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21 Jan 26. AST SpaceMobile Submits Formal Comments to FCC Space Modernization NPRM. In a critical regulatory move for the Direct-to-Device (D2D) sector, AST & Science, LLC (AST SpaceMobile) submitted formal comments on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in response to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) landmark Space Modernization Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM). The filing addresses the agency’s sweeping proposal to overhaul satellite licensing and adapt federal oversight to the rapid deployment of massive, software-defined constellations.
The Transition to a Modular Licensing Framework
The “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” NPRM, designated as SB Docket No. 25-306, seeks to replace the legacy Part 25 regulatory framework with a new “Part 100” structure. This proposed overhaul introduces a modular “licensing assembly line” intended to expedite application processing for space systems that meet standardized technical criteria. The FCC’s goal is to transition from a manual, bespoke review process to an industrialized model capable of managing the unprecedented scale of modern megaconstellations, such as the SpaceMobile cellular broadband network.
Strategic Significance for Direct-to-Device Competition
AST SpaceMobile’s submission arrives during a pivotal phase for the D2D industry. Following the successful deployment of the next-generation BlueBird 6 satellite on December 23, 2025, the company is scaling its infrastructure to support global cellular connectivity via standard smartphones. The regulatory environment has grown increasingly competitive after the FCC granted a landmark Supplemental Coverage from Space (SCS) license to SpaceX and T-Mobile on December 16, 2025. While competitors have engaged in technical disputes regarding power flux density (PFD) limits and signal interference, AST SpaceMobile under Chairman and CEO Abel Avellan has advocated for architectures that maximize antenna gain while maintaining strict interference controls. The company’s comments to the FCC are expected to emphasize the need for regulatory certainty and technological neutrality as operators vie for dominance in the ubiquitous connectivity market.
Upcoming Regulatory Milestones
The closure of the initial comment period on January 20 marks the end of the first major phase of the rulemaking process. According to the FCC schedule, reply comments are due by February 18, 2026. These subsequent filings will allow AST SpaceMobile and other industry stakeholders to respond directly to the positions taken by rival operators, further shaping the final “Part 100” rules that will govern the future of the American space economy. (Source: Satnews)
27 Jan 26. Leonardo DRS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DRS) announced today that it was awarded a subcontract to provide Infrared Mission Payloads in support of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tracking Layer Tranche 3 (TRKT3), a piece of the U.S. military’s advanced missile defense program. As the space-based mission payload provider, DRS will design, build, integrate, and test advanced infrared mission payloads to support TRKT3’s accelerated capability to provide global detection, warning, and tracking of ballistic missiles and hypersonic weapons. The infrared capability will be used from the earliest stages of an adversarial launch through interception, including delivering precision fire-control sensing data for missile interceptors.
“This award recognizes our innovative best-in-class technology, and continued investment in advanced space-based capabilities for programs such as the TRKT3 mission,” said John Baylouny, DRS’ Chief Executive Officer. “These investments allow our people to push the boundaries of advanced sensing and space payload manufacturing to support a wide range of national security priorities.”
“As the payload provider, DRS is incredibly proud to support this missile defense mission to defend the homeland,” said Jerry Hathaway, senior vice president and general manager of the Leonardo DRS Electro-Optical and Infrared Systems business unit. “This award builds upon our next-generation technologies developed by our innovative DRS space sensing and engineering teams, as well as our expertise in complex space mission payload design and manufacturing.”
DRS is a leading provider of multi-domain advanced cooled and uncooled infrared systems for the U.S. government and multiple allied nations around the world. It has extensive installed mission capabilities across multiple domains, including ground, sea, air, and space. Advanced sensing mission technology is a key strategic focus for DRS as the company brings together its industry-leading multi-domain sensing capabilities, secure communications, and laser technologies mission capabilities for a range of critical efforts, including Golden Dome, Counter-UAS, autonomous maritime fleet protection, and ground combat mounted and dismounted systems. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
28 Jan 26. Airbus Defence and Space and Hisdesat have agreed to prolong and expand their long-standing and successful collaboration in the international radar Earth observation market with the signing of an agreement to commercialize imagery and applications from the future PAZ-2 radar satellites. The agreement, formalized during the European Space Conference in Brussels (Belgium), extends the existing partnership for the commercialisation of radar imagery from the PAZ satellite in constellation with the German TerraSAR-X / TanDEM-X satellites, an alliance first established in 2018.
