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Satellite Evolution

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

Astroscale UK has secured a €399,000 Phase A contract from ESA to lead design of the In‑Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a world‑first programme to enable on‑orbit refurbishment and capability upgrades for satellites, aiming to extend operational life and reduce replacement demand.

2026-01-13T07:35:50.835245-08:00

NASA

NASA, DOE commit to deploy lunar fission reactor by 2030 to power Artemis and Mars missions

2026-01-13T13:05:32.845586-08:00

Via Satellite

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside

2026-01-13T16:43:39.383677-08:00

Payload

Mars Sample Return cancellation exposes gaps in space law

2026-01-13T10:11:07.859652-08:00

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SpaceNews.com

Bringing New Entrants into the Space Industry: Opportunities and Challenges

2026-01-14T06:11:06.612523-08:00

Bringing New Entrants into the

SpaceNews.com

Allies pivot to commercial space as U.S. ISR access falters Allied governments are increasingly turning to commercial satellites and data services to fill tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance gaps after U.S. ISR access has become less reliable. Commercial constellations, on-orbit sensing and sovereign data-sharing agreements are being elevated into core strategic capabilities.

2026-01-14T05:07:26.932599-08:00

Allies pivot to commercial space as U.S. ISR access falters

Via Satellite

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside Europe will build EPS‑Sterna, a polar satellite constellation projected to generate up to €30 billion (~$35bn) in economic value over its lifetime. The programme signals a new continental investment in space infrastructure with implications for services and industrial activity across European supply chains.

2026-01-13T16:43:39.383677-08:00

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside

NASA

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NASA, DOE commit to deploy lunar fission reactor by 2030 to power Artemis and Mars missions NASA and the Department of Energy have renewed a partnership and placed new leadership on the Fission Surface Power Project, reaffirming a goal to develop and deploy a compact nuclear fission reactor on the Moon by 2030 (roughly four years) to support Artemis infrastructure and future Mars missions.

2026-01-13T13:05:32.845586-08:00

NASA, DOE commit to deploy lunar fission reactor by 2030 to power Artemis and Mars missions

Payload

Mars Sample Return cancellation exposes gaps in space law With Mars Sample Return canceled, the focus shifts from engineering the return to testing the limits of international space law: cached samples on Perseverance raise immediate questions about custody, liability and scientific access, and whether existing treaties can prevent legal or geopolitical disputes.

2026-01-13T10:11:07.859652-08:00

Mars Sample Return cancellation exposes gaps in space law

SpaceNews.com

Space "nuclear renaissance" accelerates — propulsion, power and defense implications A renewed global push for nuclear technologies in space — from reactors for spacecraft power to nuclear thermal and electric propulsion — is accelerating, with growing investment and program activity. The trend carries substantial implications for launch architecture, on‑orbit capabilities and military applications.

2026-01-13T08:11:07.539773-08:00

Space "nuclear renaissance" accelerates — propulsion, power and defense implications

Satellite Evolution

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS) Astroscale UK has secured a €399,000 Phase A contract from ESA to lead design of the In‑Orbit Refurbishment and Upgrading Service (IRUS), a world‑first programme to enable on‑orbit refurbishment and capability upgrades for satellites, aiming to extend operational life and reduce replacement demand.

2026-01-13T07:35:50.835245-08:00

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

SpaceNews.com

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Space Force pushes competition in satellite buys as industry warns of industrial-base risk The U.S. Space Force is pressing to inject more competition into satellite procurement, opening programs to new entrants. Satellite manufacturers warn that faster churn or fragmented contracts could unsettle investment, production continuity and the industrial base that underpins military space capability.

2026-01-13T06:07:34.937961-08:00

Space Force pushes competition in satellite buys as industry warns of industrial-base risk

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Space Policy & International Cooperation News

Astroscale UK wins €399k ESA Phase A contract to design world‑first in‑orbit refurbishment and upgrading service (IRUS)

NASA, DOE commit to deploy lunar fission reactor by 2030 to power Artemis and Mars missions

Europe Readies EPS‑Sterna Polar Satellite Constellation — Up to €30B Economic Upside

Mars Sample Return cancellation exposes gaps in space law

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