LEO News

Space.com

High activity

Google, startups push toward AI computing and data centers in orbit

Google is testing tensor processing units aboard Planet Labs satellites after a SpaceX launch, advancing its Project Suncatcher concept for orbital AI infrastructure. The effort arrives alongside Satlyt’s $8 million funding round for virtual on-orbit data centers and Foundational’s $11 million plan to commercialize satellite laser ranging.

Bloomberg

High activity

U.S. Space Force and industry advance military, sovereign satellite communications and in-space ISR capabilities

The Space Force selected Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly to build “space-to-space” ISR satellites by 2028, while L3Harris secured a $461.9 million executive-aircraft satcom contract. Separately, Nokia and ICEYE are developing sovereign low-Earth-orbit communications systems for governments, defense contractors and emergency services.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

ESA selects Airbus and OHB-led consortia to study European-led crewed space stations

The European Space Agency has selected consortia led by Airbus Defence and Space and OHB to conduct parallel studies of a future European-led space station in low Earth orbit. The effort marks an early step toward defining Europe’s potential post-ISS human-spaceflight architecture and industrial roles.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Pentagon commits billions to accelerate AMRAAM, JDAM Long Range and F-35 production

The Pentagon awarded RTX’s Raytheon business a provisional $20.7 billion multiyear AMRAAM contract aimed at nearly doubling output, alongside Boeing’s $75 million JDAM Long Range production award and a $123.8 million Northrop Grumman contract for F-35 APG-85 radar components.

SpaceWatch Global

High activity

SpaceX’s Starship reaches orbit on first orbital flight, deploys 26 Starlink satellites despite engine shutdown

Starship reached orbit for the first time on its 14th test flight and deployed 26 V3 Starlink satellites using its “Pez dispenser” system. An engine shutdown forced SpaceX to end the planned 10-hour mission early, bringing the fully reusable vehicle home ahead of schedule.

New York Times

High activity

Google to test AI chips in orbit with Project Suncatcher satellites

Google plans to launch prototype satellites with Planet by early 2027 to test whether orbital infrastructure can support large-scale AI computing. The Project Suncatcher experiments will evaluate TPU performance, radiation exposure, cooling and launch survival—early steps toward potential space-based data centers.

SpaceWatch Global

Planet Labs Readies German-Built Satellite for 2027 as Exolaunch Books Starship Mission and China Accelerates LEO Constellations

Planet Labs plans to launch its first German-built satellite on a German rocket in early 2027, supported by expanded Berlin production. Separately, Exolaunch has contracted a dedicated SpaceX Starship mission for 2029, while China completed four orbital launches in 45 hours to advance competing LEO broadband constellations.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Europe advances sovereign LEO connectivity through OneWeb rail trials, Sateliot’s ESA selection and Axiom partnership

Eutelsat demonstrated OneWeb LEO connectivity on Poland’s live PKP Intercity rail network, while Sateliot joined ESA’s IRIS² consolidation phase for the low-LEO layer. Separately, ESA and Axiom Space signed an MoU aimed at expanding Europe’s access to low Earth orbit and related capabilities.