Satellite News

SpaceWatch Global

Commercial Earth Observation Must Prove Its Value in Customer Decisions

Commercial Earth observation continues to struggle to create sustained demand because imagery and data alone are not the product’s ultimate value. The decisive question is whether EO providers can translate satellite-derived information into insights that materially improve decisions for which customers are accountable.

SpaceWatch Global

EnduroSat and Bulgaria to Redevelop Former Military Airbase as Space and Defense Center

EnduroSat is partnering with the Bulgarian government to redevelop Dobroslavtsi, a former military airbase, into a space and defense development center. The project is positioned as a new hub for space-sector activity in Europe, linking Bulgaria’s former military infrastructure with emerging commercial space capabilities.

SpaceWatch Global

CNES Secures Multi-Year Access to Orbitworks’ AI-Enabled Altair Earth-Observation Constellation

France’s CNES has secured multi-year access to Altair, a 10-satellite Earth-observation constellation being developed and manufactured by UAE-based Orbitworks. The agreement gives the French space agency access to an AI-enabled commercial constellation while expanding Orbitworks’ institutional customer base.

SpaceWatch Global

High activity

Europe’s IRIS² connectivity program clears first rendez-vous as Eutelsat commits €3.39 billion to lead LEO deployment

The successful First Rendez-vous advances IRIS² toward full industrial execution, with Eutelsat set to invest €3.39 billion and lead the program’s LEO constellation. SES is advancing its MEO strategy, Hispasat will serve as ground-segment prime contractor, and initial launches are targeted for 2029, with capacity revenue estimated above €10 billion through 2040.

SpaceNews.com

Katalyst Space makes progress restoring control of spacecraft servicing NASA’s Swift observatory

Katalyst Space is recovering control of its spacecraft after encountering problems with the vehicle. The spacecraft was developed to boost the orbit of NASA’s Swift observatory, making the company’s recovery effort central to the planned servicing mission’s prospects.

Space.com

Air-breathing electric propulsion could open very low Earth orbit to satellites

A satellite thruster designed to use residual atmospheric particles as propellant could enable sustained operations in very low Earth orbit, where drag has limited spacecraft lifetimes. The technology is approaching a potential test run, offering a new approach to close-in Earth observation and other missions.

Space.com

High activity

SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites from California as West Coast cadence accelerates

SpaceX launched 24 Starlink internet satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from California’s central coast, continuing a surge of West Coast missions. The flight extends the company’s ongoing effort to expand its low-Earth-orbit constellation through frequent, repeatable launches.

European Spaceflight

High activity

IRIS² gets green light with more funding and satellites

Europe’s IRIS² secure communications program has cleared a key development milestone, unlocking implementation with additional funding and an expanded satellite constellation. The decision advances the European effort to establish sovereign, secure connectivity infrastructure for government and strategic users.