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We had quite a balanced week; some big updates in space commerce and intriguing science news. Click the link below to read the unclipped publication. ↓

Read on.

As light from distant galaxies travels toward Earth, it is subtly bent by the curvature of spacetime created by massive structures. In extreme cases this distortion is visible as strong gravitational lensing, where galaxies appear stretched or warped. For this dark-matter map, however, scientists relied on weak gravitational lensing (far more delicate shifts in the shapes of thousands of galaxies), to infer how dark matter is distributed across the field.

2 February, 2026

Astronomers are welcoming Chile’s decision to halt construction of a large industrial explosives plant near the ESO La Silla Observatory, a site known for having some of the darkest skies on Earth. The project, proposed for the Atacama region, raised concerns about increased light pollution, dust, vibrations, and safety risks that could have compromised long‑term scientific operations. ESO noted that the facility’s proximity to La Silla and other observatories would have threatened decades of investment in precision optical astronomy.

AES Andes, a subsidiary of the U.S.-based AES Corporation, announced on 23 January that it will discontinue the INNA green hydrogen and ammonia project to refocus on its renewable‑energy portfolio. An ESO technical assessment last year concluded that INNA would cause severe and irreversible harm to the dark‑sky conditions at Paranal, undermining the performance of facilities including the Very Large Telescope (VLT), the VLT Interferometer (VLTI), the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), and CTAO-South. The analysis cited major risks from light pollution, micro‑vibrations, dust, and increased atmospheric turbulence.

The cancellation follows sustained engagement from scientific institutions and highlights growing tensions between industrial development and the protection of astronomical sites. Researchers emphasize that dark‑sky preservation is becoming more difficult as satellite constellations, mining activity, and regional infrastructure expand across the Atacama. The episode brings to light the vulnerability of ground‑based observatories and the need for coordinated policies to safeguard critical observing conditions as global demand for remote industrial sites increases.

2 February, 2026

Researchers in India have identified a potential workaround to a major obstacle for using bacteria‑based biomanufacturing on Mars: the presence of perchlorates, toxic oxidizing salts that are widespread in Martian soil. Typically, bacteria that function well on Earth may struggle in Martian environments, one major obstacle being the presence of toxic chlorine‑based salts, first identified by multiple missions.

A team at the Indian Institute of Science tested Sporosarcina pasteurii, which is a bacterium used on Earth to solidify soil through microbially induced calcite precipitation, and found that it can survive and continue producing cement‑like material even when exposed to perchlorate concentrations similar to those measured on Mars. The study suggests that the bacterium activates stress‑response pathways that allow it to tolerate the chemical, though growth rates slow as concentrations increase.

The findings, published in the journal PLOS One, address a key uncertainty for in‑situ construction concepts that rely on microbial “brick‑making” to reduce the mass of materials transported from Earth. Scientists caution that perchlorates remain a significant hazard for human crews, but the results indicate that some engineered biological systems may remain viable in Martian regolith.

2 February, 2026

NASA has delayed the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby to no earlier than March (March 6-9 and March 11) after a wet dress rehearsal on February 2–3 uncovered multiple issues with the Space Launch System. The test was halted in its final minutes due to an out‑of‑limits hydrogen leak at the ground‑to‑rocket umbilical, repeating a problem NASA has struggled with across several Artemis campaigns. Engineers also identified communication dropouts with the Orion crew capsule and additional anomalies in the fueling sequence. NASA said the rehearsal still met many objectives but confirmed that the February launch window is no longer viable.

The main event of the wet dress rehearsal involves loading of over 700,000 gallons of super‑cold liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) into the SLS. As during Artemis 1, engineers encountered liquid‑hydrogen leaks at the tail service mast umbilical, the interface that feeds propellant from the mobile launcher. NASA also reported that a recently replaced valve tied to Orion’s hatch‑pressurization system needed retorquing, and closeout work took longer than planned. These closeout steps secure Orion for crew ingress, though astronaut boarding is not part of a wet dress rehearsal and the Artemis 2 crew did not participate.

