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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags

The Space Development Agency has slowed Tranche 1 satellite launches to prioritise on‑orbit performance and integration testing, agency leaders say. SDA director GP Sandhoo acknowledged the program is behind schedule: the planned optical inter‑satellite mesh for Tranche 1 has not yet been built up or linked.

2026-03-24T10:02:33.795101-07:00

Skift

United accelerates premium fleet refresh: A321 ‘Coastliner’, CRJ450 and 787‑9s to cut fuel burn 36%

2026-03-24T05:15:21.835034-07:00

AINonline

Aero Mech adds Hawker jets to Starlink install list; targets PC‑12 and PC‑24 approvals later this year

2026-03-24T08:56:06.359202-07:00

New York Times

New Earth-observation satellite validated on mountaintop to improve global snow and water measurements

2026-03-24T07:40:14.596654-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags The Space Development Agency has slowed Tranche 1 satellite launches to prioritise on‑orbit performance and integration testing, agency leaders say. SDA director GP Sandhoo acknowledged the program is behind schedule: the planned optical inter‑satellite mesh for Tranche 1 has not yet been built up or linked.

2026-03-24T10:02:33.795101-07:00

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags

AINonline

Aero Mech adds Hawker jets to Starlink install list; targets PC‑12 and PC‑24 approvals later this year Aero Mech has added Hawker business jets to its list of aircraft eligible for SpaceX Starlink inflight Wi‑Fi installations and says it expects approvals for Pilatus PC‑12 and PC‑24 platforms later this year. The move expands Starlink availability across light jets and turboprops in business aviation.

2026-03-24T08:56:06.359202-07:00

Aero Mech adds Hawker jets to Starlink install list; targets PC‑12 and PC‑24 approvals later this year

New York Times

New Earth-observation satellite validated on mountaintop to improve global snow and water measurements A new Earth‑observation satellite promises to transform global monitoring of snowpack and freshwater resources; scientists performed critical sensor validation on a high‑altitude mountain site to calibrate radiometry and measure snow properties. These on‑the‑ground measurements are essential to translate remote observations into usable water‑cycle data.

2026-03-24T07:40:14.596654-07:00

New Earth-observation satellite validated on mountaintop to improve global snow and water measurements

SpaceNews.com

SpaceEye‑T 25 cm taskable imagery now available through Pacific Geomatics SpaceEye‑T's 25 cm taskable optical satellite imagery is now available through Pacific Geomatics Limited, enabling customers to order targeted, very‑high‑resolution collections on demand. Pacific Geomatics will handle tasking and delivery of SpaceEye‑T scenes to its clients, providing access to 25 cm commercial imagery.

2026-03-24T07:09:35.140280-07:00

SpaceEye‑T 25 cm taskable imagery now available through Pacific Geomatics

SpaceNews.com

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SES orders 28 satellites from K2 Space for meoSphere MEO constellation, targeting operations by 2030 SES announced March 24 it will order an initial 28 satellites from manufacturing startup K2 Space to build meoSphere, a next‑generation medium‑Earth orbit (MEO) network. The operator says meoSphere is slated to begin operations by 2030 and aims to expand SES's low‑latency, high‑capacity services.

2026-03-24T06:32:22.771707-07:00

SES orders 28 satellites from K2 Space for meoSphere MEO constellation, targeting operations by 2030

Reuters

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Russia launches 16 military-capable LEO satellites in state-funded Starlink rival Russia launched 16 low‑Earth‑orbit communications satellites — the first tranche in a state‑funded program budgeted at 102.8 billion rubles (~$1.26bn) — intended for military‑capable connectivity as a domestic alternative to Starlink. Moscow says the network will bolster secure national communications.

2026-03-24T06:10:15.021656-07:00

Russia launches 16 military-capable LEO satellites in state-funded Starlink rival

Payload

Symphony Space unveils Adagio hosted-payload platform to swap payloads in orbit Symphony Space unveiled Adagio, a hosted-payload platform in which a host satellite remains on orbit while payloads are swapped in and out. The concept establishes a persistent spacecraft as a service platform that separates payload lifecycles from the host vehicle.

2026-03-24T06:01:06.290995-07:00

Symphony Space unveils Adagio hosted-payload platform to swap payloads in orbit

Skift

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United accelerates premium fleet refresh: A321 ‘Coastliner’, CRJ450 and 787‑9s to cut fuel burn 36% United is accelerating a fleet and cabin overhaul centered on premium‑heavy A321neo ‘Coastliner’ configurations, 787‑9 upgauging and a modified CRJ450 with first class. The moves raise seat output, reduce fuel burn by over 36% and are backed by 250+ expected deliveries through April 2028.

2026-03-24T05:15:21.835034-07:00

United accelerates premium fleet refresh: A321 ‘Coastliner’, CRJ450 and 787‑9s to cut fuel burn 36%

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Satellite News

SDA slows Tranche 1 launches as optical mesh linking lags

United accelerates premium fleet refresh: A321 ‘Coastliner’, CRJ450 and 787‑9s to cut fuel burn 36%

Aero Mech adds Hawker jets to Starlink install list; targets PC‑12 and PC‑24 approvals later this year

New Earth-observation satellite validated on mountaintop to improve global snow and water measurements

News Timeline