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21 Oct 25. Kongsberg and Andoya Space to Strengthen Norwegian Space Capabilities. The MoU outlines a joint ambition to identify, define and pursue business opportunities within the space domain, drone segment and C4ISR. Given the investments already made within the space domain from both parties, the MoU highlights a near-term focus on building cooperation within the space sector, including satellite launch, system integration, testing, operations, and long-term infrastructure development.
“Norway already has the foundation for a nationally controlled and secure space value chain. Through this MoU with Andøya Space, we aim to further strengthen and operationalise that value chain by combining our experience in satellite production and system integration with Andøya’s unique launch capabilities,” said Øyvind Kolset, Executive Vice President, Missiles and Space, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. “This agreement supports both national and allied needs for secure access to space and enhanced responsiveness.”
“It is only through close collaboration between authorities and national and international businesses that Norway will succeed with its investments in space. Norway has built a solid space value chain over many years, and this MoU with KONGSBERG will help strengthen Norway’s position as a leading actor in the space segment,” said Ketil Olsen, CEO of Andøya Space, adding: “We already have a world-class technology test range at Andøya, and we look forward to further developing this capability to ensure it remains relevant for emerging technologies and the needs of our allies.” (Source: ASD Network)
22 Oct 25. L3Harris Successfully Completes Important Milestone for Army SATCOM Program. Critical Design Review completion is a key milestone on the path toward Wideband Global Satellite Communications certification for the network in 2026, opening the door for international sales. L3Harris Technologies has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the U.S. Army’s Large Wideband Satellite Communications Terminal (LWST) program, setting the stage for first-article testing and certification of the new terminal for integration into the Wideband Global Satellite Communications (WGS) network next year. Access to WGS provides high-capacity, cross-national, two-way SATCOM connectivity for tactical Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), battle management and combat support information.
LWST IDIQ
L3Harris received the LWST Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) award from the U.S. Army in July 2024, valued up to $120 m, with an initial $33 m order for development and certification of the first article unit. The 12.2-meter LWST is the next-generation follow-on terminal for the Modernization of Enterprise Terminals (MET) program, enhancing the capability to the new MIL-STD-164 revision C, which increases the network’s performance. Serving as the terminal design activity and integrator, L3Harris integrates and produces radio-frequency chain components to comply with the new military standards. Additionally, L3Harris designs and manufactures the frequency converters required to convert signals between L-Band and Ka/X-Band RF to ensure reliable, compliant WGS network operation. L3Harris’ subcontractor, CPI, is responsible for manufacturing the antenna structure itself and providing all transmit/receive amplifier equipment. L3Harris is leveraging its legacy program knowledge for the LWST mission, having previously conducted all of the engineering, manufacturing and sustainment for the MET assets, which will be fully interoperable with the new terminals.
“We have very mature RF models at the system level that cascade down. The updated RF chain to meet the new specifications is the ‘secret sauce’ for LWST.” Cherie Miller, Program Director, L3Harris
Beyond the higher performance, the new management-and-control functionality L3Harris is delivering sets the program up for the virtualization path the Army envisions for its network, according to Meredith Eiband, Technical Director, L3Harris. The company is providing Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) optimization to the terminal’s “block house,” which not only shrinks the operation center’s footprint for space-constrained locations but also adds functionality and flexibility in how operators can establish the network and connect the terminals worldwide.
Strategic SATCOM terminal
“From an engineering perspective, we’ve done a lot of RF systems-level modeling, leveraging lessons learned from MET, and investing in the technology so that LWST will be the first terminal of this size to be certified for the new revision of MIL-STD-164,” said Eiband. “The company is continuing to invest in the technology to SWaP-optimize the RF chain further for smaller form factors, which provides options for areas that do not require as much bandwidth, and drives greater affordability for international customers.”
