Issue 77 | Breaking Space News: Nov 17 - 23, 2025

Good to have you back Explorer,🚀

Space commerce, and defense took the spotlight this week. Plus a couple of interesting reports about China, US and Europe. Don’t miss some breathtaking images. Click the link below to read the unclipped publication. ↓

Hope you enjoy this Space!

• IMAGES

  • Dust Shells of the Wolf-Rayet Apep Star System

  • Stellar Stream Trailing Messiers 61

  • Neon-like Aurora, Comet Lemmon in the Backdrop

  • Dark Nebula LDN 1641

  • Hurricane Melissa Through the Caribbean

• SCIENCE

  • Euclid Space Telescope Maps 1.2 Million Galaxies in First Year of Observations

  • AI Controller Successfully Guides In-Orbit Satellite Reorientation, Marking Progress Toward Full Autonomy in Space

  • Uncrewed Shenzhou‑22 Set for Launch: Will Provide Backup Return Option for Tiangong Crew Following Shenzhou‑20 Debris Incident

  • Starship Lunar Mission Delayed to Late 2028, Internal SpaceX Document Shows; Version 3 Super Heavy Booster Buckles in Testing

  • Earth and Theia May Have Originated as Neighbors in the Inner Solar System, Before Moon‑Making Collision

• GOVERNANCE

  • EU Draft Space Law Draws US Criticism as ESA Confronts Funding Challenges Amid NASA Budget Cuts

  • China’s Rapid Space Expansion Threatens US Security and Global Influence, Annual U.S. Report Claims

  • Europe Risks Falling Behind as U.S. and China Advance Space‑Based Data Centers, ESPI Report Warns

• MILITARY

  • York Space Systems IPO Filing Highlights Losses as Ursa Major, Quindar Secure Funding, Redwire Wins DARPA Contract and Voyager Acquires Estes

  • Rocket Lab HASTE Launch Vehicle Conducts Hypersonic Test Flight for Defense Innovation Unit, Missile Defense Agency

  • Kymeta and iRocket Partner on Next-Gen Always‑Connected Missile Interceptor Technology

  • Space Force Nears Completion of 15‑Year Objective Force Blueprint Signaling Shift to Warfighting Domain

• COMMERCIAL

  • Japan’s IHI and Finnish ICEYE Partner to Establish Domestic Assembly of SAR Satellite Constellation in Japan

  • Eutelsat Secures €828 Million Capital Increase from France and Global Investors to Sustain OneWeb Constellation and Fund IRIS²

  • DCUBED Plans Araqys Demonstration of In‑Space Solar Manufacturing Technology

  • German Isar Aerospace and US-Based SEOPS Partner on 2028 Dedicated Mission From Andøya Spaceport

  • SSC Announces SSC Go as Streamlined Ground Network for S‑Band and X‑Band Communications to Compete With KSATlite and Leaf Space

  • Italian-Dutch Revolv Space Introduces MARA Solar Array Drive Assembly to Expand Power Capabilities for Satellites up to 1,000 Kilograms

  • OQ Technology Demonstrates Europe’s First Direct‑to‑Mobile Emergency Broadcast via Satellite

  • Katalyst Selects Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus Rocket for NASA’s Swift Observatory Orbital Rescue Mission

  • Blue Origin Announces Super‑Heavy New Glenn 9×4 Variant With Expanded Payload Capacity

  • Janus Henderson Invests in Starlab’s AI‑Enabled Commercial Space Station Program

  • ESA and Thales Alenia Space Formalize Consortium for Argonaut Lunar Lander Development

IMAGES

Dust Shells of the Wolf-Rayet Apep Star System : James Webb Space Telescope

Stellar Stream Trailing Messiers 61 : Vera C. Rubin Telescope

Neon-like Aurora, Comet Lemmon in the Backdrop : ISS

Dark Nebula LDN 1641 : Euclid Space Telescope

Hurricane Melissa Through the Caribbean : Copernicus Sentinel-3 Mission

SCIENCE

Euclid Space Telescope Maps 1.2 Million Galaxies in First Year of Observations

ESA’s Euclid space telescope has delivered a sweeping first-year dataset, cataloguing more than 1.2 million galaxies and offering new insights into how they form and evolve. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics (MPE) report that Euclid’s sharp, wide-field images reveal the diversity of galactic structures, from spirals and ellipticals to faint dwarf systems once too elusive to study. The mission has identified hundreds of galaxies with secondary nuclei, potential precursors to supermassive black hole binaries, and rare populations with highly ionized emission lines.

