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• Debra Werner
BlackSky said its fifth Gen3 satellite began collecting and processing imagery less than 20 hours after launching on a Rocket Lab Electron. The milestone demonstrates the company’s rapid post-launch commissioning capability as it expands its commercial satellite imaging constellation.
Commercial Space
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BlackSky said its fifth Gen3 satellite began collecting and processing imagery less than 20 hours after launching on a Rocket Lab Electron. The milestone demonstrates the company’s rapid post-launch commissioning capability as it expands its commercial satellite imaging constellation.
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Two satellite ventures outlined major scale-up plans: Sophia Space and SLI agreed terms for a $300 million financing framework supporting a 10-satellite edge-computing constellation, while Elveo Mobile selected Apex Space to produce its 320-satellite direct-to-device network at a dedicated U.S. factory using Lynk intellectual property.
Eutelsat has signed agreements to replenish and expand its OneWeb low-Earth-orbit network while supporting the LEO segment of Europe’s forthcoming sovereign IRIS² multi-orbit constellation. The commitments connect commercial broadband service continuity with Europe’s emerging secure-connectivity infrastructure.
SpaceX launched three SES O3b mPOWER communications satellites on Sept. 13, marking the 700th mission by the Falcon rocket family. The flight adds capacity to SES’s satellite network while underscoring Falcon’s sustained role as a launch provider for commercial communications constellations.
Sirius Space has completed the first hot-fire test of its fully integrated STAR-1 rocket engine, marking a development milestone ahead of a planned 2027 demonstration flight. The test advances the company’s commercial launch vehicle program toward an in-flight demonstration.
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Europe’s space sector is entering a period of visible momentum: Isar Aerospace reached orbit on its second Spectrum flight, the UK published a new space strategy, and PLD Space unveiled a larger reusable launcher. Together, the developments signal growing commercial and national ambition across Europe’s launch market.
SpaceX is set to receive a larger weighting in the Nasdaq-100 later this month following the index’s rebalance. The change could prompt billions of dollars in purchases by passive funds that track the benchmark, increasing the financial-market impact of the private space company’s index inclusion.
Saudi Arabia’s leading telecommunications provider, stc group, has ordered a dedicated satellite from Astranis to deliver satellite communications services. The agreement expands the role of dedicated spacecraft in supporting connectivity requirements in the Saudi market and strengthens Astranis’ position in commercial satellite communications.
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