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newsroom.arianespace.com • Juliette Poisson

Ariane 6 VA268/LE-02 targets April 30 liftoff to deploy 32 Amazon LEO broadband satellites

Arianespace says Ariane 6 is in the final launch-campaign phase and is scheduled for April 30, 2026, within a defined multizone window (Washington 04:08–04:57, Kourou 05:08–05:57, UTC 08:08–08:57, Paris 10:08–10:57). The flight, VA268/LE-02, is set to launch and place 32 Amazon broadband-beaming satellites into low Earth orbit.

2026-04-28T22:45:36.211255-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Russia reaffirms commitment to continued space science and technology cooperation with Ethiopia

2026-04-29T05:12:38.069940-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

China launches PRSC-EO3, Pakistan’s indigenous-built Earth-observation satellite, into orbit via Long March

2026-04-29T04:06:28.736107-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force FY27 request ramps Space Data Network ambitions and PNT/SATCOM funding

2026-04-28T13:23:42.142183-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Space Force awards BAE Systems $11.8M to demo satellite-to-satellite comms for Golden Dome MILNET relay The U.S. Space Force awarded BAE Systems an $11.8 million contract to demonstrate satellite-to-satellite communications using Link-182, a radio-frequency data link standard planned for the MILNET data relay network supporting the Golden Dome missile-defense shield. The effort ties RF datalinks to the broader air-and-missile defense architecture.

2026-04-29T06:30:04.451147-07:00

Space Force awards BAE Systems $11.8M to demo satellite-to-satellite comms for Golden Dome MILNET relay

SpaceWatch Global

Russia reaffirms commitment to continued space science and technology cooperation with Ethiopia Russia says it will continue cooperation with Ethiopia in space science and related technologies, signaling an ongoing partnership in capabilities development and knowledge exchange. The reaffirmation frames Ethiopia as a sustained partner rather than a one-off collaboration in the space domain.

2026-04-29T05:12:38.069940-07:00

Russia reaffirms commitment to continued space science and technology cooperation with Ethiopia

SpaceWatch Global

China launches PRSC-EO3, Pakistan’s indigenous-built Earth-observation satellite, into orbit via Long March China has put Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 opto-electronic Earth-observation satellite into orbit, strengthening Pakistan’s Earth-observation (EO) capability. The mission is positioned as a step toward Pakistan’s national technological self-reliance through an indigenously built spacecraft launched on China’s space infrastructure.

2026-04-29T04:06:28.736107-07:00

China launches PRSC-EO3, Pakistan’s indigenous-built Earth-observation satellite, into orbit via Long March

newsroom.arianespace.com

Ariane 6 VA268/LE-02 targets April 30 liftoff to deploy 32 Amazon LEO broadband satellites Arianespace says Ariane 6 is in the final launch-campaign phase and is scheduled for April 30, 2026, within a defined multizone window (Washington 04:08–04:57, Kourou 05:08–05:57, UTC 08:08–08:57, Paris 10:08–10:57). The flight, VA268/LE-02, is set to launch and place 32 Amazon broadband-beaming satellites into low Earth orbit.

2026-04-28T22:45:36.211255-07:00

Ariane 6 VA268/LE-02 targets April 30 liftoff to deploy 32 Amazon LEO broadband satellites

DefenseNews.com

Legal battle in Sicily puts US $7.6B satellite global communications system’s entry into service at risk A scheduled entry into service for a US military satellite-based global communications system costing $7.6 billion is threatened by legal battles in Sicily, raising the possibility of further slips. The dispute could delay the system’s operational availability and planned communications capability.

2026-04-28T14:20:28.424111-07:00

Legal battle in Sicily puts US $7.6B satellite global communications system’s entry into service at risk

Via Satellite

HTX and ST Engineering sign five-year MoU to build Singapore space technology for public safety Singapore’s Home Team Science and Technology Agency (HTX) and ST Engineering have agreed a five-year memorandum of understanding to establish a dedicated space technology programme focused on strengthening Home Team public-safety operations. ST Engineering will leverage Earth observation, geospatial services and digital technologies to develop space-based capabilities, including offshore hazardous gas plume detection and monitoring.

2026-04-28T13:57:12.271471-07:00

HTX and ST Engineering sign five-year MoU to build Singapore space technology for public safety

Via Satellite

MaiaSpace pushes launch momentum with Eutelsat OneWeb multi-launch contract; CEO frames first mission path as “start later, run MaiaSpace CEO says the company is pursuing a “start later, run faster” approach as its small launcher works toward its first mission. The strategy arrives after MaiaSpace secured a multi-launch contract with Eutelsat OneWeb earlier this year, bolstering confidence in European launch delivery timelines.

2026-04-28T13:39:06.853427-07:00

MaiaSpace pushes launch momentum with Eutelsat OneWeb multi-launch contract; CEO frames first mission path as “start later, run

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force FY27 request ramps Space Data Network ambitions and PNT/SATCOM funding The Pentagon’s fiscal 2027 request includes billions for the Space Data Network (SDN), positioning a sprawling network of military and commercial data relay satellites as core space-enabled sensing and communications infrastructure. Officials also seek significant increases across SATCOM, missile tracking, and position, navigation and timing (PNT) RDT&E and procurement.

2026-04-28T13:23:42.142183-07:00

Space Force FY27 request ramps Space Data Network ambitions and PNT/SATCOM funding

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Ariane 6 VA268/LE-02 targets April 30 liftoff to deploy 32 Amazon LEO broadband satellites

Russia reaffirms commitment to continued space science and technology cooperation with Ethiopia

China launches PRSC-EO3, Pakistan’s indigenous-built Earth-observation satellite, into orbit via Long March

Space Force FY27 request ramps Space Data Network ambitions and PNT/SATCOM funding

News Timeline