These findings highlight the role of mergers and energetic feedback in shaping galaxies over cosmic time. Euclid’s sensitivity also uncovered thousands of dwarf galaxies, considered building blocks of larger systems like the Milky Way. The results provide a comprehensive view of how galaxies and their central black holes coevolve, demonstrating the telescope’s ability to connect morphology, star formation history, and environment across the universe.

AI Controller Successfully Guides In-Orbit Satellite Reorientation, Marking Progress Toward Full Autonomy in Space

Researchers in Germany have achieved a milestone in satellite autonomy by successfully testing an artificial intelligence controller in orbit for the first time. A team at Julius‑Maximilians‑Universität Würzburg, part of the “In-Orbit Demonstrator for Learning Attitude Control” (LeLaR) project, deployed a deep reinforcement learning algorithm aboard the nanosatellite InnoCube, which autonomously reoriented itself using reaction wheels during a pass on Oct. 30, 2025. Unlike traditional controllers that require lengthy manual tuning, the AI system adapted quickly to real conditions, bridging the “Sim2Real” gap between simulation and spaceflight.

Prior to launch, the AI controller was developed and tested in a high‑fidelity Earth‑based simulation before being uploaded to the satellite’s onboard system in orbit. A central challenge was overcoming the Sim2Real gap, ensuring that software trained in simulated conditions could function reliably on the actual spacecraft in space. The project, funded by the German Space Agency at DLR (German Aerospace Center), demonstrates how AI can safely manage attitude control without human intervention.

The satellite repeatedly performed maneuvers to align with target orientations, marking a step toward full autonomy in orbit. Such technology could be vital for deep‑space missions, where communication delays make real‑time human control impossible. The InnoCube satellite has been developed in collaboration with TU Berlin, built to trial new space technologies in orbit. The success is seen as an important proof‑of‑concept for future spacecraft capable of self‑learning and adaptive operations.

Uncrewed Shenzhou‑22 Set for Launch: Will Provide Backup Return Option for Tiangong Crew Following Shenzhou‑20 Debris Incident

17 November, 2025

China is preparing to launch the uncrewed Shenzhou‑22 spacecraft to the Tiangong space station, ensuring the current Shenzhou‑21 crew has a safe return option. An airspace closure notice points to a Long March 2F launch from Jiuquan late Nov. 24, though officials have not formally announced the plan. The move follows the Shenzhou‑20 crew’s delayed return earlier this month, when a suspected debris strike cracked a window on their capsule, forcing them to use Shenzhou‑21 instead.

That decision left commander Zhang Lu and crewmates Zhang Hongzhang and Wu Fei without a lifeboat in case of emergencies. Shenzhou‑22, originally slated for a 2026 crewed mission, will now deliver supplies and serve as backup. The rapid turnaround, 20 days after damage was detected, demonstrates China’s ability to keep spacecraft in near‑readiness, though orbital mechanics and launch pad availability constrain timing. The incident emphasizes how orbital debris increasingly complicates human spaceflight safety and planning

Starship Lunar Mission Delayed to Late 2028, Internal SpaceX Document Shows; Version 3 Super Heavy Booster Buckles in Testing

17 November, 2025

According to an internal SpaceX document obtained by Politico, its Starship vehicle will not be ready to land astronauts on the Moon until at least late 2028, pushing the Artemis III mission more than a year beyond the White House’s preferred timeline. The delay stems from challenges in developing Starship’s in-space refueling capability, a critical step for lunar operations. The document outlines a revised timeline that targets June 2026 for the first orbital refueling test between Starship vehicles, followed by an uncrewed lunar landing in June 2027. If those milestones are met, the company projects that the earliest possible crewed Moon landing could occur in September 2028. However, the company has yet to complete a fully successful orbital flight of Starship, raising concerns about schedule realism.

According to Politico, SpaceX has not yet formally shared these dates with NASA but intends to include them in an “integrated master schedule” to be submitted in December. The company acknowledges that this timeline extends beyond its original NASA contract and plans to work with the agency to establish new contractual deadlines.

NASA originally awarded SpaceX a firm-fixed, milestone-based $2.89 billion contract in 2021 to deliver the first crewed lunar lander under Artemis. originally planned for a 2024 launch, the target date has since been delayed multiple times, with the most recent official target being mid-2027. 

