Universe Today
• Laurence Tognetti
NASA’s systems engineering team has detailed the mission architecture for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a planned effort aimed at finding Earth-like worlds beyond the solar system. The work comes as exoplanet research has advanced substantially since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995.
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NASA’s systems engineering team has detailed the mission architecture for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a planned effort aimed at finding Earth-like worlds beyond the solar system. The work comes as exoplanet research has advanced substantially since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995.
A new Defense Intelligence Agency assessment says China and Russia are expanding military and dual-use space capabilities. It reports that China has tripled its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite fleet since 2018, and describes Chinese spaceplane missions that included reported rendezvous and proximity operations.
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Ukrainian defense technology company HIMERA and Denmark’s GomSpace have begun in-orbit tests of an experimental communications satellite intended to support a network Ukraine can operate without foreign providers. Separately, ESA has extended contracts for four additional Galileo Second Generation satellites, including two assigned to Airbus, bringing the planned fleet to 16.
ESA has awarded Airbus contracts for two additional Galileo Second Generation satellites and extended contracts with Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space for four more, bringing the reported additions to six spacecraft. The orders expand Europe’s next-generation navigation constellation, whose satellites include stronger anti-jamming protection.
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon Leo’s $11.57 billion deal to acquire Globalstar. The decision marks a regulatory milestone for the transaction, bringing the satellite businesses under a proposed combination with a value of more than $11.5 billion.
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The Federal Communications Commission approved Amazon Leo’s purchase of U.S. satellite operator Globalstar, deeming the transaction in the public interest. The roughly $11.5 billion deal gives Amazon a route to expand satellite broadband and direct-to-device connectivity as it builds a network to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.
European officials are intensifying discussions about reducing dependence on the United States and American defense contractors, according to people familiar with the matter. The debate follows a recent dispute over restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine, highlighting how access to privately operated space infrastructure can become a strategic vulnerability for allies.
Craft Prospect is working with Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics and Vector Photonics on PERSEUS, a project exploring next-generation laser technology for high-performance optical communications in space. The announcement identifies the partners and research focus, but provides no technical specifications, schedule or funding details.
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