• ISRO will launch three new satellites—NVS-03, NVS-04, and NVS-05—by 2026 to restore full functionality to India’s regional navigation system, NavIC.

• Only four of the original IRNSS satellites remain operational, prompting efforts to reduce reliance on foreign systems and strengthen national navigation infrastructure.

• India and the U.S. will launch the jointly developed NISAR Earth observation satellite on July 30, offering open-access data for climate, agriculture, and disaster management worldwide.

• Space Insider tracks space tech news in real time and delivers trend-driven insights to help decision-makers invest, partner, and innovate in the space industry. See how our data can work for you.

PRESS RELEASE — India is taking steps to strengthen its satellite infrastructure on two fronts: expanding its indigenous navigation satellite system and launching a major Earth observation mission in collaboration with the United States.

According to a recent post from Indian Express, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch three additional satellites for its Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) by 2026. The first of these, NVS-03, is slated for launch by the end of this year, with NVS-04 and NVS-05 to follow at six-month intervals. The announcement was made in a written response to Parliament by Union Minister of State for Space Dr. Jitendra Singh.

IRNSS, also known operationally as NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), was originally envisioned as a seven-satellite constellation providing navigation coverage over India and a 1,500 km radius around it. While 11 satellites have been launched to date, only four are currently operational. Two satellites failed to reach their intended orbits, and one, NVS-02, launched in January during ISRO’s 100th mission, suffered a technical malfunction during orbit-raising and could not be placed in its designated slot.

The new batch of satellites will help restore full functionality to the NavIC system, which provides regional positioning services similar to GPS and Galileo but tailored for Indian strategic and civilian use. The move comes amid broader efforts to reduce reliance on foreign navigation systems and enhance resilience for national security, transportation, and disaster response.

Meanwhile, India is also preparing for the upcoming launch of the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission, scheduled for July 30 at 17:40 IST from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. As reported by DD News, this joint initiative between NASA and ISRO is a milestone in international Earth observation cooperation and space technology transfer.

NISAR is the first Earth observation satellite co-developed by the two agencies, with a combined investment exceeding $1.5 billion. The 2,392-kg satellite will be deployed into a sun-synchronous orbit aboard the GSLV-F16 rocket—the first time India’s GSLV has been used for this orbital configuration. The satellite’s payload includes dual-frequency synthetic aperture radars: an L-band SAR supplied by NASA and an S-band SAR developed by ISRO, mounted on a 12-meter deployable antenna.

The mission will provide global revisit data every 12 days, enabling frequent observation of Earth’s land and ice surfaces. With an open-data policy, NISAR will make its data publicly available within 24 to 48 hours, and in near-real time during emergencies. This capability is expected to support applications in climate monitoring, agriculture, and disaster management across both developed and developing countries.

Describing the launch as a “defining moment in India-US space cooperation,” Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized the broader impact of the mission. “NISAR will not only serve India and the United States but will also provide critical data for countries around the world,” he stated. The initiative is seen as a tangible example of India’s growing participation in global science efforts and its evolving role as a technology partner to the international community.

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• Thales Alenia Space signed a contract with the Italian Space Agency to lead the preliminary design and development of technologies for the Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module, set to become the first dedicated human habitat on the Moon under the NASA-ASI Artemis partnership.

• Scheduled to launch in 2033, the MPH will serve as a mobile, long-duration lunar shelter supporting astronaut missions, scientific research, and sustainable surface operations over a planned 10-year lifespan.

• Italy becomes central to the Moon-to-Mars strategy through this initiative, with Thales Alenia Space leading a national consortium to tackle extreme lunar conditions and develop technologies for future interplanetary missions.

• Space Insider tracks partnerships in real time and delivers trend-driven insights to help decision-makers invest, partner, and innovate in the space industry. See how our data can work for you.

PRESS RELEASE — Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), has signed a contract with the Italian Space Agency (ASI) to perform the preliminary design phase, including development of critical enabling technologies, of the pressurized Multi-Purpose Habitation (MPH) module for the lunar surface.

Planned for launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in 2033, the MPH module will be the first ever dedicated habitation asset on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis Accords between NASA and ASI for bilateral Moon cooperation. The MPH module will safely host astronauts during their missions, support surface operations, enable scientific research experiments both with and without the presence of a human crew; and have the capability to move on the surface.