21 November, 2025

Meanwhile, SpaceX’s first Version 3 Super Heavy booster, designated Booster 18, sustained significant damage during early pressure testing at its Starbase facility in Texas. Rolled out on Nov. 20, the upgraded booster was undergoing gas system pressure tests when its lower section visibly buckled. SpaceX has not yet disclosed the cause of the anomaly.

The Starbase team plans to stack the next Super Heavy booster in December, aligning with preparations for the first Starship V3 and associated ground systems. Starship’s twelfth flight test is currently targeted for Q1 2026. The incident marks a setback for the next-generation Starship architecture, which is intended to support future lunar missions. SpaceX has not confirmed whether Booster 18 will be repaired or decommissioned.

Earth and Theia May Have Originated as Neighbors in the Inner Solar System, Before Moon‑Making Collision

20 November, 2025

New research suggests that Theia, the planetary body thought to have collided with Earth 4.5 billion years ago to form the Moon, may have originated much closer to our planet than previously assumed.

A study led by the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research and the University of Chicago analyzed iron isotope ratios in 6 Apollo lunar samples and 15 terrestrial rocks. The resulting “list of ingredients” indicate that Earth and Theia shared similar isotopic signatures, pointing to a common place origin in the inner Solar System. This challenges earlier models that placed Theia’s birthplace farther out.

Simulations show that both bodies likely formed as neighbors near the Sun, before their catastrophic collision reshaped Earth and produced the Moon. The findings refine our understanding of planetary formation, suggesting that local materials dominated early Solar System dynamics. Scientists caution, however, that Theia’s exact composition remains uncertain, as it was destroyed in the impact.

GOVERNANCE

EU Draft Space Law Draws US Criticism as ESA Confronts Funding Challenges Amid NASA Budget Cuts

18 November, 2025

European space ambitions face mounting uncertainty as U.S. budget cuts and transatlantic regulatory disputes converge, threatening flagship missions and cooperation frameworks.

The European Space Agency (ESA) is grappling with potential shortfalls of nearly $2 billion after the Trump administration proposed sweeping cuts to NASA’s 2026 budget. Programs most at risk include the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) gravitational wave observatory, the Venus orbiter EnVision, the proposed X-ray telescope New Athena and the delayed ExoMars rover. Each relies on critical NASA hardware and funding commitments. ESA officials have begun exploring European industry alternatives, but member states must decide whether to absorb the costs at the upcoming Ministerial Council in Bremen. Without clarity on U.S. funding, Europe risks halting or scaling back projects central to its scientific agenda.

20 November, 2025

At the same time, tensions are rising over the European Union’s draft Space Act, intended to unify regulation across member states. The U.S. Department of Commerce and State Department submitted formal feedback warning that the law could impose “unacceptable regulatory burdens” on American companies, undermining decades of civil and commercial cooperation. Washington urged Brussels to align with international standards and avoid non‑tariff barriers that could restrict collaboration in areas such as space debris mitigation and remote sensing.

One of the criticisms of the draft came regarding provisions concerning environmental protection requirements for commercial satellites that are apparently more strict than those imposed by US regulatory bodies. A “discriminatory” clause says that outside EU launch providers will only be approved “when ‘no readily available substitute or realistic alternative exist in the Union […].” The U.S. feedback warned that it could imperil NATO’s ability to leverage U.S. commercial space capabilities. The dispute also comes as European nations increase military space spending, complicating ESA’s efforts to secure science funding.

China’s Rapid Space Expansion Threatens US Security and Global Influence, Annual U.S. Report Claims

18 November 2025

The U.S.–China Economic and Security Review Commission’s 2025 Annual Report warns that Washington risks losing its strategic edge in space as Beijing accelerates efforts to dominate the domain.

The 745‑page assessment describes China’s program as entering a new phase of speed and scale, with Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman calling its expansion “mind boggling.” The report highlights how China’s military, state enterprises, and commercial ventures operate as a single system, enabling rapid transfer of civilian breakthroughs into military use. This dual‑use structure has produced advances in counterspace technologies, mega‑constellations, and global ground stations, alongside investments in quantum communication, reusable spaceplanes, nuclear propulsion, and space‑based solar power.

U.S. officials caution that such capabilities could disrupt satellites critical for targeting, communications, and surveillance, particularly in a Western Pacific crisis where dispersed forces rely on resilient networks. The commission stresses that American society’s dependence on GPS, banking, weather forecasting, and power grids remains underappreciated outside defense circles.

The report claims that historically, Washington has avoided offensive space systems to sidestep accusations of weaponizing orbit. That restraint is eroding as, according to the Commission, China treats space as a warfighting domain. The Space Force’s March 2025 framework places space superiority at the center of U.S. planning, including offensive and defensive operations to protect satellites.

