Wall Street JournalEd Ballard

Satellite startups pivot to defence work and restrict Middle East imagery as Iran war raises exploitation risks

As the Iran war sharpens demand for battle-ready intelligence, commercial satellite startups are pivoting toward defense work and tightening access to Middle East imagery, citing risks that data could be exploited by 'adversarial actors'. The moves are reshaping commercial imagery availability and industry risk posture.

Also: CBS News
2026-03-19T07:20:39.477574-07:00
Universe TodayAndy Tomaswick

Protecting Lunar Heritage as a New Wave of Moon Missions Arrives

By Universe Today: In 1959, the Luna 2 probe from the Soviet Union became the very first human-made object to reach our closest celestial neighbor. In the decades since, we have been leaving footprints - both literally and figuratively - all over the Moon.

2026-03-19T07:20:11.986724-07:00
ESA

ESA awards OHB Sweden contract to build 20 Sterna Arctic weather satellites

By ESA: Thanks to the success of the Arctic Weather Satellite prototype and Eumetsat’s recent greenlight to develop a full constellation of similar satellites called Sterna, the European Space Agency has awarded OHB Sweden with the contract to build 20 satellites.This marks a major step toward better monitoring rapidly evolving weather, improving forecasts of severe events in vulnerable regions such as the Mediterranean, and closing critical data gaps over the Arctic – the fastest-warming region on Earth and a key driver of Europe’s weather systems.

2026-03-18T05:40:59.210681-07:00