Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions said its space business delivered 22% organic revenue growth in the second quarter, supported by its Orbit and Nomad acquisitions. The company said demand is expanding at the expected high rate, though classified contracts make its growth difficult to assess externally.
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Space-based communications and intelligence provider CesiumAstro has acquired Virginia-based 1Aardvark, a mission software and defense systems engineering company. The transaction marks CesiumAstro’s third defense systems acquisition this year, expanding its capabilities across mission software and integrated defense engineering.
Kratos Defense and Security Solutions said its space business delivered 22% organic revenue growth in the second quarter, supported by its Orbit and Nomad acquisitions. The company said demand is expanding at the expected high rate, though classified contracts make its growth difficult to assess externally.
CesiumAstro is raising additional funds in a Series D round as the phased-array antenna specialist pursues an acquisition spree and prepares to become a constellation operator, signaling an expansion from supplying space communications technology toward operating space-based infrastructure.
Colorado-based Ursa Major plans to go public in early 2027 through a SPAC merger valuing the combined company at about $2.3 billion. The transaction is intended to fund the shift from development and low-rate production to full-rate output of rocket engines, hypersonic weapons and solid rocket motors.
easyJet and Apollo have delayed the deadline for distributing acquisition details to shareholders, giving the parties additional time for what the UK carrier described as “constructive engagement” with aviation regulators. The extension indicates regulatory discussions remain central to the proposed transaction and its shareholder timetable.
Korean Air is expanding its maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities and pursuing third-party work as it nears completion of its Asiana Airlines integration. Separately, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul are merging to create South Korea’s largest low-cost carrier, consolidating the country’s airline sector.
A U.S. bankruptcy court postponed a hearing on Google’s proposed $10 million acquisition of internal business data from bankrupt Spirit Airlines after objections from the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA. The hearing is now scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026, extending uncertainty around the disposition of the airline’s data assets.
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SpaceX reportedly acquired xAI in an all-stock transaction valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion, a figure that would make it the largest merger on record. The reported deal brings a major launch provider and an artificial-intelligence company under common ownership.
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