Satellite News

SpaceWatch Global

IAC 2026: Space station CEOs weigh post-ISS crew access as Artemis lessons and new partnerships take focus

Day two of the International Astronautical Congress featured commercial station leaders discussing who will provide crew transportation as Crew Dragon exits, alongside industry lessons from Artemis II. The agenda also included specifications for Aselsan’s AstraLink and Italy–Türkiye space cooperation, linking commercial infrastructure, technology and international partnerships.

Bloomberg

SpaceX’s push for broader spectrum access draws aerospace-industry opposition

SpaceX and its allies are pressing the Trump administration for easier access to wireless spectrum bands, prompting objections from other users who warn the plans could interfere with flight tests, hospital equipment and television broadcasts. The dispute puts spectrum-sharing rules and the potential for cross-sector disruption at the center of the space industry’s expansion efforts.

SpaceWatch Global

IAC 2026 plenary: Space companies pitch sovereign capabilities amid global volatility

Executives from Planet, Roketsan, Pixxel, Redwire, The Exploration Company and SANSA discussed how to sell sovereign space capabilities at the International Astronautical Congress. The plenary framed national control of space services as a growing sales proposition in a volatile geopolitical environment.

SpaceWatch Global

#SpaceWatchGL Recap: IAC 2026 Day Two: Sovereignty Is the New Sales Pitch

FlightGlobal

Counter-drone efforts span U.S. procurement, new evaluation tools and aircraft integration as Germany starts SAR satellite produ

The U.S. military is pursuing lighter, autonomous and networked counter-UAS systems for mobile troops, while Tactien, DroneShield and AERO Vodochody with Thales Belgium announced new evaluation, service and aircraft capabilities. Separately, Rheinmetall ICEYE has begun production in Neuss of dedicated SPOCK 1 SAR satellites for Germany’s armed forces.

SpaceWatch Global

LeoLabs detects new fragments near Soviet-era Meteor 2-7; cause remains unknown

LeoLabs has detected a new fragmentation event involving Meteor 2-7, a Soviet-era weather satellite. The cause of the breakup has not been determined, leaving the event’s origin unclear as new debris is identified in orbit.

SpaceWatch Global

Orbit Fab qualifies RAFTI high-pressure interface for electric and chemical propulsion

Orbit Fab says its RAFTI high-pressure interface is qualified for use with electric and chemical propulsion systems. The first unit is scheduled for an on-orbit test in late 2026, providing a flight demonstration of the interface after qualification.

Space.com

High activity

South Korea’s Nuri completes fifth launch, deploying satellites for first domestic microsatellite constellation

South Korea’s homegrown Nuri rocket launched from the Naro Space Center carrying 15 satellites, including five NEONSAT microsatellites intended for the country’s first domestically launched constellation. Reports say 14 of 15 payloads reached orbit. The flight also highlighted Hanwha Aerospace’s expanded role and growing private-sector participation in the national space program.