SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 40th Starlink mission of 2026 when a Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 25 Starlink satellites. The flight continues the company’s sustained pace of Starlink deployment using Falcon 9 from the California launch site.
DefenseNews.com
• Pierre Tran
By DefenseNews.com: PARIS — A space-based laser communication system fitted onboard the European Data Relay System (EDRS)-A satellite payload is due to be launched Jan. 27, offering commercial and military operators a secure and high-capacity data transmitter, European Space Agency officials and Airbus Defence & Space executives said.
New York Times
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By New York Times: As SpaceX prepares to go public, Mr. Musk has proposed moonshots that differ from the company’s original aim of reaching Mars.
Payload
• Jacqueline Feldscher
By Payload: “I simply do not believe that this budget proposal is capable of supporting what President Trump himself has directed the agency to accomplish,” Babin said.
DefenseNews.com
• Aaron Mehta
By DefenseNews.com: FARNBOROUGH, England — The U.K. has selected Lockheed Martin to help develop its first domestic commercial spaceport in Melness, Scotland — an effort that could be of interest to the U.S.
ESA
By ESA: The European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Defence Agency (EDA) have signed an Implementing Arrangement to jointly identify strategic and technological gaps in Europe’s Earth observation capabilities and develop a long-term roadmap in support of security and defence.
Via Satellite
• Mark Holmes
By Via Satellite: Eutelsat has announced three new broadcast deals this week in Mexico and the Caribbean. The satellite operator is to partner with Co-op Cable, introducing an expanded direct-to-home (DTH) and connectivity offering across the Caribbean using the Eutelsat 65 West A (E65WA) satellite.
SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
By SpaceNews.com: WASHINGTON — The U.S. Space Force awarded contracts to data analytics firms Leidos and MapLarge to support what the military calls battle management and command and control — the process of understanding what is happening in orbit, deciding what it means and directing a response.
European Spaceflight
• Andrew Parsonson
SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
SpaceWatch Global
• Torsten Kriening
SpaceNews.com
• Andrew Jones
SpaceWatch Global
• Torsten Kriening
SpaceWatch Global
• Judith Delany
