editorial

L3Harris recently demonstrated a cutting-edge Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solution for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command that is adaptable to different platforms, is fully reprogrammable on-orbit, and is scalable to support additional signals and increased power to address evolving threats.

This ready-now solution can provide the USSF with the ultimate flexibility to efficiently field smaller, multi-launch capable satellites to augment or disaggregate the constellation.

During a two-day event, the company conducted a comprehensive Design Concept Review (DCR) showcasing a Resilient-GPS (R-GPS) prototype that performed beyond current requirements. The session demonstrated the ability to accelerate the existing USSF R-GPS roadmap for a more resilient PNT infrastructure.

Using their Navigation Technology Satellite-3 (NTS-3) reprogrammable payload and National Security Agency-certified reprogrammable cryptography, L3Harris successfully simulated the commanding of an R-GPS satellite to transmit navigation signals that were acquired and tracked by a monitor station receiver, as well as Military User Equipment and commercial receivers, signifying that R-GPS can seamlessly and efficiently be integrated into the existing GPS infrastructure.

L3Harris followed a “prototyping with purpose” approach, which is much more than a laboratory demonstration. The review showcased maturity far beyond a traditional Preliminary Design Review, translating into a low-risk, achievable plan for future development phases of the R-GPS program. The L3Harris R-GPS design includes capabilities aligned to future Lite Evolving Augmented Proliferation, providing an opportunity for roadmap acceleration and reduction in lifecycle costs.

The DCR conveyed how the L3Harris R-GPS satellite will minimize impact on the Control Segment and maintain backward compatibility with current and in development user equipment to ensure operational compatibility. L3Harris is the only company to support the entire GPS enterprise across all operational segments. As a critical contributor, the company has provided navigation technology for every U.S. GPS satellite ever launched.

In 2024, L3Harris was selected to design concepts for Phase 0 of the R-GPS program through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) vehicle, managed by National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL). The new, agile R-GPS satellite program will dramatically reduce costs by launching eight smaller, more capable space vehicles at one time. This enables the U.S. to quickly and affordably augment, modernize, and upgrade the GPS space layer for resiliency, significantly increased power to combat terrestrial jamming and enhanced security and cryptography.

Our team transmitted, tested, and validated the core set of R-GPS signals across the entire enterprise to showcase a fully reprogrammable, resilient PNT solution for the Department of Defense,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “We leveraged best in class commercial technology in the payload and spacecraft bus and the government’s investment in cutting-edge NTS-3 PNT technologies. Conducting an end-to-end demo using fielded Space Force user equipment in just six months is an unprecedented accomplishment. Using NTS-3’s advanced technology, L3Harris’ R-GPS solution is the most advanced capability offering supporting PNT proliferation to augment or disaggregate the constellation.”

Zoiss added, “Our approach supports satellite design verification, proves compatibility with the Control Segment and User Equipment, and allows for early enterprise integration opportunities. As a global PNT leader for more than five decades, we understand the challenges in aligning three segments of the GPS enterprise (Space, Control and User), so we showcased a holistic, aligned approach.”

Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) has connected their new high-speed-inflight connectivity system, JetWave X, over the Viasat satellite network.

With Honeywell’s JetWave X system, business jets owners and operators have access to uninterrupted coverage globally, delivering the sort of reliable, consistent, high-speed connectivity typically found in homes and offices. This new offering supports Honeywell’s alignment of its portfolio to three compelling megatrends, including the future of aviation.

Honeywell continues to support the current generation of JetWave systems that are operating today on approximately 2,000 business jets, and it expects these existing systems will experience a performance boost from higher speeds with the recently-announced JetXP experience plans. Existing JetWave customers will also benefit from faster installation times and an economical upgrade path to JetWave X.

JetWave X has already been selected by Bombardier and Dassault with specific availability dates by platform to be announced in the near future. Availability of JetWave X on additional business jet platforms is expected to be announced in the second half of 2025.

