Sponsored by MatrixSpace
http://matrixspace.com
———————————————————————————————————————–
23 Mar 26. Spectra Group (UK) Ltd launches final production version of GENSS tactical communications system at the Satellite Show.
Spectra Group (UK) Ltd, specialists in delivering secure, reliable and resilient beyond line-of-sight communications for operations in denied and contested environments, formally launches the production version of GENSS at the Satellite Show (Stand 2840). GENSS is an Evergreen software-defined tactical communications system shaped by operational experience and designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK. It delivers adaptable, efficient voice and data connectivity for distributed forces, with a system architecture designed to support capability evolution as operational requirements and technologies change. First introduced as a concept at the Mobile Deployable Communications conference in London in 2024, the system has since undergone extensive development, testing and refinement in collaboration with specialist user groups to ensure it meets the demands of modern distributed operations. The system has already attracted interest from NATO-aligned users; more news to follow soon.
GENSS extends tactical communications beyond the traditional line-of-sight “bubble”, enabling secure voice and data connectivity across challenging operational environments. The system currently supports secure L-Band tactical satellite networking (L-TAC) and beyond-line-of-sight voice and data communications, while also enabling MANET network extension and bridging to allow mission systems such as ATAK to operate across dispersed units. By combining efficient bandwidth usage, adaptive waveform techniques and low-power transmission methods, GENSS enables resilient communications for mobile forces operating in contested or denied environments and is designed to reduce the probability of detection and interception through low-power transmission and adaptive waveform techniques, enhancing its security and operational effectiveness.
Built as a software-defined system with modular architecture, GENSS is designed to support continuous capability evolution through software development, new waveforms and system integrations. The system builds on Spectra’s heritage in tactical satellite communications, including the widely deployed and award-winning SlingShot system, which enables L-Band satellite access for existing radios. GENSS extends this approach by acting as a network extension and integration system, allowing voice and mission data from multiple tactical systems to be securely distributed across beyond-line-of-sight networks. It has been designed and developed through a collaborative effort of tactical communication experts, seasoned military specialists and top-tier British scientists and engineers.
GENSS, combined with other Spectra Group products, delivers a robust layered communications network to support mission-critical headquarters and uncrewed systems over the horizon. Being a modular, hardware-agnostic radio system by design, it has proven to be operationally adaptable, providing excellent interoperability through straightforward software reprogramming, allowing it to adapt quickly and easily to diverse user needs. GENSS is backwards compatible with SlingShot and supports efficient L-TAC access and network extension, ensuring easy integration with a wide range of existing tactical radios. GENSS is therefore a robust and agile solution for voice and data transmission across multiple operational environments.
Simon Davies, Chief Executive at Spectra Group said, “Since leaving the services, my focus has been to help develop communications technology that genuinely supports the needs of the soldier on the ground. SlingShot demonstrated how L-Band satellite services could extend the reach of existing radios. GENSS builds on those lessons as a software-defined communications system designed to extend tactical networks and evolve as operational requirements change. I am extremely proud to launch GENSS at the show and to already have a NATO customer in final negotiations for its purchase.”
16 Mar 26. Lynk Global Files for FCC Experimental License to Test Multi-Orbit D2D Relay.
Direct-to-Device (D2D) pioneer Lynk Global, Inc. has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for an experimental license to begin technical validation of a first-of-its-kind multi-orbit relay architecture.
The application, accepted for filing on Monday, March 16, 2026, marks a critical step in Lynk’s strategic partnership with SES, aimed at utilizing Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary (GEO) assets to backhaul cellular traffic from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) “cell-towers-in-space.”
Solving the “Ground Station Gap”
Current D2D solutions, including those from SpaceX/T-Mobile and AST SpaceMobile, typically rely on a dense network of terrestrial ground stations to relay signals from satellites back to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This requirement creates significant geographical limitations, particularly over oceans and in politically sensitive regions.
Lynk’s proposed experimental campaign seeks to bypass this bottleneck by testing inter-satellite links. Under the “multi-orbit, multi-spectrum” model, a user’s text or voice data is received by a Lynk LEO satellite, relayed upward to an SES mPOWER (MEO) or SES-17 (GEO) satellite, and then down-linked to an existing SES gateway. This approach potentially allows for “always-on” global connectivity without the capital-intensive deployment of thousands of new ground stations.
Merger Integration and Spectrum Expansion
The experimental request coincides with the finalization of Lynk’s merger with Omnispace. The combined entity, which will operate as Lynk Global Holdings, Inc., integrates Lynk’s operational LEO platform with Omnispace’s 60 MHz of globally coordinated S-band spectrum.
- Frequency Bands: The testing will utilize S-band frequencies (2 GHz) compatible with 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) standards.
- Network Depth: SES, a major shareholder in the merged company, provides access to over 70 satellites across MEO and GEO orbits.
- Target Device: Unmodified standard 5G and LTE smartphones.
Strategic Validation
The FCC filing follows a series of successful 2025 field trials, including a notable demonstration in Portugal with MEO where Lynk proved its ability to provide two-way messaging and emergency alerts in remote maritime environments.
“The D2D market is entering a phase where reliability and guaranteed SLAs [Service Level Agreements] will separate the winners,” stated SES CEO Adel Al-Saleh during a briefing at MWC 2026. “By utilizing our multi-orbit edge, Lynk can deliver a lower-cost business case with higher resilience than LEO-only systems.”
