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20 Aug 25. Australia and New Zealand Expand SouthPAN Program with Viasat through $252m AUD Award for Additional Satellite Services. Geoscience Australia and Toitu Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand have expanded the agreement with Viasat for the world class satellite-based augmentation system, SouthPAN. Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced a $252 m AUD award from Geoscience Australia (GA) and Toitu Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to deliver additional satellite services for the region’s world-class Southern Positioning Augmentation Network (SouthPAN). This expands on a previous SouthPAN award for the company and the estimated net incremental value for Viasat from this agreement is $214m AUD. SouthPAN is a collaborative satellite-based augmentation system developed jointly by Australia and New Zealand. It provides precise positioning and navigation services to support a number of sectors, including aviation, maritime, agriculture, surveying and emergency response. SouthPAN serves growing end market use cases, including in agriculture to increase productivity through applications like precision spraying, yield mapping, controlled traffic farming, inter-row seeding and livestock management. It is also capable of improving personnel safety on mine and construction sites through smart geo-fencing technologies to accurately identify the location of workers operating vehicles and heavy machinery. This marks the second such award for the company, after Inmarsat – which has since combined with Viasat – was awarded a contract in May 2023 to deliver a satellite payload for SouthPAN. The new agreement, which amends the previous award and comes under Viasat’s Communication Services segment, covers the continuation of services from Viasat’s existing in-orbit satellites as well as a new payload, marking a significant extension of Viasat’s partnership with both Governments.
“This agreement secures a reliable satellite service and ground infrastructure, delivering precise positioning across Australia and its maritime zones – enabling industries to innovate where accuracy is critical,” said Geoscience Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Melissa Harris. “From farms to freight, users will be able to access free services that are accurate and timely.”
Todd McDonell, President, Viasat International Government, said: “Viasat is thrilled to expand its support for SouthPAN and enable improved positioning and navigation services across Australia and New Zealand. SouthPAN represents extraordinary potential for the region: It can save lives by enabling precision safety tracking, help farmers improve productivity through automated device tracking, and even support transport management systems of the future.
“We have a long history providing advanced PNT and safety services across the world, so we are of course excited to be expanding this work and collaboration with GA and LINZ.”
SouthPAN is delivered by Geoscience Australia in partnership with Toitu Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, with early services available to both countries since 2022. (Source: ASD Network)
18 Aug 25. UK space sector bolstered with government reforms to boost growth and cut red tape. UK Space Agency to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry.
- UK Space Agency to join the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, helping to streamline support for the UK’s growing space industry.
- Move is part of the government’s Plan for Change to cut red tape and make Whitehall more agile and efficient.
- Over 60 new industry-led recommendations published today show how smarter regulation can unlock major opportunities – from tackling space junk to building and repairing satellites in orbit.
People and businesses across the UK will benefit from new changes that will see the UK Space Agency become part of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) – cutting duplication, reducing bureaucracy, and putting public accountability at the heart of decision-making. In a major step to boost support for the UK’s space sector, the change will bring together the people who shape space policy and those who deliver it. This will cut any duplication that exists and ensure decisions are made with clear ministerial oversight. Taking place by April 2026, the new unit will keep the UK Space Agency (UKSA) name and brand and will be staffed by experts from both organisations. This will drive up efficiency in line with the government’s Plan for Change, cutting red tape and making Whitehall more agile. Today also sees the publication of over 60 recommendations from industry leaders on how to improve regulation for space missions, including Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) – where spacecraft work together in orbit. These missions are key to unlocking a future market worth £2.7bn by 2031 (according to the UKspace IOSM Priorities Paper), and the UK is well placed to lead the way. It is a prime example of the joined-up working that will benefit from the merge of UKSA into DSIT. With the right support, UK space firms could capture a quarter of the global market for in-orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing. This will help to clean up space, extend the life of satellites, and build new infrastructure above Earth. Every Arms Length Body across government is being reviewed with a view to rooting out unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication, and to put public accountability first. Ministers have already announced that NHS England, the largest quango in the world, will be abolished as part of this process.
