WORK Microwave, a leading provider of advanced RF and satellite communication technologies, has been selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) as the prime contractor to develop a system validation test bed for the upcoming IRIS² satellite constellation.

Pressure on teleport operators’ traditional business model continues to grow, driven by the rapid expansion of low-latency services delivered by low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. Led by Starlink, the LEO operators are cutting into the mobility and broadband markets that geostationary (GEO) operators have relied on amid the decline of their broadcast business. In turn, this has squeezed the teleports, which traditionally have provided uplink and downlink services for the GEO operators.

Neo Space Group (NSG), a PIF company and Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial space services provider, announced today that the company has completed its previously announced acquisition of UP42 GmbH, the leading Earth Observation (EO) platform previously owned by Airbus Defence and Space GmbH. Following the initial announcement in December 2024, UP42 is now formally part of the NSG organization.

Media Broadcast Satellite GmbH (MBS), a service integrator and managed gateway operator, has announced an agreement with satellite operator SES to acquire a part of its media services in Germany and the UK.

To be rebranded as ‘full season’, the new business will offer content management, playout, IP, VoD Delivery and OTT distribution services, expanding the MBS value chain to further establish it as a key player in the European media services sector.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Neo Space Group (NSG), a PIF-owned company and Saudi Arabia’s leading commercial satellite services provider, celebrates its first-year anniversary, marking a year of major milestones and outstanding achievements. These encompass strategic acquisitions, the onboarding of new clients, expanded capabilities through key partnerships, and robust business growth – all within just 12 remarkable months.

The 18th edition of Novaspace’s  Earth Observation Satellite Systems report, finds 5,770 EO satellites set to launch by 2034 as national defense priorities shape space strategy. As geopolitical instability drives interest in sovereign EO assets, defense and civil satellites are positioned to overtake commercial deployments .