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Spaceflight Now • Will Robinson-Smith

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 40th Starlink mission of 2026 when a Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 25 Starlink satellites. The flight continues the company’s sustained pace of Starlink deployment using Falcon 9 from the California launch site.

2026-04-22T17:23:44.726301-07:00

FL360aero

Amazon debuts Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna to compete with Starlink for commercial-jet inflight connectivity

2026-04-22T08:35:36.791889-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Orbital Chenguang completes Pre-A1 round as China provides $8.4B in credit lines for orbital data-center development

2026-04-22T01:34:46.356814-07:00

SpaceNews.com

NordSpace raises early defense funding to develop very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite capability

2026-04-21T06:35:04.519729-07:00

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Spaceflight Now

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SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year SpaceX is scheduled to launch its 40th Starlink mission of 2026 when a Falcon 9 lifts off from Vandenberg Space Force Base carrying 25 Starlink satellites. The flight continues the company’s sustained pace of Starlink deployment using Falcon 9 from the California launch site.

2026-04-22T17:23:44.726301-07:00

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

FL360aero

Amazon debuts Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna to compete with Starlink for commercial-jet inflight connectivity Amazon has introduced the Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna, positioning it as a direct alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink terminals for commercial jets. The move underscores Amazon Leo’s push to own more of the inflight connectivity stack, not just the satellite service.

2026-04-22T08:35:36.791889-07:00

Amazon debuts Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna to compete with Starlink for commercial-jet inflight connectivity

SpaceNews.com

Orbital Chenguang completes Pre-A1 round as China provides $8.4B in credit lines for orbital data-center development Beijing Orbital Chenguang (Orbital Twilight Technology) says it has completed a Pre-A1 funding round on April 20, backed by $8.4 billion in credit lines. The financing underscores state support for building compute and data infrastructure in orbit as China accelerates commercialization of space services.

2026-04-22T01:34:46.356814-07:00

Orbital Chenguang completes Pre-A1 round as China provides $8.4B in credit lines for orbital data-center development

Via Satellite

Intellian unveils aviation and tactical flyaway satellite terminals to support commercial and WGS connectivity Intellian Technologies says it will bring two new satellite terminals to market: its first aviation-focused terminal and a new tactical flyaway terminal. The company’s update positions the terminals for faster deployment across aviation connectivity use cases, including services tied to the WGS network.

2026-04-21T12:50:58.706316-07:00

Intellian unveils aviation and tactical flyaway satellite terminals to support commercial and WGS connectivity

SpaceNews.com

NordSpace raises early defense funding to develop very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite capability NordSpace secured early defense funding to develop a very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite, expanding Canada’s push for sovereign space capabilities beyond launch. The funding underscores continued investment in defense-relevant on-orbit systems and positions the company to advance its VLEO development roadmap.

2026-04-21T06:35:04.519729-07:00

NordSpace raises early defense funding to develop very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite capability

SpaceNews.com

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests China has conducted rendezvous and proximity operations tests involving a Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft and a satellite, validating step-by-step capabilities needed for low-cost orbital infrastructure. The on-orbit demonstrations mark another milestone toward autonomous operations for cargo services in space.

2026-04-17T10:14:43.420209-07:00

China’s Qingzhou prototype cargo spacecraft completes orbital rendezvous and proximity tests

SpaceNews.com

Commercial LEO space-station developers push back on NASA’s “market not yet emerged” assessment Executives from three commercial space-station developers argued at the Space Symposium that the low-Earth-orbit (LEO) market is real and they can be ready by 2030, when the International Space Station is scheduled for retirement. Their remarks directly counter NASA’s claim that a commercial station market has yet to develop.

2026-04-16T19:32:32.780706-07:00

Commercial LEO space-station developers push back on NASA’s “market not yet emerged” assessment

Inflight Online

ZIPAIR completes fleetwide MacBook Pro inflight server platform deployment as it transitions to Starlink LEO connectivity ZIPAIR says it has finished a fleetwide deployment of an “off-the-shelf” MacBook Pro inflight server platform to host and support in-flight services. The rollout runs in parallel with the airline’s move to Starlink low Earth orbit connectivity, aiming to accelerate development and deployment of new onboard offerings.

2026-04-16T13:12:14.435105-07:00

ZIPAIR completes fleetwide MacBook Pro inflight server platform deployment as it transitions to Starlink LEO connectivity

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LEO News

SpaceX targets Vandenberg Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites on a high-cadence 40th Starlink mission of the year

Amazon debuts Amazon Leo Aviation Antenna to compete with Starlink for commercial-jet inflight connectivity

Orbital Chenguang completes Pre-A1 round as China provides $8.4B in credit lines for orbital data-center development

NordSpace raises early defense funding to develop very-low Earth orbit (VLEO) satellite capability

News Timeline