As LWST is based on the foundation of MET, there are opportunities for the capability to be transferred to other MET variants with some additional modifications if the need arises, according to Miller. For example, to create a LWST High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) variant, only hardening modifications to the antenna structure would be required. Similarly, modifications can be made to existing MET sites to provide an LWST-like capability within the existing inventory. The LWST IDIQ’s period of performance extends into 2032 with up to six terminals expected to be part of the contract. The terminals will extend the current MET network, which currently comprises 100 terminals with four variants worldwide. The recently awarded MET Depot, Engineering and Support Services (DESS) IDIQ, valued at $457 m, will be leveraged to update MET terminals and sustain the worldwide SATCOM network. Once certified for WGS, international allies that are members of the WGS consortium will be able to order LWSTs directly or through applicable international partnership agreements. (Source: ASD Network)
22 Oct 25. Viasat Showcases Government Arctic Capabilities in Canadian Test Flight. As the Arctic region grows in importance for governments, mobility providers, and scientists, Viasat has completed a successful test flight in Northern Canada above 63.5degrees North Latitude – showcasing high-speed connectivity. Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced successful tests of its steerable beam high-speed GX10 Arctic communications payload in Northern Canada. The demonstration flight, completed on a Calspan Gulfstream III aircraft, enabled attendees from Viasat’s government and military partners to connect their own devices over more than 600 miles of Arctic territory and showcased the satellites’ steerable Mil-Ka beam capabilities. The high-capacity GX10A and GX10B payloads are housed onboard Space Norway’s highly elliptical orbit (HEO) Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) spacecraft (ASBM-1 and ASBM-2). The satellites are operated using Space Norway’s secured earth ground stations in the north of Norway, while Viasat’s steerable beams and commercial payloads are controlled Part of the Communication Services segment and Viasat’s Government Satcom business, the GX10 capabilities strengthen Viasat’s global coverage capabilities with dedicated capacity for the Arctic region and support its roadmap of delivering multi-orbit services. Their onboard steerable Mil-Ka beams are designed to allow authorized military users to access our wideband capacity as part of their own independent network. This means governments will be able to steer satellite capacity anywhere within the arctic region above 63 degrees North: offering improved reliability and capacity for missions. Government Mil-Ka connectivity solutions enable mission applications across air, land, sea, and space, including supporting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, border security, emergency response, and special forces operations. Todd McDonell, President, International Government, said: “After bringing the payloads into service for government customers earlier this year, we’re excited we can now demonstrate how this new capacity and coverage can help enable assured, resilient communications for tactical and strategic government missions, alongside vital research and monitoring in the region. This is another step in Viasat’s ability to provide innovative, multi-orbit solutions and services to meet the changing connectivity requirements of government customers worldwide.” (Source: ASD Network)
22 Oct 25. ESA-Supported Test Leads to Better In-flight Connectivity. Better in-flight streaming and video-calling might just become more accessible thanks to a project supported by the European Space Agency (ESA). Building upon the success of an experiment for a new type of antenna terminal together with ESA, Viasat – a global leader in satellite communications – now plans to commercialise its new in-flight connectivity solution called Viasat Amara. Viasat Amara has a dual-beam phased array antenna that provides both better access to video calling (a latency-sensitive use), as well as video streaming such as watching a football match (a bandwidth-sensitive use). This is possible because the antenna can connect to satellites both in low Earth orbit and in geostationary orbit, depending on what is needed. Links using satellites in low Earth orbit have lower latency with minimal communication delays, whereas those with satellites in geostationary orbit have a high bandwidth and so can transmit much more data.
Testing the antenna
The antenna terminal was developed, designed and tested within an ESA partnership, under ESA’s programme of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES). The experiment, conducted in 2021, consisted of a demonstration flight from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Payerne in Switzerland. The antenna provided a reliable satellite connection en route, enabling passengers to stream content on Youtube and Netflix, and video call with colleagues on the ground. Key data points: The growth forecast = 38.7% annually for the next 7 years. Scroll below to get more insights. This market report covers trends, opportunities and forecasts in eVTOL aircraft market to 2031 by propulsion type (battery-electric, hybrid-electric, and hydrogen-electric), mode of operation (piloted, autonomous, and semi-autonomous), lift technology (vectored thrust, multirotor, and lift plus cruise), application (commercial, military, emergency medical service, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)
The antenna’s design
The antenna uses an innovative design known as an electronically steered phased array. Rather than relying on a single large antenna that physically moves to track satellites, it uses many small components. These individual elements coordinate the timing of their signals to have a unified connection, similar to how a stadium wave forms as each person stands up consequently. This mirrors movement and provides not only a faster way to connect, but also the possibility of connecting to two satellites simultaneously. Viasat’s in-flight solution’s commercial service is expected to begin in 2028. Thanks to its modular technology, the product can be easily incorporated into existing antennas, making it cheaper and easier to incorporate in passenger airlines.