By successfully passing traffic over the Viasat network, JetWave X has reached a major milestone in our progress to complete its development and certification by the fourth quarter of this year,” said Jason Wissink, President, Services and Connectivity, Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “JetWave X will unlock the full capabilities of Viasat’s global network, including existing and future ViaSat-3 and GX satellites, to provide consistent, high performance and fully redundant connectivity, all backed by Honeywell’s global field support team. For OEMs and MROs, the simplified product architecture will also make the new system even easier and faster to install than the current-generation JetWave system.”

As long-standing partners in the business aviation industry, Viasat and Honeywell have a successful track record of constantly innovating and delivering world-class connectivity that stays ahead of customer needs,” said Kai Tang, Head of Business Aviation, Viasat. “The combination of JetWave X and our JetXP service will deliver an even greater standard of consistent, reliable and seamless in-flight broadband, complemented by Honeywell’s white-glove customer service and 24/7 support.”

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has completed their acquisition of Capella Space Corporation, a space tech company with synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and satellite solutions for government and commercial applications.

The closing marks a significant step in IonQ’s mission to develop the world’s first space-to-space and space-to-ground satellite quantum key distribution (QKD) network, enabling quantum-secure global communications.

With the acquisition now finalized, IonQ will begin developing a space-based QKD network by integrating Capella’s satellite infrastructure with its quantum technology. Once complete, this QKD network will enable secure communications that prevents encryption keys from being intercepted or copied without detection.

It will also serve as a platform for additional quantum networking and sensing growth vectors. Capella customers will have access to rapid, ultra-secure SAR and remote sensing through the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform.

This acquisition, along with the previously announced ID Quantique agreement, strengthens IonQ’s position in advancing quantum networking technologies that are essential for building the quantum internet. This news builds on recent quantum networking contracts with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate our vision for the quantum internet, where global QKD will play a foundational role in enabling secure communications,” said Niccolo de Masi, CEO of IonQ. “The integration of Capella’s advanced space-based platform and proven constellation of deployed satellites – along with IonQ’s quantum technologies – is expected to bolster commercial applications, global defense, and intelligence missions.”

Capella has been a long-time pioneer in space technology and we can now take actionable steps to push the boundaries further by building the first quantum-enabled Earth observation platform,” said Frank Backes, CEO of Capella. “We’re excited to be joining the IonQ team on this new journey.”

July 11th saw the clearest indication that the long wait for SES to receive its permissions to acquire rival Intelsat is coming to an end, with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) giving its approval to the transfer “of the control of licenses from Intelsat to SES.” This, in effect, ends the FCC’s oversight of the deal. SES has already received approval for the deal from the UK and European regulators.

The FCC said, “Based on our review of the record before us, we do not find any material public interest harms arising from the proposed transfers of control. Further, we find that the proposed transaction is likely to generate certain public interest benefits, including lower costs due to synergies and elimination of double marginalization, improved network quality, increased investment, national security benefits, and the creation of a more vigorous satellite competitor. Accordingly, we find that the transaction will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.“

On May 1st, 2024, SES and Intelsat entered into a share purchase agreement pursuant to which SES would acquire 100 per cent of the outstanding shares and assets of Intelsat for $3.1 billion plus certain contingent value rights. The transaction will be financed from existing cash and equivalents and the issuance of new debt.

The FCC document added, “SES will control the combined company, and no parties have raised issues with respect to the basic qualifications of the Applicants. Accordingly, pursuant to Commission precedent, we find that there is no reason to reevaluate the requisite citizenship, character, financial, technical, or other basic qualifications of SES or Intelsat under the Act or our rules, regulations, and policies. We also find that the Transaction will not violate any statutory provision or Commission rule.”

The document reveals that Eutelsat complained that the combined business “would control almost all satellite media distribution in the United States.” However, the Commission responded by saying that both Telesat and Eutelsat have contiguous U.S. (CONUS) C-band coverage and substantial C-band satellite capacity available to serve media service customers.

The filing also shows that SES is prepared to clear a further 100 MHz or more of C-band capacity for relocation by the FCC.

