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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

Via Satellite

AST SpaceMobile sticks with 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 target after Blue Origin launch failure; next three-satellite mission

2026-05-12T14:01:37.740391-07:00

Via Satellite

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites

2026-05-12T14:56:25.654451-07:00

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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

Via Satellite

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites SES reported results broadly in line with analyst expectations, highlighting momentum from its Networks business as it records revenue growth tied to airline contracting. Alongside the performance update, SES disclosed the cancellation of two GEO satellite programs, underscoring a shifting balance between demand and fleet footprint.

2026-05-12T14:56:25.654451-07:00

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites

Via Satellite

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AST SpaceMobile sticks with 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 target after Blue Origin launch failure; next three-satellite mission AST SpaceMobile’s Abel Avellan says the company still expects 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit this year despite a recent Blue Origin launch failure. AST is preparing to launch with SpaceX in mid-June, targeting a mission that will place three BlueBird satellites into orbit, following recent direct-to-device broadband test results.

2026-05-12T14:01:37.740391-07:00

AST SpaceMobile sticks with 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 target after Blue Origin launch failure; next three-satellite mission

SpaceNews.com

Space Force awards TrustPoint $4M TACFI contract to demo GPS-independent LEO PNT system TrustPoint, a Virginia startup, received a $4 million Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract from the U.S. Space Force to demonstrate an end-to-end, GPS-independent positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) system. The effort targets a first-of-its-kind GPS backup/complement layer using low-Earth-orbit navigation.

2026-05-12T07:30:46.768508-07:00

Space Force awards TrustPoint $4M TACFI contract to demo GPS-independent LEO PNT system

Runway Girl

ThinKom selected for Ka-band inflight connectivity upgrades across multiple Neo Space Group airline deployments, including Saudi ThinKom says its Ka2517 electronically steered antenna has been selected by Neo Space Group (NSG) for installations across multiple airlines, naming Saudia and Riyadh. The announcement follows ThinKom’s ThinAir Nexus multi-orbit ESA push and Saudia’s six-month Neo Space Group-backed pilot moving into commercial rollout.

2026-05-12T07:12:04.463831-07:00

ThinKom selected for Ka-band inflight connectivity upgrades across multiple Neo Space Group airline deployments, including Saudi

Space.com

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Star Catcher raises $65M Series A to validate a space power grid via power-beaming satellites Star Catcher Industries—led by former Made in Space/Redwire executive Andrew Rush—secured an oversubscribed $65 million Series A to validate in-orbit power-beaming and build what it calls the first power grid in space. The round brings total funding to $88 million, led by B Capital with co-leads Shield Capital and Cerberus Ventures.

2026-05-12T06:48:33.865401-07:00

Star Catcher raises $65M Series A to validate a space power grid via power-beaming satellites

SpaceNews.com

Transcelestial advances space-to-ground lasercom with satellite-to-ground laser terminal test Transcelestial says it has progressed its work on space-to-ground optical communications by testing satellite lasers to connect with ground stations. The effort targets validated performance for high-rate optical links, aligning with broader industry moves toward optical alternatives to radio-frequency communications.

2026-05-12T05:28:19.550608-07:00

Transcelestial advances space-to-ground lasercom with satellite-to-ground laser terminal test

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Satellite 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

AST SpaceMobile sticks with 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 target after Blue Origin launch failure; next three-satellite mission

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites

News Timeline