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Space.com • Tereza Pultarova

Space Forge activates first commercial semiconductor factory in orbit

Space Forge has activated the first commercial semiconductor factory in low Earth orbit, conducting chip-grade materials manufacturing previously limited to experiments aboard the International Space Station. The milestone signals a shift toward commercial on-orbit manufacturing platforms for high-value semiconductor production.

2026-01-11T07:12:00.263558-08:00

SpaceQ

SpaceX launches Kepler's first 10 high‑speed optical data‑relay satellites

2026-01-11T09:30:10.496631-08:00

SpaceNews.com

Kepler to link OroraTech sensors into LEO network for Earth monitoring

2026-01-11T15:05:50.358723-08:00

Wall Street Journal

Gwynne Shotwell emerges as SpaceX's operational backbone as IPO looms

2026-01-09T19:33:57.575535-08:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Kepler to link OroraTech sensors into LEO network for Earth monitoring Kepler will integrate OroraTech's satellite sensors into its LEO communications network, enabling faster relay and wider distribution of Earth-monitoring data, with lower latency and broader coverage. The move is intended to accelerate delivery of space-derived environmental intelligence to operational users and downstream services.

2026-01-11T15:05:50.358723-08:00

Kepler to link OroraTech sensors into LEO network for Earth monitoring

SpaceQ

SpaceX launches Kepler's first 10 high‑speed optical data‑relay satellites At 8:50 a.m. ET a SpaceX Falcon 9 placed Kepler Communications' first tranche of 10 high‑speed optical data‑relay satellites into orbit, starting deployment of the company’s optical inter‑satellite link constellation to accelerate low‑latency, high‑bandwidth data transfers.

2026-01-11T09:30:10.496631-08:00

SpaceX launches Kepler's first 10 high‑speed optical data‑relay satellites

Space.com

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Space Forge activates first commercial semiconductor factory in orbit Space Forge has activated the first commercial semiconductor factory in low Earth orbit, conducting chip-grade materials manufacturing previously limited to experiments aboard the International Space Station. The milestone signals a shift toward commercial on-orbit manufacturing platforms for high-value semiconductor production.

2026-01-11T07:12:00.263558-08:00

Space Forge activates first commercial semiconductor factory in orbit

SpaceNews.com

Space Force awards $739 million in launch orders to SpaceX The U.S. Space Force has awarded $739 million in launch orders to SpaceX, funding multiple government launches using the company's launch services. The procurement reinforces the Space Force's dependence on commercial launch providers to meet military and national security access-to-space requirements.

2026-01-10T09:21:11.855390-08:00

Space Force awards $739 million in launch orders to SpaceX

Space.com

SpaceX to launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet satellite Jan. 11 SpaceX will launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet-studying satellite Sunday, Jan. 11, with liftoff scheduled for 8:19 a.m. ET. Pandora is designed to observe exoplanet systems; live coverage will stream the liftoff and initial post‑launch status updates.

2026-01-10T08:07:18.075535-08:00

SpaceX to launch NASA's Pandora exoplanet satellite Jan. 11

European Spaceflight

MaiaSpace plans 2026 suborbital 'MVP' flight of two‑stage Maia rocket MaiaSpace plans an initial 'minimum viable product' flight of its two‑stage Maia rocket in 2026, flying a reduced‑propellant load on a suborbital trajectory. The company describes the launch as an early test of the Maia two‑stage configuration ahead of future flights.

2026-01-09T23:32:29.210174-08:00

MaiaSpace plans 2026 suborbital 'MVP' flight of two‑stage Maia rocket

Wall Street Journal

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Gwynne Shotwell emerges as SpaceX's operational backbone as IPO looms Gwynne Shotwell holds an expansive operational and strategic role at SpaceX, steering both launch and satellite businesses through rapid growth. With a potential public listing approaching, her leadership will be central as the company moves into what executives describe as its most challenging stretch yet.

2026-01-09T19:33:57.575535-08:00

Gwynne Shotwell emerges as SpaceX's operational backbone as IPO looms

Reuters

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FCC approves 7,500 additional Gen2 Starlink satellites, raising Gen2 total to 15,000 The FCC has authorized SpaceX to construct, deploy and operate 7,500 additional second‑generation Starlink satellites, bringing the Gen2 constellation to 15,000 spacecraft worldwide. The decision clears a major regulatory hurdle for expanding LEO broadband capacity and global service coverage.

2026-01-09T16:24:35.139511-08:00

FCC approves 7,500 additional Gen2 Starlink satellites, raising Gen2 total to 15,000

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Commercial Space News

Space Forge activates first commercial semiconductor factory in orbit

SpaceX launches Kepler's first 10 high‑speed optical data‑relay satellites

Kepler to link OroraTech sensors into LEO network for Earth monitoring

Gwynne Shotwell emerges as SpaceX's operational backbone as IPO looms

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