This article is based on official press releases and mission updates from NASA.

NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Set for Historic Medical Evacuation and Return

Expedition 74 is preparing for a significant operational shift aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as the four members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission prepare to return to Earth. According to official updates from NASA, the crew is scheduled to undock on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, marking the conclusion of their five-and-a-half-month stay in orbit.

This departure represents a historic moment for the orbiting laboratory. Mission reports indicate this is the first time in the station’s 25-year history that a full crew is returning early specifically to facilitate a medical evacuation. While NASA has confirmed the affected astronaut is in stable condition, the agency determined that the station’s medical facilities were insufficient for the necessary diagnostic workup.

The “homebound quartet”, Commander Zena Cardman, Pilot Mike Fincke, and Mission Specialists Kimiya Yui and Oleg Platonov, spent Tuesday finalizing cargo packing and reviewing descent procedures. Their departure will leave a reduced crew of three on board the station until the arrival of Crew-12, currently targeted for February.

Mission Timeline and Return Details

The return journey for Crew-11 will begin with the autonomous undocking of the SpaceX Dragon Endeavour spacecraft. NASA mission controllers have set the undocking time for 5:05 p.m. EST on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. The spacecraft will detach from the space-facing port of the ISS Harmony module to begin its descent.

Following undocking, the crew will execute a series of deorbit burns to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. Splashdown is targeted for approximately 3:40 a.m. EST on Thursday, January 15 (12:40 a.m. local Pacific time). Recovery teams from SpaceX will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California to retrieve the capsule and crew immediately upon landing.

Preparation and Cargo Transfer

In the days leading up to the departure, the crew has been heavily focused on logistics. According to a blog post by NASA’s Mark Garcia, the crew spent Tuesday “packing cargo, reviewing return to Earth procedures, and transferring hardware.”

Notably, mission reports highlight that the crew transferred standard emergency equipment from the Dragon capsule to the ISS prior to departure. This unusual step ensures that the remaining three crew members of Expedition 74 maintain ample supplies during the interim period before the next crew arrival.

Context: The Medical Decision

The decision to bring Crew-11 home ahead of schedule was driven by a medical issue that arose on January 7, 2026. While NASA has maintained strict medical privacy regarding the identity of the affected crew member, agency officials have emphasized that the situation is not an emergency and the astronaut remains stable.

According to NASA’s Chief Health and Medical Officer, Dr. J.D. Polk, the decision to return was based on diagnostic limitations aboard the ISS. While the station is equipped with a robust pharmacy and basic medical suite, it lacks advanced imaging hardware, such as CT or MRI capabilities, which are required for a full evaluation of the specific condition.

This medical event also necessitated the cancellation of a spacewalk originally scheduled for January 8, which would have seen astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke preparing the station for new solar arrays.

Expedition 74 and the “Skeleton Crew”

The departure of Crew-11 leaves the International Space Station with a significantly reduced population. Following the change of command ceremony on Monday, January 12, command of the station was transferred from NASA astronaut Mike Fincke to Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov.

During the ceremony, Fincke acknowledged the heavy workload the remaining crew would face:

“It is bittersweet. We are leaving you with a lot of work, but we know you are going to do super well.”

Mike Fincke, NASA Astronaut and Crew-11 Pilot

For the next several weeks, the station will be operated by a “skeleton crew” of just three individuals:

• Sergey Kud-Sverchkov (Roscosmos) – Commander
• Sergey Mikayev (Roscosmos) – Flight Engineer
• Chris Williams (NASA) – Flight Engineer

This transition leaves Chris Williams as the sole American astronaut aboard the station until the arrival of SpaceX Crew-12.

AirPro News Analysis

The rapid turnaround of the Crew-11 mission highlights the evolving maturity of commercial spaceflight and international cooperation. While early mission terminations are rare, the ability of NASA, SpaceX, and their international partners (JAXA and Roscosmos) to coordinate a safe, unplanned return within a week demonstrates a high level of operational resilience.

Furthermore, the specific citation of “diagnostic limitations” as the primary driver for return suggests that as missions become longer and travel further from Earth (such as to Mars), the integration of advanced medical imaging technology into spacecraft design will likely become a critical priority. For now, the proximity of Earth allows for this “precautionary measure,” ensuring astronaut safety remains the paramount operational rule.

Sources

• NASA Blog: Crew-11 Go for Undocking
• NASA Official Site

This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

Eutelsat Group Orders 340 Additional Satellites from Airbus to Fortify LEO Constellation

On January 12, 2026, Airbus Defence and Space confirmed it has been awarded a significant contract by Eutelsat Group to manufacture 340 new Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. This agreement marks a critical expansion of the OneWeb constellation, reinforcing Europe’s position in the competitive space-based connectivity market.

According to the official announcement, this new order supplements a previous agreement signed in December 2024 for 100 satellites. Consequently, the total procurement now stands at 440 spacecraft. These units are essential for the replenishment and technical upgrading of the OneWeb network, ensuring service continuity for enterprise and government clients globally.

Production is set to take place at Airbus’s facility in Toulouse, France, utilizing a newly installed assembly line designed for mass production. Deliveries are scheduled to commence in late 2026.

