Satellite News

Payload

Exclusive: Orbital Taps Orca Aerospace for Onboard Autonomy Software

politico.eu

EU lawmaker says Starlink cutoff led to deaths, urges Europe to stop using US technology

A European lawmaker says a cutoff of Starlink service led to deaths and has called for Europe to stop using U.S. technology. The available report does not identify when or where the cutoff occurred or provide further details about the alleged consequences.

Reuters

Russian satellites’ approaches to Western spacecraft raise concern about possible attack rehearsal

A Russian military satellite that approached a Western commercial spacecraft last month may have been rehearsing an attack, a military space specialist said. Two related Russian craft are now heading toward another Western satellite, renewing concern over the potential threat to commercial spacecraft in orbit.

eVTOL Insights

High activity

Defense and space firms win roles in low-orbit, satellite and counter-drone programs

Recent awards and partnerships span Redwire’s $20 million DARPA contract for another very-low-Earth-orbit flight experiment, MDA Space’s supplier role on Europe’s IRIS² secure communications program, and new European efforts in tactical satellite ISR and containerized counter-drone defense. The developments signal activity across both orbital systems and protection against uncrewed aircraft threats.

Payload

Redwire wins $20 million DARPA contract for second very-low-Earth-orbit propulsion demonstration

Redwire has secured a $20 million contract from DARPA under its Otter program, which funds air-breathing electric propulsion. The award supports a second demonstration of the technology for very-low-Earth orbit, where propulsion systems must operate in the sparse atmosphere.

Space.com

USAF’s rail-launched Super Strypi rocket fails on debut, losing 13 small satellites

On Nov. 4, 2015, the experimental Super Strypi rocket failed shortly after liftoff from Hawaii on its first launch. The rail-launched vehicle was carrying 13 small satellites, making the mission an unsuccessful test of a new approach to placing payloads in orbit.

Bloomberg

High activity

Goldman Sachs and Apollo market stakes in SpaceX’s roughly $40 billion AI chip-financing deal

Goldman Sachs and Apollo Global Management are in talks with investors to sell portions of a roughly $40 billion financing deal tied to SpaceX’s chip needs. The firms are reportedly offering slices of up to $500 million ahead of formal syndication.

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon backs LeoLabs radar expansion with $150 million loan commitment

The Pentagon has committed $150 million in financing to support LeoLabs’ radar expansion. The announcement identifies a substantial defense-backed investment in the company’s space radar infrastructure, though the available report provides no details on the expansion’s scope, locations or schedule.