Satellite Programs & Technology News

Breaking Defense • Theresa Hitchens

SDA awards $3.5B to four firms for 72 missile‑tracking satellites in Tranche 3

The Space Development Agency has reached agreements with four defense suppliers, including Northrop Grumman, on about $3.5 billion of contracts to build 72 tracking‑layer satellites for Tranche 3. The awards expand SDA’s missile‑warning, tracking and defense constellation under the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

2025-12-19T09:09:49.185349-08:00

Space Intel Report

ESA to decide in February how to plug 20% exploration funding shortfall; 13.3% staff rise set for 2026

2025-12-19T08:38:04.030042-08:00

NASA

Jared Isaacman sworn in as NASA's 15th administrator; vows to accelerate lunar missions and expand public–private partnerships

2025-12-18T10:11:06.248552-08:00

Reuters

Starlink satellite 35956 fragments and tumbles at 418 km after Dec. 17 anomaly, ejecting trackable debris

2025-12-18T09:55:24.907042-08:00

Satellite Programs & Technology News Timeline

Payload

Constellations, servicing and lunar missions push demand for next‑generation mission‑operations software As space missions move beyond single-satellite deployments to multi‑vehicle constellations, in‑space servicing and lunar operations, engineering teams are facing a sharp rise in operational complexity. That trend is driving demand for mission‑operations software that is far more automated, scalable and agile to orchestrate telemetry, autonomy and multi‑asset coordination.

2025-12-19T14:06:38.214963-08:00

Constellations, servicing and lunar missions push demand for next‑generation mission‑operations software

Space.com

Arkisys, Odin partner to offer insurance against space‑debris strikes by equipping satellites with Odin Nano Sensors Arkisys and sensor developer Odin have teamed to offer insurance against space‑debris strikes by equipping Arkisys spacecraft with Odin’s Nano Sensors. The partnership pairs on‑orbit collision detection and characterization with insurance underwriting to improve satellite survivability, operations and orbital sustainability amid rising congestion.

2025-12-19T12:04:12.600579-08:00

Arkisys, Odin partner to offer insurance against space‑debris strikes by equipping satellites with Odin Nano Sensors

GeekWire

Microsoft and NASA create AI agents to help scientists anticipate floods and other water woes Microsoft and NASA have developed AI agents designed to help researchers anticipate floods and other water-related hazards by ingesting diverse environmental datasets and accelerating analysis, enabling faster scenario modelling and decision support for flood forecasting, risk assessment and response planning.

2025-12-19T11:00:20.620946-08:00

Microsoft and NASA create AI agents to help scientists anticipate floods and other water woes

Via Satellite

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NASA PExT Demonstration Validates Seamless Roaming Between Government and Commercial Space Networks NASA's Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) demonstrated that spacecraft can seamlessly roam between government and commercial communications networks, completing more than 100 communication activities. The demo exercised Ka‑band direct, forward and return links supported by the Swedish Space Corporation and commercial relay partners to validate resilient, high‑bandwidth connectivity.

2025-12-19T10:25:39.242395-08:00

NASA PExT Demonstration Validates Seamless Roaming Between Government and Commercial Space Networks

Via Satellite

Ovzon wins $25.2M satcom services contract with undisclosed European NATO nation Ovzon said Dec. 19 it has won a $25.2 million contract to provide satellite communications services to an undisclosed European NATO nation. The award bolsters Ovzon's government-services revenue and highlights continued demand across Europe for secure, military‑grade satcom capacity and operational resilience.

2025-12-19T10:25:39.225525-08:00

Ovzon wins $25.2M satcom services contract with undisclosed European NATO nation

Breaking Defense

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SDA awards $3.5B to four firms for 72 missile‑tracking satellites in Tranche 3 The Space Development Agency has reached agreements with four defense suppliers, including Northrop Grumman, on about $3.5 billion of contracts to build 72 tracking‑layer satellites for Tranche 3. The awards expand SDA’s missile‑warning, tracking and defense constellation under the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

2025-12-19T09:09:49.185349-08:00

SDA awards $3.5B to four firms for 72 missile‑tracking satellites in Tranche 3

Space Intel Report

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ESA to decide in February how to plug 20% exploration funding shortfall; 13.3% staff rise set for 2026 The European Space Agency will review options in February to address a roughly 20% shortfall in its exploration programme budget. Its December Council meeting also approved a 13.3% staff increase for 2026, highlighting pressure on resources amid tight launch and programme schedules.

2025-12-19T08:38:04.030042-08:00

ESA to decide in February how to plug 20% exploration funding shortfall; 13.3% staff rise set for 2026

SpaceNews.com

The Hidden Backbone of Space Security: Resilient Logistics to Safeguard Satellites Satellite survivability increasingly depends on resilient logistics — from manufacturing and launch to on‑orbit sustainment — yet these systems receive less attention than sensors or defensive payloads. Investing in redundant supply chains, spare provisioning and rapid‑replacement mechanisms is critical to keep constellations operational under threat.

2025-12-19T06:05:41.957020-08:00

The Hidden Backbone of Space Security: Resilient Logistics to Safeguard Satellites

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