Satellite   Europe   M&A   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
Space Intel Report • Peter B de Selding

Rocket Lab US bid for Mynaric underscores Europe’s shift toward U.S. lasercom partnerships

Rocket Lab US's bid for German lasercom firm Mynaric signals a shift in Europe’s satellite communications procurement toward U.S. partners. The potential acquisition highlights commercial consolidation in optical ground- and space-based laser communications and raises questions around sovereign access and export controls.

2026-02-25T03:31:41.776700-08:00
Satellite   Europe   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation  
SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

OQ Technology secures $30 million from Europe for satellite-to-smartphone expansion

By SpaceNews.com: Europe’s investment arm is lending Luxembourg-based OQ Technology 25 million euros ($30 million) to expand its direct-to-device constellation, bolstering the continent’s push to compete with U.S.-led efforts to connect smartphones from space.

2026-02-25T03:07:21.442644-08:00
Space Force   Space Exploration & Science Missions   Commercial Space   Space Policy & International Cooperation   NASA  
Space Policy Online

Trump Omits Artemis and NASA from State of the Union Despite Artemis II Crew in Attendance

By Space Policy Online: Posted: February 25, 2026 12:06 am ET | Last Updated: February 25, 2026 12:40 am ET | In his 2026 State of the Union address, President Trump did not mention the Artemis program or NASA even though the Artemis II crew and NASA Administrator Isaacman were in the audience.

Also: Space.com
2026-02-24T21:13:35.679295-08:00
Space Exploration & Science Missions   Human Spaceflight & Space Stations   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Debris & Traffic Management   NASA  
Universe Today • Laurence Tognetti

Estimating How Long Terrestrial Microbes Could Survive on Mars — Implications for Planetary Protection and Sample Integrity

By Universe Today: Searching for past or present life on Mars is the sole driving force behind every mission we send to the Red Planet, from orbiters to landers to rovers.

2026-02-24T20:33:57.452833-08:00