Satellite   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Policy & Regulation   NASA  
SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

NASA issues final RFP for Mars communications orbiter with bidder eligibility constraints

NASA has released the final request for proposals for a Mars communications orbiter. The solicitation confirms technical and program requirements that narrow which companies are eligible to bid, setting the competitive field for the next dedicated interplanetary relay capability.

2026-05-16T15:53:12.684646-07:00
Space Force   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Defense Policy  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

York Space defends growth strategy as SDA programs are reshaped

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — Just months after its public debut, York Space Systems is confronting a question that goes to the core of its business model: what happens when the Pentagon program that fueled its rise is fundamentally reorganized.

2026-05-16T15:08:52.224700-07:00
Satellite   Space Force   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization  
SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

Space Force awards Northrop Grumman $398 million satellite contract

By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $398 million contract to build a prototype communications satellite intended to demonstrate anti-jamming technologies for military operations in contested environments, the Space Systems Command said May 15.

Also: Defense Daily and insidedefense.com
2026-05-16T07:53:09.719393-07:00
Museums   Satellite   Europe   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

ICEYE hands over POLSARIS SAR satellite constellation to Poland in under a year

By AeroTime: Finland's ICEYE has delivered POLSARIS, a four-satellite SAR reconnaissance constellation, to Poland's armed forces less than a year after contract signature.

2026-05-15T07:52:37.895683-07:00
Satellite   ATC   M&A   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Airport Infrastructure & Air Traffic Management  
Unmanned Airspace • Philip Butterworth-Hayes

Iridium to acquire Aireon, fusing space-based ADS-B with satnav and satcom

By Unmanned Airspace: Philip Butterworth-Hayes UAS traffic management news .entry-header Iridium Communications, a provider of global voice, data, and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) satellite services, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the world’s only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system.

Also: SpaceNews.com, Runway Girl, AINonline, Payload, Via Satellite, FlightGlobal, AeroTime, Skies Magazine, CAPA, Aviation Week, Satellite Evolution, Airline Economics and 10 more
2026-05-14T05:23:44.186869-07:00