What are the latest news in the space economy?
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The space economy is moving fast, and we keep this blog post updated with the latest market news so you never miss what matters.
From regulatory approvals to major fundraisings, every development shapes how satellites, launches, and space services evolve.
And if you want to better understand this new industry, you can download our pitch covering the space economy.
Insights
- The FCC just approved 7,500 additional Starlink satellites, which means SpaceX now has regulatory clearance for a constellation larger than any other operator's entire fleet combined.
- Eutelsat's 340-satellite order for OneWeb signals that European operators are willing to spend billions to remain competitive with Starlink in the low-Earth-orbit connectivity race.
- Two major M&A deals in the space economy totaled over $1.8 billion in just one month, showing that consolidation in critical components like propulsion and electronics is accelerating.
- Radar Earth-observation companies raised over $170 million combined, confirming that investors see synthetic aperture radar as a must-have capability for defense and commercial markets.
- Starlink's partnership with Airtel Africa gives SpaceX instant access to millions of potential customers, proving that distribution deals can be as valuable as technology breakthroughs.
- India's on-orbit refuelling demo could make satellite life-extension a commercial reality, potentially changing how operators budget for constellation replacement.
- Space surveillance startup Digantara raised $50 million, reflecting growing demand for tracking objects in orbit as mega-constellations make space more crowded.
- The FCC's new rulemaking on high-frequency spectrum bands could simplify ground station licensing, a frequent bottleneck for satellite operators expanding their networks.
In our space economy deck, we identify repeatable patterns you can use if you’re building in this market
Summary table of the latest news in the space economy
We define the space economy as the set of activities that design, build, launch and operate space infrastructure and sell services directly based on space data, signals or connectivity.
We include manufacturers, launch providers, satellite and constellation operators, ground-segment and mission-operations providers, and companies whose primary products are satellite communications, Earth observation or navigation services.
We exclude generic consumer devices, broad media and telecom platforms, and downstream industries where space technology is only one of many inputs (such as ride-hailing, logistics or finance that merely rely on satellite navigation or timing).
You can also read our detailed analysis to understand what are the quarterly updates in the space economy.
| News | Category | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. FCC approves 7,500 more Starlink satellites, clearing SpaceX for massive network expansion | Regulations & Policies | Jan 9, 2026 | Reuters |
| Eutelsat orders 340 new OneWeb satellites from Airbus to compete with Starlink | Strategic Investments | Jan 12, 2026 | Reuters |
| Airtel Africa partners with SpaceX to sell Starlink satellite internet across the continent | Partnerships | Dec 16, 2025 | Reuters |
| L3Harris sells 60% stake in its space propulsion business for $845 million | M&A | Jan 5, 2026 | Reuters |
| TransDigm acquires space electronics supplier Stellant Systems for $960 million cash | M&A | Dec 31, 2025 | Reuters |
| ICEYE raises €150 million as demand for radar Earth-observation grows | Fundraisings | Dec 5, 2025 | ICEYE |
| Space surveillance startup Digantara raises $50 million to track objects in orbit | Fundraisings | Dec 16, 2025 | Economic Times |
| Array Labs raises $20 million to mass-produce affordable satellite radar sensors | Fundraisings | Jan 6, 2026 | Via Satellite |
| TakeMe2Space raises $5 million to build rentable computing power in orbit | Fundraisings | Jan 8, 2026 | Economic Times |
| FCC launches rulemaking to simplify satellite access to high-frequency spectrum bands | Regulations & Policies | Dec 3, 2025 | GovInfo |
| SpaceX launches Italian dual-use radar satellite Cosmo-SkyMed to start 2026 | Product launches | Jan 2, 2026 | Spaceflight Now |
| India attempts on-orbit satellite refuelling demo, aiming to extend spacecraft lifespans | Breakthrough | Jan 12, 2026 | Times of India |
Latest news of the space economy
U.S. FCC approves 7,500 more Starlink satellites, giving SpaceX a major regulatory win
Regulations & Policies
What happened?
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission approved SpaceX to deploy 7,500 additional second-generation Starlink satellites. The FCC also granted more flexibility on frequencies and operations, though it still requires SpaceX to meet specific rollout milestones. This approval significantly expands Starlink's allowed constellation size.
When was it?
The FCC announced this approval on January 9, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Regulatory approval is the main bottleneck for mega-constellations, and this decision accelerates Starlink's scale and competitive advantage in global satellite connectivity.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, this reduces policy risk and supports revenue growth tied to Starlink's expanding coverage and new services like direct-to-cell. If you're an entrepreneur, a bigger Starlink network expands opportunities in space connectivity, edge computing, maritime, aviation, and remote enterprise services.
