SES Begins Construction of Satellite Manufacturing Facility in Luxembourg

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. is exploring a robotics solution for research and laboratory operations aboard future commercial space stations, working with space and defense technology provider Redwire Corporation. Honda's U.S.-based space development team is combining its multi-fingered robotic hand with Redwire's STAARK robotic arm and experiment locker technology to automate research tasks and cut the time astronauts spend on routine lab work. The push comes as NASA shifts from the International Space Station toward commercially operated stations in low Earth orbit, where smaller crews and shorter astronaut stays are increasing the need for automation. Honda's hand uses actively controlled joints with force and tactile sensing across the fingertips and palm for precise, human-like manipulation, while Redwire operates eight facilities on the ISS and has tested the STAARK arm's ability to autonomously track and grasp dynamic objects. The integrated system could eventually support the broader experiment workflow, from sample handling and material transfers to equipment operation, plus inventory management, cargo movement and inspections.

Teledyne Imaging Sensors announced it has delivered more than 1.3 billion infrared detector pixels in support of the U.S. Space Force and Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, and has been selected to provide infrared focal plane technology for both Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 awards. The pixel deliveries support SDA Tracking Layer programs for missile warning and missile tracking missions. To date, Teledyne has delivered more than 170 infrared focal planes for the SDA Tracking Layer and is under contract to provide more than 115 additional focal planes. The AMDT3 awards, announced by SDA in July 2026, will add more than 30 additional missile warning, missile tracking, and missile defense satellites to the Tracking Layer in direct support of the Golden Dome for America initiative. Teledyne has also advanced its large-format focal plane arrays to formats as large as 6K × 6K and 8K × 8K pixels.

Redwire has been awarded a follow-on contract by Axiom Space to develop and deliver two Roll-Out Solar Array wings for Axiom Station's second space station module. The company is also developing the ROSA wings for Axiom Space's first space station module, which is undergoing final assembly at Thales Alenia Space in Turin, Italy. That first module will then be transferred to Houston for integration and testing before launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the launch planned for 2028. The second module is preparing for final assembly at Thales Alenia Space and is expected to launch less than a year after the first module, and once in orbit it can remain there until it is ready to dock with the first module. Together, the two modules are expected to form a four-crew-capable, operational free-flying space station.

Redwire announced new collaborations with Sophia Space on orbital computing infrastructure and with American Honda Motor on integrated robotics for future commercial space stations, while also being named one of 15 vendors on Space Systems Command's more than US$980 million NITE-STAR IDIQ contract, which carries no guaranteed revenue. The agreements, disclosed in late September and early October 2026, extend Redwire's push into space-based infrastructure, automation and US national security programs and could broaden its revenue mix across commercial, research and defense customers. The company's investment narrative projects $714.6 million in revenue and $66.1 million in earnings by 2029, requiring 24.4% yearly revenue growth and a $410.0 million earnings increase from -$343.9 million today. Before the news, the most optimistic analysts assumed revenue could reach about US$782.1 million by 2029 with earnings of roughly US$72.8 million, a view that sits in tension with concerns about heavy equity issuance and integration risk. Redwire's biggest risks remain exposure to complex contracts, cost overruns on fixed price work, uneven profitability and reliance on external funding to support its growth plans.

Planet Labs PBC announced the successful launch of 20 satellites: the first demo mission for Google's Project Suncatcher, its latest hyperspectral satellite Tanager-2, and 18 SuperDoves. The spacecraft launched to orbit aboard the Transporter-18 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Planet has made initial contact with Tanager-2, the Project Suncatcher prototype, and two SuperDoves and begun commissioning, and expects to contact the remaining 16 SuperDoves that will deploy on the D-Orbit ION orbital transfer vehicle on schedule. This marks Planet's 40th successful launch and a total of 718 satellites built and delivered on orbit. Developed with Google, the Project Suncatcher satellite will run the first-ever test of Google's Tensor Processing Units in space, while Tanager-2, developed with Carbon Mapper, captures imagery in 426 contiguous bands with roughly 5 nm spectral resolution at 30 m spatial resolution, and Planet plans to build and deploy at least three additional Tanager satellites following Tanager-2.

ICEYE and Nokia announced a partnership to develop secure, sovereign and high-performance broadband low Earth orbit satellite communications systems for governments, supporting missions from defense and border security to emergency services and disaster response. Built on trusted European technology, the jointly developed systems will give nations ownership and control of the satellites, ground segment and terminals, with the first communications satellites expected to be launched in 2028. The systems will deliver targeted, high-throughput, low-latency connectivity over priority mission areas, designed to complement military and commercial networks rather than replace them. The partnership combines ICEYE's track record delivering sovereign satellite missions with Nokia's experience in secure networking technologies and growing defense portfolio, integrating satellites, ground infrastructure and ruggedized end-user terminals. ICEYE CEO and Co-founder Rafal Modrzewski said nations must be able to fully own and control their communications without dependency on a foreign commercial operator's terms of service, while Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard said sovereign operations depend on secure, resilient connectivity across land, sea, air and space. Modrzewski and Hotard will take the stage at the Helsinki Security Forum on October 2 for a session titled "How to Salvage Europe's Technological Sovereignty."