Orbital OSINT 33

From government launchpads to low-Earth-orbit startups, the second week of August was nothing short of a space-and-satcom sprint. ULA’s Vulcan finally flexed its muscles on a national security mission, while Ariane 6 ticked off another flawless launch, this time with Europe’s next-gen weather sentinel on board.

National space policies stirred, with Luxembourg bankrolling GovSat-2 and the White House dropping a sweeping executive order to clear the runway for commercial space. Meanwhile, constellations kept swelling, Amazon’s Kuiper broke the 100-satellite mark, AST SpaceMobile claimed it’s fully funded to switch on U.S. service by year’s end, and OneWeb inked new deals on land and sea.

Add in fresh SSA data-sharing pacts, emerging tech for optical payloads, and a flurry of broadcast and telecom moves on Earth, and you’ve got a week that proves the orbital economy is spinning faster than ever.

Satellite Today (Via Satellite)

Space42 Hopes Thuraya-4 Will Boost Service Revenues
08 August 2025
Space42 says the upcoming Thuraya‑4 NGS spacecraft is expected to drive mobility revenue growth as the operator leans into maritime, land and aero services ahead of launch.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2025/08/08/space42-hopes-thuraya-4-will-boost-service-revenues/

SEOPS to Offer Post-Launch Tracking Service for Satellites With Digantara
11 August 2025
Launch integrator SEOPS will bundle Digantara’s space‑situational‑awareness data to help rideshare customers positively identify their satellites and manage conjunction risks immediately after deployment.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2025/08/11/seops-to-offer-post-launch-tracking-service-for-satellites-with-dignatara/

Umbra Moves to Become Full Spectrum Spacetech Company With Components Business
11 August 2025
SAR operator Umbra is commercialising flight‑proven satellite components under a new “Space Systems” line to broaden customer options and reduce supply‑chain constraints.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2025/08/11/umbra-moves-to-become-full-spectrum-spacetech-company-with-components-business/

Vulcan Makes National Security Debut, ULA Foresees Significant Ramp Up in Next Two Years
12 August 2025
After flying the USSF‑106 mission, ULA projects ramping Vulcan to 20–25 launches annually by 2026–27, with potential to surpass 30 in 2027, while Atlas V completes remaining commercial flights.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2025/08/12/ula-foresees-significant-ramp-up-of-vulcan-launches-in-next-two-years/

Arianespace Launches European Weather Satellite in Ariane 6 Mission
12 August 2025
Ariane 6 successfully lofted EUMETSAT’s Metop‑SGA1 to SSO, the first satellite of Europe’s second‑generation polar meteorology system, also hosting the Sentinel‑5 atmospheric monitor.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2025/08/12/arianespace-launches-european-weather-satellite-in-ariane-6-mission/

India’s IN‑SPACe Selects Pixxel to Lead National EO Constellation Project
12 August 2025
India’s space regulator picked a Pixxel‑led consortium (with PierSight, SatSure/KaleidEO and Dhruva Space) to build a 12‑satellite, multi‑sensor EO constellation under a PPP model.
https://www.satellitetoday.com/government-military/2025/08/12/indias-in-space-selects-pixxel-to-lead-national-eo-constellation-project/

Runway Girl Network – Connectivity

Press Release: ST Engineering, SF Airlines open MRO facility in Ezhou
11 August 2025
ST Engineering and SF Airlines opened a two‑hangar MRO complex at Ezhou Huahu International Airport, with the first aircraft induction on 12 August and capacity to scale as demand grows
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/08/st-engineering-sf-airlines-ezhou-china/

Press Release: Eutelsat and Tata’s Nelco ink pact for LEO connectivity
11 August 2025
Eutelsat’s OneWeb India unit and Tata‑owned Nelco agreed to deliver secure, low‑latency LEO services across land, sea and air markets in India.
https://runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/08/eutelsat-tatas-nelco-india/

Global Defense Insight (defensetalks.com)

Leonardo DRS Completes First Open‑Water Demonstration of Maritime Counter‑UAS System for Small USVs
13 August 2025
Leonardo DRS reported the first open‑water trials of a mission equipment package that equips small unmanned surface vessels with counter‑UAS capabilities for naval applications.
https://defensetalks.com/leonardo-drs-completes-first-open-water-demonstration-of-maritime-counter-uas-system-for-small-usvs/

Europe Launches First Next‑Generation Weather Satellite MetOp‑SG A1
13 August 2025
An overview and reaction piece on the successful Ariane 6 launch of MetOp‑SG A1, marking a major step for European meteorology.
https://defensetalks.com/tag/airbus-space-missions/

