Commercial space tech is shaping the Iran war
And the law can't keep up.
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Hello, and welcome to this week’s edition of The View from Space.
🇮🇷 In The Conversation, Anna Marie Brennan argues that commercial space technology is playing an outsized role in the conflict in Iran, and that the law has not caught up with the trend:
‘Images from US companies Planet Labs and Vantor captured smoke billowing over central Tehran and ships burning at the coastal city of Konarak – evidence of strikes on naval bases, airfields and missile sites that global media confirmed within hours.
But space-based technology was not just observing the conflict, it was also a target. US officials said early strikes hit “Iran’s equivalent of Space Command”, undermining Tehran’s ability to coordinate via satellite.
Iran has also used extensive “spoofing” to create false GPS signals to mislead receivers about their true location.
Simultaneously, US Space Command and Cyber Command launched operations to jam, hack and disrupt Iranian software systems, known as “non-kinetic” attacks in the jargon of modern warfare.
Such operations are a kind of “silent sabotage”, disabling communications or corrupting GPS signals without blowing anything up with conventional “kinetic” attacks.
This combination of advanced battlefield tactics and the rapid commercialisation of space technology, as well as the erosion of the old rules-based order in general, means international law is now falling well behind.’
🤝 Energy Aspects, the market data and intelligence provider, has acquired Kayrros, the world leader in energy and environmental intelligence. Kayrros President Antoine Rostand says joining forces with EA marks the start of a ‘decisive new chapter’ for the company:
‘This acquisition, which is subject to regulatory approval, supports Energy Aspects’ growth strategy and will expand its data and analytics capabilities. It follows the strategic integrations of OilX, INAS and TankWatch, among others. By combining Energy Aspects’ market expertise and analysis with Kayrros’ capabilities in satellite-based monitoring and advanced analytics, the combined group will strengthen its position as a leading source of energy market data and analytics.
Kayrros’ strengths in geospatial proprietary data and machine learning will enhance Energy Aspects’ offering, enabling clients to benefit from more timely, actionable intelligence across the energy value chain. Such earth observation capabilities have proven particularly valuable during periods of heightened geopolitical uncertainty, including recent events in the Middle East, where rapid and unbiased geospatial data is critical for accurate market analysis.’
📡 Satellite operator SES said a missile had struck its teleport in Israel, reports SpaceNews:
‘The Luxembourg-based company said a small portion of the geostationary antenna field was damaged, adding that no injuries were reported and the impact did not affect the main facility at Emek Ha’ela.
“Power, internet connectivity, and all services not dependent on the impacted antennas continue to operate normally,” SES said March 11 via email.
“We activated our business continuity plan and are working closely with customers. Restoration paths are in place, with recovery activities already underway.”
The site is one of 45 teleports worldwide that SES operates to provide gateway connectivity and control for its broadband and TV broadcast satellites in geostationary orbit. It also has nine teleports dedicated to broadband satellites in medium Earth orbit.
SES pointed to “significant back-up and redundancy capabilities” but declined to provide more details about them or the site, which it said is a commercial facility, although it also serves government customers.’
🚀 The EU has ‘a rocket problem’, argues Parliament Magazine:
‘The European Union risks falling further behind in the 21st century space race unless it can rapidly scale up a new generation of low-cost rockets built and launched by the bloc to deliver satellites into orbit.
While Europe remains a global leader in satellite technologies like GPS and environmental monitoring, its rocket launch capacity has been stunted. Between 2023 and 2024, Europe had no independent access to space and was forced to rely on the United States.
Even when available, European rockets account for a sliver of the global market, and the cost of sending objects into space is far higher than with competing, largely U.S., providers.
The gap carries growing strategic and economic risk. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated satellites’ importance for battlefield intelligence and internet connectivity. At the same time, the rapidly expanding space economy is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2034.’
🧾 York Space Systems has acquired satellite propulsion manufacturer Orbion space. SpaceNews reports:
‘The Denver-based satellite manufacturer announced the deal March 12 but did not disclose financial terms. York said the acquisition supports its strategy of building what it called an “integrated space ecosystem” and expanding domestic production capability for spacecraft components.
Orbion, founded about a decade ago and based in Houghton, Michigan, develops electric propulsion systems for small satellites. Its Aurora Hall-effect thruster uses electricity generated by a satellite’s solar panels to accelerate charged particles and produce thrust, allowing spacecraft to maneuver in orbit and maintain position.
With the acquisition, York is bringing that capability in-house as part of a broader effort to control more of its satellite supply chain. The move follows York’s earlier purchase of Atlas Space Operations, a Michigan-based provider of satellite ground network services.
York has emerged as a significant supplier to U.S. national security space programs, particularly the Pentagon’s proliferated constellation in low Earth orbit managed by the Space Development Agency. The company focuses on standardized satellite platforms designed to be produced in larger batches and at lower cost than traditional custom-built spacecraft.’
⛓️💥 The Airbus-Leonardo-Thales mega-merger has hit a snag, the Wall Street Journal reports.
‘The merger is facing pushback from some rivals that fear the deal could curtail competition in the European satellite market.
Marco Fuchs, chief executive of German satellite maker OHB OHB -1.53%decrease; red down pointing triangle, said he is concerned about the deal’s potential impact on European consortia formed to bid for European Union and European Space Agency contracts.
Indra Space, a subsidiary of Spain’s Indra Sistemas IDR -1.89%decrease; red down pointing triangle, also opposes the merger, two people familiar with the matter said.’
🚀 And Firefly Aerospace's Alpha rocket reached orbit on its first launch after a series of explosive setbacks: