Sponsored by MatrixSpace
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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.
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.
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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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.
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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