D spatial foundation includes 3D terrain and 3D building footprints covering over 95% of Earth’s landmass and is accurate to within 3 meters in all dimensions. It is kept continuously up to date by Vantor’s industry-leading imaging satellite constellation—which can revisit the same location on Earth up to 15 times per day—and is delivered to the SkyBeam environment via Vantor’s Tensorglobe™ spatial intelligence platform. Project Orbion represents the industry’s first AI-enabled Digital Twin of the Earth—a continuously updated, sensor-fused 3D environment that integrates satellite imagery, radar intelligence, photogrammetry, and real-time detections into a single exploitable picture. The proof of concept highlights Aechelon’s open AI exploitation environment capable of fusing heterogeneous geospatial sources. The system uses Aechelon’s AI algorithms to extract detailed 3D vegetation and process Vantor building footprints for 3D models. Aechelon’s dynamic moving models then correlate ICEYE SAR detections, transforming them into precise, real-time 3D representations against a fused, high-fidelity terrain backdrop. Aechelon AI also enhances Vantor imagery and elevation data through machine learning–based environmental modeling, including real-time snow accumulation synchronized with ICEYE SAR satellite passes, further refining the visual fidelity and elevation accuracy. Aechelon’s overall system is enabling operators to interactively visualize moving targets and new structures or others changes with high accuracy. Together, Aechelon, Vantor, ICEYE, and Project Orbion advance Aechelon’s mission to deliver next-generation geospatial intelligence—providing U.S. and allied forces with correlated, high-fidelity, mission-ready synthetic environments. Beyond defense, the initiative supports disaster response, emergency management, and autonomous AI system training.

Built on Aechelon’s SkyBeam™ platform, Project Orbion represents the future of Aechelon’s global, continuously updated, sensor-fused geospatial ecosystem. The live demonstration at I/ITSEC 2025 will showcase the quality of the fused 3D environments.

For more details on Project Orbion’s rapid update capabilities, visit https://aechelon.com/solutions/project-orbion.

About Vantor:

Vantor is forging the new frontier of spatial intelligence to unlock a more autonomous, interoperable world. We give decision makers and operators the power to build a unified intelligence picture, delivering the clarity they need to navigate what’s happening now and shape what’s coming next. We fuse data from the world’s most capable imaging satellites with real-time sensor feeds from space, air, and ground to create an AI-ready digital twin of Earth. Our spatial intelligence platform automates every part of the cycle—from tasking to collection to production—to update and analyze this foundation at the pace of change. Our products drive deeper mission-critical insights and connect the next generation of autonomous systems across the defense, intelligence, and commercial landscape. (Source: PR Newswire)

01 Dec 25. Intellistake Announces Intent to Bring Blockchain Infrastructure to Space in Partnership with Orbit AI on the AI-Enabled Orbital Cloud Network.

Key Highlights:

Satellite Launches planned in December 2025 and March 2026 – over 500 orbital rocket launches have occurred in the past two years1.
Intellistake intends to provide blockchain infrastructure for Orbit AI’s Orbital Cloud — a network combining NVIDIA-powered AI computing, Ethereum-based blockchain verification, and decentralized communications (DeStarlink) in orbit.
The Orbital Cloud represents the world’s first AI-enabled space infrastructure, where data can move, compute, and verify directly in orbit without relying on ground systems.
Intellistake intends to establish validator and node infrastructure forming the blockchain layer that enables real-time verification and decentralized coordination between satellites.
The orbital infrastructure market is projected to grow from USD $13.5bn in 2024 to $21.3bn by 20292, while the in-orbit data centers market could reach $39.1bn by 20354.
Backed by its pending acquisition of Singularity Venture Hub, Intellistake brings together a world-class team, technology, and resources to deliver the blockchain foundation for AI and data infrastructure in space.

Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTCQB: ISTKF) (FSE: E41) (“Intellistake” or the “Company”), a developer of decentralized AI and blockchain infrastructure, has partnered with Orbit AI (“Orbit AI”), a Singapore-based aerospace company developing the Orbital Cloud — a new form of space-based infrastructure where communication, computation, and verification converge beyond Earth. The Orbital Cloud combines AI computing (DeStarAI), global connectivity (DeStarlink), and blockchain verification (Intellistake) to create an intelligent satellite network that can process and verify data directly in orbit. By shifting these processes off Earth, the platform removes dependence on centralized data centers, creating a faster, more secure, and censorship-resistant framework for AI systems. Intellistake intends to provide validator and node infrastructure to secure this system, acting as the blockchain verification layer within Orbit AI’s Coordination Layer. This blockchain backbone is designed to enable satellites to authenticate data, coordinate AI workloads, and record verified transactions independently of terrestrial networks. The partnership positions Intellistake at the intersection of blockchain, AI, and aerospace infrastructure, extending its proven expertise in decentralized technologies to a new frontier. Through its pending acquisition of Singularity Venture Hub, Intellistake combines technical leadership and deep industry resources to execute on large-scale infrastructure projects bridging decentralized AI and traditional enterprise systems. As AI capabilities expand beyond Earth, secure and autonomous systems are essential. The Orbital Cloud seeks to meet this need by creating an interconnected satellite mesh capable of global AI computation, blockchain verification, and communication in orbit. Intellistake’s contribution ensures the network is transparent, trustless, and verifiable — making it possible for AI systems to run in space with integrity and independence. According to The Business Research Company, the orbital infrastructure market is projected to expand from USD $13.5 bn in 2024 to $21.3 bn by 20292. The broader satellite market is forecast to reach USD $615.7 bn by 20323, while the in-orbit data centers market — central to Orbit AI’s DeStarAI — is expected to rise from USD $1.77 bn in 2029 to $39.1 bn by 20354. The satellite data-services market is also forecast to grow from USD $12.16 bn in 2024 to $55.24 bn by 20345.

The Orbital Cloud introduces a new category of infrastructure for AI and blockchain systems:

Security: Blockchain verification ensures every data process and transaction is traceable and tamper-proof.
Efficiency: AI computing happens where the data is generated, reducing latency and energy costs.
Sovereignty: Decentralized design prevents dependence on single jurisdictions or centralized systems.
Scalability: Each new satellite node increases computing and verification capacity, strengthening the network.

“The Orbital Cloud depends on blockchain infrastructure that can function autonomously and securely in orbit,” said Gus Liu, Co-Founder of Orbit AI. “Intellistake’s validator and verification technology completes the trust layer of our architecture, ensuring that data and AI processing in space remain transparent and independently verifiable. We are really excited to see where this partnership can take us”

“This is a massive step forward,” said Jason Dussault, CEO of Intellistake Technologies Corp. “You don’t often get the chance to work on something that’s truly never been done before. With the talent and vision on both sides, there’s huge potential in what we can build together. Partnering with Orbit AI opens the door to an entirely new frontier– one where AI, data, and trust can operate seamlessly in space, and where the groundwork we’re laying now could redefine how decentralized systems evolve for years to come.”

Orbit AI’s first satellite, Genesis-1, featuring onboard Ethereum wallet and blockchain-node capabilities, is expected to launch in December 2025. In 2026, Orbit AIplans to deploy a small network of satellites integrating AI computing and blockchain verification, with full constellation rollout anticipated by 2028–2030. Intellistake looks forward to supporting these milestones as AI and blockchain infrastructure move beyond Earth, with more developments to be shared as this collaboration advances.

In connection with the partnership, Intellistake and Smartlink AI Limited (a Singapore company doing business as Orbit AI) entered into a Collaboration Framework Agreement dated November 28, 2025 (the “Agreement”). Intellistake intends to complete an initial investment of US$500,000 in Orbit AI in return for a 1% equity interest. Intellistake will also have the option to invest an additional US$1 m for equity at a valuation to be determined based on Orbit AI’s next round of financing, which with the approval of Orbit AI may be increased to up to US$10 m, contingent on agreement on final terms and to be completed prior to the launch of DeStarlink Genesis-2 which is expected in 2026.

1http://spacestatsonline.com/launches/

2https://www.thebusinessresearchcompany.com/report/orbital-infrastructure-global-market-report

3https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/press-release/satellite-market.html

4https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/04/08/3057428/28124/en/In-Orbit-Data-Centers-Market-Report-2025-Key-Players-like-NVIDIA-IBM-HPE-and-NASA-are-Pioneering-Scalable-Radiation-hardened-Computing-in-LEO.html

5https://www.precedenceresearch.com/satellite-data-services-market

About Orbit AI

Orbit AI is a Singapore based pioneer in Aerospace. Cooperating with supply chain from China and US, the company is building a decentralized low-Earth orbit satellite network (DeStarlink) combined with orbital AI compute/data-center infrastructure (DeStarAI). The company plans blockchain verified nodes in space, solar-powered compute payloads and a mesh network architecture to deliver global connectivity and digital-sovereignty services. To learn more about Orbit AI please visit https://orbitAI.global or follow http://x.com/OrbitAI_OAI

About Intellistake Technologies Corp.

Intellistake Technologies Corp. (CSE: ISTK) (OTCQB: ISTKF) (FSE: E41) is developing software solutions that leverage decentralized AI infrastructure to deliver enterprise-grade intelligence. Through validator operations, strategic token participation, and the development of enterprise AI agents, Intellistake seeks to bridge the gap between emerging decentralized networks and real-world industry adoption.

For additional information on the business of Intellistake please refer to https://www.intellistake.com/ (Source: PR Newswire)

28 Nov 25. Earlier this week, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Lisa Campbell announced that the Government of Canada will invest a total of €407.71m (representing approximately CAD$664.6m) in European Space Agency (ESA) programs. This figure includes the CAD$528m previously announced. This historic investment, the largest since Canada first partnered with ESA in 1979, will advance research and development of Canadian-made space technologies for both civilian and defence purposes. It is expected to generate hundreds of jobs and a significant economic return in Canada, where every dollar awarded to Canadian companies through ESA contracts generates over three dollars in follow-on sales. It will grow and diversify Canada’s vibrant space sector, helping Canada to continue meeting its commercial, defence and security needs, and exporting these capabilities around the world. This new funding is being directed to ESA programs in areas of strategic importance like Satellite Communications, Earth Observation, Space Exploration, Space Safety, Navigation and Technology Development. These programs were selected after consultation with the Canadian space sector. By strengthening Canada’s collaboration with ESA, Canadian businesses will be positioned to work with leading European partners and compete for high-value contracts on the European space market. With this historic investment, Canada reinforces its commitment to innovation and secures its place in shaping the future of space.

“Canada’s historic investment in ESA programs supports our industrial competitiveness and advances our strategic interests. These investments will help Canadian companies win contracts in Europe and empower them to develop cutting-edge technologies that drive economic growth, open doors to international collaboration, and strengthen our collective security.”

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

“Canada’s partnership with the European Space Agency continues to deliver outstanding results for our space sector and our economy. By deepening this collaboration, we are creating highly qualified jobs and ensuring that Canadian companies can access new markets, strengthen their innovation capacity, and play leading roles in shaping the future of space.”

Lisa Campbell, President of the Canadian Space Agency

Quick facts

Of this funding, €352.5m (representing approximately CAD$574.6m) will be put toward ESA’s optional programs, and €55.21 m (approximately CAD$90m) toward ESA’s mandatory programs.
Funds will be divided among the following ESA optional programs:
€116.5m in Earth Observation (CAD$189.9m)
€75m in Space Exploration (CAD$122.3m)
€80.5m in Satellite Communications (CAD$131.2m)
€45m in Technologies and Industry Development (CAD$73.4m)
€30m in Space Safety (CAD$48.9m)
€5.5m in Navigation (CAD$9m)
All figures are presented in 2025 economic conditions. Approximate Canadian dollar values are calculated using an exchange rate of €1 = CAD$1.63.
These key investment decisions were made at ESA’s Ministerial Council, which took place in Bremen, Germany, on November 26–27, 2025.
Canada is the only non-European cooperating state in ESA. Since 1979, this partnership has supported hundreds of contracts for Canadian companies, generating strong economic returns and global visibility.

(Source: PR Newswire)

23 Nov 25. ST Engineering to support UAE’s space ambitions with SAR satellite. ST Engineering has been selected by FADA, the space-focused entity under EDGE Group, to deliver a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite as part of the UAE National SAR Constellation Program, Sirb. This project is aimed at enhancing the UAE’s Earth Observation (EO) capabilities and includes the design and delivery of the satellite and the mission control infrastructure necessary to capture high-resolution radar images for critical applications such as disaster response, environmental monitoring and national security. The satellite will have state-of-the-art imaging with sub-meter resolution and a high-speed downlink. Beyond the SAR satellite, ST Engineering will design and deliver the infrastructure required for its operation. This mission control system will enable flexible and real-time satellite monitoring, ensuring that the satellite provides reliable day-and-night, all-weather imaging. The satellite will align with FADA’s roadmap, enhancing UAE’s space-based capabilities for government and commercial use. The program will draw on EDGE Group’s depth of expertise in advanced technologies across defence and commercial fields. The project moves into its next phase after completing the SAR system design review, with assembly and integration of the satellite to follow, along with rigorous operational testing. The collaboration will continue to strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in space technology.

Mr. Low Jin Phang, President of ST Engineering’s Digital Systems business, said, “FADA’s selection of ST Engineering for this strategic project underscores our proven leadership in space technology and our ability to design and produce commercial Earth observation satellites. We are committed to delivering end-to-end solutions that meet the UAE’s strategic needs and contribute to its vision of building a resilient, self-sustaining space ecosystem.” (Source: Satnews)

27 Nov 25. OQ Technology achieves Europe’s 1st D2M emergency broadcast message from space. OQ Technology has achieved a major technological milestone using its LEO satellite constellation to successfully deliver Europe’s first direct-to-mobile (D2M) emergency broadcast message from space — transmitted directly to standard smartphones without any hardware or software modifications. This milestone makes OQ Technology the first European satellite operator to demonstrate a D2M emergency broadcast message, positioning the company at the forefront of sovereign, secure, and resilient space-based communications for public safety and disaster response — all supported by 60 MHz of MSS S-band spectrum, upper C-band, and IMT band partnerships. The live demo in Luxembourg showcased how OQ’s LEO satellite network can transmit an emergency broadcast message directly to unmodified smartphones — including both iPhone and Android devices — ensuring citizens remain connected even when terrestrial networks are down, congested, or disrupted by cyberattacks. This capability is vital for public warning systems, disaster recovery, and communications resilience across Europe and beyond, providing a reliable communication layer that remains operational when terrestrial networks are compromised. Following this successful emergency broadcast messaging demonstration, OQ Technology will demonstrate D2M voice services in the coming year, marking the next major milestone in its mission to expand European leadership in D2D connectivity. This achievement marks a turning point for Europe’s sovereign space capabilities,” said Omar Qaise, Founder and CEO of OQ Technology. “With our 60 MHz of MSS S-band spectrum rights and in-orbit infrastructure, OQ is building the foundation for a resilient and secure European direct-to-device service that connects people everywhere. With this milestone, we’ve proven that emergency broadcast messages can reach ordinary smartphones from space – anytime and anywhere.” (Source: Satnews)

24 Nov 25. AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 to take flight in December. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), is building the only space-based cellular broadband network designed for both commercial and government applications that is accessible directly by standard smartphones. The BlueBird 6, a U.S. licensed satellite, is scheduled to launch on December 15th from the Satish Dhawan Space Center in India. You will be able to watch a live broadcast on the launch day on AST SpaceMobile’s YouTube channel. BlueBird 6 is the first of AST SpaceMobile’s next-generation satellites. When launched, it will feature the largest commercial phased array in low Earth orbit at nearly 2,400 square feet. This represents a 3.5 times increase in size over BlueBirds 1-5 and supports 10 times the data capacity. AST SpaceMobile is accelerating production with 40 satellites equivalent of microns on track to be completed by early 2026. The company expects five orbital launches by the end of Q1 2026, with launches occurring every one to two months on average to reach 45–60 satellites launched by the end of 2026 and support continuous coverage across the United States and select markets.

“Our next-generation satellites will soon enable ubiquitous cellular broadband coverage direct to everyday smartphones from space,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “As an American company, we are proud to demonstrate U.S. leadership in space innovation while pioneering the next era of global connectivity.”

This ramp-up is supported by nearly 500,000 square feet of manufacturing and operations facilities worldwide, including roughly 400,000 square feet in the United States, and a global workforce of nearly 1,800 people, the overwhelming majority of whom are based in the U.S. The exact timing of orbital launches is subject to change based on a number of factors, including launch readiness of the launch provider, weather conditions, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. (Source: Satnews)

27 Nov 25. Proximus Global + Starlink to expand Direct-to-Cell satellite connectivity in Europe. BICS, a Proximus Global company, and Starlink have entered into a strategic partnership, appointing BICS as the preferred IPX provider in Europe for Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite connectivity services. The collaboration enables Starlink to leverage the IPX network to connect mobile network operators (MNOs) today, while also paving the way for Starlink’s next-generation network that will be capable of providing broadband service to smartphones. Proximus Global’s IPX network, which functions similarly to a roaming exchange, acts as a bridge to connect Starlink to MNOs, which enables standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites in remote areas without terrestrial coverage. In the future, it will support the next iteration of network coverage to optimize smartphone performance in non-terrestrial networks.

Mike Nicolls, Starlink, VP of Engineering at Starlink said, “We’re excited to work with Proximus Global to ensure Starlink’s next-generation constellation can leverage harmonized spectrum to provide the most powerful satellite-to-mobile service across Europe to further our mission of ending mobile dead zones and providing connectivity when people need it most. This partnership is a critical step in preparation to not only advance seamless connectivity but also interconnect European operators with enhanced data security.”

The first European operator to benefit from this partnership will be Kyivstar, Ukraine’s largest digital and mobile operator, serving nearly 22.5 m Ukrainians as of September 30, 2025. Proximus Global and Starlink’s work with Kyivstar demonstrates how critical this service can be, particularly in emergencies when network infrastructure is harmed, even where base stations and fibre lines are destroyed. Satellite connectivity is playing a vital role in bridging these gaps, ensuring uninterrupted communication during a time when connectivity is more crucial than ever.

Ben Vandermeulen, Chief Revenue Officer at Proximus Global, added, “While satellites are a game-changer for global connectivity, it’s not inherently disruptive to existing players in the industry – there’s room for everyone. With partnerships like this, our IPX acts as bridge to unlock new opportunities. Satellite providers gain access to broader consumer bases, mobile operators can seamlessly plug coverage gaps, and end-users benefit from more reliable and consistent connectivity. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

For Proximus Global, this partnership represents a significant milestone in its mission to unite satellite companies with terrestrial mobile operators through their extensive roaming network. Leveraging BICS’ leadership in IPX connectivity, built over more than 20 years, this collaboration underscores the importance of satellite connectivity as a crucial step towards achieving truly global, ubiquitous coverage—especially in underserved areas where traditional infrastructure is lacking. (Source: Satnews)

29 Nov 25. ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, has successfully launched and deployed five new SAR satellites into orbit. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and successfully lifted off on November 28, 2025, aboard the Transporter-15 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA. Each spacecraft has established communication, and routine commissioning operations are underway. The new satellites will serve both ICEYE’s commercial constellation and dedicated national missions, including the Greek National Space Program, the Polish Armed Forces’ MikroSAR program, as well as BAE Systems’ Azalea constellation. With this deployment, ICEYE continues to increase sovereign capabilities, imaging capacity and resilience for governments who require rapid, reliable, and high-fidelity situational awareness, day or night and through any weather. Including today’s launch, ICEYE has launched 62 satellites into orbit for the company and its customers since 2018, 22 of which have launched in 2025. Looking ahead, the company plans to continue its rapid expansion to meet growing global demand for persistent monitoring. With this launch, ICEYE adds another fourth generation (Gen4) SAR satellite to its commercial constellation. In September, ICEYE introduced its Gen4 SAR satellite, now available for commercial operations. Gen4 delivers up to 16 cm resolution and expands the high-resolution coverage area to 400 km, enabling more images per orbital pass and higher revisit rates, resulting in the world’s highest-fidelity commercial SAR imagery. These capabilities enhance target detection and classification to support defense and ISR missions globally.

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO of ICEYE, said: “This launch marks another important step both in supporting our customers in deploying their own constellations and scaling the world’s most advanced commercial SAR constellation. As global interest in space-based intelligence accelerates, ICEYE stands ready to help countries build sovereign satellite missions – turning high-quality satellite imaging into actionable intelligence for security and resilience.”

Gen4 can be purchased as a fully sovereign capability that is not subject to ITAR control. ICEYE delivers the Gen4 satellite as part of a complete, secure system that can be launched, deployed, and operated within 12 months, including ground segment, comprehensive training and continuous software updates.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

Owning the world’s largest synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ICEYE provides objective, near real-time insights, ensuring that customers have unmatched access to actionable data, day or night, even in challenging environmental conditions. As a trusted partner to governments and commercial industries, ICEYE delivers intelligence in sectors such as defense and intelligence, insurance, natural catastrophe response and recovery, security, maritime monitoring, and finance, enabling decision-making that contributes to community resilience and sustainable development.

ICEYE operates internationally with offices in Finland, Poland, Spain, the UK, Australia, Japan, UAE, Greece, and the US. We have more than 900 employees, inspired by the shared vision of improving life on Earth by becoming the global source of truth in Earth Observation.

(Source: PR Newswire)

28 Nov 25. SpeQtral, Singapore’s leading quantum communications company, in partnership with the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space, announces the successful launch and deployment of the SpeQtre CubeSat aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 mission. The spacecraft, containing SpeQtral’s space-qualified entangled photon pair source and detector modules was deployed into sun-synchronous orbit on 28th November, 2025, marking a significant milestone for Singapore-UK space collaboration and quantum communications technology.

Advanced Quantum Communications Technology

The SpeQtre satellite carries advanced quantum hardware designed by SpeQtral to explore secure space-based quantum communications. It represents a notably difficult technical challenge – demonstrating the exchange of quantum information from a CubeSat roughly the size of a microwave oven. By scaling down this complex technology, the mission aims to reduce costs and improve accessibility for future quantum communication missions. SpeQtre will investigate various aspects of quantum communications from space, starting with fundamental validation of quantum components and progressing toward sophisticated quantum communication protocols.

“This mission represents years of collaborative development between our teams,” said Chune Yang Lum, CEO of SpeQtral. “We’re taking a systematic approach that validates each aspect of the technology step by step, building toward increasingly ambitious quantum communications capabilities.”

The mission builds on SpeQtral’s previous space heritage, including involvement with the successful SpooQy-1 CubeSat mission that demonstrated an entangled photon pair source in space. The company has established strategic partnerships with major industry players including SES, Thales Alenia Space, and Hispasat to advance commercialization of space-based quantum communications.

Experts from RAL Space have developed the instrument that will beam SpeQtre’s quantum signals to Earth, assembled the satellite hardware and ensured its readiness for space using their suite of environmental test facilities.

Commissioning Phase Begins

Following deployment, the satellite platform will undergo commissioning over the coming months, involving activation and testing of all spacecraft subsystems. SpeQtral and RAL Space will then commission their respective quantum payload and optical system, with this phased approach ensuring thorough validation before progressing to quantum experiments and other out of band key delivery mechanisms.

“SpeQtre is the first satellite developed through our agile mission facility, and a credit to the teams who have worked hard to deliver the payload for launch,” said Andy Vick, Disruptive Technology Lead at RAL Space and UK Principal Investigator for SpeQtre. “By approaching this mission with speed and creativity, they have already paved the way for more ambitious missions ahead, including future UK demonstrators. But for now, for SpeQtre, the real fun begins as we look forward to the beginning of our quantum experiments in space.”

Addressing Cybersecurity Challenges

Space-based quantum communications address critical emerging needs as quantum computing advances threaten conventional encryption methods. Unlike terrestrial fibre networks which are distance-limited, satellite-based systems provide quantum-secure communications across vast distances without requiring additional intermediary trusted repeater nodes.

The mission supports broader international efforts to establish quantum-secure communication networks, including the European Space Agency’s INT-UQKD and Q-DESIGN programmes, highlighting global recognition of quantum communications as critical technology for future cybersecurity.

Singapore-UK Partnership

The SpeQtre collaboration stems from a Singapore-UK bilateral initiative designed to strengthen technological cooperation between the two nations. It is part of the Space Technology Development Programme administered by the Office for Space Technology & Industry (OSTIn), Singapore’s national space office, and the National Quantum Technologies Programme administered by UK Research and Innovation. The cooperation leverages Singapore’s quantum expertise at SpeQtral, and UK’s world-class space engineering capabilities at RAL Space.

“The launch of SpeQtre represents a significant milestone in the Singapore-UK collaboration on space technologies, showcasing Singapore’s leadership in space-based quantum communications. Through the Space Technology Development Programme, OSTIn has supported SpeQtral’s developments in quantum key distribution technologies, which is vital to ensure quantum-secure communications in an increasingly interconnected world. This mission reinforces the value of strategic international partnerships in driving innovation and advancing critical technologies.” said Mr. Jonathan Hung, Executive Director of Office for Space Technology & Industry, Singapore (OSTIn).

Operations Timeline and Looking Ahead

Following the commissioning phase, quantum communications experiments are expected to begin in early 2026. The mission will start by conducting experiments with quantum-enabled optical ground stations at the Centre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore, and at RAL Space’s Chilbolton Observatory in Hampshire, UK. Data from these experiments will allow for demonstrations of secured communications between the two sites and inform development of future commercial quantum communications satellites.

As quantum computing capabilities advance, the need for quantum-secure communications becomes increasingly urgent for governments, financial institutions, and critical infrastructure operators worldwide. Success in this mission will demonstrate the viability of cost-effective, small-satellite approaches to quantum communications, potentially accelerating deployment of commercial quantum communications constellations while establishing important precedents for international cooperation in quantum technologies and space-based security systems.

About SpeQtral

SpeQtral is a pioneer in quantum communications, with a vision to build and deploy global quantum networks. SpeQtral develops quantum-secure products and services designed to protect sovereign and enterprise telecommunication networks against classical, as well as future quantum-based cyber-attacks on cryptography. Combining both terrestrial and space-based solutions, SpeQtral aims to secure the world’s networks against the threats posed by the imminent quantum revolution and drive innovation in quantum communications that will serve as the building blocks for the future quantum internet.

https://speqtralquantum.com/

About RAL Space

RAL Space is the UK’s national space laboratory, working in partnership with government, industry, and academia to advance our understanding of space and our environment – for the benefit of all. Based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and Chilbolton Observatory, our 350+ experts work across the lifecycle of space missions. We contribute to groundbreaking projects across Earth observation, space weather, planetary science, and astronomy, working with UK and international partners including ESA, NASA, and the UK Space Agency. As part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) and the wider UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), RAL Space plays a central role in shaping the UK’s space capabilities. (Source: PR Newswire)

28 Nov 25. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a leading global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, successfully launched eleven satellites aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-15 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The launch included satellites for Spire’s Space Services customers, along with three replenishment satellites that strengthen the Company’s fully deployed, dual-use constellation.

Expanding Customer Missions in Space

On this launch, Spire Space Services deployed satellites for GHGSat and Lacuna Space:

GHGSat: Spire launched two satellites for GHGSat carrying payloads to monitor greenhouse gas emissions, expanding GHGSat’s constellation dedicated to high-resolution methane detection. Both satellites are equipped with methane detection payloads that enhance the company’s ability to deliver frequent, independent, and precise emissions data from space. Spire has designed and now operates a total of five satellites for GHGSat, supporting its goal of providing actionable insights that help industries and governments track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Lacuna Space: Spire also launched four satellites for Lacuna Space, each combining a Spire-built platform with Lacuna’s latest-generation IoT payloads. The satellites expand Lacuna’s global constellation designed to deliver low-cost, reliable connectivity to sensors and mobile equipment in remote or underserved regions. The mission supports IoT applications across agriculture, logistics, energy, environmental monitoring, and the blue economy—enabling use cases from improving crop yields to tracking critical assets worldwide.

Spire Strengthens its Dual-Use Constellation

As part of the mission, Spire also launched three satellites carrying advanced Radio Occultation (RO) and Automatic Identification System (AIS) payloads to deliver high-quality atmospheric and radio-frequency data for global weather, climate, and commercial intelligence. Earlier this month, the Company also launched an innovative radio frequency geolocation (RFGL) satellite co-founded via LuxImpulse programme, which is managed by the Luxembourg Space Agency and implemented by the European Space Agency. The mission launched aboard SpaceX’s Bandwagon-4. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

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27 Nov 25. Growth and security at the forefront in UK funding boost for European Space Agency. The UK’s economy and security will benefit from a new £1.7bn investment package in European Space Agency (ESA) programmes.

£1.7bn UK investment in the European Space Agency

Agreed during the ESA Council of Ministers (CM25) in Bremen, this new funding brings sharper focus to deliver maximum value for money, sustain thousands of high-skilled jobs, and drive science and innovation that directly benefits people and businesses, from increased connectivity to more resilient infrastructure and public services. Building on existing commitments, the new funding increases the UK’s current level of support for ESA programmes to £2.8bn over the next decade (2025/26 to 2034/35), with further commitments set to be made in 2028 at the next ESA Council of Ministers. This funding returns to UK industry and universities as contracts, supporting the development of new technologies, while putting British scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs at the forefront of global space programmes. Evaluation shows that every £1 invested in ESA returns £7.49 in direct benefits to the UK economy.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd CBE said: “Our space sector is a key driver of our economic growth and national security, and also supports our allies in Europe and beyond. After these negotiations in Bremen, during what remains a challenging time for economies across Europe, we have secured backing for our priority ESA programmes, which will support thousands of jobs, greater resilience and cutting-edge science and technology across the UK.”

The new commitments include a record £162m for launch programmes, including the European Launcher Challenge. This initiative is designed to improve access to space by opening up the European market to commercial operators, increasing resilience and driving down the cost of launching the satellites that deliver services like communications, navigation and weather forecasting. This commitment supports the aim of securing assured access to space for the UK, enhancing our national security in an uncertain world, and ensuring the UK benefits from the fast-growing global space market, which makes an outsized contribution to our economy. Through these initiatives, the government will continue to work with launch companies that can deliver our assured access objectives, and develop and strengthen existing partnerships with NATO and European allies. The UK-led Vigil mission to monitor and forecast dangerous space weather, in partnership with the US, will proceed, with a new £131m commitment from the UK and significant support from European partners. Space weather – which generated displays of the Northern Lights over parts of the UK this month – can disrupt vital technology on Earth and in space. These rare but extreme events risk impacting our daily lives, damaging power grids, satellites, and satellite navigation and timing signals used by emergency services. Vigil will improve forecasting of solar storms to help manage these risks and protect national security. Europe’s first Mars rover, built in the UK by Airbus and named after British scientist Rosalind Franklin, secured further backing in Bremen, bringing its launch a step closer in 2028. The mission will drill down into the red planet to hunt for signs of past life, putting the UK at the forefront of the race to answer one of the longest standing scientific questions about the potential for life to exist on other planets. The UK also continues its support for the Argonaut lunar lander, following the award of major UK industrial contracts last week to supply the engine and propulsion sub-systems for the mission. High-growth programmes, including Commercialisation, the General Support Technology Programme and Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems, share a new £261m commitment. This includes support for a new direct-to-device satellite system that can connect directly to mobile phones, boosting connectivity in hard-to-reach areas and during emergencies. A commitment of £511m to ESA’s core budget backs the UK’s role at the cutting-edge of space science. A commitment of £120 m at this Ministerial for Earth observation programmes will support mission studies and harness data from climate and environment monitoring satellites to boost security and growth. This is in addition to the UK’s existing ESA commitments, meaning a total of approximately £350 m allocated to ESA Earth observation projects over the next four years. Additionally, a new £57m investment in advanced Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) technologies will support UK strengths in this important area. Global demand for space capabilities is growing fast. The UK space sector employs 55,000 people, with a further 81,000 jobs in the supply chain, and generates an annual income of £18.9 bn. More broadly, satellite services support wider industrial activities worth £454 bn to the UK economy, or 18% of GDP.

UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate, and Space Minister Liz Lloyd CBE. “The government is putting greater focus on developing key space capabilities, and increasing access to more capital and financing options, while making strategic investments in important missions through ESA, as well as bilaterally with wider international partners.”

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “With a sharper focus and more coordinated approach to space across government, we entered these important negotiations with clear priorities, and delivered against them. But what’s even more important is how we worked as a team – government, industry, academia – to deliver the capabilities in space that our country needs. I’d like to put on record my thanks to everyone in the UK space sector for all the work they do, day-in day-out, and to all those who supported these important negotiations. Now the real work begins to translate these commitments into valuable contract wins for the sector.”

As well as ESA programmes, the UK space sector has access to a wider range of national space funding than ever before. This year the government increased the core civil space budget through the UK Space Agency by 8% and announced a further £2.8 bn over the coming four years (2026/27 to 2029/30). Today’s commitments to the European Space Agency form one integral part of this larger effort, delivering growth for the UK economy through space, as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

25 Nov 25. BlackSky delivered the first very high-resolution images from the company’s third Gen-3 satellite less than 24 hours following the satellite’s successful launch. This Gen-3, unit three, very high-resolution image captured over the Port of Jebel Ali in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, displays active offloading operations at the roll-on/roll-off “RoRo” terminal as stevedores maneuver vehicles down a ramp and into the collection area where thousands of vehicles await transport to their final destination. The BlackSky image was collected at 10:08 a.m. on November 22, 2025. Company’s advanced, low-latency commercial architecture delivering decision-quality data at real-time, mission-relevant speed BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) delivered the first very high-resolution images from the company’s third Gen-3 satellite less than 24 hours following the satellite’s successful launch in November. The company’s advanced, low-latency commercial architecture is delivering decision-quality data at real-time, mission-relevant speed and meeting growing global demand for flexible, secure tactical ISR capabilities.

“BlackSky’s third Gen-3 unit has delivered incredible initial image quality at unprecedented speed — less than one day from launch,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Customers no longer have to wait months typically associated with traditional commissioning timelines. BlackSky’s rapid commissioning process places tasking capacity into customers’ hands quickly and increases the overall operational life of each satellite as they come online sooner.”

With remarkable clarity, the new Gen-3 satellite has delivered imagery detailing vehicles, maritime vessels, and aircraft of various sizes, as well as individual people and their shadows. The new Gen-3 satellite has already demonstrated fully automated tasking to delivery capability. Image quality is expected to increase as final calibrations become complete, and the satellite enters its final operational altitude.

“As BlackSky continues to expand our Gen-3 constellation, this successful mission signifies the value of strategic investments in advancing commercial space-based intelligence capabilities. Our purpose-built software and hardware architecture is uniquely suited to provide secure and flexible commercial services that complement national assets with mission-relevant tactical ISR capability at disruptive speed, scale and economics,” said O’Toole.

BlackSky’s Gen-3 constellation continues to evolve through a regular interval of launches that expand capacity, reduce latency, add flexibility and increase customer applications for automated real-time and predictive battlefield monitoring. BlackSky is leveraging its full technology stack of vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, software and AI solutions to meet global customer demand for guaranteed access to data, when and where customers need it, through novel delivery models like capacity sharing, Assured subscription access or full sovereign systems.

24 Nov 25. Blue Origin boosts New Glenn power and paves way for new super heavy rocket. Blue Origin has unveiled a major suite of upgrades to its New Glenn launch vehicle, aimed at boosting payload capacity, increasing launch frequency and improving overall reliability. The enhancements covering engines, structural design, avionics, reusability and recovery systems will gradually roll out from the NG-3 mission onwards. One of the headline improvements is a significant jump in engine performance across both stages. The seven BE-4 engines on New Glenn’s first stage will see total thrust rise from 3.9 m pounds-force (17,219kN) to 4.5 m pounds-force (19,928kN). Blue Origin said the BE-4 has already hit 625,000 pounds-force in ground testing and is expected to reach 640,000 pounds-force later this year, thanks in part to propellant subcooling that lifts the engine’s original 550,000-pound-force output. The upper stage is getting a similar upgrade. The pair of BE-3U engines will lift from a combined 320,000 pounds-force (1,423kN) to 400,000 pounds-force (1,779kN) over the next few missions. The BE-3U has already demonstrated more than 211,000 pounds-force on the test stand. Blue Origin said these performance boosts will immediately benefit customers already booked to fly on New Glenn, including missions to low-Earth orbit, the lunar surface and deeper into the solar system. Other improvements include a reusable payload fairing to support higher launch rates, a redesigned lower-cost propellant tank, and an upgraded reusable thermal protection system to speed up refurbishment and re-flight. In a major step towards expanding its launch portfolio, Blue Origin also confirmed development of a super heavy variant of New Glenn. Named for its engine configuration, the New Glenn 9×4 will feature nine BE-4 engines on the first stage and four on the second, substantially increasing lift capacity The 9×4 variant is designed to haul more than 70 tonnes to low-Earth orbit, over 14 tonnes directly to geosynchronous orbit, and more than 20 tonnes on a translunar injection trajectory. It will also debut a larger 8.7-metre payload fairing for oversized cargo. Blue Origin plans to operate the 9×4 alongside the current 7×2 New Glenn model, offering customers a broader range of options for mega-constellation deployments, lunar missions, deep-space exploration and national security launches, including projects such as the Golden Dome. The company said the combined fleet will provide the flexibility and muscle required to meet rapidly growing global launch demand.

26 Nov 25. Spainsat NG Programme Completed As Second Secure. Communications Satellite Launches. Europe has strengthened its secure-communications capabilities with the successful launch of SpainSat NG II on 24 October, wrapping up the SpainSat Next Generation programme supported by the European Space Agency (ESA). With both SpainSat NG satellites now in orbit, Europe will see its most advanced governmental communications system to date, a major step for the continent’s security, crisis-response capacity, and technological autonomy. The launch of SpainSat NG II from Kennedy Space Center comes nine months after its twin, SpainSat NG I. They are part of Spanish satellite service provider Hisdesat’s SpainSat Next Generation programme, focused on advancing secure satellite communications for Europe. Set to begin joint operations in 2026, the satellites will serve the Spanish Armed Forces, and other national and allied government agencies. It will also be used by the European Union through its GOVSATCOM HUB and help cover humanitarian response missions worldwide. Their coverage extends across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and parts of the Middle East and Asia. Built on Airbus’s Eurostar Neo platform and weighing approximately six tonnes each, the satellites have reconfigurable X-band antennas together with KaGov-band steerable antennas developed under ESA’s Pacis 3 Partnership Project. European space collaboration between ESA, Hisdesat, Spanish Space Agency and Airbus Defence and Space enabled the innovative development of these antennas with pooling and sharing capabilities, so that it quickly adapts to changing uses and users. Instead of relying on many fixed antennas, the X-band antenna system integrates an active array capable of performing the work of 16 traditional antennas. It can shift capacity in real time based on demand or environmental conditions. This is crucial when communication needs suddenly change during natural disasters or high-security operations. The antenna can also geolocate and disabling jamming attempts, making sure connections stay reliable when signals are disrupted. The satellites were built in just five years and launched within the same year, a pace that highlights the efficiency of the industrial process led by industrial prime Airbus Defence and Space. Additionally, Spanish industry contributed extensively through companies such as Sener, Indra, Arquimea, Tecnobit, GMV, and Airbus Crisa, reinforcing Europe’s position in secure-satellite technology. With SpainSat NG now complete, Europe gains a powerful and adaptable system designed to provide reliable, secure communications, strengthening Spain’s capabilities and the continent’s strategic autonomy in space.

“The success of SpainSat NG demonstrates what Europe’s space players are capable of,” said Josef Aschbacher, Director General of ESA. “ESA’s role as a neutral technological expert allowed us to build a collaborative philosophy directly into the pool-and-share capabilities enabled by Pacis 3, ensuring governmental users can communicate during a crisis. We are proud to champion this collaboration across public and private spheres, which made it possible to innovate quickly and improve our collective safety and strategic autonomy.”

“SpainSat NG represents the next generation of secure satellite communications in Europe. This second launch marks a key milestone in providing more adaptable and secure communications services that will benefit governmental users across Europe and beyond,” said Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

“Pacis 3 has been an excellent collaboration between institutional and industrial organisations”, said Miguel Ángel García Primo, Hisdesat’s Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud to have developed SpainSat NG I & II, the most advanced European secure communications satellites, in collaboration with ESA, Spanish Space Agency and Airbus Defence and Space, with the participation of most of the Spanish Space sector. This project has placed Spanish industry at the forefront of active antenna technologies”. (Source: ASD Network)

25 Nov 25. $180m agreement secures ADF SATCOMs through the 2030s. Defence has finalised a $180m contract to ensure the continued delivery of secure ultra high frequency satellite communications for the Australian Defence Force and its coalition partners for at least the next eight years. Under the agreement, Intelsat, now operating as a subsidiary of SES, will extend the operational life of the IS-22 satellite and its hosted ultra high frequency (UHF) payload until at least 2033, with scope for further extension should the capability remain viable. The arrangement includes the flexibility to reposition the satellite as required, alongside comprehensive logistics, training and operational support to keep ADF personnel connected across land, sea and air. A new Australian-based ground antenna facility will also be established as part of the contract and is designed to enhance sovereign control of critical communications infrastructure, support domestic industry participation, and reinforce the long-term resilience of the ADF’s tactical communications network.

Construction of the site is scheduled to commence in 2026.

Assistant Secretary of the Space Systems Branch Michael Hunt said the contract delivered significant national security and industry benefits. “This agreement not only ensures the ADF maintains access to secure UHF satellite communications (SATCOM) and remains interoperable with our coalition partners, but it also supports Australian jobs and strengthens sovereign control of critical communications capability,” Hunt said.

Launched in 2012, IS-22 provides secure, continuous UHF communications that enable ADF personnel to coordinate operations, respond to emerging situations and support missions in remote or contested environments. UHF SATCOM remains a vital component of tactical communications, particularly for maritime and land forces requiring robust, all-weather, beyond line-of-sight voice and low-rate data connectivity.

How this fits Into JP 9102 and Australia’s future SATCOM architecture

The extension of IS-22’s service life complements Defence’s long-term satellite communications modernisation effort under Project JP 9102 – Australian Defence Satellite Communications System. JP 9102, awarded to Lockheed Martin Australia in 2023 but subsequently cancelled in 2025, was designed to deliver a sovereign, high-capacity, geostationary SATCOM constellation providing advanced Ka-band and military communications services to replace Defence’s reliance on the US-operated WGS system. While JP 9102 focused on delivering a sovereign strategic and operational SATCOM backbone, the IS-22 extension ensures continuity of the ADF’s UHF tactical SATCOM capability, a function that would not be immediately replaced under JP 9102. UHF remains essential for secure voice command and control, especially for deployed forces, submarines, small vessels, rotary aviation and special operations elements. By sustaining IS-22 through the 2020s and potentially beyond, Defence avoids a capability gap while broader sovereign SATCOM initiatives come online. The new Australian antenna facility established under the contract will also integrate with the ground segment being built for JP 9102, further strengthening sovereign control and redundancy across the ADF’s communications architecture. Hunt noted that extending IS-22 ensures reliability and operational continuity while future sovereign SATCOM capabilities mature, adding, “By extending the operational life of IS-22, we can continue to provide secure and reliable communications for our ADF personnel.” The agreement marks another step in building an integrated, sovereign satellite communications ecosystem capable of supporting Australian operations across the Indo-Pacific and beyond. (Source: Space Connect)

25 Nov 25. ALL.SPACE, the leader in multi-orbit, multi-link SATCOM solutions, today announced a major milestone in defense communications with the successful completion of testing under the U.S. Army’s Next Generation Tactical Terminal (NGTT) program. The company’s Hydra MAX terminal has been validated as a first-of-its-kind solution capable of delivering seamless, simultaneous, and resilient connectivity across Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite networks – all while on the move. The NGTT program was established to address a long-standing challenge in beyond-line-of-sight communications: maintaining uninterrupted, high-throughput connectivity during maneuver operations. ALL.SPACE was selected to deliver a production-ready, multi-orbit terminal meeting Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) – bridging the tactical edge to the cloud and ensuring mission-critical applications remain accessible, even in contested environments. As part of the NGTT initiative, ALL.SPACE – with support from Telesat Government Solutions and Viasat – successfully demonstrated simultaneous multi-beam On-The-Move (OTM) LEO/GEO and LEO/MEO operation of the Hydra MAX terminal using off-road land mobility profiles at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). The testing and demonstrations delivered sustained high data rates and high-resolution video while both stationary and in motion. Despite challenging off-road conditions and rapid azimuth and elevation changes, the terminal maintained its LEO 3 beam lock – showcasing exceptional robustness, agility, and performance. ALL.SPACE’s Hydra terminals use digital beamforming with monopulse tracking to deliver up to 4× faster responsiveness than traditional methods, ensuring precise, high-speed connectivity across wide scan angles even under intense motion, vibration, and dynamic conditions. This success follows the recently announced collaboration between ALL.SPACE and Telesat Government Solutions to secure type certification for Hydra MAX on the upcoming Telesat Lightspeed network, further enhancing its readiness for deployment across U.S. and allied defense operations. In a defining moment for ALL.SPACE, Hydra MAX has now been formally recognized by the U.S. Army as achieving Technology Readiness Level 6 (TRL 6) – marking a significant transition from prototype to operationally validated system. This designation confirms the Hydra MAX has been proven in a relevant military environment, demonstrating readiness for near-production deployment and integration into broader defense and Joint Force networks.

Paul McCarter, CEO, ALL.SPACE: “Successfully completing this testing as part of the NGTT program and reaching TRL 6 is a defining moment for ALL.SPACE, Hydra-2 MAX has proven it can deliver uninterrupted, intelligent connectivity in the harshest operational conditions. For commanders, this means cloud access, data fusion, and decision superiority remain intact – no matter the orbit, no matter the threat.”

Purpose-built to align with the Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) objectives, Hydra MAX supports a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), enabling rapid integration with future constellations, including Telesat Lightspeed once Hydra MAX is certified for the network. With multi-beam transport diversity, integrated SD-WAN resilience, and demonstrated compatibility with leading networks, Hydra MAX sets a new standard for resilient, intelligent military communications. With Hydra MAX, ALL.SPACE is not just connecting the battlespace – it’s redefining it.

