Satellite   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
SpaceNews.com • LatConnect 60

LatConnect 60 accelerates investment to scale AUKUS-aligned Highest Resolution SWIR satellite constellation from 2 missions to 1

LatConnect 60 (from Western Australia) is raising its growth investment plan to build a Highest Resolution SWIR dual-use Earth intelligence constellation. The program scales from two SWIRSAT missions to 18 satellites, with a stated trajectory toward a 100-satellite constellation by 2035, positioned as AUKUS-aligned.

2026-05-20T23:07:42.742429-07:00
Defense Budgets & Spending   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Policy & Regulation  
Wall Street Journal • Micah Maidenberg

Government Contracts Bolster SpaceX, Pose Risks

By Wall Street Journal: Spending by U.S. federal agencies accounted for about 20% of SpaceX’s revenue last year. That proportion highlights both the close ties the company has developed with the government as well as how it has reduced its dependence on public spending by building up other customer bases.

2026-05-20T19:38:19.735080-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force eyes 2027 demonstrations of in-space refueling and satellite servicing

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force is preparing to launch multiple spacecraft to geostationary orbit in 2027 for two separate in-space services demonstrations: one to test satellite refueling and another to test whether a servicing vehicle can dock with and maneuver another spacecraft.

2026-05-20T17:11:06.660970-07:00
AI   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Commercial Space  
Bloomberg • Rachel Metz

Anthropic to Pay SpaceX Nearly $45 Billion for Computing Deal

By Bloomberg: Anthropic PBC has agreed to pay Elon Musk’s SpaceX nearly $45 billion over the next three years for computing resources as part of an expanded deal to support its Claude artificial intelligence software, according to a securities filing.

Also: Seeking Alpha and CNA
2026-05-20T15:09:34.985126-07:00
Event   Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space  
SpaceQ • Marc Boucher

Starship flight 12: SpaceX debuts redesigned architecture

By SpaceQ: SpaceX sets May 21 for Starship Flight 12, debuting V3 hardware, Raptor 3 engines, and Pad 2, alongside its first payload deployment test.

Also: Bloomberg, CBS News, The Independent and 4 more
2026-05-20T04:45:30.703693-07:00