POLARIS Spaceplanes’ website refers to the resulting vehicle as VEGA.

A separate contract with the German armed forces funded development of an in-air refuelling system for POLARIS vehicles.

After completing its mission, the HYTEV main stage will be recovered under controlled glide conditions or potentially by a parachute or parafoil.

POLARIS Spaceplanes is developing the AirLAS system in partnership with German defence contractor Diehl Defence.

POLARIS Spaceplanes’ website lists a future vehicle called AURORA that appears to offer much of VEGA/HYTEV capability in a single-stage design.

Demand is rising for high-capacity inter-satellite links, secure data transmission, and low-latency connectivity across low Earth orbit and multi-orbit satellite constellations.

MarketsandMarkets projects the Optical (laser) Satellite Communication Market to grow from $0.62 billion in 2025 to $1.56 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of 20.4 percent.

Adoption of laser inter-satellite links is increasing in low Earth orbit satellite constellations to support growing satellite data traffic requirements.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the Optical (laser) Satellite Communication Market during the forecast period due to rising investments in low Earth orbit satellite programs in China, Japan, India, and South Korea.

Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking systems are required to maintain sub-microradian alignment for stable laser links.

The network backbone and relay communications application segment is expected to see the highest growth in the Optical (laser) Satellite Communication Market during the forecast period.

Increasing satellite velocities in low Earth orbit and denser constellation architectures are increasing demand for high-precision tracking, fine steering mirrors, and fast control electronics.

Improvements in laser terminal pointing and tracking systems and AI-based link management are increasing the reliability and ease of operation of optical satellite communication systems.

The Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) module segment is projected to account for the largest market share of the Optical (laser) Satellite Communication Market during the forecast period.

The Optical (laser) Satellite Communication Market is driven by demand for secure, high-capacity data links across space missions, defense applications, and commercial satellite networks.

Optical intersatellite links are being used to build space-based mesh networks that reduce dependence on ground stations.

The North American optical satellite communication market accounted for a 67.9 percent revenue share in 2024.

Asia Pacific governments’ investments in space communication initiatives and the region’s focus on developing indigenous laser terminals are supporting growth of the Optical (laser) Satellite Communication industry.

Space-based relay networks with optical intersatellite links enable continuous, low-latency data transfer for broadband Earth observation and defense communications missions.

Fossa Systems and Ienai Space will place the first fully Spanish mission demonstrating an electric propulsion system into orbit.

Daniel Pérez Grande is CEO of Ienai Space.

Athena™ Nano will enable maneuverability of the Fossa Systems 6U platform in orbit.

The 6U nanosatellite platform from Fossa Systems will incorporate an Athena™ Nano module.

Fossa Systems is one of 150 companies selected for NATO’s DIANA (Defense Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic) program to develop a signal intelligence solution for its low Earth orbit satellites.

Ienai Space will begin the commercial phase of its flagship space propulsion product after its on-orbit demonstration.

Athena™ Nano is an adaptable electrospray thruster (Adaptable Thruster based on Electrospray powered by Nanotechnology) for nanosatellites.

Fossa Systems has launched 24 satellites over its five years of operation.

Julián Fernández is CEO and cofounder of Fossa Systems.

Fossa Systems was selected to provide satellite IoT connectivity to Open Cosmos for the Constelación Atlántica.

Athena™ Nano is a low-power, high-compactness electric propulsion system based on electrospray technology fully developed in Spain.

Fossa Systems plans to launch a next-generation 6U nanosatellite platform weighing more than 10 kg with increased power and capacity for advanced payloads.

Northrop Grumman’s Space segment sales declined 8% in 2025.

Northrop Grumman’s Space segment posted a 17% increase in operating income in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Northrop Grumman’s Space segment recorded a $102 million decrease in 2025 on the Space Launch System booster program due to lower volume.

Northrop Grumman’s Space segment operating income declined 6% year-over-year in 2025 to $1.2 billion.

Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems sales in 2025 declined by $960 million compared to 2024.

Northrop Grumman’s Space backlog reflects an SDA award for 18 satellites for the Tranche 3 Tracking layer, an additional launch award for NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services, and growth in classified programs.

Northrop Grumman is headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.

Northrop Grumman’s Space segment recorded a $172 million decrease in 2025 for Space Development Agency satellite programs due to the timing of materials.

The decline in Space Systems sales was driven in part by work winding down on a canceled classified space program and by the Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) program being awarded to Lockheed Martin.

Northrop Grumman expects Space sales to grow to $11 billion in 2026 driven by multiple restricted space and missile defense programs, stable volumes on the GEM 63 solid rocket booster, and modest headwinds on NASA programs.

Northrop Grumman’s Space backlog is driven by GEM 63 orders for Amazon Project Leo that support deliveries into 2030.

Northrop Grumman Space Systems sales in 2025 were $10.8 billion.

Space Systems ended 2025 with backlog up 13% to $26.2 billion, of which $9.1 billion is funded.

CEO Kathy Warden directs Northrop Grumman to focus on developing strategic deterrence assets in emerging areas in space and treats space as a warfighting domain where space security capabilities represent a growth opportunity for the company.

Artemis 1 required extra months of diagnosis and evaluation after wet dress rehearsal due to leaks and other technical issues.

Volunteers for the Artemis 2 tracking effort will submit their data to NASA for analysis and will not receive funds as part of the collaborative effort.

The Deep Space Network consists of three complexes that keep NASA in contact with over 40 space missions.

Iterations of the Deep Space Network have been in place since 1958.

NASA issued a request for proposals in August 2025 that attracted responses from established commercial service providers, members of academia, and individual amateur radio enthusiasts.