“Phased array antennas are an evolutionary and much needed step towards more energy and space efficient in-flight connectivity solutions, and we are proud to have contributed to Project Aidan – a key milestone that led Viasat to developing Amara. We’re looking forward to next opportunities for cooperation with Viasat, and many other industry partners – for the benefit of all ESA Member States,” said Massimiliano Simeoni, Aidan’s Project Implementation Manager at ESA Connectivity and Secure Communications.
“The Viasat Aera terminal is a key part of Viasat Amara, our next generation in-flight connectivity solution going far beyond fast and free high-speed Wi-Fi,” said Viasat on its Viasat Amara announcement. “Our pioneering mission remains to help our airline customers maximize connectivity’s enormous potential for brand, loyalty, and growth. It’s been great to work with ESA as one of our key partners to help bring it to fruition.”
This antenna development marks the beginning of exciting opportunities for the future of onboard connectivity. (Source: ASD Network)
08 Oct 25. Hughes + Celona to deliver fully managed private wireless networks. Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) has begun a strategic relationship with Celona to launch a fully managed private wireless network solution—the new offering is designed to meet the rising demand for secure, mobile, and high-performance wireless connectivity that powers digital transformation and automation across industrial sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and energy. This also extends to government operations and public safety use cases. Combining Celona’s 5G LAN technology with the extensive managed services experience of Hughes, the solution offers enterprises embracing Industry 4.0 a turnkey solution, from site design and deployment to 24/7 network monitoring and support. The service also provides advanced Quality of Service (QoS), SIM-based security, and seamless indoor/outdoor mobility. The joint solution addresses connectivity challenges common in large or dense environments and supports real-time applications, including, but not limited to, robotics, video analytics, and connected worker systems. Customers benefit from enterprise-ready design, guaranteed service level agreements, and integration with on-premises and cloud-based business systems, without needing in-house cellular expertise. Hughes Managed Private Wireless Network is designed to support mission-critical use cases across both commercial and public sector domains. From automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and smart surveillance to mobile command centers and secure telehealth connectivity, the network offers flexible deployment options—on premises or cloud-hosted—tailored to each customer’s unique operational and compliance needs. Delivered as a fully managed service, the Hughes solution enables customers to harness the full power of private cellular without significant upfront investment or in-house technical expertise. Network management, SIM provisioning, performance optimization, and threat detection are handled by Hughes through its 24/7 Network Operations Center. The solution is supported by a large set of devices from major manufacturers and applications, which makes it ready for quick adoption by enterprises. (Source: Satnews)
14 Oct 25. SpaceX set to launch SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer C on Wednesday from California. SpaceX is targeting Wednesday, October 15 at 4:03 p.m. PT for a Falcon 9 launch of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 1 data transport mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the second of ten Tranche 1 missions Falcon 9 will launch on behalf of the SDA. This will be the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA T1TL-B Tranche 1 and five Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean. The space vehicles launched during this mission will provide data transport as a part of SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, a new layered network of satellites in low-Earth orbit and supporting elements that will provide global military tactical communication and missile warning, indication, and tracking capabilities. There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions. Tranche 1 Transport Layer C is one of six missions by the United States Space Force Space Development Agency (SDA) for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer constellation, which will provide assured, resilient, low-latency military data and connectivity worldwide to the full range of warfighter platforms from Low Earth Orbit satellites. The constellation will be interconnected with Optical Inter-Satellite Links (OISLs) which have significantly increased performance over existing radio frequency crosslinks. It is expected to operate over Ka band, have stereo coverage and be dynamically networked for simpler hand-offs, greater bandwidth and fault tolerance. This launch carries 21 small satellites manufactured by Lockheed Martin. (Source: Satnews)
