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DefenseNews.com • Aaron Mehta

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

ESA

ESA and EDA launch joint study to map strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth-observation security and defence capabi

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

Space.com

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

Space Intel Report

FCC clears AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation, setting deployment deadlines and interference/debris

2026-04-22T08:50:31.529068-07:00

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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

Space.com

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna Rocket Lab is set to launch its second Electron/JAXA dedicated mission, “Kakushin Rising,” delivering eight Japanese satellites into orbit. The payload set includes a spacecraft featuring an origami-folded antenna, as part of JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

Space Intel Report

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FCC clears AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation, setting deployment deadlines and interference/debris AST SpaceMobile received U.S. FCC commercial authorization to deliver direct-to-smartphone/direct-to-device cellular broadband using its partner MNO spectrum and a full 248-satellite LEO constellation. The grant follows a recently botched launch and includes deployment timelines, plus orbital debris mitigation, collision-avoidance, and interference-prevention requirements.

2026-04-22T08:50:31.529068-07:00

FCC clears AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation, setting deployment deadlines and interference/debris

ESA

ESA and EDA launch joint study to map strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth-observation security and defence capabi ESA and the European Defence Agency have signed an Implementing Arrangement to jointly identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth-observation capabilities and produce a long-term roadmap for security and defence. A separate ESA bid sets a May 5 deadline for industry proposals on system architecture for the future EU Earth Observational Governmental System (EOGS).

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

ESA and EDA launch joint study to map strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth-observation security and defence capabi

SpaceNews.com

Analysis: Hybridizing nuclear NC3 systems could compromise resilient space infrastructure Highly classified, sovereign space-based nuclear command, control and communications (NC3) systems were designed to remain insulated from external influence and survive extreme conditions. The cluster warns that efforts to “hybridize” these NC3 architectures may introduce new vulnerabilities into the space infrastructure they depend on.

2026-04-22T04:26:40.455046-07:00

Analysis: Hybridizing nuclear NC3 systems could compromise resilient space infrastructure

SpaceNews.com

U.S. Commerce budget proposal would halt TraCSS work as office seeks new operating and financial structure The U.S. Department of Commerce is proposing to stop work on its space traffic coordination system (TraCSS) while it develops a “new operating and financial structure.” The move reframes near-term TraCSS execution plans and shifts focus toward governance and funding before further system delivery.

2026-04-22T02:06:34.962150-07:00

U.S. Commerce budget proposal would halt TraCSS work as office seeks new operating and financial structure

SpaceWatch Global

CONFERS urges EU Space Act feedback to tailor regulation to in-space servicing/assembly/manufacturing realities CONFERS is calling for a regulatory approach in the EU Space Act feedback process that better reflects the operational differences across emerging in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) markets. The proposal targets rules that match subsector requirements rather than treating ISAM as a single category.

2026-04-22T01:20:34.370342-07:00

CONFERS urges EU Space Act feedback to tailor regulation to in-space servicing/assembly/manufacturing realities

Space Intel Report

Norwegian Intelligence Service: For biggest return on allied cooperation, focus on data sharing and classification methods

2026-04-21T11:07:42.716553-07:00

Norwegian Intelligence Service

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Space Policy & International Cooperation News

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

ESA and EDA launch joint study to map strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth-observation security and defence capabi

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

FCC clears AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation, setting deployment deadlines and interference/debris

News Timeline