Space Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to see the importance of space to the British economy. This is a sector that pulls investment into the UK, and supports tens of thousands of skilled jobs right across the country, while nearly a fifth of our GDP is dependent on satellites. The aims for growth and security at the heart of our Plan for Change can’t be met without a vibrant space sector. Bringing things in house means we can bring much greater integration and focus to everything we are doing while maintaining the scientific expertise and the immense ambition of the sector.”
UK Space Agency CEO Dr Paul Bate said: “I strongly welcome this improved approach to achieving the government’s space ambitions. Having a single unit with a golden thread through strategy, policy and delivery will make it faster and easier to translate the nation’s space goals into reality. In coming together, the UK Space Agency and space policy colleagues are building on the firm foundations of economic growth and capability development laid in recent years, including cutting-edge missions, major national programmes, and the regulations that enable UK launch and leadership in space sustainability. We will continue to deliver, while reducing duplication and ensuring we work even more closely with Ministers to support the UK space sector, and the country.”
The UK Space Agency was founded in 2010 and currently operates as an executive agency of DSIT. It catalysed investment and revenue of at least £2.2bn for the UK space sector in 2024/2025. DSIT and the Agency will continue to work closely together over the coming months to support the UK space sector and ensure a smooth transition to the new arrangements. Further practical details on the merger will be announced in due course. This RPO Sandbox report has been delivered by 3 firms with leading expertise in the field: Astroscale, ClearSpace and D-Orbit, working in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority, the UK Space Agency and DSIT. Publishing the Stage 1 Report on the Regulatory Sandbox for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) delivers a key recommendation from the Space Regulatory Review and further demonstrates the strength of the sandbox model to support wider innovation, taking advantage of these safe spaces for establishing ‘what works’ for regulating cutting-edge new technologies. By tackling bottlenecks and uncertainties that UK firms in this field and beyond currently face, and ensuring regulation keeps up with the fast pace of innovation in this area, we will help encourage investment in nascent space activities like space junk removal, in-orbit refuelling and repair services that are expected to be highly lucrative in the decades ahead. By stress-testing the regulatory framework for novel space missions, the report’s recommendations provide important clarity for the UK’s space industry, their clients and investors, which ultimately encourages the growth of and investment in British space businesses working on RPO missions. This work is supported by the Regulatory Innovation Office’s (RIO) mission to reform regulation across emerging technologies. Delivery on these recommendations is already underway, as is Stage 2 of the Sandbox, which will examine issues unique to RPO missions in greater detail. The Stage 1 report sets a model for future sandboxes to follow. Its findings will support the delivery of the UK’s first ever active debris removal mission, planned to launch by 2028 to prove the tech needed to safely remove defunct satellites from orbit. This is technology that will protect the safe, secure and sustainable access to space upon which the UK’s economy and national security depend.
Nick Shave, Managing Director, Astroscale UK: “Astroscale UK is proud to have jointly led the industry delivery of Stage 1 of the RPO Regulatory Sandbox. Rendezvous and Proximity Operations are the foundation of all in-orbit servicing, from life-extension and refuelling to active debris removal – and with the right regulatory framework, the UK can be a global leader in this transformative sector. The recommendations in this report tackle the real bottlenecks industry faces today, providing clarity, proportionality and the confidence investors need. We look forward to working with government, regulators, and our fellow innovators to turn these proposals into action, ensuring the UK captures the economic and sustainability opportunities of a truly serviceable space sector.”
Rory Holmes, ClearSpace COO and UK Managing Director, said: “Together with partners, ClearSpace has been at the forefront of delivering Stage 1 of the RPO Regulatory Sandbox, an important step towards a safe, sustainable, and commercially dynamic space sector. This stage has been pivotal in fostering collaboration between government, regulators, insurers, and operators, enabling stakeholders to address knowledge gaps and reduce uncertainty around licensing in-orbit servicing missions in the UK. Through the RPO Operators Consortium, we have contributed to comprehensive recommendations on safety, sustainability, security, and liability measures to strengthen the UK’s regulatory framework and benefit all satellite operators. By establishing a clear, transparent, proportionate, and predictable approach, these proposals position the UK to become a global leader in this strategically vital domain. We remain committed to turning this framework into action, supporting its implementation, and advancing the vision of secure, resilient, and sustainable space operations.”