“This partnership aims to push the boundaries of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) based Earth observation and provide innovative solutions to meet growing global demand for both military and commercial markets,” said Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space.
Miguel Ángel García Primo, CEO of Hisdesat, indicated that reinforcing this commercial alliance “will ensure the continuity of the excellent work carried out since 2018 between the Hisdesat and Airbus teams” and “will drive the penetration of SAR imagery—capable of performing in any weather condition—compared to other Earth observation tools”.
Led by the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Hisdesat, PAZ-2 is one of the most advanced Earth observation programmes in the world. It consists of twin satellites that will replace the current PAZ satellite, in service since 2018, ensuring and enhancing the current capabilities. The PAZ-2 programme is funded by the Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism and will provide radar imagery and services primarily to the Spanish Ministry of Defence. In July 2025, Hisdesat awarded Airbus Defence and Space the contract for the manufacture of these two new satellites. The PAZ-2 satellites are scheduled to fly in constellation and will integrate advanced technologies enabling unprecedented image quality with an improved resolution of up to 10 centimetres. They will also increase coverage to 6.7 m km2 per day per satellite, offering a maximum image swath width of 500 km. To meet the requirements of urgent operations, the PAZ-2 mission will provide reliable near-real-time services, with a latency from acquisition to availability of only five minutes. These enhancements will strengthen intelligence and surveillance capabilities for defence and security missions, as well as civil applications in infrastructure monitoring, risk management, border control, and disaster assessment. The first of the PAZ-2 satellites is expected to enter service by mid-2031. This next-generation Earth observation programme consolidates the leadership of the Spanish space industry, with 65% national participation under the direction of Airbus Defence and Space, which serves as the prime contractor for the space segment.
20 Jan 26. FY26 Defense Bill: Congress Unlocks Billions for ‘Golden Dome’ and Restores SDA Tranche 3. Congressional appropriators released the Joint Explanatory Statement (JES) for the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act on Monday, cementing an $838.7 bn topline that prioritizes the administration’s “Golden Dome” missile defense architecture and reverses proposed cuts to the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) proliferated constellations.
The agreement, negotiated between House and Senate leadership, fully funds the Department of Defense’s pivot toward space-based interceptors and integrated sensor networks. The bill specifically allocates approximately $13 bn for missile defense and space programs to support the Golden Dome initiative, a multi-layered shield championed by President Trump via Executive Order 14186.
Restoring the Transport Layer A critical victory for the space industrial base is the restoration of funding for the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The Space Force’s original FY26 budget request had eliminated funding for the Tranche 3 Transport Layer, a move that threatened to break the agency’s two-year “spiral development” cadence.
The final JES rejects that pause, adding $500 m specifically to keep the Tranche 3 Transport Layer on schedule. This funding aligns with the SDA’s recent contract awards to Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Rocket Lab, ensuring that the mesh network of low Earth orbit (LEO) data relays continues to expand without production gaps.
Key Space Allocations The explanatory statement outlines targeted investments designed to accelerate commercial integration and polar coverage:
- Next-Gen OPIR Polar: $474 m added to bolster the polar segment of the strategic missile warning architecture, stabilizing a program previously earmarked for uncertain reconciliation funding.
- Commercial ISR: $55 m to continue the space-based Commercial Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance pilot, plus an additional $50 m to transition commercial tactical ISR procurement into a formal Space Force program of record.
- Golden Dome Integration: Significant (but classified) portions of the $1.6 bn increase for air and missile defense capabilities are directed toward the “connective tissue” of the Golden Dome—specifically the AI-driven command and control systems required to link Tranche 3 Tracking Layer sensors with kinetic interceptors.
Strategic Context The bill reflects a consensus that reliance on ground-based radars is insufficient against maneuvering hypersonic threats. By funding the Golden Dome’s mix of space-based sensors and interceptors, Congress is validating the architecture outlined by Gen. Michael Guetlein, the program’s director.
“Golden Dome is the central story of the budget for defense,” said Sam Wilson, director of strategy at The Aerospace Corporation’s Center for Space Policy and Strategy, in a statement regarding the broader fiscal shift. “This is a signature effort guiding how they’re approaching national security, and there is a heavy focus on space within that.”