The report concludes that China’s state‑directed ecosystem poses a formidable technological and geostrategic challenge, with long‑term ambitions to shape global standards and governance. Congress is urged to boost Space Force funding, expand wargaming, and strengthen operator training to ensure U.S. space control and maintain global influence.

Europe Risks Falling Behind as US and China Advance Space‑Based Data Centers, ESPI Report Warns

19 November 2025

A report titled “Data centres in space: orbital backbone of the second digital era?” warned that orbital data centers may emerge as a critical frontier in global digital infrastructure, with Europe at risk of lagging behind.

The new report from the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) highlights rapid progress in the United States and China, where companies and governments are investing heavily in in‑orbit cloud computing to meet surging demand from artificial intelligence. Startups such as Florida‑based Lonestar and Washington’s Starcloud have already deployed early hardware, including Starcloud‑1, a 60‑kilogram satellite carrying an Nvidia processor capable of running AI models in orbit. China has launched the first 12 satellites of its planned 2,800‑unit Three‑Body Computing Constellation, while NASA is managing more than two dozen edge‑processing experiments aboard the International Space Station.

Scaling these systems will require vast solar arrays and radiators to manage gigawatts of heat, highlighting formidable engineering challenges. Yet analysts estimate trillions in global investment will flow into data centers by 2030, largely driven by AI workloads. ESPI urged Europe to establish a coordinated initiative, leveraging ESA programs and EU funding, to avoid dependence on foreign orbital compute capacity.

MILITARY

York Space Systems IPO Filing Highlights Losses as Ursa Major, Quindar Secure Funding, Redwire Wins DARPA Contract and Voyager Acquires Estes

Capital is flowing into the U.S. space industrial base with a clear emphasis on defense priorities, from propulsion and energetics to mission control, VLEO technologies and proliferated constellations. These investments highlight the Pentagon’s push for resilient supply chains, experimentation in contested orbital regimes and rapid deployment capabilities, even as many firms remain unprofitable and face pressure to prove operational cadence.

17 November, 2025

York Space Systems, the U.S.-based, space and defense prime, has filed a registration statement for a proposed IPO, positioning its satellite manufacturing and services platform for public investors amid a tighter financing environment. The company’s satellites are already integrated into U.S. government programs, but its $99 million loss in 2024 hints at the financial fragility of firms supplying proliferated constellations for military ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and communications.

18 November, 2025

Meanwhile, aerospace and defense company, Ursa Major raised $100 million in Series E financing, alongside $50 million in debt commitments, to scale manufacturing of hypersonics, solid rocket motors, and space mobility systems. The company reported more than $115 million in bookings through the first three quarters of 2025, citing partnerships spanning the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Stratolaunch, and BAE Systems. The round, led by Eclipse with participation from Woodline Partners, Principia Growth, XN, and Alsop Louie Partners, signals investor confidence in propulsion, missile systems, responsive launch and hypersonics as strategic bottlenecks where domestic capacity and speed-to-field are prized.

18 November, 2025

There is a growing defense demand for software-defined operations for proliferated constellations and defense missions, where resilience, security, and cost discipline are now baseline requirements. To that end, on the software and operations side, Quindar, the mission management platform provider, raised $18 million in a Series A to accelerate mission control infrastructure. Its classified operations center expects to address how proliferated satellite fleets require resilient command‑and‑control infrastructure to withstand cyber and electronic warfare threats. By reducing operational overhead and enhancing survivability, Quindar’s software‑defined approach is positioning to support the Department of Defense’s push for distributed, resilient architectures.

19 November, 2025

Redwire Space has been awarded a $44 million DARPA contract to advance its Otter very low Earth orbit (VLEO) mission. Otter aims to demonstrate the world’s first air‑breathing spacecraft, designed to operate at altitudes below traditional LEO where drag and radiation are significant challenges. In aerospace, “air‑breathing” means a propulsion system that uses oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere instead of carrying its own oxidizer onboard.

Success would enable faster revisit rates, reduced latency, and new defense applications in contested orbital regimes. Redwire will provide design, integration, and testing of VLEO platforms, building on its experience in in‑space manufacturing and advanced materials. The award sheds light on DARPA’s goal to de‑risk novel orbital concepts and strengthen U.S. industrial capacity for resilient defense space systems.