Teams have since begun repairs, inspections, and data analysis, including seal replacements and leak‑source characterization, ahead of a second fueling test. The agency maintains that encountering such issues is expected for a first crewed SLS mission, but the recurring hydrogen‑handling problems highlight ongoing challenges in maturing the rocket’s ground systems before committing to flight.

4 February, 2026

Scientists are urging space agencies to confront the biological and ethical challenges of human reproduction in space, arguing that long‑duration missions and future settlements will require evidence‑based policies rather than assumptions. A new international review highlights major unknowns, including how microgravity, radiation, and altered circadian cycles affect fertility, embryo development, pregnancy, and long‑term health. Researchers note that nearly all existing data come from short‑term animal studies, many of which show impaired reproduction or developmental abnormalities, and that no controlled human research has ever been conducted.

The authors call for a structured research roadmap, including ground‑based analogs, non‑human primate studies, and eventually carefully governed human experiments. They emphasize that reproductive health intersects with mission design, crew selection, and planetary‑protection rules, particularly as commercial actors promote visions of off‑Earth communities. Without early planning, they argue, agencies risk facing operational, medical, and ethical crises once missions extend beyond low Earth orbit.

5 February, 2026

NASA has selected two next‑generation Earth System Explorers satellite missions, STRIVE and EDGE, to advance atmospheric and surface‑change monitoring. STRIVE (Stratosphere Troposphere Response using Infrared Vertically-Resolved Light Explorer) will provide high‑resolution, near‑global measurements of atmospheric temperature, ozone, and aerosols from the upper troposphere to the mesosphere, improving long‑range weather forecasting and hazard prediction. EDGE (Earth Dynamics Geodetic Explorer) will map the three‑dimensional structure of ecosystems and track changes in glaciers, ice sheets, sea ice, and coastal regions, addressing key gaps identified in the 2018 decadal survey. Both missions aim to enhance understanding of climate‑driven surface deformation, vegetation dynamics, and cryosphere evolution, supporting disaster‑response planning and environmental modeling.

Congressional support restored earlier proposed budget cuts, allowing both projects to proceed toward a 2027 confirmation review and potential launch readiness no earlier than 2030. If confirmed, the total estimated cost of each mission, not including launch, will not exceed $355 million. NASA emphasizes that improved characterization of Earth’s topography, ecosystems, and atmosphere will also inform spacecraft safety and exploration planning for extreme environments beyond Earth.

6 February, 2026

China is preparing an in‑flight abort test of its next‑generation Mengzhou crew spacecraft, a key milestone toward its goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2030. Images circulating on Chinese social media show a Long March 10A first stage on a new Wenchang launch pad, with airspace notices indicating a February 10–11 launch window. The test is expected to occur near max‑Q (the moment when aerodynamic forces on the vehicle peak), demonstrating whether the launch escape system can pull the crew module away from a failing rocket under peak aerodynamic stress, an essential step for human‑rating the vehicle. China previously conducted a pad abort at Jiuquan in 2025.

Additional images show a recovery vessel equipped for a wire‑catch system, suggesting parallel work on first‑stage retrieval. Mengzhou is designed to replace Shenzhou, carrying up to seven astronauts to low Earth orbit and three to lunar orbit. A successful test could enable a first orbital mission of Mengzhou and Long March 10A later this year.

February 2-7, 2026

Falcon 9 is returning to flight after SpaceX completed an investigation into an upper stage engine anomaly. SpaceX had temporarily grounded its Falcon 9 fleet after a February 2 Starlink launch in which the rocket’s upper stage failed to ignite for its planned deorbit burn, causing the stage to reenter uncontrolled despite successfully deploying 25 satellites. The incident marked the fourth upper‑stage anomaly in 19 months, prompting a U.S. FAA‑mandated investigation and raising questions about potential impacts on NASA’s upcoming Crew‑12 mission.

The FAA required a four‑day stand‑down while reviewing SpaceX’s analysis. The agency later accepted the company’s findings, identifying the probable root cause as the stage‑two engine failing to ignite before the deorbit maneuver. No injuries or ground damage were reported.