Space.com

Vulcan Centaur rocket launches first US national security mission
12 August 2025
ULA’s Vulcan lifted USSF‑106 from Cape Canaveral, carrying experimental PNT payload NTS‑3 and a classified spacecraft on the rocket’s first NSSL flight.
https://www.space.com/ula-vulcan-centaur-rocket-ussf-106-launch-success

Astronauts on SpaceX Crew‑10 splash down, ending 6‑month ISS mission
11 August 2025
The Crew‑10 quartet safely returned to Earth aboard Dragon after completing a long‑duration science rotation on the ISS.
https://www.space.com/spacex-crew-10-splashdown-august-2025

Space Voyaging

Skyrora marks milestone in 3D‑printed 70kN engine development
08 August 2025
UK launch firm Skyrora completed a qualification test of its additively‑manufactured 70kN engine, advancing its small‑launcher programme.
https://www.spacevoyaging.com/skyrora-marks-major-step-in-3d-printed-70kn-engine-development/

Smart Maritime Network

OneWeb partners with Nokia for low‑latency maritime connectivity
13 August 2025
OneWeb and Nokia announced a tie‑up to combine LEO capacity with Nokia technologies to deliver shipboard low‑latency broadband.
https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2025/08/13/oneweb-partners-with-nokia-for-low-latency-maritime-connectivity/

ChartWorld acquires SFlectra to expand navigation tech portfolio
11 August 2025
Digital navigation specialist ChartWorld bought SFlectra to strengthen its software and services for vessel routing and compliance.
https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2025/08/11/chartworld-acquires-sflectra-to-expand-navigation-tech-portfolio/

Erachain and Russula sign strategic deal on maritime logistics digitalisation
07 August 2025
Industrial tech firms Erachain and Russula teamed up to bring blockchain‑backed traceability and automation into marine logistics workflows.
https://smartmaritimenetwork.com/2025/08/07/erachain-and-russula-sign-strategic-deal-on-maritime-logistics-digitalisation/

Space Intel Report

ULA cuts 2025 manifest to 9 launches, will ramp to 20–25/year starting 2026; not good news for Amazon Kuiper
07 August 2025
At SmallSat, ULA outlined a lighter 2025 manifest but a rapid ramp from 2026, implying schedule pressure for Kuiper launches previously pencilled on Atlas V/Vulcan.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/ula-cuts-2025-manifest-to-9-launches-will-ramp-to-20-25-year-starting-2026-not-good-news-for-amazon-kuiper/

MDA Space: 2‑sats‑per‑day plant opens by December, but Telesat, Globalstar production to start slowly
08 August 2025
MDA briefed that its high‑throughput LEO manufacturing line is nearing completion, though initial customer ramps will be measured.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/mda-space-2-sats-per-day-plant-opens-by-december-but-telesat-globalstar-production-to-start-slowly/

OHB: 2025 revenue to rise 16.5%, another 25% by 2027, as European governments open their checkbooks
11 August 2025
OHB guided strong top‑line growth on the back of European institutional programmes and a healthier GeoReturn pipeline.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/ohb-2025-revenue-to-rise-16-5-with-another-25-increase-by-2027-as-european-governments-open-their-checkbooks/

Globalstar: Ground network upgrade preparing for 3rd‑gen D2D constellation; Parsons contract a breakthrough
11 August 2025
Globalstar outlined terrestrial upgrades to support its next‑gen direct‑to‑device plans and highlighted new government work with Parsons.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/globalstar-ground-network-upgrade-preparing-for-3rd-gen-d2d-constellation-parsons-contract-a-breakthrough/

Luxembourg to invest $350 million in GovSat‑2; plus $233 million strategic capacity reserve
11 August 2025
Luxembourg proposed long‑term funding for a second GovSat with SES and set aside additional reserve funds for surge capacity.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/luxembourg-to-invest-350-million-in-govsat-2-satellite-operated-by-jv-with-ses-plus-233-million-as-strategic-capacity-reserve/

AST SpaceMobile, on the heels of launch delays, promises initial US commercial service by December
12 August 2025
AST SpaceMobile said it is fully funded for key‑market coverage and eyes initial U.S. service by year‑end after adjusting its launch plan.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/ast-spacemobile-on-the-heels-of-launch-delays-promises-to-launch-at-least-19-satellites-by-december/

Space42: Revenue down 17% in H1; waiting for Thuraya‑4 in September
12 August 2025
Abu Dhabi’s Space42 reported softer H1 results and pinned a services uplift on the imminent Thuraya‑4 NGS launch.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/space42-revenue-down-17-in-h1-adjusted-ebitda-down-30-waiting-for-thuraya-4-in-september/

