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DefenseNews.com • Pierre Tran

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links

A space-based laser communications system integrated on the European Data Relay System (EDRS)-A satellite payload is scheduled for launch Jan. 27. ESA and Airbus Defence & Space describe it as a secure, high-capacity data transmitter supporting both commercial and military operators.

2026-04-22T17:50:05.414500-07:00

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

2026-04-22T14:34:54.280650-07:00

ESA

ESA and EDA sign arrangement for joint Earth-observation roadmap supporting security and defense; EOGS architecture bids due May

2026-04-22T08:06:31.834168-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Space Force contracts Leidos and MapLarge for “battle planning” software

2026-04-22T12:34:42.372470-07:00

News Timeline

DefenseNews.com

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links A space-based laser communications system integrated on the European Data Relay System (EDRS)-A satellite payload is scheduled for launch Jan. 27. ESA and Airbus Defence & Space describe it as a secure, high-capacity data transmitter supporting both commercial and military operators.

2026-04-22T17:50:05.414500-07:00

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links

DefenseNews.com

USAF weighs outsourcing day-to-day Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) operations to a commercial partner by 2016 The U.S. Air Force is considering moving day-to-day operations of its Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) constellation to a commercial partner as early as 2016, according to a senior service communications official. The decision would shift routine constellation operations toward an external operator model.

2026-04-22T16:49:52.706045-07:00

USAF weighs outsourcing day-to-day Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) operations to a commercial partner by 2016

DefenseNews.com

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland The UK has picked Lockheed Martin to help develop its first domestic commercial spaceport in Melness, Scotland. The effort is framed as potential future support for U.S. military satellite launches, as governments seek reliable routes to orbit.

2026-04-22T14:34:54.280650-07:00

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

SpaceNews.com

Trump nominates defense and intelligence executive Roger Mason to lead the National Reconnaissance Office President Donald Trump has nominated Roger Mason—a defense industry and intelligence executive—to lead the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The nomination underscores continued attention on the NRO’s role in providing national-level intelligence capabilities as leadership transitions proceed through the U.S. confirmation process.

2026-04-22T13:09:28.883810-07:00

Trump nominates defense and intelligence executive Roger Mason to lead the National Reconnaissance Office

SpaceNews.com

Space Force contracts Leidos and MapLarge for “battle planning” software The U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to Leidos and MapLarge to support battle management and command-and-control workflows—described as understanding what is happening in orbit, interpreting its meaning, and directing an appropriate response. The awards extend the service’s push to accelerate data-to-decision capabilities for contested space operations.

2026-04-22T12:34:42.372470-07:00

Space Force contracts Leidos and MapLarge for “battle planning” software

Satellite Evolution

SSC Space and Kuva Space sign LOI for strategic collaboration spanning Nordic commercial, institutional and security space oppor Finnish hyperspectral Earth observation and AI intelligence provider Kuva Space has signed a Letter of Intent with SSC Space to explore a strategic collaboration across the Nordic space value chain. The companies say the regional effort targets commercial, institutional, and security-related space opportunities, with SSC announcing the partnership on April 22.

2026-04-22T09:25:46.414025-07:00

SSC Space and Kuva Space sign LOI for strategic collaboration spanning Nordic commercial, institutional and security space oppor

ESA

ESA and EDA sign arrangement for joint Earth-observation roadmap supporting security and defense; EOGS architecture bids due May The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) have signed an Implementing Arrangement to identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth-observation capabilities and produce a long-term roadmap for security and defense. In parallel, ESA has set a May 5 deadline for industry bids on the system architecture for the EU Earth Observational Governmental System (EOGS), an ISR constellation.

2026-04-22T08:06:31.834168-07:00

ESA and EDA sign arrangement for joint Earth-observation roadmap supporting security and defense; EOGS architecture bids due May

Payload

Navy considers “reciprocal” shipboard role in satellite-protected maritime domain awareness The article says satellites provide Navy ships with domain awareness, but some officers argue the Navy should “return the favor” by extending its own sensing and protection capabilities to support satellite operations. The thrust is toward ship-linked contributions to wider space-domain situational awareness and protection.

2026-04-22T05:24:55.181906-07:00

Navy considers “reciprocal” shipboard role in satellite-protected maritime domain awareness

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Space Defense & Militarization News

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links

Lockheed Martin selected to develop UK’s first domestic commercial spaceport at Melness, Scotland

ESA and EDA sign arrangement for joint Earth-observation roadmap supporting security and defense; EOGS architecture bids due May

Space Force contracts Leidos and MapLarge for “battle planning” software

News Timeline