Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
The FCC advanced its deregulation agenda with two decisions: exempting certain space activities from federal environmental regulations and making 1,000 megahertz of spectrum available. The actions could reduce regulatory requirements for affected space activities while expanding access to communications capacity.
Commercial Space
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The FCC advanced its deregulation agenda with two decisions: exempting certain space activities from federal environmental regulations and making 1,000 megahertz of spectrum available. The actions could reduce regulatory requirements for affected space activities while expanding access to communications capacity.
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SpaceX is preparing to launch NASA’s Crew-13 mission to the International Space Station on Oct. 1, with weather officials projecting a 55%–60% chance of favorable conditions. Separately, Starship’s 14th flight reached orbit and carried its first operational payload, marking a major test milestone.
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SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 completed its mission despite engine losses on both stages: Booster 21 flew its full profile, while Ship 41 reached orbit, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites and safely returned to the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii. Preparations for Flight 15 are now underway.
Hop Aero has raised $11 million to develop suborbital point-to-point logistics, following the company’s participation in Y Combinator’s summer batch. The funding represents a new private-sector investment in space transportation concepts aimed at moving goods between distant locations through suborbital flight.
Blackswan Space has raised €2.5 million in seed funding as it prepares to launch its first in-orbit mission for the RPO Kit payload. The demonstration will advance the company’s rendezvous and proximity operations technology in space.
Sophia Space and Redwire have agreed to collaborate on the development and deployment of scalable, space-based computing infrastructure. The partnership targets orbital data centers, signaling continued commercial interest in moving data processing and related infrastructure into space.
Varda has raised $251 million in a Series D financing led by Lux Capital and Natural Capital, valuing the in-space manufacturing company at $1.6 billion. The funding reinforces investor backing for Varda’s commercial space business as it advances its growth strategy.
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Astranis has secured a $468 million loan from the U.S. Export-Import Bank to expand satellite production, according to an exclusive report. EXIM Chairman John Jovanovic framed the financing as part of a broader effort to strengthen U.S. leadership in space.
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