Technical Objectives: The “Relay Payload”
The experimental license specifically covers the operation of a new “Relay Payload” slated for launch on Lynk’s next generation of “Tower” satellites. Key technical benchmarks include:
- Latency Management: Measuring the round-trip delay of LEO-to-MEO-to-Ground paths for real-time voice applications.
- Handover Stability: Testing the seamless transfer of a mobile session as LEO satellites move across the field of view of the MEO relay.
- Interference Mitigation: Ensuring the high-power relay links do not disrupt adjacent terrestrial or primary satellite services.
Outlook for 2027
Pending FCC approval, testing is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2026. If successful, the multi-orbit relay function will become a standard feature of the “Lynk-Omnispace” constellation, which targets a 5,000-satellite deployment by 2030. This architecture is designed to provide broadband speeds directly to mobile phones, positioning the company to compete for the 5.2 billion existing mobile users globally who frequently traverse “not-spots” in terrestrial coverage. (Source: Satnews)
25 Mar 26. Terran Orbital Introduces New Star Tracker Product Line at SATSHOW. Terran Orbital Corporation, a Lockheed Martin company, today announced the introduction of its new star tracker product line at SATSHOW 2026, expanding the company’s growing portfolio of components and modules designed to deliver mission-ready performance at scale.
The new product line includes three models, M10, H6, and F4, engineered to support a wide range of mission requirements while balancing performance, cost, and scalability. Built on Terran Orbital’s proven flight heritage and uncompromising quality standards, these star trackers are designed to deliver reliable, high-accuracy attitude determination for next-generation satellite missions.
“Our new star tracker line reflects Terran Orbital’s commitment to delivering high-performance, modular components backed by real flight heritage,” said Peter Krauss, President and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital. “Customers can move forward with confidence knowing they are integrating solutions that are proven, reliable, and fully compatible with their mission architectures.”
Terran Orbital’s star trackers feature robust onboard algorithms capable of rapid initial attitude acquisition and continuous high-rate quaternion output directly to spacecraft ADCS systems. Each unit undergoes extensive testing across temperature ranges and slew rates against simulated night sky conditions to ensure consistent performance in orbit.
Key highlights of the product line include:
- Proven Flight Heritage: Dozens of units already operating successfully in orbit, providing customers with trusted, mission-proven performance
- Uncompromised Quality: Designed and tested to meet rigorous environmental and operational standards, including vibration and thermal performance
- Guaranteed Compatibility: Seamless integration with existing spacecraft architectures through standardized interfaces and support for on-orbit software updates
- Advanced Performance Options:
o M10 offers a cost-efficient, low-mass solution with significant heritage
o H6 builds on a flight-proven design with enhanced optics for improved performance and extended lifetime
o F4 delivers the highest accuracy and fastest measurement update rates, enabled by FPGA-based image processing
- Operational Flexibility: Support for on-orbit updates, customizable star catalogs, and calibration algorithms to reduce alignment and distortion errors
- Proudly Made in the USA: Manufactured domestically to ensure quality control, supply chain reliability, and compliance with U.S. mission requirements
With this introduction, Terran Orbital continues to advance its strategy of productizing space systems through modular, scalable components that support both commercial and defense customers.
Attendees of SATSHOW 2026 are invited to visit Terran Orbital to learn more about the new star tracker line and the company’s expanding components and modules portfolio.. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
09 Mar 26. SpaceX Evolves Beyond Broadband with “Million-Satellite” AI Data Center Plan; Amazon Mounts Legal Challenge. While SpaceX continues to dominate the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband market with over 11,000 active Starlink satellites, the company has officially pivoted its long-term strategy toward space-based computing. Following the February 2, 2026, merger with xAI, SpaceX has filed an unprecedented application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deploy up to one million satellites dedicated to an “Orbital Data Center” network.
This strategic shift redefines the “Starlink competition.” SpaceX is no longer merely competing with internet service providers; it is now positioning itself against terrestrial cloud giants like Microsoft, Google, and its primary orbital rival, Amazon.
The New Competitive Landscape: Amazon Project Kuiper
As of March 9, 2026, Amazon’s Project Kuiper (rebranded as Amazon Leo) remains the most significant direct competitor to Starlink’s core broadband business.
- Constellation Status: Amazon currently has 212 satellites in orbit following its first heavy-lift mission on an Ariane 64 in February.
- Service Rollout: Amazon anticipates beginning commercial service in the U.S., Canada, UK, Germany, and France by the end of Q1 2026.
- Legal Friction: On March 6, 2026, Amazon filed a formal objection to SpaceX’s million-satellite plan, calling the application “speculative” and an attempt to “warehouse” orbital altitudes (500 km to 2,000 km) to block competitors.
Rationale: Bypassing the Terrestrial Grid
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has described the move as a necessity for scaling artificial general intelligence (AGI). “Global electricity demand for AI simply cannot be met with terrestrial solutions without imposing hardship on the environment,” Musk stated. By moving compute-heavy workloads to orbit, SpaceX plans to leverage near-constant solar energy and the natural 3-Kelvin cooling of deep space.
This vertical integration—combining the Starship launch vehicle, Starlink connectivity, and xAI processing—is intended to drive the cost of AI inference down to levels unattainable on the ground.
It is one of the more ironic arrangements in the space industry. In late 2023, Amazon signed a contract with SpaceX—its primary rival in the satellite internet sector—to launch three Falcon 9 missions.
