SpaceNews.comSandra Erwin

Synspective tapped to supply imagery for Japan’s new military satellite constellation

Japan has tapped Synspective to supply satellite imagery for its new military constellation, assigning a commercial SAR-imagery provider a direct role in national space-based ISR. The deal secures access to Synspective’s collection and processing services to support Japanese defence surveillance and operational planning.

2025-12-28T12:41:44.901940-08:00
Universe TodayAndy Tomaswick

Design-for-Demise Dilemma: Unintended Consequences of Smallsat End-of-Life Practices

By Universe Today: At the end of their lives, most satellites fall to their death. Many of the smaller ones, including most of those going up as part of the “mega-constellations” currently under construction, are intended to burn up in the atmosphere.

2025-12-28T07:44:42.241739-08:00
Space.comKeith Cooper

The top astronomical discoveries of 2025

By Space.com: From new exoplanetary neighbors and a weakening dark energy to the best evidence for life on Mars and an interstellar comet that's got everyone talking, 2025 has been jam-packed with astronomical excitement and revelation.

2025-12-28T03:03:10.434535-08:00
Spaceflight NowWill Robinson-Smith

SpaceX to launch Italy’s Cosmo‑SkyMed Second Generation FM3 from Vandenberg in final Falcon 9 mission of 2025

By Spaceflight Now: ![](http://spaceflightnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/20251226_COSMO-SkyMed_SG_FM3.jpeg) Update Dec. 27, 5:56 p.m. EST (2256 UTC): SpaceX scrubbed the launch due to a ground issue, targeting Sunday, Dec.

2025-12-27T06:00:25.663470-08:00
Universe TodayAndy Tomaswick

Kirigami-enabled Solar Sails: Using Structural Cuts to Control and Turn Sailcraft

By Universe Today: Solar sails have some major advantages over traditional propulsion methods - most notably they don’t use any propellant. But, how exactly do they turn? In traditional sailing, a ship’s captain can simply adjust the angle of the sail itself to catch the wind at a different angle.

2025-12-27T03:54:23.461136-08:00