Timeline The House is expected to vote on the consolidated appropriations package, which includes the Defense, Homeland Security, and other division titles, later this week. Upon passage, it will move to the Senate for final approval before heading to the President’s desk for signature. (Source: Satnews)
26 Jan 26. Rheinmetall in talks with OHB about German army satellite project, says source. Rheinmetall (RHMG.DE) is in talks with German satellite maker OHB (OHBG.DE about a satellite project for the German armed forces, a source familiar with the talks told Reuters on Monday. (Source: Reuters)
20 Jan 26. Polish Space Sector Achieves First Profitable Year Amid Record ESA Investment. Marking a watershed transition from research-heavy development to commercial maturity, Poland’s space sector reported its first combined annual profit in 2025. This milestone, driven by a surge in national defense procurement and a tenfold increase in contributions to the European Space Agency (ESA), positions the country as an emerging “space power” in Central and Eastern Europe. The shift signifies that Polish entities, once primarily component suppliers, are now increasingly serving as prime contractors and consortium leaders for complex orbital missions.
Scaling Sovereign Capabilities Through Public Procurement
The primary catalyst for this commercial expansion has been the implementation of the “Polish Fangs” deterrence concept through the Ministry of National Defence. In May 2025, the ministry signed its largest-ever space contract—a PLN 860 m ($237 m) agreement with a consortium led by Finnish-Polish provider ICEYE and state-owned Wojskowe Zakłady Łączności Nr 1. Known as the MikroSAR program, the deal includes the delivery of three synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, providing the Polish Armed Forces with 25-centimeter resolution all-weather imaging. This capability is supplemented by the CAMILA project, a EUR 52 m Earth observation constellation led by Creotech Instruments with support from CloudFerro.
Strategic Financial Commitment to ESA
To sustain this momentum, the Polish government has pledged EUR 731 m to the ESA for the 2026–2028 period. Of this total, approximately EUR 550 m is allocated to “optional programs,” ensuring that the majority of the funding returns to Polish industry through specialized contracts in Earth observation, secure communications, and robotic exploration.
“This is a great day for the Polish Armed Forces and Poland, because they are gaining full independence in radar reconnaissance and imaging,” stated Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, regarding the MikroSAR acquisition. “Freedom and independence will only be defended by sovereignty and innovation”.
Outlook: Establishing a Regional Hub
The next phase of Poland’s strategy involves deep integration with European security infrastructure. On November 28, 2025, officials signed a letter of intent with the ESA to establish a new research and development center in Poland focused on space security and resilience. This facility is expected to complement existing European operations by focusing on crisis response and dual-use technologies, further cementing Poland’s role as a strategic partner in the continent’s defense architecture. (Source: Satnews)
20 Jan 26. SDA Operationalizes Laser Mesh Network as Foundation for Proliferated LEO Warfare. The U.S. Space Force is rapidly transitioning laser communications from a specialized niche into the primary data transport layer for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). By establishing rigorous interoperability standards for Optical Communication Terminals (OCT), the Space Development Agency (SDA) is effectively treating laser links as critical infrastructure, enabling a resilient “mesh network” in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) that can scale across multiple vendors and platforms.
The Shift to Optical Interoperability
Unlike traditional radio frequency (RF) communications, which are susceptible to jamming and bandwidth limitations, optical inter-satellite links (OISL) provide a high-bandwidth, low-probability-of-intercept backbone. The SDA has mandated that all satellites within the PWSA comply with its OCT standard, ensuring that hardware from different manufacturers—ranging from Northrop Grumman to Lockheed Martin—can communicate seamlessly in orbit. This focus on standardization has accelerated the deployment of “Proliferated LEO,” moving the Department of Defense (DoD) away from a small number of “exquisite” high-altitude satellites toward a vast network of hundreds of smaller, interconnected vehicles.
Technical Specifications and Capabilities
The PWSA’s Transport Layer serves as the “connective tissue” for the entire architecture, utilizing laser links to move massive amounts of data across the globe in seconds.
- Data Transmission: OCTs enable multi-gigabit-per-second data rates, significantly exceeding legacy RF systems.
- Resiliency: The mesh network architecture allows data to be rerouted automatically if a single satellite is disabled or destroyed.
- Cross-Domain Connectivity: Successful testing has demonstrated the ability to link space-based assets directly to airborne terminals, providing real-time tactical data to the edge.
Strategic Vision for Future Conflict
“The SDA is delivering a capability that is not only resilient to the threats we face today but is designed to evolve at the speed of the commercial market,” said Dr. Derek Tournear, Director of the Space Development Agency. “By operationalizing laser communications, we are ensuring that the warfighter has the data they need, when they need it, regardless of the environment.”
