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Italy’s League Party Supports Starlink Over Eutelsat for Secure Satellite Communications

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Italy’s co-ruling League party has urged the Italian government to choose U.S.-based Starlink over the French-led Eutelsat for the country’s secure satellite communications system. The League argues that Starlink offers more advanced technology, particularly for encrypted communications between government officials, diplomats, and defense personnel in high-risk areas.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is focused on securing a reliable satellite communications system, with a particular interest in ensuring safe communication channels for its operations in conflict zones. While Eutelsat is among the companies engaged in talks with the Italian government, along with Elon Musk’s Starlink, the League has made it clear that it supports the American company’s technology, citing its dominant position in the sector with 6,700 active satellites, compared to Eutelsat’s roughly 600.

“In the Italian interest, it would be odd to choose a French entity over a more technologically advanced and cutting-edge system like the American one,” the League stated, without directly naming either company. The League, a far-right political party, is part of the ruling coalition with Meloni’s Brothers of Italy and the moderate Forza Italia, and is a known supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, a close adviser to Musk.

Eutelsat’s CEO, Eva Berneke, confirmed ongoing discussions with Italy, emphasizing the company’s ability to meet the country’s current needs for satellite communications as the EU’s IRIS² satellites face delays. While Starlink and Eutelsat are the primary providers with low-orbit constellations, Italy has yet to formally enter negotiations with either company, with sources from Meloni’s office indicating that any decision will follow full institutional procedures and transparency.

Opposition parties in Italy have raised concerns about entrusting such a crucial national security contract to Musk, especially given recent controversies surrounding Starlink’s role in Ukraine’s satellite communications. Despite these concerns, the League has made it clear that Italy’s national interests should be the primary consideration, avoiding any ideological biases in favor of its relationship with the U.S.

Musk responded to the League’s support on social media, expressing his gratitude.

Taiwanese Microsatellite Demonstrates High-Resolution Imaging Capabilities, Says Japan’s ArkEdge

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Japanese space startup ArkEdge Space announced on Friday that a microsatellite it helped build for Taiwan’s space agency has produced high-quality Earth images that may be the best ever captured by a satellite smaller than a suitcase.

The small optical observation satellite, ONGLAISAT, achieved a 2.5-meter resolution from orbit approximately 400 kilometers above Earth after its December launch. “The pictures are as clear as aerial photography (despite) being taken by a satellite of this size,” said Takayoshi Fukuyo, CEO of ArkEdge, during a media briefing earlier this week. He noted that it was likely the highest-resolution imagery ever recorded by a small “cubesat.”

ArkEdge released black-and-white images captured by ONGLAISAT late last month, showcasing detailed views of locations such as a Seattle suburb and Argentina’s Patagonia region.

ONGLAISAT—short for “onboard globe-looking and imaging satellite”—is equipped with optical imaging technology from the Taiwan Space Agency (TASA) and co-developed by ArkEdge and a University of Tokyo aerospace lab. Its mission is expected to conclude in early March, though TASA stated the demonstrated optical technology will be applied to future remote sensing missions.

Taiwan is accelerating its space infrastructure efforts amid rising tensions with China. These initiatives include the launch of a domestically produced weather satellite in 2023 and ongoing discussions with Amazon to adopt its satellite internet service, Kuiper.

Taiwan’s space expansion has also deepened its collaboration with Japanese commercial space companies. TASA announced partnerships with Japanese startups such as Space One and ispace, a moon exploration company. Additionally, Taiwanese private company TiSpace, founded by a former TASA official, plans to test its rocket at a private launch pad in northern Japan this year.

Japan and India Startups Collaborate on Laser-Equipped Satellite for Space Debris Removal

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Startups from Japan and India have announced a partnership to explore the potential of using laser-equipped satellites to address the growing problem of space debris. The collaboration, revealed on Tuesday, involves Orbital Lasers, a Tokyo-based company, and InspeCity, an Indian robotics firm. Their goal is to develop innovative in-space services, including the de-orbiting of defunct satellites and extending the operational lifespan of spacecraft.

Innovative Approach to Space Debris

Orbital Lasers, spun off from the Japanese satellite company SKY Perfect JSAT earlier this year, is working on a technology that uses laser energy to neutralize space junk. The system will vaporize small sections of debris’ surfaces, causing it to stop rotating and making it easier for servicing spacecraft to capture and de-orbit it. The companies aim to test this system in space and make it available for operators after 2027, according to Aditya Baraskar, the global business lead at Orbital Lasers. If regulatory approvals are granted in both India and Japan, the laser system could be mounted on InspeCity’s satellites.

Business Potential and Strategic Collaboration

The partnership was formalized with a preliminary agreement, marking the start of a feasibility study into the commercial potential of these space debris mitigation technologies. InspeCity, founded in 2022, secured $1.5 million in funding last year, while Orbital Lasers has raised 900 million yen (approximately $5.8 million) since its inception in January.

Growing Space Traffic and the Need for Action

The initiative comes as orbital congestion becomes an urgent issue. A United Nations panel on space traffic management highlighted the growing need to track and manage objects in low Earth orbit (LEO) due to the rising number of satellites and space debris. With over 100 companies already involved in space servicing, including satellite constellations and debris mitigation, the market is rapidly expanding. Nobu Okada, CEO of Astroscale, a Japanese leader in debris mitigation, emphasized the necessity of addressing this challenge to ensure the sustainability of space activities.

Expanding India-Japan Space Collaboration

This project represents another milestone in the ongoing India-Japan space collaboration. Both countries are working together on the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) mission, with a possible launch by 2026. Additionally, Skyroot, an Indian rocket manufacturer, and HEX20, a satellite builder, are collaborating with ispace, a Japanese lunar exploration company, on a lunar orbiter mission.

Strengthening Commercial Ties

The growing commercial ties between Japan and India also reflect efforts to expand space cooperation beyond traditional areas. Masayasu Ishida, CEO of SPACETIDE, a Tokyo-based nonprofit hosting space business conferences, explained that the two countries’ collaborations, such as using Japanese satellite data for India’s disaster management and agriculture, have the potential to broaden into other sectors, including manufacturing. This is in line with India’s “Make in India” initiative, which promotes local production and manufacturing.