24 Nov 25. Viasat Completes Network Control Station Installations for Spanish MoD. Today’s geopolitical environment and rapidly evolving threats are causing allied nations to determine ways to maintain the sovereignty of their data and eliminate their reliance on information sharing by other countries. One route that many are choosing to follow is the creation of in-country Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) satellites and sovereign UHF Network Control Stations (NCSs) that enable more efficient voice and data transmission. Most recently, Viasat worked with the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) to install two redundant NCSs to support two satellites, SpainSat NG I and SpainSat NG II. One ground station controls the UHF Time Domain Multiple Access (TDMA) networks – while the other ground station serves as a back-up. Viasat delivered the Spanish MoD NCS installations ahead of SpainSat NG I’s anticipated entry into commercial service.

UHF radio pervasiveness drives increased demand

Why are our allies turning back to UHF now? UHF has progressed technically, from an inefficient, single-channel setup known as Single Channel Per Carrier to an equally inefficient Demand-Assigned Multiple-Access (DAMA) system, which split the channel into five pieces to allow up to five users on a single channel. Viasat maximizes efficiency with its Integrated Waveform Channel Controller (IWCC), which expands the setup to 10-14 users for every UHF channel. While it initially looked like UHF could lose its prominence in the early 2000s given the shifting interest towards higher frequency bands like Ka and Ku for faster data rates, the pervasiveness and reliability of the technology have created trust that has remained. Almost every military in the world has UHF radios in use on ground or aero platforms. Additionally, there are more than 500,000 UHF satellite communications (SATCOM) capable radios currently in the field.

“This demand will keep growing, certainly for the next 20 or 30 years,” says Tony Karkainen, Director of Narrowband Solutions, Viasat Government. “UHF is still very viable. I would even say that we have never had more requirements for UHF, because our off-the-shelf, integrated UHF waveform is flexible to the needs of customers – from simple single station/single channel products to multiple ground stations in multiple locations with multiple antennas and many, many channels.”

Behind the build-out: Partnerships deliver successful results

The NCSs for the Spanish MoD were built by Viasat team members in our Carlsbad, Calif. lab, utilizing antennas built by our close partner, Blacktree Technology. Once assembled, we underwent a Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) to demonstrate the system’s operation for the customer and our project partners, Telefónica S.A., who served as the overall Program Prime under the Spanish MoD, and AICOX SOLUCIONES, S.A.U. who served as Viasat’s prime contractor/in-country representative for the Spanish MoD and provider of civil works and antennas.

“After the FAT, we disassembled and packaged the system for shipment to Spain,” says Matthew Kaletta, Systems Design Engineer, Viasat, and a lead team member for the project. “We went out there to install the system into their ground station. We were there for four weeks, building it out and testing it. Then, we successfully completed an onsite system acceptance test.”

After doing the same for the second NCS site, the team combined both sites and conducted another successful, full-system acceptance test.

Viasat solutions enable data control and secure network management

To achieve Spain’s priority objective of a UHF SATCOM capability for the country’s armed forces using the new SPAINSAT-NG satellites, the NCS included the following Viasat solutions:

Visual Integrated SATCOM Information, Operation and Networking (VISION) planning and network management software is an integrated, user-friendly single network management interface for legacy UHF DAMA and IW services. The integrated controller dramatically accelerates connectivity on the battlefield, improving from 90 seconds through a legacy UHF SATCOM system to as little as 4 seconds with IW. Additionally, operators can reconfigure UHF satellite networks on the fly to meet new mission priorities in real time.
The interface simultaneously manages all 25-kHz legacy DAMA and IW networks and services, enabling multiple data and voice users to operate at the same time. VISION is part of Viasat’s Network Management Solution, which allows users to maximize channel efficiency and remotely control sites from a single terminal – streamlining logistics and reducing labor needed to run the network.
Integrated Waveform Channel Controller (IWCC) enables multi-user group communications with the addition of MIL-STD TDMA protocols to traditional 5- and 25-kHz UHF satellite channels and expands capacity to 10–14 data and voice users for every UHF channel.

Ultimately, Viasat was able to deliver two fully integrated, operational, and manageable IW-capable NCS installations to support the Spanish MoD, which will allow the optimization of UHF capabilities by increasing the number of users able to access satellite resources.

An off-the-shelf, customizable NCS for allies

As other NATO allies evaluate opportunities to maintain sovereign control of their voice and data and invest in proven IW NCS solutions, Viasat has a turn-key, fully-integrated NCS that can be customized to the specific needs of our customers – whether they require a simple, single-station, single channel solution or multiple ground stations in multiple locations with multiple antennas and dozens of channels.

“We do not believe in ‘one size fits all’ or otherwise cookie-cutter responses to our customers’ problems,” Karkainen says. “Instead, we meet with them to assess their requirements and priorities, and then we give them what they need.” (Source: ASD Network)

21 Nov 25. 6 start-ups graduate from UniSA accelerator as South Australia’s space sector gathers pace. South Australia’s fast-growing space industry has received another boost, with six emerging space start-ups graduating from the University of South Australia’s 2025 Venture Catalyst Space accelerator program. Run by UniSA’s Innovation & Collaboration Centre (ICC) and backed by the South Australian Space Industry Centre, the program provides funding, mentorship and commercialisation support to high-potential founders working on next-generation space technologies. Now in its seventh year, the accelerator has become a key pillar of the state’s ambition to establish itself as Australia’s centre of space innovation. The 2025 cohort spans satellite communications, propulsion, in-orbit services, data analytics and advanced materials, highlighting the breadth of capability being built across the local and international space ecosystem. UniSA’s deputy director of business incubation, Craig Jones, said the diversity of the 2025 cohort reflects the maturity of South Australia’s space sector, saying, “Each of these start-ups is tackling a critical challenge for the future of space.”

This year’s graduating companies include:

AFTdynamics (Adelaide, Australia) – developing advanced propulsion and flight systems aimed at improving satellite manoeuvrability and reducing the cost of access to space.
Altair Orbital (Adelaide, Australia) – building modular satellite platforms designed for rapid deployment and scalable mission architectures.
BioSky Space Innovations (New Delhi, India) – using satellite data and AI to deliver smart insights for industry, with ambitions to become a leading space intelligence provider for the Global South.
GroundZero Space (Victoria, Australia) – advancing real-time space traffic management and orbital situational awareness to improve safety in increasingly congested orbits.
TrizLabz (Kerala, India) – developing new materials and manufacturing solutions to enhance the reliability and performance of space hardware.
Zyntax AI (Adelaide, Australia) – applying artificial intelligence to enable autonomous decision making and optimise mission efficiency for space operations.

Jones added, “It’s been remarkable to see how much South Australia’s space ecosystem has matured since we launched this program. These founders aren’t just building clever technology, they’re building capability, jobs and international partnerships that lift the entire industry.”

AFTdynamics founder Dr Alexander Wright credited the program with transforming his early-stage propulsion concept into a viable business. “The ICC hasn’t just shaped my path; it’s completely created it. AFTdynamics wouldn’t exist without the Venture Catalyst Space program,” he said. “The mentorship and funding turned an idea into a real company that’s now raising investment to build rocket propulsion systems in South Australia.”

South Australia’s Assistant Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Michael Brown, said the accelerator had become a global attraction point for innovators. “Venture Catalyst Space is a launchpad for high-potential space start-ups, drawing top talent from around the globe to develop and scale their ideas right here in our state,” he said. “The Malinauskas government is proud to support a program that plays such a vital role in building capability, attracting investment and driving innovation across South Australia’s space industry.”

Since its inception, the Venture Catalyst Space program has supported 46 start-ups and 90 founders, with more than 90 per cent of alumni still operating. Its total economic impact on the South Australian economy is estimated at nearly $36m. For a state positioning itself at the forefront of Australia’s space ambitions, including hosting the Australian Space Agency and Space Discovery Centre, UniSA’s accelerator continues to act as a launchpad for the next wave of global space companies. (Source: Space Connect)

20 Nov 25. Dcubed’s next venture ARAQYS – the power solution for space. Dcubed GmbH, provider of release actuators, deployable space structures and In-Space Manufacturing (ISM) technologies, announces its expansion into space-based energy systems with the introduction of ARAQYS — the power solution for space. With ARAQYS, Dcubed is positioning itself as the category leader in delivering affordable, scalable, and unlimited energy in orbit. After SpaceX, Rocket Lab, and others transformed access to space through lower launch costs and increased capacity, a new generation of in-orbit applications — from data centers, high delta v transportation and direct-to-device communications to defense constellations — has emerged. Each shares a common challenge: a massive demand for affordable, scalable power.

Dcubed’s Story – From 3D printer to revolutionary space products

ARAQYS addresses this by providing a full spectrum of space power solutions — from traditional deployable solar arrays to their proprietary in-space-manufactured KW solar array subsystems, and ultimately to Space Power Plants capable of beaming energy wherever it’s needed. This technology aims to dramatically reduce the cost per kilowatt, laying the groundwork for space infrastructure and directed-energy platforms of the future.

“Dcubed is fully committed to leading the next frontier: power generation in orbit,” said Dr. Thomas Sinn, CEO of Dcubed. “My involvement in a NASA NIAC study on space- based solar power more than 15 years ago set this journey in motion. Since then, we’ve been steadily developing the technologies required to make in-space energy a practical reality. With ARAQYS, we’re now combining those years of innovation into affordable large scale power solutions designed to meet the demands of the rapidly growing space economy.“

From Frustration to Founding

As the next step toward this vision, Dcubed announced the ARAQYS-D3 mission, which is manifested for launch in Q1 2027 aboard a SpaceX Rideshare mission. This mission will demonstrate a 2kW in-space-manufactured solar array with combined application cases in power-beaming and directed energy as well as demonstrating EP enabled high delta-v capabilities. Collaboration between these European and American teams results in the ARAQYS-D3 satellite to be built by Astro Digital and Dcubed. This venture symbolizes transatlantic cooperation in advancing the next era of space systems. Astro Digital, a heritage spacecraft bus provider is located just a few miles from Dcubed’s American headquarters in Berthoud, Colorado. The launch of ARAQYS-D3 is brokered by Maverick Space Systems, who will also provide launch management and integration services for the satellite. Maverick’s support will help Dcubed streamline the launch process, reduce risk, and allow us to focus on the ARAQYS-D3 mission.

“We’re excited to partner with Dcubed on this groundbreaking mission,” said Chris Biddy, CEO of Astro Digital. “The Araqys-D3 satellite will demonstrate how in-space manufacturing and large scale economic power generation can unlock a new class of small satellites—capable of generating, storing, and transmitting the energy required for the next generation of orbital missions.”

“We’re grateful to be supporting the launch of the ARAQYS-D3 mission,” said Roland Coelho, CEO of Maverick Space. “We see this as just the beginning of a close collaboration with Dcubed on future projects and developments.“

Dr. Sinn added: “It’s an honor to partner with Astro Digital and Maverick. This collaboration brings Europe and the United States closer together, uniting two space ecosystems to shape the future of satellite design and space power delivery.”

The production of the ARAQYS-D3 spacecraft and the ISM solar array will be conducted across Dcubed’s facilities in Munich, Germany, and Berthoud, Colorado, demonstrating the company’s bi-continental production capability and readiness for megawatt-scale manufacturing. The launch integration will be carried out by Maverick Space Systems form San Luis Obispo, California.

Paving the Way: ARAQYS-D1 and ARAQYS-D2

ARAQYS-D3 builds on two precursor missions that are already integrated and ready for launch on two separate SpaceX rideshare missions in Q1 2026:
Dcubed-1 (internally known as ARAQYS-D1) “BOOM! THERE IT IS”, a 3U satellite that will manufacture a 60 cm ISM boom directly in free space.
ARAQYS-D2 “WATTS NEW IN SPACE”, which will print and deploy a 1 m-long ISM solar array aboard Exotrail’s next SpaceVan mission.

These demonstrations will validate the building blocks of in-space power generation, paving the way for ARAQYS-D3’s multi-kilowatt-class system.

Dcubed is determining it’s next step after seven years of building capabilities and delivering over 1,500 flight-proven products to more than 120 customers across four continents, Dcubed is leveraging its deep heritage in deployable mechanisms to power the next phase of orbital industrialization. Dcubed‘s Actuators+ business unit continues to serve as a cornerstone, providing flight-proven reliability and financial flexibility as Dcubed expands into in-space energy systems through ARAQYS.

Dcubed’s newly elevated leadership team for global growth reflects the company’s strengthened transatlantic focus and its rising ambitions in technology and commerce:

Dr. Thomas Sinn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Dr. Philipp Bell, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Dr. Markus Geiss, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO), formerly “Commercial Director“
Dr. Antonio Pedivellano, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), formerly „Director of Deployables“
Daniel Gillies, Chief Innovation Officer (CIO), fomerly „Senior Strategic Engineer“
Alexander Titz, Managing Director Actuators+, formerly „Director of Operations“
Erik Pranckh, Managing Director, Dcubed USA
Manfred Leipold, Corporate Mission Manager

Together this newly elevated leadership team is guiding Dcubed toward its long-term vision: to deliver affordable, unlimited energy in space — enabling the construction, assembly, and industrialization of space infrastructure across orbit, the Moon, and beyond. (Source: Satnews)

18 Nov 25. INNOSPACE signs MoU with UAE’s Madari Space for Space Data Center development. INNOSPACE (KS:462350) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Madari Space to cooperate on the joint development and commercialization of space data centers in the UAE. Through this MOU, INNOSPACE and Madari Space will jointly explore new space business, focusing on the establishment of space data centers, the development of launch and satellite operation–linked services, and the identification of related commercialization opportunities. The two companies will collaborate to identify launch service opportunities in line with the growing global demand for space-based technologies, while also exploring pathways for technical integration and sustainable business models. INNOSPACE will leverage its comprehensive service portfolio, encompassing system development, component and system-level environmental testing, launch operations, and data transmission, whereas Madari Space will contribute its specialized expertise in orbital data center development and strong regional networks. Together, the partners aim to advance practical collaboration toward establishing next-generation, space-based data infrastructure platforms. Madari Space, headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, is a space data center development startup that combines high-capacity data storage technology and satellite-based high-performance computing to provide secure, reliable, and AI-driven data solutions for global users. Supported by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund (MBRIF) under the UAE Ministry of Finance, the company is developing a next-generation data storage and processing infrastructure operating in LEO. In collaboration with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Madari Space plans to launch a pilot orbital data center system into LEO in 2026. (Source: Satnews)

20 Nov 25. ESA’s Celeste (LEO-PNT) program advances + Thales Alenia Space selects Anywaves navigation payload antenna. As low Earth orbit Positioning Navigation and Timing (LEO-PNT) initiatives advance, Europe is moving forward with ESA’s Celeste In-Orbit Demonstrator (IOD). Thales Alenia Space, prime contractor of one of the two consortia developing the IOD, has selected Anywaves with the design and delivery of the antennas required for the mission, including the navigation payload antenna. Anywaves delivered this RF equipment, operating in L-band and designed as a deployable helix, highlighting the company’s strong technological contribution to the European program. Developed, qualified, and delivered in less than eighteen months, this navigation payload antenna, intended to radiate a Navigation signal from the low Earth Orbit, features an innovative design. Optimized for small satellite platforms, it combines compactness and performance through a quadrifilar helix configuration and a deployable mast technology. The antenna offers an excellent ratio between stowed and deployed dimensions, ensuring homogeneous signal distribution on the ground with consistent power and quality, even in challenging environments. Its circular polarization and helical structure enable reliable and accurate transmission, while the deployment mechanisms are specifically designed to withstand launch loads and meet the requirements of low Earth orbit.

