Space News

Satellite LEO Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Guest Author

LEO Network Economics Are Being Decided by Chipsets, Not Launch Costs

The economics of low Earth orbit constellations may hinge less on launch prices than on custom silicon and shared terminal architectures. The design choices could shape cost, scalability and competitiveness across networks ranging from Starlink to Europe’s planned IRIS² constellation.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:22:12.340847-07:00

Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation

SpaceNews.com • Jeff Foust

Europe uses space summit to advocate for greater autonomy

By SpaceNews.com: European officials used an international space conference to bolster the continent’s own space capabilities as they push for greater autonomy.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:45:41.979720-07:00

Defense Industry & Major Contractors Commercial Space Space Defense & Militarization

NEW

SpaceNews.com • Sandra Erwin

U.S. Air Force awards Antares $161 million to advance nuclear reactor for space

By SpaceNews.com: GTON — The nuclear microreactor startup Antares won a $161 million Department of the Air Force contract to develop and demonstrate a nuclear reactor for spacecraft.

1 Source

2026-09-14T02:22:34.928644-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

NOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework

By SpaceWatch Global: NOAA selects 14 providers in a new framework to expand satellite data use for U.S. weather forecasting and space-weather monitoring.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:15:03.150593-07:00

Satellite Asia-Pacific (APAC)

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric Expand Japan Partnership With MoU and Antenna Contract

By SpaceWatch Global: SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric will explore advanced payload and RF opportunities in Japan, alongside a new phased-array antenna contract.

1 Source

2026-09-14T01:54:59.645938-07:00

Satellite Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

Startups seek to demonstrate 3D printing in vacuum of space

By SpaceNews.com: PARIS – Poland’s Orbital Matter and Dcubed of Germany are conducting on-orbit demonstrations of 3D printing in cubesats, a step toward creating solar arrays with additively manufactured booms.

1 Source

2026-09-14T00:36:55.826689-07:00

Satellite Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Commercial Space

SpaceNews.com • Debra Werner

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

By SpaceNews.com: ARIS — BlackSky Technology announced Sept. 14 that it collected and processed first light imagery from its fifth Gen3 satellite in less than 20 hours after liftoff on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket.

3 Sources

2026-09-13T23:25:41.512365-07:00

ArianeGroup Europe Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Avio reports strong growth but seeks more funding to increase Ariane 6 and Vega launch cadence

By Space Intel Report: PARIS -- Avio SpA reported a 17.5% increase in revenue an a 7.3% boost in adjusted EBITDA for the six months ending June 30 and said 2/3 of the backlog it added during the period came from its work on solid rocket motors for defense applications, with the rest from orbital launch vehicles.

1 Source

2026-09-13T23:20:52.721406-07:00

LEO Network Economics Are Being Decided by Chipsets, Not Launch Costs

Europe uses space summit to advocate for greater autonomy

U.S. Air Force awards Antares $161 million to advance nuclear reactor for space

NOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework

SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric Expand Japan Partnership With MoU and Antenna Contract

Startups seek to demonstrate 3D printing in vacuum of space

BlackSky shares first-light imagery from fifth Gen3 satellite

Avio reports strong growth but seeks more funding to increase Ariane 6 and Vega launch cadence

U.S. Air Force awards Antares $161 million to advance nuclear reactor for space

SWISSto12 and Mitsubishi Electric Expand Japan Partnership With MoU and Antenna Contract

Europe uses space summit to advocate for greater autonomy

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: LEO economics are decided in the chipset, not the launch bay

NOAA Selects 14 Companies for New Commercial Environmental Data Supply Framework

Startups seek to demonstrate 3D printing in vacuum of space

Sophia Space, SLI Set Terms for $300M Satellite Leasing Deal

NASA offers details about, and defends, proposed space academy

Vega C set to launch the ESA Sentinel-3C and FLEX missions from Kourou

Eutelsat inks key agreements for OneWeb replenishment, IRIS² buildout

Rocket Lab protests NASA’s $700 million Mars orbiter award to Blue Origin

Europe’s commercial launch sector accelerates with Isar, PLD Space advances and a new UK strategy

ULA prepares to resume Vulcan launches as financial pressure raises ownership questions

Poland launches process to develop a domestic Starlink-like satellite system

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