With the review complete, the FAA cleared Falcon 9 to return to flight, allowing NASA and SpaceX to proceed with Crew‑12, now scheduled for February 11 at 6:01 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral. The Dragon spacecraft is already integrated and the four‑person crew remains in standard pre‑launch quarantine. 

SpaceX resumed operations with a Starlink launch on February 7, confirming the vehicle’s return to service. The rapid turnaround contrasts with earlier upper‑stage investigations that lasted up to two weeks, though both NASA and the FAA emphasize continued monitoring of Falcon 9’s upper‑stage reliability.

2 February, 2026

The UK research and space sectors are entering a period of transition marked by leadership changes and significant funding uncertainty. The UK physics and astronomy community is bracing for major reductions in public research funding as the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) outlines cuts of roughly 30% to “curiosity driven” sciences – particle physics, astronomy, and nuclear‑physics budgets. Universities and national laboratories have been asked to prepare for scenarios involving reductions between 20% to 60%. Senior scientists warn that the £162 million in planned savings by 2029–30, which would include a £38 million reduction for facilities and labs, will terminate or shrink numerous projects, reduce research positions, and jeopardize UK participation in major international facilities such as CERN, the European Southern Observatory, and key space‑science missions. A circulated letter from planetary scientist Michele Dougherty warns that the scale of the proposed cuts would undermine the UK’s scientific commitments and damage its global standing.

In response, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) chief executive Ian Chapman issued an open letter to the research community, acknowledging widespread concern, noting that UKRI is still assessing the implications and is in discussions with government departments as allocations are finalized. Chapman emphasized the need to protect core research capability, but offered no indication that the proposed reductions will be reversed.

At the same time, the UK Space Agency announced that CEO Paul Bate will step down later this year after nearly four and a half years in the role. Bate’s tenure included efforts to expand commercial space activity, strengthen regulatory frameworks, and position the UK within emerging launch and satellite markets. His departure comes as the agency navigates shifting national priorities, including the government’s stated ambition to grow the UK’s share of the global space economy while managing constrained public budgets. This development comes in the wake of the UK government preparing to fold the UK Space Agency into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology by April 2026, aiming to streamline regulation, reduce administrative barriers, and support growth across the national space sector.

4 February, 2026

The SmallSat Alliance, which spent the past decade promoting the use of proliferated LEO constellations into the center of U.S. military space planning, is shifting its focus toward how these growing networks can operate as a unified, warfighter‑oriented system. Formed in 2016 from two emerging industry groups, the Next Generation Launch Coalition and the SmallSat Coalition, the alliance initially worked to familiarize U.S. Congress, the Pentagon, and other U.S. intelligence agencies with the potential advantages of small satellites at a time when no major government programs supported them. That landscape has since changed with the establishment of the Space Development Agency and increased reliance on commercial satellite services within the Department of the Air Force.

With more than 50 member companies and proliferated LEO now embedded in U.S. national security planning, the alliance is turning to issues of interoperability, networking, and software integration. The scope of this project would be broad, spanning a range of government‑owned constellations. MILNET, the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), Golden Dome–related systems, national weather satellites, and classified ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and communications assets are all part of the portfolio. The Alliance’s new executive director, Angel Smith, is tasked with advancing work in these areas. Alliance leadership notes that other nations, including China, are moving quickly, underscoring the need for coordinated U.S. government‑industry engagement.

2 February, 2026

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as part of his “Arsenal of Freedom,” tour used a visit to Blue Origin’s Merritt Island rocket factory to reinforce the administration’s push for faster, commercially driven defense acquisition and greater scrutiny of legacy contractors. Speaking at the New Glenn production complex, Hegseth cast commercial launch providers as central to reshaping how the Pentagon procures space systems, echoing similar messages delivered during recent stops at SpaceX and Rocket Lab. He argued that years of schedule slips and financial practices at major defense primes that prioritized shareholder returns, have constrained U.S. manufacturing capacity, saying commercial firms offer alternatives better aligned with rapid fielding goals.

