The Department of National Defence, through Innovative Solutions Canada, has launched a new funding challenge to develop laboratory-based flatsat platforms for cybersecurity experimentation. The initiative targets a growing need for secure hybrid space networks as defence operations increasingly rely on low Earth orbit satellite constellations.
A flatsat is a ground-based satellite that integrates critical satellite subsystems, enabling controlled cybersecurity testing without deploying to orbit. Unlike operational satellites, which typically carry one or two payloads, the challenge requires designs to integrate multiple payload types—communications, remote observation, navigation, scientific measurements, weather monitoring, and others. This diversity will support a wider range of cybersecurity experiments and validation of secure satellite software and hardware architectures.
The government will award two contracts under the challenge, with total potential funding of $4 million. Each selected project can receive up to $2 million for a maximum 20-month duration. The challenge is open to Canadian small and medium-sized businesses—for-profit entities incorporated in Canada with 499 or fewer full-time equivalent employees. Applicants must conduct research and development activities within Canada, with at least half of company wages going to Canadian employees and a majority of the full-time workforce and senior executives residing domestically.
Interested firms must submit proposals by July 2, 2026 at 14:00 Eastern time. The flatsat platform is designed to support design, testing, and validation of defences against the dynamic traffic loads and segment failures that could affect hybrid space networks in contested operational environments.
Axiom Space Secures $525 Million for Orbital Infrastructure
Axiom Space has closed an oversubscribed financing round totalling more than US$525 million, significantly outpacing the company’s initial target. The raise is US$175 million more than the US$350 million figure previously announced in February, reflecting strong investor appetite for commercial orbital infrastructure.
The round saw MUFG Bank, Japan’s largest financial institution, join Axiom’s cap table. Takumi Hashizume, Managing Director and Head of the Space Innovation Office at MUFG Bank, noted the investment reflects confidence in commercial human spaceflight: “Axiom Space is building the orbital infrastructure that will define the next era of the space economy. Through our Space Innovation Office, we are committed to supporting the companies that make commercial human space exploration and the global space economy sustainable for the long term.”
Axiom will direct the new capital toward three primary areas: development of the Axiom Station (a planned commercial space station module), production of the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (spacesuit), and execution of commercial human spaceflight missions. The company must now meet specific milestones tied to NASA contracts and investor expectations as it continues to build permanent orbital assets for the emerging commercial space economy.
Provider: SpaceX Date: June 7, 2026 Time: 2:00 AM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
2 US military Starshield satellites are also on board.
Starlink Group 10-35
Provider: SpaceX Date: June 8, 2026 Time: 10:07 AM UTC Vehicle: Falcon 9
A batch of 29 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
Unknown Payload
Provider: LandSpace Date: June 9, 2026 Time: 8:20 AM UTC Vehicle: Zhuque-2E Block 2
Details TBD.
H3-30 Test Flight
Provider: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Date: June 10, 2026 Time: 12:53 AM UTC Vehicle: H3-30
Test flight of the H3-30 variant of the H3 launch vehicle with 3 LE-9 engines in the first stage and no SRBs. The flight will carry a dummy main payload (Vehicle Evaluation Payload 5, VEP-5) and several hitchhiking small satellites:
* PETREL
* STARS-X
* BRO-22
* VERTECS
* HORN-L/R
Unknown Payload
Provider: China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation Date: June 10, 2026 Time: 7:30 AM UTC Vehicle: Long March 5
Details TBD.
Starlink Group 17-43 ×
Mission Details
TypeCommunications
OrbitLow Earth Orbit
TargetEarth
A batch of 21 satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.
2 US military Starshield satellites are also on board.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.
Zhuque-2E (E stands for “enhanced”) is a medium-sized rocket powered by liquid oxygen and methane capable of lifting 6,000 kg of payload into a 200 km low Earth orbit, or 4,000 kg of payload into a 500 km Sun-synchronous orbit. It differs from the baseline Zhuque-2 in using enhanced TQ-12A engines…
Test flight of the H3-30 variant of the H3 launch vehicle with 3 LE-9 engines in the first stage and no SRBs. The flight will carry a dummy main payload (Vehicle Evaluation Payload 5, VEP-5) and several hitchhiking small satellites:
The H3 Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system in development in Japan. H3 rockets are liquid-propellant rockets with strap-on solid rocket boosters and are planned to be launched from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan. Mitsubishi and the JAXA have been responsible for the design,…
Long March 5 is a Chinese heavy lift launch system developed by China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology (CALT). CZ-5 is the first Chinese vehicle designed from the ground up to focus on non-hypergolic liquid rocket propellants. Currently, two CZ-5 vehicle configurations are planned, with maximum…
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