So, How is it that Amazon LEO gets to use SpaceX to get their sartellite to orbit?
While the two companies are fierce competitors (Jeff Bezos vs. Elon Musk), several pragmatic business and legal factors forced them into this “frenemy” agreement:
The FCC “Use It or Lose It” Deadline
Under its FCC license, Amazon (under its “Amazon Leo” or Project Kuiper brand) is legally required to have half of its 3,236-satellite constellation in orbit by July 2026. If they miss this milestone, they risk losing their spectrum rights—the specific radio frequencies needed to transmit data. With the clock ticking, Amazon simply couldn’t afford to wait for unproven rockets.
The “Other” Rockets Were Delayed
Amazon originally booked a massive block of 77 launches with three other providers: ULA (Vulcan), Arianespace (Ariane 6), and Blue Origin (New Glenn). However, as of early 2026, many of these heavy-lift rockets faced development delays:
- Vulcan Centaur: Experienced several schedule slips throughout 2024 and 2025.
- Ariane 6: Only recently began its high-cadence launch phase (the first successful heavy-lift Ariane 64 mission for Amazon just occurred in February 2026).
- New Glenn: Has yet to begin the high-volume cadence required to meet Amazon’s massive deployment needs.
SpaceX is the “Only Game in Town”
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 is currently the only rocket in the world with the launch cadence and reliability to guarantee orbital slots on short notice. By using SpaceX, Amazon “de-risked” its schedule. In fact, two of the three contracted Falcon 9 missions have already flown (in July and August 2025), and the third was successfully completed in October 2025.
Legal Pressure from Shareholders
Amazon was actually sued by a pension fund (the Cleveland Bakers and Teamsters Pension Fund) for not including SpaceX in its original launch bids. The lawsuit argued that Amazon’s leadership—specifically Jeff Bezos—was letting a personal rivalry with Elon Musk interfere with the company’s best interests by ignoring the most cost-effective and reliable launch provider. Shortly after these legal pressures intensified, Amazon announced the SpaceX contract. (Source: Satnews)
11 Mar 26. Rheinmetall Withdraws From Mynaric Bidding Process; Rocket Lab Acquisition Clears Major Competitive Hurdle. On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Rheinmetall AG confirmed that it has officially decided not to submit a formal bid for Mynaric AG, the German laser communications specialist. The announcement, confirmed by Rheinmetall CEO Armin Papperger, effectively ends a brief but intense period of speculation regarding a “national solution” that would have seen the German defense giant challenge Rocket Lab’s standing $150 million acquisition agreement.
It was previously reported here that the proposed deal directly threatens the acquisition agreement previously signed by Rocket Lab in September 2025.
That intervention by Rheinmetall introduced a “national solution” narrative that aligned with growing German regulatory resistance to foreign ownership of critical dual-use space technology.
The withdrawal now leaves Rocket Lab as the sole remaining suitor for Mynaric, a critical supplier of optical inter-satellite links (OISLs) for the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) and various European institutional programs.
Context: The Sovereignty vs. Solvency Debate
The acquisition of Mynaric has been a geopolitical lightning rod since Rocket Lab first announced its intent in March 2025. Following Mynaric’s exit from the StaRUG restructuring process in August 2025, a definitive agreement was signed in September. However, the deal has languished in the German Ministry of Economic Affairs for months under a Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) review.
In February 2026, reports surfaced that Rheinmetall was considering an intervention to prevent “critical dual-use technology” from being fully absorbed by a U.S.-headquartered firm. Despite this interest, Rheinmetall leadership concluded that Mynaric’s technology could be accessed through commercial licensing or subcontracts without the complexities of a full acquisition, particularly given Mynaric’s heavy reliance on U.S. defense revenue (reported to be over 90% of its current backlog).
Rationale: Why Rheinmetall Stepped Back
Industry analysts suggest several factors influenced Rheinmetall’s decision:
- Customer Base Alignment: Mynaric is functionally an American defense supplier. A German “national solution” would have risked decoupling the company from its primary revenue stream: the SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
- Integration Costs: While Mynaric has successfully scaled production to “double-digit terminals per week,” it remains a capital-intensive business. Rheinmetall, currently managing an €80 billion backlog, may have prioritized organic space growth over the integration of a formerly distressed asset.
- Technology Access: Papperger stated that the specific laser technology provided by Mynaric can still be utilized by Rheinmetall through standard procurement channels for its own upcoming constellation projects.
Operational Resilience: Mynaric’s Recent Wins
Despite the ownership uncertainty, Mynaric’s operational side has shown significant resilience. On March 5, 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) awarded Mynaric a contract to develop a laser communications demonstration system for the High Throughput Optical Network (HydRON) project.
This contract reinforces Mynaric’s dual-market importance, serving both the U.S. Department of Defense and European high-capacity optical relay networks. To date, Mynaric has delivered over 350 terminals, with dozens currently active in orbit.
Regulatory Outlook
With Rheinmetall no longer at the table, the German government faces a binary choice: approve the sale to Rocket Lab or risk the financial stability of one of its most innovative aerospace firms.
“Rocket Lab is the best option for Mynaric’s long-term survival,” said an industry source familiar with the FDI review. “If the deal is blocked now without a domestic alternative, Germany loses its hub for next-gen space comms entirely.”