The FCC concluded, “After carefully reviewing the record in this proceeding, we find that the proposed transaction will not violate the Act or the Commission’s rules. We further find that it is unlikely to have adverse competitive effects in the market segments in which the Applicants compete. At the same time, we find that the proposed transaction will generate various public interest benefits, including lower costs, improvements to network quality, investment, and national security, and the creation of a more vigorous satellite competitor. Accordingly, we find that approval of this transaction will serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity.”

Satellites are used for GPS, weather forecasts, and more. Generally, satellites have to be small and tough enough to withstand launch. Repairing or upgrading them involves sending people to space—so they usually aren’t made to be serviced. In-space robotic servicing could change this and open the door to other advances, like in-space assembly and manufacturing. However, the technology is mostly unproven in space. Companies and U.S. agencies are hesitant to commit resources to it.

We offered policy options to address this and other challenges. For example, requiring satellites to be serviceable could create a user base for in-space service companies.

Space is increasingly important to the daily lives of Americans, to the economy, and to national defense. The number of active satellites in space providing critical services increased from 1,400 in 2015 to more than 11,000 in 2025. An additional 18,000 or more are projected to be launched by 2030, according to market analyses.

In-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technology has the potential to improve current satellite capabilities and to open new capabilities, such as orbital debris removal, space-based solar energy, larger space telescopes, and human deep-space space exploration.

In 2022, the Office of Science and Technology Policy published a national strategy and an implementation plan to guide federal ISAM activities. The plan named various agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to lead these activities. DOD and NASA have spent more than $2 billion developing in-space servicing demonstration missions over the past decade, according to agency documentation and officials. Other countries are also developing and demonstrating ISAM technologies.

Definitions of in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing

While astronauts have repaired the Hubble Space Telescope and assembled and maintained the International Space Station, robotic ISAM functions are less mature. Robotic in-space servicing is not routinely used and has only been demonstrated on a handful of missions, but it is more mature than assembly and manufacturing.

Development of ISAM technology faces challenges largely related to what experts called a chicken-and-egg problem. Potential ISAM service providers are hesitant to develop the technology into servicing products (e.g., a satellite that can bring fuel to other satellites) until there is a user base (e.g., a refuelable satellite). Similarly, potential users are hesitant to design and deploy satellites that can be serviced until those products are available.

GAO identified four challenges contributing to this situation:

• Government agencies and industry have differing priorities for ISAM technology, and a single technology is unlikely to meet all priorities. This situation fragments demand for any given technology.

• Government and private satellite operators are generally not requiring that satellites be designed for future servicing, such as refueling or upgrading.

• Few in-space test opportunities are available for developers to test ISAM technology. As a result, ISAM providers have generally not demonstrated the capability to perform satellite servicing, which deters risk-averse satellite operators from committing to purchasing such servicing.

• Regulations and standards are unclear or emerging, both for space activities broadly and ISAM specifically.

GAO developed five policy options that could help address these challenges. These policy options are not recommendations. GAO presents them to help policymakers consider and choose options appropriate to the goals they hope to achieve. Policymakers may include legislative bodies, government agencies, standards-setting organizations, and industry.

Policy options to help address challenges with in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) technology development and use

Policy Option Opportunities Considerations

Maintain status quo efforts (report p. 24)

For example, federal agencies, ISAM providers, and other policymakers could sustain current planned demonstration missions and ISAM community efforts.

• Current efforts may address some challenges without additional resources.

• Resources that would have been allocated to further developing ISAM could be used for other opportunities.

• Current efforts are not likely to address all challenges, such as not being able to promptly respond to changing mission needs or satellite failures.

Evaluate, and potentially promote serviceability (report p. 25)

For example, federal agencies could study the economic benefits and costs of serviceability and then take actions, such as requiring that satellites be serviceable to enable repair, maintenance, or future technology upgrades.

• Evaluations of benefits could clarify whether and when serviceability can generate return on investment, which would help inform decisions about which other policy options to pursue.

• Requirements could establish a user base and incentivize servicing providers.

• Could be relatively inexpensive compared to the overall cost of a satellite.

