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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards $54.5M to Starfish Space to operationalize Otter for GEO servicing

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Starfish Space a $54.5 million contract to prepare its Otter orbital mobility vehicle for geostationary satellite servicing, advancing autonomous rendezvous, docking and on‑orbit logistics. Starfish says it will leverage Google Cloud and machine learning to develop Otter’s autonomy and large‑scale simulation infrastructure.

2026-02-07T08:07:20.728950-08:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00

Reuters

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00

Via Satellite

Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning

2026-02-06T11:40:17.967884-08:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force awards $54.5M to Starfish Space to operationalize Otter for GEO servicing The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Starfish Space a $54.5 million contract to prepare its Otter orbital mobility vehicle for geostationary satellite servicing, advancing autonomous rendezvous, docking and on‑orbit logistics. Starfish says it will leverage Google Cloud and machine learning to develop Otter’s autonomy and large‑scale simulation infrastructure.

2026-02-07T08:07:20.728950-08:00

Space Force awards $54.5M to Starfish Space to operationalize Otter for GEO servicing

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 on a return-to-flight mission after a brief stand‑down, carrying the Starlink 17‑33 payload of 25 broadband satellites into low Earth orbit. The flight expands SpaceX's megaconstellation, pushing its operational fleet past 9,600 satellites as deployment continues.

2026-02-07T00:33:51.287105-08:00

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

Reuters

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SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing SpaceX has shelved plans for 2026 Mars missions to concentrate on an uncrewed lunar landing now targeted for March 2027, a move attributed to NASA pressure and rising competition from Blue Origin while the company pursues a major xAI merger and a possible IPO.

2026-02-06T16:13:39.939476-08:00

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

Via Satellite

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Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning Blue Origin is entering the satellite constellation market with a new offering, TeraWave, marking one of the year's biggest strategic pivots. Analysts are assessing its competitive positioning against established constellation operators and suppliers as the company expands beyond launch into spacecraft and services.

2026-02-06T11:40:17.967884-08:00

Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning

Via Satellite

Ookla: Starlink dominates consumer speed-test samples, underscoring its lead in LEO broadband An Ookla report found SpaceX's Starlink accounted for an overwhelming majority of consumer speed-test samples, reflecting its dominant presence in LEO broadband measurements. The result underscores Starlink's outsized influence on consumer internet speed metrics and benchmarking against terrestrial ISPs and rival constellations.

2026-02-06T11:23:38.949385-08:00

Ookla: Starlink dominates consumer speed-test samples, underscoring its lead in LEO broadband

Space Intel Report

Viasat prioritizes cash generation, debt reduction and commissioning of final ViaSat‑3 satellites Viasat released its Q3 FY2026 results and a shareholder letter saying management will prioritize cash generation and debt reduction while commissioning the final two ViaSat‑3 satellites — moves intended to unlock ViaSat‑3 capacity for commercial and government customers and strengthen the balance sheet.

2026-02-06T09:34:03.866772-08:00

Viasat prioritizes cash generation, debt reduction and commissioning of final ViaSat‑3 satellites

SpaceNews.com

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Exodus: 5,000+ federal space employees left last year — implications for programs, procurement and security More than 5,000 federal space employees left their jobs last year, creating capability gaps across program management, procurement and security oversight. Agencies now face loss of institutional knowledge, disrupted contracting continuity and heavier reliance on contractors as they work to stabilise critical missions.

2026-02-06T09:08:19.414591-08:00

Exodus: 5,000+ federal space employees left last year — implications for programs, procurement and security

Ars Technica

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Congress orders NASA study on moving ISS to a 'safe orbital harbor' as alternative to deorbit Congress has directed NASA to evaluate the viability of transferring the International Space Station to a ‘safe orbital harbor’ after its planned retirement rather than executing a controlled deorbit. The study will assess technical feasibility, costs, partner agreements and orbital-debris implications for preserving LEO infrastructure.

2026-02-06T08:35:10.018906-08:00

Congress orders NASA study on moving ISS to a 'safe orbital harbor' as alternative to deorbit

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Commercial Space News

Space Force awards $54.5M to Starfish Space to operationalize Otter for GEO servicing

SpaceX returns Falcon 9 to flight with Starlink 17‑33; 25 satellites lift to a >9,600-strong constellation

SpaceX pauses 2026 Mars push to prioritise a 2027 uncrewed lunar landing

Blue Origin targets satellite constellations with TeraWave as analysts assess competitive positioning

News Timeline