SpaceNews.com
• Vivek Prasad
The Federal Communications Commission has opened a public comment period on Rocket Lab’s proposed acquisition of satellite operator Iridium Communications. The transaction also triggers a separate national-share process, adding regulatory scrutiny to a deal that would combine a launch provider with a satellite connectivity business.
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Satellite companies are using discussions in Paris to pursue commercial agreements for satellite-based cellular connectivity, seeking to turn space infrastructure into direct-to-device services on Earth. The activity reflects growing interest in business models that could compete with or complement SpaceX’s satellite connectivity ambitions.
The U.S. Space Force will let SpaceX determine the number and configuration of spacecraft for a new $2.3 billion low-Earth-orbit satellite network, specifying required performance rather than prescribing the system’s architecture. The approach gives the contractor greater flexibility in designing the military constellation.
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The Federal Communications Commission has opened a public comment period on Rocket Lab’s proposed acquisition of satellite operator Iridium Communications. The transaction also triggers a separate national-share process, adding regulatory scrutiny to a deal that would combine a launch provider with a satellite connectivity business.
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Nigeria is advancing a satellite-infrastructure upgrade with Thales Alenia Space selected to develop NigComSat-2A, a geostationary communications satellite intended to strengthen digital connectivity across Africa. The program is accompanied by a planned four-satellite Earth-observation constellation, broadening Nigeria’s national space capabilities.
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Viasat and Space42 are establishing Equatys, a mobile satellite services venture backed by up to $1 billion, while Telesat and SatPort Infrastructure pursue a global build-to-suit ground network for Lightspeed. Northwood introduced its Prism antenna, and Involve Space won ESA funding for a stratospheric radar platform.
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At the Novaspace Space Security and Defense Summit in Paris, European officials and industry leaders argued that rising threats require stronger domestic space capabilities, closer coordination with allies and faster progress on IRIS². The discussion framed sovereignty less as hardware self-sufficiency than control of critical data and services.
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Avio says customers turned away by SpaceX are seeking alternative launch providers, while Isar Aerospace prepares commercial Spectrum missions after a successful test flight. Separately, Rocket Lab completed a $1.944 billion share offering to fully finance its pending Iridium acquisition and eliminate a planned $3.6 billion bridge facility.
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HawkEye 360 is deepening its European footprint through a partnership with Leonardo, the creation of its first Luxembourg subsidiary and a separate collaboration with ERA. The moves broaden the company’s regional industrial and commercial relationships around satellite-based radio-frequency intelligence and geospatial data services.
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