Designed for a minimum operational lifespan of 10 years, the MPH will serve as a permanent surface habitat, capable of operating synergistically with other elements of the Artemis architecture.

Part rover, part lunar shelter

Over the course of the two-year contract, Thales Alenia Space Italy will act as overall prime contractor, working alongside Altec (a public-private company owned by Thales Alenia Space and ASI) and other Italian industrial entities, for the MPH preliminary design phase. The initial development will focus on enabling technologies aimed at facing the harsh environmental conditions on the lunar surface, including extreme thermal variations, pervasive lunar dust, high radiation levels, micrometeoroid impacts, and the effects of reduced lunar gravity. In collaboration with the Industrial consortium members and space agencies, the company will lead the development of the MPH module to advance scientific discovery on the Moon, enable sustainable lunar exploration and drive the knowledge and technologies needed to support human missions to Mars.

Teodoro Valente, President of the Italian Space Agency, emphasized: “MPH represents yet another scientific challenge for Italy and ASI, which are planning to bring a comfortable and safe human settlement to the lunar surface, thanks to the expertise and high, competitive technological standards that Thales Alenia Space Italy has acquired internationally in the field of space habitability. The future lunar module, the result of the historic relationship between NASA and ASI, is part of a long-term investment vision that Italy has implemented, enabling us to play an increasingly leading role in the new space race and, moreover, to be a fundamental part of the Moon to Mars Strategy of NASA’s Artemis program. Today’s signature confirms the Italian Government’s significant and ongoing commitment to supporting the development of the Space Economy and supporting Italy’s globally recognized excellence. Furthermore, it is important that this act comes just days after Parliament’s approval of the country’s first “Space Law”.

“We are deeply honored that ASI has entrusted Thales Alenia Space with this contract to develop the MPH, giving us, as a leading European company, the opportunity to drive scientific and technological progress in building the first Italian human outpost on the lunar surface. This milestone will further strengthen and advance human space exploration on the Moon and beyond,” said Giampiero Di Paolo, Deputy CEO and Executive Vice President, Observation, Exploration and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space.

About THALES ALENIA SPACE

Drawing on over 40 years of experience and a unique combination of skills, expertise and cultures, Thales Alenia Space delivers cost-effective solutions for telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, environmental monitoring, exploration, science and orbital infrastructures. Governments and private industry alike count on Thales Alenia Space to design satellite-based systems that provide anytime, anywhere connections and positioning, monitor our planet, enhance management of its resources, and explore our Solar System and beyond. Thales Alenia Space sees space as a new horizon, helping to build a better, more sustainable life on Earth. A joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), Thales Alenia Space also teams up with Telespazio to form the Space Alliance, which offers a complete range of solutions including services. Thales Alenia Space posted consolidated revenues of €2.23 billion in 2024 and has more than 8,100 employees in 7 countries with 15 sites in Europe.

Source

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Space Insider is the go-to intelligence platform for decision-makers seeking to invest in space, partner in space, or apply space technology. By contextualizing this information through trend analysis and structured content, we help our audience stay ahead in a rapidly evolving market. See how our data can work for you.

Investment

• Northrop Grumman’s Space Systems segment is expected to post a 24.3% year-over-year revenue decline in Q2 2025 due to reduced activity in restricted space programs, Commercial Resupply Services, and satellite work for the Space Development Agency. This underperformance contrasts with growth in other segments and may weigh on the company’s overall results.

• NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab is reportedly attempting to sell off several Earth science satellites (some already launched, others like GLIMR still awaiting deployment) amid deep budget cuts proposed by the Trump administration for FY2026. The move signals broader concerns over the future of NASA’s climate and environmental monitoring efforts, as JPL seeks government or private buyers to salvage programs previously targeted for termination.

• Firefly Aerospace has filed for an initial public offering (IPO) and plans to list on the Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “FLY.” The Texas-based space and defense tech company has not yet disclosed the number of shares or price range but is moving toward public market entry with top-tier underwriters including Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan.

Partnerships

• Viasat, in collaboration with SSTL and MDA Space, is leading UK efforts on ESA’s Moonlight program to develop a lunar communications satellite system, aiming for initial capability by 2028. The system will serve as a “data highway” between Earth and the Moon, enabling future lunar exploration, space tourism, and industrial activity, while positioning the UK as a key player in the emerging lunar economy.

