SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Jones
China carried out consecutive launches in mid‑January 2026: a Long March 2C placed Algeria's AlSat‑3A surveillance satellite into orbit from Jiuquan on Jan. 15, and a commercial CERES‑1 Y7 sea launch on Jan. 16 (Galactic Energy/Taiyuan) deployed four Tianqi communications satellites to planned orbits.
Reuters
• Cassell Bryan-Low, Joey Roulette
By Reuters: Iran’s crackdown on dissidents is shaping up as one of the toughest security tests yet for Elon Musk’s Starlink, which has served as a lifeline against state-imposed internet blackouts since its deployment during the war in Ukraine.
SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
By SpaceWatch Global: Voyager has won a patent for an in-orbit manufacturing method that produces purer crystals for high-performance optical communications.
SpaceNews.com
• Jeff Foust
By SpaceNews.com: Japanese launch vehicle startup Interstellar Technologies has raised nearly $130 million to continue development of its Zero small launch vehicle.
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
By European Spaceflight: The second flight of the Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket is expected to be launched between 20 and 23 January.
Payload
• Rachael Zisk
By Payload: In its push to double down on its national security and defense clientele, spacecom firm CesiumAstro has secured $200M in government financing.
Payload
• Douglas Gorman
By Payload: ESA and Liberty Mutual Reinsurance will explore how space data can be used to create parametric insurance solutions for terrestrial assets.
Space.com
• Tereza Pultarova
By Space.com: "It may be due to a lack of cyber hygiene from ESA staff.".
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
Universe Today
• Evan Gough