• Historical data may not be sufficient to generate reliable evaluations.Some benefits of satellite servicing may not be easily quantifiable.

Support technology development and testing (report p. 27)

For example, the ISAM community could take steps to support testing opportunities on the ground and in space.

• More testing could enable smaller companies and academic research groups to participate in developing ISAM capabilities.

Could reduce technical risk, satisfy many potential users, and encourage adoption.

Resources dedicated to test facilities and demonstrations would not be available for other agency or company priorities.

Demonstrations would not guarantee adoption by users.

Develop or clarify regulations and standards (report p. 28)

For example, government agencies and standards organizations could clarify licensing or promulgate standards.

• Could lower barriers for ISAM providers.

• Government and industry may not be prepared to specify regulations or standards.

• The ISAM industry is still developing, and regulations may inadvertently create unnecessary barriers to developing technology.

Designate a government champion (report p. 29)

For example, Congress or the White House could designate a government champion to support ISAM development and coordinate with the Consortium for Space Mobility and ISAM Capabilities.

• The government champion could oversee and coordinate activities described in the ISAM National Strategy and the National ISAM Implementation Plan, and the policy options identified in this report.

• A government champion without sufficient authority, resources, and clear direction could be ineffective.

Why GAO Did This Study
ISAM technology and capabilities could change the paradigm of how spacecraft are designed, built, operated, and discarded. Since the advent of artificial satellites, almost all have been “single use”: assembled on Earth, sustained in space with no outside intervention beyond communication, and discarded or abandoned when no longer functional. ISAM could reduce cost and risk, increase flexibility, and help to better address failures after launch.

NASA and others have used ISAM capabilities for more than 40 years, but largely involving crewed missions rather than uncrewed robotic missions. For example, astronauts repaired or upgraded the Hubble Space Telescope five times between 1993 and 2009.

This report describes potential benefits and status of ISAM capabilities as well as challenges facing their development and use. It also identifies options policymakers could consider that might help realize benefits and address challenges.

To conduct this technology assessment, GAO searched the relevant literature; reviewed documents and reports; interviewed federal officials, industry representatives, and stakeholders in academia and at federally funded research and development centers; conducted site visits; attended conferences and workshops; and convened a 2-day meeting of 20 experts from government, industry, academia, and federally funded research and development centers. GAO excluded sensitive and classified information. GAO is identifying policy options in this report.

View the PDF report at this direct link…

Would-be global satellite broadband operator AST SpaceMobile has made a satellite modification request to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding its operational fleet of satellites.

The modification was submitted a month ago by its AST & Science subsidiary and proposes two new 14-satellite shells (98.13° inclination @ 685 km) alongside its already approved 520 km & 690 km LEO shells.

AST is asking the FCC to approve its request “this summer,” as it moves on with the manufacture, launch, and operation of its satellites.

Within the application, AST says it is now ramping up to building six satellites per month this year.

These manufacturing and orbital launch schedules support continuous cellular broadband coverage goals in key markets such as the United States, Europe, Japan, the U.S. Government and other strategic markets during 2026,” said AST.

Space Forge launched and confirmed on-orbit communication with ForgeStar®-1, the UK’s first in-space manufacturing satellite, developed entirely in Wales.

The launch marks a major breakthrough for British-built space hardware and the next chapter in space-based industrial capability. This is the first time the UK has sent a spacecraft into orbit with the purpose of producing new materials in the unique conditions of space. Space Forge will also validate their re-entry technology that will eventually bring these materials home.

ForgeStar-1 launched aboard the Transporter-14 rideshare mission from SpaceX’s facilities at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. In the hours that followed, the satellite successfully activated and made contact with the Space Forge Mission Operations Centre in Cardiff, UK.

This successful launch marks the completion of more than four years of design, testing and regulatory milestones. The ForgeStar-1 satellite was built and qualified in-house by Space Forge’s Cardiff team. It became the first UK satellite to receive an in-space manufacturing license from the UK Civil Aviation Authority and was shipped across the Atlantic for integration and launch.