Hegseth linked this shift to the administration’s proposed Golden Dome missile‑defense architecture, which envisions space‑based sensors and interceptors to counter ballistic, hypersonic and drone threats. He also criticized Pentagon bureaucracy, saying the department must abandon long development cycles in favor of incremental capability.

4 February, 2026

Viridian Space has signed a five‑year cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Laboratory, gaining access to testing infrastructure and satellite‑operations expertise at Kirtland Air Force Base. The Southern California startup is developing an air‑breathing electric propulsion system designed to ingest atmospheric particles in very low Earth orbit (200–300 km) to feed a plasma thruster, enabling sustained VLEO operations and in‑orbit refueling for greater maneuverability. CEO Rostislav Spektor said the partnership will support ground testing and future data collection to characterize the VLEO environment, which affects both satellites operating there and spacecraft transiting through it.

The CRADA complements a $1.25 million SpaceWERX Phase 2 award to develop an erosion‑resistant air‑fed cathode and a $1.7 million AFWERX SBIR contract for an end‑to‑end propulsion system. Viridian plans component testing through 2026, aiming to validate the full system before flight as government interest in agile, maneuverable spacecraft continues to grow.

5 February, 2026

A senior Pentagon official is positioning the Golden Dome missile‑defense initiative as both a national security priority and a test case for sweeping acquisition reforms aimed at accelerating how the Department of Defense fields major systems. Speaking at the Miami Space Summit, deputy program director Marcia Holmes said Golden Dome is being used to shift procurement toward performance, speed, commercial integration, and greater contractor risk‑taking. The initiative envisions a layered homeland defense network combining ground, airborne, and space‑based systems to counter ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles, with funding potentially reaching $175 billion.

Holmes said the program is aligning with the administration’s strategy to expand the industrial base, attract private capital, and leverage commercial technologies, even as key requirements remain classified. Companies are investing in sensing, interceptors, propulsion, distributed constellations, and AI‑enabled command‑and‑control despite limited guidance. Affordability, especially interceptor cost, remains a central challenge, prompting experimentation with non‑traditional contracting and prize‑based models.

5 February, 2026

Vantor has secured a $5.3 million contract from the U.S. National Geospatial‑Intelligence Agency (NGA) to deliver an AI‑powered global change‑detection system under the agency’s Luno‑B program, which focuses on rapid, automated analysis of satellite imagery. The company will provide tools to identify terrain, infrastructure, and environmental changes worldwide using multi‑sensor data fused with its proprietary AI models.

The award expands Vantor’s role as a commercial geospatial‑analytics supplier following its rebranding from Maxar Intelligence and reflects NGA’s push to integrate commercial AI pipelines into national‑security workflows. Vantor says the system will support mission planning, disaster response, and strategic monitoring by reducing the time required for analysts to detect and validate changes across large areas.

Luno‑B is a five‑year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $200 million to supply geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) users with data and analytic services that characterize economic, environmental, and geopolitical activity globally. The contract also advances NGA’s effort to diversify sources of automated GEOINT as global imagery volumes grow and agencies seek commercially developed algorithms that can scale across multiple orbital datasets and sensor types.

5 February, 2026

U.S. national security planners are taking a closer interest in asteroid‑mining startups, not for their commercial prospects but for the deep‑space navigation and sensing challenges they are attempting to solve. Military deputy to the assistant secretary of the Air Force, Maj. Gen. Stephen Purdy said companies pursuing resource extraction beyond Earth orbit are developing techniques relevant to future Space Force operations in cislunar and past‑lunar regions, particularly for detecting and tracking “dim objects” with limited supporting infrastructure. AstroForge, which briefed Purdy, has pursued missions to locate and refine material from small near‑Earth asteroids, though its 2023 and 2025 spacecraft both suffered early communications failures. The company plans a third attempt in 2026.

Purdy said the Space Force is also monitoring privately developed space stations and in‑space nuclear power systems as potential dual‑use capabilities, according to SpaceNews. He argued that even speculative commercial sectors are generating technologies, such as automation, deep‑space navigation, distributed sensing, that the military expects to need as operations expand beyond geosynchronous orbit.