Manufacturing and Strategic Scope

The contract underscores a deepening industrial partnership between the two European aerospace giants. By centralizing production in Toulouse, the deal aligns with Eutelsat’s stated goal of maintaining “European sovereignty” in critical space infrastructure. As the only global LEO operator based in Europe, Eutelsat OneWeb serves as a strategic alternative to US-based constellations.

Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat, emphasized the importance of this order for the company’s long-term roadmap:

“These new satellites ensure service continuity for the growing number of our customers… and enable us to pursue our growth path.”

, Jean-François Fallacher, CEO of Eutelsat

While the official press release did not disclose the specific financial value of the contract, industry analysts estimate the total extension program could range between €2.0 and €2.2 billion, reflecting the scale of the manufacturing effort required to deliver 440 satellites starting in late 2026.

Technical Evolution: The “Gen 2” Upgrade

The new satellites will be built on the Airbus “Arrow” platform, a modular architecture designed for cost-effective, high-volume manufacturing. However, these units represent a technological leap forward compared to the first generation of OneWeb satellites.

Digital Channelizers

A key feature of this new batch is the integration of advanced digital channelizers. Unlike traditional analog transponders, which act as simple “bent pipes” reflecting signals back to Earth, digital channelizers allow the satellite to process signals onboard. This capability offers two distinct advantages:

• Flexible Coverage: Eutelsat can reallocate bandwidth in real-time to high-demand geographic areas, such as disaster zones or specific maritime routes.
• Security: The technology enhances anti-jamming capabilities, a critical requirement for defense and government customers.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, noted the significance of this technological endorsement:

“This latest contract… is an endorsement of our design and manufacturing expertise for LEO satellites. Airbus has been a key partner and supplier to Eutelsat for more than 30 years.”

, Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus

Market Context and Competition

This procurement arrives during a period of intense competition in the LEO sector. Eutelsat OneWeb is currently competing against massive constellations funded by US technology giants. According to market-analysis from early 2026, SpaceX’s Starlink operates over 9,400 satellites, while Amazon’s Project Kuiper has begun commercial service with over 150 satellites in orbit.

Despite the disparity in sheer numbers, Eutelsat currently operates over 600 satellites, the European operator differentiates itself through a “multi-orbit” strategy. By combining the low latency of LEO satellites with the high throughput of its Geostationary (GEO) fleet, Eutelsat targets enterprise-grade Service Level Agreements (SLAs) rather than the direct-to-consumer market dominated by Starlink.

AirPro News Analysis

The Sovereignty Play: We observe that the explicit framing of this deal around “European sovereignty” is not merely marketing rhetoric; it is a business strategy. As the European Union advances its IRIS² (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) project, Eutelsat is positioning itself as the primary anchor tenant for sovereign EU communications. By manufacturing in Toulouse and integrating with 5G terrestrial networks, Eutelsat is effectively locking in future government and defense contracts that require non-US supply chains.

Replenishment vs. Expansion: While the order for 340 satellites sounds like a massive expansion, we analyze this primarily as a replenishment cycle. LEO satellites have shorter lifespans (typically 5–7 years) compared to GEO satellites (15+ years). To maintain a constellation of 600+ active units, Eutelsat must maintain a continuous production line. This contract ensures that as Gen 1 satellites deorbit, Gen 2 satellites with higher capabilities will seamlessly take their place, preventing service gaps for critical B2B clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the new satellites launch?
Deliveries from the Airbus facility in Toulouse are scheduled to begin in late 2026, with launches likely following shortly thereafter.

How many total satellites did Eutelsat order?
The January 12, 2026 announcement covers 340 satellites. Combined with a December 2024 order for 100 units, the total current procurement is 440 satellites.

What is the main technical upgrade?
The inclusion of digital channelizers allows for flexible signal processing, enabling the satellites to redirect capacity to specific areas and resist jamming attempts.

Where are the satellites being built?
They are being manufactured at a new dedicated production line at Airbus Defence and Space in Toulouse, France.

Sources

• Airbus Press Release
• Eutelsat Group Regulatory Filings

This article is based on an official document from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

FCC Grants Partial Approval for SpaceX Gen2 Starlink Upgrade and Direct-to-Cell Service

On January 9, 2026, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a significant regulatory order granting a “Partial Grant” for SpaceX’s second-generation (Gen2) Starlink satellite constellation. This approval marks a pivotal moment in the commercial space industry, formally authorizing the deployment of a new shell of satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) and greenlighting the commercial operation of Direct-to-Cell capabilities.

The decision allows SpaceX to proceed with critical upgrades to its Starlink network, which aims to reduce latency and expand capacity to meet growing global demand. By approving the modification application, the FCC has cleared the path for satellites that act as “cell towers in space,” enabling direct connectivity to unmodified smartphones, a feature developed in partnership with terrestrial carriers like T-Mobile.

While SpaceX’s original application sought authority for a total of 29,988 Gen2 satellites, this specific order authorizes a strategic subset of operations, continuing the Commission’s practice of approving massive constellations in phases to monitor compliance with orbital debris and spectrum interference rules.