This first-of-its-kind in-orbit manufacturing demo is designed to prove the viability of producing advanced materials in the unique environment of space. The conditions in LEO offer advantages that are simply unattainable on Earth – from microgravity to ultra-clean vacuum conditions—and pave the way for scalable, returnable space-based manufacturing in the near future.

ForgeStar-1’s manufacturing platform, once fully operational, will enable Space Forge to test manufacturing techniques for next-generation semiconductors. As ForgeStar-1 completes its payload objectives, the mission will shift focus to testing a suite of pioneering return-enabling technologies. This includes the deployment of Pridwen, Space Forge’s proprietary heat shield; on-orbit aerodynamic control to steer and decelerate the satellite; and real-time orbital tracking paired with predictive re-entry mapping using the company’s Aether software.

While ForgeStar-1 won’t return to Earth, its mission will provide the critical test data, telemetry, and confidence needed to unlock future manufacturing missions—ones that will forge materials in space and bring them home.

Joshua Western, CEO and Co-founder, Space Forge, said, “We’ve built and launched Britain’s first manufacturing satellite and it’s alive in orbit, that’s a massive technical achievement. Now, we take the next step: proving that we can create the right environment for manufacturing in space. This is the start of a new era for materials science and industrial capability.”

Dr. Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, which has previously supported Space Forge with funding, said, “This isn’t just another satellite—it’s a testament to British engineering and our commitment to developing in-space manufacturing technologies that can benefit life here on Earth. ForgeStar-1 exemplifies how the UK space sector is pushing boundaries in sustainable space technology, with its ability to return to Earth for refurbishment and reuse. This approach aligns directly with our ambitions to develop environmentally responsible access to space while creating high-skilled jobs across the UK. I’m immensely proud of the Space Forge team in Cardiff, and all those who supported this mission, demonstrating that the UK space sector is thriving and ready to tackle the opportunities and challenges of the future.”

Indra Group completed the engineering development for the mission involving the Startical IOD-2 satellite—all within two years. The company was created by ENAIRE and Indra to provide communication and surveillance services via space and improve air traffic management.

The demo satellite, launched via the SpaceX Transporter-14 mission, will contribute to the development and design of the future constellation of more than 200 low-orbit satellites set to provide global coverage and transform aviation, delivering greater efficiency, capacity and sustainability around the world.

The payload is based on an advanced high-power VHF amplifier that’s key to enabling long-range satellite communications, particularly in oceanic and remote areas without any current coverage. The amplifier, developed by Indra Group, will facilitate new tests as part of the IOD-2 mission. With its VHF antenna measuring nearly four meters, the largest ever built and launched into space, the aim of the Startical-led mission is to demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the system for real-time voice, data and aeronautical surveillance communications via space.

With the creation of Indra Space, the company will be able to cover the entire value chain of a space project, from mission design to satellite development and manufacturing, ground segment deployment and mission operations.

This project for IOD-2 not only reflects the technological maturity of Indra Group’s solutions for a sector as highly demanding as space, it also shows that we’re fully capable of taking on the leadership of comprehensive space missions, with critical technologies validated and qualified for the purpose. This milestone offers proof of our status as a reliable and internationally competitive strategic integrator,” said Fernando García Martínez-Peñalver, Indra’s director of Space.

Lacuna Space recently launched new satellites under the company’s Call of the Wild mission banner, a major step forward in scaling their direct-to-device (D2D) IoT network.

This is the first of several launches planned for 2025, bringing increased global capacity to meet the fast-growing demand for ultra-low-power, infrastructure-free sensor connectivity in remote environments.

The satellites feature Lacuna’s proprietary LoneWhisper® payload, designed and built entirely in-house. It is optimized to receive small, infrequent messages from low-power devices and transmit them directly to orbit, enabling true global coverage without the need for ground-based communication infrastructure.

