News

CEOs feels a mix of worry and excitement that the world’s biggest space entrepreneur has a hotline to the president. Musk’s influence, even before he became President Donald Trump’s trusted advisor, was already vast. SpaceX, the company he founded, accounted for 95 percent of all rocket launches from the United States last year, while its constellation of 7,000 Starlink satellites accounts for the vast majority of active satellites in space.

The space industry must speed up adoption of artificial intelligence or risk falling behind, government and industry experts warned March 27. During a symposium, representatives of both the space and AI fields argued for greater use of AI technologies for both spacecraft and applications of space-based data.

International space agencies stressed the importance of partnerships with the United States and each other at the Space Symposium April 9, as geopolitical shifts and an escalating trade war challenge the space industry.

EUSPA procurement opportunities are open to those looking to contribute to EU Space projects.

A small spacecraft earlier this year successfully demonstrated edge autonomy — or the capability of a satellite to analyze data and make decisions independently without waiting for instructions from ground control.

Europe has contracted Thales Alenia Space to develop a digital twin of agricultural systems, combining satellite data and crop modeling to support sustainable and climate-resilient farming practices across the continent.

Airbus Defence and Space will build the landing platform for the European Space Agency’s ExoMars rover, replacing a critical component originally to be provided by Russia.

The U.S. military is preparing to award several high-stakes contracts for commercial satellite communications services this fall, signaling a growing reliance on private-sector capabilities for battlefield connectivity and global coverage. Among the key deals are a $500 million contract to support Marine Corps communications and a new procurement of services from geostationary small satellites.

French antenna manufacturer Anywaves announced plans March 27 to begin producing satellite antennas and radio-frequency payloads in-house, a prelude to establishing a U.S. facility.

The space economy is booming, with thousands of satellites now in orbit. But as congestion increases, how can the space community ensure that space remains a sustainable and viable environment for business, exploration, and innovation? Join us on Apr. 3 for an exclusive one-on-one conversation with Aarti Holla-Maini, director of the United Nations’ Office for Outer Space Affairs.

Spain is investing nearly 14 million euros ($15 million) in Sateliot to help the Spanish startup scale its constellation to at least 100 nanosatellites, the low Earth orbit operator announced March 25. Sateliot, which plans to start commercial services this year after deploying six satellites, said the investment is part of a Series B funding round that has reached almost 60 million euros of a 70 million euro target.

U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague is back on Earth after living on the International Space Station (ISS) for the last five-plus months.