Key Components of the Approval

The FCC’s order addresses several technical modifications that SpaceX requested to enhance the performance and sustainability of the Starlink network. The approval focuses on two primary technological advancements: the utilization of VLEO and the integration of mobile-satellite service (MSS) frequencies.

Authorization of VLEO Shell

A central element of the approval is the authorization for SpaceX to deploy satellites in a Very Low Earth Orbit, specifically between 300 km and 360 km in altitude. This is significantly lower than the standard Starlink orbit of approximately 550 km. Operating at this lower altitude offers distinct physical advantages, primarily the reduction of signal travel time, which lowers latency for end-users.

Furthermore, the VLEO shell is touted as a safety feature regarding orbital debris. At these lower altitudes, atmospheric drag is much stronger. If a satellite malfunctions and loses propulsion, it will naturally de-orbit and burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere within weeks or months, rather than the years it might take at higher altitudes. This “self-cleaning” characteristic was a key factor in the FCC’s assessment of orbital safety.

Direct-to-Cell Commercialization

The order also formalizes the authority for SpaceX to operate Direct-to-Cell payloads. This technology utilizes specific bands, including Ku-, Ka-, and E-bands, alongside partner-specific MSS frequencies, to connect directly with standard LTE and 5G smartphones. This capability is designed to eliminate “dead zones” in remote areas where constructing terrestrial cell towers is economically unfeasible.

“Our action will allow SpaceX to begin deployment of Gen2 Starlink… helping to close the digital divide on a global scale.”

— Federal Communications Commission (Statement from related orders)

Strategic Context and Market Implications

The approval arrives as the race for dominance in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) intensifies. With rival constellations such as China’s Guowang network in development, U.S. regulators are under pressure to facilitate the rapid expansion of domestic commercial space capabilities while managing the increasingly crowded orbital environment.

AirPro News Analysis: The Sovereign-Commercial Nexus

The FCC’s decision to grant this partial approval reflects a broader trend we identify as the “sovereign-commercial nexus,” where commercial satellite networks are increasingly viewed as critical national infrastructure. By authorizing the VLEO shell, the FCC is not merely approving a business plan; it is securing U.S. leadership in next-generation connectivity.

The shift to VLEO is particularly strategic. Beyond the latency benefits for consumer applications like gaming and video conferencing, the lower orbit allows for tighter beam focus, which improves spectral efficiency. This efficiency is vital as spectrum becomes a scarce resource. Furthermore, the Direct-to-Cell capability integrates satellite resilience into terrestrial networks, providing a backup layer for emergency communications that is independent of ground infrastructure.

Regulatory Opposition and Interference Concerns

The path to this approval was not without significant opposition. Competitors and industry advocacy groups filed petitions to deny or condition the grant, citing concerns over radio frequency interference and orbital congestion.

Major industry players, including Viasat and DISH Network (EchoStar), raised objections regarding the potential for the new Gen2 satellites to disrupt their existing services. Viasat, in particular, argued that the sheer volume of satellites proposed by SpaceX would create an unmanageable interference environment.

“The proposed operations would generate insurmountable interference risks for other spectrum users… and foreclose competition.”

— Viasat (Petition to Deny)

The FCC’s order acknowledges these concerns but ultimately determined that the imposed conditions and SpaceX’s technical demonstrations were sufficient to mitigate harmful interference. The “Partial Grant” approach allows the Commission to retain regulatory oversight, releasing authority in tranches to ensure that SpaceX adheres to strict reporting requirements regarding satellite health and collision avoidance maneuvers.

Additionally, the astronomy community has continued to voice concerns regarding the brightness of satellite constellations interfering with optical and radio telescopes. In response, the approval reiterates requirements for SpaceX to implement advanced darkening coatings and chassis designs to minimize light reflection.

Timeline of Recent Events

• December 1, 2022: FCC grants initial partial approval for 7,500 Gen2 satellites.
• December 5, 2025: FCC Space Bureau accepts SpaceX’s modification application for a 15,000-satellite VLEO shell for filing.
• January 4, 2026: Reports emerge regarding the imminent approval of Starlink Direct-to-Cell service.
• January 9, 2026: FCC issues formal Partial Grant for the Gen2 Upgrade, authorizing VLEO operations and Direct-to-Cell payloads.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the benefit of the new VLEO satellites?

Satellites in Very Low Earth Orbit (300–360 km) are closer to the ground than standard satellites. This proximity reduces the time it takes for data to travel back and forth (latency) and ensures that defunct satellites de-orbit rapidly, reducing space debris risks.

Will I need a new phone for Direct-to-Cell service?

No. The Direct-to-Cell service is designed to work with existing LTE and 5G smartphones. It utilizes terrestrial spectrum provided by partner carriers (such as T-Mobile in the U.S.), allowing phones to connect to satellites as if they were standard cell towers.

Does this approval cover all 30,000 proposed satellites?

No. This is a “Partial Grant.” While SpaceX has requested authority for nearly 30,000 Gen2 satellites, the FCC typically approves these large constellations in batches (tranches) to ensure safety and compliance standards are met before full deployment.

Sources: Federal Communications Commission