The Great Orbital Trench War: Sovereignty vs. The Starlink Surge – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-08 00:00
Satellite industry is facing a definitive stress test, writes Evan Grey. The industry has entered a phase of industrial-scale deployment, he says. This week’s news exposes a “Sovereign-Commercial Nexus,” he says. Europe is moving to insulate critical infrastructure from dependence on U.S. Commercial super-primes.
Keysight and Samsung Validate 3GPP Release 19 NR-NTN with S-Band Connectivity Milestone – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-08 00:00
Keysight Technologies and Samsung Electronics have successfully demonstrated live New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network (NR-NTN) connectivity. The collaboration achieved industry-leading performance in the n252 S-Band. The demonstration specifically showcased the technical feasibility of 3GPP Release 19 standards.
Kratos Signals Support for Defense Policy Shift Toward Industrial Reinvestment – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-08 00:00
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) expressed its support for a significant shift in U.S. Defense industrial policy. The company argues that this shift is essential for maintaining defense readiness. The traditional defense contractor model has often focused on stock buybacks and dividends.
Aegis Aerospace and United Semiconductors to Launch Orbital Manufacturing Facility – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-08 00:00
Aegis Aerospace and United Semiconductors announce partnership to develop commercial in-space advanced materials manufacturing facility. Aegis Advanced Materials Manufacturing Platform (AMMP) designed to utilize microgravity environment of Low Earth Orbit for production of high-purity semiconductor substrates. First AMMP demonstration to launch to the ISS by late 2027.
The future of Starship’s Pad 1 tower and launch mount
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-08 18:58
SpaceX has completed all of the Block 2 launches and is getting ready for the new and improved Block 3 Starships. Pad 1 was functional enough to launch 11 Starship flights with variable levels of success. After a launch, the launch pad needed extensive refurbishment to support the next Starship. SpaceX is in a rush to get Pad 2 operational for the new Block 3 version of Starship.
TPS evaluations taking place at Starbase on next two Ships to fly
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-07 23:22
SpaceX continues to accelerate production of its next-generation Starship vehicles. Attention is now focused on the first two Block 3 vehicles slated to fly in 2026. Ship 40, now assigned to Flight 13, has had its nosecone mated to the payload bay for some time. Teams are actively installing forward flaps and applying heatshield tiles.