A new joint working group will refine use cases, public-private partnerships, and interoperability with Germany’s SatcomBw-4. Launch timelines still hinge on Ariane 6 capacity, with both constellations targeting deployments from 2029.

As interest in nuclear power for space accelerates, experts examine how advanced reactors could enable sustained lunar operations while introducing new challenges around cybersecurity, autonomy, proliferation, and governance in the emerging cislunar economy.

As the Department of Defense’s November CMMC deadline approaches, space companies are weighing the cost, complexity and strategic tradeoffs of achieving cybersecurity compliance while protecting their competitiveness across the defense supply chain.

Industry voices from GSOA and GMV warn that overly prescriptive rules and duplication could undermine competitiveness and innovation. With Cyprus’s presidency ending June 30 and Ireland taking the helm July 1, the focus is shifting to a harmonized, “smart” framework that balances safety, sustainability, and flexibility.

As the global space economy evolves, national autonomy is shifting from simple hardware ownership toward total control over the operational stack, including data and networks. Industry experts suggest that hybrid architectures are now the most pragmatic way for nations to maintain security and decision-making authority in an increasingly interconnected orbital landscape.

The SpaceRise consortium—led by industry heavyweights SES, Eutelsat, and Hispasat—has finally hammered out the compromises needed to secure a multi-billion euro green light for the secure multi-orbit network. While the roadmap includes some technical concessions to hit aggressive 2030 deadlines, the deal marks a massive leap forward for Europe’s strategic autonomy in space-based communications.

CEO Matt Desch is finally playing the valuation game, signaling openness to mergers or alliances to command the premium multiples currently assigned to direct-to-device hype. Beyond the spectrum positioning, the firm operates as the baseline fallback network for aviation and government infrastructure, offering an embedded hedge against broader market exuberance.

Satellite broadband is emerging from the BEAD program not as a fiber replacement, but as a strategic solution for the hardest-to-serve communities where cost, terrain, and deployment speed outweigh long-term capacity ideals.

Germany has pledged €35 billion for military space programs through 2030, putting a national broadband constellation on the table even as Berlin remains a major Iris2 contributor. The move raises questions about duplication versus interoperability between national and EU systems and underscores the push to balance sovereignty with European cooperation.

A coalition approach can lower breakeven costs and expand reach across underserved regions. Nations that balance sovereignty with shared markets stand a better chance of building sustainable LEO infrastructure.

EchoStar’s rapid sequence of contracts, cancellations, and the FCC’s warning raises questions about strategy and timing. Industry insiders say the moves reshaped the competitive landscape for S-band D2D services and left significant winners and losers.

Geopolitical tensions, state-sponsored espionage, and hacktivist campaigns drove a 118 percent surge in space-related cyber incidents between January and August 2025. Simultaneously, GNSS jamming, signal hijacking, and dynamic on-orbit maneuvers reveal how electronic warfare and proximity operations compound vulnerabilities across critical space infrastructure.

The satellite industry is positioned play a pivotal role in the U.S. Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, which aims to close the digital divide in underserved and rural areas. Can satellite compete with fiber providers?

European nations are looking to expand their sovereign space capabilities while also collaborating with other European allies and NATO to strengthen the EU’s collective posture in the domain. Representatives from NATO and ICEYE discuss what is behind this growing space sovereignty trend and delve into the satellite capabilities European nations seek to acquire.

These networks offer high-speed, low-latency internet, bridging the digital divide and bringing opportunities to underserved regions. By complementing terrestrial infrastructure, LEO constellations are poised to reshape how we connect and communicate.

The development of space as a sovereign domain is expanding. While space is inherently international, balancing the need for both security and collaboration can make it difficult for multi-national players to work together, and international regulation is one step on the path towards making space safe and sustainable for everyone.

Experts from Secure World Foundation and Lonestar Data Holdings explain what makes cislunar space so critical to the U.S. and China and what capabilities they are seeking to establish in the domain.

While some praised SpaceX for driving innovation and lowering launch costs, others raised concerns about the need for global regulation to ensure fair access to space. The debate highlights the tension between technological advancement and the risks of market monopolization in the rapidly evolving satellite industry.

Despite this FCC declaration, evidence shows operators like Starlink have previously shut off service when not licensed. This stance challenges recent requests to disable Starlink access in Iran.

