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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

China has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations tests involving a Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft and a satellite, validating step-by-step capabilities needed for low-cost orbital infrastructure. The on-orbit demonstrations mark another milestone toward autonomous operations for cargo services in space.

2026-04-17T10:14:43.420209-07:00

investors.rocketlabcorp.com

Rocket Lab expands electric propulsion for satellites with high-volume electric thruster and new Gauss thruster push

2026-04-16T13:00:46.067125-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Taiwan calls for shared satcom constellation to scale secure communications as Starlink expands

2026-04-17T01:51:27.232531-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Astroscale’s ISSA-J1: world-first commercial multi-orbit satellite inspection mission targeting 2027 rendezvous

2026-04-17T01:22:18.226332-07:00

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Space Intel Report

French military: IRIS2 won’t be ready by 2030—OneWeb to bridge the secure-connectivity gap; Germany constellation under review France says Europe’s IRIS2 multi-orbit secure connectivity constellation will not be deployed by 2030, and it will use OneWeb in the interim. The French military is also assessing Germany’s parallel secure-satcom constellation plans, aligning near-term service continuity with longer-term sovereign architecture.

2026-04-17T13:22:37.405336-07:00

French military: IRIS2 won’t be ready by 2030—OneWeb to bridge the secure-connectivity gap; Germany constellation under review

SpaceNews.com

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests China has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations tests involving a Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft and a satellite, validating step-by-step capabilities needed for low-cost orbital infrastructure. The on-orbit demonstrations mark another milestone toward autonomous operations for cargo services in space.

2026-04-17T10:14:43.420209-07:00

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

SpaceNews.com

Taiwan calls for shared satcom constellation to scale secure communications as Starlink expands Taiwan’s space agency chief urged other countries to coordinate on a shared communications constellation to keep pace with the strategic and network scale of providers such as Starlink. The push frames multinational satcom collaboration as a response to rising geopolitical and operational importance of space-based connectivity.

2026-04-17T01:51:27.232531-07:00

Taiwan calls for shared satcom constellation to scale secure communications as Starlink expands

SpaceWatch Global

Astroscale’s ISSA-J1: world-first commercial multi-orbit satellite inspection mission targeting 2027 rendezvous Astroscale Japan has unveiled its ISSA-J1 mission, planned for launch in 2027. The commercial first will inspect two retired satellites located in different orbits, demonstrating multi-orbit proximity operations as the company pushes space sustainability into a scalable service model.

2026-04-17T01:22:18.226332-07:00

Astroscale’s ISSA-J1: world-first commercial multi-orbit satellite inspection mission targeting 2027 rendezvous

politico.eu

Aeroflot seeks free in-flight Wi-Fi by 2028, but Western sanctions could block connectivity access Aeroflot wants to offer free internet on its aircraft by 2028. The plan hinges on securing the inflight-connectivity supply chain, but Western sanctions may make that difficult to realise, creating execution risk for timelines and service reach.

2026-04-16T23:32:04.070831-07:00

Aeroflot seeks free in-flight Wi-Fi by 2028, but Western sanctions could block connectivity access

Via Satellite

Slingshot Aerospace unveils “Portal,” an AI analytics platform for satellite operations and anomaly response Slingshot Aerospace released Portal, an AI-driven platform that fuses Slingshot data flows with external sources to power satellite data monitoring and analysis. Operators can use the analytics engine to track orbital activity and evaluate maneuvering options in response to anomalies and threats.

2026-04-16T16:02:57.917275-07:00

Slingshot Aerospace unveils “Portal,” an AI analytics platform for satellite operations and anomaly response

Inflight Online

ZIPAIR completes fleetwide MacBook Pro inflight server platform deployment as it transitions to Starlink LEO connectivity ZIPAIR says it has finished a fleetwide deployment of an “off-the-shelf” MacBook Pro inflight server platform to host and support in-flight services. The rollout runs in parallel with the airline’s move to Starlink low Earth orbit connectivity, aiming to accelerate development and deployment of new onboard offerings.

2026-04-16T13:12:14.435105-07:00

ZIPAIR completes fleetwide MacBook Pro inflight server platform deployment as it transitions to Starlink LEO connectivity

investors.rocketlabcorp.com

Rocket Lab expands electric propulsion for satellites with high-volume electric thruster and new Gauss thruster push Rocket Lab unveiled a new electric satellite thruster aimed at high-volume production to serve growing constellation demand. In parallel, the company is entering the thruster market with its Gauss offering, with management highlighting the importance—and cost of—scaling manufacturing beyond small “mom and pop” shops.

2026-04-16T13:00:46.067125-07:00

Rocket Lab expands electric propulsion for satellites with high-volume electric thruster and new Gauss thruster push

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China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

Rocket Lab expands electric propulsion for satellites with high-volume electric thruster and new Gauss thruster push

Taiwan calls for shared satcom constellation to scale secure communications as Starlink expands

Astroscale’s ISSA-J1: world-first commercial multi-orbit satellite inspection mission targeting 2027 rendezvous

News Timeline