• Australia’s Defence Department has partnered with Optus and leading universities to co-develop a LEO satellite equipped with experimental communications and research payloads, aiming to strengthen sovereign space capabilities. Backed by $4 million in Defence funding and additional investment through the iLAuNCH Trailblazer program, the mission will advance optical and radio-frequency communications and is set to launch in 2028.

• Astroscale U.S. has signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center to test its Refueler spacecraft’s rendezvous and docking capabilities ahead of refueling missions for U.S. DOD satellites in GEO. The partnership leverages GSFC’s advanced in-space servicing facilities to validate Astroscale’s RPOD technology in a high-fidelity environment.

Applications

• Expedition 73 astronauts aboard the ISS conducted a range of health and systems maintenance tasks, including heart scans, blood pressure monitoring, and wearable sensor tests to study microgravity’s effects on cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The crew also maintained critical life support and scientific equipment, while supporting plant biology and international collaboration experiments.

• ESA and UK-based Frazer-Nash have launched INVICTUS, a hypersonic flight research program aiming to develop a reusable, Mach 5-capable aerospace vehicle with horizontal launch capabilities. Backed by ESA and the UK Space Agency, the project will test air-breathing, hydrogen-fueled propulsion systems and advanced cooling tech like SABRE, with the goal of enabling future spaceplanes and dual-use mobility systems.

• Researchers have demonstrated a new in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) technology that extracts water from lunar soil and uses it to convert CO₂ into oxygen and fuel precursors. While still in early stages, the integrated photothermal system could reduce the cost and logistical complexity of transporting water and fuel from Earth, making it a high-impact application for future commercial lunar infrastructure and deep space missions.

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• The UK has a growing role in Europe’s spacecraft ecosystem, contributing to over 1,000 launched spacecraft through 28 core entities across ownership, integration, and manufacturing.

• While commercial activity dominates by volume, civil and military missions speak to a more balanced and diverse national capability, especially when excluding megaconstellation programs.

• Companies such as SSTL, Airbus UK, and Alba Orbital illustrate the UK’s strengths in smallsat innovation, vertically integrated mission delivery, and emerging interplanetary infrastructure.

• Download the full UK Spacecraft Market Map for detailed data on sector distribution, program timelines, and the organizations contributing to the UK.

As the global space economy moves towards distributed infrastructure, national resilience, and commercial constellations, the United Kingdom has gained strategic prominence within Europe’s spacecraft landscape. While not yet a manufacturing powerhouse on the scale of the United States, the UK has steadily expanded its role in spacecraft development, particularly in smallsat production, mission integration, and dual-use capabilities spanning the commercial, civil, and defense sectors. Building on its historic strength in satellite services and downstream applications, the UK is now advancing toward a more integrated position in the broader space value chain.

Space Insider’s UK Spacecraft Market Map identifies 28 primary entities responsible for Spacecraft Ownership, Operations, System Integration, and Bus Manufacturing. Collectively, these organizations have contributed to the launch of over 1,000 spacecraft since 2010, speaking to a well-developed and growing industrial footprint.

For this market map, we include only primary contractors—UK-based entities (or UK subsidiaries) that take on end-to-end responsibility for spacecraft ownership, operations, system integration, or bus manufacturing. The scope is limited to missions launched between 2010 and June 25, 2025. We exclude subcontractors, payload and component manufacturers, launch providers, and any companies whose spacecraft have not yet launched, including planned or upcoming missions.

A Spacecraft Ecosystem in Motion

Space Insider tracks more than 1,000 organizations across the UK space ecosystem, spanning upstream, midstream, and downstream segments. Within this larger network, our focused analysis surfaced 28 central entities involved directly in delivering complete spacecraft missions. These include commercial giants, government collaborators, and integrated smallsat developers whose contributions collectively define the backbone of the UK’s orbital output.

These companies have driven the launch of 1,018 spacecraft between 2010 and mid-2025, speaking to the UK’s capability to both support international missions and lead them. From high-throughput broadband satellites to agile CubeSats and lunar communications relays, the UK spacecraft sector is increasingly diverse in both technical output and mission type.

