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Satellite connectivity buildout advances with Globalstar deployment, IRIS² milestone, Viasat- Rocket Lab contract and ReOrbit R&

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Globalstar deployed all eight replacement satellites built by Rocket Lab and MDA Space, while Eutelsat completed the first rendez-vous for Europe’s IRIS² programme. Separately, Viasat selected Rocket Lab for a U.S. Space Force GEO satellite, and Finland’s ReOrbit launched a €4.6 million connectivity R&D programme.

Discovered 2026-08-18T02:15:37.146400-07:00 | 2026-08-18T02:15:37.146400-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Globalstar’s eight-satellite deployment replenishes capacity for its direct-to-device constellation; the spacecraft are the first batch of 17 platforms produced under a $143 million contract.
  • Eutelsat’s IRIS² rendez-vous advances Europe’s sovereign multi-orbit connectivity infrastructure toward full industrial execution, with added capacity and technical performance planned.
  • The Viasat-Rocket Lab selection links commercial satellite manufacturing to the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global programme, while ReOrbit’s €4.6 million investment adds another European connectivity development effort.

Reported By

newsable.asianetnews.com nextgendefense.com satnews.com SpaceNews.com Seeking Alpha smallsatnews.com
Sources Tracked
17
First Seen
2026-08-18T02:15:37.146400-07:00
Latest Update
2026-08-18T19:50:24.084209-07:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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