Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
South Korea’s Kompsat-6 radar-observation satellite has become an example of the risks of launching as a co-passenger rather than buying a dedicated mission. The case highlights the tradeoff satellite operators face between the lower cost of a shared ride and the greater control of a dedicated launch.
Satellite
Latest source-backed stories
The U.S. Space Force plans to award Boeing a contract worth up to $945.9 million to maintain and modernize military communications satellites and ground systems. The service cites Boeing’s ownership of proprietary technical data and software required for the work.
Vladimir Putin said Russia is coordinating with Elon Musk and other U.S. partners on low-Earth-orbit satellite networks, while acknowledging that Moscow is only beginning to develop its own answer to Starlink. The remarks come despite political tensions between Russia and the United States.
South Korea’s Kompsat-6 radar-observation satellite has become an example of the risks of launching as a co-passenger rather than buying a dedicated mission. The case highlights the tradeoff satellite operators face between the lower cost of a shared ride and the greater control of a dedicated launch.
South Korea’s Flexell Space and Singapore-based Satoro have agreed to demonstrate and validate next-generation space solar cells in orbit, with missions planned aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 launches in 2027 and 2028. Flexell will supply solar cells and test modules; Satoro will provide a satellite-as-a-service solution.
Rendezvous Robotics has raised $20 million to develop technology for satellites launched in separate pieces that can assemble themselves in space. The effort targets a different approach to spacecraft deployment, with the company developing the technology needed to make on-orbit assembly possible.
High activity
An unclassified U.S. military image shows China’s secretive Shenlong spaceplane docked with another spacecraft in orbit, while a Pentagon report highlights its development and potential role in space weapons. The imagery, captured by an imaging satellite in 2024, offers a rare public view of the vehicle’s design.
ABS Jets has joined Starlink’s authorized dealer network and completed its first installation, equipping an Embraer Legacy 650 with the satellite connectivity service. The announcement marks the business aviation provider’s entry into Starlink installations; the available report does not specify the system’s performance, pricing or rollout plans.
The U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency says counterspace weapons, strategic cooperation and growing reliance on commercial satellites are increasing threats to space security. The assessment highlights how military capabilities and commercial infrastructure are becoming central to the security risks facing the orbital environment.
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