Mission Segmentation: Communication Connectivity Leads the Way

The lion’s share of UK spacecraft activity across civil, military and commercial sectors has centered on communications missions, with significant UK involvement in global programs such as Eutelsat OneWeb. Between 2019 and 2024, Eutelsat OneWeb launched 656 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites as part of its first-generation broadband constellation. While manufacturing was based in the United States, the company maintained operational and strategic presence in the UK prior to its merger with France-based Eutelsat. Eutelsat OneWeb’s scale and partial UK footprint reflect the country’s broader role in enabling commercial satellite constellations, even when final integration occurs abroad.

In the Earth observation category, Alba Orbital stands out for its PocketQube platforms, which are ultra-compact 5 cm pico-satellites used for Earth imaging, remote sensing experiments, and educational missions. Through its Unicorn satellite platform and Albapod deployers, Alba also enables third-party payloads to reach orbit, allowing for ultra-low-cost access to space.

As the world’s leading PocketQube rideshare provider, Alba has launched over half of all PocketQubes ever flown, helping democratize access to orbit for universities, startups, and emerging space nations. Alba’s integrated model spans ownership, bus development, system integration, and operations, making it one of the few vertically aligned spacecraft companies in Europe.

Sector Breakdown: Commercial-Led by Volume, Civil and Military by Mission Diversity

Commercial Sector

• Over three-quarters of spacecraft launched with UK involvement fall under the commercial category.

• Airbus UK and Spire Global UK lead the manufacturing effort, contributing both to large-scale constellations and agile cubesat missions.

Civil Sector

• Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) remains the UK’s most prominent civil spacecraft provider. Its portfolio includes:
  • FORMOSAT 7-01 to 7-06, part of the COSMIC-2A constellation, developed in collaboration with Taiwan’s NSPO and the US NOAA.
  • These spacecraft support essential functions in global weather forecasting, climate modeling, and space weather monitoring.

Military and Dual-Use Missions

• SSTL has also contributed to the UK’s defense space architecture, delivering two spacecraft for national defense, including one commissioned by the Ministry of Defence.

• This dual-use capability speaks to a broader trend of integration between commercial innovation and military-grade space assets.

Who’s Who: Key Players in UK Spacecraft Development

The UK spacecraft market is overall defined by a mix of legacy expertise and agile upstarts:

• SSTL: A early of small satellite development, SSTL has led dozens of government and international missions.

• Airbus UK: The country’s largest aerospace manufacturer, Airbus is driving major national programs such as Skynet 6A.

• In-Space Missions: Known for rapid mission development and hosted payload services, now operating under BAE Systems.

• AAC Clyde Space: A specialist in small and nanosatellite technologies, AAC Clyde Space designs, manufactures, and operates advanced spacecraft for commercial, institutional, and scientific customers worldwide.

• Open Cosmos: Offers end-to-end mission delivery, targeting affordability and rapid deployment for emerging markets.

• Alba Orbital: A vertically integrated developer of ultra-compact satellites, launching multiple picosats per year.

• Spire Global UK: Provides weather, maritime, and aviation data services through its constellation of small satellites.

Each of these firms plays a unique role across the spacecraft value chain, whether through high-throughput bus manufacturing, systems integration, or hybrid mission support models.

Upcoming Programs to Watch

Set to launch soon, two high-profile missions will elevate the UK’s profile in global space leadership:

Skynet 6A

• A next-generation military communications satellite, built by Airbus UK for the Ministry of Defence.

• Launch expected between 2025–2026.

• Will notably upgrade the UK’s secure satcom capabilities, replacing the aging Skynet 5 constellation.

Lunar Pathfinder

• Led by SSTL, this mission will be the first dedicated lunar communications relay in orbit around the Moon.

• Pathfinder will support ESA’s Moonlight initiative, enabling sustained surface missions and deep-space connectivity.

Together, these projects speak to the UK’s expanding ambitions in both defense-grade assets and interplanetary infrastructure, both of which are domains previously dominated by superpowers.

Infrastructure on the Horizon: UK Launch Capability

UK-built spacecraft have historically depended on international launch providers, most notably U.S.-based giants like SpaceX. But that dynamic is beginning to shift. With Spaceport Cornwall and SaxaVord in active development, the UK is investing in domestic launch infrastructure that promises more responsive, accessible, and sovereign access to orbit.

