thedebrief.org
• Tim McMillan
A DARPA robot has assembled part of an antenna structure in orbit, marking a first-of-its-kind demonstration of robotic construction in space. The capability could enable spacecraft too large to launch in one piece, including giant telescopes and solar power arrays.
Satellite
Latest source-backed stories
Iridium is promoting new satellite services while awaiting renewal of a Pentagon contract. The article’s available information does not specify the proposed services, contract value or renewal timeline, leaving the scope of the offering and the stakes of the pending decision unclear.
The defense technology company says it has tested all three systems in orbit. One is an infrared sensor designed to track spacecraft while they pass through Earth’s shadow, extending the company’s announced space-surveillance payload portfolio.
High activity
A DARPA robot has assembled part of an antenna structure in orbit, marking a first-of-its-kind demonstration of robotic construction in space. The capability could enable spacecraft too large to launch in one piece, including giant telescopes and solar power arrays.
The spacecraft propulsion companies will collaborate to provide electric thruster systems to European spacecraft manufacturers. The announcement points to a joint supplier offering in a market where spacecraft makers are weighing propulsion options, though the available report gives no details on system specifications, contracts or delivery timelines.
High activity
Rocket Lab raised the price of a dedicated Neutron launch from $55 million to $70 million, citing strong demand and constrained launch capacity. The company signed contracts for eight missions across five constellation operators worth more than $515 million last quarter, including missions for the U.S. Space Force and ICEYE, ahead of Neutron’s planned 2027 debut.
High activity
Orbital Eye will use imagery from its COSMIC-EYE satellite system to track construction of TenneT’s 380-kilovolt Rilland–Tilburg power line in the Netherlands. The application puts commercial Earth-observation data to work monitoring an electricity-transmission project; the report provides no details on coverage, schedule or contract value.
Create a free account to see more recent Satellite stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