Outlook for the Militarization of LEO
As the SDA continues to launch Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 satellites, the PWSA is expected to achieve global persistence by 2027. This maturation reflects a broader trend in the defense sector: the shift from viewing space as a sanctuary to treating it as an active combat domain where high-speed, jam-resistant data transmission is the ultimate competitive advantage. Future iterations of the architecture will likely integrate even more sophisticated quantum-resistant encryption and automated battle management aids directly into the laser-linked mesh. (Source: Satnews)
19 Jan 26. ICEYE Expands Space-Based Intelligence Cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence. On Monday, January 19, 2026, ICEYE, a global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations, announced a significant expansion of its cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine. The new agreement ensures that the Ministry will receive an increased volume of high-resolution satellite imagery from ICEYE’s SAR constellation to bolster tactical situational awareness and national security.
Scaling Tactical Situational Awareness
The partnership builds on ICEYE’s continuous support for Ukraine initiated in 2022, which first granted the government full access to a dedicated satellite through the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation. The expanded agreement allows the Ukrainian Armed Forces to utilize space-based intelligence as a tactical tool, reducing uncertainty during time-sensitive operational timelines. This follows a previous November 2024 contract between Rheinmetall and Ukraine, supported by the German government, which also integrated ICEYE’s SAR data into the nation’s defense framework.
High-Resolution Capabilities of the Gen4 Constellation
The agreement leverages ICEYE’s Generation 4 (Gen4) satellite technology, which was officially introduced and expanded in late 2025. These Gen4 assets provide the highest fidelity commercial SAR imagery available, featuring:
- Ground Resolution: Up to 16 cm.
- Footprint Modes: Scan Wide capabilities covering areas of 200 km by 300 km.
- Efficient Targeting: Electronic beam-steering technology that enables the capture of dozens of high-resolution scenes within minutes of imaging time.
Persistent Monitoring Across All-Weather Conditions
SAR technology provides a distinct advantage over optical sensors by utilizing radar pulses instead of sunlight. This allows ICEYE to penetrate nighttime, cloud cover, and smoke—environmental factors that frequently obstruct traditional imaging in the Ukrainian theater. By providing persistent monitoring, the constellation ensures that tactical decision-makers have access to reliable data regardless of the time of day or atmospheric conditions.
“Today’s operational environment makes one thing clear: space is no longer only a strategic domain, it is a tactical layer of defense,” said John Cartwright, Senior VP of Data Product at ICEYE. “This agreement strengthens assured access to our high-resolution SAR imagery, helping Ukraine make decisions faster and with greater confidence. ICEYE stands firmly with Ukraine in the face of these hostilities, and is deeply committed to strengthening Europe’s security more widely by ensuring our allies have the best decision-ready data when they need it most.”
Strengthening Allied Security Architectures
The expansion of this partnership reinforces a broader trend of sovereign satellite missions supported by ICEYE technology. Beyond Ukraine, the company has recently secured agreements to deliver sovereign intelligence capabilities to the Swedish Armed Forces and the Finnish Defence Forces. Moving forward, ICEYE intends to continue scaling the world’s largest SAR constellation to meet the global demand for persistent, actionable Earth Observation data. (Source: Satnews)
19 Jan 26. Eutelsat prepares for its next expansion. Chris Forrester — The news that Eutelsat has ordered 340 new OneWeb satellites, additional to its existing contract for 100 extra craft, secures the company’s future and can only benefit revenues once the fleet is in operation. The 340 will guarantee Eutelsat’s existing services although at a cost of around $2.56 bn (€2.2bn) plus the cost of launches. Some of those launches are already booked. Eutelsat ordered about ten launches (“multiple launches”) from MaiaSpace to deploy a portion of the 440 new OneWeb satellites. Launches are scheduled from late 2027 to 2029. MaiaSpace thus secures 50 percent of the planned launches over the period. MaiaSpace was founded in 2022 as a wholly owned subsidiary of ArianeGroup. The company is developing a two-stage, partially reusable launch vehicle called Maia, designed to deliver up to 4,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit when flown in its expendable configuration with the optional ‘kick’ stage. The first 100, needed to ensure continuity of service, were ordered in December 2024 but observers say that the satellite operator needed to put its own finances in order before it could order the additional 340. Eutelsat restructured its core finances by raising €1.5 bn in December 29025, including an extra chunk of capital placed into the operator by the French government which as a result now controls 29.65% of Eutelsat. The new order will be fulfilled by Airbus Defence & Space at its Toulouse, France, facility, and the first batches should be ready for launch towards the end of this year. These early launches will replace OneWeb satellites launched in 2019 and 2020 and now reaching the end of their planned lives. In its January 12 statement Eutelsat said the new fleet would integrate technology upgrades including advanced digital channelisers, enabling enhanced on-board processing capabilities as well as greater efficiency and flexibility and suggesting that the new craft could carry ‘hosted payloads’ for the French military. Indeed, Eutelsat is reportedly talking to other European defense ministries and pitching similar options for dedicated payloads. But there’s certainly going to be a slight disappointment for French pride in that the order has gone to Maia Space. Despite Maia being an Ariane subsidiary, some would have preferred Arianespace itself to be a carrier. There’s also the underlying fear that other rocket providers will be called upon to fill the gap given that Ariane itself is fully booked for 2026 and much of 2027 on other non-Eutelsat contracts.