For debt‑free Spire Global, RF detection/geolocation/translation is a new investment priority
13 August 2025
With over $100m in cash and no debt, Spire is prioritising “Space Reconnaissance” capabilities spanning RF detection, geolocation and comms translation.
https://www.spaceintelreport.com/for-debt-free-spire-global-radio-frequency-detection-geolocation-and-translation-is-a-new-investment-priority/

SpaceWatch.Global

Muon Space Unveils XL Satellite Platform and Announces First Customer
08 August 2025
Muon introduced its MuSat XL bus for next‑gen LEO missions and named Hubble Network as the first customer.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/muon-space-unveils-xl-satellite-platform-and-announces-first-customer/

LeoLabs and NASA Enter Space Act Agreement for Conjunction Assessment Missions
12 August 2025
Under a new SAA, NASA’s CARA program will evaluate LeoLabs’ measurements and safety products for future conjunction assessment workflows.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/leolabs-and-nasa-enter-space-act-agreement-for-conjuction-assessment-missions/

SmallSat 2025 – Insights from Rocket Lab’s Sandy Tirtey on Challenges and Innovations (video)
12 August 2025
Interview with Rocket Lab’s Sandy Tirtey on launch cadence, innovations and smallsat ecosystem challenges at SmallSat.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/smallsat-2025-insights-from-rocket-labs-sandy-tirtey-on-challenges-and-innovations/

SmallSat 2025 – The Magic of Small Sat: An Interview with Stanley Kennedy (video)
12 August 2025
Conversation with the SmallSat student competition technical chair on trends and talent pipelines.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/smallsat-2025-the-magic-of-small-sat-an-interview-with-stanley-kennedy/

#SpaceWatchGL Opinion: Why the US Wants a Nuclear Reactor in Space — and Why Europe Cares
12 August 2025
An op‑ed arguing that space nuclear power is becoming strategically important and will shape US‑EU industrial policy.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/spacewatchgl-opinion-moonshot-power-why-the-us-wants-a-nuclear-reactor-in-space-and-why-europe-cares/

Amazon Kuiper Constellation Grows to More Than 100 Satellites
13 August 2025
SpaceX’s fourth Kuiper rideshare pushed Amazon’s deployed count to 102 satellites in roughly four months.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/amazon-kuiper-constellation-grows-to-more-than-100-satellites/

Ariane 6 Launches Metop‑SGA1 Satellite to Polar Orbit
13 August 2025
Coverage of Ariane 6’s successful launch of Metop‑SGA1, the first EPS‑SG satellite carrying the Copernicus Sentinel‑5 mission.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/ariane-6-launches-metop-sga1-satellite-to-polar-orbit/

USSF Space Systems Command and ULA Launch USSF‑106 Mission
14 August 2025
SSC and ULA launched the first NSSL mission on Vulcan VC4S, carrying NTS‑3 and a classified payload.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/ussf-space-systems-command-and-ula-launch-ussf-106-mission/

Atlantic Spaceport Consortium (Azores) Secures Spaceport License
14 August 2025
Portugal’s regulator granted the first national spaceport license to ASC for the Malbusca Launch Center on Santa Maria island.
https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/atlantic-spaceport-consortium-asc-secures-spaceport-license/

SatNews

SpaceX delivers for Amazon, with launch of Project Kuiper’s KF‑02 mission
11 August 2025
SpaceX flew Amazon’s fourth Kuiper batch, landing ASOG and inching the constellation past the 100‑satellite mark.
https://news.satnews.com/2025/08/11/spacex-delivers-for-amazon-with-launch-of-project-kuipers-smallsat-kf-02-mission/

EchoStar needs to act swiftly on launch plans
11 August 2025
Commentary summarising EchoStar’s MDA production deal and the urgency to finalise launch arrangements for its LEO ambitions.
https://news.satnews.com/2025/08/11/echostar-needs-to-act-swiftly-on-launch-plans/

ULA, GO Vulcan! GO Centaur! GO USSF‑106! and they did!
12 August 2025
Launch‑day update for ULA’s USSF‑106 mission on Vulcan from SLC‑41, highlighting weather odds and countdown status.
https://news.satnews.com/2025/08/12/ula-go-vulcan-go-centaur-go-ussf-106-and-they-did/

Arianespace’s Ariane 6 successfully launches Metop‑SGA1 “— the beginning of an exciting new chapter”
12 August 2025
Post‑launch note on Ariane 6’s successful delivery of Metop‑SGA1 at 00:37 UTC on Aug. 13.
https://news.satnews.com/2025/08/12/arianespaces-ariane-6-successfully-launches-metop-sga1-weather-satellite-this-is-the-beginning-of-an-exciting-new-chapter/