Once operational, these launch sites will:

• Shorten mission timelines by removing reliance on foreign launch manifests

• Support sovereign satellite constellations and national security goals

• Attract international customers seeking reliable launch-from-Europe options

• Lower the barrier to entry for smaller players, eliminating the need to compete for limited rideshare slots on overseas rockets

While UK launch costs may remain higher than those of SpaceX or Rocket Lab in the near term, government incentives and strategic subsidies can offset pricing gaps, especially for missions aligned with public objectives like defense, science, or infrastructure monitoring.

Ultimately, the convergence of onshore launch, end-to-end spacecraft production, and national mission mandates positions the UK as one of the few countries in Europe pursuing vertical integration across the space value chain, from design and development to lift-off.

Strategic Implications

The UK’s spacecraft market is now at an inflection point. With a proven diversified mission portfolio and increasing investment in sovereign infrastructure, several strategic themes are visible:

• Vertical Integration: UK companies are increasingly owning more of the spacecraft lifecycle—design, bus, integration, and operations.

• Defense-Civil Synergy: Technology crossover between government and commercial missions is deepening, accelerating innovation.

• Platform-as-a-Service Models: Smallsat companies are shifting from hardware-only to mission-as-a-service offerings, democratizing access to space.

• Global Market Positioning: UK spacecraft firms are increasingly competitive in international tenders, securing export potential.

However, challenges remain. The transition from bespoke builds to scalable spacecraft production, ongoing supply chain dependencies, and the delay in operational domestic launch infrastructure could limit near-term growth if not strategically addressed.

Explore the Full UK Spacecraft Market Map

Our UK Spacecraft Market Map is a preview of the available data on the Space Insider Market Intelligence Platform. Our platform provides structured insights into:

• The 28 core UK entities across the spacecraft lifecycle

• Detailed mission and launch statistics

• Sectoral trends across commercial, civil, and defense categories

• Strategic partnerships and national infrastructure investments

Want access to the full dataset? Contact our team to request a demo of the platform or receive the complete intelligence package.

Why Choose Space Insider?

Space Insider delivers real-time, data-backed insights into the global space economy. Unlike static reports, our intelligence platform continuously ingests and structures data from over 100,000 sources, empowering industry leaders to move with clarity and speed.

Whether you’re tracking spacecraft trends, seeking commercial partners, or evaluating policy impacts, Space Insider offers the data depth and strategic context to guide your next move. Explore our intelligence platform today.

The Role of the Commercial Space Federation

The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) serves as a voice for the U.S. commercial space industry in Washington, D.C., representing more than 85 member organizations that span sectors from launch providers to space situational awareness companies. As a consensus-driven trade association, CSF advocates for policies that support a competitive and innovative commercial space ecosystem.

Its mission centers on encouraging the U.S. government to integrate commercial space solutions wherever feasible—urging civil, defense, and intelligence agencies to buy from domestic space companies instead of building duplicative in-house systems. This advocacy is aimed not only at maintaining U.S. space leadership but also at fostering a resilient industrial base and supporting economic and national security.

CSF’s reach extends from Capitol Hill to federal agencies, where it often contributes expert advice on space policy and regulation. CSF President Dave Cavossa regularly testifies before Congressional committees, and the organization plays a key role in developing federal legislation, providing comments on rulemakings, and participating in advisory panels.

CSF’s Expanding Council Structure

To advance specific areas of the commercial space economy, CSF operates a series of specialized councils:

• Launch and Reentry – Focused on FAA regulatory streamlining and leadership in orbital access.
• Commercial Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) – Supporting the transition to a commercially sustained LEO ecosystem.
• Space Exploration – Advocating for integration of commercial players in civil and deep-space missions.
• Spaceports and Infrastructure – Addressing infrastructure gaps and spaceport development policy.
• Remote Sensing and Analytics – Aiming to expand Earth observation data use and improve licensing.
• Satellite and SSA – Targeting orbital debris policy, traffic management, and spectrum concerns.

Each council provides a forum to develop policy recommendations, coordinate responses to federal actions, and highlight member concerns to lawmakers and regulators.