7 February, 2026

Starfish Space has secured a $54.5 million U.S. Space Force contract to build and launch a dedicated Otter satellite‑servicing vehicle, marking one of the service’s largest commitments to commercial on‑orbit servicing. Awarded through the Space Systems Command, the contract tasks the Kent, Washington‑based startup with delivering a spacecraft capable of rendezvous, docking, relocation, and disposal of satellites without pre‑installed interfaces. The mission is expected to support the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, where routine end‑of‑life disposal and anomaly response are becoming structural requirements.

This contract, together with a recent Space Development Agency award for Otter end‑of‑life disposal services in January 2026, further establishes Starfish Space as a key provider of on‑orbit servicing, mobility, and logistics for the U.S. Space Force.

The award follows Starfish’s earlier demonstration efforts and shows the growing military interest in commercial servicing as a way to reduce debris, extend spacecraft lifetimes, and increase resilience across large constellations. The Otter vehicle will be purpose‑built for Space Force needs rather than adapted from a commercial mission, signaling a shift toward operational procurement rather than experimentation. Starfish plans to integrate the vehicle for launch later this decade.

7 February, 2026

China has launched its experimental reusable spaceplane for the fourth time, continuing a program marked by strict secrecy and growing strategic interest. The vehicle lifted off February 7 from Jiuquan aboard a Long March 2F rocket, with state media offering only a brief statement that the mission will conduct reusable‑spacecraft technology verification. Although the launcher was not scheduled to fly again until April for Shenzhou‑23, with components arriving only in recent weeks, China operates two close variants of the vehicle: the crewed “G” version and the more opaque “T” version used for cargo. The “T” model’s sole confirmed payload is the Reusable Experimental Spacecraft.

No images, mission duration, or orbital parameters were released, consistent with earlier flights. U.S. Space Force tracking is expected to reveal the orbit, drawing scrutiny for potential maneuvers, subsatellite deployments, or rendezvous‑and‑proximity operations observed on previous missions.

he launch occurred 519 days after the third mission landed at Lop Nur, with earlier flights lasting from two days to nearly nine months. The suborbital vehicle, which uses vertical takeoff and horizontal landing, completed its first test in 2021 followed by a second flight in August 2022. The spacecraft, built by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) is believed to be comparable in scale to the U.S. X‑37B, based on launcher capacity and past fairing imagery. The program aligns with China’s broader push into reusable systems, including suborbital demonstrators and new vertical‑landing launch vehicles.

Friday’s launch marked China’s ninth orbital attempt of 2026, a year that has already seen two failures, as CASC prepares an in‑flight abort test of the Mengzhou crew vehicle no earlier than February 11.

2 February, 2026

SpaceX has formally absorbed xAI, consolidating Elon Musk’s launch, broadband, and AI ventures as the company prepares for a potential 2026 IPO. The move follows a late‑January FCC filing in which SpaceX outlined an unprecedented plan for an orbital data‑center constellation of up to one million satellites, positioning space‑based compute as a long‑term growth pillar. Analysts note that such a scale is unlikely to be realized soon, but the filing signals SpaceX’s intent to link Starship reusability, Starlink manufacturing, and xAI’s compute demand into a unified architecture.

The proposal emerges amid rising interest in off‑planet data centers as terrestrial facilities face constraints in land, power, cooling water, and community opposition. Global data‑center spending reached $61 billion in 2024, with capacity expected to double by 2030, intensifying pressure on infrastructure. Advocates such as Jeff Bezos argue that large‑scale compute will eventually migrate to orbit, while Google and Planet Labs plan a 2027 pilot to test space‑based processing. Startups like Starcloud are pursuing similar concepts.

China is also entering the field: its latest Five‑Year Plan highlights orbital compute as a strategic priority, with firms such as ADA Space and Beijing Astro‑Future developing architectures aligned with national goals for space‑based manufacturing, tourism, and resource extraction.

