FCC Authorizes Deployment of Second-Generation Starlink Constellation – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-09 00:00
The FCC has granted authorization for the deployment of SpaceX’s second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellite constellation. The approval follows a series of technical reviews regarding orbital safety and spectrum interference. The Gen2 Starlink system is designed to provide significantly higher capacity and lower latency compared to the original constellation.
GomSpace Secures €2.9 Million Contract for North American Lunar Mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-09 00:00
GomSpace Luxembourg has been selected by a leading North American space company to design two state-of-the-art spacecraft for a lunar exploration mission. The contract, valued at 2.9 million EUR (31.7 million SEK), tasks the small-satellite specialist with the initial design phase of the deep-space platforms.
KSF Space Commercializes Additive-Manufactured PA11 CubeSat Structures – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-09 00:00
KSF Space launches 1U, 2U, and 3U form factors specifically engineered to reduce financial barriers for university researchers and emerging national space programs. The launch follows the company’s previous efforts to lower orbital access costs. KSF Space continues to provide CNC-machined Aluminum 6061-T6/7075 structures for high-power missions.
Back down to Earth: How invisible highways of light are outclassing orbital satellite connectivity (Reader Forum) – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-09 00:00
Mahesh Krishnaswamy, the founder and chief executive officer of Taara, argued that the industry’s fixation on orbital satellite constellations may be overlooking a more efficient terrestrial solution. Terrestrial WOC, often referred to as Free Space Optics, avoids this dilution by utilizing narrow, point-to-point beams of light.
NASA’s Pandora Satellite, CubeSats to Explore Exoplanets, Beyond
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-09 09:40
Pandora is set to launch Jan. 11 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Along for the ride are two shoebox-sized satellites called BlackCAT (Black Hole Coded Aperture Telescope) and SPARCS (Star-Planet Activity Research CubeSat)
Crew-11 to return early due to a medical concern with astronaut
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-08 22:39
NASA has opted to bring the four-member Crew-11 team home from the International Space Station earlier than planned. The move follows an unspecified medical concern with one crew member that emerged on Wednesday afternoon. The affected astronaut, whose identity and specific condition NASA has not disclosed due to medical privacy protocols, remains in stable condition and is under close observation. The situation has already led to the indefinite postponement of the first spacewalk of 2026, originally scheduled for Thursday.