Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
York Space Systems said a sudden shift in U.S. government contracting policy for space hardware, compounded by a supply-chain disruption, drove a 32% reduction in its projected 2026 revenue. The company said delayed contracts—not lost business—will support a rebound in 2027.
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SpaceX launched 29 Starlink broadband satellites to low Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The Falcon 9’s first stage completed another recovery by landing on a droneship at sea, extending the company’s high-cadence deployment model.
York Space Systems said a sudden shift in U.S. government contracting policy for space hardware, compounded by a supply-chain disruption, drove a 32% reduction in its projected 2026 revenue. The company said delayed contracts—not lost business—will support a rebound in 2027.
Taiwan’s effort to develop an indigenous satellite launcher suffered a setback this week, highlighting the challenges facing the island’s emerging space ambitions. The development adds uncertainty to the timing and progress of a domestic launch capability, although the available reporting provides no further details on the cause or impact.
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Taiwan’s first flight test of a domestically developed satellite launch vehicle ended shortly after liftoff, marking an early setback in the island’s effort to establish independent access to space. The test reflects Taiwan’s push to develop indigenous launch capabilities for its growing satellite ambitions.
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Elon Musk is promoting Starlink as a way to provide satellite broadband to India’s least-served regions, including more than 11,000 villages without 4G. The company’s market entry remains stalled amid security concerns and ongoing discussions with the Indian government.
California startup Elve has qualified its 100-watt millimeter-wave Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier platform for spaceflight, advancing a high-frequency communications component from development toward use in spacecraft and satellite systems. The qualification marks a program milestone for the company’s space-focused amplifier technology.
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President Trump’s new National Space Transportation Policy calls for government support to scale U.S. launch and reentry activity to 1,000 missions annually by 2030. The policy arrives as SpaceX reaches 100 launches in 2026, Starlink approaches 11,000 operational satellites and Globalstar advances its LEO replenishment.
SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are reportedly interested in acquiring Grain Management’s spectrum for direct-to-phone satellite services, while Muon Space raised $250 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. Muon plans to scale production to 500 satellites annually by 2027 and expand defense, NASA and NOAA work.
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