WRC-23 was hardly “The Hunger Games,” but the ongoing conflicts over scarce spectrum resources have the potential to pit satellite operators against each other.

The swift economic growth within the space sector is drawing attention from public and private entities eager to capitalize on its strategic and commercial prospects. The region of the Middle East and North African is no exception to this trend.

Two United Nations agencies appealed to international telecommunications regulators to block attempts by terrestrial mobile interests to get access to spectrum used by high-resolution radar satellites to assess climate change. It was eight years ago, that ITU delegations agreed to double the amount of spectrum allocated to radar Earth observation measurements, to 1,200 MHz. The new spectrum resulted in higher-resolution imagery.

In a wireless-connected world, confusion around access and connections is not uncommon but, regardless of the definitions, the story highlights the importance of factually assessing the performance of non-GEO satellite constellations at country levels, contrasting the analysis with the claims.

As a growing number of actors and interests make plans for the moon, the FBI is taking note.

The European Commission, ESA and the SpaceRISE consortium (SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat) have finalized the implementation agreement for Europe’s IRIS² satellite constellation, resolving months of negotiations over the program’s architecture, cost and governance.

As direct-to-device services evolve beyond basic coverage, balancing terrestrial and mobile satellite spectrum and navigating a complex regulatory landscape will be critical to unlocking the technology's long-term commercial potential.

Jesús Bernal Allende of IURUS discusses why the future of AI governance in space depends not only on preventing harm, but on creating legal frameworks for an increasingly autonomous orbital environment.

SES and Eutelsat confirmed that while the project has missed its initial April deadline, an agreement is expected within the coming weeks. Both companies emphasized that their participation remains contingent on the multi-orbit project meeting strict internal return requirements and technical benchmarks.

The approval of a certification program for the DIFI 1.1 standard marks a key step toward greater interoperability and trust in digital IF equipment, enabling both standardized performance assurance and independent third-party validation. As virtualization and cloud-based ground systems expand, DIFI compliance and feature-based certification will make it easier for organizations to specify, deploy and scale interoperable solutions.

TransAstra’s innovative “Capture Bags” are designed to snag hazardous debris today, but the same inflatable technology is being built to harvest asteroids tomorrow. Discover how tackling the orbital debris crisis could ultimately unlock a massive new economy built on millions of tons of space-based materials.

ABI Research’s Rachel Kong breaks down mega-constellation filings, 5G NTN trials, and the coordinated state–telco model shaping D2D connectivity. Discover how this approach could influence spectrum access, handset interoperability, and Western operators’ competitive positioning.

Once focused on buying satellites, the region is now building sovereign capabilities that drive economic diversification, security, and technological leadership. Bold investments and local industry growth are positioning the Middle East as an emerging global hub for space innovation.

Water, water everywhere and not a drop to drink. That’s been the paradox for military integration of commercial SDA solutions. But the tide is turning.

Hear why grants, contracts and targeted investment are critical for scaling startups and sustaining established firms. Experts from Analysys Mason and the UK Space Agency explain how public funding unlocks private capital and shapes security, technology and market priorities.

China’s delegates framed orbital crowding and collision avoidance as priorities for national regulation and international coordination, noting work on a national space traffic management and active debris-removal research. They emphasized using the UN framework and soft-law coordination rather than new treaties while acknowledging gaps in information-sharing and trust between major space powers.

Eleven satellite imaging firms have formed the Remote Sensing Collective to urge ITU members to preserve the 8.025–8.4 GHz band exclusively for Earth-observation satellites. With global regulators set to decide at Shanghai’s WRC-27, opening X-Band to terrestrial 5G could undermine future military surveillance and disaster-response imaging.

Arctic ice loss is creating opportunities in the High North that Russia and China are already responding to. As global powers leap to occupy this rapidly changing arena, support from orbit will be an invaluable component of the new economic, geopolitical, and geographic reality of the region.

How 29 new space and satellite regulations could impact satellite operators looking to expand into India.

The alliance’s new Commercial Space Strategy aims to integrate private sector space capabilities for collective security. This policy focuses on making commercial space assets interoperable among the 32 member nations and with their own government satellites. However, it leaves open questions about future budgets and how the alliance will secure priority access to these commercial services during a crisis.

