A trio of Dutch organizations are working together to target the laser communications market in the satellite industry. Technology developers Demcon and VDL Group formed a joint venture this month called FSO Instruments to produce laser satellite communication technology. This builds on technology developed by the Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, known as TNO. …

The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has awarded six companies — BlackSky Technology, HyperSat, Orbital Sidekick, Pixxel, Planet, and Xplore — study contracts for commercial hyperspectral imagery. The NRO will use these study contracts to “explore the potential of commercial hyperspectral imagery,” NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese said in Wednesday’s announcement.  The contracts are a two-stage effort. The NRO…

Virgin Orbit, which paused operations last week to conserve capital, plans to incrementally resume operations on Thursday to prepare for the next mission as the company continues funding talks.  Virgin Orbit paused operations on March 16, disclosed in filings  to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The smallsat launcher has funding troubles, and had just…

LinQuest and SpiderOak are forming a new strategic partnership to protect space mission systems for government and commercial customers. The two companies announced the new partnership, March 21. Under the partnership, LinQuest will demonstrate SpiderOak’s  OrbitSecure technology to its national security space customers. LinQuest said it will perform in-depth testing and assessment of security, performance,…