Universe Today
• Laurence Tognetti
NASA’s systems engineering team has detailed the mission architecture for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a planned effort aimed at finding Earth-like worlds beyond the solar system. The work comes as exoplanet research has advanced substantially since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995.
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NASA’s systems engineering team has detailed the mission architecture for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a planned effort aimed at finding Earth-like worlds beyond the solar system. The work comes as exoplanet research has advanced substantially since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995.
A new Defense Intelligence Agency assessment says China and Russia are expanding military and dual-use space capabilities. It reports that China has tripled its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite fleet since 2018, and describes Chinese spaceplane missions that included reported rendezvous and proximity operations.
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The European Space Agency has extended contracts for four additional Galileo Second Generation satellites, bringing the planned fleet to 16. Airbus Defence & Space and Thales Alenia Space will each build two spacecraft, strengthening Europe’s next-generation satellite navigation and timing constellation.
At NAVISP Industry Days in Rome on 14 October, the European Space Agency signed contracts with three European companies to develop technologies supporting more resilient rail transportation and aviation. The awards place satellite-navigation innovation in the service of transport systems, though the available report does not identify the companies or contract values.
The Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon Leo’s $11.57 billion deal to acquire Globalstar. The decision marks a regulatory milestone for the transaction, bringing the satellite businesses under a proposed combination with a value of more than $11.5 billion.
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The Federal Communications Commission approved Amazon Leo’s purchase of U.S. satellite operator Globalstar, deeming the transaction in the public interest. The roughly $11.5 billion deal gives Amazon a route to expand satellite broadband and direct-to-device connectivity as it builds a network to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.
European officials are intensifying discussions about reducing dependence on the United States and American defense contractors, according to people familiar with the matter. The debate follows a recent dispute over restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine, highlighting how access to privately operated space infrastructure can become a strategic vulnerability for allies.
Craft Prospect is working with Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics and Vector Photonics on PERSEUS, a project exploring next-generation laser technology for high-performance optical communications in space. The announcement identifies the partners and research focus, but provides no technical specifications, schedule or funding details.
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