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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

SkyFi raises $12.7M to scale satellite data marketplace

SkyFi has raised $12.7 million to expand its satellite data marketplace, funding product development, supplier integrations and commercial growth for Earth-observation imagery and analytics. The round aims to accelerate platform scale and meet rising demand for on‑demand access to satellite‑derived data.

2026-01-14T03:43:26.555114-08:00

Reuters

Ryanair rules out Starlink, says antenna drag creates fuel‑cost penalty on short flights

2026-01-14T04:02:51.880533-08:00

Satellite Evolution

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

2026-01-13T07:35:50.835245-08:00

SpaceNews.com

China opens 2026 with two Long March launches; modified Long March‑6 lofts Yaogan‑50 01

2026-01-14T02:52:19.391169-08:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Allies pivot to commercial space as U.S. ISR access falters Allied governments are increasingly turning to commercial satellites and data services to fill tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance gaps after U.S. ISR access has become less reliable. Commercial constellations, on-orbit sensing and sovereign data-sharing agreements are being elevated into core strategic capabilities.

2026-01-14T05:07:26.932599-08:00

Allies pivot to commercial space as U.S. ISR access falters

Via Satellite

Open Cosmos awarded Liechtenstein Ka‑band filings to underpin planned LEO broadband constellation Open Cosmos has been granted Liechtenstein’s priority Ka‑band spectrum filings, previously held by Rivada, and says it will use the allocations to develop a LEO broadband constellation. The transfer gives Open Cosmos regulatory rights needed to plan capacity, services and commercial deployment.

2026-01-14T04:13:21.229839-08:00

Open Cosmos awarded Liechtenstein Ka‑band filings to underpin planned LEO broadband constellation

Reuters

Ryanair rules out Starlink, says antenna drag creates fuel‑cost penalty on short flights Ryanair has ruled out equipping its jets with Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink, saying roof‑mounted antennas add aerodynamic drag and a measurable fuel‑cost penalty that becomes uneconomic on its short‑sector network. The carrier cited increased fuel burn on typical sectors as the rationale for rejecting the fitment.

2026-01-14T04:02:51.880533-08:00

Ryanair rules out Starlink, says antenna drag creates fuel‑cost penalty on short flights

SpaceNews.com

SkyFi raises $12.7M to scale satellite data marketplace SkyFi has raised $12.7 million to expand its satellite data marketplace, funding product development, supplier integrations and commercial growth for Earth-observation imagery and analytics. The round aims to accelerate platform scale and meet rising demand for on‑demand access to satellite‑derived data.

2026-01-14T03:43:26.555114-08:00

SkyFi raises $12.7M to scale satellite data marketplace

SpaceNews.com

China opens 2026 with two Long March launches; modified Long March‑6 lofts Yaogan‑50 01 On Jan. 13, 2026, China kicked off its launch campaign with two Long March flights. A modified Long March‑6 lifted Yaogan‑50 01 from Taiyuan at 22:16 Beijing time and placed the remote‑sensing satellite into its planned orbit to support land surveys, crop‑yield estimation and disaster prevention.

2026-01-14T02:52:19.391169-08:00

China opens 2026 with two Long March launches; modified Long March‑6 lofts Yaogan‑50 01

SpaceNews.com

Congressional hearing spotlights military dependence on NOAA weather and environmental data A congressional hearing underscored the military's dependence on NOAA weather and environmental data for operational planning and tactical decision‑making. Lawmakers examined the risks of service interruptions, resilience of NOAA systems, and potential gaps that could affect readiness, navigation, and mission planning across defense activities.

2026-01-13T16:46:38.388582-08:00

Congressional hearing spotlights military dependence on NOAA weather and environmental data

Via Satellite

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside Europe will build EPS‑Sterna, a polar satellite constellation projected to generate up to €30 billion (~$35bn) in economic value over its lifetime. The programme signals a new continental investment in space infrastructure with implications for services and industrial activity across European supply chains.

2026-01-13T16:43:39.383677-08:00

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside

SpaceNews.com

ESA and ClearSpace unveil PRELUDE to demonstrate close‑proximity servicing and debris removal ESA and ClearSpace announced PRELUDE, a technology‑demonstration mission that will validate close‑proximity rendezvous, guidance and mitigation manoeuvres for future in‑orbit servicing and debris‑removal operations. The tests aim to prove the operational techniques Europe and commercial providers will use to sustain congested low Earth orbit.

2026-01-13T13:31:42.111458-08:00

ESA and ClearSpace unveil PRELUDE to demonstrate close‑proximity servicing and debris removal

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Satellite News

SkyFi raises $12.7M to scale satellite data marketplace

Ryanair rules out Starlink, says antenna drag creates fuel‑cost penalty on short flights

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

China opens 2026 with two Long March launches; modified Long March‑6 lofts Yaogan‑50 01

News Timeline