satellites

The BBC reports that the UK military is jamming satellites belonging to other nations as a means of self-defence, according to sources it spoke to. The disclosure sheds light on British electronic warfare operations in orbit, an area usually kept secret, and raises questions about how such actions fit international rules on space and armed conflict. It is likely to fuel debate over escalating military activity in space.

The US Air Force secretary has publicly acknowledged that the United States has weapons in space. The statement is a rare, direct confirmation of long-speculated military capabilities in orbit, and it lands amid growing debate over space militarization, satellite security, and rivals' counter-space programs. Officials and analysts are likely to press for specifics on what systems exist and what the acknowledgment means for arms-control efforts.

Space law experts say the U.S. Federal Communications Commission can approve massive spaceflight projects on its own, even ones that could permanently alter the view of the night sky for the entire world. Critics have raised concerns about these projects, but experts note there is very little other regulatory oversight capable of stopping them, concentrating the decision in one agency's hands.

The Kremlin said it considers the use of SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service for attacks against Russia to be "dangerous", according to Italian news agency Agenzia Nova. The statement comes amid ongoing Ukrainian strikes inside Russia and questions over whether Kyiv's forces are using Elon Musk's Starlink terminals to coordinate or guide such operations.

The European Union intends to raise the number of its satellite launches sixfold by 2034, according to the Financial Times. The plan points to a major push to expand Europe's space capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign launch providers. Details on funding and implementation have not yet been outlined, and officials have not publicly commented beyond the reported plans.

Google is preparing to launch an experimental satellite into orbit, marking the first move by a major technology company toward building AI data centers in space. The project signals growing interest among Big Tech firms in orbiting infrastructure as a way to handle the enormous power and cooling demands of artificial intelligence computing, and it is drawing wide attention to the future of data infrastructure.

A UK study has found that silicon solar cells, a cheaper and more mature technology than the specialist cells currently used in space, could reduce satellite power costs by up to 90%. The finding points to silicon as a viable alternative for powering satellites, potentially lowering the cost of space missions.

New research from the University of Arizona analysing decades of satellite imagery finds that the world's drylands, though greening as vegetation responds to rising carbon dioxide, are increasingly locked into extreme 'boom-and-bust' cycles — rapid plant growth followed by sudden collapses. Scientists warn the pattern could destabilise ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Australian scientists have developed technology that can measure how flammable eucalypt vegetation is from space, according to ABC News. The research could give authorities a new tool for assessing bushfire risk across vast and remote forested areas, allowing more targeted preparation ahead of dangerous fire seasons in Australia.

An astronomer is tracking the gradual orbital decay of Starlink satellites to measure density variations in the upper atmosphere, effectively turning the satellite constellation into a global 'planetary barometer'. The approach exploits how satellites sink faster when the thermosphere thickens, offering dense atmospheric data from thousands of spacecraft. Readers are debating the ingenuity of repurposing satellites many astronomers consider a nuisance for observational science.

Starlink is rolling out gigabit download speeds to its existing customers, according to a report by Notebookcheck. The upgrade comes as the satellite internet service signals that subscription fees may rise. The move would put Starlink's top-tier speeds closer to competitive fibre offerings, though pricing changes could affect current subscribers.

SpaceX has carried out another classified launch for the US Department of Defense, with the payload and mission details kept secret. Observers believe the flight is part of the Pentagon's Starshield programme, SpaceX's military-focused satellite network, which is thought to be expanding with repeated dedicated national security launches in recent months.

Google has announced Project Suncatcher, an initiative to test its AI chips in space for the first time. The plan points to putting data-processing hardware aboard satellites, a step that could eventually move parts of AI computing off Earth. The announcement is drawing attention across the tech and semiconductor world, with observers weighing the engineering challenges of running chips in orbit and what it could mean for the future of data centers.

SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-97 mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The classified payload's purpose has not been disclosed, consistent with standard practice for national security launches. The mission highlights the growing role of commercial launch providers in delivering US government spy satellites into orbit.

Dr M G Suresh Kumar discussed ISRO's move to open its facilities and programmes to the private sector, in remarks drawing wide attention in Kerala. The discussion focused on what greater private participation means for India's space programme, from satellite building to launches, as the space agency shifts toward enabling a broader commercial ecosystem.

