UAE moves to secure round-the-clock satellite view of Earth
gulfnews.com

UAE moves to secure round-the-clock satellite view of Earth

The United Arab Emirates is advancing its own round‑the‑clock Earth observation capability through Space42’s Foresight synthetic‑aperture radar (SAR) constellation. The five‑satellite system, based in Abu Dhabi, can acquire geospatial data day and night, regardless of cloud, haze or dust, delivering decision‑grade intelligence to government and corporate users. CEO Christos Kolimenakis of ICEYE UAE highlighted the technology’s ability to monitor any point at any time, while Space42 senior manager Abdullah Sharif said a second batch of satellites will launch in [...]
Spacetech’s Next Big Test, Weekly Funding Rundown & More
inc42.com

Spacetech’s Next Big Test, Weekly Funding Rundown & More

The Indian spacetech sector, having secured $253 million in funding this year—double last year’s total—faces a critical test of commercial viability despite record capital inflows, regulatory momentum, and technical milestones. Skyroot’s recent unicorn status and Pixxel’s $100 million round, the largest in the sector, underscore investor enthusiasm. Yet concerns over inflated valuations, hardware risks, and a nascent market for launch infrastructure and earth observation persist. Investors now demand clear use cases, defensible differentiation, and tangible metrics, signaling a shift [...]
Commercial Space Federation (CSF) Welcomes Two New Members
spacenews.com

Commercial Space Federation (CSF) Welcomes Two New Members

The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) announced the addition of ORBITInsure and Renaissance Strategic Advisors (RSA) as new members on September 21, 2026. ORBITInsure joins as a Space Supply Chain member, offering data‑driven risk intelligence for space insurance. RSA becomes an Associate Member and participates in the Space Supply Chain Council and State and Local Council, bringing strategy and M&A expertise to aerospace, defense, and government sectors. Both firms aim to strengthen the commercial space ecosystem through enhanced risk management [...]
Elon Musk Predicts Starlink Satellites Could Rewrite the Rules of Global Connectivity
247wallst.com

Elon Musk Predicts Starlink Satellites Could Rewrite the Rules of Global Connectivity

Elon Musk announced on SpaceX’s August 4 earnings call that the next‑generation Starlink V3 satellites will deliver about 10 terabits per second bidirectionally, with potential to reach over 100 Tbps. Each satellite will carry a 250‑kW power system and a custom Nvidia Vera Rubin NVL72 computer. Musk projected that within ten years Starlink could handle the majority of global internet traffic, especially as AI and robotics demand increases. SpaceX plans to launch roughly an order of magnitude [...]
India’s Spacetech Gold Rush Is Here, But What’s Making Investors Jumpy?
inc42.com

India’s Spacetech Gold Rush Is Here, But What’s Making Investors Jumpy?

India’s spacetech sector has entered a commercialisation phase, raising $252.9 million in 2026, nearly double the 2025 total. Skyroot Aerospace became the first Indian spacetech unicorn after a $60 million round and successfully launched its Vikram‑1 rocket, now pursuing a $200 million follow‑up. Pixxel, backed by Temasek, secured a record $100 million Series C, the largest single funding round for an Indian space company. Government funds—₹1,600 cr from IN‑SPACe’s Antariksh VC and ₹834 cr from the RDI fund—backed early‑stage ventures. Startups now face heightened [...]
A Homegrown Innovation Ecosystem is Taking Root
forumias.com

A Homegrown Innovation Ecosystem is Taking Root

India is transitioning from a technology importer to a creator, with public research institutions, corporate R&D, and deep‑tech startups driving growth in semiconductors, communications, space, and healthcare. Patent filings have risen, and indigenous products are emerging, yet R&D spending remains low and commercialisation weak. Talent shortages and limited research capacity hinder full market penetration. Government policy pushes for innovation, but stronger industry‑research links, technology transfer mechanisms, and support for frontier technologies are needed to close gaps and [...]
Drugmakers eye next phase of space research
taipeitimes.com

Drugmakers eye next phase of space research

As the International Space Station approaches retirement, major drugmakers are preparing to conduct commercial pharmaceutical research and manufacturing in low Earth orbit. Executives from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and space firms are collaborating with regulators to establish guidelines for space-based medicine production, aiming to prove it can be reliable and cost‑effective. Companies such as LambdaVision, Auxilium Biotechnologies, and Merck have already used the ISS to develop retinal implants, bioprinted tissues, and a subcutaneous cancer therapy. The shift toward next‑generation [...]