A final decision from the Ministry of Economic Affairs is expected by the end of March 2026. If approved, Rocket Lab will immediately integrate Mynaric into its Space Systems division, providing the vertical integration necessary to fulfill its own $515 million prime contract for the SDA’s Tranche 2 Transport Layer. (Source: Satnews)
16 Mar 26. L3Harris Unveils XL-300P: The First P25 Handheld with 5G and Satellite Direct-to-Device Connectivity.
To solve the critical communications gap where terrestrial signals fail, L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) introduced the XL-300P at the IWCE 2026 event in Las Vegas today, Monday, March 16, 2026.
The new device is the industry’s first land mobile radio (LMR) to integrate a native 5G modem and 3GPP-standard Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) capabilities, providing first responders with a triple-layered redundancy of P25, cellular broadband, and satellite connectivity in a single handheld form factor.
Bridging the Terrestrial-Satellite Divide
The XL-300P addresses the “Supplemental Coverage from Space” (SCS) mandate by supporting the 3GPP Release 17 standard for satellite-direct-to-device (D2D) messaging and emergency alerts. According to the company, the device will immediately support T-Mobile’s “T-Satellite” service, powered by the Starlink constellation, and is hardware-ready to integrate with the AST SpaceMobile constellation once that network achieves commercial maturity.
This multi-path approach ensures that mission-critical voice and data can be relayed even in deep “not-spots” or during terrestrial network outages caused by natural disasters.
“We’ve packed a lot into this device—it’s the pinnacle of what we’ve been designing in the XL series,” said James Potter, Director of Strategic Solutions for L3Harris, during the unveiling. “It has a new board, a new LTE 5G modem, and the first land mobile radio implementation of 5G. When satellite D2D is ready to go, we’re ready.”
Strategic Realignment and Heritage
The launch follows a major January 2026 corporate restructuring at L3Harris, which consolidated its tactical radio and electronic warfare capabilities into the “Communications & Spectrum Dominance” (CSD) unit led by Jon Rambeau.
The XL-300P builds on the heritage of the XL-Extreme 400P, utilizing the same ruggedized materials designed for space vehicle reentry. It also evolves the company’s previous satellite integration efforts, such as the Iridium DTCS mission module for the AN/PRC-163, by embedding the satellite functionality directly into the internal architecture of a commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) handheld.
Technical Specifications and Security
Designed to meet the most stringent federal requirements, the XL-300P features:
- Multi-Band P25: Interoperability across VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz LMR bands.
- Broadband Convergence: 5G/LTE connectivity with FirstNet® priority and preemption.
- Cybersecurity: FIPS 140-3 Level 3 compliance, providing end-to-end multikey encryption for secure voice, data, and location services.
- User Interface: Voice-activated radio controls and a glove-friendly keypad with high-visibility color displays.
L3Harris will begin taking orders for the XL-300P immediately, with shipping scheduled to commence in July 2026. The company also confirmed plans to develop a mobile (vehicular) version of the 5G/satellite hybrid radio to support the U.S. Army’s push for resilient communications at the tactical edge.
As the “Golden Dome” missile defense and proliferated LEO architectures come online through 2027, L3Harris expects the XL-300P to serve as the primary ground interface for integrated joint all-domain command and control (JADC2) operations among public safety and defense agencies. (Source: Satnews)
08 Mar 26. Space Development Agency Faces “Growing Pains” as PWSA Scaling Hits Chokepoints. In a status update released March 5, 2026, the Space Development Agency (SDA) acknowledged significant hurdles in scaling its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Despite the successful launch of initial operational batches last fall, the agency is now grappling with a two-to-three-month schedule slip driven by supply chain bottlenecks, technical anomalies, and a 45-day government shutdown that recently paralyzed civilian oversight.
Acting SDA Director Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo described the current phase as a period of “growing pains,” noting that the transition from small-scale demonstrations to mass production has exposed critical “chokepoints” in the defense industrial base.
Supply Chain and Technical Setbacks
The primary delays are centered on Tranche 1, the agency’s first fully operational layer. Key issues identified include:
- Contact Failures: SDA and its vendors have struggled with the on-orbit checkout process. Notably, Lockheed Martin has yet to establish contact with one of its satellites launched in late 2025. While 95% of Lockheed’s batch is reported healthy, the silence of the remaining unit highlights the risks of rapid deployment.
- Component Scarcity: Sustained shortages of optical communications terminals (OCTs) and encryption devices continue to serve as the “critical path” for all vendors, including Northrop Grumman and York Space Systems.
- Launch Schedule Pressure: The next dedicated SDA mission, T1TL-A, is roughly four months behind schedule due to a combination of factors, including the 45-day government shutdown, a since-resolved Falcon 9 upper-stage anomaly that briefly paused SpaceX launches in early February, and a software issue with satellites built by Northrop Grumman that emerged just before they were to ship to the launch site.
Strategic Context: The GAO Warning
These operational challenges coincide with a critical Government Accountability Office (GAO) report (GAO-26-107085) released on January 28, 2026. The GAO warned that the SDA is overestimating the technology readiness of its tracking layer and lacks a unified architecture-level schedule to track how individual tranche delays impact global missile defense capabilities.
The report specifically criticized the lack of transparency between the SDA and combatant commands regarding whether the planned capabilities—specifically the generation of timely, three-dimensional tracks for hypersonic threats—will meet warfighter needs on the current timeline.
