Space.com
• Josh Dinner
Katalyst Space’s LINK spacecraft reached NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory but was unable to complete the planned mission to boost the observatory’s orbit. LINK remains operational, allowing the spacecraft to continue conducting operations despite the failed rescue attempt.
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Katalyst Space’s LINK spacecraft reached NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory but was unable to complete the planned mission to boost the observatory’s orbit. LINK remains operational, allowing the spacecraft to continue conducting operations despite the failed rescue attempt.
Tomorrow.io’s planned DeepSky constellation will combine microwave sounders, GNSS radio-occultation receivers, GNSS reflectometers, precipitation radars, and optical and infrared cameras to collect global weather data. The company announced the payload suite on Sept. 10, outlining a multi-instrument approach to atmospheric observation from space.
TrustPoint, a startup developing a commercial global navigation satellite system, has selected EnduroSat to build a 40-satellite constellation. The agreement adds a defined spacecraft manufacturing partner to TrustPoint’s plans to establish an alternative commercial GNSS service.
Four developments highlight Europe’s push to build sovereign technology capacity: Mistral raised €3 billion for AI, Isar Aerospace reached orbit with Spectrum, Eutelsat and Skynopy expanded LEO data-downlink services, and Aerospacelab won a €2.4 billion contract for 264 IRIS² satellites.
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Amazon Leo has ordered six additional Ariane 64 launches from Arianespace, bringing its contracted total to 24 as Europe seeks to strengthen independent access to space. Separately, the European Launcher Challenge awarded €544 million to three rocket developers, while ICEYE and Arianespace signed a sovereign-access partnership.
Eutelsat will invest about €1 billion in 229 Airbus-built satellites to replenish and expand OneWeb through 2034, while the UK has disclosed nearly $40 million spent on SpaceX satellite services, including publicly acknowledged Starshield use for military and intelligence communications.
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The Exploration Company won an ESA contract worth up to €760 million for a 2028 Nyx demonstration mission to the ISS, while Eutelsat advanced GEO satellite life extension and IRIS² manufacturing. Separately, NewOrbit announced a 2028 commercial mission targeting very low Earth orbit.
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Eutelsat has awarded major IRIS² contracts to Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and Aerospacelab covering the constellation’s full 330-satellite LEO component, including an initial authorization for 229 Airbus-built satellites. Separately, Eutelsat is partnering with OroraTech to integrate thermal-imaging payloads on future OneWeb satellites.
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