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LatConnect 60 accelerates investment to scale AUKUS-aligned Highest Resolution SWIR satellite constellation from 2 missions to 1

LatConnect 60 (from Western Australia) is raising its growth investment plan to build a Highest Resolution SWIR dual-use Earth intelligence constellation. The program scales from two SWIRSAT missions to 18 satellites, with a stated trajectory toward a 100-satellite constellation by 2035, positioned as AUKUS-aligned.

2026-05-20T23:07:42.742429-07:00

FlightGlobal

El Al first-quarter loss as Iran war disrupts flights, closes Israeli airspace, and lifts fuel costs; net profit hit estimated a

2026-05-20T15:09:20.514367-07:00

Reuters

UK condemns Russian Su-27/Su-35 “dangerous and unacceptable” intercepts of RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint over Black Sea

2026-05-20T12:09:53.473888-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Report quantifies U.S. commercial space reliance on Chinese-sourced components

2026-05-20T07:12:54.171971-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

LatConnect 60 accelerates investment to scale AUKUS-aligned Highest Resolution SWIR satellite constellation from 2 missions to 1 LatConnect 60 (from Western Australia) is raising its growth investment plan to build a Highest Resolution SWIR dual-use Earth intelligence constellation. The program scales from two SWIRSAT missions to 18 satellites, with a stated trajectory toward a 100-satellite constellation by 2035, positioned as AUKUS-aligned.

2026-05-20T23:07:42.742429-07:00

LatConnect 60 accelerates investment to scale AUKUS-aligned Highest Resolution SWIR satellite constellation from 2 missions to 1

The Air Current

Tinian airfield set for initial Pentagon Pacific flight operations as US expands the network The Pentagon is preparing Tinian’s “historic” airfield for debut flight operations, signaling an expansion of its Pacific network. The move positions the island for new basing and sortie-generation capacity in the region, as US forces add infrastructure to support additional air operations.

2026-05-20T15:54:32.732604-07:00

Tinian airfield set for initial Pentagon Pacific flight operations as US expands the network

FlightGlobal

El Al first-quarter loss as Iran war disrupts flights, closes Israeli airspace, and lifts fuel costs; net profit hit estimated a El Al posted a first-quarter net loss of $67 million, citing Iran-war-related operational disruption, closure of Israeli airspace and higher fuel costs. The carrier estimated the Middle East conflict would have cut net profit by $145 million versus a would-have-been profitable period, also weighing on results through currency effects.

2026-05-20T15:09:20.514367-07:00

El Al first-quarter loss as Iran war disrupts flights, closes Israeli airspace, and lifts fuel costs; net profit hit estimated a

Reuters

UK condemns Russian Su-27/Su-35 “dangerous and unacceptable” intercepts of RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint over Black Sea Britain’s Ministry of Defence accused Russia of recklessness after two RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint intercept incidents in international airspace over the Black Sea. UK officials said Russian Su-27 and Su-35 fighters flew perilously close—including a reported near pass at about six metres—raising risks of NATO-Russia escalation.

2026-05-20T12:09:53.473888-07:00

UK condemns Russian Su-27/Su-35 “dangerous and unacceptable” intercepts of RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint over Black Sea

FlightGlobal

Boeing Little Bird rotorcraft losses in Iran remove SOF Week flypast presence A US Special Operations Command source says four Boeing MH-6 “Little Bird” rotorcraft were destroyed in Iran during a mission to rescue a downed F-15E weapons officer. The losses are linked to a broader set of rescue and combat-attrition events that left the “Little Birds” notably absent from SOF Week demonstrations.

2026-05-20T11:56:02.603662-07:00

Boeing Little Bird rotorcraft losses in Iran remove SOF Week flypast presence

FlightGlobal

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy Shield AI says the Defense Department selected its Hivemind agentic AI software to serve as the autonomy “pilot” for LUCAS Kamikaze one-way drones. The test demonstration later this year targets swarming 10 or more munitions operating collaboratively under the LUCAS program.

2026-05-20T08:54:31.817627-07:00

Shield AI selected Hivemind to pilot LUCAS one-way attack drones with collaborative swarm autonomy

SpaceNews.com

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Report quantifies U.S. commercial space reliance on Chinese-sourced components Altana’s new supply-chain analysis finds the U.S. commercial space industry remains significantly dependent on components manufactured by Chinese suppliers. The report underscores how upstream sourcing choices can shape both delivery resilience and national-security exposure across commercial satellite, launch and in-orbit service supply chains.

2026-05-20T07:12:54.171971-07:00

Report quantifies U.S. commercial space reliance on Chinese-sourced components

Payload

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Report flags national-security risk in NASA-funded collaborations that may include Chinese researchers A new Congressional report says NASA has potentially funded or supported hundreds of scientific collaborations since 2015 that could involve Chinese researchers. The finding raises concerns that research partnerships enabled by NASA funding may introduce China-related security risks for U.S. interests.

2026-05-20T05:06:08.341331-07:00

Report flags national-security risk in NASA-funded collaborations that may include Chinese researchers

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Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact News

LatConnect 60 accelerates investment to scale AUKUS-aligned Highest Resolution SWIR satellite constellation from 2 missions to 1

El Al first-quarter loss as Iran war disrupts flights, closes Israeli airspace, and lifts fuel costs; net profit hit estimated a

UK condemns Russian Su-27/Su-35 “dangerous and unacceptable” intercepts of RAF RC-135 Rivet Joint over Black Sea

Report quantifies U.S. commercial space reliance on Chinese-sourced components

News Timeline