Yet significant uncertainty remains and despite the momentum, economics remain the primary barrier. Regulatory frameworks for large‑scale orbital compute do not exist, and a constellation of this size would face spectrum, debris‑mitigation, and licensing scrutiny across multiple jurisdictions. Capital‑market analysts warn that orbital compute is now central to SpaceX’s rumored $1.5 trillion valuation narrative, but the economics remain unproven: an analysis by Andrew McCalip of Varda Space Industries suggest orbital compute could cost three times more per watt than terrestrial systems, reaching viability only under aggressive assumptions about launch costs, reusability, and demand growth.

Beyond cost, a constellation of this scale would strain orbital traffic management, debris‑mitigation regimes, and global spectrum coordination, and it is not yet evident why millions of satellites are necessary when many Earth‑based quality‑of‑life challenges remain unresolved.

2 February, 2026

Gilmour Space has selected Transcelestial’s space‑qualified laser communications terminals for its upcoming satellite missions, aiming to integrate high‑throughput optical links into a new generation of Australian‑built spacecraft. The agreement will see Transcelestial provide inter‑satellite and space‑to‑ground laser terminals designed to deliver fiber‑class bandwidth and bypass RF spectrum congestion, a growing constraint as operators scale constellations for Earth observation, defense, and AI‑driven data workloads.

Transcelestial, which has deployed terrestrial free‑space laser networks across Asia‑Pacific, is expanding into orbital hardware as demand rises for secure, high‑capacity links that avoid the regulatory burdens of radio frequencies. Gilmour plans to incorporate the terminals into satellites built alongside its Eris launch vehicle, positioning the company to offer sovereign high‑speed relay capabilities for commercial and defense customers.

While optical systems promise higher throughput and improved resilience against jamming, operational challenges remain, including atmospheric attenuation, precision pointing, and the need for hybrid RF‑optical architectures to ensure reliability across diverse mission environments.

5 February, 2026

Starfish Space has selected Quindar to provide mission‑management software for the first three flights of its Otter servicing spacecraft, scheduled to begin launching this year. Quindar, founded in 2022 by former OneWeb engineers, offers a cloud‑hosted mission‑control platform that automates spacecraft tracking, commanding, and ground‑segment coordination. The company positions its system as a scalable alternative to bespoke mission‑control software traditionally built and maintained in‑house, and says demand is rising as operators deploy larger fleets and pursue more complex missions.

Starfish’s Otter vehicle is designed for rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO), enabling satellite inspection, life‑extension, and end‑of‑life disposal. The missions will rely on Quindar’s tools to manage high‑precision operations and integrate with commercial ground‑station‑as‑a‑service networks, including automated antenna scheduling.

Quindar recently closed a Series A round and reports growing interest from both commercial operators and government‑owned constellations seeking unified, cloud‑native mission‑management infrastructure. The company argues that commercial platforms can reduce operational cost and complexity as satellite‑servicing missions move toward routine deployment.

5 February, 2026

Morpheus Space, a Dresden, Germany‑based satellite‑propulsion company specializing in miniaturized electric thrusters and automated maneuver‑planning software, has raised $15 million in new funding from Alpine Space Ventures and an EU‑backed investment vehicle. The company develops scalable electric‑propulsion modules designed for small satellites and offers a cloud‑based system that automates constellation maneuvering, collision avoidance, and fuel‑optimized trajectory planning.

The new capital will support mass production of Morpheus’s GO-2 electric propulsion systems and expansion of its automated “propulsion‑as‑a‑service” model, which aims to reduce operational overhead for operators managing increasingly crowded low‑Earth‑orbit environments. Morpheus says demand is rising as constellation operators face stricter debris‑mitigation rules and require more precise station‑keeping and end‑of‑life disposal capabilities.

The company has previously supplied propulsion systems to commercial and government missions and is positioning itself as a key supplier for next‑generation constellations that need low‑power, high‑efficiency mobility at scale. Investors cite the growing regulatory pressure on satellite maneuverability as a driver for propulsion‑system adoption across the sector.