Space Solar Power (SSP), or power harvested from the sun via satellites and beamed to the Earth’s surface, could be a disruptive new source of energy. In January, China announced the launch of a kilometer-wide satellite solar array. In the U.S. and the UK, several start-ups also plan to put solar arrays into space in a bid to create the ultimate clean energy source.

Initiatives like China’s Spacesail and Europe’s IRIS2 are emerging as key players, aiming to build sovereign alternatives to existing dominant systems. These developments underscore the increasing importance of space capabilities for national defense and economic interests worldwide.

This milestone marks a critical advancement in interoperability standards for ground system products. The compliance framework includes self-testing (silver) and third-party validation (gold) phases to ensure robust and reliable solutions.

From orbital refueling to the rise of multi-orbit systems, innovations are set to redefine the satellite landscape. Discover Analysys Mason's top 10 predictions for the future of space technology and infrastructure.

This groundbreaking move aligns with the expected Allied Space Strategy, set for release this spring. Future contracts will ensure commercial assets are ready for rapid deployment in times of crisis.

China and the USA are reigniting a new space race to the Moon, creating major opportunities for space infrastructure developers. As both nations pursue ambitious lunar programs, commercial players with strong government ties stand to benefit. The lunar market is forecast to generate nearly $70 billion in revenue by 2033, driving innovation in satellite manufacturing and launch services.

With the backing of 35 engaged member organizations, including the U.S. Army, the push to enhance ESA interoperability is making significant strides. These efforts are essential for maximizing the potential of advanced multi-beam and multi-mission antenna technologies.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission raised the standard for high-speed fixed broadband to 100/20 Mbps. The new benchmark, and an emphasis on latency, could lead to the exclusion of satellite services from federal funding programs.

Following the strategic unveiling by SES’s new CEO, the satellite giant hints at a paradigm shift towards embracing Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations, complementing its focus on the mPower high-throughput satellite expansion for global coverage and strategic partnerships, such as the collaboration with SpaceX’s Starlink.

European Commission embarks on pioneering mission to unify civil and military Earth observation across the EU. By signing study contracts with leading space companies, this initiative aims to bridge the gap between member states, fostering a new era of shared intelligence and surveillance capabilities.

As countries in the Middle East recognize the economic and strategic importance of space capabilities, many are leveraging partnership arrangements to expand their footprint in the sector.

Any company designing a data-relay or broadband satellite constellation would prefer to hold off selecting its laser communications terminal (LCT) supplier until the U.S. Space Development Agency (SDA) has performed in-orbit validation of at least two, if not all four, of the LCT providers it’s working with. Telesat, Rivada Space Networks, Kepler Communications, the European Commission and others have set deadlines coming up before the SDA has done its testing.

Momentum is building for the space sector to receive a critical infrastructure designation from the U.S. government, but support is not unanimous.

Former U.S. Air Force and Space Force General Counsel Peter Beshar explains why decades-old space treaties must evolve to address commercial space, lunar resource extraction and emerging security threats in an increasingly contested orbital environment.

Boston Consulting Group’s Alessio Bonucci explains why space sovereignty is reshaping global competition, with launch capability, industrial capacity and defense investment emerging as the defining factors in the next generation of national space strategies.

As direct-to-device satellite services move toward commercial scale, operators, regulators and mobile carriers are grappling with how spectrum rights, licensing frameworks and cross-border interference will shape the future of global connectivity. How hybrid use of terrestrial and MSS spectrum is emerging as the most practical path forward, even as questions around sovereignty, regulation and customer control remain unresolved.

The head of the Taiwan Space Agency recently proposed an Asia-Pacific answer to Starlink, kicking off a critical discussion about sovereignty, regional collaboration and the role of commercial partnerships in LEO.

Threat activity—from DDoS and defacements to wipers and APT ops—is expanding across aerospace, telecom, and ground segments. Read the analysis to see how operators can harden ground infrastructure, manage supply-chain exposure, and build resilience across IT/OT.

The FCC is pushing for U.S. leadership in direct-to-device but still needs a framework to harmonize satellite and mobile network operators’ interests within the constraints of finite spectrum resources.