Water is among the most critical, and least connected,resources on the planet. Traditional monitoring often depends on manual sampling and site visits, making it expensive, inconsistent, and impractical in remote or dispersed areas. Lacuna’s direct-to-device connectivity changes that. With low-power sensors transmitting data directly from the field, organizations can now monitor water quality continuously, in real time, without relying on cellular networks or gateways.

Field deployments are already supporting:

• Monitoring boreholes and wells for pH, turbidity, and salinity

• Tracking salinity and runoff in agriculture

• Detecting pollution in rivers and coastal zones

These sensors typically send only a few small messages per day, and often operate for years on a single battery. The Call of the Wild satellites are the first of several new missions launching this year. Together, they will significantly expand Lacuna’s coverage and message throughput, strengthening its position as a global leader in direct-to-orbit IoT for remote monitoring. Water quality monitoring is just one example of how Lacuna’s network is being used to solve critical challenges in hard-to-reach environments across the globe.

Lacuna Space was the first to fly Semtech’s high-capacity LoRa® chipset back in 2019. Since then, the team has run multiple missions, completed detailed global spectrum surveys, and fine-tuned every element of the system. This deep experience means they understand how to get the best out of the technology, whether it is tracking soil moisture for smart agriculture or monitoring water quality in remote regions, the system is built for dependable performance in the toughest environments.

The demand for remote IoT connectivity is accelerating fast—and that’s what’s driving this next phase of growth,” said Rob Spurrett, CEO, Lacuna Space. “We’ve already proven that our technology works where others simply can’t: in remote, infrastructure-free environments. Now we’re scaling to meet real-world demand. This mission marks a step-change: from pilot projects to large-scale, operational deployments. With LoneWhisper®, we’ve built the highest-capacity direct-to-device LoRa® receiver in orbit—giving us the ability to support more devices, more reliably, than any other solution in the market. Our system is designed not just to reach remote places, but to scale across the globe.”

From early flood warning systems and pollutant tracking to compliance monitoring for agriculture and industry, the demand for low-power, wide-area connectivity is only increasing. Satellite IoT, as delivered by Lacuna Space, is uniquely positioned to meet this demand,” said Clifford Shapland, Digital Development Officer at Ceredigion County Council. “The ability to capture consistent and accurate measurements in hard-to-reach areas has unlocked a new level of granular environmental insight. We see this use-case as effectively limitless in scale and duration. Wales alone has over 33,000 km of rivers and streams, many of which pass through rural or isolated terrain.”

Lacuna Space is a prime example of UK innovation in satellite communications, addressing real-world needs,” said Dr. Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency. “Their low-power, direct-to-device connectivity brings the benefits of space down to Earth by enabling efficient and affordable IoT services, including monitoring of vital resources such as water infrastructure. The UK Space Agency is proud to support Lacuna’s journey to becoming a global leader in satellite-based IoT, showcasing the UK’s leadership in new satellite communications markets.”

Oxford Space Systems has announced the successful on-orbit deployment of an S-band isoflux helical antenna for Astro Digital—this isoflux pattern enables wide and consistent coverage on the ground, enhancing satellite communication capabilities. This deployment builds on a strong collaboration between Oxford Space Systems and Astro Digital, supporting multiple satellites with advanced antenna solutions.

The S-band antenna was designed and manufactured by Oxford Space Systems to meet Astro Digital’s mission requirements. Its compact stowage and robust deployment mechanism ensure efficient use of spacecraft volume and mass, while delivering high-performance S-band communications for data transmission and ground coverage.

Following deployment, the antenna underwent a transmit test, which confirmed its operational performance on-orbit.

Sean Sutcliffe, CEO of Oxford Space Systems, said, “The successful deployment and performance verification at high power of our S-band isoflux helical antenna for Astro Digital is a clear demonstration of our engineering expertise and commitment to mission success. We are proud to continue supporting Astro Digital with agile and reliable deployable antenna solutions.”

Chris Biddy, CEO of Astro Digital, said, “We value our partnership with Oxford Space Systems and are pleased with the successful deployment of this S-band antenna. Their innovative approach to deployable antennas continues to support our mission needs and enables us to deliver reliable communications for our customers.”