Reflectarray Antenna

As part of the Celeste IOD contract, Anywaves has delivered one qualification model and two flight models, validating its development processes and its ability to provide flight-ready payload antennas. This new delivery marks another milestone in Anywaves’ continued growth trajectory. Earlier in 2025, the company became the first commercial supplier to deploy a Reflectarray antenna in orbit, demonstrating its industrial expertise in the design of payload antennas, particularly deployable models. Now contributing to the Celeste program, the delivery of both the helix antenna and a GNSS service antenna builds on the collaboration initiated with Thales Alenia Space in 2020 and realized in 2022 with the launch of Omnispace Spark-1TM, the first satellite of the Omnispace program, also equipped with Anywaves antennas. Flying aboard Pathfinder-A, the first satellite of the Celeste IOD, Anywaves reaffirms its capacity to innovate rapidly and provide high-performance payload antennas for constellation missions. The company continues to demonstrate its expertise in delivering payload antennas designed for both commercial and institutional missions. The next satellites in the demonstrator constellation, four Pathfinder-B satellites for each of the two parallel IOD contracts, will carry a new L-band antenna as well as several deployable helical antennas operating in C and S bands, all developed by Anywaves in the case of Thales Alenia Space Consortium. (Source: Satnews)

20 Nov 25. Rocket Lab launches BlackSky Gen-3 beating the annual launch record with 2 launches in 2 days from 2 hemispheres. Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) a global provider in launch services and space systems, today completed its second launch in two days from its launch sites in two hemispheres, setting a new annual launch record for the Company: 18 Electron launches in 2025 with 100% mission success. Photo captured by Satnews. The “Follow My Speed” mission lifted off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand on November 20, 2025 at 12:43 UTC (November 21, 2025 at 1:43 am NZDT) to successfully deploy its payload for a confidential commercial customer. The mission launched just two days after the Company’s latest launch from Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia, Rocket Lab’s third HASTE launch this year and sixth mission overall involving its suborbital variant of Electron for hypersonic technology test flights. These record-setting events further solidify Electron’s industry leadership as the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket. Rocket Lab has increased the annual launch cadence of Electron by 1,700% in less than a decade, driven by international demand for its responsive space capabilities and proven execution with pinpoint payload deployment accuracy. Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Electron once again proves why it is the champion of small launch globally. These two launches serve as great examples of the team’s skill at delivering mission success for our customers anywhere, anytime, and no matter the mission profile – from a suborbital hypersonic technology demonstration to a commercial orbital mission, all within 48 hours and from opposite sides of the world. This new annual record is a proud moment for a remarkable team that continues to set new benchmarks for the launch industry.” Rocket Lab remains on track to further extend Electron’s annual launch record and end the year with more launches scheduled. Details on upcoming missions will be shared at www.rocketlabcorp.com (Source: Satnews)

16 Nov 25. Project Kuiper is now known as Amazon LEO. Amazon LEO is a simple nod to the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellation that powers the network. Seven years ago, Amazon set out to design the most advanced satellite communications network ever built. The company’s vision was simple: There are still bns of people on the planet who lack high-speed internet access, and ms of businesses, governments, and other organizations operating in places without reliable connectivity. With a constellation of satellites in LEO, the company could help bridge that gap and extend fast, reliable internet to those beyond the reach of existing networks. Amazon LEO started small, with a handful of engineers and a few designs on paper. Like most early Amazon projects, the program needed a code name, and the team began operating as “Project Kuiper”—inspired by the Kuiper Belt, a ring of asteroids in our outer solar system. The code name stuck through many of the early milestones: filing and receiving initial licenses, signing the largest set of launch contracts in history, completing a successful prototype mission, and deploying our first full batch of production satellites earlier this year. The company is now ready to share the permanent brand for the program: Amazon Leo. The long-term mission remains the same and the company now operates one of the largest satellite production lines on the planet. Some of the most advanced customer terminals ever built, including the first commercial phased array antenna to support gigabit speeds, have been built by the company. There are now more than 150 satellites in orbit, and customers and partners such as JetBlue, L3Harris, DIRECTV Latin America, Sky Brasil, and NBN Co., Australia’s National Broadband Network operator, have already signed up to deploy the service. The initial satellite constellation continues to be built out and service will be initiated once more coverage and capacity to the network has been added. (Source: Satnews)

21 Nov 25. Readout of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s Meeting With U.S. Space Command Commander General Stephen Whiting. Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Senior Advisor Sean Parnell provided the following readout: On November 20, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth met with General Stephen Whiting, commander of U.S. Space Command, at the Pentagon. The leaders discussed the relocation of U.S. Space Command’s headquarters to Huntsville, Alabama. Gen. Whiting presented current relocation courses of action on efforts to relocate personnel and mission capabilities expeditiously and responsibly to support the President’s directive. Both leaders discussed ways to accelerate the military construction process, additional requirements to cut through bureaucratic red tape, and the balance between cost, speed, and the uninterrupted execution of the command’s warfighting mission. Gen. Whiting reiterated the command’s steadfast commitment to working with organizations across the Department of War and elected leaders to identify efficiencies in relocating the headquarters per the President’s direction in an expedient manner while ensuring the U.S. Space Command mission is unimpacted and can still achieve the requirements of our national security and allied and partner organizations. In September, President Donald Trump announced that U.S. Space Command – one of the Defense Department’s 11 unified combatant commands – would be relocating from Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado, to the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. The command was reestablished in August 2019, during Trump’s first term as president. (Source: U.S. DoD)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

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20 Nov 25. ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, and Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), a leading global provider of advanced space services, today announced they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI). This LOI outlines a plan to leverage their complementary strengths, aiming to enhance sovereign space capabilities for Nordic and NATO security. The LOI, signed at the NATO Arctic Space Forum last week in Helsinki, reflects the growing strategic cooperation between Sweden and Finland and aims to explore expanded collaboration in key space and defense-related areas. It leverages the complementary strengths of both companies to support future mission development, satellite operations, and launch capabilities. The partnership will explore synergies between ICEYE’s world-leading sovereign space-based ISR offering and SSC’s extensive global ground station network, mission operations expertise, and future orbital launch services. Following high-level discussions at the NATO Arctic Space Forum among senior Nordic and NATO leaders on the need for increased cooperation between allied governments and industry, the LOI between ICEYE and SSC represents a tangible step toward rapidly strengthening space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for the Arctic and NATO’s North-Eastern Flank.

Pekka Laurila, CSO and Co-founder of ICEYE, said: “Through this LOI, we’re evaluating how to combine ICEYE’s SAR offering and SSC’s global ground network and future access to orbit. The intent is to explore concepts that strengthen Nordic collaboration for security and resilience and enable dependable ISR for NATO and the Nordics.”

Charlotta Sund, President and CEO at SSC, said: “The LOI between SSC and ICEYE aims to develop cooperation based on our complementary strengths, and is in line with and supports an increasing defense cooperation also in the space domain between Sweden and Finland.”

In September 2025, the Finnish Defence Forces announced the acquisition of SAR satellites and technical systems from ICEYE to establish a sovereign, space-based surveillance capability. The total value of the acquisition is approximately 158 million euros, including the main procurement as well as options to extend the satellites’ lifecycle and expand the system in the future. On November 12th 2025, in an address at the NATO Arctic Space Forum, Finland’s Minister of Defence Antti Häkkänen discussed a plan to create a multinational community with allied countries that use SAR satellites, which will promote compatibility, synergy and best practices related to SAR capabilities. (Source: PR Newswire)

21 Nov 25. UK backs next-generation satellite communications with £6.9m investment. The UK Space Agency is investing £6.9m in satellite technology that will transform connectivity and secure Britain’s place as a European space leader. The funding will support five groundbreaking projects through the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ARTES (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) programme, part of the Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications. These projects showcase British expertise in next-generation satellite technologies and strengthen the UK’s role in advanced communications. This investment underpins the UK’s Industrial Strategy priority capabilities: Satellite Communications, Position, Navigation and Timing, In-orbit Servicing and Manufacturing, Space Domain Awareness, and Space Data for Earth Applications. With European demand for satellites up to 2033 forecasted to be worth £40bn, even 2% of this would bring around £800 million in revenues for the UK economy alone.

Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “Space technology and especially satellites, are essential to our daily lives. From the sat nav in your car to your mobile phone, from weather forecasts to your online banking – space is where it all happens. By backing our UK sector, we’re not only cementing our position as a European space leader – we’re creating high-skilled jobs, attracting investment, and ensuring space technologies can connect communities to the space-enabled services they need. The five UK-led projects span critical areas of innovation in satellite communications, from refuelling satellites to extend their lifespans, to developing 5G networks and optical links that will improve global connectivity. ”

Orbit Fab will deliver the Advancing Satcom Technology with Refuelling and Logistics (ASTRAL) project with a total UK funding of up to £2.9m. The contract for the first stage of the mission, worth £1.3m, has now been awarded by ESA. This mission will prove the capability to refuel electric propulsion satellites using UK-developed technology, ensuring satellites can remain in orbit for longer or can manoeuvre away from threats.

Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall will lead the AGILE: Antenna Ground Interface and LunaNet Equipment project, supported by £1.6m in funding. Amidst the growing number of lunar missions, this project will produce an interface unit that can be installed in global antennas to communicate with spacecraft using the internationally recognised LunaNet specification. This will allow missions to seamlessly connect to ground infrastructure, improving mission success rates.

Vicinity Technologies will receive £1.19m for its 5G NTN-based Satellite Access Networks project. The team will design and develop a versatile 5G Non-Terrestrial Network regenerative payload system and user terminals, including the entire software stack for both space and ground segments. This technology will support uninterrupted and scalable internet services globally, from hard-to-reach areas to smart cities.

Archangel Lightworks, working with the support of Eutelsat will advance optical communications through the Space Optical Link Integration Study (SOLIS) project, funded with £356,000. This study, delivered under ESA’s Sunrise programme, will investigate use cases for deploying Free Space Optical Communications technology within Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO global network.

Finally, Inmarsat Navigation Ventures Ltd (Viasat UK) will receive £881,000 for the International Virtual Satellite Operators Network (Phase 2) project. This initiative will develop a service that enables governments to plan, procure, manage and monitor satellite communications services from Viasat and other providers, ensuring secure and coherent management of critical communications.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “Today’s investment shows how the UK’s space ambitions translate into real-world impact. By advancing satellite communications technology, we’re not only building a globally competitive sector but also ensuring that communities – even in the most remote corners of the UK – can access the services they need. This is space delivering for people and powering our future economy. By helping businesses, universities and research institutions commercialise breakthrough technologies, the government is creating high-skilled jobs in the UK’s £18.9bn space sector and delivering tangible benefits – from improved weather forecasting to enhanced national security. ”

Laurent Jaffart, Director of ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications, said: “ESA is committed to supporting a vibrant and striving telecommunications ecosystem in Europe, while achieving a zero-debris environment in space. This milestone, with support from the UK Space Agency, will further strengthen the European autonomy and sovereignty that we are collectively striving for with our Member States.”

Dr Colin Baldwin, Executive Director of the UKspace Trade Association, said: “UKspace’s Satellite Telecommunications Committee, run jointly with techUK, has made a strong case that our industry has the expertise, technology and talent to capture a significant portion of the global satellite communications market over the coming decade. We are delighted to see so many of our member companies benefiting from and taking advantage of the UK Space Agency’s investment in the ARTES programme at the ESA Council of Ministers meeting in 2022 continuing to develop new innovations which will help to achieve this goal.”

This funding comes ahead of the ESA Ministerial Council in Bremen on 26-27 November, where the Government will negotiate the UK’s investment into the future of Europe’s space ambitions, with a focus on economic growth and national security. Evaluation shows that every £1 invested in ESA returns £7.49 in direct benefits to the UK economy.

As well as ESA programmes, the UK space sector has access to a wider range of national space funding than ever before. To support national programmes and the UK’s membership of ESA, the government allocated the UK Space Agency a budget of £2.8 billion up to 2029/30.

From pioneering satellite refuelling to transforming connectivity in remote areas, these projects show how investment in space delivers real benefits for people’s everyday lives. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

19 Nov 25. Rocket Lab launches hypersonic test mission for US defence agencies. Rocket Lab has successfully completed a hypersonic test launch for the US Defence Innovation Unit and the Missile Defense Agency, marking another milestone for the company’s expanding role in defence-related space operations. The suborbital flight, carried out using Rocket Lab’s HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) vehicle, lifted off from Launch Complex 2 at Wallops Island, Virginia, at 13:00 UTC (8:00am local time) on 18 November 2025. The mission was led by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and carried a primary government payload built by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, alongside several secondary experimental payloads from federal and industry partners. All payloads were designed to advance technologies relevant to missile defence. The launch forms part of the Defence Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program, which seeks to accelerate the testing of emerging hypersonic systems through lower-cost, rapid-turnaround flight opportunities. Rocket Lab delivered the mission just 14 months after signing the contract, a timeline the company said highlights the advantages of using commercially developed launch systems for defence test activities. According to Rocket Lab, the use of commercial, liquid-fuelled launch vehicles offers significant schedule and cost efficiencies for agencies conducting developmental testing, risk-reduction activities and non-traditional target trials. Rocket Lab’s vice-president of global launch services, Brian Rogers, said the mission underlined the value of leveraging commercial innovation for national security needs.

“HASTE is an important platform for accelerating hypersonic technology readiness and we’re proud to be delivering this mission for DIU and MDA,” he said.

DIU’s director of emerging technology, Lieutenant Colonel Nicholas Estep, said the partnership demonstrated the benefits of tapping into commercial space capabilities.

“Accessing the commercial and non-traditional ecosystem is a key enabler for accelerating progress in the hypersonics community, particularly for closing mission timelines and improving affordability,” he said. “Working with MDA to demonstrate commercially focused suborbital launch services is a great example of that.”

The mission was the sixth flight of the HASTE rocket since its debut in 2023. HASTE is a suborbital variant of Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher, the world’s most frequently flown small orbital rocket. It features the same carbon fibre construction and 3D-printed engines as Electron, but with a modified Kick Stage and a larger payload envelope tailored for hypersonic testing. Capable of deploying payloads at speeds above 7.5 kilometres per second, HASTE supports testing of air-breathing, glide and ballistic systems, as well as re-entry technologies. Together, HASTE and Electron have now carried more than 200 payloads for government and commercial operators worldwide. (Source: Space Connect)

19 Nov 25. BAE Systems (LON: BA) has added new capabilities to its next-generation, radiation-hardened 12 nanometer (nm) Storefront. The RH12™ Storefront is an advanced and accessible integrated circuit development capability with a vast technology library to support a wide range of space applications. BAE Systems’ RH12™ Storefront offers one-stop-shop capabilities for the space community to withstand the harsh environment. The Storefront enables the development of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to execute critical missions in the most extreme and challenging conditions in space. Through simplified intellectual property (IP) licensing and proven ASIC design and manufacturing methods, the RH12 Storefront now allows customers to rapidly develop their own system-on-chip (SoC) 12nm designs with new features to meet those demands.

“Our RH12 Storefront provides a turnkey solution for customers requiring radiation-hardened 12 nanometer integrated circuits,” said Joe Dziezynski, director of Space Systems at BAE Systems. “This approach uses commercial foundry technology for space missions, qualifying not only the library components but also the process for how each of those components are designed into customer integrated circuits. Customers now have a one-stop-shop for state-of-the-art microelectronics performance to complete their missions in the harsh space environment.”

