Space Intel Report
• Peter B. de Selding
SpaceX has told multiple prospective customers that it is no longer accepting new commercial Falcon 9 launch reservations, according to industry officials. The move appears to mark a gradual preparation for retiring the workhorse rocket in favor of the super-heavy Starship vehicle.
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SpaceX has told multiple prospective customers that it is no longer accepting new commercial Falcon 9 launch reservations, according to industry officials. The move appears to mark a gradual preparation for retiring the workhorse rocket in favor of the super-heavy Starship vehicle.
Direct-to-device satellite services are attracting partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, promising broader coverage without terrestrial infrastructure in remote areas. As these relationships multiply, unresolved questions around deployment, commercial models and service execution will shape whether D2D becomes a scalable network extension.
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SpaceX says Starship could launch as soon as Sept. 22 on its first attempt to reach orbit. The roughly 10-hour mission is also expected to deploy 26 V3 Starlink satellites, combining a pivotal test of the vehicle with the introduction of a new-generation constellation platform.
German launch startup Isar Aerospace plans to more than double its launch capacity in 2028, signaling an effort to scale production and operations in response to strong demand for access to space. The company is backed by the NATO Innovation Fund.
Elon Musk again raised the possibility of merging SpaceX and Tesla, calling the question of why the companies remain separate a “great question.” Musk pointed to the extensive cooperation between the rocket and electric-vehicle businesses, which he leads as chief executive of both.
Canada is presenting a broad portfolio of strategic projects to international investors, spanning spaceports and satellite initiatives alongside data centers, critical-mineral mines, high-speed rail and an Arctic trade corridor. The pitch positions aerospace infrastructure within a wider national effort to attract capital to major economic and connectivity projects.
Maverick has booked 10 Kepler satellites on a dedicated launch operated by Portal, using available capacity as demand for orbital launch services continues to intensify. The deal highlights the value of flexible launch arrangements for satellite operators seeking access to increasingly constrained capacity.
British startup Shield Space has completed the critical design review for Broadsword, a 2027 mission intended to demonstrate in-orbit satellite inspection. The company says defense customers could deploy the capability within nine months of signing a contract, positioning rapid inspection as a near-term space-security service.
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