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Space.com • Andrew Jones

Japanese ISSA-J1 to rendezvous with two defunct satellites in 2027, demonstrating on-orbit inspection and maneuvering

Japan’s ISSA-J1 spacecraft will conduct a 2027 rendezvous with two defunct satellites in separate orbits, using on-orbit inspection and maneuvering to demonstrate proximity operations. The mission is positioned as a testbed for advanced servicing-style capability around uncooperative targets.

2026-04-16T08:11:24.768294-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Seraphim Space forms Global Space Futures Advisory Council to guide long-term strategy

2026-04-15T16:03:18.083023-07:00

SpaceWatch Global

Space Symposium 2026: Iridium’s national-security satcom role—and “chip-level” connectivity tie-in to Artemis 2

2026-04-16T05:35:43.253999-07:00

AeroTime

Thales unveils TopStar Smart Receiver to harden drones and munitions against GPS loss and jamming

2026-04-16T04:32:26.288387-07:00

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Space.com

Japanese ISSA-J1 to rendezvous with two defunct satellites in 2027, demonstrating on-orbit inspection and maneuvering Japan’s ISSA-J1 spacecraft will conduct a 2027 rendezvous with two defunct satellites in separate orbits, using on-orbit inspection and maneuvering to demonstrate proximity operations. The mission is positioned as a testbed for advanced servicing-style capability around uncooperative targets.

2026-04-16T08:11:24.768294-07:00

Japanese ISSA-J1 to rendezvous with two defunct satellites in 2027, demonstrating on-orbit inspection and maneuvering

SpaceWatch Global

Space Symposium 2026: Iridium’s national-security satcom role—and “chip-level” connectivity tie-in to Artemis 2 At Space Symposium 2026, Iridium’s Scott Scheimreif said the company is deepening its national-security footprint, while highlighting an “unexpected” connection to Artemis 2. The discussion frames Iridium’s contribution as moving beyond services into the underlying satellite/terminal technology supporting mission-critical comms.

2026-04-16T05:35:43.253999-07:00

Space Symposium 2026: Iridium’s national-security satcom role—and “chip-level” connectivity tie-in to Artemis 2

AeroTime

Thales unveils TopStar Smart Receiver to harden drones and munitions against GPS loss and jamming Thales has launched the TopStar Smart Receiver for drones and munitions, combining GNSS positioning, anti-jamming techniques, and an integrated clock designed to preserve tactical radio synchronization for up to 48 hours after GPS loss. The product targets degraded-PNT and contested-environment mission continuity.

2026-04-16T04:32:26.288387-07:00

Thales unveils TopStar Smart Receiver to harden drones and munitions against GPS loss and jamming

SpaceNews.com

PlanetiQ wins $15M U.S. Air Force STRATFI contract for space-enabled defense mission support PlanetiQ has secured a $15 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract from the U.S. Air Force. The award positions the company to accelerate delivery of its space-enabled capabilities under a rapid innovation funding mechanism designed to mature defense-relevant technology.

2026-04-16T03:41:05.966277-07:00

PlanetiQ wins $15M U.S. Air Force STRATFI contract for space-enabled defense mission support

Reuters

Starlink outage disrupts U.S. Navy unmanned vessel tests, highlighting Pentagon dependence on SpaceX A global Starlink outage last August left more than two dozen U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessels out of contact for nearly an hour during a test off California. The episode exposed a single-point-of-failure in the Pentagon’s unmanned-tech “stack” and raised questions about concentration risk in space-enabled defense connectivity.

2026-04-16T03:40:59.653806-07:00

Starlink outage disrupts U.S. Navy unmanned vessel tests, highlighting Pentagon dependence on SpaceX

Reuters

Germany’s cartel office clears Rheinmetall Digital–OHB JV for future Bundeswehr procurement Germany’s cartel office (Bundeskartellamt) has approved Rheinmetall Digital’s subsidiary to form a joint venture with satellite maker OHB to pursue a future procurement contract for the German armed forces. The clearance removes a competition-law hurdle for a defense-related space/communications-enabled bid.

2026-04-16T02:39:17.269963-07:00

Germany’s cartel office clears Rheinmetall Digital–OHB JV for future Bundeswehr procurement

Reuters

Bundeswehr SatcomBW4 dispute: OHB, Rheinmetall and Airbus challenge Starlink amid new consortium German defence satcom project SatcomBW4 is at the centre of a procurement battle after OHB, Rheinmetall and Airbus reached a deal over the multi-billion programme, triggering a dispute over the Bundeswehr’s Starlink plans. The cluster reflects how quickly European milsatcom sourcing is being reshaped by new coalition bids.

2026-04-16T02:39:17.269963-07:00

Bundeswehr SatcomBW4 dispute: OHB, Rheinmetall and Airbus challenge Starlink amid new consortium

SpaceNews.com

Space Force acquisition reorg points to ending SDA as a standalone agency; PWSA transport layer to shift into new structure Space Force’s rollout of a new acquisition structure signals the end of the Space Development Agency (SDA) operating as a standalone entity. Sandhoo says the communications/“transport layer” of PWSA will eventually transition from SDA to a new acquisition executive structure under Space Force.

2026-04-15T20:10:29.928567-07:00

Space Force acquisition reorg points to ending SDA as a standalone agency; PWSA transport layer to shift into new structure

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Space Defense & Militarization News

Japanese ISSA-J1 to rendezvous with two defunct satellites in 2027, demonstrating on-orbit inspection and maneuvering

Seraphim Space forms Global Space Futures Advisory Council to guide long-term strategy

Space Symposium 2026: Iridium’s national-security satcom role—and “chip-level” connectivity tie-in to Artemis 2

Thales unveils TopStar Smart Receiver to harden drones and munitions against GPS loss and jamming

News Timeline