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• Andrew Jones
A new group of Chinese commercial launch companies is pursuing electric-pump-fed liquid engines, signaling an emerging propulsion trend in the country’s private space sector. The effort could broaden the technology base available to Chinese launch providers as they develop competing commercial space transportation systems.
Commercial Space
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A new group of Chinese commercial launch companies is pursuing electric-pump-fed liquid engines, signaling an emerging propulsion trend in the country’s private space sector. The effort could broaden the technology base available to Chinese launch providers as they develop competing commercial space transportation systems.
Space Network has secured a binding $50 million pre-order from a Philippine renewable-energy infrastructure developer for capacity on its planned network of independently owned broadband satellites. The commitment brings the startup’s announced pre-orders to $150 million, providing early commercial validation for its decentralized model.
Momentus has successfully tested a low-cost sensor suite designed to support proximity operations for future satellite-servicing missions. The test advances the company’s effort to develop lower-cost sensing capabilities for spacecraft rendezvous and servicing, though no performance results or deployment timeline were provided.
The 2026 Vaduz Space Dialogue argues that Europe should move quickly to federate secure satellite connectivity rather than await a perfect institutional framework or build another standalone constellation. The discussion positions spectrum as strategic infrastructure and federation as a potential answer to Europe’s connectivity-security challenge.
High activity
The Space Force is delaying a potential $900 million procurement of maneuverable geosynchronous-orbit communications services even as it and the DIU pursue commercial satellite-monitoring capabilities. Separately, DIU and DARPA are expanding competitions for lower-cost ISR drones, including a 2028 event with greater payload requirements.
NASA is signaling a broader approach to crewed space transportation, investing in Boeing while encouraging commercial-space entrants to develop alternatives to SpaceX’s Dragon. Isaacman framed the move as a clear demand signal, suggesting the agency wants more competition and resilience in future human-spaceflight services.
Beeline Kazakhstan is partnering with Starlink Mobile to provide satellite-based mobile connectivity across Kazakhstan. The agreement will extend access to Starlink connectivity for the country’s population, marking a commercial deployment of satellite communications through a local telecommunications operator.
Meridian Space is separating from kinetic launch technology developer SpinLaunch to independently pursue flat, reflect-array satellites designed to launch up to 250 at a time on a Falcon 9. The company is targeting governments, regional satellite operators and telecom companies with turnkey networks priced below $1 billion.
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