SpaceX to launch Starlink Group 17‑4 smallsats from California on Wednesday
12 August 2025
Starlink 17‑4 targeted for mid‑week release from Vandenberg with mission context and imagery.
https://news.satnews.com/2025/08/12/spacex-to-launch-starlink-group-17-4-smallsats-from-california-on-wednesday/

U.S. Space Force’s L3Harris‑built NTS‑3 satellite successfully launches
13 August 2025
USSF confirmed NTS‑3’s launch aboard Vulcan, enabling on‑orbit experiments for next‑gen PNT in contested environments.
https://news.satnews.com/2025/08/13/u-s-space-forces-l3harris-built-nts-3-satellite-successfully-launches/

SpaceNews

China’s Geespace expands IoT constellation with 11‑satellite sea launch
10 August 2025
Geespace added 11 satellites via a sea‑based launch, advancing its maritime‑focused IoT network.
https://spacenews.com/chinas-geespace-expands-iot-constellation-with-11-satellite-sea-launch/

KSAT to extend ground network with Hyper Loops
11 August 2025
KSAT unveiled “Hyper Loops” to expand ground segment throughput and resiliency for LEO and beyond.
https://spacenews.com/ksat-to-extend-ground-network-with-hyper-loops/

Japanese space companies embrace IPOs
11 August 2025
Roundup on Japan’s space firms increasingly seeking public listings to fund growth.
https://spacenews.com/japanese-space-companies-embrace-ipos/

Viasat unveils HaloNet capability portfolio for near‑Earth communications and beyond
11 August 2025
Viasat introduced HaloNet to connect thousands of spacecraft simultaneously across inclinations, including polar and retrograde orbits.
https://spacenews.com/viasat-unveils-halonet-capability-portfolio-for-near-earth-communications-and-beyond/

NASA to assess LeoLabs’ data for orbital collision avoidance
11 August 2025
NASA’s CARA will evaluate LeoLabs measurements and products as part of a Space Act Agreement.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-to-assess-leolabs-data-for-orbital-collision-avoidance/

First DiskSats to take flight in 2025
11 August 2025
A look at upcoming flat, disc‑shaped smallsats and their planned demonstration missions.
https://spacenews.com/first-disksats-to-take-flight-in-2025/

ESCAPADE trajectory design creates new options for Mars smallsat missions
12 August 2025
New trajectory work for the ESCAPADE mission broadens approaches for smallsat journeys to Mars.
https://spacenews.com/escapade-trajectory-design-creates-new-options-for-mars-smallsat-missions/

Deep‑space radar in Australia begins tracking satellites for AUKUS partners
12 August 2025
A new Australian radar capability started tracking objects for AUKUS, strengthening allied SSA.
https://spacenews.com/deep-space-radar-in-australia-begins-tracking-satellites-for-aukus-partners/

For military space, what tasks should be automated?
13 August 2025
Panelists at SmallSat weighed which military‑space functions benefit most from AI/automation, from ops to intel processing.
https://spacenews.com/for-military-space-what-tasks-should-be-automated/

Flying ‘standby’ proves popular for SpaceX rideshares
13 August 2025
SpaceX’s standby option is drawing interest from smallsat operators seeking late‑notice manifest opportunities.
https://spacenews.com/flying-standby-proves-popular-for-spacex-rideshares/

Impulse Space sees strong demand for GEO rideshare program
13 August 2025
Impulse reported robust customer interest for its GEO rideshares, enough to plan an annual series.
https://spacenews.com/impulse-space-sees-strong-demand-for-geo-rideshare-program/

Advanced Television

Luxembourg invests $350m in GovSat‑2
13 August 2025
Luxembourg will invest in GovSat‑2 with SES and create a €233m strategic capacity reserve for 2025–2040.
https://www.advanced-television.com/2025/08/13/luxembourg-invests-350m-in-govsat-2/

SPACE & DEFENSE

KP Labs and Simera Sense partner for integrated optical payloads
13 August 2025
The companies signed an MoU to co‑develop compact, AI‑powered optical payloads and pursue joint missions, with first integration demo targeted for 2026.
https://spaceanddefense.io/kp-labs-and-simera-sense-partner-for-integrated-optical-payloads/

First MetOp‑SG satellite and Sentinel‑5A launched
13 August 2025
Brief report on Ariane 6’s successful launch of MetOp‑SGA1 carrying the Copernicus Sentinel‑5 atmospheric payload.
https://spaceanddefense.io/search-for-moon-focused-sustainability-solutions/

Executive Order to Boost U.S. Space Competitiveness
14 August 2025
Coverage of a White House EO aimed at accelerating launch licensing, spaceport construction and overall commercial space competitiveness.
https://spaceanddefense.io/executive-order-to-boost-u-s-space-competitiveness/