As global LEO constellations reshape satellite economics through scale and speed, Middle Eastern operators are charting a different path rooted in sovereignty, regulatory alignment and national strategy. How regional satellite companies are leveraging close ties with governments, multi-orbit collaboration and spectrum stewardship to remain relevant and grow.

Analysys Mason’s reporting from Space Tech Expo Europe shows rising investment, sovereign programmes and a growing addressable market for European satellites. Local presence, distinctive value propositions and strong European partnerships will determine which players capture the opportunity.

The constellation of lights visible from space mirrors the interconnected defense infrastructure that will soon include Ukraine, pending formal agreements. By pooling satellite capacity across member states, the initiative ensures even smaller nations can access secure communications critical for regional security.

Longer, more flexible licences let financial sponsors acquire, repackage, or hold spectrum to unlock future value. This reshapes market dynamics and creates pathways to repurpose underutilised bands for new services and niche users.

Companies must submit proposals by Sept. 30 outlining private-sector technologies for the three-year European Resilience from Space precursor constellation. The fast-track, €1 billion ERS plan will lay the groundwork for the EU’s broader Earth Observation Governmental Service in the 2028–34 budget.

After its August 12 launch aboard Ariane 6, the $6.1 billion Metop-SG program enters a year-long commissioning phase, gearing up for over 20 years of polar-orbit data collection. In partnership with NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System, Eumetsat will share sensors and ground stations, enhancing global storm forecasting and ensuring mutual backup across the Arctic and Antarctic.

Spectrum is limited, but dynamic spectrum sharing mechanisms could open up entire bands to new commercial users. Meanwhile, FCC has announced plans to open spectrum across twelve different bands, NGSO feuds with both GSO and wireless, and changing spectrum allocations are changing industry dynamics.

Industry officials believe Elon Musk’s recent controversial behavior presents a golden opportunity for Europe’s space sector to counter the threat from his companies, SpaceX and Starlink. As customers express concern about relying on a single American provider, European companies like Eutelsat and Arianespace are promoting their sovereign satellite and launch services as crucial, reliable alternatives.

Operators must choose between reusing terrestrial frequencies or using dedicated Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) spectrum, each presenting distinct challenges. This decision shapes service potential, device compatibility, partnerships, and the strategy for enhancing coverage and market growth.

Policy makers hold the key to unlocking AI’s potential in revolutionizing communications networks. Explore strategic initiatives designed to drive smarter, more resilient digital infrastructure for a sustainable future.

For small and emerging space companies and entrepreneurial startups, the cost to build a satellite and launch it into orbit may be too high to get off the ground. Thankfully, the CondoSat trend is making it easier and cheaper to get payloads into orbit. But what regulatory and liability challenges await companies entering this nascent marketplace?

A recent tabletop exercise envisioned cybersecurity challenges in a 2035 lunar mining facility and orbital lab. The findings underscore the importance of collaboration and innovation to safeguard emerging space activities.

Constellations spoke with two experts from the International Telecommunications Union about the rapidly changing world of smallsat, including regulatory management of large constellations and the sustainable use of in-orbit resources.

Operators must carefully manage the climb through debris-heavy regions, processing thousands of conjunction alerts daily. As regulations tighten, the balance between innovation and safety is becoming a critical focus in the evolving satellite industry.

With critical satellite failures and unmet service levels, NorthStar is pushing for legal action to safeguard its operations. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both companies and the future of their partnership.

As the United States looks for support from allies and industry to address the growing number of threats in space, Pentagon officials say there is finally progress being made to roll back decades of overclassification.

A new satellite industry alliance aims to accelerate the rollout of direct satellite connectivity for smartphones and other devices using MSS frequencies, rather than sharing terrestrial spectrum with mobile network operators.

Simon Seminari of Euroconsult presents the key takeaways from the first-ever Middle East Space Conference.

Dr. Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Assistant Director for Space Policy at the White House OSTP, discusses the U.S. vision for future space exploration, focusing on microgravity research, novel space activities like ISAM, and the evolving role of public-private partnerships in the space sector.

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has spurred a surge in cyber activity, with a myriad of threat actors looking to contribute to the chaos.

A summary of upcoming developments at the U.S. FCC and World Radiocommunications Conference affecting the business of space.