Satellites

Coverage of satellite programs, constellations, on-orbit operations, and orbital network infrastructure.

• MDA Space Launches Defence Variant of Aurora Software-Defined Satellite

  September 10, 2026

  MDA Space has introduced MDA Aurora Black, a defence-focused extension of its Aurora software-defined satellite product line built to deliver secure and resilient communications for government and military customers. The company announced the product on September 10, 2026, positioning it to address military satellite communications requirements in contested environments. The new product builds on the existing Aurora line's flexibility, scalability and performance features, adding layers of prot

• Eutelsat Signs Infinite Orbits for GEO Satellite Life Extension

  September 9, 2026

  Eutelsat has agreed to have Infinite Orbits extend the operational life of at least one of its geostationary satellites, the two companies announced today on the sidelines of the International Space Summit in Paris. The deal marks the third life-extension order for the French satellite-servicing company and a concrete commercial win for its Endurance servicer. The agreement follows Infinite Orbits' prior life-extension deals with SES last year and with Hispasat in 2024. The company frames the E

• Space Force Clears Design Review for Second Batch of MEO Missile-Warning Satellites

  September 9, 2026

  The U.S. Space Force has completed the critical design review for the second batch of its new missile warning and tracking satellites destined for medium Earth orbit, Space Systems Command announced Sept. 8. The milestone advances the MEO layer of the service's next-generation missile-warning architecture. The design review covered 10 new satellites built by BAE Systems. Moving missile warning to medium Earth orbit is a central element of the Space Force's plan to track hypersonic and advanced

• Europe's Big Four Carriers Weigh Joint Bid for EU Satellite Spectrum

  September 9, 2026

  Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefonica and Vodafone are in talks to form a consortium to bid for EU mobile satellite spectrum for direct-to-device service. The joint effort positions Europe's largest mobile operators directly against Starlink in the contest for the region's satellite-to-phone spectrum. The talks were reported by Bloomberg. The move reflects how seriously Europe's incumbent operators are treating the direct-to-device threat posed by SpaceX. The four carriers are discussing a comb

• U.S. Space Command Completes First Exercise on Dynamic Satellite Maneuvers

  September 9, 2026

  U.S. Space Command has completed its first exercise focused on how military satellites could move more dynamically in orbit. The exercise used actual spacecraft operating across low, medium and geosynchronous orbits, demonstrating the ability to reposition assets across different orbital regimes. The exercise marks an early step in testing maneuver operations that span multiple orbital regimes rather than a single band. By exercising with real spacecraft across low, medium and geosynchronous or

• Royal Group of Abu Dhabi Commits $1 Billion to 50-Satellite AI Imaging Constellation

  September 9, 2026

  Loft Orbital and UAE-based Marlan Space announced a billion-dollar investment by the Royal Group of Abu Dhabi to build a 50-satellite constellation using artificial intelligence to deliver optical and radar imaging products to Europe and the United Arab Emirates. The commitment ranks among the largest single financing packages in commercial Earth observation. The two companies made the announcement on September 9 in Paris, timed for the International Space Summit organized by French President E

• Cowboy Space Leases 291,000-Square-Foot Kent Plant to Build Orbital Data Center Satellites

  September 6, 2026

  California-based Cowboy Space is leasing a 291,035-square-foot industrial facility in Kent, Wash., to support production of hardware for its planned constellation of AI data center satellites. The transaction is the largest industrial lease in the Puget Sound region so far this year, marking a step from concept toward hardware for the company's orbital compute ambitions. The facility at 7650 S. 228th St. previously served as a Costco distribution and delivery center. Newmark, the real estate br

• SpaceX Flies 80th Starlink Mission of 2026 as It Clears Florida Pads for Starship

  September 6, 2026

  SpaceX launched the Starlink 15-24 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday morning, marking its 80th Starlink flight of the year. The mission was the third since the company decided to stop launching Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rockets from Florida, redirecting future Florida Starlink flights to Starship. The shift reflects a deliberate reallocation of launch resources. SpaceX is preparing Florida for Starship-Super Heavy operations, working on three Starship launch towers in the

• Chinese Reconnaissance Satellite Fragments in Rare Retrograde Orbit

  September 5, 2026

  Yaogan-50 (02), a Chinese military reconnaissance satellite launched earlier this year into an unusual retrograde orbit, has suffered an apparent fragmentation event, generating a field of debris. The breakup marks the loss of an operational reconnaissance platform in an orbital regime rarely used by military satellites. The satellite reached orbit in March 2026, according to available imagery, and was placed into a retrograde orbit, meaning it traveled opposite to the direction of most satelli

• Planet Posts Record $116 Million Quarter as Sovereign Satellite Services Drive Growth

  September 3, 2026

  Planet Labs reported record quarterly revenue of $116.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal year 2027, a 58% increase year over year. The company, which ended the period on July 31, 2026, delivered adjusted EBITDA profit of $13.9 million and marked its fourth consecutive quarter of meeting or exceeding the Rule of 40. Chief Executive Officer Will Marshall attributed the results to strong execution across the business, citing a satellite handover for the Swedish Armed Forces and contract wi

• 4iG and SpaceX Sign Europe's First Starlink Direct-to-Cell and Sovereign Defense Pact

  September 3, 2026

  Hungarian telecommunications and defense conglomerate 4iG Group signed two agreements with SpaceX on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, establishing what the companies describe as Europe's first partnership to deploy Starlink Mobile direct-to-cell services alongside a dedicated framework for encrypted defense communications. The agreements, executed at SpaceX facilities in Texas, span both commercial cellular coverage and military network sovereignty across Hungary and the Western Balkans. The partn

• ISRO to Launch EOS-05, India's First Earth Observation Satellite Bound for Geosynchronous Orbit

  September 3, 2026

  The Indian Space Research Organisation will launch EOS-05, India's first Earth observation satellite designed for Geosynchronous Orbit, from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Liftoff is scheduled for September 4, 2026, at 2:55 a.m. IST. If injected successfully, the satellite will give India continuous, real-time viewing of a fixed region rather than the periodic snapshots captured by satellites in lower orbits. While ISRO has launched imaging satellites before