Satellites

AST SpaceMobile says it should see sales reach around $1 billion as it scales up its direct-to-device satellite communications constellation.

Airbus has demonstrated a laser communication link with an airborne communication terminal and a communications satellite in geostationary orbit.

Aalto, a company spun out of Airbus to fly the Zephyr HAPS, is to work with Indonesian telecoms provider Telkomsel to address coverage issues.

The European Union’s IRIS² autonomous secure sat communication system will likely expand beyond the core member states, helping the economics of the project.

A Chinese space company is releasing imagery revealing key details of the U.S. military buildup in the Middle East.

A new U.S. military satellite built to track objects in cislunar space could fly by the end of 2026.

The U.S. Space Force has launched a prototype maneuverable satellite to train for on-orbit offensive and defensive activities.

BlackSky has cut some near-term constellation expansion plans for its new Gen-3 imagery satellite deployments.

Aalyria secured $100 million in Series B funding to expand its Spacetime platform and Tightbeam terminals, advancing intelligent space communications networks.

Israel’s ImageSat International says it plans to launch the first of its new Knight Earth-imaging satellites next year.

Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Space Force are testing several new technologies aboard the next GPS III satellite, including a new digital atomic clock.

The Space Development Agency has awarded AST SpaceMobile a $30 million contract to demonstrate tactical satcom capabilities using commercial spacecraft.

Boeing is kick-starting an electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload production line at its facilities outside of Los Angeles.

Japan’s Synspective says it secured a contract to support the country’s project to access SAR satellite data that Tokyo is acquiring through a PFI.

U.S. military space leaders spent the better part of last year debating whether the time was ripe to invest further in in-space servicing and refueling. But going into 2026, the messaging has begun to coalesce around a more positive note.

Spanish startup Sateliot has booked a launch with compatriot PLD Space to deploy its first two high-capacity 5G direct-to-device satellites.

AAC Clyde Space says it is moving ahead with plans to expand its Vireon Earth-observation satellite constellation.

More Ariane Heavy missions loom as Amazon pushes to gets its broadband low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation going.

Aalto, the business spun out of Airbus to provide services from the stratosphere with the Zephyr high-altitude pseudo satellite, will establish a second operational base in Australia.

The U.S. Space Systems Command is looking for companies that could provide refueling services in geostationary orbit to spacecraft configured for such operations.

Safran says it has acquired French resilient PNT specialist Syntony as part of a broader move among to deal with the scourge of GPS jamming and spoofing.

Eutelsat has cancelled the order for the Thales Alenia Space-made Flexsat Americas satellite due to concerns about competition for LEO systems.

—Arianespace achieved a double-first with the inaugural flight of the Ariane 64 launcher configuration and satellite deployment.

A United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket successfully delivered the next batch of U.S. military satellites to their intended orbits on Feb. 12.

Saudi space technology company SARsatX is laying the groundwork for the launch of the first Saudi-made commercial satellite.