The IP cores, ranging from basic logic elements to complex processing and interface functions, comprise a comprehensive library of proven design elements readily available for use by Storefront customers. The smaller, lower power 12nm transistors provide higher function and performance, an important factor in space where resources are limited. BAE Systems applies its radiation-hardening and reliability enhancement techniques to circuit building blocks developed internally and licensed from third-party IP providers. GlobalFoundries provides the commercial 12nm foundry manufacturing for the Storefront. IP based on technology from several providers including BAE Systems, Cadence, Rambus Inc., and Spectral Design and Test Inc. delivers new functionality with robust radiation protection. Advanced data conversion (analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog) capabilities and embedded field programmable gate array IP to program logic function after manufacturing are also being evaluated for Storefront integration. The RH12 technology is already being utilized to develop application-specific standard products, such as radiation-hardened advanced processor SoCs and next-generation memory systems. BAE Systems provides design, qualification, and production services that give customers an accessible and flexible solution to build a competitive edge. As a platform-agnostic supplier, BAE Systems develops and produces high-reliability space electronics, from standard components and single-board computers to complete system payloads. These radiation-hardened solutions have enabled civil, commercial, and national security space missions for more than 50 years. Work on the RH12 technology is performed in Manassas, Virginia, and is a Department of War Category 1A Microelectronics Trusted Source. The initial product development kit has been released, enabling alpha users to leverage the RH12 Storefront capabilities while IP components complete qualification. (Source: PR Newswire)

20 Nov 25. Germany vows to protect its interests in growing global space race. Germany will expand its security infrastructure in space to better protect its interests in a sphere where countries are already competing for dominance, said the foreign and defence ministers in a joint statement published on Wednesday. The two ministries presented their new space security strategy to the cabinet on Wednesday, in which they commit to a peaceful, rules-based use of space while also pledging to build a space infrastructure strong enough to serve as a deterrent. Germany’s defence ministry alone plans to invest 35 bn euros ($40 bn) in space over the next few years, and the German military will form the backbone of the space strategy, said Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in the statement. The strategy sets the framework for how Germany can better protect itself, said Pistorius, for example against the GPS signal disruptions by Russia in the Baltic Sea region.

“Space has long been an arena for military conflicts and economic competition, as demonstrated most recently by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine,” said Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in the same statement.

“The race for dominance in space is in full swing. It is therefore all the more important that Germany protects its interests,” he added. ($1 = 0.8639 euros) (Source: Reuters)

19 Nov 25. Viasat Secures Renewal Contract with NEXCOM for Managed Connectivity Services Worldwide. Viasat will perform network upgrades at Navy and joint base facilities to improve internet connectivity and enhance daily experiences for Sailors and their families. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications (SATCOM) and communication services, today announced a five-year contract extension with the Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Telecommunications Program Office. Under this contract extension within the company’s Defense and Advanced Technologies segment, Viasat will continue providing managed connectivity services for the personal-use networks that support multiple programs for the Navy and joint base installations around the globe. This includes internet access for Sailors who live in Unaccompanied Housing (UH) or select Family Housing (FH), those who visit Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities, as well as support for those staying in or visiting lodging or other temporary living facilities, such as Navy Lodge, Navy Gateway Inns & Suites/ Navy Inns, Navy Getaways, Wounded Warrior Program and Fisher House® facilities. The Viasat Government team will provide extensive network upgrades, including new hardware and infrastructure, as well as ISP backhaul, to support significantly higher bandwidth for users across facilities inside the continental U.S. (CONUS) and outside the continental U.S. (OCONUS). Viasat’s work with NEXCOM is directly aligned with the objectives of the recently formed Barracks Task Force, established to address the critical need to improve the living conditions and experiences of service members. By upgrading the networks and services for UH facilities, Viasat will be contributing to the Task Force’s mission to modernize infrastructure and enhance the quality of life for our Sailors living at U.S. military bases around the world.

“For nearly 15 years, Viasat has been honored to serve as a trusted partner to NEXCOM, connecting Sailors and their families across more than 100 bases worldwide,” said Victor Farah, Senior Vice President of Viasat Government Services and Solutions. “We understand how vital it is for service members to stay connected—to their loved ones, to their missions, and to the world around them. This extension reflects our shared commitment to continually enhance those experiences through faster, more resilient, and more affordable connectivity. As Viasat evolves its portfolio beyond traditional satellite services, we’re focused on delivering a modern, fiber-like digital experience that keeps pace with how Sailors live, work, and play—whether through streaming, gaming, email, social media or video communication.”

Viasat’s contract with NEXCOM began in 2011. Since then, Viasat has built a long-standing history of delivering essential on-base connectivity services to Sailors and their families across both CONUS and OCONUS facilities worldwide. This extensive work includes performing critical upgrades to facilities across all programs served, such as the cable management transmission system (CMTS) network at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, building a new fiber network backbone and connectivity services for Naval Station Guam and Anderson Air Force Base, and constructing a new network at the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Redzikowo in Poland. (Source: ASD Network)

18 Nov 25. Planet Labs GmbH, the world’s leading provider of daily satellite imagery and Earth intelligence, and Quantum Systems, Germany’s pioneer in AI-powered unmanned systems, are joining forces to bring orbital systems and operators together in one seamless intelligence ecosystem. The partnership aims to fuse Planet’s orbital vantage point – delivering persistent, wide-area change detection and high-resolution tasking – with Quantum Systems’ next-generation drone reconnaissance and MOSAIC UXS mission software. Together, they’re creating a new standard in ‘Tip & Cue’ operations: satellites identifying changes; drones investigate them, enabling operators to act faster and with more precision. The European-made intelligence network will give defence and security customers unmatched situational awareness – from orbit to operator. By integrating orbital insights with real-time tactical data, Planet and Quantum Systems aim to unlock faster decision cycles, automated tasking, and resilient, multi-domain awareness built for the future of European defence.

“This strategic partnership is a significant step toward delivering actionable, near-real-time intelligence to the defense community spanning the Space and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle domains, driven by European innovation,” said Charlie Candy, Chief Revenue Officer at Planet. “By collaborating to bring this joint multi industry solution concept to market, we are exploring a path to move beyond data delivery and provide concrete operational value. Both Planet and Quantum Systems have already been critical supporters of Ukraine’s defense efforts. In creating this partnership, we can maximize impact and help ensure other European nations have the most efficient tools to aid in securing peace and stability across the region.”

Planet’s Broad Area Monitoring satellite data and VHR tasking, combined with Planet’s analytics feeds, enables automated change detection over large areas to identify new points of interest – the critical ‘Tip.’ Working alongside Quantum Systems’ MOSAIC UXS software suite, this alert will trigger a precise ‘Cue’ for the deployment of an assigned Unmanned Vehicle for surveillance with detailed multi-sensor drones. This way, unmanned systems are deployed against confirmed and relevant targets, drastically improving operations precision and resource management, and reducing the cognitive load on analysts.

Florian Seibel, Co-founder & Co-CEO at Quantum Systems, added, “Our collaboration with Planet will provide our operators with real-time maps from orbit. The integration of Earth observation data into our MOSAIC UXS mission software starts a new chapter for ISR missions. This enables operators to plan missions more precisely, make decisions faster and increase the safety of their operations. This partnership underscores how our complementary technologies reinforce each other – and represents our shared commitment to European security and technological sovereignty.”

17 Nov 25. ST Engineering iDirect, a global leader in satellite communications (SATCOM), and Black Cat Systems Pty Ltd, a leading provider of satcom solutions and services, are expanding their partnership to establish an Advanced Satcom Technology Demonstration Lab. This initiative will showcase secure, resilient, and multi-layered satcom solutions tailored to the Australian Defence Force (ADF). Central to the demonstration lab is ST Engineering iDirect’s 450 Software Defined Modem (SDM), featuring multi-waveform, multi-orbit capabilities and CSIR™ interference mitigation technology, designed to meet the evolving demands of the defense sector.

Highlighting the 450SDM multi-waveform, multi-orbit modem built for mission-critical communications

Black Cat Systems has procured additional Evolution Defense hubs and 9-Series modems and will showcase the newly introduced 450SDM. Purpose-built for mission-critical communications, the 450SDM delivers unmatched flexibility and performance, supporting multiple orbits—including HEO, GEO, MEO, and LEO—and a variety of waveforms on a single platform. With a 30% reduction in size, weight, and power (SWaP) compared to its earlier modem models, the 450SDM is optimized for both fixed and mobile environments. It offers high data rates, advanced mobility, and robust security features, including TRANSEC and FIPS 140-3 Level 3 compliance.

“Our expanded partnership with Black Cat Systems underscores our commitment to delivering cutting-edge satcom solutions to the Australian Defence Force,” said Terry Bleakley, Asia Regional Vice President, ST Engineering iDirect. “The 450SDM, combined with our Evolution Defense platform, showcases our ability to meet the ADF’s critical communication needs with unmatched flexibility, reliability, security, and performance.”

“Black Cat Systems has been a trusted Australian provider of satcom solutions and services for the ADF for 18 years, and is investing to strengthen the sovereign industrial base through lab systems, advanced training, and local support to ensure a strong secure supply chain, seamless integration, operational excellence and 100% mission focus,” said Keith Rosario, Managing Director, Black Cat Systems. “We are proud to strengthen our partnership with ST Engineering iDirect. Our Advanced Satcom Technology Demonstration Lab will be used to showcase the 450SDM and other advanced technologies from ST Engineering iDirect that deliver secure, resilient, and mission-critical communication capabilities to empower the ADF in current and future environments.”

Paired with the iDirect Evolution Defense 4.6 platform, the 450SDM delivers enhanced security, resiliency, and mobility ideal for defense applications. Its features, such as flexible key exchange for crypto-agility and real-time CSIR interference removal, ensure secure and reliable communications in the most challenging operational scenarios. The 450SDM introduces advanced capabilities that will be further enhanced in the future by the dual Tx/Rx SDM.

The Advanced Satcom Technology Demonstration Lab represents a significant step forward in delivering secure, mission-critical communication capabilities to the ADF.

ST Engineering iDirect, a subsidiary of ST Engineering, is a global leader in satellite communications (satcom) providing technology and solutions that enable its customers to expand their business, differentiate their services and optimize their satcom networks. With over 40 years of delivering innovation focused on solving satellite’s most critical economic and technology challenges we are committed to shaping the future of how the world connects. The product portfolio, branded iDirect, represents the highest standards in performance, efficiency and reliability, making it possible for its customers to deliver the best satcom connectivity experience anywhere in the world. ST Engineering iDirect is a leader in key industries including mobility, broadcast and military/government. In 2007, iDirect Government was formed to better serve the U.S. government and defense communities. For more information visit www.idirect.net. (Source: PR Newswire)

12 Nov 25. Qorvo delivers wideband SSPAs as reliable TWTA replacement with smaller system footprint. Qorvo® (Nasdaq: QRVO) has introduced four, wideband, solid-state power amplifiers (SSPAs) for radar, SATCOM, electronic warfare (EW) and test applications. Qorvo?s newest SSPAs enable up to 50 percent smaller and one-third lighter system-level solutions compared to legacy traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs), supporting mission continuity and long-term reliability in demanding RF environments. As TWTA supply chains contract and program schedules tighten, system designers are increasingly turning to solid-state solutions that boost reliability, shrink size and lower procurement risk. According to Global Growth Insights, 58 percent of SSPA demand now comes from defense and aerospace sectors where wideband Continuous Wave (CW) performance, reduced footprint and reliability are critical. With these new SSPAs, customers can confidently replace TWTAs while improving system-level performance, reliability and long-term lifecycle value,? said Doug Bostrom, general manager of Qorvo?s Defense and Aerospace business. ?These solutions accelerate the industry?s transition to solid-state power with scalable, proven technology.? (Source: Satnews)

10 Nov 25. Ergen returns as CEO at EchoStar + strikes $17bn spectrum deal with SpaceX. Echostar made changes with Hamid Akhavan who served as president and CEO of the company into chief of EchoStar Capital, and co-founder Charlie Ergen as its new CEO following the formation of a new business called EchoStar Capital. EchoStar Capital will be responsible for investing new capital from the recent spectrum transactions to fuel future growth opportunities for EchoStar Corporation. Ergen now assumes the operating responsibility for the pay-TV and wireless business units.

“EchoStar will soon be in the unique position of having substantial available capital, vastly changing its scope of opportunities,” Akhavan stated. “Through EchoStar Capital we will fuel EchoStar’s growth into new and complementary arenas, beyond its successful pay-TV, wireless and enterprise business units.” Charlie Ergen.

The transaction builds on the $17bn agreement the companies entered into in September when Elon Musk-owned SpaceX agreed a $17bn deal to buy EchoStar?s highly sought AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses after pressuring it to sell off the assets earlier this year. The deal will close after receiving customary regulatory approvals. SpaceX’s financials indicate it will pay EchoStar $8.5bn in cash and up to $8.5bn in SpaceX stock. The company also agreed to fund a total of about $2bn in cash interest payments on EchoStar?s debt through to November 2027. EchoStar added 232,000 Boost Mobile wireless subscribers in the quarter compared to a loss of 297,000 a year ago. Revenue for the wireless business came in at $938m, compared to $898m. EchoStar’s 9-month total revenue was $11.21bn. EchoStar’s Hughes division deliver $346m in revenues for Q3 and held 783,000 subscribers. In its Q3 earnings results, the company reported a $16.5bn impairment charge from decommissioning parts of its 5G network that are no longer needed for its Boost Mobile service following spectrum sales to AT&T and SpaceX. After these sales the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ended its investigation into EchoStar’s use of spectrum. EchoStar stated it was moving to a hybrid MNO model after selling off the spectrum licenses. (Source: Satnews)

14 Nov 25. Poland sets up first-ever military satellite launch. In a bid to secure an Earth observation system for the country?s armed forces, Poland is advancing a project to have its first three military satellites launched this month. Developed by a consortium of Finnish manufacturer ICEYE and Wojskowe Zakady cznoci No 1, an offshoot of Poland’s state-run defense group PGZ, the national satellite reconnaissance system will be the first component of the military space capabilities Warsaw aims to field in the coming years, defense officials said. The synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite is to be deployed into low Earth orbit onboard the next Transporter-15 mission by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California was initially scheduled for Nov. 11 in what would mark Poland’s Independence Day. The deployment has been postponed and is currently scheduled for Nov. 19. The initiative is part of Poland’s efforts to ramp up its military reconnaissance capacities amid an ongoing Russian invasion of neighboring Ukraine. Under the contract the Polish Ministry of National Defence signed with the manufacturer consortium last May, the country’s military is to receive at least three satellites under the MikroSAR program, with an option to acquire a further three spacecraft. The initial deal is worth around PLN 860m ($237m). In his remarks, Tomczyk said the war in Ukraine has sparked a major push for Poland to accelerate its military space program. The Finnish company’s partnership with PGZ, the dominant player in Poland’s defense sector, marks another collaboration between ICEYE and a major European industry player. In May 2025, the company teamed up with Germany’s Rheinmetall, setting up a joint venture devoted to satellite manufacturing with an initial focus on SAR satellites. The new entity, named Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions, is jointly owned by Rheinmetall, which holds 60% of the shares, and ICEYE, which owns the remaining 40% stake. With Poland’s military satellite projects moving forward, last year, the country created a new military institution, the Geospatial Intelligence and Satellite Services Agency. The organization will be responsible for processing the data collected by the military satellite fleet and providing related services to the armed forces. The military official stated that, according to Poland’s defense strategy, the designed satellite fleet will serve as the ?eyes? guiding the country’s military in how it strikes enemy forces.

