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Space.com • Mike Wall

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California

SpaceX is set to launch a classified batch of U.S. government reconnaissance satellites this evening (May 11) from California. The liftoff is live-streamed, underscoring ongoing refresh and expansion of U.S. space-based intelligence capability alongside a busy launch cadence.

2026-05-11T09:50:23.695247-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Rocket Lab to acquire Motiv Space Systems, bringing Mars-proven robotics and precision mechanism capabilities in-house

2026-05-11T06:19:48.716854-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Satellite-data access initiatives won’t deliver climate resilience in Africa without coordinated government action and scalable

2026-05-11T06:54:06.385531-07:00

Runway Girl

IFC providers endorse “least cost routing” and a multi-vendor power model as airlines revisit inflight connectivity spend

2026-05-10T15:23:49.462384-07:00

News Timeline

Space.com

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California SpaceX is set to launch a classified batch of U.S. government reconnaissance satellites this evening (May 11) from California. The liftoff is live-streamed, underscoring ongoing refresh and expansion of U.S. space-based intelligence capability alongside a busy launch cadence.

2026-05-11T09:50:23.695247-07:00

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California

Payload

SOCOM evaluates SkyFi and a field-ready mobile platform for direct access to commercial tactical EO imagery U.S. Special Operations Command is testing a mobile software approach to let operators on handheld Android devices access commercial satellite imagery and analytics directly in the field. SkyFi is developing an early sovereign intelligence platform prototype to shorten the path from imagery availability to tactical use.

2026-05-11T07:58:45.545647-07:00

SOCOM evaluates SkyFi and a field-ready mobile platform for direct access to commercial tactical EO imagery

SpaceWatch Global

Satellite-data access initiatives won’t deliver climate resilience in Africa without coordinated government action and scalable Africa is expanding access to Earth-observation data through programs such as GMES & Africa and Digital Earth Africa. But climate resilience will hinge on converting that data into coordinated public-sector action, bolstering technical capacity, and deploying scalable national implementation rather than treating data access as an end goal.

2026-05-11T06:54:06.385531-07:00

Satellite-data access initiatives won’t deliver climate resilience in Africa without coordinated government action and scalable

SpaceWatch Global

❗️

Rocket Lab to acquire Motiv Space Systems, bringing Mars-proven robotics and precision mechanism capabilities in-house Rocket Lab has agreed to acquire Motiv Space Systems, a move designed to expand its internal space-robotics portfolio. Motiv is known for multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arms, actuators and drive electronics used on missions including NASA’s Mars Perseverance rover, CADRE lunar rovers and precision scientific-instrument mechanisms.

2026-05-11T06:19:48.716854-07:00

Rocket Lab to acquire Motiv Space Systems, bringing Mars-proven robotics and precision mechanism capabilities in-house

Runway Girl

IFC providers endorse “least cost routing” and a multi-vendor power model as airlines revisit inflight connectivity spend In-flight connectivity (IFC) suppliers say they are ready to support a flexible, multi-vendor environment if airlines adopt a “least cost routing” approach—mirroring cruise-industry practices for cost-optimized connectivity. The shift raises the bar for interoperability and may change contracting leverage and architecture decisions across IFC programs.

2026-05-10T15:23:49.462384-07:00

IFC providers endorse “least cost routing” and a multi-vendor power model as airlines revisit inflight connectivity spend

CNBC

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics Rocket Lab shares surged 34% in its best day ever after the company reported record quarterly revenue in Q1 2026 and momentum ahead of Neutron’s next steps. Rocket Lab also agreed to acquire Motiv Space Systems to deepen space robotics and won a $30 million Anduril contract for multiple hypersonic HASTE test flights.

2026-05-08T14:20:22.810713-07:00

Rocket Lab stock jumps after record Q1 revenue; Neutron momentum drives $30M HASTE hypersonic contract and Motiv Space robotics

Space Intel Report

Thaicom reports 9.2% drop in satellite service revenue; eyes iPStar/Thaicom 4 retirement Thaicom says satellite service revenue fell 9.2% for the three months ended March 31, attributing the decline to continued weaker broadcast revenue, even as profit rose in its satellite division. The operator also points to the summer retirement of iPStar/Thaicom 4 as a near-term fleet inflection point.

2026-05-08T12:36:54.011419-07:00

Thaicom reports 9.2% drop in satellite service revenue; eyes iPStar/Thaicom 4 retirement

Space Intel Report

OHB SE reports record Q1 backlog, double-digit revenue/profit gains as German and European government funding converts into cont Space hardware prime contractor OHB SE says it logged a record backlog and delivered double-digit increases in revenue, profit, EBITDA and cash for the quarter ended March 31, and expects further growth as German and other European government funding translates into additional contracts. The company frames its near-term outlook around continued defence- and space-led demand.

2026-05-08T08:49:59.369831-07:00

OHB SE reports record Q1 backlog, double-digit revenue/profit gains as German and European government funding converts into cont

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Satellite News

SpaceX to launch a batch of U.S. government spy satellites from California

Rocket Lab to acquire Motiv Space Systems, bringing Mars-proven robotics and precision mechanism capabilities in-house

Satellite-data access initiatives won’t deliver climate resilience in Africa without coordinated government action and scalable

IFC providers endorse “least cost routing” and a multi-vendor power model as airlines revisit inflight connectivity spend

News Timeline