D-Orbit’s UK Legal Counsel, Lauren Payne, said: “Stage 1 successfully highlighted a range of challenges associated with the licensing of RPO missions under the current regulatory framework, allowing key stakeholders in licensing to work through these real-life challenges in a focussed, neutral forum. For Stage 2 we will build on the work in Stage 1 and zero in on implementation, where we hope to translate these issues into a better regulatory environment for RPO operators, customers, and regulators.
Colin Macleod, Head of the Space Regulator at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
The regulatory sandbox on RPO allows us to work with industry and government on cutting edge ideas in a fast-paced, collaborative and safe environment. RPO is vital for sustainable space but operating satellites at thousands of miles per hour in close proximity brings big challenges. Getting this right unlocks new ways of operating in space, helping the UK space sector grow while operating safely and responsibly.”
There are no immediate changes to UK Space Agency grants or contracts, and businesses and researchers currently working with the UK Space Agency do not need to take any action. The Stage 1 Report of the Regulatory Sandbox for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) has been funded by DSIT and developed in collaboration with the sector, the Civil Aviation Authority, and the UK Space Agency. While government bodies were actively involved in the process, the recommendations and problem statements are independent and originate from the sector – they do not represent government policy. DSIT is committing to explore the recommendations further as part of ongoing regulatory reform efforts. Publishing this report fulfils a recommendation from the Space Regulatory Review; and its delivery is supported by the Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO), whose mission is to unlock innovation by removing regulatory barriers to emerging technologies reaching the market. The Regulatory Innovation Office is an office within DSIT established to drive reforms to the regulatory system that will support the rapid introduction of our most impactful technologies. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
19 Aug 25. AstroAgency Expansion Continues with New Partnerships and U.S. Showcase. A strategic communications and market intelligence firm dedicated to the commercial space industry is accelerating its expansion into North America, formalising two new transatlantic partnerships. UK-headquartered AstroAgency has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with Voyager Technologies and Cislunar International, kicking off a six-month push to grow the firm’s connections and clients across the United States and Canada. The first MOU will see AstroAgency and Voyager Technologies collaborate across several fronts, including European and U.S. stakeholder engagement, strategic marketing support, and the development of VISTA, a new science park initiative. AstroAgency is anticipated to establish a North American office at VISTA as the development progresses.
“AstroAgency’s establishment at VISTA is a reflection of our shared belief that in-space research starts with collaboration here on Earth,” said Jeffrey Manber, president, International & Space Stations, Voyager Technologies. “Our science park lays the foundation for a truly international ecosystem, one that accelerates discovery, fosters innovation and ensures space can benefit all of humanity.”A second MOU was signed with Cislunar International, a growing company with bases in Washington and Texas, focused on tailored support for aerospace businesses. The agreement builds on a long-standing relationship with Cislunar co-founder Sam Peterson, who has served as an advisor to AstroAgency since 2023. The partnership will see both firms work together to strengthen services for their international client bases.
The new partnerships followed AstroAgency’s participation in last week’s Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, where company Director Daria Filichkina featured on stage in a panel discussion alongside representatives from the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Astroscale and the Secure World Foundation.
“We’re excited to deepen our North American partnerships and bring our experience in delivering bold, impactful campaigns and strategic guidance to companies across the United States and Canada,” said Daniel Smith, CEO of AstroAgency. “After six years of pioneering this niche service, backed by more than 100 project case studies, SmallSat offered the perfect launchpad for our next chapter.”
