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SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites

French startup Univity says it has raised around $32 million in a Series A to launch a pair of 5G very-low-Earth-orbit (VLEO) demonstrators next year. The funding supports plans for at least 1,600 VLEO satellites aimed at extending 5G coverage from space for telecom operators.

2026-04-22T23:05:44.348378-07:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

2026-04-22T17:23:44.726301-07:00

New York Times

Elon Musk recasts SpaceX’s roadmap—moon ambitions, Mars delay and AI-driven priorities

2026-04-22T17:57:39.994931-07:00

Space.com

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

News Timeline

The Economist

Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX emerge as “neo-primes” reshaping how the US wages war as Iran war refines requirements An opinion piece argues the Trump administration is aligning with a “neo-prime” circle—Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX—to change US force employment. It frames the Iran war as a pressure test that is reshaping defense-tech priorities, operational concepts and the balance between autonomy/AI and space-enabled capabilities.

2026-04-23T00:06:11.258886-07:00

Anduril, Palantir and SpaceX emerge as “neo-primes” reshaping how the US wages war as Iran war refines requirements

SpaceNews.com

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites French startup Univity says it has raised around $32 million in a Series A to launch a pair of 5G very-low-Earth-orbit (VLEO) demonstrators next year. The funding supports plans for at least 1,600 VLEO satellites aimed at extending 5G coverage from space for telecom operators.

2026-04-22T23:05:44.348378-07:00

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites

New York Times

Elon Musk recasts SpaceX’s roadmap—moon ambitions, Mars delay and AI-driven priorities As SpaceX prepares for an IPO, Elon Musk is proposing “moonshots” that move away from the company’s original Mars-centric framing. The shift adds AI as a central theme, signaling a changing long-term strategy even as SpaceX’s public-market push accelerates attention on its next investment narrative.

2026-04-22T17:57:39.994931-07:00

Elon Musk recasts SpaceX’s roadmap—moon ambitions, Mars delay and AI-driven priorities

Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 40th Starlink mission of 2026 when a Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 25 Starlink satellites. The flight continues the company’s sustained pace of Starlink deployment using Falcon 9 from the California launch site.

2026-04-22T17:23:44.726301-07:00

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

Space.com

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Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna Rocket Lab is set to launch its second Electron/JAXA dedicated mission, “Kakushin Rising,” delivering eight Japanese satellites into orbit. The payload set includes a spacecraft featuring an origami-folded antenna, as part of JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

Satellite Evolution

SSC Space and Kuva Space sign LOI for strategic collaboration spanning Nordic commercial, institutional and security space oppor Finnish hyperspectral Earth observation and AI intelligence provider Kuva Space has signed a Letter of Intent with SSC Space to explore a strategic collaboration across the Nordic space value chain. The companies say the regional effort targets commercial, institutional, and security-related space opportunities, with SSC announcing the partnership on April 22.

2026-04-22T09:25:46.414025-07:00

SSC Space and Kuva Space sign LOI for strategic collaboration spanning Nordic commercial, institutional and security space oppor

Space Intel Report

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FCC authorizes AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation in the US, setting deployment deadlines amid recen The FCC has granted AST SpaceMobile commercial authorization for a full 248-satellite non-geostationary orbit constellation, enabling direct-to-smartphone/direct-to-device broadband services using spectrum from its mobile-network-operator (MNO) partners. The approval includes satellite deployment deadlines and requirements for orbital-debris mitigation, collision avoidance, and interference prevention as the company seeks to accelerate ramp-up after a botched launch.

2026-04-22T08:50:31.529068-07:00

FCC authorizes AST SpaceMobile’s 248-satellite direct-to-device constellation in the US, setting deployment deadlines amid recen

FL360aero

Amazon debuts Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna to compete with Starlink for commercial-jet inflight connectivity Amazon has introduced the Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna, positioning it as a direct alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink terminals for commercial jets. The move underscores Amazon Leo’s push to own more of the inflight connectivity stack, not just the satellite service.

2026-04-22T08:35:36.791889-07:00

Amazon debuts Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna to compete with Starlink for commercial-jet inflight connectivity

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Commercial Space News

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

Elon Musk recasts SpaceX’s roadmap—moon ambitions, Mars delay and AI-driven priorities

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

News Timeline