Focus on Defense
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Welcome to the first edition of Focus on Defense, a new bi-weekly newsletter from Via Satellite rounding up some of the top stories at the intersection of space and defense. This newsletter will bring you the highlights in satcom and space technologies for defense missions, contract awards, and global security trends. 

This edition features the latest from the House Armed Services Committee’s (HASC) fiscal 2026 defense bill to fund tactical, surveillance, reconnaissance, and tracking (TacSRT) as an official program of record, a new deputy for the Space Development Agency, and NATO’s push for commercial space.

 

Rachel Jewett
Senior Managing Editor, Via Satellite
HASC Bill Would Make TacSRT a ‘Program of Record’
The House Armed Services Committee’s (HASC) fiscal 2026 defense bill would require the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to establish a Title 10… [Read More]
Maxar Nabs $205M in International Contracts for Defense and Intel Capabilities
Maxar Intelligence on Tuesday said it received $204.7 million in new multi-year contracts from three existing customers in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region to… [Read More]
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Top Space Industry Organizations Petition Congress Over Planned Cuts to Space Traffic Management System 
Top space industry organizations are urging Congress to fund the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) and its space traffic coordination system after NOAA’s budget proposal… [Read More]
Space Systems Command Gives Nod to Boeing Over Northrop Grumman for ESS Satellites
Space Force Space Systems Command (SSC) gave a boost to Boeing's confidence last week, as SSC chose the company over Northrop Grumman for a $2.8 billion… [Read More]
SDA Names Dr. Gurpartap Sandhoo as New Deputy Director 
The Space Development Agency (SDA) has named Dr. Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo as the new deputy director, with the departure of Deputy Director Ryan Frigm.  SDA… [Read More]
NATO Releases its First Commercial Space Strategy
NATO released its Commercial Space Strategy on Tuesday, aimed at integrating commercial solutions more flexibly, and creating more business opportunities while simplifying how space companies… [Read More]
DoD CIO Official: Satcom Needs its ‘3GPP Moment’
ARLINGTON, Va. — Satcom leaders at the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer (DoD CIO) are pushing to modernize user terminals and teleports, leaning into… [Read More]
Planet Highlights Defense Momentum With $280M German Government Deal 
Planet announced a new 240 million euro ($283 million) multi-year deal with the German government on Tuesday for satellite imagery and analytics services, which Planet’s… [Read More]