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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force to select contractors for next‑generation geostationary reconnaissance satellites

The U.S. Space Force will select contractors to develop its next‑generation geostationary reconnaissance satellites, launching a procurement phase to field new GEO-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Awards will determine industry partners responsible for design, production and integration of the new GEO ISR fleet.

2026-01-27T03:21:38.145978-08:00

Airbus

Airbus to launch first Pléiades Neo Next Earth‑observation satellite on Vega C from Kourou in early 2028

2026-01-27T00:22:57.873593-08:00

Payload

Northwood Space raises $100M Series B led by a16z and Washington Harbour, wins $50M Space Force contract

2026-01-27T02:34:03.335650-08:00

Universe Today

Asteroid 2024 YR4: ~4% chance of striking the Moon in 2032 — risk to satellites and a rare science opportunity

2026-01-27T03:22:47.232524-08:00

News Timeline

Universe Today

Asteroid 2024 YR4: ~4% chance of striking the Moon in 2032 — risk to satellites and a rare science opportunity A preprint by Yifan He (Tsinghua) finds ~60‑meter asteroid 2024 YR4 has about a 4% chance of striking the Moon in 2032. Though odds are small, researchers warn of hazards to lunar‑orbit and Earth satellites and highlight a rare chance to study impact mechanics, seismology and lunar composition.

2026-01-27T03:22:47.232524-08:00

Asteroid 2024 YR4: ~4% chance of striking the Moon in 2032 — risk to satellites and a rare science opportunity

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force to select contractors for next‑generation geostationary reconnaissance satellites The U.S. Space Force will select contractors to develop its next‑generation geostationary reconnaissance satellites, launching a procurement phase to field new GEO-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Awards will determine industry partners responsible for design, production and integration of the new GEO ISR fleet.

2026-01-27T03:21:38.145978-08:00

Space Force to select contractors for next‑generation geostationary reconnaissance satellites

SpaceWatch Global

ARABSAT at 50: CEO Badr Alsuwaidan on the shift from GEO powerhouse to a hybrid multi‑orbit future At 50, Arabsat is repositioning from a traditional geostationary‑band broadcaster to a hybrid multi‑orbit connectivity provider. In a sit‑down, CEO Badr Alsuwaidan discusses strategic investments, technology partnerships and commercial and sovereign priorities shaping Arabsat's move into non‑GEO payloads and services across the Middle East.

2026-01-27T02:52:38.413648-08:00

ARABSAT at 50: CEO Badr Alsuwaidan on the shift from GEO powerhouse to a hybrid multi‑orbit future

SpaceWatch Global

SatVu hires national-security veteran Scott Herman as CTO to scale thermal satellite intelligence SatVu has appointed national-security veteran Scott Herman as chief technology officer as the company scales delivery of thermal intelligence. Herman will oversee development and deployment of SatVu's thermal sensing and analytics to accelerate commercial and government use of high-temperature signature detection from orbit.

2026-01-27T02:52:38.364547-08:00

SatVu hires national-security veteran Scott Herman as CTO to scale thermal satellite intelligence

SpaceWatch Global

KSAT launches Vake — space-based detection and tracking platform for 'dark' vessels KSAT has launched Vake Powered by KSAT, a space-based platform to detect, identify and track 'dark' vessels — ships operating without AIS or with transponders off — using satellite sensors and analytics to deliver persistent maritime situational awareness to commercial and security stakeholders.

2026-01-27T02:52:38.238476-08:00

KSAT launches Vake — space-based detection and tracking platform for 'dark' vessels

Payload

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Northwood Space raises $100M Series B led by a16z and Washington Harbour, wins $50M Space Force contract El Segundo-based Northwood Space closed a $100 million Series B led by Washington Harbour Partners and a16z, with Alpine Space Ventures participating, and announced a separate $50 million Space Force contract. It's the startup's second fundraise in under a year as it scales commercial and defense services.

2026-01-27T02:34:03.335650-08:00

Northwood Space raises $100M Series B led by a16z and Washington Harbour, wins $50M Space Force contract

Airbus

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Airbus to launch first Pléiades Neo Next Earth‑observation satellite on Vega C from Kourou in early 2028 Airbus will launch the inaugural Pléiades Neo Next Earth‑observation satellite in early 2028 from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, using Avio's Vega C rocket. The flight marks the programme's operational debut as Airbus expands its high‑resolution geospatial services and EO capabilities.

2026-01-27T00:22:57.873593-08:00

Airbus to launch first Pléiades Neo Next Earth‑observation satellite on Vega C from Kourou in early 2028

European Spaceflight

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Brazil selects Vega C to launch Amazonia-1B in 2027 Brazil's National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has chosen Arianespace's Vega C to launch the Amazonia-1B earth-observation satellite in 2027. The contract pins a mid‑size European launcher to Brazil's next optical-imaging mission and reserves Vega C capacity on the 2027 manifest.

2026-01-27T00:09:24.841948-08:00

Brazil selects Vega C to launch Amazonia-1B in 2027

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Satellite News

Space Force to select contractors for next‑generation geostationary reconnaissance satellites

Airbus to launch first Pléiades Neo Next Earth‑observation satellite on Vega C from Kourou in early 2028

Northwood Space raises $100M Series B led by a16z and Washington Harbour, wins $50M Space Force contract

Asteroid 2024 YR4: ~4% chance of striking the Moon in 2032 — risk to satellites and a rare science opportunity

News Timeline