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SpaceNews.com • Andrew Jones

Chinese startup demonstrates flexible robotic arm in orbit, advancing satellite servicing and debris removal

A Chinese commercial startup has completed an on-orbit demonstration of a flexible robotic arm, validating technology for satellite manipulation. The test advances practical capabilities for in‑orbit servicing, refuelling and active debris removal, a step toward commercial orbital maintenance and logistics.

2026-04-01T01:12:27.173468-07:00

Space Intel Report

Orbital cleanup to asteroid mining: capture bags and the path forward

2026-03-31T10:00:09.462191-07:00

Universe Today

Astronomers Tell FCC: SpaceX’s 1M Orbital Data Centres and 50k Space Mirrors Would Scar the Night Sky

2026-03-31T04:58:21.064076-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Starlink satellite 34343 fractures at ~560 km after loss of contact, creating debris cloud

2026-03-30T17:07:22.561059-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

Chinese startup demonstrates flexible robotic arm in orbit, advancing satellite servicing and debris removal A Chinese commercial startup has completed an on-orbit demonstration of a flexible robotic arm, validating technology for satellite manipulation. The test advances practical capabilities for in‑orbit servicing, refuelling and active debris removal, a step toward commercial orbital maintenance and logistics.

2026-04-01T01:12:27.173468-07:00

Chinese startup demonstrates flexible robotic arm in orbit, advancing satellite servicing and debris removal

Space Intel Report

Orbital cleanup to asteroid mining: capture bags and the path forward As low Earth orbit becomes more crowded, new on‑orbit removal concepts — from capture‑bag technologies demonstrated on the ISS to commercial debris‑cleanup services — are maturing alongside early plans to harvest small bodies. Four takeaways synthesize technical readiness, regulatory gaps and emerging commercial opportunity.

2026-03-31T10:00:09.462191-07:00

Orbital cleanup to asteroid mining: capture bags and the path forward

Universe Today

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Astronomers Tell FCC: SpaceX’s 1M Orbital Data Centres and 50k Space Mirrors Would Scar the Night Sky The Royal Astronomical Society, European Southern Observatory and International Astronomical Union have formally opposed FCC filings from SpaceX and Reflect Orbital proposing up to one million satellites and roughly 50,000 reflective spacecraft. They warn the plans would severely disrupt ground‑based observations, night‑sky visibility and orbital safety.

2026-03-31T04:58:21.064076-07:00

Astronomers Tell FCC: SpaceX’s 1M Orbital Data Centres and 50k Space Mirrors Would Scar the Night Sky

SpaceNews.com

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Starlink satellite 34343 fractures at ~560 km after loss of contact, creating debris cloud On March 29, 2026 SpaceX reported loss of communications with Starlink satellite 34343 at about 560 km; commercial tracker LeoLabs detected a large cluster of small objects in the satellite’s vicinity consistent with an on‑orbit fragmentation. KeepTrack says this is the second Starlink debris anomaly in roughly three months.

2026-03-30T17:07:22.561059-07:00

Starlink satellite 34343 fractures at ~560 km after loss of contact, creating debris cloud

SpaceNews.com

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Starcloud raises $170M Series A at $1.1B to build orbital data centres Starcloud closed a $170 million Series A at a $1.1 billion valuation to develop orbital data centres, pursuing a 'one satellite, one GPU' architecture. The raise underscores strong investor demand and the startup's flight heritage as competition to host AI compute in LEO accelerates.

2026-03-30T04:17:43.219236-07:00

Starcloud raises $170M Series A at $1.1B to build orbital data centres

SpaceWatch Global

Tow Trucks in Space? Orbit-mobility Breakthrough Explained at SATShow Week 2026 Cameron Penny discusses orbit-mobility concepts, likened to “tow trucks in space,” at SATShow Week 2026. He outlines recent breakthroughs that could enable satellite tugging, relocation and servicing, and summarizes operational implications for satellite operators and platform manufacturers. The session formed part of SATShow Week programming.

2026-03-30T03:38:01.388078-07:00

Tow Trucks in Space? Orbit-mobility Breakthrough Explained at SATShow Week 2026

SpaceNews.com

U.S. GSSAP satellites perform GEO handoff to sustain continuous monitoring of China’s Shijian‑29 pair Commercial tracking data show U.S. GSSAP satellites executing an orbital handoff in geostationary orbit to maintain proximity and continuous surveillance of China’s Shijian‑29 spacecraft pair. The coordinated maneuvers reflect sustained on‑orbit observation of foreign civil/military assets in GEO.

2026-03-26T18:38:06.866567-07:00

U.S. GSSAP satellites perform GEO handoff to sustain continuous monitoring of China’s Shijian‑29 pair

SpaceWatch Global

Terma to supply T3 star tracker for ESA Draco re-entry demonstrator Terma has signed a contract with Indra Space to deliver its T3 star tracker for ESA's Draco re-entry demonstrator, supporting attitude determination for the mission slated to launch in 2027. The sensor will provide navigation and optical reference functions during high‑speed re‑entry validation.

2026-03-26T07:58:38.747862-07:00

Terma to supply T3 star tracker for ESA Draco re-entry demonstrator

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Space Debris & Traffic Management News

Chinese startup demonstrates flexible robotic arm in orbit, advancing satellite servicing and debris removal

Orbital cleanup to asteroid mining: capture bags and the path forward

Astronomers Tell FCC: SpaceX’s 1M Orbital Data Centres and 50k Space Mirrors Would Scar the Night Sky

Starlink satellite 34343 fractures at ~560 km after loss of contact, creating debris cloud

News Timeline