Operational Adjustments and Pivot Strategy
In response to the delays, Dr. Sandhoo stated that the agency is exercising its “principle to pivot.” SDA is considering shifting planes of satellites between vendors—potentially moving a second batch of York Space Systems satellites onto an earlier launch slot if Lockheed Martin requires more time for troubleshooting.
“You don’t realize the weak points until you actually do it,” Sandhoo told Air & Space Forces Magazine. The agency has also centralized payload processing, moving away from individual vendor-managed plans to a more integrated SDA-led coordination model to alleviate processing chokepoints.
Timeline to 2027
Despite these setbacks, the SDA maintains its goal of achieving initial warfighting capability by early calendar year 2027. The next launch, originally slated for late 2025, is now tentatively targeted for late March or April 2026, pending the resolution of vendor software readiness issues and continued coordination across SDA’s launch and payload processing pipeline.
Correction, March 13, 2026: An earlier version of this article stated that SpaceX was “currently investigating” a Falcon 9 anomaly and that the investigation was pending resolution before the next SDA launch. The Falcon 9 anomaly from the February 1 Starlink 11-4 mission has been resolved and SpaceX resumed flights in early February. The article has been updated to reflect this and to more accurately characterize the range of factors contributing to the Tranche 1 launch delay. (Source: Satnews)
09 Mar 26. Lockheed Martin Commits £100M to UK Space Hub; New Manufacturing Plant to Create 2,000 Jobs. On Monday, March 9, 2026, Lockheed Martin announced a strategic investment of more than £100 million in the United Kingdom’s space sector, centered on a massive expansion in the North East region.
The investment is headlined by the proposed construction of an £85 million satellite manufacturing facility at the NETPark science park in County Durham and the official launch phase of a world-class technology center in Newcastle.
The initiative is designed to anchor the UK as a primary hub for sovereign satellite production and resilient space architecture, supporting approximately 2,000 jobs across the national supply chain and injecting an estimated £1.2 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) into the economy over the next two decades.
Infrastructure: NETPark and NESST
The investment is divided into two primary pillars focused on production and research:
- NETPark Satellite Facility (£85m): Based in the newly developed Phase 3 of the North East Technology Park (NETPark) in Sedgefield. This facility will serve as an Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) hub, allowing Lockheed Martin to manufacture “onshore” satellites that were previously produced in the United States.
- NESST Centre (£50m Total Investment): The North East Space Skills and Technology (NESST) centre is a joint venture between Northumbria University, the UK Space Agency (UKSA), and Lockheed Martin. Lockheed has committed £15 million specifically to NESST to fund collaborative R&D in optical laser communications and space-based solar power over the next decade.
Technical Specs: Sovereign Space Effects
By establishing a “UK Space Prime” presence, Lockheed Martin aims to provide the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and civilian agencies with direct access to advanced space control and security technology. Technical focus areas for the new facilities include:
- Optical Satellite Communications: Development of high-bandwidth laser links for secure ground-to-orbit data transfer.
- Space-Based Energy: Prototyping for renewable energy collection in orbit.
- Resilient Architectures: Designing small-satellite constellations capable of surviving “contested domain” threats (ASAT and jamming).
- Software Integration: A separate Software Integration Lab at Lockheed’s Havant facility will develop the sovereign ground segment software to manage these new UK-built assets.
The “Leveling Up” Strategy
The announcement follows the UK Government’s March 4, 2026, reveal of a bolder national space strategy, which allocated £500 million to back high-growth space technologies. Lockheed Martin’s regional focus on the North East addresses historical under-investment in the area by the defense sector.
“Lockheed Martin as a prime contractor will provide access to Space Control and Security technology and expertise that the MOD and other parts of government will need to deliver space effects,” stated Paul Livingston, Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin UK & NATO.
Economic Outlook
The project is expected to support 500 high-skill jobs annually within the North East region alone. Beyond direct employment, Lockheed Martin’s “anchor tenancy” at NESST is intended to create an accelerator for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs), allowing British startups to plug directly into Lockheed’s $15 billion global supply chain.
The manufacturing plant at NETPark is slated to begin initial operations by mid-2027, aligning with the UK’s goal of capturing 10% of the global space market by 2030. (Source: Satnews)
26 Mar 26. NSSLGlobal today announces the launch of GUARDIAN its Anti-Piracy Communication System, keeping crews in citadel safe-rooms connected with coastguards, naval vessels, owners and operators despite the dangerous presence of armed and violent intruders on the vessel.
Designed by NSSLGlobal using its near-six decades of maritime solution expertise, the GUARDIAN Anti-Piracy Communications System employs best-in-class satellite communications and VHF radio.
Even if power to the citadel is cut, The GUARDIAN’s powerful battery ensures crews continue to communicate with the outside world by the best method available, regardless of global location.
The system’s satellite connectivity supports voice, SMS, and tracking. The VHF radio features a large display and is designed to be easy to use during times of extreme stress.
Enhanced safety and communications measures are necessary as armed and vicious piracy continue to be a menace to shipping and crew welfare. According to the ICC International Maritime Bureau 121 vessels were boarded by pirates in 2025. Incidents of all types against ships increased by 18%, rising to 137, compared with 116 in 2024. Crew members were taken hostage or kidnapped in many of these attacks and guns were used in 42 incidents – up from 26 in 2024. Knives were employed in 33 incidents.
Piracy takes place in many areas of the globe, but hotspots are the Singapore Straits and Gulf of Guinea, overtaking threats in the waters off Somalia, which nonetheless remain dangerous.
