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Magazine Issue

Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, March 23, 2026

VOL. 295 NO. 55 March 23, 2026
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Programs

Blue Origin is ramping up production of New Glenn upper stages for its growing customer manifest. Credit: Blue Origin
article

Blue Origin Plans 51,600-Satellite Computing Constellation

Mar 20, 2026
Blue Origin is asking the FCC to launch and operate a 51,600-member sat network for space-based data centers and AI computing services.
apex
article

Japan’s NEC To Use Apex Bus For 2027 Laserlink Tech Demo

Mar 19, 2026
Satellite bus builder Apex has signed a contract with Tokyo-based technology company NEC Corp. to support an on-orbit laser link demo launching in 2027.
: The Northrop Grumman-built satellites for the U.S.-Norway Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission, which launched in August 2024 and was declared operational in March 2026. Credit: Northrop Grumman
article

Space Force Polar Satcom Payloads Formally Enter Operations

Mar 18, 2026
A U.S. Space Force program to boost the capacity of military satellite communications in Arctic regions has been operationally accepted.

Daily Briefs

In Brief

The Debrief

X-59 Quesst low-boom supersonic flight demonstrator
article

Debrief: Out Of Turbulence In NASA Aero Comes Renewed Focus On Flight Research

Mar 20, 2026
NASA aeronautics enterprise awaits the 2027 presidential budget request with hopes for more stability and a renewed focus on flight research.

Operations

With Artemis II Back on the Launch Pad, What's Next? NASA image prospect: https://images-assets.nasa.gov/image/6903870/6903870~large.jpg?w=1905&h=1920&fit=clip&crop=faces%2Cfocalpoint HOUSTON -- With the fully stacked Artemis II Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion crew capsule back on the launch pad atop their Mobile Launch Platform at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Mar. 20 for the planned April 1 launch of four NASA and Canadian Space Agency astronauts on a 10-day mission around the Moon, there i
article

USSF Reassigns Fourth GPS III Launch From ULA To SpaceX

Mar 20, 2026
The U.S. Space Force is shifting a GPS III launch from United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rockets to the SpaceX Falcon fleet for the fourth time.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
article

SLS-Orion Returns To Launchpad For Artemis II Flight Preparations

Mar 20, 2026
NASA finished a 23-day servicing of the SLS rocket in the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building and returned the rocket to Launch Complex 39B March 20.

Business

Credit: York Space Systems
article

York Space Plans 107 Satellite Launches Through 2027

Mar 20, 2026
The company, which has 33 satellites in space, aims to deploy 107 more through this year and next.
Intuitive Machines
article

Intuitive CEO Sees Growth Potential In Tracking Layer Deal

Mar 19, 2026
Intuitive Machines CEO says the company’s deal to supply satellites for L3Harris’s work on the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer.
Emmanuel Chiva
article

France Appoints New Onera Boss Emmanuel Chiva

Mar 20, 2026
The French government has named Emmanuel Chiva chairman and CEO of aerospace research and technology center Onera.
gallium nitride chip component image
article

Hensoldt Agrees Gallium Nitride Chip Component Supply Deal

Mar 18, 2026
Hensoldt agreed a deal to assure critical radar component supply through 2030—a signal European defense suppliers are bullish about long-term demand.

Funding & Policy

art
article

With Artemis II Back On Launchpad, What’s Next?

Mar 20, 2026
The fully stacked Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion crew capsule were back on the launchpad March 20.
thaad
article

Kuwait, Jordan, UAE Seek To Buy $16B In U.S. Defense Equipment

Mar 20, 2026
Kuwait, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates have asked to buy more than $16 billion worth of U.S. defense equipment.

Fleet Snapshot

Calendar