The UK space industry is facing a crucial crossroad. The industry must face the challenges of a post-Brexit and post-pandemic world with increasing competition and pressure from countries with greater ambition and resolve to developed their space resources and capabilities. 

Spire Global and NavSight Holdings, a special purpose acquisition company, today announced they have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a business combination that would result in Spire becoming a publicly listed company.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. a provider of launch and space systems, and Vector Acquisition Corporation (Nasdaq: VACQ) a special purpose acquisition company backed by technology investor Vector Capital, announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Rocket Lab becoming a publicly traded company. The transaction is estimated to be completed in Q2 2021 and, at that time, Vector will change its name to Rocket Lab USA, Inc. and the combined company will trade under the Nasdaq ticker symbol RKLB.

Redwire has acquired Deployable Space Systems (DSS), a leading supplier of mission-enabling deployable solar arrays, structures and mechanisms for space applications.Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

“DSS has an unmatched reputation for innovative deployable space technologies and infrastructure, and that is a perfect fit for Redwire’s technology portfolio,” said Peter Cannito, Chairman and CEO of Redwire. “These new capabilities will expand our set of space infrastructure solutions and deliver even greater value to our customers.”

Building on its mission of Empowering Content Everywhere and serving the media, entertainment and technology industry, IBC today announced its strategic plan for 2021, focusing on the return of a live event in Amsterdam this year. IBC revealed plans to deliver a hybrid (physical and digital) event from 10^th – 13^th September 2021 and unveiled a fall-back option in early December 2021.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT), a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions and services, today reported its results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2020.  The company reported revenues of US$ 42.6 million versus US$ 78.3 million in Q4 2019 and improved from US$ 37.3 million in the previous quarter.

Fourth Quarter Financial Highlights

Axiom Space, which is developing the world's first commercial space station, has raised US$ 130 million in Series B funding. The round was led by C5 Capital and includes TQS Advisors, Declaration Partners (the investment firm backed by David M. Rubenstein), Moelis Dynasty Investments, Washington University in St. Louis, The Venture Collective, Aidenlair Capital, Hemisphere Ventures, and Starbridge Venture Capital.

RUAG International’s Space business is currently being reorganized as part of a project called Ambition 21. The reorganization is a response to a changing market environment and an unsatisfactory performance in 2020. The  focus of the reorganization is on strengthening RUAG Space’s position in Europe as a leading supplier to the space industry, on selectively expanding its subsystem offering and to further expand RUAG Space’s business in the US and globally.  

The Board of Directors of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL), reported the financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2020. Rodolphe Belmer Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eutelsat  said: “Eutelsat has produced a solid First Half performance with Operating Verticals revenues down by 2%, reflecting our resilience in the Covid-19 impacted context, and with an EBITDA margin at 76.7%, despite the costs associated with Broadband ramp-up. Free-cash flow generation at the half year stage already amply covers the dividend paid in November.”

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:IRDM)  today reported financial results for the fourth quarter of 2020 and issued its full-year 2021 guidance. Net loss was US$ 7.9 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, as compared to net loss of US$ 107.9 million, or $0.82 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2019.