Slow mantle flow built Antarctica gravity low over tens of millions of years
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
Gravity feels stable in everyday life, but its strength varies across the surface of the planet, and it is weakest beneath Antarctica after accounting for Earth rotation. These subtle variations arise from differences in rock density deep inside the planet, and around Antarctica they create a pronounced gravity low that also affects regional sea level by allowing the nearby ocean surface to sit Airbus taps Synspective SAR radar network for expanded Earth imaging
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
Airbus Defence and Space has signed a new radar satellite data framework agreement with Japanese Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) specialist Synspective Inc. to broaden its space-based radar coverage for Earth observation customers worldwide.
Under the agreement, Airbus gains access to Synspective's growing constellation of SAR satellites, which will operate alongside Airbus's existing radar BlackSky expands Gen-3 assured access for international defense customer
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
BlackSky Technology Inc. has secured a new seven figure Assured contract that deepens its relationship with an international defense customer seeking guaranteed access to Gen 2 and Gen 3 satellite capabilities. The agreement extends uncontested tasking priority and real time delivery of imagery and AI enabled analytics over the country's key areas of interest.
The Assured model gives the c NRO expands commercial multi-phenomenology surveillance awards
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
The National Reconnaissance Office has issued the first three awards under its Strategic Commercial Enhancements Commercial Solutions Opening, advancing the agency's shift toward multi-phenomenology commercial remote sensing capabilities that combine several sensing modalities to support intelligence missions.
Under this initial tranche, HEO will provide non-Earth imagery, SatVu will deliv UK backs in orbit production of high value materials
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
The UK Space Agency has placed three new study contracts with British companies to assess how advanced materials could be manufactured in Low Earth Orbit for use back on Earth. The projects focus on life-saving medicines, high performance optical fibre and next generation semiconductor materials, all produced using the unique environment of space.
In orbit manufacturing can exploit microgr AALTO plans Zephyr stratospheric hub in northern Australia and seeks local payload partners
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
AALTO HAPS Ltd, an Airbus subsidiary that develops and operates the Zephyr solar-powered Stratocraft, plans to establish its second launch and landing site in northern Australia as it expands stratospheric operations and services. The proposed AALTOPORT in Australia would complement the company's existing launch and landing base in Kenya, which opened in 2024, and is aimed at supporting a nation Gilat wins 9 million dollar MOD deal for secure defense satcom
Thursday, 19 February 2026 11:07
Gilat Satellite Networks has secured a 9 million dollar contract from Israel's Ministry of Defense to supply and integrate satellite communication systems and services for defense operations. The award was announced by the company's defense division, Gilat Defense, which will deliver next generation defense modems as a core element of Gilat's ground system defense solution.
The new modems Agile Space Industries Oversubscribed $17M Series A Accelerates Growth of In-Space Propulsion Capabilities
Thursday, 19 February 2026 10:00
Japan’s ispace warns of delays in new lunar lander engine
Thursday, 19 February 2026 09:03
Japanese lunar company ispace said work on a new engine for its lunar landers is facing delays and that it is keeping open the option of switching engines.
ESA’s Celeste target launch date confirmed
Thursday, 19 February 2026 08:18
The European Space Agency (ESA) is preparing for the inaugural launch of the Celeste LEO-PNT in-orbit demonstration mission with the first two satellites scheduled to lift off no earlier than 24 March, aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket from the company’s Māhia Launch Complex in New Zealand.
Pentagon seeks commercially built GEO spy satellites
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 21:06
The Defense Innovation Unit plans to select companies to field and operate spacecraft before transferring them to government control within three years
A super stable laser on the moon could guide future lunar missions and improve our timekeeping
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New 'Mars GPS' lets Perseverance pinpoint its location within 25 centimeters
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 17:02We're checking your connection to prevent automated abuse
Hubble, Euclid & Subaru uncover dark galaxy
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 14:00
Employing NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope in combination with ESA Euclid and ground-based NAOJ Subaru Telescope, astronomers identified a galaxy that appears to be almost entirely dominated by dark matter with only a smattering of stars. The galaxy, known as Candidate Dark Galaxy-2 (CDG-2), appears to contain just four globular star clusters (compared to the Milky Way’s 150-plus), and dimly shines with the light of only about 1 million Suns.
Why GPS III, and what comes after it, still falls short in modern war
Wednesday, 18 February 2026 13:00
With the final GPS III satellite scheduled to launch in March, the United States is completing the most significant upgrade to its positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) infrastructure in more than a decade.