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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

LandSpace wins contracts to launch China’s two major megaconstellations, easing domestic bottleneck

Commercial launcher LandSpace has signed formal contracts to launch satellites for China’s two principal megaconstellation programs, relieving a domestic launch-capacity bottleneck and accelerating deployment timetables. The deals expand LandSpace’s role as China scales commercial reusable-launch capability and operational cadence.

2026-01-09T09:48:13.181815-08:00

Payload

Space in 2026: commercial build‑out, on‑orbit AI and sovereign partnerships set an inflection point

2026-01-08T20:56:48.333985-08:00

Space.com

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

2026-01-08T14:03:29.621090-08:00

Via Satellite

Keysight, Samsung demonstrate 5G NR‑NTN connectivity in n252 S‑Band using next‑gen modem chipset

2026-01-08T13:32:29.398044-08:00

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SpaceNews.com

LandSpace wins contracts to launch China’s two major megaconstellations, easing domestic bottleneck Commercial launcher LandSpace has signed formal contracts to launch satellites for China’s two principal megaconstellation programs, relieving a domestic launch-capacity bottleneck and accelerating deployment timetables. The deals expand LandSpace’s role as China scales commercial reusable-launch capability and operational cadence.

2026-01-09T09:48:13.181815-08:00

LandSpace wins contracts to launch China’s two major megaconstellations, easing domestic bottleneck

SpaceNews.com

Rhea Space Activity to use optical navigation for military on‑orbit rendezvous missions Rhea Space Activity will deploy optical navigation systems to support military on‑orbit rendezvous missions, using camera-based sensing to determine relative position and guide close‑proximity operations and docking. The announcement marks a commercial optical guidance supplier moving into defense rendezvous work with implications for orbital servicing and counter‑space activity.

2026-01-09T03:10:14.142795-08:00

Rhea Space Activity to use optical navigation for military on‑orbit rendezvous missions

Payload

Space in 2026: commercial build‑out, on‑orbit AI and sovereign partnerships set an inflection point 2026 could be an inflection year as commercial expansion, on‑orbit AI integration and sovereign partnerships converge to redefine the space economy. From private stations and constellation scale‑up to earth‑independent AI and national data‑sovereignty drives, these trends will reshape procurement, operations and market structure across civil, commercial and defense space.

2026-01-08T20:56:48.333985-08:00

Space in 2026: commercial build‑out, on‑orbit AI and sovereign partnerships set an inflection point

Space.com

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole NASA's X‑ray observatory has captured evidence that the Milky Way's supermassive black hole underwent powerful outbursts and shocks that reshaped the galactic center. New X‑ray data reveal signatures of violent feedback and high‑energy events that surprised astronomers and revise models of black‑hole activity.

2026-01-08T14:03:29.621090-08:00

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

SpaceNews.com

Space Development Agency opens applications for Cohort 4 of TAP Lab accelerator The Space Development Agency has opened applications for Cohort 4 of its TAP Lab accelerator, a Catalyst Campus mini-accelerator that selects early-stage teams for participation. Interested companies can now apply to join the next cycle of SDA’s TAP Lab program.

2026-01-08T13:32:38.416805-08:00

Space Development Agency opens applications for Cohort 4 of TAP Lab accelerator

Via Satellite

Keysight, Samsung demonstrate 5G NR‑NTN connectivity in n252 S‑Band using next‑gen modem chipset Keysight Technologies reported a successful demonstration of a 5G radio non‑terrestrial network (NR‑NTN) connection in band n252 (S‑band), using Samsung Electronics' next‑generation modem chipset. The trial established an NR‑NTN radio link with Samsung's modem integrated into Keysight's test platform.

2026-01-08T13:32:29.398044-08:00

Keysight, Samsung demonstrate 5G NR‑NTN connectivity in n252 S‑Band using next‑gen modem chipset

Via Satellite

Satellogic wins seven-figure contract to supply high-frequency site‑monitoring imagery Satellogic has signed a seven‑figure contract with an unnamed customer to deliver high‑frequency satellite imagery for site monitoring, securing recurring collection and processing services to enable frequent‑revisit observation of designated locations. The award represents a near‑term commercial imagery sale into the company’s data services pipeline.

2026-01-08T13:22:16.784607-08:00

Satellogic wins seven-figure contract to supply high-frequency site‑monitoring imagery

Via Satellite

Hubble Network and Texas Instruments to embed satellite-enabled Bluetooth in TI chips Hubble Network, the startup building a Bluetooth network via satellite, is partnering with Texas Instruments to embed its satellite-enabled Bluetooth stack directly into TI's Bluetooth chips. The integration will let devices using TI silicon connect to Hubble's satellite network, broadening potential IoT reach.

2026-01-08T13:22:16.776520-08:00

Hubble Network and Texas Instruments to embed satellite-enabled Bluetooth in TI chips

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Satellite News

LandSpace wins contracts to launch China’s two major megaconstellations, easing domestic bottleneck

Space in 2026: commercial build‑out, on‑orbit AI and sovereign partnerships set an inflection point

NASA X‑ray spacecraft uncovers violent past of Milky Way’s supermassive black hole

Keysight, Samsung demonstrate 5G NR‑NTN connectivity in n252 S‑Band using next‑gen modem chipset

News Timeline