“It is worth emphasizing that satellite technologies are the only ones that enable so-called deep, precise strikes that, in our doctrine, are the main element of the deterrence policy directed against the potential opponent,” he said.

In the meantime, the Polish military is awaiting the deployment of two observation satellites the government ordered from French company Airbus in December 2022. The spacecraft are to be launched into space by 2027. Under the operational plan, the spy satellites are to increase the capacities of Poland’s armed forces in the field of reconnaissance data, operating as part of a French-Polish constellation. The net value of the contract is about €575m ($669m), according to data from the ministry. (Source: Defense News)

14 Nov 25. Boeing [NYSE: BA] mission controllers confirmed the second ViaSat‑3 satellite, built on the company’s high‑power 702MP+ platform, is healthy on orbit after liftoff aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket last night at 10:04 p.m. Eastern Time. The ViaSat-3 F2 satellite is expected to more than double Viasat’s bandwidth capacity, supporting the increasing demand for resilient, global satellite communications from commercial mobility like in-flight connectivity and defense customers. Boeing designed and manufactured the platform to host Viasat’s flexible payload, pairing Boeing’s proven all‑electric propulsion with high‑power Spectrolab solar arrays to support sustained, high‑throughput operations. After separation in geostationary transfer orbit, Boeing teams in El Segundo, Calif., acquired telemetry and established command links to evaluate spacecraft health and begin subsystem initialization. Over the next several days, mission operations will ready the vehicle for deployments and commence orbit raising to its final geostationary orbital slot (approx. 22,000 mi from Earth’s surface), followed by in‑orbit testing and handover to Viasat. The 6‑metric‑ton‑class satellite is designed to deliver over 1 terabit per second of total network capacity, enabling reliable broadband connectivity across land, air, and sea. The Boeing 702 family has supported commercial and government missions for nearly three decades. The enhanced 702MP+ configuration for ViaSat‑3 couples efficient, all‑electric propulsion with advanced power systems to enable the payload?s capacity and dynamic beam forming capabilities.

14 Nov 25. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), a leading provider of advanced imaging solutions, is proud to announce that Engineering Models (EMs) of its newly launched industrial CMOS image sensors upscreened for space applications will be available along with evaluation kits and integration tools by the end of 2025. These sensors, developed and tested in Teledyne’s facilities in Grenoble, France, are tailored for the growing demands of the New Space market. The two variants, Ruby 1.3M USV and Emerald Gen2 12M USV, offer resolutions of 1.3MP and 12MP, respectively, and are qualified by test for applications such as Earth observation, star trackers, monitoring cameras, space suits, rovers, and moon landers. Each sensor undergoes rigorous delta space qualification and radiation testing, including assessments for Single Event Latch-up (SEL), Single Event Effect (SEE), and Single Event Functional Interrupt (SEFI). Depending on mission requirements, they are delivered as flight models with two levels of screening: U1 (ESCC9020-like) and U3 (NASA Class 3 tailored for image sensors).

To support rapid integration and reduce time-to-market, Teledyne e2v provides a comprehensive suite of tools including:

*Engineering Models (EMs)

* Evaluation kits

*Reference designs

These resources, combined with Teledyne’s dedicated support team ensure seamless assistance from design concept to system launch.

Teledyne Space Imaging

Teledyne Space Imaging offers innovative space imaging products, including those from sister companies. This new line of industrial image sensors upscreened for space is from Teledyne e2v in Grenoble. This facility is known for its high-performance, high-reliability semiconductors for the most demanding space applications. Teledyne Space Imaging – Everywhereyoulook! Teledyne Space Imaging is part of Teledyne Technologies, a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne’s operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne’s website at www.teledyne.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

For the modern, mobile battlespace, MatrixSpace provides both high performance 4D radar and jam-resistant mesh networked communications engineered to perform in the harshest conditions?day or night, in any weather, and in remote, rugged locations. Designed for flexibility, our radar systems can be integrated with tactical vehicles or mounted on structures like buildings, TOCs, or stanchions. Offering 360° coverage, they provide unmatched field-of-view advantages, while low energy consumption allows for solar/battery-powered operation in off-grid environments at twice the duration and a fraction the cost of alternatives. The MatrixSpace AI platform removes clutter and classifies objects, so operators can act confidently without specialized radar expertise.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

November 14, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

13 Nov 25. Network Innovations UK Expands SATCOM Capabilities with Next-Gen LEO Delivery to Royal Navy. Network Innovations UK set to roll out next-generation LEO satellite maritime upgrade. Network Innovations UK is pleased to announce the implementation of a next-generation maritime defence LEO satellite upgrade to the Royal Navy – enhancing resilience and communications performance. For two years, Network Innovations UK has been privileged to provide advanced GEO SATCOM communications via our MAVERICK VSAT network to support Royal Navy platforms on operational deployments. Following this success, the team is set to roll out a next-generation LEO satellite upgrade that improves bandwidth, cuts latency and strengthens operational performance even in the most challenging environments. The upgrade will deliver continuous, secure connectivity across global maritime domains, ensuring mission readiness and reliable communications at all times.

Mike Cooper, Business Development Manager Maritime, “Reliable ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communications are essential for operational success and supporting crew welfare. This enduring collaboration underscores our commitment to delivering robust, defence-grade communications solutions that underpin the Royal Navy’s strategic effectiveness and agility.” (Source: ASD Network)

13 Nov 25. Sierra Space, a proven Defense Tech company delivering solutions for the nation’s most critical missions and advancing the future of security in space, announced today that its Dream Chaser® spaceplane has successfully completed a series of critical pre-flight tests at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), marking continued progress toward Dream Chaser’s first free-flyer mission. As part of its comprehensive testing campaign, Dream Chaser underwent Electromagnetic Interference and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMI/EMC) testing at NASA’s Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF). These tests verified the spacecraft’s ability to operate within expected electromagnetic environments throughout various missions. The spacecraft also completed rigorous tow testing at KSC and Space Florida’s Launch and Landing Facility. For this phase, a Freightliner Cascadia truck, provided by Daimler Truck North America, towed the spaceplane at high speeds to simulate critical dynamics and validating autonomous navigational parameters during runway landing operations. Additionally, Dream Chaser successfully demonstrated the ability to receive telemetry and distribute commands between the spacecraft and Mission Control in Louisville, Colorado over NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System network. This key milestone tested the spacecraft’s readiness for real-time command and control during flight operations. The testing campaign concluded with a post landing recovery rehearsal, which demonstrated the safing of vehicle systems and timely access to sensitive payloads. With these critical milestones achieved, we expect Dream Chaser to move to its final round of acoustic testing in December 2025. Following this, modifications for national security applications will be explored and performed in Colorado. These enhancements will aim to expand Dream Chaser’s versatility and demonstrate its ability to fulfill a wide array of mission requirements, including those essential to national defense. Dream Chaser is on track for its first launch to Low Earth Orbit, targeted in Q4 of 2026, through a demonstration mission under the CRS-2 contract with a runway landing at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

“Each milestone we achieve is a testament to the resilience, innovation and dedication of the Sierra Space team, and represents another significant step forward in ensuring Dream Chaser’s success as a versatile, reusable spacecraft,” said Fatih Ozmen, Executive Chair at Sierra Space. “We are excited to see Dream Chaser progressing steadily toward its inaugural flight to support the nation’s most pressing space priorities.”

Sierra Space is committed to advancing the future of space transportation, exploration, and defense, delivering innovative solutions that safeguard national security and ensure freedom of operations beyond Earth. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

06 Nov 25. Sateliot launches a project with ESA for satIoT. Sateliot will test a pioneering system that allows its satellites to connect with IoT devices without relying on satellite navigation systems (GNSS) such as GPS. This breakthrough opens new opportunities in sectors such as Security, where Europe’s technological autonomy and operation in “GNSS-denied” environments are strategic priorities. LEO satellite constellations, such as the one developed by Sateliot, provide coverage in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks -over half of the planet’s surface. However, until now, they depended on GNSS, increasing both the energy consumption of devices and terminal costs. The FreeGNSSNetwork project, signed with ESA and led jointly with GMV, eliminates this dependency using advanced algorithms that enable devices to calculate their position directly from the satellites’ signals. This maintains a stable and accurate connection even under complex conditions such as wartime scenarios.

According to the company, this project represents a paradigm shift and lays the groundwork for developing 6G technology, in which Sateliot actively contributes within the 3GPP framework. FreeGNSSNetwork enables device positioning with an accuracy of approximately 10 meters and provides extremely precise time synchronization services of 50 nanoseconds, the equivalent of 0.00000005 seconds.

The system is currently being tested in laboratories that replicate real satellite communication conditions and will be demonstrated in orbit with prototype satellites and terminals, sending Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) data directly to IoT devices.

According to Jaume Sanpera, co-founder and CEO of Sateliot, “this project positions Spain as a benchmark in satellite innovation and connects the European industry to new IoT and 5G service markets. With this research, Europe gains coverage and connectivity where there was none before, and Spain demonstrates its ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions. It is a dual-use technology, for civil applications, that enables greater autonomy, resilience, and energy efficiency.” (Source: Satnews)

02 Nov 25. Success as India launches its heaviest communication satellite, the CMS-03 on Sunday. India’s LVM3 launch vehicle has successfully launched the CMS-03 communication satellite in its 5th operational flight (LVM3-M5) on November 02, 2025. CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass. Photo captured by Satnews.

CMS-03, weighing about 4400kg, will be the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, where in, India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole.

The launch vehicle has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and has been moved to the Launch Pad on October 26, 2025 for further pre-launch operations. (Source: Satnews)

05 Nov 25. Rocket Lab launches “The Nation God Navigates” to join SAR constellation for Japan. “The Nation God Navigates” launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 19:51 UTC on November 5, 2025, deploying QPS-SAR-14, nicknamed YACHIHOKO-I for the Japanese god of nation-building, to a 575km circular Earth orbit. This satellite joins the rest of the QPS-SAR constellation in providing high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and Earth monitoring services globally. iQPS aims to build a constellation of 36 SAR satellites that will provide near-real-time images of Earth every 10 minutes.

“The Nation God Navigates” was the sixth mission deployed on Electron for iQPS, making Rocket Lab the go-to provider for their constellation.

Rocket Lab ready to launch Japan’s “The Nation God Navigates” satellite

“The Nation God Navigates” is the name of a Rocket Lab mission launching on November 5, 2025, which will deploy a Japanese satellite for its operator, iQPS. The mission’s name and the satellite’s nickname, YACHIHOKO-I, are inspired by YACHIHOKO, the Japanese god of nation-building and navigation.

Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global provider in launch services and space systems, announced the launch window for its next mission for multi-launch customer Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company. The mission will be Electron’s 74th launch to date and 16th mission this year. The upcoming dedicated launch, named ‘The Nation God Navigates”, is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on November 5, 2025 UTC. The mission will deploy QPS-SAR-14, nicknamed YACHIHOKO-I for the Japanese god of nation-building, to a 575km circular Earth orbit. This satellite will join the rest of the QPS-SAR constellation in providing high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and Earth monitoring services globally. iQPS aims to build a constellation of 36 SAR satellites that will provide near-real-time images of Earth every 10 minutes.

‘The Nation God Navigates’ will be the sixth mission deployed on Electron for iQPS, following previous successful missions ‘The Moon God Awakens’ in December 2023 as well as ‘The Lightning God Reigns’, ‘The Sea God Sees’ , ‘The Mountain God Guards’ and ‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ in 2025. Beyond this mission, six more dedicated iQPS missions are set to launch on Electron in 2026 and beyond, making Rocket Lab the go-to provider for their constellation.

Rocket Lab is a leader in responsive launch and precise orbital access for a range of small satellite operators globally. The world’s most frequently launched commercial small-lift rocket, Electron continues to demonstrate its reliability amid a busy launch cadence, achieving 100% mission success on all missions this year – with more launches scheduled from now through the end of 2025.

‘The Nation God Navigates’ launch window opens:

2:45 pm Eastern, November 5
11:45 am Pacific, November 5
19:45 UTC, November 5
4:45 am JST, November 6
8:45 am NZT, November 6

(Source: Satnews)

10 Nov 25. The fourth European Service Module (ESM-4) is ready to leave Airbus’ facilities in Bremen, Germany, and be shipped to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. On arrival it will be tested and integrated with the Orion Crew Module ready for the next stage of NASA’s Artemis programme. Built by Airbus under contract to the European Space Agency (ESA), ESM-4 will be a vital part of the Artemis IV mission which envisages astronauts going to live and work in humanity’s first lunar space station, Gateway, which will enable new opportunities for science and preparation for human missions to Mars.

“Delivering the fourth ESM takes us one step closer to a new space era with a lunar space station and increased opportunities for deep space scientific research. Europe’s role, through ESA, is crucial in this pioneering NASA-led programme,” said Ralf Zimmermann, Head of Space Exploration at Airbus.

“ESM-4 will play a key role as the Artemis IV mission is due to deliver the International Habitation Module (Lunar I-Hab) of the Lunar Gateway space station. This state-of-the-art hardware, developed by Airbus Defence and Space and its subcontractors across Europe, demonstrates our ability to contribute to major international partnerships,” said Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Human and Robotic Exploration at ESA.

The ESM modules provide engines, power, thermal control, and supply astronauts with water and oxygen. The ESM is installed underneath the crew module and together they form the Orion spacecraft. Thales Alenia Space Italia provides the thermal control system to keep the Orion crew modules between 18 and 24°C by radiating excess heat out of the ship but also keeping the cold at bay. The four solar arrays on Orion generate 11.2 kW of electricity, enough to power two four-person households on Earth. Only about 10% of the power is needed for the ESM, with the remaining 90% going to the batteries and equipment in the crew module. The Artemis I mission showed the solar panels were able to produce a little more power than expected and this additional energy will be of use as the Artemis programme evolves. The energy stored in the batteries of the Crew Module is key as it ensures that the Orion spacecraft has power even when the Sun is obscured. The batteries also provide power for a safe return when the ESM separates from the crew module at the end of the mission. To enable astronauts to concentrate on the most important tasks, the electronics onboard the ESM, controlled by the Crew Module, provide a very high level of autonomy, such as temperature regulation and solar wing rotation to track the Sun.

Orion has 33 engines onboard the ESM to provide thrust and manoeuvring capabilities. The main engine, a repurposed Space Shuttle orbital manoeuvring system engine (OMS-E) provided by NASA, generates 26.5 kilonewtons of thrust. This provides enough force to escape Earth’s gravitational field and perform the translunar injection burn, and to get into the Moon’s orbit. Eight auxiliary thrusters act as back-ups to the OMS-E and for orbital corrections. There are also 24 smaller engines for attitude control in space, enabling the spacecraft to rotate or change its angle during docking manoeuvres.

06 Nov 25. EchoStar has entered into an amended definitive agreement with SpaceX to sell the company’s unpaired AWS-3 licenses for approximately $2.6 bn in SpaceX stock valued as of September 2025. This transaction builds on the agreement the companies entered into in September. EchoStar’s unpaired AWS-3 licenses are nationwide and are part of 3GPP Band 70n (1695-1710 MHz uplink).

“This transaction with SpaceX, in addition to our previously announced spectrum transactions and commercial agreements, will strengthen EchoStar’s ability to develop new business opportunities and growth in value for our shareholders,” said Hamid Akhavan, CEO, EchoStar Capital. “The combination of AWS-3 uplink, AWS-4 and H-block spectrum from EchoStar with the rocket launch and satellite manufacturing capabilities from SpaceX accelerates the realization of powerful and economical direct-to-cell service offerings for consumers and enterprises worldwide, including our Boost Mobile customers.”

