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Ars TechnicaJENNIFER OUELLETTE

3D-Printed Aluminum “Eggshell” Arrays Show Promise for Protecting Next-Generation Spacecraft

Impact testing found that 3D-printed aluminum arrays built with an eggshell-like structure and filled with water provided greater resistance than conventional designs. The approach could offer spacecraft developers a new path to improving protection against impacts while managing structural mass and manufacturing complexity.

2026-09-08T09:38:03.319178-07:00

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3D-Printed Aluminum “Eggshell” Arrays Show Promise for Protecting Next-Generation Spacecraft

Impact testing found that 3D-printed aluminum arrays built with an eggshell-like structure and filled with water provided greater resistance than conventional designs. The approach could offer spacecraft developers a new path to improving protection against impacts while managing structural mass and manufacturing complexity.

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Satellogic names former NGA director Frank Whitworth as president

Earth observation company Satellogic appointed Frank “Trey” Whitworth, the former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, as its president on Sept. 8. The leadership change brings a former senior U.S. geospatial-intelligence official into a top executive role at the satellite operator.

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Pivotal Research rates SpaceX a buy, betting Starship reusability can unlock launch economics and Starlink growth

Pivotal Research initiated coverage of SpaceX with a buy rating, arguing the company can overcome Starship’s reusability bottleneck. The firm sees a successful solution potentially supporting Starlink’s expansion into part of the $1.7 trillion terrestrial and wireless communications market, while failure could leave SpaceX smaller than expected.

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SpaceX valuation hinges on Starship reusability as Starlink, AI computing and Nasdaq-100 demand drive growth case

Analysts say Starship’s ability to achieve high reusability could cut launch costs by more than 90% and underpin Starlink expansion into a $1.7 trillion terrestrial and wireless market. SpaceX’s growth outlook also includes potentially $15.5 billion of passive-fund buying and sharply higher computing-related capital spending.

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Hydrosat and Kazakhstan’s KGS evaluate thermal-infrared constellation for Central Asian water security

Hydrosat and Kazakhstan’s JSC “NC “KGS” have established a framework to assess a dedicated thermal-infrared satellite constellation. The proposed capability would focus on supporting water-security needs across Central Asia, though the announcement does not specify a development timeline, funding structure or constellation size.

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Infinite Orbits opens €7 million Toulouse factory for satellite servicing and defense missions

The Toulouse-based startup has inaugurated a satellite factory built in three months, with €7 million in investment supporting production of three spacecraft for CNES, France’s DGA and a telecommunications provider. Its satellites will inspect other spacecraft, support defense missions and extend the in-orbit lives of large telecom platforms.

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