https://spacewatch.global/space-news/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Tue, 10 Nov 2026 08:59:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.4 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/space-news/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/rakuten-and-ast-spacemobile-establish-joint-venture-to-build-japans-d2d-satellite-network/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80019 Rakuten Group and AST SpaceMobile have agreed to establish a joint venture, Rakuten AST, to develop and operate a direct-to-device satellite communications network in Japan. The agreement follows the selection of a joint proposal by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) under its Japan Low Earth Orbit Satellite Communications Project.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/planet-signs-multi-launch-agreement-with-stoke-space-for-nova-rocket-missions/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80027 Planet Labs has signed a multi-launch agreement with Stoke Space to deploy its Earth-observation satellites aboard the launch company's forthcoming Nova rocket. Under the agreement, Planet receives primary payload rights, allowing it to specify launch dates and target orbital planes for its missions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/orbital-eye-to-monitor-dutch-electricity-transmission-grid-construction-from-space/ Tue, 10 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80031 Dutch transmission system operator TenneT has selected satellite monitoring company Orbital Eye to oversee construction of a major high-voltage electricity connection between Rilland and Tilburg in the Netherlands. The company will use its COSMIC-EYE satellite platform to provide weekly reports on construction activities along the route, giving TenneT's project teams greater visibility into construction progress and contractor activities without requiring routine visits to every site.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/esas-hera-captures-first-close-up-image-of-didymos-binary-asteroid-system/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79916 The European Space Agency's Hera spacecraft has captured its first close-up image of the Didymos binary asteroid system, providing a new view of the larger asteroid that NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission targeted for its 2022 planetary defense experiment. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/uk-launches-titania-military-satellite-as-it-expands-space-defense-investment/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79993 The United Kingdom has launched its Titania military satellite into orbit, marking another step in the country's efforts to strengthen its space-based defense capabilities. Developed by BAE Systems in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, the satellite is part of the UK's ISTARI program, which aims to expand the military's ability to observe activity on Earth from space and deliver intelligence to military decision-makers.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/nasa-expands-lunar-delivery-network-with-clps-2-and-new-moon-base-awards/ Mon, 09 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=80000 NASA has selected eight companies to compete for future lunar delivery missions under its new $10 billion Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) 2 contract, expanding its commercial approach to transporting payloads to the Moon.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/ast-spacemobile-joins-u-s-space-force-program-to-advance-space-based-sensing/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79897 AST SpaceMobile has secured a role in a U.S. Space Force contract under which it will support prime contractor STR in advancing space-based sensing capabilities using commercially developed satellite technology. The work draws on AST SpaceMobile's experience deploying and operating its satellite technology in orbit, expanding the company's engagement with the U.S. defense sector beyond its core satellite-to-mobile broadband business.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/alexander-macdonald-takes-helm-of-canadian-space-agency-following-nasa-career/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79904 Alexander MacDonald, former chief economist at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, has been appointed president of the Canadian Space Agency, succeeding Lisa Campbell, who has led the agency since September 2020. Canada's Minister of Industry, Mélanie Joly, announced the appointment on 4 November 2026, following an open, competency-based selection process.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/leap-revives-hope-for-mainland-uk-vertical-launch-with-sutherland-spaceport-mou/ Fri, 06 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79905 U.S.-based LEAP and Scotland's Highlands and Islands Enterprise signed an MoU to develop the currently-dormant Sutherland Spaceport projject on Scotlland's northern coast. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/ohb-secures-e554-million-esa-contract-for-next-generation-sentinel-3-topography-mission/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79860 OHB System AG has secured a €554 million contract from the European Space Agency to develop the Sentinel-3 Next Generation Topography mission for the European Union's Copernicus Earth observation program. The mission will comprise two identical satellites, with OHB serving as prime contractor and leading a European industrial consortium responsible for developing the spacecraft and their onboard instruments.