20 November, 2025

Vertical integration continues through M&A. Defense and space tech company, Voyager Technologies acquired the U.S.-based manufacturer of energetics, propulsion materials and critical chemical compounds supporting missile defense and tactical munitions, Estes Energetics. The move aims to alleviate supply chain constraints that have slowed programs across launch and missile systems, ensuring critical inputs remain under U.S. ownership.

Rocket Lab HASTE Launch Vehicle Conducts Hypersonic Test Flight for Defense Innovation Unit, Missile Defense Agency

18 November, 2025

Rocket Lab has conducted its sixth hypersonic test flight with its HASTE suborbital rocket, for the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Missile Defense Agency (MDA).

On November 18, the company launched the “Prometheus Run” mission from Wallops Island, Virginia. The flight carried a government-provided primary payload developed by Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, along with secondary government and industry payloads, all focused on missile defense technologies. HASTE—short for Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron, is a modified version of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, tailored for hypersonic and re‑entry testing. HASTE is capable of reaching speeds above 7.5 kilometers per second, enabling the testing of air‑breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads, along with systems designed for atmospheric re‑entry from space.

The mission was booked and executed within 14 months, and was contracted to Rocket Lab through the DIU’s Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities (HyCAT) program. By providing regular, lower‑cost test opportunities, Rocket Lab’s platform expects to ease bottlenecks in hypersonic research, offering the U.S. more frequent data collection to advance system readiness.

Kymeta and iRocket Partner on Next-Gen Always‑Connected Missile Interceptor Technology

19 November, 2025

Kymeta, the flat-panel satellite antenna and reusable rocket and propulsion developer iRocket have announced a strategic partnership to develop “always‑connected” missile interceptor technology—an effort that can be seen as a pitch to the Golden Dome U.S. defense architecture. The collaboration will integrate Kymeta’s conformal multi‑orbit antenna technology into iRocket’s interceptor designs. Unlike traditional dish antennas, Kymeta’s metamaterial‑based system can be built directly into the body of a missile, eliminating moving parts, drag, and detectability and enabling continuous links to satellites across multiple orbits. This design is expected to allow interceptors to receive mid‑course updates and maintain secure communications even in contested environments.

The concept of “always‑connected” interceptors could improve accuracy and resilience, but technical hurdles remain, including integration across diverse defense networks and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity under operational stress. The partnership highlights how smaller firms are positioning themselves within the evolving U.S. missile defense architecture.

Space Force Nears Completion of 15‑Year Objective Force Blueprint Signaling Shift to Warfighting Domain

20 November, 2025

The U.S. Space Force is close to finalizing a 15‑year “objective force” blueprint that will define how the service builds, buys, and fields capabilities in an era where orbit is treated as a contested military domain. Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, said most of the work is complete, though publication may slip into early 2026. The plan is intended to move beyond lists of satellites and launch vehicles, instead outlining how to create a combat‑credible force able to sustain space control and deny hostile activity.

The framework draws on years of modeling by the Space Warfighting Analysis Center, which has used physics‑based assessments to shape future architectures. Organized by mission area, it will specify systems for missile warning, communications, and other roles, while also addressing personnel and infrastructure. Saltzman emphasized the need to provide a “stable demand signal” to the U.S. Congress, industry, and allies. Analysts caution that execution will hinge on funding, acquisition reform, and industrial capacity.

It is interesting to note that in the current geopolitical climate, by framing space as a combat domain, the United States presents itself internationally as a power seeking to shape and control a global commons, prompting questions over how allies and competitors will interpret and respond to efforts at formalizing orbital dominance.

COMMERCIAL

Japan’s IHI and Finnish ICEYE Partner to Establish Domestic Assembly of SAR Satellite Constellation in Japan

17 November, 2025

ICEYE, the Finnish synthetic aperture radar (SAR) operator and Japanese aerospace and defense company, IHI Corporation have signed an agreement to build a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, in an attempt to expand Earth observation capacity with local assembly in Japan.

Under the deal, ICEYE will provide its SAR satellite technology, while IHI will assemble spacecraft domestically, aiming to strengthen Japan’s industrial base in space manufacturing. IHI has ordered four satellites and an image acquisition system, with the option to add 20 more later. The first units are scheduled to begin phased commissioning and deliver data starting around April 2026. Two of the initial satellites will be assembled and tested in Japan, with work already underway in collaboration with ICEYE. If demonstration results prove successful, IHI intends to exercise its options for the additional satellites in stages beginning in fiscal year 2026, aiming to complete the 24‑satellite constellation by fiscal year 2029.

