Satellite   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Defense Policy  
Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Geopolitical Volatility Spurs Nations to Build Sovereign Satellite Constellations

Rising geopolitical volatility is pushing countries to accelerate plans for sovereign satellite constellations, as previously stable alliances fray. Governments are prioritizing national satcoms, Earth observation and resilient ground infrastructure to secure communications, intelligence and independent access to space capabilities.

2026-02-20T12:13:51.510608-08:00
Satellite   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Commercial Space   Space Defense & Militarization   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
Via Satellite • Ben Ackman

Axelspace and Synspective Lock In Imagery Contracts for Japanese Constellation

By Via Satellite: Japanese satellite imagery providers Axelspace and Synspective finalized agreements with SKY Perfect JSAT, Mitsui, and Mitsubishi Electric to provide optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery.

Also: Business Wire
2026-02-20T11:53:27.332847-08:00
Satellite   Middle East   Commercial Space   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Bloomberg • Fraidoon Poya, Loni Prinsloo, Marissa Newman

Price of Musk’s Starlink Kits in Iran Soars as US Threatens War

By Bloomberg: The biggest US troop deployment in the Middle East since the Iraq War is sending the black market price for Elon Musk’s Starlink terminals soaring in Iran, where people fear a war would trigger another countrywide internet shutdown.

2026-02-20T08:05:02.867971-08:00
Satellite   Space Exploration & Science Missions   NASA  
Universe Today • Andy Tomaswick

The Optical Engineering Required to Photograph an Earth Twin

By Universe Today: More and more papers are coming out about the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). As the telescope moves from theory to practice (and physical manifestation), various working groups are discovering, defining, and designing their way to the world’s next major exoplanet observatory.

2026-02-20T07:25:36.137469-08:00