Consequently, Eutelsat CEO Jean-François Fallacher might have to select SpaceX – which can carry 45 OneWebs – will be called into play. However, it is worth remembering that Eutelsat still has a contract in place with Jeff Bezos for a flight on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. The contract was signed with much fanfare at the 2017 Washington Satellite Show by Rodolphe Belmer, then CEO at Eutelsat, and with Bezos. It could well be that a New Glenn launch during 2027 could carry OneWeb satellites.
The new OneWeb contract is just the first stage of Eutelsat’s growth plan. The next step, now being made with the SpaceRISE consortium of which it is a key part, is the important European IRIS2 multi-orbit highly-secure satellite scheme. IRIS2, backed by the European Commission and European Space Agency but also with plenty of private cash from the likes of SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, calls for 272 satellites in LEO (at 1200 kms) and 18 in MEO (at 8000kms). They would operate with laser connectivity. The IRIS2 contract was signed with the SpaceRISE consortium which has to design, deliver and operate the Infrastructure of Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) for a concession period of 12 years. Eutelsat has to pay for its place in the consortium, and is said to be in talks with financing sources including the French BPIFrance and EK Export Finance agencies. SpaceRISE issued its Requests for Proposals (RFP) on December 28 2025 to Europe’s satellite builders and launch suppliers, and there’s a requirement that some 30% of the satellite contract value must go to small and medium-sized industry businesses. These combined elements will keep Eutelsat busy for a year or two, but its OneWeb revenue growth should help fund expansion. Eutelsat says it expects its LEO revenues to grow by around 50% – and possibly more – as 2026-2027 unfolds. Eutelsat is targeting total revenue of between €1.5bn and €1.7bn by the end of 2028-2029. Much of that will come from OneWeb. With the first OneWeb launches now likely to take place before calendar year-end 2026, Eutelsat’s revenue stream should grow commensurately. (Source: Satnews)
26 Jan 26. MDA Space (TSX: MDA), a trusted mission partner to the rapidly expanding global space industry, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanwha Systems Co., Ltd. (“Hanwha”), a global leader in smart technologies and aerospace solutions. Through this MOU, MDA Space and Hanwha will explore opportunities to collaborate on the development of Korea’s sovereign Low Earth Orbit (K-LEO) defence constellation, leveraging MDA’s AURORA™ software-defined digital satellites. The K-LEO constellation is a flagship national initiative designed to strengthen Korea’s sovereign defence capabilities and ensure secure, resilient communications and data services for national security operations. MDA Space and Hanwha will work together to assess how MDA AURORA’s flexible, software-defined architecture can support Hanwha in addressing evolving mission requirements, maximizing operational efficiency, and enabling robust, scalable satellite solutions for the K-LEO defence program.
“We are honoured to partner with Hanwha in support of Korea’s sovereign K-LEO defence constellation,” said Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space. “This collaboration highlights the global confidence in MDA AURORA’s secure dual-use software-defined satellite technology to deliver mission-critical flexibility, performance, and resilience for national defence networks. Together with Hanwha, we look forward to advancing Korea’s defence infrastructure and enabling a new era of secure connectivity.”
“This MOU marks an important first step in exploring collaboration with a global partner to advance Korea’s defence space capabilities,” said Jae-il Son, CEO of Hanwha Systems. “We will continue to assess next-generation satellite solutions capable of addressing evolving operational requirements.”
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