The constellation is intended to deliver high‑resolution, all‑weather imaging for applications ranging from disaster response to infrastructure monitoring. ICEYE, headquartered in Finland, has already deployed dozens of SAR satellites globally, and the partnership is a sign of growing demand for sovereign access to geospatial data. IHI’s decision to order and assemble satellites in Japan also aligns with national priorities to enhance resilience and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.

Eutelsat Secures €828 Million Capital Increase from France and Global Investors to Sustain OneWeb Constellation and Fund IRIS²

18 November, 2025

Eutelsat secured commitments for an €828 million/$959 million reserved capital increase, priced at €4 per share, a 32% premium over recent averages. France nearly doubled its stake to 29.65%, while Indian conglomerate Bharti, the U.K. government, the French shipping and logistics company, CMA CGM, and the French investment fund, FSP fund also increased holdings, 17.88%, 10.89%, 7.46% and 4.99%, respectively. The anchor investors pledged to participate in a further €634 million rights issue before year‑end, covering more than 70% of shares.

Alongside plans to sell passive ground infrastructure, Eutelsat said the capital will allow it to refinance debt and invest in sustaining OneWeb’s low Earth orbit constellation, whose 650 satellites launched between 2020 and 2023 will reach end‑of‑life around 2027–2028. The operator has budgeted €2.2 billion for 440 replacement satellites, with Airbus contracted for the first 100 launches from 2026, and another €2 billion for Europe’s sovereign IRIS² broadband project. Eutelsat’s October earnings showed LEO revenue up 50%, offsetting declines in geostationary services.

DCUBED Plans Araqys Demonstration of In‑Space Solar Manufacturing Technology

18 November, 2025

German startup DCUBED is preparing to demonstrate its newly unveiled ARAQYS, a printable in‑space solar array system, through a series of in‑space solar manufacturing missions. The company, known for deployable structures and in‑space manufacturing (ISM) technologies, announced the ARAQYS‑D3 missions featuring a 2kW in‑space manufactured solar array.

The first two demonstration flights are slated for early 2026. Araqys‑D1, a 3U satellite scheduled for Q1, will attempt to build a 60‑centimeter ISM boom in orbit which will also serve future arrays. Araqys‑D2, flying aboard Exotrail’s next Spacevan mission, will test 3D‑printing a UV‑curing resin to harden the underside of a soft solar blanket, aiming to create and deploy a one‑meter long ISM solar array.

The final step, Araqys‑D3, is planned for a SpaceX rideshare in Q1 2027. It will combine the technologies to construct a 1‑by‑15‑meter array capable of producing 2kW of power. While less efficient than conventional solar cells, DCUBED says the order‑of‑magnitude cost reduction could make Araqys commercially viable.

Built with partner Astro Digital (U.S.), the system is intended to support applications such as power beaming and directed energy. The demonstration is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX rideshare in early 2027, arranged by Maverick Space Systems from San Luis Obispo, U.S.

DCUBED positions ARAQYS as a response to growing demand for scalable orbital power, driven by the rise of data centers, direct‑to‑device communications, and defense constellations. By manufacturing solar arrays in orbit, the company aims to reduce launch mass and overcome rocket fairing limits, potentially lowering costs and enabling larger systems. If successful, the project could advance Europe’s competitiveness in space hardware innovation and contribute to broader efforts to develop sustainable, sovereign capabilities in low Earth orbit.

German Isar Aerospace and US-Based SEOPS Partner on 2028 Dedicated Mission From Andøya Spaceport

18 November, 2025

German launch operator Isar Aerospace has signed a launch agreement with U.S.-based integration and mission services provider SEOPS, marking a step in the growing transatlantic small‑satellite market.

SEOPS, a launch aggregator specializing in rideshare services, purchased a dedicated mission aboard Isar’s Spectrum rocket, which is being developed in Germany for payloads up to 1,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The launch is planned for 2028 from the Andøya Spaceport in Norway and Spectrum will deploy multiple payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO). The agreement gives SEOPS full control of the flight manifest, enabling it to tailor schedules and integration for its customers rather than relying on secondary slots.

The mission falls under SEOPS’ LaunchLock Prime program, which offers customers guaranteed launch capacity and flexibility in selecting a vehicle. Participants can choose full end‑to‑end coordination through SEOPS, covering hardware, integration, and mission management, or limit the support to specific functions. Among the program’s clients is Axient Systems, a Netherlands‑based space mission integrator.

