SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
AST SpaceMobile has launched BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 into low Earth orbit, adding three satellites to its planned space-based cellular broadband constellation. The deployment expands the company’s network presence across Europe as it continues scaling direct-to-device connectivity from orbit.
Commercial Space
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AST SpaceMobile has launched BlueBird 11, 12 and 13 into low Earth orbit, adding three satellites to its planned space-based cellular broadband constellation. The deployment expands the company’s network presence across Europe as it continues scaling direct-to-device connectivity from orbit.
The European Commission’s new €5 billion Scaleup Europe fund has completed its first investment in ICEYE, marking the initiative’s debut financing commitment and directing capital toward the satellite company as Europe seeks to support the growth of high-potential technology businesses.
High activity
OHB SE says Ariane 6 could lose German, European government and commercial launch business unless political authorities quickly approve a sharp expansion of capacity at Europe’s spaceport. The German space hardware provider argues that investment must come first if Europe is to capture growing demand and keep work within its space industry.
SpaceX plans to build natural-gas power plants in Texas to support a large semiconductor manufacturing facility it is developing with Tesla. The project would give the companies dedicated power generation for an industrial operation with substantial electricity requirements.
Rocket Lab launched the Japanese Earth-observing satellite on the mission “The Grain Goddess Provides,” following a five-week delay. The company had first attempted to launch the mission on June 30; the launch was documented with video and photographs.
A Redwire subsidiary focused on space biotechnology and pharmaceuticals has agreed to fly dedicated microgravity research payloads aboard SpaceX’s Starfall reentry vehicle. The mission will provide a purpose-built platform for biotech and pharmaceutical experiments in the space environment.
An arbitration panel rejected NorthStar Earth & Space’s claims that four Spire-built satellites underperformed and awarded Spire approximately $12.4 million in counterclaims. NorthStar maintains that it is still entitled to four replacement satellites under the parties’ agreement.
BlackSky reported record service revenue in the second quarter of 2026, with total revenue up 50% year over year. International revenue surged 200% on a diversified customer base, while service revenue grew 50% sequentially as customers adopted the company’s Gen-3 satellite solutions.
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