AstroAgency’s trip to Utah part of a space delegation led by Scottish Development International, while the Voyager signing in Colorado was attended by representatives of the UK Department for Business and Trade. The activity reflects the company’s continued focus on international collaboration, sustainability in space and stakeholder engagement; values demonstrated through AstroAgency’s collaborations with the UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, Committee on Earth Observation Satellites, United Nations, Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, and the Australian and Scottish Governments. Established as the first full-service marketing agency for space in 2019, the company previously delivered projects in North America for clients that include NovaSpace, PCI Geomatics, the Secure World Foundation, Asterra, TerraMetric and, more recently, the firm secured its first collaboration with NASA. Last week’s developments reflect a strategic commitment to the region as a priority for long-term growth, with Canadian talent already among the company’s expanding international team. New resources and senior leadership focus are being invested to strengthen relationships and increase AstroAgency’s presence locally. To date, the firm has supported over 80 organisations worldwide, from government space agencies to commercial satellite manufacturers, launch providers, and Earth observation companies, with clients including Spire Global, CATALYST, and Hydrosat. Most recently, AstroAgency welcomed its first Japanese client, Axelspace, following a successful trade mission to Japan. With the United States the most mature space economy in the world and Canada’s sector growing at pace, AstroAgency sees this North American expansion as a natural step in its global mission in transforming how people understand space; not as a distant ambition, but as a vital enabler of economic growth, environmental resilience and daily life on Earth.
18 Aug 25. Firefly Aerospace eyes Alpha rocket launch in Japan for Asia market. Firefly Aerospace (FLY.O)is exploring an option to launch its Alpha rocket from Japan as the U.S. rocket maker expands its satellite launch services globally, a Japanese company operating a spaceport in the country’s northern Hokkaido said on Monday. The plan could make Japan the second offshore launch site – and first in Asia – for Firefly, the Texas-based rival to Elon Musk’s market leader SpaceX, which had its Nasdaq debut earlier this month and is preparing for an Alpha launch in Sweden. Space Cotan, operator of the Hokkaido Spaceport located about 820 km (510 mi) northeast of Tokyo, said it and Firefly signed a preliminary agreement to study the feasibility of launching the small-lift rocket Alpha from there. (Source: Reuters)
12 Aug 25. ULA, GO Vulcan! GO Centaur! GO USSF-106! and they did! ULA’s recap: The United launch Alliance rocket departed Space Launch Complex-41 on Tuesday night at 8:56 p.m. EDT. The GEM 63XL solid rocket boosters burned for approximately 90 seconds and then separated, The methane-fueled first stage performed for five minutes before separating to allow the Centaur V to take over. Photos captured by Satnews. The 10-hour countdown started at 10:09 a.m. EDT under the guidance of ULA Launch Conductor Scott Barney. The pad crew completed final preps at the complex and then cleared the area for fueling. The “go” for cryogenic tanking was given by ULA Launch Director James Whelan. Tanking operations were successfully performed as a m pounds of cryogenic propellants were placed into the rocket. The clear to launch was given at 8:47 p.m. EDT by Space Force Mission Director Col. Jim Horne of Space Systems Command. The USSF-106 payloads feature demonstrations and experiments from Department of Defense customers, including the Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3). The Air Force Research Laboratory’s NTS-3 is the military’s first experimental navigation satellite system in nearly 50 years. NTS-3 delivers enhanced GPS capabilities to the warfighter at faster speeds and lower cost and paves the way for a more robust, resilient and responsive architecture for satellite navigation technology. NTS-3 will be the Department of Defense’s first experimental navigation satellite system in nearly 50 years. It builds on the legacy of NTS-1 and NTS-2, which were launched by ULA-heritage Atlas rockets in the 1970s and paved the way for today’s space-based PNT technology through the Global Positioning System (GPS). Designed, developed, and integrated by L3Harris Technologies, NTS-3 will provide an on-orbit demonstration of game-changing technologies and techniques, preparing the way for a new generation of GPS receivers. (Source: Satnews)
11 Aug 25. SpaceX delivers for Amazon, with launch of Project Kuiper’s smallsat KF-02 Mission. After the fourth delay due to weather, on Monday, August 11 at 8:35 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This is the second of a three launches contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite internet constellation. 24 small satellites are on board. This was the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX is targeting Monday, August 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 27-minute window opens at 8:35 a.m. ET. This is the fourth delay due to weather of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch for Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites. According to weather officials, there’s a 75% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule, Anvil Rules. The forecast calls for a temperature of 82°F, scattered clouds, 37% cloud cover and a wind speed of 10mph. A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app. This will be the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. (Source: Satnews)
13 Aug 25. U.S. Space Force’s L3Harris-built NTS-3 satellite successfully launches. The L3Harris-built (NYSE: LHX) advanced Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) has successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket. NTS-3 is the Department of Defense’s first experimental navigation satellite system in nearly 50 years. It is also the first fully reprogrammable Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) satellite that will provide warfighters with responsive and flexible capability to ensure mission success.
