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Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Starlink asks EU to respect ITU S-band priority filings amid SpaceX/EchoStar S-band acquisition

SpaceX’s Starlink has told EU regulators they should justify—then follow—ITU-priority handling for planned S-band mobile satellite spectrum assignments. The push is tied to SpaceX’s pending ~$20B EchoStar S-band portfolio purchase, which Starlink says carries global priority filings at the ITU.

2026-06-23T11:40:31.240577-07:00

Air Data News

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation

2026-06-23T14:07:49.186518-07:00

Air Data News

EASA emergency order: urgent wing-spar crack inspections for 16 Airbus A380 aircraft

2026-06-23T05:32:31.997938-07:00

Reuters

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise

2026-06-23T03:42:35.867850-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceWatch Global

Terma to deploy AI-enabled capabilities on BIFROST, positioning the mission to bolster Europe’s defense space architecture Terma is taking AI to the forefront of its role in the BIFROST satellite mission, while simultaneously framing the project as a step toward strengthening European defense capabilities. The move links onboard AI application to the broader push to field operational military space assets.

2026-06-24T00:47:57.585556-07:00

Terma to deploy AI-enabled capabilities on BIFROST, positioning the mission to bolster Europe’s defense space architecture

FlightGlobal

Denmark turns in iconic red-and-white ‘Dannebrog’ F-16 for transfer to Argentina

2026-06-23T14:11:16.769073-07:00

Denmark turns in iconic red-an

Air Data News

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation Italy says more countries could join the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the UK–Japan–Italy effort to develop a sixth-generation fighter, after signaling interest in bringing Germany into the programme. The comments add pressure to GCAP’s partner-selection and industrial-participation plans as GCAP moves deeper into design work.

2026-06-23T14:07:49.186518-07:00

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation

Space Intel Report

Starlink asks EU to respect ITU S-band priority filings amid SpaceX/EchoStar S-band acquisition SpaceX’s Starlink has told EU regulators they should justify—then follow—ITU-priority handling for planned S-band mobile satellite spectrum assignments. The push is tied to SpaceX’s pending ~$20B EchoStar S-band portfolio purchase, which Starlink says carries global priority filings at the ITU.

2026-06-23T11:40:31.240577-07:00

Starlink asks EU to respect ITU S-band priority filings amid SpaceX/EchoStar S-band acquisition

Air Data News

Embraer and OGMA complete Hungary’s first scheduled 24-month C-390 Millennium maintenance Embraer and Portugal’s OGMA have completed the first 24-month scheduled maintenance inspection of a Hungarian Air Force C-390 Millennium, concluding a two-year service cycle at the operator’s support base. The milestone expands OGMA’s role in sustaining Europe’s growing C-390 fleet and strengthens the program’s regional maintenance network.

2026-06-23T06:55:47.805503-07:00

Embraer and OGMA complete Hungary’s first scheduled 24-month C-390 Millennium maintenance

Air Data News

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EASA emergency order: urgent wing-spar crack inspections for 16 Airbus A380 aircraft European regulators have issued an emergency alert ordering immediate inspection of 16 Airbus A380s after cracks were found in wing-spar components that carry flight aerodynamic load. Airbus says 15 aircraft are operated by Emirates and one by Qantas, with at least one unit already in scheduled maintenance.

2026-06-23T05:32:31.997938-07:00

EASA emergency order: urgent wing-spar crack inspections for 16 Airbus A380 aircraft

Reuters

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise France’s DGA has renewed its program of record with Harmattan AI, ordering 5,000 Sonora quadcopter drones—an increase from prior deliveries—after operational success during the Orion 2026 exercise. The award highlights rapid scale-up by the early-stage French startup and a continued pivot toward local small-UAS production.

2026-06-23T03:42:35.867850-07:00

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise

Reuters

Russia conducts 16-hour Tu-160M patrol over Barents/Norwegian seas, escorted by MiG-31 and intercepted by NATO F-35s Russia’s Tu-160M strategic missile-carrying bombers flew a scheduled 16-hour sortie over neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian seas, including aerial refueling, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The mission used MiG-31 escort/intercept support and was shadowed by NATO F-35 aircraft.

2026-06-22T18:11:39.560141-07:00

Russia conducts 16-hour Tu-160M patrol over Barents/Norwegian seas, escorted by MiG-31 and intercepted by NATO F-35s

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Europe News

Starlink asks EU to respect ITU S-band priority filings amid SpaceX/EchoStar S-band acquisition

Italy open to expanding GCAP with additional partners as Rome seeks Berlin’s participation

EASA emergency order: urgent wing-spar crack inspections for 16 Airbus A380 aircraft

France renews DGA program of record for Harmattan AI Sonora drones, scaling to 5,000 after Orion 2026 exercise

News Timeline