SpaceNews.com
• Brett Silcox
Space Technologies attempted a commercial mission to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope, a spacecraft launched more than two decades ago that was never designed for servicing. The effort was mounted in less than a year, underscoring the difficulty of sustaining aging space infrastructure.
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Space Technologies attempted a commercial mission to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope, a spacecraft launched more than two decades ago that was never designed for servicing. The effort was mounted in less than a year, underscoring the difficulty of sustaining aging space infrastructure.
York Space Systems announced the LX/V-Class, a satellite platform designed to operate on sustained missions at altitudes below low Earth orbit. The company’s unveiling adds a new commercial platform aimed at the distinct atmospheric, propulsion and operational demands of very-low Earth orbit.
A House subcommittee advanced legislation aimed at speeding and simplifying Federal Communications Commission licensing for satellite systems. The measure differs from a companion Senate bill, setting up potential negotiations over how Congress will address regulatory processes affecting commercial and government space operators.
Russia’s Rassvet-3 constellation, positioned as a rival to Starlink, is struggling after all 16 satellites in its second batch failed to reach their intended orbit. At least three of the first 32 satellites likely suffered outright failures, leaving only 12 of 32 launched spacecraft set for long-term orbit.
Sceye said its ST1 high-altitude platform system has completed its first transpacific deployment, flying from the United States to Japan through the stratosphere. The airship-like, long-endurance vehicle is designed to support communications and surveillance missions from high altitude.
Telesat and French photonics company Cailabs will assess space-to-ground optical communications for Telesat’s Lightspeed low-Earth-orbit constellation. The collaboration will examine optical ground stations to support secure government communications and data relay, potentially extending the constellation’s capabilities beyond conventional radio-frequency links.
Kymeta has secured a $20 million order from a U.S. Department of Defense branch for 100 Osprey u8 multi-orbit satellite communications terminals. The award expands the company’s defense customer base and provides a defined production commitment for its satcom hardware.
Polish space technology company Creotech Instruments has signed a €13.9 million ($16 million) contract with the European Space Agency to comprehensively implement SAWA, Poland’s second space-weather nanosatellite mission. The project is also described as the country’s first “mission-as-a-service” initiative, expanding Poland’s role in European space programs.
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