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Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

SpaceX launches Lockheed-built GPS III SV09 with demo payload as Congress presses for anti‑jam, resilient PNT funding

SpaceX launched the U.S. Space Force’s GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), built by Lockheed Martin, placing the ninth GPS III satellite into orbit. SV09 carries a demonstration payload to boost anti‑jam and resilient PNT; lawmakers are pressing for increased funding for anti‑jam and alternative PNT systems.

2026-01-28T09:18:32.972766-08:00

SpaceNews.com

OQ Technology to test C‑band LEO direct‑to‑device smartphone connectivity amid SpaceX spectrum push

2026-01-28T07:24:21.480353-08:00

Payload

Airbus selects Skynopy to host Pléiades Neo ground stations, cut OneAtlas latency

2026-01-28T05:57:16.643686-08:00

SpaceNews.com

Earth-observation adoption gap driven by supply-side product design

2026-01-28T06:16:55.253047-08:00

News Timeline

Breaking Defense

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SpaceX launches Lockheed-built GPS III SV09 with demo payload as Congress presses for anti‑jam, resilient PNT funding SpaceX launched the U.S. Space Force’s GPS III Space Vehicle 09 (SV09), built by Lockheed Martin, placing the ninth GPS III satellite into orbit. SV09 carries a demonstration payload to boost anti‑jam and resilient PNT; lawmakers are pressing for increased funding for anti‑jam and alternative PNT systems.

2026-01-28T09:18:32.972766-08:00

SpaceX launches Lockheed-built GPS III SV09 with demo payload as Congress presses for anti‑jam, resilient PNT funding

SpaceNews.com

OQ Technology to test C‑band LEO direct‑to‑device smartphone connectivity amid SpaceX spectrum push OQ Technology will launch a small LEO satellite to test using C‑band spectrum to connect standard smartphones directly to satellites, joining SpaceX’s push to repurpose part of the band for direct‑to‑device services. The trial will validate handset links and spectrum‑sharing approaches ahead of commercial D2D rollouts.

2026-01-28T07:24:21.480353-08:00

OQ Technology to test C‑band LEO direct‑to‑device smartphone connectivity amid SpaceX spectrum push

SpaceNews.com

Earth-observation adoption gap driven by supply-side product design The earth-observation sector’s slow commercial uptake is driven primarily by supply-side product design: how providers package, price and deliver data. Those supplier choices are creating friction for users trying to integrate imagery into workflows, keeping many potential operational customers from adopting EO services.

2026-01-28T06:16:55.253047-08:00

Earth-observation adoption gap driven by supply-side product design

Payload

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Airbus selects Skynopy to host Pléiades Neo ground stations, cut OneAtlas latency Airbus Defence and Space has contracted French NewSpace ground‑station operator Skynopy to host and operate ground stations for its Pléiades Neo constellation, aiming to reduce downlink latency and accelerate delivery of very‑high‑resolution imagery into the OneAtlas geospatial platform.

2026-01-28T05:57:16.643686-08:00

Airbus selects Skynopy to host Pléiades Neo ground stations, cut OneAtlas latency

Reuters

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EU signs Ariane 6 launch contract for Galileo second‑generation pair (Galileo L18) The European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) has contracted Arianespace to launch the second pair of second‑generation Galileo satellites (Galileo L18) aboard an Ariane 6 vehicle, under delegation from the European Commission. The deal secures a key GNSS deployment and a commercial mission for Ariane 6.

2026-01-28T03:58:08.553067-08:00

EU signs Ariane 6 launch contract for Galileo second‑generation pair (Galileo L18)

SpaceNews.com

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Terran Orbital to supply Nebula satellite bus for Mitsubishi Electric LEO demo mission Terran Orbital will supply its Nebula satellite bus for Mitsubishi Electric’s LEO demonstration mission, hosting advanced optical communications and quantum key distribution (QKD) payloads. The collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric Corporation and Mitsubishi Electric US aims to validate secure, high‑throughput LEO capabilities.

2026-01-28T03:16:12.606982-08:00

Terran Orbital to supply Nebula satellite bus for Mitsubishi Electric LEO demo mission

Bloomberg

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EU activates GOVSATCOM's first secure service in €10.6bn push to reduce reliance on Starlink/US The EU has activated initial elements of GOVSATCOM, switching on eight satellites contributed by five member states as part of a €10.6bn programme to field a homegrown secure satellite‑communications service — positioned as an alternative to Starlink and US systems amid rising geopolitical tension.

2026-01-28T03:09:32.750566-08:00

EU activates GOVSATCOM's first secure service in €10.6bn push to reduce reliance on Starlink/US

SpaceWatch Global

Baltic space ambitions sidelined as geopolitics reshapes a digitally advanced region Despite being among Europe’s most digitally advanced countries, the Baltic states remain largely absent from mainstream accounts of European space achievements. Rising geopolitical tensions are reframing their space ecosystems — influencing partnerships, funding priorities and the public debate over national capability and strategic alignment.

2026-01-28T01:57:28.150075-08:00

Baltic space ambitions sidelined as geopolitics reshapes a digitally advanced region

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Satellite News

SpaceX launches Lockheed-built GPS III SV09 with demo payload as Congress presses for anti‑jam, resilient PNT funding

OQ Technology to test C‑band LEO direct‑to‑device smartphone connectivity amid SpaceX spectrum push

Airbus selects Skynopy to host Pléiades Neo ground stations, cut OneAtlas latency

Earth-observation adoption gap driven by supply-side product design

News Timeline