Closing of the proposed transaction will occur after all required regulatory approvals are received and other closing conditions are satisfied. Current operations of EchoStar’s DISH TV, Sling TV, Boost Mobile and Hughes will not be impacted by this transaction. m(Source: PR Newswire)

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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

November 7, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

07 Nov 25. Rheinmetall and ICEYE establish joint venture in Neuss. The technology group Rheinmetall and ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations have established a joint venture called Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH. The corresponding agreement was signed in Berlin by Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG, and Rafał Modrzewski, CEO and co-founder of ICEYE. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH is based in Neuss. As the majority shareholder, Rheinmetall AG holds a 60% of the shares in the joint venture, while ICEYE Oy holds 40%. Just five months after the announcement in May 2025, the company is now officially established. Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions will commence operations in 2025, with the first satellite to be manufactured locally in 2026. With the establishment of the new joint venture, Rheinmetall is strengthening its activities in the space sector. In recent years, there has been a sharp increase in demand for space-based reconnaissance capabilities among armed forces and security forces worldwide. As part of the cooperation between Rheinmetall and ICEYE, synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites are already providing reconnaissance images for the Ukraine’s defence against the Russian aggressor.

SAR satellites offer an advantage over conventional satellites as they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. Parts of Rheinmetall’s plant in the Lower-Rhine region have recently been transferred from the civilian Power Systems division to the group’s military business. By establishing Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions GmbH, employees at the Neuss site can also look at promising prospects.

About Rheinmetall

Rheinmetall is a leading international systems supplier in the defence industry and at the same time a driver of forward-looking technological and industrial innovations in the civilian markets. With its technologies, products and systems, Rheinmetall creates the indispensable foundation for peace, freedom and sustainable development: security. With currently more than 40,000 employees at 171 locations worldwide, the DAX-listed company generated sales of around €9.8 billion in the 2024 financial year.

About ICEYE

ICEYE delivers unparalleled persistent monitoring capabilities to detect and respond to changes in any location on Earth, faster and more accurately than ever before.

06 Nov 25. U.S. Space Force Nears Deployment of New Systems to Jam Chinese and Russian Satellites. The U.S. Space Force is close to fielding two new ground-based weapons designed to jam Chinese and Russian intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance satellites, according to new Space Force data. The systems, called the Meadowlands by L3Harris and the Remote Modular Terminal (RMT) by Northstrat and CACI, will join the existing Counter Communications System jammer, declared operational in 2020. Both jammers can be operated remotely and will be deployed worldwide, expanding the Pentagon’s counter-space capabilities amid what U.S. officials call a growing Chinese threat in orbit. Earlier reports indicated that the U.S. planned to purchase up to 32 Meadowlands units and 24 RMT. The Space Force’s Space Threat fact sheet reports that as of July 2025, China had over 1,189 satellites in orbit, including more than 510 capable of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). China is also developing direct-ascent anti-satellite (DA-ASAT) missiles, orbital “inspection” systems that could be weaponized, ground-based lasers, and extensive jamming capabilities. In a written testimony submitted before the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission in April, Space Force commander Gen. Chance Saltzman said the new systems are expected to be operational before the end of the decade. “Intelligence suggests the PLA likely sees counter-space operations as a means to deter and counter U.S. military intervention in a regional conflict,” Saltzman added. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

06 Nov 25. The United Kingdom should accelerate investment in sovereign, resilient space systems to safeguard national security and drive economic growth, Lockheed Martin UK Director of Space Nik Smith told delegates at a national space conference Wednesday.

“Space is no longer a neutral backdrop – it’s a contested operational domain,” Smith said. “We can retreat and accept vulnerability, or we can invest, innovate and collaborate.”

Speaking at the Global MilSatCom conference in London, Smith said recent incidents highlight the urgency for action, including repeated interference with the UK’s Skynet communications satellites and increased “data capture” attempts against German systems since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“These are not isolated events. They reveal a pattern and a clear strategic imbalance,” Smith said. “The conclusion is unavoidable: The UK needs resilient, survivable space capabilities now. This is not only a defence imperative but also an economic opportunity.”

The UK currently operates six dedicated military satellites – vital, but modest compared with the hundreds fielded by the United States, Russia and China. Russia and China have expanded their fleets by an estimated 70% over the past decade, many with systems designed or adapted for anti-satellite missions. Smith said a robust national space architecture – hardened, redundant and manoeuvrable – is essential for both national security and the success of a commercial space industry that supports high-value jobs across the country.

“Investing in sovereign capability drives demand for British engineering, manufacturing, software, launch and on-orbit services,” he said. “It circulates investment through UK supply chains and creates high-skilled jobs nationwide.”

Lockheed Martin, a British American defence partner for more than 80 years, is building on its heritage in military satellite communications, resilient architectures and on-orbit protection. Across 23 UK sites, the company is strengthening the transatlantic defence partnership through innovation and advanced technologies such as protected communications and defensive countermeasures to keep critical systems safe and mission capable. Our UK commitment is long-term – built on partnerships with industry and academia across the full lifecycle, from concept to operations, Smith added. “We will leverage our transatlantic capabilities and deep space heritage to work with government, education and industry to build sovereign UK capability that can be trusted in crisis.”

“The sky is not neutral,” Smith said. “Lockheed Martin and its partners have chosen to invest. I urge government, industry, academia and regional leaders to join us in building the resilient space capability the UK needs – and the thriving space economy our nation deserves.”

The long-standing cooperation between the U.S. and UK defence industries remains a cornerstone of shared security and prosperity. Today, this partnership continues to grow – improving interoperability, strengthening supply chain resilience and sustaining jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

03 Nov 25. The final satellite in the ‘425 Reconnaissance Satellite’ program, which is South Korea’s first surveillance and reconnaissance satellite project, have launched on 2 October (US time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA. Hanwha Systems announced that it supplied the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) payload for the program’s fifth satellite, following its contributions to satellites No. 2, 3 and 4. While the program is led by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Hanwha Systems’ role has been to produce and deliver the SAR payload, contributing to the realization of Korea’s independent reconnaissance-satellite capability. The ‘425 program’ consists of one electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) reconnaissance satellite and four SAR satellites. The SAR satellites are designed to capture imagery regardless of time of day or weather conditions. Following the previously launched satellites from 1 to 4, this fifth satellite marks the completion of the constellation. Unlike satellites 1 through 4, which involved technical collaboration with foreign companies, the fifth satellite achieved a higher level of domestic development. The SAR payload’s assembly, integration, and testing—as well as its key electronics modules and data link—were all developed domestically. Hanwha Systems emphasizes that this progress marks a major milestone for both national security and the competitiveness of Korea’s space industry. Hanwha Systems’ SAR payload provides high-speed, high-capacity data links for stable image transmission and offers excellent all-weather, day-and-night reconnaissance performance. With revisit times allowing four to six observations per day over the Korean Peninsula and surrounding regions, the system enables frequent re-imaging of specific areas.

Sung-Chan Song, Head of the Space Business Division at Hanwha Systems, said, “We’re proud to be part of this significant journey toward Korea’s independent surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Moving forward, Hanwha Systems will build on our satellite technologies to help strengthen national security and advance the defense-space industry.”

29 Oct 25. WISeKey affiliate WISeSat.Space teams with INNOSPACE for post-quantum satellite launches. WISeKey International Holding’s subsidiaries WISeSat.Space and SEALSQ Corp. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership with INNOSPACE Co., Ltd., a South Korean satellite launch service company. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing secure and efficient satellite deployment, leveraging South Korea’s rapidly growing space ecosystem. WISeSat aims to diversify the launch locations of its next-generation satellites to expedite the establishment of its infrastructure. Through this partnership, WISeSat will deploy its latest generation of secure satellites using INNOSPACE’s HANBIT-SERIES launch vehicles, ensuring reliable, cost-effective, and innovative access to space. Collaborating with INNOSPACE reinforces WISeSat’s commitment to providing quantum-resistant, secure IoT connectivity solutions on a global scale.

INNOSPACE, recognized for its groundbreaking achievements in private space launches, offers flexible and affordable launch solutions tailored to the unique needs of satellite operators such as WISeSat. This collaboration will facilitate efficient satellite deployment, supporting critical sectors such as cybersecurity, IoT, environmental monitoring, and secure communications. This announcement comes at a time when the European market for satellite connectivity is experiencing rapid expansion, with growing demand for European alternatives in the sector. The partnership between WISeSat and INNOSPACE underscores the importance of international collaboration in fostering secure and sustainable space technology. This is beginning of a long-term collaboration between WISeSat and INNOSPACE. The companies will continue to explore further opportunities for cooperation in space-based cybersecurity, AI-driven satellite applications, and beyond. Partnering with INNOSPACE marks a significant advancement in expanding WISeSat’s capabilities in secure satellite communications,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. “South Korea has emerged as a key player in the global space industry, and INNOSPACE’s cutting-edge technology aligns seamlessly with our vision of delivering highly secure and resilient connectivity solutions.” Partnering with WISeSat represents an opportunity to combine INNOSPACE’s agile launch capabilities with WISeSat’s cutting-edge satellite technologies,” said Soojong Kim, Founder and CEO of INNOSPACE. “Together, we look forward to enabling new possibilities in secure and reliable access to space.” (Source: Satnews)

27 Oct 25. Mil/Gov win to optimize Gogo multi-orbit 5G ATG, LEO, and GEO connectivity networks. SD Government (SDG), the division of Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO) that provides SATCOM to global governments, has received a five-year, federal contract to deliver multi-band, multi-orbit, airborne global satellite communications to a U.S. government agency. The new agreement, initially valued at $3m, is a follow-on from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III activity originally undertaken by SDG prior to the merger with Gogo. Awarded as a sole-source contract, the agreement will see the agency consolidate all aero communications across its fleet to this single contract over the next five years. With the consolidation of multiple contracts into a single contract, procurement time and complexity are dramatically reduced. In addition, the agreement allows users to focus resources on the mission rather than managing diverse contracts and vendors. This is the first SDG government contract to optimize the company’s integrated multi-orbit, multi-band, multi-network capabilities. The deal also includes provision for the government to add new technology and services as they become available over the life of the contract. The agency’s missions demand consistent, reliable high-bandwidth satellite connections in every theater of operations globally, as well as the highest encryption levels for secure communication and data transfer. SDG’s deep experience in the government and defense markets, combined with its ability to deliver 24/7/365 expert customer support, will ensure the customer retains consistent critical mission connectivity. As the contract’s full scope is realized, it will employ Gogo’s air-to-ground networks, low-Earth orbit (LEO), medium-Earth orbit (MEO), high-Earth orbit (HEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) constellations for Ku- and Ka-band connectivity as required. The customer agency will benefit from our extensive expertise, support, and cybersecurity expertise, along with our agnostic ability to provide the best-performing connections and terminals across multiple orbits on its diverse fleet of aircraft,” said Hayden Olson, Head of SDG. “We are providing a simple, seamless solution for the agency to procure resilient airborne communications. The streamlined access to all types of connectivity will enable seamless procurement and support, which is extremely valuable to a busy government agency.” (Source: Satnews)

28 Oct 25. Germany’s army to purchase 40 satellites worth €3bn. Germany’s army is poised to order 40 low-Earth orbit satellites from a joint venture between Rheinmetall AG and Iceye Oy, a deal worth approximately €3bn that is pending final approval. The German Aerospace Center (DLR) is enlisting satellites that will be able to jam other spacecraft and inspect objects in space. According to the Germany newspaper Handelsblatt, on October 24th, Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger was quoted as saying the contract calls for 40 satellites to be delivered to the Bundeswehr in the next two years and it wants to do so on tight deadlines. The satellites will provide high-resolution radar imagery, known as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), to bolster the German Bundeswehr’s reconnaissance and intelligence capabilities. This initiative is part of a larger, €35bn investment by Germany to enhance its space-based defense systems by 2030. TerraSAR-X orbits the Earth at an altitude of 514 kilometers in a polar orbit. With its active antenna, it acquires novel and high-quality X-band radar data from all over the Earth. TerraSAR-X operates independently of weather conditions, cloud cover and daylight and is able to provide radar data with a resolution of up to one meter. (Source: Satnews)

30 Oct 25. stc group + AST SpaceMobile announce 10-year commercial agreement + long-term revenue commitment for space-based cellular broadband connectivity. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) and stc group have signed a 10- year commercial agreement to enable direct-to-device satellite mobile connectivity across Saudi Arabia and key regional markets. As part of this agreement, stc has committed to a prepayment of $175 m for future services and made a significant long-term commercial revenue commitment. AST SpaceMobile will integrate its space-based cellular broadband connectivity with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure to expand mobile coverage across Saudi Arabia, as well as select countries in the Middle East and Africa. The partnership aims to eliminate connectivity gaps by delivering 5G and 4G LTE services directly to standard mobile phones without the need of any specialized software or device support or updates, for consumers, enterprises, and government sectors, ensuring seamless voice and broadband access Under this agreement, the first in the region for AST SpaceMobile, the company will build three ground gateways in Saudi Arabia and establish a Network Operations Center (NOC) in Riyadh to support the network’s operations and service quality. These key infrastructure developments will be instrumental in providing seamless connectivity across the region. The partnership will extend broadband cellular coverage to remote and underserved areas, empowering ms of people with reliable, high-speed connectivity. By complementing stc’s existing mobile networks, AST SpaceMobile’s technology will help drive economic development, education, and digital inclusion across the region. With this agreement, stc group will become the first operator in the region to adopt direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity, advancing its strategy to expand digital access, invest in next-generation infrastructure, and shape the future of mobile connectivity across the Kingdom and beyond. By leveraging AST SpaceMobile’s technology, stc group aims to extend its network far beyond the limits of traditional terrestrial infrastructure, delivering enhanced mobile access to customers and reinforcing its position as a leading digital enabler in the region. Commercial services are anticipated to launch during the fourth Q of 2026, contingent upon securing full regulatory authorization, licensing, and compliance from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia and other relevant regulatory bodies across the 15-country operating footprint.

stc group regional leadership and commitment to innovation, combined with our pioneering space-based network, will create a paradigm shift in how people connect,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile “We are pleased to partner with stc as the first regional operator to collaborate with us on this groundbreaking initiative. This partnership is another major leap forward to deliver on the promise of truly universal mobile broadband coverage, bridging the digital divide and empowering ms with reliable and easy-to-use connectivity.”

Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc group, said, “By expanding coverage by using the latest innovations in telecommunications technology, stc and AST SpaceMobile are bridging connectivity gaps and ensuring no one is left out of the digital future. It’s a step forward in our ambition to lead in digital infrastructure and deliver world-class connectivity access to everyone, no matter where they are located.” (Source: Satnews)

02 Nov 25. Success as India launches its heaviest communication satellite, the CMS-03 on Sunday. India’s LVM3 launch vehicle has successfully launched the CMS-03 communication satellite in its 5th operational flight (LVM3-M5) on November 02, 2025. CMS-03 is a multi-band communication satellite that will provide services over a wide oceanic region including the Indian landmass. Photo captured by Satnews. CMS-03, weighing about 4400kg, will be the heaviest communication satellite to be launched to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. The previous mission of LVM3 launched the Chandrayaan-3 mission, where in, India became the first country to land successfully near the lunar south pole. The launch vehicle has been fully assembled and integrated with the spacecraft and has been moved to the Launch Pad on October 26, 2025 for further pre-launch operations. (Source: Satnews)

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SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

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