Google is preparing to test its AI chips in space, according to a report carried by The Brussels Times. The move suggests the company is exploring how its custom AI hardware performs outside Earth, though details on the mission, timeline and partners have not been disclosed. Observers of the semiconductor and space industries are watching for what this could mean for satellite computing and data processing in orbit.

DARPA is developing a robotic spacecraft designed to service and repair satellites in geosynchronous orbit, roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The program, profiled by IEEE Spectrum, would allow aging or malfunctioning satellites to be fixed or refueled in place, extending their working lives. Interest centers on the technical challenge of robotic operations at that altitude and what orbital servicing could mean for the satellite industry and space security.

The U.S. Space Force has scheduled on-orbit servicing missions for 2027 with Astroscale U.S. and Starfish Space. The missions will involve satellite servicing technologies such as refueling, repair or repositioning in orbit, marking a step toward routine commercial support of military spacecraft. It signals growing reliance on commercial space companies to extend satellite lifespans and maintain orbital assets.

SpaceX is reportedly aiming for a valuation in excess of $2 trillion as it prepares for an initial public offering, a figure that would make it one of the most valuable public listings ever. The reported target is drawing attention from investors and market watchers given the company's dominance in commercial launch and its Starlink satellite business.

India's government has put out a statement on strengthening the country's space sovereignty, signalling continued state focus on self-reliance in space capabilities. The announcement, carried by the Press Information Bureau, underscores policy efforts to expand India's satellite, launch and space security capacity. Observers see it as part of New Delhi's broader push to establish itself as a major independent space power.

Taliban authorities have arrested three people in Khost province, Afghanistan, over the alleged use of Starlink satellite internet terminals, according to the Kabul Tribune. The detentions highlight the Taliban's restrictions on internet access and their efforts to control unlicensed satellite communications, which bypass the country's state-controlled telecommunications infrastructure.

The first commercial nuclear-powered satellite has been launched aboard a SpaceX mission, according to the American Nuclear Society's Nuclear Newswire. The milestone marks the first time a nuclear-powered spacecraft has flown on a commercial basis, combining private spaceflight with nuclear energy technology in orbit. Details about the satellite's operator, reactor design and mission goals remain limited in the available reporting.

Elon Musk says SpaceX's computing power is set to surpass expectations, a claim reported as breaking news. The statement suggests the company is investing heavily in its computing and AI infrastructure, though no technical details or timelines have been given. Observers are watching to see how this capacity will support SpaceX's rocket and satellite programmes.

SpaceX may be preparing a push into the US mobile market, building on its satellite connectivity ambitions, even as Elon Musk says the 'Star' branding across his companies has spread too far. Observers are watching whether the company will follow its Starlink internet service with a direct-to-consumer mobile offering, and how Musk squares that expansion with his branding comments.

New Jersey regulators fined a data center $1.1 million after aerial photographs revealed 62 gas-powered generators on the site. The images suggested the facility had been running extensive diesel or gas backup equipment that was not properly disclosed or permitted. The case is drawing attention to how data centers powering the AI boom expand their infrastructure quietly, and how enforcement increasingly relies on satellite and drone imagery rather than on-site inspections.

Google is reportedly testing AI chips for what it calls 'fractionalized' space data centers, an approach that would split computing workloads across satellite-based infrastructure rather than relying solely on terrestrial facilities. The idea points to a growing push among tech giants to move data center capacity into orbit, where solar power and cooling are more abundant. Details on the testing and timeline remain limited.

Planet Labs has delivered its Pelican-12 spacecraft to Cape Canaveral ahead of the upcoming SpaceX Bandwagon-5 rideshare mission. The satellite's arrival at the Florida launch site marks a key milestone ahead of integration with the rocket. Planet's Pelican constellation provides high-resolution Earth imaging, and the mission continues the company's deployment of next-generation imaging satellites aboard SpaceX's regular small-payload rideshare flights.

PeakDo is teasing a new power bank designed for the Starlink Mini portable satellite dish, built around a semi-solid-state battery. Details remain scarce beyond the teaser, but the promise of semi-solid-state cell technology points to higher energy density and improved safety compared with conventional lithium-ion packs. The announcement is drawing attention from satellite internet users and gadget watchers interested in longer runtimes for off-grid Starlink Mini setups.