Introducing the Space Supply Chain Council (S2C2)

On June 3, 2025, CSF announced the formation of a new industry council: the Space Supply Chain Council (S2C2). This move comes amid shifting trade policies and mounting concerns over industrial base stability, particularly in the face of increased geopolitical tension and rising demand for space infrastructure.

According to CSF, the S2C2 will “define industry sector priorities, recommend policy positions, and provide updates on specific topics that impact CSF members.” It brings together component manufacturers, assembly and integration firms, software providers, and logistics companies—groups that play a vital but often underrepresented role in enabling space missions.

In a press release announcing the council, Dave Cavossa emphasized the importance of such representation:

“We look forward to working alongside the Administration, Congress, and government agencies to support evolving trade policy initiatives, while simultaneously representing the interests of the providers so vital to the U.S commercial space economy.”

Industry Participation and Priorities

The S2C2 launched with participation from several key players:

• Applied Aerospace, which designs and manufactures precision structures and subsystems for spacecraft, launch vehicles, and communications platforms.
• Stratasys, a leader in additive manufacturing, offering 3D printing solutions widely used in aerospace and defense.
• National Air Cargo, a global logistics company whose airline division operates a fleet of wide-body freighters and passenger aircraft to support space and defense operations.

Together, these members represent different but interconnected segments of the supply chain. Their inclusion reflects the council’s aim to identify systemic bottlenecks, align with federal industrial policy, and improve resilience across the sector.

By broadening CSF’s council structure to include supply chain stakeholders, the organization is acknowledging that launch vehicles and satellites depend on a complex web of suppliers—many of which face increasing regulatory, trade, and manufacturing pressures.

Looking Ahead: Trade Policy, Industrial Base, and Growth

The launch of S2C2 comes at a time when U.S. policy on space and trade is in flux. Changes under the current administration, including shifts in export controls and industrial policy, have prompted commercial space companies to reassess how they source critical components and maintain operational agility.

CSF has long argued that the government should send stable demand signals, use multi-year funding mechanisms, and rely more heavily on commercial procurement tools. These positions are especially relevant for supply chain companies, which often require long lead times and capital-intensive production cycles.

The S2C2 is expected to help shape CSF’s broader policy agenda on supply chain issues, such as:

• Identifying and mitigating single points of failure in domestic manufacturing
• Advocating for inclusion of space suppliers in government industrial base assessments
• Supporting the creation of programs to scale up next-generation manufacturing techniques
• Ensuring trade policies do not unintentionally restrict access to commercial space markets

Final Thoughts

The formation of the Space Supply Chain Council marks a strategic expansion of the Commercial Space Federation’s efforts to support the full spectrum of the commercial space economy in America. By bringing supply chain voices to the table, CSF aims to build a more complete and coordinated advocacy platform—one that reflects the interdependence of manufacturers, transport providers, software developers, and integrators in delivering space systems.

As CSF continues to engage with lawmakers and agencies, the S2C2 will serve as a conduit for surfacing the needs of the industrial base that supports U.S. spaceflight. In doing so, it positions the commercial space sector to adapt to policy shifts, secure its infrastructure, and remain globally competitive.

• Northrop Grumman has invested $50 million in Firefly Aerospace to accelerate the development of their jointly built medium launch vehicle, now officially named Eclipse.
• Eclipse, based on Northrop’s Antares and Firefly’s Alpha, combines proven avionics and new propulsion systems to deliver 16 metric tons to low Earth orbit, with testing and flight hardware production already underway.
• With its debut set for 2026 from Wallops Island, Eclipse targets missions including national security launches, space station resupply, and constellation deployments across LEO, MEO, GEO, and TLI.

PRESS RELEASE – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has invested $50 million into Firefly Aerospace to further advance production of their co-developed medium launch vehicle, now known as Eclipse. The companies continue to make progress in the development of Eclipse flight hardware with qualification testing underway and more than 60 Miranda engine hot fire tests performed to date.

“Firefly is incredibly grateful for Northrop Grumman’s investment that further solidifies our first-of-its-kind partnership to build the first stage of Antares 330 and jointly develop Eclipse,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Eclipse represents two powerful forces coming together to transform the launch market with decades of flight heritage, a rapid, iterative approach, and bold innovation. With a 16 metric ton to orbit capability, Eclipse is a sweet spot for programs like NSSL Lane 1 and a natural fit to launch proliferated constellations in LEO, MEO, GEO, and TLI.”

