Space Industry News: SpaceX Crew 11 Scrub, Intuitive Machines Contract, and Russian/Chinese Satellite Activity

Space Industry Briefs

• 🚀 The launch of SpaceX Crew 11 to the ISS was scrubbed due to unfavorable weather conditions, with a potential retry for August 1st.
• 💰 Intuitive Machines secured a $9.8 million Phase 2 government contract to advance its Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) through Critical Design Review.
• 🛰️ Deloitte unveiled "Silent Shield," a new system to detect cyber intrusions and anomalies on satellites, which has been tested in space.
• 📊 SES reported €978 million in revenue for the first half of 2025 following its acquisition of Intelsat, creating a larger global multi-orbit operator.
• 🤝 NASA released a new Announcement of Collaboration Opportunity (ACO) to foster industry partnerships, leveraging agency resources to accelerate technology development.

Chinese ICEM Missions and Orbital Refueling

• 🇨🇳 China's SJ-25 satellite is conducting orbital refueling tests, with observations suggesting it has docked with the SJ-21 satellite.
• ⛽ This potential first-ever GEO refueling and docking maneuver, if successful, could enable new satellite capabilities.
• 🧐 China has not publicly confirmed the success of these operations beyond initial launch announcements.

Russian "Navalier" Satellite Activity

• 🇷🇺 Russia has launched several "Navalier" satellites (e.g., Cosmos 2519, 2542, 2558) designed for inspection and potentially releasing sub-satellites.
• 🎯 These satellites have been observed to be co-planar with high-value US reconnaissance satellites, raising concerns about their intent.
• 🛰️ A new Russian satellite, Cosmos 2589, launched on an Angara 5M, is in a highly eccentric orbit and has released a sub-satellite, also engaging in RPO activities.

Experimental Space Technology

• ✨ A California startup, Reflect Orbital, is developing a satellite with a large Mylar mirror to reflect sunlight to Earth, aiming to provide light for specific areas at night.
• 💡 The long-term vision includes a constellation of AI-guided mirrors for applications like solar farms and arctic villages, with a rapid shut-off capability.
• 💰 The company has raised $6.5 million and plans its first launch in spring 2026.