March 16, 2026

Eutelsat Ends Russian Spacecraft Leases (Source: Space News)
Eutelsat has ended capacity leases on two Russian spacecraft after one failed in orbit and the other is set to relocate. Eutelsat had planned to lease capacity for at least three more years from Express-AT1 and Express-AT2, two Russian satellites in GEO, but Express-AT1 malfunctioned earlier this month. Eutelsat said it expected only a "low single-digit million" loss of revenue that would be offset by lower costs by terminating the leases. It allows Eutelsat to get out of contracts hit by Western sanctions and the structural decline in TV broadcasts. (3/16)

Iran War Driving Geospatial Demand (Source: Space News)
Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is driving demand for commercial geospatial intelligence services. The busy shipping corridor has become a contested maritime environment where governments, energy companies, insurers and militaries are trying to understand events as they unfold. One geospatial intelligence company, Danti, said the crisis is driving demand for tools that combine satellite imagery with other sources of intelligence, such as radio-frequency and other signals data and automatic identification system (AIS) ship tracking feeds. Danti says AI analysis of that data can help detect trends early. (3/16)

Starcloud Plans 88,000 Satellite Data Center Constellation (Source: Space News)
A startup has filed plans with the FCC for a constellation of up to 88,000 orbital data center satellites. The FCC accepted for filing Friday an application by Starcloud for that constellation, which would feature spacecraft operating in a series of low Earth orbits to provide computation for AI models and other services. The application provided few details about the satellites themselves, such as their size. Starcloud launched a smallsat last November with an Nvidia processor for testing AI models and is working on a second, commercial satellite for launch in 2027. The filing comes after SpaceX proposed in late January an orbital data center constellation of up to one million satellites. (3/16)

China Unveils Economical Lunar Transport (Source: Space News)
A Chinese state-owned space contractor has unveiled a concept for an "economical lunar cargo transport" system. At a conference exhibit last week, the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology showed off plans for a family of cargo landers capable of delivering between 120 and 5,000 kilograms to the lunar surface. The tiered payload classes suggest a logistics architecture capable of supporting regular cargo deliveries to the lunar surface, suggesting a shift in China from single flagship lander missions. SAST has developed a prototype that has performed takeoff and landing tests. (3/16)

Sweden's First Astronaut Urges Filipino Students to Pursue STEM Careers (Source: Manila Bulletin)
For Dr. Christer Fuglesang, the first Swedish astronaut to travel to space, the journey began with something simple: curiosity. Speaking to students at De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila on March 14, Fuglesang encouraged young people to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, or STEM, emphasizing that curiosity and passion for learning are often the first steps toward extraordinary opportunities. (3/16)

Hanwha Acquires KAI Stake After 7 Years, Accelerating 'Korean SpaceX' Ambitions (Source: Seoul Economic Daily)
Hanwha Group, South Korea's largest aerospace and defense conglomerate, has made a substantial investment in Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), signaling its commitment to the "Korean SpaceX" initiative that has drawn attention from both government and industry. According to Financial Supervisory Service disclosures on the 15th, Hanwha Systems, Hanwha's defense subsidiary, announced through its business report filed on the 13th that it purchased 566,635 common shares of KAI for 59.9 billion won. (3/16)

China's Kuaizhou-11 Y7 Rocket Launches 8 New Satellites (Source: Global Times)
China on Monday launched the Kuaizhou-11 Y7 carrier rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China's Gansu Province, sending eight new satellites into preset orbits, the Xinhua News Agency reported. The mission marked the fifth flight of the Kuaizhou-11 rocket. The "Kuaizhou" series of small solid-propellant launch vehicles was developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corp (CASIC) and represents China's first small solid rocket capable of rapid integration and rapid orbital insertion, setting the country's fastest record for launch preparation. (3/16)

ispace Opens New Headquarters “Earth Base” in Tokyo (Source: ispace)
ispace, a global lunar exploration company, announced effective today its new headquarters location, “Earth Base” has opened in the central Nihonbashi section of Tokyo. The location in the heart of Tokyo is quickly becoming an ecosystem for space startups and space-focused companies and organizations. (3/9)
 
Nvidia Unveils AI Computing Module for Space-Based Data Centers (Source: Space News)
Nvidia is pushing its artificial-intelligence hardware beyond Earth, unveiling a computing module designed for space missions and potential orbital data centers. The Space-1 Vera Rubin Module is a specialized AI computing module engineered for satellites and potential orbital data centers, designed to operate in environments where size, weight, and power are constrained. (3/16)

Kayrros Sale Signals Rising Demand for Satellite Intelligence Amid Hormuz Crisis (Source: Space News)
Tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have pushed interest in commercial geospatial intelligence services to unprecedented levels, an executive at Kayrros said after the French satellite analytics provider agreed to be acquired by U.K.-based Energy Aspects. (3/16)

Spanish MoD, Hisdesat Near Choice of Airbus To Replace Airbus-Built SpainSat NG2, Ask ITU to OK a 2030 Launch (Source: Space Intel Report)
The Spanish government and Spain’s Hisdesat satellite operator have tentatively selected Airbus Defence and Space to build the SpainSat NG3 UHF-, X- and military-Ka-band satellite to replace the Airbus-built NG2, which failed in orbit in November five weeks after launch. The failure occurred during SpainSat NG2’s orbit-raising maneuver on the way to its final geostationary position at 30 degrees west following what Airbus has concluded was a micrometeorite or other space particle. (3/16)

