SDA Solicits Industry Input for Tranche 3 Ground Entry Point Expansion – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-06 00:00
The Space Development Agency (SDA) released a business notice on January 6, 2026, surveying the industrial base for its ability to provide Ground Entry Points. The move to expand ground infrastructure follows significant legislative support in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Congressional negotiators recently restored $1.2 billion in funding for Tranche 3.
Space Systems Command Issues RFI for Commercial Environmental Monitoring Data – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-06 00:00
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) is seeking commercial sources for environmental monitoring data to support global military operations. The inquiry focuses on identifying industry capabilities for providing high-revisit cloud characterization and theater weather data. SSC is specifically interested in commercial platforms that can deliver environmental data directly into military decision-support systems.
The Rise of a Virtual Prime: AEI’s Quiet Aerospace Revolution – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-06 00:00
AE Industrial Partners now controls, through distinct portfolio companies, virtually every capability required to execute major space missions. Launch services come from Firefly Aerospace, the crown jewel of the portfolio. Orbital infrastructure comes via Sierra Space, a unicorn valued at $5.3 billion. Satellite manufacturing flows through York Space Systems, which AEI acquired a majority stake in at a $1.125 billion valuation in late 2022.
Blue Moon MK1: The ‘Innovative, Affordable, and Expedited’ Pivot for Artemis – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-06 00:00
Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1) lander may provide the “innovative, affordable, and expedited’ path necessary to maintain U.S. Leadership in the lunar race against China. The Blue Moon MK1 is a single-launch cargo lander designed to deliver up to 3 metric tons of payload to any location on the lunar surface.
Launch Previews: SpaceX and ISRO to launch rideshare missions into SSO
Original Publication Date: 2026-01-06 04:44
SpaceX leads the week’s launch manifest with three scheduled missions. The company is the sole launch service provider behind the year’s first five launches. Alongside two Starlink flights, the company is launching 20 payloads on a rideshare mission carrying an exoplanet observation mission for NASA.