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Meridian’s 2026 Space Diplomacy Forum to convene policymakers and industry amid a multipolar, contested orbital environment

On March 25, 2026 Meridian International Center hosts the 2026 Space Diplomacy Forum, “Shared Horizons,” convening diplomats, industry and policy makers to confront rising multipolarity, commercialization and contestation in orbit. The forum seeks practical steps to strengthen cooperation, norms and risk‑management across jurisdictions.

2026-03-13T14:18:23.082174-07:00

Space.com

Russia targets 2036 Venera‑D Venus mission with orbiter, lander and balloon

2026-03-13T12:07:20.771853-07:00

Business Wire

Eutelsat terminates RSCC capacity contracts on Express AT1 and AT2 after satellite failure and planned relocation

2026-03-12T17:51:19.999375-07:00

Space Intel Report

Leonardo to test Michelangelo 'security dome' in Ukraine; Guardian ISR and space growth underpin missile‑defence push

2026-03-13T08:54:44.628007-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Meridian’s 2026 Space Diplomacy Forum to convene policymakers and industry amid a multipolar, contested orbital environment On March 25, 2026 Meridian International Center hosts the 2026 Space Diplomacy Forum, “Shared Horizons,” convening diplomats, industry and policy makers to confront rising multipolarity, commercialization and contestation in orbit. The forum seeks practical steps to strengthen cooperation, norms and risk‑management across jurisdictions.

2026-03-13T14:18:23.082174-07:00

Meridian’s 2026 Space Diplomacy Forum to convene policymakers and industry amid a multipolar, contested orbital environment

Space.com

Russia targets 2036 Venera‑D Venus mission with orbiter, lander and balloon Russia has announced Venera‑D, a flagship Venus mission targeting a 2036 launch that would carry an orbiter, a surface lander and an atmospheric balloon. The plan frames Venera‑D as a strategic effort to revive Soviet‑era planetary exploration capabilities and national prestige.

2026-03-13T12:07:20.771853-07:00

Russia targets 2036 Venera‑D Venus mission with orbiter, lander and balloon

FlightGlobal

Pentagon reveals LUCAS loitering munition — Shahed-136 derivative with 434 nm range and sub-$55k unit cost The Pentagon has released specifications for LUCAS, a one-way loitering munition reverse-engineered from Iran’s Shahed-136. The system offers a 434 nm range, a per-unit cost the department places between $10,000 and $55,000, and has been employed operationally in the Middle East.

2026-03-13T10:23:53.030335-07:00

Pentagon reveals LUCAS loitering munition — Shahed-136 derivative with 434 nm range and sub-$55k unit cost

Space Intel Report

Leonardo to test Michelangelo 'security dome' in Ukraine; Guardian ISR and space growth underpin missile‑defence push Leonardo plans the first operational test of its Michelangelo 'security dome' in Ukraine by year‑end, with wider NATO trials slated for 2027. The networked C‑UAS and missile‑defence system will leverage the company's planned Guardian ISR constellation and expanding space business, which it sees delivering >20% CAGR to 2030.

2026-03-13T08:54:44.628007-07:00

Leonardo to test Michelangelo 'security dome' in Ukraine; Guardian ISR and space growth underpin missile‑defence push

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

KLM evacuates Boeing 787 after 12 days stranded in Dubai amid regional security escalation KLM evacuated a Boeing 787 Dreamliner that had been stranded on Dubai's tarmac for 12 days amid escalating regional security concerns. The carrier removed the aircraft after prolonged overseas parking disrupted operational schedules, highlighting how geopolitical tensions can force rapid repositioning of jets and crews.

2026-03-13T07:59:47.296999-07:00

KLM evacuates Boeing 787 after 12 days stranded in Dubai amid regional security escalation

Skift

Oil hits $100 — what higher fuel costs mean for airlines and travel demand The Skift Travel Podcast examines oil climbing to $100 and what elevated fuel costs mean for airline economics and travel demand. Hosts unpack likely effects on carriers’ operating margins, pricing strategies and consumer willingness to fly as airlines weigh hedging, surcharges and capacity adjustments.

2026-03-13T07:48:46.921306-07:00

Oil hits $100 — what higher fuel costs mean for airlines and travel demand

SpaceNews.com

Kazakhstan at a crossroads: Baikonur could make it Eurasia’s space‑tech broker or a geopolitical pawn Kazakhstan must decide whether to commercialise and leverage Baikonur’s launch and infrastructure assets to position itself as an independent Eurasian hub for space technology and services, or cede influence to larger powers and be sidelined in the intensifying global space competition.

2026-03-13T06:09:22.797260-07:00

Kazakhstan at a crossroads: Baikonur could make it Eurasia’s space‑tech broker or a geopolitical pawn

Payload

African states engage China on space cooperation while avoiding supplier lock‑in African states are engaging China on space cooperation while deliberately avoiding alignment with a single supplier, according to Mustapha Iderawumi of Space in Africa. That pragmatic stance leaves countries open to Chinese partnerships without excluding other international providers or vendors and preserves procurement flexibility.

2026-03-13T05:38:18.899539-07:00

African states engage China on space cooperation while avoiding supplier lock‑in

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Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

Meridian’s 2026 Space Diplomacy Forum to convene policymakers and industry amid a multipolar, contested orbital environment

Russia targets 2036 Venera‑D Venus mission with orbiter, lander and balloon

Eutelsat terminates RSCC capacity contracts on Express AT1 and AT2 after satellite failure and planned relocation

Leonardo to test Michelangelo 'security dome' in Ukraine; Guardian ISR and space growth underpin missile‑defence push

News Timeline