Satellite News

AeroTime

France awards Airbus and Thales Alenia Space contract to develop two IRIS military imaging satellites

The French Defence Procurement Agency has awarded Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space a contract to develop IRIS, a two-satellite, ultra-high-resolution optical observation system. The satellites are intended to replace France’s CSO fleet by 2035, with improved imagery and space-surveillance capabilities.

Via Satellite

APIs create a cybersecurity weak point in space-based systems

Application programming interfaces connect software systems and enable users to authenticate across them, making APIs a critical link in space-system cybersecurity. The article characterizes them as an “Achilles heel” that can be easy to hack, underscoring the exposure created at software interfaces.

Space Intel Report

Satellite-services market grows as Gogo adds Galileo aircraft and GomSpace forecasts 30% annual revenue growth

EUSPA estimates the global downstream Earth-observation market generated €3.5 billion in 2024. Separately, Gogo reported 297 aircraft using its Galileo connectivity service at Sept. 30, 2026, after shipping 172 units in the third quarter, up 95% year over year; GomSpace forecast average annual revenue growth of 30% through 2030.

Space Intel Report

Satellite builder GomSpace: We'll post 30% annual revenue increase through 2030, with 20% EBITDA margin by then

Via Satellite

Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile form Japan joint venture for direct-to-smartphone satellite network

Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile plan to establish Rakuten AST to procure and operate satellites providing direct-to-device service in Japan. Rakuten will hold 51% of voting rights and AST SpaceMobile’s Japanese subsidiary 49%; the venture is backed by up to ¥148 billion in Japanese funding.

Ars Technica

US military expresses ‘notional’ interest in a satellite constellation around the Moon

A comment describing the US military as “notionally interested” in a lunar satellite constellation signals preliminary interest, not a confirmed program or procurement decision. The available report provides no details on mission, scale, timing or responsible service, leaving the scope of that interest unclear.

Reuters

Enel and Leonardo agree to cooperate on energy, satellite services and critical infrastructure protection

Italian power group Enel and aerospace and defense company Leonardo signed a memorandum of understanding covering energy, technology and security. The companies said the cooperation includes satellite services and protection of critical infrastructure, with the stated aim of supporting Italy and its businesses.

Universe Today

Researchers develop CORTEX to guide autonomous docking with inactive satellites in low Earth orbit

Thousands of inactive or non-communicating satellites orbit Earth in low Earth orbit, creating a challenge for operators that rely on spacecraft to signal their presence. Researchers are developing CORTEX, a system designed to guide a repair satellite to autonomously dock with these “zombie” spacecraft.