For owners and operators facing the brutal and costly realities of these threats, the installation of the GUARDIAN Anti-Piracy Communication System enables them to fulfil their IMO requirements for citadels to have critical communications capabilities with battery back-up, and aids compliance with insurance mandates.
“Our GUARDIAN Anti-Piracy Communication System is designed to help crews when lives are at stake – it is an extremely important development that we are announcing today,” said Sally-anne Ray, Group CEO, NSSLGlobal.
“Piracy is on the rise in many parts of the globe, and crews must have reliable communications so they can seek help and maintain contact with coastguards, naval vessels and their own headquarters. Operators deserve the best possible protection and most resilient communications system available to protect their people, their assets and their reputations.”
23 Mar 26. Intellian Unveils Future Antenna Technologies and Strategic Market Expansions at Satellite 2026. Intellian Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of satellite communication antennas and ground gateway solutions, is demonstrating unprecedented technological diversification and rapid expansion into high-growth markets at Satellite 2026 in Washington D.C.
Showcasing its most robust and disruptive future roadmap to date across land, maritime, aero, and government sectors, Intellian is solidly positioned at the forefront of satellite communication innovation.
Making its global debut at the show is a next-generation 2.4m flyaway antenna designed for communications-on-the-pause (COTP). Anticipated to be the industry’s first tactical WGS flyaway system capable of simultaneous X-band and Mil Ka-band connectivity, this technology is built to solve critical government and defense challenges. With full specifications to follow later this year, this exclusive preview is already generating significant industry interest.
In the aero sector, visitors can experience the pioneering OW11FA user terminal for OneWeb LEO, developed in a strategic partnership with Panasonic Avionics. Underscoring Intellian’s aggressive expansion into aviation and unmanned markets, the company is also offering exclusive previews of an upcoming L-band solution for both UAVs and USVs, alongside a highly anticipated next-generation UAV design for LEO currently in development.
Intellian’s rapidly growing Flat Panel Series, powered by its advanced Electronically Steered Array (ESA) technology, continues to capture significant market share. The newly available, highly agile Manpack solution is on display, alongside a preview of breakthrough NGO Ka-band solutions.
Furthermore, building upon its established dominance in the maritime sector, Intellian is previewing its future 2026 GMDSS releases, signaling a major expansion of its Iridium GMDSS Safety Systems and radio portfolio.
Eric Sung, Intellian CEO, commented: “Satellite 2026 is a pivotal moment for Intellian. We aren’t just participating in the market; we are defining its future. Over the past few years, we have strategically invested in R&D to diversify our portfolio and aggressively expand our footprint into the high-barrier government and aero sectors. By giving our customers and partners an exclusive first look at these breakthrough products we are demonstrating our unparalleled capacity to translate visionary engineering into scalable, high-demand commercial solutions.”
19 Mar 26. ALL.SPACE, a leader in resilient, multi-orbit communications-on-the-move, announced the certification of the industry’s first multi-orbit, next-generation tactical terminal capability on the SES O3b mPOWER network. Achieved in collaboration with SES Space & Defense, this capability will support government and defense missions.
Designed to meet the operational demands of contested and dynamic environments, the ALL.SPACE electronically scanned antenna capability enables simultaneous, full-duplex connectivity across GEO and MEO networks from a single terminal, delivering resilience, flexibility, and assured performance for defense users operating on the move.
The ALL.SPACE antenna solution is the first ESA-certified for use on the O3b mPOWER network and directly supports SES Space & Defense’s Secure Integrated Multi-Orbit Networking (SIMON) strategy, designed to provide assured, adaptable connectivity by seamlessly integrating capabilities across multiple orbital regimes.
This certification importantly enables Sovereign services over O3b mPOWER, allowing for critical and secure networking, and part of the MEO Global Services (mGS) contract. Both the terminal and the O3b mPOWER network are already incorporated into multiple government and defense Programs of Record, underscoring the readiness for operational deployment and long-term mission support.
The ALL.SPACE terminal capability has been engineered from the outset to meet the exacting requirements of U.S. DoD, UK MoD, and allied defense users, for mobility applications, delivering integrated multi-orbit, multi-link connectivity aligned to modern SATCOM architectures.
Designed for operational flexibility, the solution supports mission-specific requirements while leveraging electronic beam steering with no moving parts to improve reliability in harsh and contested environments. The solution is optimized for land, maritime, and mobile command applications, supporting joint and coalition operations where mission assurance is critical.
“Defense users require communications that are not only high performance, but resilient by design,” said Paul McCarter, ALL.SPACE CEO. “By enabling simultaneous GEO and MEO connectivity from a single, electronically steered terminal-aligned with SES Space & Defense and O3b mPOWER – we are delivering a new level of mission assurance for operations conducted on the move.”
“With certification complete and operational alignment in place, ALL.SPACE and SES Space & Defense are positioned to support government and defense customers seeking the ultimate in resilience: one terminal, multiple orbits, no compromise.”
“O3b mPOWER is designed to deliver secure, high-throughput connectivity for the most demanding government and defense missions,” said SES Space & Defense’s Senior Vice President of Product & Innovation, Michael Geist. “ALL.SPACE’s multi-orbit terminal capability strengthens the O3b mPOWER ecosystem and directly supports our SIMON strategy by enabling integrated, resilient networking across multiple orbits.”
