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SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA lays out objectives for budget-funded Mars communications orbiter

NASA released objectives for a Mars communications orbiter to be procured with funds from last year’s budget reconciliation bill, specifying capability requirements, relay and navigation roles, and a procurement timeline intended to accelerate restoration and modernization of Mars communications infrastructure.

2026-03-01T16:32:37.761242-08:00

Universe Today

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets

2026-03-01T15:26:21.785107-08:00

SpaceNews.com

U.S. Space Force to open restricted space‑tracking data to commercial firms

2026-03-01T11:15:31.868575-08:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9 (Starlink 17-23)

2026-02-28T18:52:07.390550-08:00

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SpaceNews.com

NASA lays out objectives for budget-funded Mars communications orbiter NASA released objectives for a Mars communications orbiter to be procured with funds from last year’s budget reconciliation bill, specifying capability requirements, relay and navigation roles, and a procurement timeline intended to accelerate restoration and modernization of Mars communications infrastructure.

2026-03-01T16:32:37.761242-08:00

NASA lays out objectives for budget-funded Mars communications orbiter

Universe Today

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets ESA's Jupiter-bound JUICE mission photographed interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, the third confirmed interstellar visitor, producing high-resolution images showing a glowing gas halo, an extended tail and hints of jets erupting from the nucleus. The capture supplements Earth-based spectroscopy and X-ray observations.

2026-03-01T15:26:21.785107-08:00

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets

SpaceNews.com

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U.S. Space Force to open restricted space‑tracking data to commercial firms The U.S. Space Force will open previously restricted space‑tracking data to commercial firms, granting industry access to government space‑domain awareness information that was held for national‑security reasons. The move signals a shift toward hybrid government–commercial architectures for surveillance and satellite tracking.

2026-03-01T11:15:31.868575-08:00

U.S. Space Force to open restricted space‑tracking data to commercial firms

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9 (Starlink 17-23) SpaceX is set to launch 25 Starlink broadband satellites aboard a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base's SLC‑4E early Sunday. The Starlink 17-23 mission will add another batch to the company's LEO constellation as liftoff is scheduled from the West Coast.

2026-02-28T18:52:07.390550-08:00

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9 (Starlink 17-23)

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

British Airways to fit SpaceX Starlink high‑speed Wi‑Fi from March; rollout timetable undisclosed British Airways will begin installing SpaceX Starlink high‑speed inflight Wi‑Fi on select aircraft from March. The carrier confirmed initial installations next month but has not disclosed how many aircraft, which fleet types will be fitted, or a timetable for a broader rollout.

2026-02-28T01:31:37.433809-08:00

British Airways to fit SpaceX Starlink high‑speed Wi‑Fi from March; rollout timetable undisclosed

Bloomberg

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SpaceX targets confidential IPO filing as soon as March, eyes biggest-ever listing People familiar say SpaceX is aiming to file confidentially for an initial public offering as soon as March, advancing plans for what could become the largest-ever public listing. The filing would open the company to broad public-market capital after years of private financing.

2026-02-27T13:13:06.972967-08:00

SpaceX targets confidential IPO filing as soon as March, eyes biggest-ever listing

Via Satellite

Viasat and Rohde & Schwarz plan NB‑NTN IoT certification tests Viasat and Rohde & Schwarz have unveiled a joint test plan to develop certification tests for narrowband non‑terrestrial network (NB‑NTN) IoT connectivity via satellite. The initiative will define test procedures to validate device and network performance for satellite‑based narrowband IoT services.

2026-02-27T12:12:20.379406-08:00

Viasat and Rohde & Schwarz plan NB‑NTN IoT certification tests

Reuters

Satellite imagery shows surge of U.S. tankers and AWACS at Prince Sultan Air Base amid Iran tensions Satellite imagery shows a rapid rise in U.S. support aircraft — including refuelling tankers and AWACS — at Prince Sultan Air Base over a four‑day period, with numbers increasing from 27 to 43 before a slight decline. Saudi Arabia said it will not allow strikes from its territory.

2026-02-27T09:26:19.641378-08:00

Satellite imagery shows surge of U.S. tankers and AWACS at Prince Sultan Air Base amid Iran tensions

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Satellite News

NASA lays out objectives for budget-funded Mars communications orbiter

ESA JUICE captures close-up of interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS, revealing coma, tail and jets

U.S. Space Force to open restricted space‑tracking data to commercial firms

SpaceX to launch 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on Falcon 9 (Starlink 17-23)

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