Weekend Bonus: The $115M Hub, a Satellite Compatibility Gap — November 7, 2026 — Space Stakes: The Business of the New Space Race

This Weekend Bonus examines a Space Force data-network integration award and reported satellite compatibility problems, alongside Redwire's VLEO test contract, ESA's reusable-booster demonstrations and changes in U.S. congressional oversight of space budgets.

DoD taps Viasat to field operations ‘center’ for Golden Dome satellite data relay network — Breaking Defense
Key Space Force satellites can’t talk to each other, likely requiring $1B solution: Sources — Breaking Defense
Redwire Wins $20M DARPA Contract for Second VLEO Demo — Payload
ESA to Support Industry-Led Reusable Booster Flight Demonstrations — European Spaceflight
Midterm elections shift space power to Democrats, with stakes for Canada — SpaceQ

Chapters

00:00 Today's headlines

00:46 Viasat hub to coordinate satellite data

03:34 Reported incompatible laser terminals

06:59 Redwire $20 million DARPA SabreSat test

09:52 ESA opens call for reusable boosters

12:48 Democrats won space-related committee control

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