In our space economy deck, we track adoption trends and shifts in consumer behavior
Eutelsat orders 340 new OneWeb satellites from Airbus to stay competitive with Starlink
Strategic Investments
What happened?
Eutelsat placed an order for 340 new low-Earth-orbit satellites from Airbus to expand and refresh the OneWeb constellation. Eutelsat aims to maintain service continuity and competitiveness while Europe's IRIS² government constellation is still years away. This is one of the largest satellite orders in recent space economy history.
When was it?
Eutelsat announced this order on January 12, 2026.
Why is it big news?
This major capital commitment signals that OneWeb is planning a serious next phase, not coasting on its existing infrastructure.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, this large capital expenditure shows the market is entering an upgrade cycle where satellite operators must spend significantly to remain relevant. If you're an entrepreneur, a stronger OneWeb means more competition, better pricing, and more demand for supplier technology across the entire satellite manufacturing stack.
In our space economy deck, we cover the latest tech updates shaping the market
Airtel Africa partners with SpaceX to sell Starlink satellite internet across the continent
Partnerships
What happened?
Airtel Africa announced a partnership with SpaceX to offer Starlink satellite internet services. Starlink gains access to local distribution through a well-known telecom brand with existing infrastructure across multiple African countries. This gives SpaceX a fast path to market without building its own sales network from scratch.
When was it?
Airtel Africa announced this partnership on December 16, 2025.
Why is it big news?
Winning distribution is often harder than building satellites, and this partnership creates a powerful go-to-market channel for Starlink in underserved regions.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, partnerships like this can accelerate subscriber growth without SpaceX building a full local sales operation in every country. If you're an entrepreneur, this opens opportunities in terminal installation, enterprise bundles, backhaul services, and local support in underserved African markets.
In our space economy deck, we focus on making things as clear as possible
L3Harris sells 60% stake in its space propulsion business for $845 million
M&A
What happened?
L3Harris announced it will sell a 60% stake in its space propulsion and power systems business to AE Industrial Partners for $845 million, including debt. L3Harris is shifting its focus away from some space product lines toward its core defense business. This deal reshapes ownership of critical satellite components.
When was it?
L3Harris announced this sale on January 5, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Propulsion and power are essential components for every satellite mission, so a change in ownership can affect contracts, pricing, and investment priorities across the space economy.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, this signals consolidation and strategic repositioning, often a precursor to more deals and a re-rating of space component suppliers. If you're an entrepreneur, supply chains may open up with new procurement behaviors and partnership opportunities under the new ownership.
In our space economy deck, we provide the data and the context to understand it
TransDigm acquires space electronics supplier Stellant Systems for $960 million cash
M&A
What happened?
TransDigm agreed to acquire Stellant Systems for approximately $960 million in cash, plus tax benefits. Stellant manufactures high-power electronic components used in defense, space, and satellite applications. This acquisition expands TransDigm's position in mission-critical space hardware.
When was it?
TransDigm announced this acquisition on December 31, 2025.
Why is it big news?
This is a large acquisition in the "picks-and-shovels" layer of the space economy, targeting components that every satellite mission depends on.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, consolidation in critical subsystems can increase margins and pricing power, signaling strong demand for these parts. If you're an entrepreneur, supplier landscapes change after acquisitions, creating new product roadmaps, bundling strategies, and partnership opportunities.
In our space economy deck, we have designed useful charts to give you full market clarity
ICEYE raises €150 million as radar Earth-observation demand keeps growing
Fundraisings
What happened?
ICEYE raised €150 million to support its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) Earth-observation business. SAR technology can see through clouds and capture images at night, making it valuable for defense, disaster response, and industrial monitoring. This funding round is one of the largest in the radar satellite sector.
When was it?
ICEYE announced this funding round on December 5, 2025.
Why is it big news?
This large funding round confirms that radar from space is no longer a niche capability but a priority investment for both government and commercial buyers.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, big rounds into Earth observation suggest that public and private budgets are shifting toward persistent, actionable space data. If you're an entrepreneur, a well-funded leader like ICEYE can expand partner ecosystems for analytics, tasking APIs, and downstream applications.
In our space economy deck, we turn research findings into simple, useful visual summaries
Space surveillance startup Digantara raises $50 million to track objects in orbit
Fundraisings
What happened?
Digantara raised $50 million and announced plans to scale its capability and expand internationally. Digantara focuses on tracking satellites, debris, and fast-moving threats in orbit. The company provides space domain awareness services to operators, governments, and insurers.
When was it?
Digantara announced this funding round on December 16, 2025.
Why is it big news?
