Project Kuiper News

CNBC

High activity

Europe expands launch capacity and sovereign space ambitions as Amazon commits to 24 Ariane 6 launches

Amazon Leo has expanded its Arianespace partnership to 24 contracted Ariane 6 launches, while the European Launcher Challenge awards €544 million to three rocket developers. An ICEYE-Arianespace agreement and proposed Airbus-Leonardo-Thales satellite merger plans further underscore Europe’s push for independent space access and industrial scale.

Reuters

High activity

Arianespace adds 10 Ariane 6 launches as Amazon and ICEYE expand commitments; NASA adds Relativity’s Terran R

Arianespace announced orders for 10 additional Ariane 6 launches, including six linked to Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite deployment plans, while ICEYE agreed to evaluate the rocket for sovereign SAR missions. Separately, NASA added Relativity Space’s Terran R to its NLS II launch-services contract.

Via Satellite

AT&T deepens Amazon Leo integration as Delta prepares for satellite Wi-Fi transition

AT&T says it will become the first major U.S. telecom provider to integrate Amazon Leo satellite connectivity with fiber and 5G, offering businesses more resilient broadband. Amazon’s constellation is also slated to replace Viasat as Delta’s next-generation in-flight Wi-Fi provider, although a potential spectrum dispute could complicate the transition.

Bloomberg

Europe’s largest mobile operators explore satellite-to-mobile consortium to challenge Starlink

Europe’s biggest mobile carriers are in early discussions about forming a consortium to bid for satellite spectrum and deliver direct-to-mobile connectivity. The initiative could create a regionally coordinated competitor to Starlink’s satellite-to-phone service, linking terrestrial telecom networks with space-based capacity.

SpaceWatch Global

Amazon Leo partners with Herotel to launch “Evry,” a South Africa satellite internet service powered by Amazon Leo

Amazon Leo has signed an agreement with South Africa’s Herotel to deliver satellite connectivity through a new service, Evry. The partnership expands Amazon’s direct-to-consumer satellite internet footprint into South Africa, with the offer designed to leverage Amazon Leo’s satellite network capabilities via a local ISP operator.

Space.com

High activity

SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13, aiming to deploy first Starlink V3 satellites and validate major Raptor and vehic

SpaceX is preparing Starship’s 13th flight test with a launch attempt no earlier than July 16 (a 90-minute window opening at 17:45CT). The mission is planned to deploy the first Starlink V3 satellites, restart a Raptor engine in space, and test key V3-related upgrades as Falcon 9 reaches its 600th booster reuse.

Reuters

High activity

SpaceX targets July 16 for Starship Flight 13, deploying Starlink from a v3 vehicle after schedule slips

SpaceX is preparing Starship’s 13th test flight later this week, with a target no earlier than July 16. Flight 13 will use the rocket’s Version 3 configuration and is intended to be similar to Flight 12, while SpaceX also plans to test new Starlink satellites in orbit. The launch has seen at least one T-0 pushback.

Space.com

High activity

SpaceX applies to operate a 100,000-satellite Starlink megaconstellation—each spacecraft ~4,400 lb

SpaceX has applied for approval to deploy and operate a 100,000-member Starlink megaconstellation in Earth orbit. The company says each next-generation satellite would weigh about 4,400 pounds.