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• Jason Rainbow
Boeing has delivered O3b mPOWER satellites F11, F12 and F13 to SES, completing the initial 13-satellite medium Earth orbit constellation. The spacecraft are scheduled to launch later this month on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission, expanding SES’ high-speed connectivity capacity and supporting technology relevant to military SATCOM.
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Rocket Lab launched the 11th satellite for Japanese radar-imaging company Synspective, reinforcing the customer’s role as one of Electron’s largest users. The mission adds to Synspective’s Earth-observation constellation and highlights recurring demand for dedicated small-satellite launch services.
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Boeing has delivered O3b mPOWER satellites F11, F12 and F13 to SES, completing the initial 13-satellite medium Earth orbit constellation. The spacecraft are scheduled to launch later this month on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission, expanding SES’ high-speed connectivity capacity and supporting technology relevant to military SATCOM.
French and German associations representing NewSpace companies are asking the European Commission to provide a clear assessment of European government launch demand in the coming years. The groups say greater visibility is needed to stimulate both government support and private investment in European launchers.
Sierra Space says it has secured national security and commercial customers for the first orbital flight of its Dream Chaser spaceplane. The long-delayed vehicle is now targeting a debut mission later this year, marking a planned entry into the orbital transportation market.
Space Technologies attempted a commercial mission to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope, a spacecraft launched more than two decades ago that was never designed for servicing. The effort was mounted in less than a year, underscoring the difficulty of sustaining aging space infrastructure.
European space executives are calling for policy changes to build a stronger and more profitable industrial base, while Airbus Defence and Space is partnering with Axelspace to broaden access to Earth-observation imagery. Separately, York Space Systems introduced a standardized smallsat platform designed for sustained very-low-Earth-orbit operations.
A House subcommittee advanced legislation aimed at speeding and simplifying Federal Communications Commission licensing for satellite systems. The measure differs from a companion Senate bill, setting up potential negotiations over how Congress will address regulatory processes affecting commercial and government space operators.
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Russia’s Rassvet-3 constellation, positioned as a rival to Starlink, is struggling after all 16 satellites in its second batch failed to reach their intended orbit. At least three of the first 32 satellites likely suffered outright failures, leaving only 12 of 32 launched spacecraft set for long-term orbit.
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