Commercial Space News

Bloomberg

SpaceX seeks access to 80,000 US cell sites for wireless network

SpaceX is aiming to secure access to at least 80,000 cell sites across the United States and is in talks with at least one major cellular infrastructure company, according to people familiar with the matter. The effort would give the company a substantial footprint for its planned wireless network.

Via Satellite

Planet Labs to withhold Iran conflict-zone imagery indefinitely, raising Gulf buyers’ questions about access

Planet Labs told customers on April 4 that it would indefinitely withhold imagery of Iran and the surrounding conflict zone, retroactive to March 9. The decision puts commercial satellite data access in focus as Gulf buyers assess who can control or interrupt imagery availability during a conflict.

Via Satellite

PlanetiQ expands weather-data collection with back-to-back October rideshare launches

PlanetiQ is expanding its collection of GNSS radio-occultation data through back-to-back rideshare launches in October. CEO Ira Scharf says demand for the weather data is growing among both government and commercial users, underscoring the company’s effort to scale a satellite-based source of atmospheric observations.

SpaceNews.com

Aalyria CEO Brian Barritt discusses scaling space networks and software interoperability

In a SpaceNews interview, Aalyria CEO Brian Barritt discusses how networks in space are evolving, what scaling the company entails and why software interoperability matters. The conversation focuses on the software and network changes shaping how space systems connect.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Space Force advances cislunar warfare plans, opens classified work to startups and selects six firms for commercial reserve

The U.S. Space Force is targeting cislunar capabilities by the end of fiscal 2029, while working to help commercial companies secure clearances for classified contracts and choosing six firms for its Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve. Separately, the UK has unveiled a space strategy focused on national security and strengthening its space sector.

Universe Today

High activity

Aerospacelab to support Europe’s IRIS² and South Korea’s planned K-LEO satellite constellations

ESA says Europe’s €15.6 billion IRIS² secure-connectivity constellation shares schedule, performance and cost responsibility across public and private partners, including satellite builders Aerospacelab and SES. Separately, Aerospacelab and Korea Aerospace Industries signed an MoU to cooperate on South Korea’s planned low Earth orbit defense communications network.

European Spaceflight

High activity

ESA sees possible Ariane 6 launcher shortfall late this decade, while turbopump issue delays a 2026 launch

ESA is discussing higher Ariane 6 booster output with ArianeGroup and Avio, but will wait for firmer launch-demand estimates before acting, likely early next year. Separately, the agency says a turbopump issue delaying a planned 2026 launch into 2027 is not a lasting problem.

FlightGlobal

High activity

Trump asks Musk to lift Starlink restrictions in Ukraine as officials spotlight SpaceX’s control over wartime service

President Donald Trump called SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and asked him to remove restrictions on Starlink services in Ukraine, including limits on the military-grade Starshield system, according to reports citing U.S. officials. Administration officials have pointed to Musk for slowing service, raising questions about private control of critical wartime communications.