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/ula-to-bring-vulcans-payload-fairing-and-composite-structures-manufacturing-in-house-from-beyond-gravity/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79865 United Launch Alliance (ULA) has entered into an agreement with Swiss aerospace supplier Beyond Gravity USA, Inc. to bring the production, sustaining engineering and development of its Vulcan rocket's payload fairings and composite structures in-house. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/esas-trace-gas-orbiter-detects-potential-signs-of-volcanic-activity-on-mars/ Thu, 05 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79874 The European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter has detected atmospheric hydrogen chloride above the northern flanks of Alba Mons, a massive shield volcano on Mars. The findings, published in Science Advances on November 4, 2026, point to a possible source of volcanic gas emissions beneath the Martian surface, suggesting that the planet may still retain some degree of magmatic activity.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/starfish-space-loses-otter-24c-servicing-spacecraft-following-communications-failure/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79813 Starfish Space has lost contact with its first full-scale Otter servicing spacecraft, Otter 24C, following a communications failure during commissioning in orbit. Launched on October 1, 2026, the spacecraft was intended to demonstrate autonomous rendezvous and inspection capabilities for approaching and observing inactive satellites in low Earth orbit.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/maritime-launch-services-moves-to-toronto-stock-exchange-as-spaceport-nova-scotias-development-progresses/ Wed, 04 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79824 Maritime Launch Services has received final approval to list its shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Canada's largest stock exchange, as the company advances development of its Spaceport Nova Scotia launch facility. Trading under the ticker symbol MAXQ commenced on November 3, 2026, following the company's transfer from Cboe Canada, where its shares last traded on November 2.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/stellar-alpina-expands-beyond-rocket-engines-with-new-orbital-and-lunar-spacecraft/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79770 Swiss startup Stellar Alpina has unveiled two spacecraft concepts, the Monarch orbital vehicle and Morpho lunar lander, marking an expansion from propulsion technology development into spacecraft manufacturing and operations.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/northwood-space-lands-375-million-series-c-to-expand-multi-orbit-ground-network/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79755 Northwood Space has raised $375 million in a Series C funding round to expand its network of ground stations supporting communications between satellites and Earth. The financing, co-led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) and DFJ Growth, brings the California-based company's reported valuation to $2 billion.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/ermis-3-demonstrates-1-gbps-optical-downlink-in-milestone-for-greek-space-program/ Tue, 03 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79767 Greece's ERMIS-3 CubeSat has successfully established an optical communications link with a ground station in the country, demonstrating laser-based data transmission between a small satellite in low Earth orbit and Earth. The achievement marks Greece's first successful optical link with a LEO satellite and represents a step toward validating high-capacity laser communications on smaller spacecraft.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/eib-and-deutsche-bank-launch-e560-million-financing-initiative-for-european-space-companies/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79695 The European Investment Bank and Deutsche Bank have agreed a new financing partnership to back €560 million in investment across Europe's space industry. The initiative aims to help European space businesses expand their operations, bring new technologies to market and strengthen the continent's independent space capabilities by improving access to affordable, long-term capital.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/nasas-upcoming-uvex-space-telescope-advances-toward-new-era-of-ultraviolet-astronomy/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79706 NASA has confirmed its $590 million UltraViolet EXplorer (UVEX) space telescope for further development after the mission successfully completed Key Decision Point C, a major review of its technical and programmatic readiness. The decision commits NASA to launching the observatory by January 2031 and allows the mission to proceed into its next development phase, bringing it closer to delivering a new ultraviolet observatory for studying the universe.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2026/11/ispace-strengthens-saudi-arabia-operations-with-anas-al-shuwayer-appointment/ Mon, 02 Nov 2026 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=79716 Japanese lunar exploration company ispace has appointed Anas Al-Shuwayer as General Manager and Managing Director of its Saudi Arabian subsidiary, ispace S A, as it develops its operations in the Kingdom. ]]>