JWST spots early Milky Way style spiral galaxy Alaknanda
Astronomers using NASAs James Webb Space Telescope have identified a massive spiral galaxy that resembles the Milky Way but existed when the Universe was only about 1.5 billion years old. Named Alaknanda, after a Himalayan river paired with the Mandakini which shares its Hindi name with the Milky Way, the system appears as a mature, disk dominated spiral at a time when galaxies were expected to Iridium wins five year US Space Force contract to upgrade EMSS infrastructure
Iridium Communications Inc. has secured a five year indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract from the US Space Force Space Systems Command Commercial Space Office worth up to 85.8 million dollars.
The System Infrastructure Transformation and Hybridization contract covers technology refreshes, lifecycle upgrades, and security improvements for the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Servic Shield AI partners with Sedaro to demonstrate autonomous satellite operations

The agreement brings “AI pilot” software to space as the Pentagon seeks capabilities for close proximity operations, swarm coordination and defensive satellite maneuvers
Germany’s space defense strategy marks a turning point. Private investors must now respond

The next steps in the quest for full rocket reusability

When a Falcon 9 lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California late Nov.
Antares raises $96 million for nuclear reactors on Earth and in space

Nuclear power startup Antares announced a $96 million Series B round Dec.
SpaceX knocks out sunset Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral
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EarthCARE lifts the clouds on climate models
True to its promise, the European Space Agency’s EarthCARE satellite is now being used to calculate directly how clouds and aerosols influence Earth’s energy balance – the all-important balance that regulates our climate. In doing so, EarthCARE is poised to sharpen the accuracy of climate models, the very tools that guide global climate policy and action.
New ESA connection to advance robotics for lunar exploration
Engineers are using a satellite link between two European Space Agency facilities to advance teleoperated robotics systems that could enable future lunar explorers to study the Moon from afar.
SLI bets on satellite leasing with $200 million commitment to AscendArc

Asset-financing specialist SLI plans to buy two small GEO satellites from U.S.