SEOPS has historically relied on SpaceX rideshare missions. This agreement expands its portfolio to include a European option, while Isar strengthens its international customer base. The deal reflects increasing demand for flexible launch options as small‑satellite operators seek more predictable access to orbit. For Isar, it represents further international expansion following contracts with European institutions and commercial firms. The company has positioned Spectrum as a cost‑competitive alternative to U.S. and Asian launch providers, with its first flight targeted for 2026.

SSC Announces SSC Go as Streamlined Ground Network for S‑Band and X‑Band Communications to Compete With KSATlite and Leaf Space

18 November, 2025

Swedish Space Corporation (SSC), the state-owned space services provider has introduced SSC Go, a new ground station service aimed at operators of small satellites and constellations, announced Nov. 18 at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen.

Unlike SSC’s traditional offerings that rely on larger antennas and premium support, SSC Go uses a dedicated network of 3.7‑meter antennas at five sites worldwide to provide streamlined S‑ and X‑band communications, with Ka‑band expected in 2026. The initial stations are located in Kiruna (Sweden), North Pole (Alaska), Inuvik (Canada), Punta Arenas (Chile), and Western Australia, chosen to optimize coverage for sun‑synchronous orbits and rapid data downlink over East Asia. SSC stresses the value of multi‑site redundancy across its five initial stations and frames this as protection against disruptions in terrestrial networks or sea cables.

SSC Go is positioned against competitors such as KSATlite and Leaf Space, emphasizing easier onboarding, automated scheduling, and cloud integration. Technical features include dual‑polarization X‑band downlinks that can double data rates for compatible satellites. SSC also highlights redundancy as a risk‑management advantage, noting vulnerabilities in terrestrial networks. Expansion to other SSC sites will depend on customer demand.

Italian-Dutch Revolv Space Introduces MARA Solar Array Drive Assembly to Expand Power Capabilities for Satellites up to 1,000 Kilograms

18 November, 2025

Revolv Space, an Italian‑Dutch startup, has secured its first customer for MARA, a next‑generation solar array drive assembly (SADA) unveiled at Space Tech Expo Europe in Bremen. A Solar Array Drive Assembly is the mechanism that allows a satellite’s solar panels to rotate and stay pointed at the Sun, ensuring continuous power generation.

The company confirmed the sale of 10 MARA units, a commercial debut for technology, designed to bridge the gap between simple body‑mounted arrays and expensive, custom SADAs offered by legacy suppliers. MARA builds on Revolv’s earlier SARA product (small SADA), extending capabilities to medium‑sized satellites between 300 and 1,000 kilograms and supporting power demands up to 10 kW spacecraft.

The system uses Revolv’s proprietary twist capsule technology, already flight‑proven, to improve efficiency in power‑hungry platforms and constellations. Revolv sees MARA as a candidate for Europe’s planned IRIS² secure communications constellation, highlighting its relevance to institutional programs as well as commercial operators.

This milestone follows Revolv’s earlier contract to supply six SARA units to Blue Canyon Technologies.

OQ Technology Demonstrates Europe’s First Direct‑to‑Mobile Emergency Broadcast via Satellite

19 November, 2025

OQ Technology, 5G satellite constellation operator for global IoT connectivity, has carried out Europe’s first direct‑to‑mobile emergency broadcast via satellite, a significant step toward integrating space assets into public safety communications.

The demonstration, announced November 19, used OQ’s low Earth orbit satellites to deliver alerts directly to unmodified standard smartphones without relying on terrestrial networks. The test showed how satellite connectivity could provide redundancy during disasters or outages, ensuring messages reach affected populations even when ground infrastructure is compromised.

OQ Technology, headquartered in Luxembourg, has been building a constellation focused on 5G IoT and direct‑to‑device services. The company emphasized that the broadcast aligns with European Union priorities for resilient communications, particularly as governments explore sovereign constellations like IRIS². While the system is still in early stages, officials noted that the ability to bypass mobile operators and deliver alerts directly could complement existing emergency frameworks.

The trial highlights growing interest in satellite‑enabled direct‑to‑device services, a field attracting both startups and established operators.

Katalyst Selects Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus Rocket for NASA’s Swift Observatory Orbital Rescue Mission

19 November, 2025

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory is set to receive a first‑of‑its‑kind orbital rescue, as Arizona‑based Katalyst Space Technologies has selected Northrop Grumman’s Pegasus XL rocket to launch its LINK robotic servicing spacecraft, a rare return for the air‑launched vehicle.

