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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.