16 Oct 25. USEI: Advancements in Satellite Communications discussion at Silicon Valley Space Week. U.S. Electrodynamics, Inc. (USEI), an award-winning, global teleport operator and a leader in satellite communications, is attending Silicon Valley Space Week (SVSW) in Mountain View, California, which will be in session from October 28-30, 2025—USEI will highlight the company’s latest innovations in RF satellite communications. USEI’s Brewster Teleport (Washington) and Vernon Valley Teleport (New Jersey) provide seamless connectivity across the Pacific, CONUS, and Atlantic regions, supported by a dedicated, 100G-capable terrestrial network. These facilities, together with USEI’s international network of full-motion antennas and the development of an Optical Ground Station (OGS) network, deliver a robust communications capability across LEO, MEO, GEO, and beyond. Backed by decades of engineering expertise, operational excellence, and a growing international presence, USEI ensures trusted connectivity for government, military, and commercial customers worldwide. Founded in 1985 by Jim Veeder, USEI offers four decades of expertise in the field and specializes in delivering high-performance RF and satellite communication systems for government, military, and commercial customers. USEI has long been a leader in government-backed R&D initiatives and is now driving advancements with a special focus on security, resilience, anti-jamming technology, and maximizing data bandwidth performance. Visit USEI at this major trade event—the company is sponsoring the lunch for SVSW attendees on October 30th. (Source: Satnews)
12 Oct 25. Rocket Lab secures multiple launches with JAXA. Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) has signed a direct contract for two dedicated Electron launches with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) – signifying the criticality of Electron to international space agencies requiring responsive launch and dedicated access to space. Launching from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, the two Electron missions will deploy satellites for JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program. The first launch, scheduled from December of 2025, will deploy the agency’s RApid Innovative payload demonstration SatellitE-4 (RAISE-4) spacecraft, a single satellite that will demonstrate eight technologies developed by private companies, universities, and research institutions throughout Japan. The second launch, scheduled for 2026, is a JAXA-manifested rideshare of eight separate spacecraft that includes educational smallsats, an ocean monitoring satellite, a demonstration satellite for ultra-small multispectral cameras, and a deployable antenna that can be packed tightly using origami folding techniques and unfurled to 25 times its size. Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, said: “It’s an incredible honor to be entrusted by JAXA to further their goals of innovation and development for Japan. These missions are a demonstration of Electron’s global importance – supporting the growth of Japan’s space industry with launch on a U.S. rocket from a New Zealand launch site – and we’re proud to be entrusted to deliver them. Japanese satellite operators have long turned to Electron for its reliability and responsiveness since its earliest launches – whether its constellation-building for Japan’s new wave of commercial satellite operators, or bespoke missions requiring responsive mission planning and highly-accurate payload deployment.” Rocket Lab is a launch leader for the Japanese space industry, with more than two dozen dedicated missions booked to fly on Electron through to the end of the decade. These include constellation deployment missions for satellite operators iQPS and Synspective, in addition to the multiple launches already completed this year with 100% mission success. Other successful missions for Japanese satellite operators include the “On Closer Inspection” mission on February 2024 for Astroscale-Japan for the first phase of its orbital debris removal program; and the “Running Out Of Fingers” mission launched in 2019 for Tokyo-based company ALE. Mission information about Rocket Lab’s first launch for JAXA next month will be announced shortly.(Source: Satnews)
13 Oct 25. “Every major objective of the flight test was achieved” as Starship aces its 11th test for SpaceX. On Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6:23 p.m. CT, Starship lifted off from Starbase, Texas on its eleventh flight test. This was the final flight of the second-generation Starship and first generation Super Heavy booster, as well as the final launch from the current configuration of Pad 1. Every major objective of the flight test was achieved, providing valuable data as we prepare the next generation of Starship and Super Heavy to create a rapidly reusable vehicle with service to Earth orbit, the Moon, Mars, and beyond. All photos captured by Satnews. The flight test began with Super Heavy igniting all 33 Raptor engines and ascending over the Gulf. The successful first-stage ascent was followed by a hot-staging maneuver, with Starship’s upper stage igniting its six Raptor engines to continue its flight to space. Following stage separation, the Super Heavy booster completed its boostback burn to put it on a course to a pre-planned splashdown zone off the coast of Texas using 12 of the 13 planned engines. Under the same angle of attack tested on the previous flight, the booster descended until successfully igniting all 13 planned engines (including one that did not relight during the boostback burn) for the high-thrust portion of the