Satellite Programs & Technology News

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

SDA awards $3.5B to four suppliers for 72 Tranche‑3 missile‑tracking satellites

The Space Development Agency has awarded about $3.5 billion to four suppliers to build 72 Tracking‑Layer satellites for Tranche 3 of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, expanding missile warning, tracking and defense capabilities fielded in earlier tranches. Northrop Grumman is among the companies awarded TRKT3 work.

2025-12-19T09:09:49.185349-08:00

Space Intel Report

ESA to decide in February how to plug 20% exploration funding shortfall; 13.3% staff rise set for 2026

2025-12-19T08:38:04.030042-08:00

NASA

Jared Isaacman sworn in as NASA's 15th administrator; vows to accelerate lunar missions and expand public–private partnerships

2025-12-18T10:11:06.248552-08:00

Reuters

Starlink satellite 35956 fragments and tumbles at 418 km after Dec. 17 anomaly, ejecting trackable debris

2025-12-18T09:55:24.907042-08:00

Satellite Programs & Technology News Timeline

Space.com

Arkisys, Odin partner to offer insurance against space‑debris strikes by equipping satellites with Odin Nano Sensors Arkisys and sensor developer Odin have teamed to offer insurance against space‑debris strikes by equipping Arkisys spacecraft with Odin’s Nano Sensors. The partnership pairs on‑orbit collision detection and characterization with insurance underwriting to improve satellite survivability, operations and orbital sustainability amid rising congestion.

2025-12-19T12:04:12.600579-08:00

Arkisys, Odin partner to offer insurance against space‑debris strikes by equipping satellites with Odin Nano Sensors

GeekWire

Microsoft and NASA create AI agents to help scientists anticipate floods and other water woes Microsoft and NASA have developed AI agents designed to help researchers anticipate floods and other water-related hazards by ingesting diverse environmental datasets and accelerating analysis, enabling faster scenario modelling and decision support for flood forecasting, risk assessment and response planning.

2025-12-19T11:00:20.620946-08:00

Microsoft and NASA create AI agents to help scientists anticipate floods and other water woes

Via Satellite

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NASA PExT Demo Validates Spacecraft Roaming Between Government and Commercial Networks NASA's Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) demonstration proved spacecraft can seamlessly switch between government and commercial communications, completing more than 100 communications activities and using Ka‑band direct‑to‑Earth links supported by Swedish Space Corporation's global ground stations. The test advances commercial relay options for future missions.

2025-12-19T10:25:39.242395-08:00

NASA PExT Demo Validates Spacecraft Roaming Between Government and Commercial Networks

Via Satellite

Ovzon wins $25.2M satcom services contract with undisclosed European NATO nation Ovzon said Dec. 19 it has won a $25.2 million contract to provide satellite communications services to an undisclosed European NATO nation. The award bolsters Ovzon's government-services revenue and highlights continued demand across Europe for secure, military‑grade satcom capacity and operational resilience.

2025-12-19T10:25:39.225525-08:00

Ovzon wins $25.2M satcom services contract with undisclosed European NATO nation

Breaking Defense

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SDA awards $3.5B to four suppliers for 72 Tranche‑3 missile‑tracking satellites The Space Development Agency has awarded about $3.5 billion to four suppliers to build 72 Tracking‑Layer satellites for Tranche 3 of its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, expanding missile warning, tracking and defense capabilities fielded in earlier tranches. Northrop Grumman is among the companies awarded TRKT3 work.

2025-12-19T09:09:49.185349-08:00

SDA awards $3.5B to four suppliers for 72 Tranche‑3 missile‑tracking satellites

Space Intel Report

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ESA to decide in February how to plug 20% exploration funding shortfall; 13.3% staff rise set for 2026 The European Space Agency will review options in February to address a roughly 20% shortfall in its exploration programme budget. Its December Council meeting also approved a 13.3% staff increase for 2026, highlighting pressure on resources amid tight launch and programme schedules.

2025-12-19T08:38:04.030042-08:00

ESA to decide in February how to plug 20% exploration funding shortfall; 13.3% staff rise set for 2026

SpaceNews.com

The Hidden Backbone of Space Security: Resilient Logistics to Safeguard Satellites Satellite survivability increasingly depends on resilient logistics — from manufacturing and launch to on‑orbit sustainment — yet these systems receive less attention than sensors or defensive payloads. Investing in redundant supply chains, spare provisioning and rapid‑replacement mechanisms is critical to keep constellations operational under threat.

2025-12-19T06:05:41.957020-08:00

The Hidden Backbone of Space Security: Resilient Logistics to Safeguard Satellites

SpaceWatch Global

EU ISOS 2025 — Europe moves to formalize rules for in‑orbit services (Interview with Joerg Kreisel) At EU ISOS 2025 Joerg Kreisel of iBOSS and CONFERS outlined Europe's push to establish regulatory rules for in‑orbit services, from satellite servicing to debris removal, as industry and governments seek legal frameworks to enable commercial on‑orbit operations and liability regimes.

2025-12-19T02:24:38.088818-08:00

EU ISOS 2025 — Europe moves to formalize rules for in‑orbit services (Interview with Joerg Kreisel)

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