The mission, scheduled for June 2026, will attempt to autonomously rendezvous with and boost the orbit of the $500 million NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory and extend its scientific life. Swift, launched in 2004 to study gamma‑ray bursts, faces uncontrolled reentry risks: agency estimates suggest a 50% chance of reentry by mid‑2026, rising to 90% by year’s end. Pegasus, last flown in 2021, will be deployed from a modified L‑1011 aircraft.

NASA awarded Katalyst a $30 million contract earlier this year in September. Katalyst had only about eight months to launch, an unusually rapid turnaround for a space servicing mission.

Blue Origin Announces Super‑Heavy New Glenn 9×4 Variant With Expanded Payload Capacity, Highlights Reusability and Increased Thrust for Future Missions

20 November, 2025

Blue Origin has outlined a series of upgrades to its New Glenn rocket, days after the successful NG‑2 mission that launched NASA’s ESCAPADE spacecraft toward Mars and returned the booster to an Atlantic landing ship. The company emphasized not only higher thrust but also new cooling and structural systems designed to improve performance and reusability.

The company said it will increase thrust on the vehicle’s seven BE‑4 engines from 3.9 to 4.5 million pounds‑force (17,219 kN to 19,928 kN), while the two BE‑3U upper‑stage engines will rise from 320,000 to 400,000 pounds‑force (1,423 kN to 1,779 kN). Other improvements include a reusable payload fairing and the use of subcooled liquid oxygen and methane, which increases propellant density and engine efficiency. The rocket’s lower tank will also be redesigned for reduced cost, and a reusable thermal protection system will be applied to the booster to extend its operational life. These changes will begin with NG‑3, scheduled for early 2026, though Blue Origin has not disclosed how they affect payload capacity.

More ambitiously, Blue Origin announced plans for a larger New Glenn 9×4, a super‑heavy variant with nine BE‑4

engines, four BE‑3Us, and an 8.7‑meter payload fairing, compared to the 7-meter fairing on the current version, New Glenn 7×2. It is projected to lift 70+ metric tons to low Earth orbit and 20+ tons on translunar trajectories, though no service date was given. CEO Dave Limp emphasized scaling production of expendable second stages to achieve higher launch cadence. CEO Dave Limp stressed the need to scale production of expendable second stages to achieve higher launch cadence in 2026.

Janus Henderson Invests in Starlab’s AI‑Enabled Commercial Space Station Program

20 November, 2025

In a move illustrating growing financial interest in post‑ISS orbital infrastructure, Starlab Space, the Houston, U.S.,‑based developer of commercial space stations, has secured a strategic investment from Janus Henderson Group,

Established in 2021, Starlab is a multinational joint venture spearheaded by Voyager Technologies, working alongside Airbus, Mitsubishi Corporation, MDA Space, Palantir Technologies, and Space Applications Services. Its broader network of strategic partners includes Northrop Grumman, Hilton, and The Ohio State University. The company is developing an AI‑enabled commercial station designed to maintain continuous human presence in low Earth orbit and provide a seamless transition for microgravity research once the International Space Station retires in 2030.

Janus Henderson did not disclose financial terms but described Starlab as offering a competitive design and cost profile compared to other contenders. Janus Henderson Group is a British‑American global asset management company headquartered in London, managing over $370 billion in assets. The investment highlights how asset managers are positioning themselves in the emerging market for orbital platforms, where commercial ventures are expected to complement government programs and sustain scientific and industrial activity in space.

ESA and Thales Alenia Space Formalize Consortium for Argonaut Lunar Lander Development

20 November, 2025

Europe has formalized its industrial team for the Argonaut lunar lander, a cornerstone of ESA’s plans to secure autonomous access to the Moon.

Thales Alenia Space Italy, selected earlier this year as prime contractor, has signed multiple contracts to shape the consortium developing the first Argonaut Lunar Descent Element. The team includes Thales Alenia Space France (data‑handling systems, onboard computers), OHB System AG in Germany (guidance, navigation, communications, and power), Thales Alenia Space UK (propulsion), and Nammo (Nordic Ammunition Company) UK (main engine). The agreements were signed at ESA’s European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, where a full‑scale Argonaut model is housed.

Argonaut landers, slated to begin missions in 2030, will launch on Ariane 6 rockets and deliver up to 1.5 tonnes of cargo, ranging from scientific instruments to life‑support resources, directly to the lunar surface. ESA positions Argonaut as Europe’s independent contribution to international exploration, complementing NASA’s Artemis program and reinforcing Europe’s role in sustaining a long‑term human presence on the Moon.

Despatch Out. 👽🛸