The contract ensures operational continuity for the OneWeb constellation as its earliest satellites, launched beginning in 2019, approach the end of their five-to-seven-year design lives.

Eutelsat Group announced a follow-on contract with Airbus Defence and Space for the production of 340 additional low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites on January 12, 2026.

The 440 satellites currently under contract will serve as a technical bridge between the first-generation OneWeb fleet and the future European Union IRIS² constellation.

The FCC's decision allows SpaceX to upgrade the Gen2 Starlink satellites with advanced form factors and cutting-edge technology.

SpaceX will add new orbital shells at altitudes ranging from 340 km to 485 km to optimize coverage and performance.

The FCC has granted authorization to Space Exploration Holdings to advance its second-generation Starlink satellite system.

The FCC waived obsolete requirements that prevented overlapping beam coverage and enhanced capacity.

The FCC authorized SpaceX to construct, deploy, and operate an additional 7,500 Gen2 Starlink satellites, bringing the total number to 15,000 worldwide.

SpaceX is authorized to operate across Ku-, Ka-, V-, E-, and W-band frequencies, supporting both Fixed Satellite Service (FSS) and Mobile Satellite Service (MSS).

This expansion will enable SpaceX to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet service globally.

SpaceX will provide direct-to-cell connectivity outside the United States and supplemental coverage within the U.S.

On the 29th of March 2023, the Aurora transitioned from jet engines to its first rocket-powered flights.

The debut of the in-house-developed bi-propellant rocket engine in flight occurred after proving the airframe and avionics on prior flights.

Dawn Aerospace completed three rocket-powered flights in three days.

The Dawn Aerospace Aurora has evolved to a rocket-powered suborbital spaceplane after 47 flights on jet power.

Aurora's flights were conducted from two locations: Tāwhaki National Aerospace Center and Glentanner Aerodrome.

The next iteration of the Aurora is now in production and is set to be the first vehicle to fly above 100 km in altitude multiple times per day.

Aurora flew supersonic on the 12th of November 2024 in an 85-degree climb.

Between 2023 and 2025, Dawn Aerospace conducted 15 test flights of the Aurora, from Flight 48 to Flight 62.

The Aurora broke a world record for the time to climb from ground to 20 km altitude with a time of 118 seconds.

In June and July 2024, four missions were flown for US customers and universities as part of the 'Pathfinder' campaign.

On the 4th of October 2024, the Aurora demonstrated the capability to fly two rocket-powered missions within six hours of one another.

ESA adjusted the timeline for the launch of the demonstration mission to ideally occur before 2028 and no later than 2030.

The second slice of the ALADDIN initiative will begin in the first quarter of 2029.

The operational timeline for deorbiting the ISS requires the demonstration mission to be executed during the second quarter of 2029.

In May 2024, ESA awarded Phase 1 contracts to The Exploration Company and Thales Alenia Space.

In December 2023, ESA published a call for proposals for the first phase of the initiative.

ESA Director of Human and Robotic Exploration Daniel Neuenschwander announced that Member States agreed to fund two Phase 2 contracts.

ESA will accept proposals for demonstration missions to a future commercial LEO destination by the end of 2030.

On 8 January 2026, ESA published a call for proposals for Phase 2, renamed the Autonomous LEO Accelerated Demo Docking to ISS Node (ALADDIN) initiative.

ESA is opening a second 'Slice' of Phase 2 that allows bidders to submit proposals for a demonstration mission to a future commercial space station by the end of 2031.

The first slice of Phase 2 will run from October 2026 through the fourth quarter of 2028.

If the demonstration mission is launched after the second quarter of 2029, no docking port will be available for the prospective cargo vessel.

Member States also agreed to fund an additional four missions aboard the vehicles following the successful conclusion of the demonstration missions.

ESA launched its LEO Cargo Return Services initiative in May 2023 to develop a sovereign European space cargo transport service.

The European Space Agency (ESA) adjusted the scope of Phase 2 of its LEO Cargo Return Services programme to accommodate the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS).

The International Space Station is expected to be deorbited after 2030.

The initiative will conclude with a demonstration mission to and from the ISS before the end of 2028.

Phase 1 of the initiative is focused on the maturation of the individual proposals and is expected to run until June 2026.

The technical agenda for SmallSat Europe 2026 highlights engineering challenges related to Europe's new strategic posture.

Alternative positioning, navigation, and timing systems independent of GPS are also key topics for SmallSat Europe 2026.

SmallSat Europe 2026 is scheduled to take place from May 26 to May 28, 2026, at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre.

The EU Space Defence Track has been established to integrate commercial technology into military frameworks.

Key solicitation topics for SmallSat Europe 2026 include sovereign connectivity architectures underpinned by the EU's IRIS² program.

The 2026 edition of SmallSat Europe is projected to host more than 2,500 attendees, doubling the participation of the 2025 edition.

Organizers of SmallSat Europe 2026 are seeking papers on defense-civil fusion architectures, cybersecurity for contested environments, and on-orbit AI for threat detection.

SmallSat Europe 2026 organizers have issued a final call for technical papers.

The deadline for abstract submissions for SmallSat Europe 2026 is January 23, 2026.

The expansion of SmallSat Europe reflects the region's focus on dual-use capabilities and sovereign infrastructure.

The program committee for SmallSat Europe 2026 prefers active engineering results over marketing-driven concepts.