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SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

FCC clears SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase—and formalizes D2D spectrum-sharing rules ahead of the Upper C-band auction

The FCC approved SpaceX’s acquisition of EchoStar spectrum to expand U.S. direct-to-device services, conditioned on a $2.4 billion escrow tied to disputes over the seller’s abandoned terrestrial 5G buildout. Separately, the commission issued FCC 26-26 to modernize spectrum sharing and set an auction path for remaining Upper C-band spectrum by mid-2027.

2026-05-12T16:35:38.746696-07:00

Space Intel Report

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio

2026-05-12T16:35:28.169022-07:00

SpaceNews.com

CBO: Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense could cost ~$1.2 trillion over 20 years

2026-05-12T15:14:25.264888-07:00

Flying Magazine

FAA completes Phase One of NOTAM system overhaul, shutting down legacy US NOTAM (USNS) and moving it into the cloud

2026-05-12T11:01:51.274391-07:00

News Timeline

SpaceNews.com

FCC clears SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase—and formalizes D2D spectrum-sharing rules ahead of the Upper C-band auction The FCC approved SpaceX’s acquisition of EchoStar spectrum to expand U.S. direct-to-device services, conditioned on a $2.4 billion escrow tied to disputes over the seller’s abandoned terrestrial 5G buildout. Separately, the commission issued FCC 26-26 to modernize spectrum sharing and set an auction path for remaining Upper C-band spectrum by mid-2027.

2026-05-12T16:35:38.746696-07:00

FCC clears SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase—and formalizes D2D spectrum-sharing rules ahead of the Upper C-band auction

Space Intel Report

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio SES and Eutelsat said their negotiations with the European Commission on Europe’s IRIS2 multi-orbit secure connectivity constellation are not yet finalized, requiring several more weeks of work to lock cost, configuration and schedule. The operators are tying completion to resolving performance and final build details with the EC.

2026-05-12T16:35:28.169022-07:00

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio

SpaceNews.com

CBO: Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense could cost ~$1.2 trillion over 20 years The Congressional Budget Office estimates a national missile defense system broadly aligned with President Trump’s “Golden Dome” order would cost about $1.2 trillion to stand up and operate over 20 years. The projection substantially exceeds the Pentagon’s public $185 billion estimate, per CBO’s report.

2026-05-12T15:14:25.264888-07:00

CBO: Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense could cost ~$1.2 trillion over 20 years

FlightGlobal

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EU proposes tighter state-aid rules for airports, limiting support to larger facilities and restricting route-opening funding The European Commission is revising guidance on state aid to air transport. Under proposed changes, financial assistance would be steered away from smaller airports—particularly by easing eligibility only for airports handling 500,000 passengers or fewer annually—and funding would be constrained for opening new routes, drawing opposition from airport groups.

2026-05-12T11:01:58.756746-07:00

EU proposes tighter state-aid rules for airports, limiting support to larger facilities and restricting route-opening funding

Flying Magazine

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FAA completes Phase One of NOTAM system overhaul, shutting down legacy US NOTAM (USNS) and moving it into the cloud The FAA says it has successfully implemented Phase One of its Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) overhaul, with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy calling out the early completion versus a late-2027 timeline. The agency has shut down the legacy US NOTAM (USNS) and moved functionality into the cloud, aimed at avoiding nationwide airspace shutdowns and improving safety and pilot communications.

2026-05-12T11:01:51.274391-07:00

FAA completes Phase One of NOTAM system overhaul, shutting down legacy US NOTAM (USNS) and moving it into the cloud

FlightGlobal

Iran–U.S. conflict drives fuel and energy shock, raising airline and business-aviation stress As the Strait of Hormuz remains a bottleneck for tankers, the Iran war is pushing oil and jet-fuel costs higher and compressing global energy supply. The cluster points to knock-on effects including airline “operational stress” by August, squeezed liquidity and higher costs across passengers, cargo and private-charter demand.

2026-05-12T09:52:01.304499-07:00

Iran–U.S. conflict drives fuel and energy shock, raising airline and business-aviation stress

ch-aviation

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US court approves Spirit Airlines’ formal wind-down as bankruptcy-adviser costs climb A US court has approved Spirit Airlines’ formal wind-down of operations, effectively moving the restructuring toward an operational end-state. Separate reporting highlights that bankruptcy adviser fees are already running up to about $80mn, underscoring the cost drag as the carrier exits.

2026-05-12T09:48:59.444982-07:00

US court approves Spirit Airlines’ formal wind-down as bankruptcy-adviser costs climb

politico.eu

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EU doubles down on carbon pricing for international flights, setting up a US confrontation The EU is reinforcing its carbon tax approach for international aviation, despite US opposition to carbon pricing. The move is positioned to trigger an extended dispute with Washington over how emissions are attributed and charged for flights crossing borders.

2026-05-12T06:50:10.669357-07:00

EU doubles down on carbon pricing for international flights, setting up a US confrontation

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Policy & Regulation News

FCC clears SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase—and formalizes D2D spectrum-sharing rules ahead of the Upper C-band auction

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio

CBO: Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defense could cost ~$1.2 trillion over 20 years

FAA completes Phase One of NOTAM system overhaul, shutting down legacy US NOTAM (USNS) and moving it into the cloud

News Timeline