SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
The U.S. Space Force awarded K2 Space a $22.9 million contract to test optical communications terminals that transmit data directly between satellites in orbit. The demonstration will assess laser-based crosslinks, a technology intended to support faster and more resilient space-based data networks.
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The U.S. Space Force awarded K2 Space a $22.9 million contract to test optical communications terminals that transmit data directly between satellites in orbit. The demonstration will assess laser-based crosslinks, a technology intended to support faster and more resilient space-based data networks.
Engineers are preparing a capture—or attempted capture—of NASA’s Swift satellite in an effort to preserve the mission. The operation would rely on another spacecraft sent specifically to assist Swift, underscoring the technical complexity of extending the life of an established space observatory.
China launched two TJS-27 satellites into a previously unused orbit while advancing its on-orbit communications relay capabilities with a next-generation Tianlian satellite. The mission highlights Beijing’s continued investment in classified spacecraft and resilient space-based communications infrastructure.
As radio spectrum becomes more scarce and strategically valuable, private operators including SpaceX are competing with governments for greater control of the frequencies that enable satellite communications. The contest is turning access to invisible orbital real estate into a critical commercial and policy battleground.
SpaceX’s inaugural earnings call as a public company is expected to center on profitability, AI investment and Starlink’s satellite communications business. Retail shareholders, however, are submitting questions ranging from Starship’s lunar mission and orbital refueling to the possibility of painting the company’s rockets pink.
High activity
SpaceX stock has fallen below its June IPO price and swung sharply in the run-up to its first earnings report as a public company on Aug. 4. Investors are also preparing for the release of hundreds of millions of locked-up shares and updates on Starship, Starlink and AI initiatives.
High activity
Spain plans to invest €1.6 billion to €2 billion in a national military satellite communications constellation potentially integrated with IRIS², while Airbus will build the secure SpainSat NG-III for Hisdesat. The developments coincide with strong Leonardo Space results and new work on sovereign broadband and direct-to-device payloads.
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