SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
The U.S. Space Force is exploring a fleet of satellites that could remain on standby, launch on short notice and maneuver close to other spacecraft for inspection. The effort points to a potential new layer of rapid-response capability for monitoring and assessing activity in orbit.
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The U.S. Space Force is exploring a fleet of satellites that could remain on standby, launch on short notice and maneuver close to other spacecraft for inspection. The effort points to a potential new layer of rapid-response capability for monitoring and assessing activity in orbit.
Intellian Technologies and Network Innovations are forming a strategic partnership to jointly develop and distribute multi-band Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) flyaway terminals for military and government customers, expanding their offerings for mobile and deployable satellite communications requirements.
Katalyst will develop and launch a robotic spacecraft under the Pentagon’s Advanced Scalable Growth Architecture for Robotic Deployment program. The spacecraft is intended to assemble a large-format power-beaming system in orbit and transmit energy back to Earth, testing a defense-backed approach to space-based power delivery.
HEO has raised $25 million to expand its satellite imaging capabilities into geostationary orbit, increasing the company’s ability to collect and deliver imagery from a strategically important orbital regime.
SES will oversee construction and provide payloads for 18 MEO satellites in Europe’s secure Iris² constellation, while U.S. agencies advance contracts and infrastructure for missile-warning and tracking systems, including BAE Systems’ 10-spacecraft MEO Epoch 2 program and new resilient LEO ground entry points.
Belgian satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab returned to profitability early this year after reporting a €17.75 million loss on €14.6 million in 2025 sales. CEO Benoit Deper attributed the improvement to diverse component contracts and limited production of complete satellites, ahead of its potential role in the €2.5 billion Iris2 program.
The Ukrainian government has sought SpaceX authorization to use Starlink as far as 200 kilometers inside Russia. The request highlights how access to a commercially operated satellite network can shape military operations—and the strategic complications for governments relying on private providers.
High activity
SpaceX is preparing Starship’s first orbital flight, with the Super Heavy booster at the launch pad and liftoff targeted for Sept. 28 pending FAA approval. Separately, Exolaunch and Space Cargo have contracted to fly the disk-shaped Starfall reentry capsule on commercial Starship missions in 2028 and 2029.
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