Technology
Space Force Adjusts as Commerce Cuts Space Traffic Management Program
The first Trump administration moved to relieve the Space Force of its burden to monitor and warn civilian space operators about potential space traffic hazards. But now, just as the Commerce Department’s new Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) program is nearly ready, the second Trump administration is looking to cancel it.
China is making rapid space tech gains. Here’s how the military could use them
From satellite navigation to spy probes, anti-sat weapons and reusable space planes, Chinese technology is advancing at a fast pace
Experts name the 12 transformative technologies reshaping our cosmic future
As humanity reaches toward the stars, the space economy is poised to reach $1.8 trillion by 2035. The European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, captured the moment perfectly at the 2025 Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos: "The 21st century will be really the century of space."
Kepler wins $4 million defence contract to build satellite swarm
Indian space-tech startup Kepler Aerospace will receive government funding and access to launch infrastructure. The autonomous satellite swarm is being designed for the Defence Space Agency with an expected launch in 2027.
D-Orbit + Planetek announce strategic business combo to expand advanced space tech capabilities
Over the years, D-Orbit and Planetek have collaborated on multiple initiatives, most recently deploying the first mission of AI-eXpress, an innovative technology leveraging artificial intelligence and blockchain technology to enhance satellite reactivity and enable low-latency analytics transmission.
Europe
Meet the 5 space tech firms vying to be Europe’s next launch provider
ESA has chosen five rocket firms to compete for €169mn contracts, aiming to restore Europe’s independent access to space
BBC spotlights Lithuanian space-tech start-up Astrolight
“I'm led through a series of concrete corridors at Vilnius Tech University, Lithuania; the murals give a Soviet-era vibe, and it seems an unlikely location for a high-tech lab working on a laser communication system.”
This is how BBC technology journalist MaryLou Costa introduced the headquarters of Astrolight, a six-year-old Lithuanian space-tech start-up that raised €2.8m in May to build what it calls an “optical data highway”.
Innovation
Space Force Awards Contract for New Nuclear C2 Satellites
The contract award, announced by Space Systems Command July 3, is valued at $2.8 billion for the first two satellites, with an option for two more, as part of the Evolved Strategic SATCOM program.