Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
Spanish Science and Innovation Minister Diana Morant said Elon Musk’s control of roughly two-thirds of operating satellites was a motivating factor behind Spain’s decision to invest heavily in Europe’s Iris² constellation, underscoring concerns about concentrated control of orbital infrastructure and the strategic case for European alternatives.
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SES has expanded its collaboration with Peru’s Navy to provide sovereign, multi-orbit satellite connectivity under a new government agreement. The deal underscores continued demand for resilient satellite communications supporting national maritime and defense requirements, while extending SES’s role in government connectivity across Latin America.
Spanish Science and Innovation Minister Diana Morant said Elon Musk’s control of roughly two-thirds of operating satellites was a motivating factor behind Spain’s decision to invest heavily in Europe’s Iris² constellation, underscoring concerns about concentrated control of orbital infrastructure and the strategic case for European alternatives.
Japanese satellite imagery provider Axelspace has agreed to supply Airbus Defence and Space with mid-resolution optical imagery. The companies will jointly develop and deliver satellite imagery solutions, combining Axelspace’s data with Airbus’s broader market reach and customer relationships.
Sky Perfect JSat reported a 20% year-over-year increase in space-division revenue and a 21% rise in operating income for the quarter ended June 30, driven by Japan’s Ministry of Defense Satellite Constellation Project. The operator forecasts $125 million in revenue from Ka-band GEO satellites over the next decade.
Hungarian telecommunications and defense conglomerate 4iG Group will introduce SpaceX’s Starlink Mobile service in selected European markets under agreements signed Sept. 2. The partnership also covers the future Starlink Mobile V2 and sovereign satellite solutions intended for European commercial and national-security users.
The Space Force has priced Boeing-led Evolved Strategic SATCOM at $11.6 billion for seven satellites replacing the Advanced Extremely High Frequency constellation. Separately, Space Systems Command will seek additional National Security Space Launch providers and is steering new small-business research contracts toward operational mission needs.
Galaxia has acquired a hyperspectral imager from European optical payload company Simera Sense, expanding its capabilities for Earth-observation missions serving commercial, civil and defense customers. The transaction underscores the growing role of advanced optical payloads in delivering data across a broad range of applications.
India plans to launch an Earth-imaging satellite toward geosynchronous orbit on Sept. 3, attempting a mission it has never successfully completed. The launch is scheduled for live coverage, offering a milestone for the country’s satellite capabilities and access to a strategically important orbital regime.
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