5 February, 2026

Voyager Space and Max Space have formed a partnership to advance expandable habitat technology for future human missions beyond low Earth orbit, positioning the companies to compete in emerging commercial infrastructure programs. Max Space, which is developing large‑scale inflatable modules designed to provide significantly more pressurized volume than traditional rigid structures, will integrate its technology with Voyager’s portfolio of spacecraft, mission services, and Starlab‑related capabilities. The companies aim to support NASA’s long‑term exploration architecture as well as commercial stations and deep‑space logistics.

The collaboration focuses on maturing expandable pressure‑vessel systems that can be launched compactly and deployed into multi‑story‑scale habitats suitable for science, crewed operations, and cargo storage. Both firms argue that such systems could reduce launch mass and cost while enabling larger living and working environments for lunar and Mars missions. Industry interest in commercial deep‑space infrastructure is growing as government agencies shift toward public‑private models for habitation, transportation, and long‑duration mission support.

5 February, 2026

The FCC has authorized Logos Space Services to deploy a large low‑Earth‑orbit broadband constellation aimed at enterprise connectivity, approving between 3,960 and 4,178 satellites across Ka‑, Q‑, and V‑band frequencies. The startup, founded by former Google executive Milo Medin and ex-Starlink and Amazon Kuiper technologist Rama Akella, positions its network as a secure, enterprise‑focused alternative to consumer‑oriented systems such as Starlink. The FCC’s decision clears the way for Logos to begin selecting a satellite‑bus manufacturer and securing launch contracts, with no demonstration satellites planned.

The constellation is designed to operate across multiple orbital shells between roughly 860 and 925 kilometers, supporting high‑reliability links for corporate, government, and in‑space data‑relay customers. The approval illustrates the FCC’s intentions to expand domestic LEO infrastructure and increase competition in enterprise‑grade broadband services. Logos must deploy half the constellation within seven years, with full deployment required by 2035

A new theoretical study by India‑based physicist Naman Kumar proposes that some phenomena attributed to dark matter could instead arise from gravity’s behavior at extremely large, infrared scales. The work, published in Physics Letters B, treats gravity within a quantum field theory framework and explores the possibility that Newton’s gravitational constant “runs” with scale in the deep infrared, rather than remaining fixed. In this framework, gravity would shift slightly at extremely large, infrared distances, producing galaxy‑scale effects that resemble dark matter. Early calculations suggest the theory can generate flat galaxy rotation curves and large‑scale structure patterns without invoking unseen mass.

This scale‑dependent behavior is central to the model’s claim that cosmic dynamics may emerge from modified gravity rather than additional mass. The proposal enters a crowded landscape of modified‑gravity ideas that seek to explain dark‑matter‑like effects without new particles. Despite comprising an estimated five times the mass of ordinary matter, dark matter remains unseen, presenting a major unresolved issue for researchers. While the model aims to provide a mathematically consistent alternative, researchers acknowledge that the framework will need to confront stringent observational tests, including gravitational lensing, cosmic microwave background constraints, and galaxy‑cluster dynamics—areas where many alternatives to particle dark matter have struggled.

Astronomers have applied a new AI‑assisted search technique to the Hubble Legacy Archive, rapidly scanning nearly 100 million image cutouts to identify rare or unusual astronomical objects. The neural network, called AnomalyMatch (trained to search for and recognize rare objects like jellyfish galaxies and gravitational arcs) flagged roughly 1,400 anomalies, including colliding galaxies, gravitational lenses, ring galaxies, and other irregular structures—more than 800 of which had never been documented in scientific literature. The approach demonstrates how automated pattern‑recognition tools can extract overlooked features from decades of Hubble observations, addressing the growing challenge of manually sorting through expanding archival datasets.

The findings highlight both the scientific value of re‑examining legacy imagery and the limitations of traditional search methods, which struggle to isolate low‑frequency phenomena in large volumes of data. While the newly identified objects require follow‑up classification and physical interpretation, the work is evidence of how AI can accelerate anomaly detection and broaden the catalog of structures available for studies of galaxy evolution, lensing, and rare dynamical processes. Astronomy and Astrophysics published the paper detailing AnomalyMatch and its findings.

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