Sponsored by MatrixSpace
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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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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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