As defense operations rely on assured, adaptive connectivity, the combination of SES Space & Defense’s multi-orbit network infrastructure and ALL.SPACE’s electronically steered, multi-link terminal technology provides a powerful foundation for resilient, future-ready SATCOM.
12 Mar 26. ALL.SPACE and Viasat advance assured Ka-band connectivity for global defense operations
- ALL.SPACE terminal certified to access Mil Ka-band through Viasat’s global network
ALL.SPACE, a leader in resilient, multi-network communications-on-the-move, today announced a strategic collaboration with Viasat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, and the successful certification of the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal to operate on the Viasat Global Xpress (GX) network, which provides integrated military Ka-band spectrum access to support government and defense missions worldwide.
Designed to meet the operational demands of contested, mobile, and remote environments, the ALL.SPACE electronically steered terminal has achieved Viasat GX Category 4 certification, enabling full-performance operation across Viasat GX high-capacity steerable beams operating in the military Ka-band to support on the move, on the pause, and at the halt.
The certification enables the ALL.SPACE terminal to operate on Viasat’s global GX satellite constellation, which delivers assured, resilient connectivity for defense users across land and maritime domains, including operations in remote and high-latitude regions.
This expanded operational coverage enables Ka-band connectivity into polar and other high-latitude environments, supporting government and defense missions in some of the world’s most challenging and strategically important operating theaters.
In parallel, ALL.SPACE and Viasat have entered into a strategic collaboration agreement under which the companies will work together to integrate, test, and certify the ALL.SPACE Hydra terminal family for operation across Viasat global high-capacity Ka-band network.
As part of this collaboration, ALL.SPACE will integrate the Viasat next-gen LSDR modem into the Hydra and Hydra MAX terminals, enabling seamless interoperability between the ALL.SPACE terminal platform and the expanded Viasat global Ka-band network.
The collaboration includes joint customer engagement, demonstrations, and operational trials, supporting government and defense customers seeking resilient, multi-orbit connectivity solutions aligned to modern SATCOM architectures. These activities will further validate interoperability and operational performance, accelerating deployment in support of mission requirements.
The ALL.SPACE terminal capability has been engineered from the outset to meet the exacting requirements of U.S. DoD, UK MoD, and allied defense users, delivering integrated multi-orbit, multi-link connectivity for mobility applications. Leveraging electronic beam steering with no moving parts, the solution improves reliability and survivability in harsh and contested environments while supporting mission-specific configurations across land, maritime, and mobile command operations.
“Defense users require communications that are resilient by design, not just high performance,” said John-Paul Szczepanik, Chief Technology Officer, ALL.SPACE. “Certification on the Viasat GX network, combined with our strategic agreement with Viasat, expands the operational reach of our terminals and reinforces our commitment to delivering assured, mission-ready connectivity wherever operations take place.”
“Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band network is designed to support secure, high-reliability communications for global government and defense operations,” said Vic Farah, Senior Vice President of Government Services and Solutions, Viasat. “We look forward to working with ALL.SPACE to strengthen our ecosystem of connectivity solutions that can help deliver greater flexibility and resilience for customers operating across diverse and demanding mission environments.”
As defense missions increasingly depend on assured, adaptive connectivity, the combination of Viasat’s global Ka-band satellite infrastructure and ALL.SPACE’s electronically steered, multi-link terminal technology provides a powerful foundation for resilient, future-ready SATCOM.
23 Mar 26. Plextek, a leading global provider of advanced engineering consultancy services, will showcase its cutting-edge mmWave radar technology at SATELLITE x GovMilSpace 2026, taking place from 23–26 March at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. Visitors can find the Plextek team at booth 1251, where they will present a live demonstration of their radar system in action.
Unlike conventional demonstrations, Plextek’s booth will feature real-time sensor data from its mmWave radar technology, highlighting how the system addresses challenges that cameras and LiDAR struggle to overcome in space environments. The technology enables reliable sensing in conditions such as darkness, solar interference, and dust-obscured environments.
Mick Withers, SVP at Plextek, and Richard Jacklin, Commercial Lead of Space, will be on hand to discuss the technology’s capabilities and applications, including millimetre-scale debris detection for low earth orbit (LEO), rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), and sensing solutions designed for challenging lunar environments.
Additionally, during the event, Richard Jacklin will also present a technical session on March 24th at 11am, exploring the latest radar developments for space-based applications. The presentation will focus on the use of millimetre-wave (mmWave) radar operating in the 30-300 GHz frequency range, which is higher spectrum range than most space based radars to date, and how it can provide useful applications in space domain awareness.
“Advances in radar technology are enabling compact, efficient sensing systems that can operate on both small satellites and larger spacecraft,” said Richard Jacklin, Commercial Lead of Space at Plextek. “By combining radar with other sensors, we can support AI-driven guidance and navigation while overcoming the limitations of cameras and LiDAR. This opens up new possibilities for in-space operations and services, as well as future lunar and planetary missions where dust, darkness, and harsh conditions challenge traditional sensing technologies.”
The presentation will also explore how radar can complement existing sensors within AI-driven guidance and navigation systems, as well as its potential role in future exploration missions where environmental conditions limit the performance of optical sensing technologies.
Visitors to booth 1251 will have the opportunity to see live radar data output and learn more about the engineering trade-offs and mission applications behind Plextek’s space-ready sensing systems.