“The need for accurate and uninterrupted PNT has never been more essential to our warfighters who operate in GPS-denied environments,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “The successful launch of the NTS-3 system is the first step in updating 20th century technology to help address current threats to our national security.”
The L3Harris-built Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) satellite launched on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket Aug. 12 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. NTS-3 will be used for a variety of experiments to include testing on-orbit, next-generation technologies that assist warfighters in contested environments. L3Harris delivered NTS-3 three times faster and at lower cost than similar programs by leveraging industry standard form factors and interfaces. NTS-3 is also smaller and lighter than traditional PNT satellites and will operate at a higher altitude. Once on-orbit, the satellite will perform experiments to shape the future of U.S. space-based PNT capabilities. NTS-3’s payload technology is modular, scalable and can be configured to fly on different satellite buses. This technology will be instrumental in achieving future affordability goals and mission timelines. L3Harris propulsion and spaceflight avionics on the ULA Vulcan rocket were critical to delivering NTS-3 to a precise orbit. The rocket used two L3Harris RL10 engines, providing a combined total thrust of nearly 48,000 pounds. The rocket also used 12 MR-107 thrusters to help steer the upper stage and helium tanks that are essential to the rocket’s operation. Key company spaceflight avionics include controllers, data acquisition units, and the T-740U Transmitter, which are crucial for vehicle control and data relay during launch.US Space Force Successfully Launches L3Harris-Built NTS-3 Satellite. (Source: Satnews)
11 Aug 25. EchoStar needs to act swiftly on launch plans. Charlie Ergen’s EchoStar has signed a $1.3bn (€1.1bn) initial contract with Canada-based MDA Space to build 100 or so low Earth orbiting ‘MDA Aurora’ satellites for its proposed global Direct-to-Device scheme, addressing a potential “350 m Americans” and “more than 7 bn additional people globally”. EchoStar says the total cost of its initial constellation of 200 satellites is estimated at some $5 bn. But the overall scheme could extend to “thousands of satellites” says the operator. EchoStar will use its S-band/2 GHz spectrum rights (although there may be problems with European access to spectrum). But there are other significant costs, not least securing launch capability from only a small portfolio of potential rocket builders, many of which are fully booked for years to come. While the industry expects more hard news to emerge in September at the Paris World Satellite Business Week event, Ergen needs to act sooner than later. For example, a launch of eight satellites for Globalstar – with Apple’s backing – should have happened in the first-half of this year, and has yet to happen and is not expected until Q4. There’s a squabble between Apple, MDA (which is building the satellites) and RocketLab which is building the satellite’s core bus. Globalstar has cautioned that “important factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those anticipated” within its 10-Q, the risk of the “delay of the completion or launch of new satellites”. Ergen’s D2D scheme should start being ready for launch in batches starting in 2028, which could mean good news for the Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin rocket business and its New Glenn rocket. Reportedly Bezos has no room in his launch manifest until H2 of 2026. There’s always SpaceX, of course, but there’s not much love between Ergen and SpaceX’s Elon Musk who are battling over 2 GHz spectrum rights. The problem for EchoStar is that the launch business isn’t getting any easier given there’s a very active queue of would-be satellite deployments, and not much in the way of cargo space. (Source: Satnews)
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