As mega-constellations grow, collision risk and regulation increase with them, making space domain awareness essential infrastructure for the entire space economy.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, space traffic management is becoming a must-have layer with strong demand from governments and commercial operators. If you're an entrepreneur, expect more customers including operators, insurers, and regulators to need analytics, sensors, and operations tools for space safety.
In our space economy deck, we will give you useful market maps and grids
Array Labs raises $20 million to mass-produce affordable satellite radar sensors
Fundraisings
What happened?
Array Labs announced a $20 million funding round to scale engineering and manufacturing for its radar payload technology. Array Labs is working toward deploying its first satellite cluster and aims to make 3D radar from space more affordable. The company is betting on lower hardware costs to expand the Earth observation market.
When was it?
Array Labs announced this funding round on January 6, 2026.
Why is it big news?
If radar payloads become cheaper to build at volume, the Earth observation market could expand beyond today's premium pricing and unlock new use cases.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, this is a cost-curve play where lower hardware costs can unlock new customers and higher revisit rates. If you're an entrepreneur, more affordable radar payloads can enable new analytics businesses and vertical products in maritime, infrastructure, and defense markets.
In our space economy deck, we help you understand how the market is structured
TakeMe2Space raises $5 million to build rentable computing power in orbit
Fundraisings
What happened?
TakeMe2Space raised $5 million led by Chiratae Ventures and announced plans to expand its constellation and scale in-orbit AI processing. TakeMe2Space wants to turn satellites into rentable computers that process data before it reaches Earth. The company plans to grow in India, the United States, and Australia.
When was it?
TakeMe2Space announced this funding round on January 8, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Edge computing in space could reduce latency and downlink needs, which is valuable for applications where decisions must happen quickly.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, this is an infrastructure thesis where success could create a platform that others build on, similar to cloud computing but in orbit. If you're an entrepreneur, TakeMe2Space could become a new way to deploy analytics models without owning satellites, letting you buy compute instead of hardware.
In our space economy deck, we have collected signals proving this market is hot right now
FCC launches rulemaking to simplify satellite access to high-frequency spectrum bands
Regulations & Policies
What happened?
The FCC launched a rulemaking process seeking comments on changes to enable more intensive use of the UMFUS bands (Upper Microwave Flexible Use Service). These spectrum bands matter for both satellite and terrestrial systems sharing frequencies. The goal is to simplify how satellite ground stations get access to these bands.
When was it?
The FCC published this rulemaking in the Federal Register on December 3, 2025.
Why is it big news?
Spectrum access and ground-station licensing can speed up or block satellite business models, so this rulemaking could shift competitive dynamics in the space economy.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, rule changes can lower deployment friction and expand addressable markets for satellite operators and ground-segment providers. If you're an entrepreneur, this may reduce the time required to get permits for gateways and earth stations, which is often a painful operational bottleneck.
In our space economy deck, we review the challenges and risks you might face later
SpaceX launches Italian dual-use radar satellite Cosmo-SkyMed to kick off 2026
Product launches
What happened?
SpaceX launched the Cosmo-SkyMed Second Generation satellite for Italy on January 2, 2026. Cosmo-SkyMed uses radar imaging that works through clouds and at night, serving both civilian and military purposes. This launch continues Italy's Earth observation program and demonstrates steady demand for radar satellites.
When was it?
SpaceX launched this satellite on January 2, 2026.
Why is it big news?
This launch shows that Earth observation demand remains strong and that launch cadence stays high for operational radar constellations.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, launch reliability plus steady Earth observation replenishment supports revenue visibility for both launch providers and prime contractors. If you're an entrepreneur, more SAR assets in orbit means more downstream opportunities in analytics, data fusion, alerts, and API services.
In our space economy deck, we answer all the common questions from investors and entrepreneurs
India attempts on-orbit satellite refuelling demo, aiming to extend spacecraft lifespans
Breakthrough
What happened?
OrbitAid's "Ayulsat" spacecraft is designed to validate fuel transfer behavior in orbit. The refuelling operations are expected shortly after launch, with the goal of building expertise for future satellite servicing missions. India aims to become one of the first nations to demonstrate on-orbit refuelling capability.
When was it?
This demonstration was scheduled for January 12, 2026.
Why is it big news?
Satellite refuelling and servicing can change space economics by enabling life extension, rescue missions, and reduced replacement costs for satellite operators.
Why should you care?
If you're an investor in the space economy, successful servicing technology can create an entirely new market for vehicles, interfaces, insurance products, and operations. If you're an entrepreneur, this opens new startup opportunities in docking interfaces, fueling standards, mission operations software, and servicing-as-a-service business models.
Related blog posts
- What is the latest update in the space economy?
- What are the latest funding news in the space economy?
- What is the real market size of the space economy?
