News

SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

FCC greenlights SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase for US direct-to-device—ties approval to $2.4B escrow amid upper C-band tran

The FCC has approved SpaceX’s acquisition of EchoStar spectrum to expand U.S. direct-to-device services, contingent on a $2.4 billion escrow arrangement linked to disputes over EchoStar’s abandoned terrestrial 5G buildout. Separately, the FCC’s FCC 26-26 report formalizes a broader shift to spectrum sharing and mandates auctions of remaining Upper C-band 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 keeps 2026 target at 45 BlueBird satellites, pairs direct-to-device demo (98.9 Mbps) with SpaceX launch plan

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

News Timeline

Breaking Defense

Latvia tests UGV comms in dense forest where Starlink-linked systems falter Latvian reports say unmanned ground vehicles encountered significant communication problems while operating in densely forested areas, with many incidents involving systems relying on Starlink. The episode highlights a practical connectivity gap for ground robotics in challenging terrain, with potential operational impacts during decentralized missions.

2026-05-13T01:57:09.373330-07:00

Latvia tests UGV comms in dense forest where Starlink-linked systems falter

SpaceNews.com

FCC greenlights SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase for US direct-to-device—ties approval to $2.4B escrow amid upper C-band tran The FCC has approved SpaceX’s acquisition of EchoStar spectrum to expand U.S. direct-to-device services, contingent on a $2.4 billion escrow arrangement linked to disputes over EchoStar’s abandoned terrestrial 5G buildout. Separately, the FCC’s FCC 26-26 report formalizes a broader shift to spectrum sharing and mandates auctions of remaining Upper C-band by mid-2027.

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

FCC greenlights SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase for US direct-to-device—ties approval to $2.4B escrow amid upper C-band tran

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

❗️

AST SpaceMobile keeps 2026 target at 45 BlueBird satellites, pairs direct-to-device demo (98.9 Mbps) with SpaceX launch plan AST SpaceMobile says it still expects to have 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit this year after a recent Blue Origin launch failure, with CEO Abel Avellan pointing to a mid-June SpaceX mission launching three BlueBirds. The company also reported a direct-to-device broadband test reaching 98.9 Mbps from space to a standard smartphone. In parallel, it issued a business update and first-quarter 2026 results.

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

AST SpaceMobile keeps 2026 target at 45 BlueBird satellites, pairs direct-to-device demo (98.9 Mbps) with SpaceX launch plan

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

❗️

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

Menu

Satellite News

FCC greenlights SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase for US direct-to-device—ties approval to $2.4B escrow amid upper C-band tran

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

AST SpaceMobile keeps 2026 target at 45 BlueBird satellites, pairs direct-to-device demo (98.9 Mbps) with SpaceX launch plan

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

News Timeline