Built upon Northrop Grumman’s Antares and Firefly’s Alpha rocket, Eclipse offers a significant leap in power, performance, production cadence, and payload capacity. The launch vehicle retains the flight-proven avionics from the Antares program with additional upgrades, including a larger 5.4 meter payload fairing. Eclipse also utilizes the same first stage Firefly is developing for Antares 330 and retains scaled-up versions of Alpha’s propulsion systems and carbon composite structures, allowing the team to rapidly build and test Eclipse with significant production efficiencies and economies of scale.

Firefly utilized the same patented tap-off cycle architecture from Alpha’s Reaver and Lightning engines for Eclipse’s Miranda and Vira engines, and completed mission duty cycle with a 206 second Miranda hot fire, matching the longest time the engine will burn during a flight. Following several development test campaigns, flight hardware has been manufactured for the common dome propellant tanks, engine bay and interstage.

“Eclipse gives customers the right balance between payload capacity and affordability,” said Wendy Williams, vice president and general manager, launch and missile defense systems, Northrop Grumman. “Our partnership with Firefly builds on our capacity to provide crucial spaced-based communication, observation, and exploration for civil and national security customers.”

Filling a void in an underserved market, Eclipse is equipped to deliver 16,300 kg of cargo to low Earth orbit or 3,200 kg of cargo to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Eclipse will first launch from Wallops Island, Virginia, as early as 2026 and is able to support space station resupply, commercial spacecraft, critical national security missions and scientific payloads for the domestic and international markets.

• Iridium Communications has partnered with Syniverse to support the global rollout of its Iridium NTN Direct service, integrating the platform with Syniverse’s mobile network operator infrastructure to enable seamless global connectivity.
• The partnership enables direct-to-device and narrow-band IoT messaging across industries by leveraging Iridium’s LEO satellite constellation and Syniverse’s 3GPP-compliant mobile interoperability systems.
• Iridium NTN Direct, part of 3GPP Release 19, will begin device integration and on-air testing in 2025, with commercial device availability expected in 2026.

PRESS RELEASE –  Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a new partnership with Syniverse, the world’s most connected company^®, to support the rollout of Iridium NTN Direct^SM service with mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. Through this partnership, Iridium NTN Direct is integrating with Syniverse’s global platform, making it easy for MNOs to keep their customers continuously connected everywhere on the planet.

According to GSMA’s 2025 Industry Survey, 85% of MNOs planning to pursue non-terrestrial network (NTN) service are seeking a Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) solution that extends their coverage globally. As part of 3GPP Release 19, Iridium NTN Direct will provide truly global, standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) messaging and SOS for consumer devices, automobiles and industrial applications in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities.

The combination of MNO requirements and Iridium NTN Direct capabilities makes it the ideal solution. With Iridium NTN Direct, MNOs will know they have a reliable partner with a fully deployed, owned and operated satellite constellation, unmatched coverage, globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum, and a history of providing reliable safety of life services.

“We’re building the backbone of the global D2D movement, the right way and with the right partners as we prepare for on-air testing with MNOs and chipmakers in the coming months,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “The integration of Syniverse’s system with the Iridium^® network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet.”

“Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless,” said Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Syniverse. “By integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the global mobile framework using standards-based, carrier-grade systems, Syniverse is simplifying deployment, ensuring consistency and security, and accelerating access to non-terrestrial connectivity.”

For more than 35 years, Syniverse’s leadership in mobile interoperability and clearing services has played a key role in enabling MNO adoption for satellite integration, which includes seamless customer roaming, authentication and billing functions. Their system serves approximately 600 carrier customers directly in 170 countries worldwide and connects over 830 mobile operators with their global IPX backbone. Fully 3GPP-compliant and standards-based, Syniverse ensures fast deployment, helping operators confidently unlock new markets.

Iridium NTN Direct stands out among Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) and NB-IoT services by offering MNOs an unmatched combination of truly global coverage, reliability and capability. 3GPP Release 19 is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, and the first Iridium NTN Direct connected devices are planned to be available in 2026.