Satellite News

Axios

Ukraine’s Starlink woes spur Europe to seek alternatives to Musk’s satellite network

Ukraine’s difficulties with Starlink are prompting European efforts to identify alternatives to the satellite communications service, as Kyiv emphasizes the national-security stakes of dependable connectivity in modern warfare. The search underscores the strategic importance of commercial satellite networks in conflict and Europe’s interest in other providers.

Universe Today

NASA team details architecture for Habitable Worlds Observatory mission

NASA’s systems engineering team has detailed the mission architecture for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, a planned effort aimed at finding Earth-like worlds beyond the solar system. The work comes as exoplanet research has advanced substantially since the first exoplanet was discovered in 1995.

Breaking Defense

DIA warns China and Russia are expanding counterspace capabilities as China’s satellite fleet triples

A new Defense Intelligence Agency assessment says China has tripled its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellite fleet since 2018 and is expanding systems to track and target U.S. and allied forces. The report also reviews China’s reusable spaceplane and warns of growing Chinese and Russian counterspace capabilities, including potential directed-energy weapons in orbit.

Via Satellite

High activity

Ukraine tests sovereign communications satellite as Europe expands Galileo and weighs reliance on foreign providers

Ukrainian defense technology company HIMERA and Denmark’s GomSpace have begun testing an experimental satellite for a communications network Ukraine aims to operate independently. In parallel, the EU is discussing reduced dependence on U.S. providers, while ESA has added four Galileo Second Generation satellites to its procurement plan, bringing the planned fleet to 16.

Via Satellite

ESA expands Galileo second-generation satellite orders and funds resilient transport navigation technologies

ESA has added spacecraft to the Galileo Second Generation program through contracts with Airbus and Thales Alenia Space; Airbus’s latest award covers two satellites, bringing its order to eight. Separately, three European companies won NAVISP contracts to develop navigation technologies for more resilient rail transportation and aviation.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

FCC approves Amazon Leo’s $11.5 billion acquisition of Globalstar

The Federal Communications Commission approved Amazon’s purchase of U.S. satellite operator Globalstar, clearing a key regulatory hurdle for Amazon Leo’s communications network. The deal is valued at about $11.5 billion and is intended to accelerate Amazon’s entry into direct-to-device connectivity as it builds a network to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink.

SpaceNews.com

FCC approves Amazon Leo’s $11.57 billion acquisition of Globalstar

The Federal Communications Commission has approved Amazon Leo’s $11.57 billion deal to acquire Globalstar. The decision marks a regulatory milestone for the transaction, bringing the satellite businesses under a proposed combination with a value of more than $11.5 billion.

Bloomberg

Starlink restrictions spur European debate over reliance on US defense providers

European officials are intensifying discussions about reducing dependence on the United States and American defense contractors, according to people familiar with the matter. The debate follows a recent dispute over restrictions on Starlink in Ukraine, highlighting how access to privately operated space infrastructure can become a strategic vulnerability for allies.