17 Mar 26. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., a leading provider of airborne communications management systems, broadband land, maritime and airborne SATCOM terminals, and ground station solutions, is launching the MPT40 Multi-Platform SATCOM Terminal, a compact, lightweight and cost-effective satellite communication system designed to deliver high performance across diverse military operational environments. The new terminal provides forces with a flexible communication capability that can be deployed across multiple platforms while maintaining reliable, resilient connectivity.
Designed for true operational versatility in a GNSS denied environment, the MPT40 can be installed on military vehicles, small naval vessels or deployed by maneuvering ground forces operating in the field. The same system can be easily transferred between platforms, enabling operational flexibility and simplifying logistics while ensuring mission continuity.
With a particularly low footprint of 50×50 cm (20″x20″)- the terminal is ideally suited for armored vehicles and space-constrained tactical platforms where profile, weight and available space are critical operational considerations. The system is lightweight, easily disassembled and rapidly deployable, supporting quick field setup when mobility and responsiveness are essential.
The MPT40 supports multi-orbit satellite constellations including GEO, MEO, HEO and LEO, delivering reliable broadband connectivity anytime, anywhere. Its advanced design ensures strong performance across all elevation angles, maintaining stable communication links for command-and-control, ISR and other mission-critical applications even in challenging operational environments.
The system complies with stringent Military Standards (810H & 461G), supports operation with virtually any modem, features electronically controlled polarization switching and incorporates a single-LRU Combat Proven architecture — an important advantage particularly for rapid installation, maintenance and operational support.
By combining compact size, high performance and cost efficiency in a single terminal, the MPT40 provides armed forces with a practical, flexible SATCOM solution suited for modern multi-domain operations.
Daniel Eshchar, CEO of Orbit, commented: “We identified a clear operational need among maneuvering forces for one versatile SATCOM system capable of supporting multiple missions and platforms. The MPT40 was designed to answer that need — delivering flexibility, strong performance and reliable connectivity in a compact solution that can move with the force and adapt to evolving operational requirements.”
25 Mar 26. Filtronic Unveils Advanced High Bandwidth DIFI Solution to Enable Fully Virtualised Satellite Ground Stations
Promises lower costs, simpler deployment & greater security for ground terminal operators
Filtronic plc (AIM: FTC), a global leader in high-performance and high-frequency solutions for the space, defence and telecoms infrastructure markets, today announced the launch of its Digital Intermediate Frequency (DIFI) solution, engineered to accelerate the industry’s transition from traditional analogue RF infrastructure to flexible and secure RF-over-IP connectivity for cloud-enabled satellite networks.
Fully aligned with the IEEE-ISTO STD 4900, Filtronic’s DIFI solution enables seamless interoperability across a rapidly expanding ecosystem of next-generation digital IF systems. As an active member of the DIFI Consortium, Filtronic is participating in regular multi-vendor interoperability trials, reinforcing the company’s commitment to open, standards-based innovation.
DIFI represents a fundamental shift in how signals are transported within modern satellite and defence communication systems. By sampling analogue signals, encapsulating them as encrypted IP packets and transmitting them over standard ethernet networks, DIFI eliminates dependence on heavy analogue IF infrastructure and multiple coaxial cable runs.
This modern approach not only simplifies installation and reduces the operational burden for ground‑segment teams but also drives down both capital expenditure and ongoing operational expenditure. With fewer physical components to install, maintain and replace, operators can achieve lower capex from the outset and reduced opex over the lifecycle of the system. Critically it also adds resilience as they can focus efforts on protecting one centralised secure facility, while eliminating potential vulnerabilities at each individual antenna site.
The global growth in data demand from high throughput satellites, LEO constellations and the new defence applications have all heightened the need for architectures that are scalable, secure and less operationally burdensome. Filtronic’s new DIFI solution directly addresses these pressures, especially for those wishing to take advantage of higher band frequencies such as those used at Ka, Q/V, E, and W bands
The platform features six transmit-and-receive RF channels, each capable of interfacing to carriers up to 2.5 GHz of instantaneous bandwidth on IF carrier frequencies up to 6GHz. The RF signals can be sampled at 8 to 14bit level and the encapsulated RF signals are transmitted over IP via a 100Gbit ethernet port with a second port being enabled should additional data rate be needed. This exceptionally wide bandwidth provides a substantial performance advantage over existing lower‑bandwidth solutions in the market, while maintaining a competitive pricing model. In addition, an internal RF mezzanine board can be customised with tailored IF filtering for Block Upconverter and Block Downconverter applications, giving operators the flexibility to adapt the system to the specific needs of their ground segment.
Nima Razavi-Ghods, Head of Systems Engineering at, Filtronic, said, “Digital IF is a pivotal technology for the future of satellite communications, and its adoption marks a major step forward in enabling truly virtualised, cloud‑ready architectures. With this new product, we’ve focused not only on delivering outstanding bandwidth and performance, but also on ensuring that the solution is practical, interoperable and future‑proof. Our goal is to give operators a platform that reduces hardware complexity, strengthens resilience and unlocks the full potential of digital transformation across the ground segment.”
The introduction of Filtronic’s DIFI platform reflects the company’s ongoing investment in enabling high performance, mission critical communication systems. By offering wider bandwidth, greater flexibility, stronger security and a significantly reduced hardware footprint, the new solution sets a benchmark for the next generation of digital IF infrastructure.
————————————————————————————————————-
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
———————————————————————————————————————-