Swedish Military Advances Esrange Satellite Launch Site Plans with SSC Space (Source: Flight Global)
NATO member Sweden has signed an agreement paving the way for it to commence satellite launch services from late this decade. Announced by Stockholm’s FMV defense materiel administration on 16 March and valued at SKr209 million ($22.3 million), the pact with SSC Space will lead to the “establishment of satellite launch capability from the company’s Esrange Space Center”. “The capability will give the [Swedish] armed forces the capacity and availability to launch their own satellites into orbit,” the FMV says. (3/16)

Isaacman Plans Monthly Uncrewed Lunar Landings In 2027 (Source: Payload)
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman is going all in on building a Moon base, with initial plans kicking off next year. Isaacman is calling for monthly lunar lander missions to the South Pole starting in 2027, saying the only way to build a Moon base is with regular, frequent missions. Those missions will largely rely on the CLPS program framework, he said. “We are going to plus up for Moon base construction in a huge way,” said during an interview with Spaceflight Now that was released late Friday night. (3/16)

Egyptian Space Agency Launches Space Academy for Regional Capacity Building and Future Skills Development (Source: Spacewatch Global)
The Egyptian Space Agency has launched the Egyptian Space Academy, a specialized training entity dedicated to developing skills in future technologies, as part of its strategic role in supporting the localization of the space industry and strengthening human capacity in space science and technology in the region. The Space Academy's establishment builds upon the efforts undertaken by EgSA over the past years in capacity building and human capital development. (3/16)

Investing in Student Programs is Essential for America’s Lead in Space (Source: Space News)
The University of Illinois’ Space Entanglement and Annealing Quantum Experiment (SEAQUE) is a compelling success story in the global race to develop quantum communication networks in space. The experiment’s success was enabled by a novel collaboration approach across academia, industry and government. As such, SEAQUE is more than a physics experiment. It’s a demonstration of student-driven innovation, commercial collaboration, and American ingenuity at the edge of science that offers a model for how the United States can lead on crucial space-based quantum technologies. But that model could be at risk if not financially supported. (3/16)

Europe’s Space Future Depends on Smarter Funding Frameworks (Source: Spacewatch Global)
How should Europe evolve its space funding frameworks to remain competitive in a rapidly transforming global space economy? The industry is increasingly commercial, investment-driven, and globally competitive. The ability to translate innovation into scalable commercial activity will determine which regions lead the next phase of growth. This is where funding frameworks become decisive.

Too often, companies approach funding opportunities opportunistically—pursuing grants because they exist rather than because they align with a long-term growth trajectory. The most successful organizations tend to reverse that approach. They begin with a clear industrial roadmap, identify where technology risks must be reduced, and then strategically use funding mechanisms to support each phase—from research and development to demonstration, industrialization, and ultimately commercialization.

Funding is most effective when it serves as a catalyst for growth, not the driver of strategy itself. In the coming decade, Europe will need to focus more deliberately on funding mechanisms that enable companies to move beyond research and prototypes toward production, market expansion, and global competitiveness. (3/16)

Orbit Fab Enters New Growth Chapter Amidst Leadership Transition and $20 Million Raised (Source: Spacewatch Global)
Orbit Fab is entering a decisive stage in its evolution as it transitions from developing on-orbit refueling technology to large-scale commercialization, having successfully secured $20 million Series B funding, led by Stride Capital, to strengthen its capital foundation as it moves into its next phase of growth. Furthermore, the company's erstwhile CEO, Daniel Faber, has stepped down from his day-to-day responsibilities as Orbit Fab establishes an Executive Committee to ensure its stability and operational continuity. (3/16)

ESA Contracts OKAPI:Orbits, TU Braunschweig and DLR for Space-Air Traffic Integration (Source: Spacewatch Global)
The European Space Agency has awarded a contract to OKAPI:Orbits to lead a project that will bridge the gap between space traffic coordination and air traffic management, marking an important step toward integrated operations in an era of growing launch and re-entry activity. The contract is in collaboration with the Institute of Space Systems from Technische Universität Braunschweig (TU Braunschweig) and the Institute of Flight Guidance from the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

OKAPI:Orbits, TU Braunschweig, and DLR will jointly address several key challenges in integrating space and air traffic systems. This includes defining realistic operational scenarios for launches and re-entries, developing methods to quantify uncertainties, and creating tools that allow air traffic management to respond dynamically to space activities. Furthermore, the interface will support both nominal and off-nominal conditions, including controlled and uncontrolled re-entries, ensuring robust coordination across domains. (3/16)

Before the Lunar Economy, the Infrastructure That Must Exist on the Moon (Source: Space Geotech)
Most discussions about returning to the Moon focus on rockets, landers, and astronauts. These systems solve the transportation problem. They deliver payloads to the lunar surface, but they do not create an operating environment. Sustained activity on the Moon will depend on something far less visible: infrastructure interacting with the ground. Every landing, rover movement, excavation system, power plant, and habitat ultimately transfers loads to the lunar surface.

Yet the mechanical behavior of that surface under operational conditions remains largely unexplored. Before any lunar economy can emerge, the Moon will require a capability that is still missing today: the ability to prepare, stabilize, and build on the ground. Infrastructure begins when activities can repeat with predictable performance. It requires stable ground conditions, controlled operating zones, and systems designed to interact reliably with the surface. None of these elements currently exists on the Moon. Click here. (3/12)