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SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. Space Force reopens competition for mobile satellite-control antennas after canceling AeroVironment deal

The U.S. Space Force has restarted a procurement competition for mobile satellite-control antennas, after canceling a prior $1.7 billion contract with AeroVironment and pivoting toward a more commercial acquisition approach. The move signals renewed effort to modernize deployable ground-control capacity for satellite operations.

2026-06-24T14:40:02.183650-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Shield Space teams with ClearSpace on integrating autonomous satellite-defense software with in-orbit servicing capabilities

2026-06-24T14:25:37.301283-07:00

SpaceNews.com

MDA Space wins $688M RADARSAT replenishment SAR radar imaging satellite contract for CSA

2026-06-24T12:56:59.554437-07:00

SpaceNews.com

BAE Systems selected to build Vantor’s next-generation Vantage 20 cm-class high-resolution imaging satellite buses

2026-06-24T05:40:05.508957-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

U.S. Space Force reopens competition for mobile satellite-control antennas after canceling AeroVironment deal The U.S. Space Force has restarted a procurement competition for mobile satellite-control antennas, after canceling a prior $1.7 billion contract with AeroVironment and pivoting toward a more commercial acquisition approach. The move signals renewed effort to modernize deployable ground-control capacity for satellite operations.

2026-06-24T14:40:02.183650-07:00

U.S. Space Force reopens competition for mobile satellite-control antennas after canceling AeroVironment deal

SpaceNews.com

Shield Space teams with ClearSpace on integrating autonomous satellite-defense software with in-orbit servicing capabilities British startup Shield Space will partner with ClearSpace to combine Shield Space’s autonomous satellite-operations software with ClearSpace’s in-orbit servicing capabilities. The integration is aimed at improving protection of satellites against emerging orbital threats, leveraging autonomous decision-making alongside on-orbit intervention.

2026-06-24T14:25:37.301283-07:00

Shield Space teams with ClearSpace on integrating autonomous satellite-defense software with in-orbit servicing capabilities

AeroTime

Hegseth: Golden Dome directed-energy milestone test defeats drones and cruise missiles Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the first Golden Dome milestone test used directed energy to defeat drones and cruise missiles, marking the program’s initial major counter-UAS and counter-cruise capability validation. The result adds a kinetic/energy kill approach to Golden Dome’s broader, layered air-and-missile-defense architecture.

2026-06-24T12:57:06.475265-07:00

Hegseth: Golden Dome directed-energy milestone test defeats drones and cruise missiles

SpaceNews.com

MDA Space wins $688M RADARSAT replenishment SAR radar imaging satellite contract for CSA MDA Space has won a CAD 688 million contract to build a radar imaging (SAR) replenishment satellite for the Canadian Space Agency, supporting the RADARSAT Constellation. The award comes as Canada evaluates options for a next-generation satellite system, extending continuity for SAR data availability.

2026-06-24T12:56:59.554437-07:00

MDA Space wins $688M RADARSAT replenishment SAR radar imaging satellite contract for CSA

Breaking Defense

Jim Slife: Space acquisition is stymied—and the U.S. must fix procurement to avoid losing the next war in space In his first op-ed since leaving active service, former Air Force No. 2 Jim Slife argues that U.S. space procurement has been repeatedly stymied, undermining readiness for a future fight in orbit. His core prescription is to reform acquisition so it better supports warfighting outcomes in space.

2026-06-24T07:11:17.153896-07:00

Jim Slife: Space acquisition is stymied—and the U.S. must fix procurement to avoid losing the next war in space

SpaceNews.com

York Space Systems demonstrates two-way tactical UHF comms from low Earth orbit for the U.S. Space Force York Space Systems said a satellite it built for the U.S. Space Force successfully demonstrated two-way tactical communications using ultra-high-frequency (UHF) links from low Earth orbit. The test validates LEO-to-user bidirectional connectivity using UHF for tactical communications needs.

2026-06-24T06:12:20.497794-07:00

York Space Systems demonstrates two-way tactical UHF comms from low Earth orbit for the U.S. Space Force

SpaceNews.com

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BAE Systems selected to build Vantor’s next-generation Vantage 20 cm-class high-resolution imaging satellite buses BAE Systems has agreed to build high-resolution imaging satellite buses for Vantor, supporting the Vantor Vantage 20 cm-class imaging satellites used for national defense and intelligence programs. The selection brings Vantor back together with the former Ball Aerospace business that helped develop DigitalGlobe’s Earth-observation satellites.

2026-06-24T05:40:05.508957-07:00

BAE Systems selected to build Vantor’s next-generation Vantage 20 cm-class high-resolution imaging satellite buses

SpaceWatch Global

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Vyoma’s Flamingo-1 space-based surveillance telescope completes in-orbit commissioning, moving to routine operations Germany-based Vyoma says its Flamingo-1 space-based surveillance telescope has successfully completed in-space commissioning and is set to begin routine operations. The milestone advances the company’s space domain awareness capability with a dedicated sensing platform transitioning from checkout to sustained service.

2026-06-24T01:11:53.931467-07:00

Vyoma’s Flamingo-1 space-based surveillance telescope completes in-orbit commissioning, moving to routine operations

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Space Defense & Militarization News

U.S. Space Force reopens competition for mobile satellite-control antennas after canceling AeroVironment deal

Shield Space teams with ClearSpace on integrating autonomous satellite-defense software with in-orbit servicing capabilities

MDA Space wins $688M RADARSAT replenishment SAR radar imaging satellite contract for CSA

BAE Systems selected to build Vantor’s next-generation Vantage 20 cm-class high-resolution imaging satellite buses

News Timeline