landing burn. The booster successfully executed a unique landing burn planned for use on the next generation booster. Super Heavy hovered above the water before shutting down its engines and splashing down. After completing a full-duration ascent burn, Starship achieved its planned velocity and trajectory. During flight, Starship successfully deployed eight Starlink simulators and executed the third in-space relight of a Raptor engine, demonstrating a critical capability for future deorbit burns. Starship re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere and was able to gather extensive data on the performance of its heatshield as it was intentionally stressed to test the limits of the vehicle’s capabilities. In the final minutes of flight, Starship performed a dynamic banking maneuver to mimic the trajectory that future missions returning to Starbase will fly. Starship then guided itself using its four flaps to the pre-planned splashdown zone in the Indian Ocean, successfully executing a landing flip, landing burn, and soft splashdown. (Source: Satnews)
13 Oct 25. Amazon’s KF-03 mission is launched by SpaceX on a Florida night. On Monday, October 13 at 9:58 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the KF-03 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos captured by Satnews. The Kuiper deployment sequence began more than 56 minutes after liftoff and wrapped up less than eight minutes later. It brings the satellite constellation up to a total of 153 in low Earth orbit. This was the sixth overall mission supporting the Kuiper constellation. This was the second flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched KF-02. After stage separation, the first stage landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which was be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. (Source: Satnews)
20 Oct 25. SatVu, the world’s leading provider of high-resolution thermal imaging from space, has announced its participation in NATO’s Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative. As part of this effort, SatVu has successfully delivered an Infrared Familiarisation programme to NATO personnel at the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands.
- SatVu joins NATO’s Alliance Persistent Surveillance from Space (APSS) initiative, strengthening the Alliance’s intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.
- The company has delivered an Infrared Familiarisation programme to NATO personnel, showcasing how thermal intelligence adds a critical “activity layer” to complement optical and SAR data.
- SatVu’s thermal imaging satellites detect activity, not just change, enabling NATO to gain faster, richer, and more actionable insights for decision-making.
The APSS initiative is a multi-year, multi-domain, multinational effort designed to enhance space-based intelligence sharing across the Alliance. By integrating commercial and government-owned space-based assets, APSS enables NATO to build a comprehensive, cross-domain intelligence picture to inform political decision-making and military operations. Managed by NCIA, the programme ensures that data is collected, aggregated, and delivered at speed, providing decision-makers with actionable insights when they are most needed. Through SatVu’s involvement, NATO analysts gain access to advanced thermal imaging capabilities that complement existing optical and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data sources. SatVu’s satellites capture heat variations across the Earth’s surface at resolutions of up to 3.5 metres, allowing detection of activity rather than just physical change. This offers unique advantages for defence and intelligence, including 24/7 operational capability and the ability to reveal insights invisible to traditional imaging.
During the recent Infrared Familiarisation course, NATO participants explored a range of defence applications including:
- Strategic site monitoring and critical infrastructure protection
- Detection of activity in ships, aircraft, and vehicles through thermal signatures
- Border security and counter-narcotics operations
- Identification of underground or concealed infrastructure
- Monitoring of power stations, fuel depots, and other energy facilities
The programme engaged NATO personnel from across the operational community, ensuring a broad understanding regarding how thermal data supports wider operational needs. The training underscored the importance of introducing sensors and intelligence layers that have been less widely understood. Thermal intelligence was described as the “activity layer” that reveals operational status and human presence, complementing (or enhancing) Optical and SAR sensors data sources.
Anthony Baker, CEO & Co-founder, SatVu: “Thermal intelligence provides the critical ‘activity layer’ that enhances and complements existing intelligence sources, enabling decision-makers to see not just where assets are, but what they are doing. By working with NATO, we are excited to help accelerate the delivery of richer, more actionable intelligence to support the Alliance’s security and operational goals.”
By contributing to APSS, SatVu is committed to supporting NATO in advancing ISR capabilities – helping to ensure that the Alliance has access to enhanced space-based intelligence.
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