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Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

Astroscale and Exotrail sign contract to co‑develop on‑orbit de‑orbiting and servicing mission

Astroscale and Exotrail have signed a contract to co‑develop an on‑orbit satellite de‑orbiting and servicing mission, a collaboration that combines Japanese and French expertise in on‑orbit operations, mission design and disposal to deliver a LEO end‑of‑life removal and in‑orbit servicing capability for commercial satellites.

2026-04-02T12:38:34.568215-07:00

Via Satellite

Northwestel signs multi‑year deal for Telesat Lightspeed capacity to bring broadband to Canada’s North

2026-04-02T12:35:32.781281-07:00

Via Satellite

In‑orbit logistics firms press governments for clearer demand signals and flexible funding

2026-04-02T12:35:32.767833-07:00

Via Satellite

ArkEdge launches AE1a and signs MoU with ABIT to develop IoT and satcom devices

2026-04-02T12:18:46.576406-07:00

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Space Intel Report

Amazon rebuts SpaceX claims over Leo orbit‑insertion safety in FCC filing In an FCC filing, Amazon pushed back against SpaceX Starlink's assertions that Amazon Leo's chosen orbit‑insertion method poses safety and collision risks, calling the characterisation inaccurate and defending its technical approach as regulators weigh competing filings and deployment timelines for rival LEO broadband constellations.

2026-04-02T13:10:55.378304-07:00

Amazon rebuts SpaceX claims over Leo orbit‑insertion safety in FCC filing

SpaceNews.com

Optical terminals remain a critical bottleneck for the Pentagon's proliferated satellite constellation Optical inter-satellite terminals remain a critical bottleneck for the Pentagon's plans to field a proliferated satellite constellation, constraining deployment of high‑capacity optical networks across multiple orbits. Resolving terminal performance, production scale and integration challenges is necessary before the constellation can deliver its intended connectivity and resilience.

2026-04-02T12:47:24.239965-07:00

Optical terminals remain a critical bottleneck for the Pentagon's proliferated satellite constellation

Via Satellite

Astroscale and Exotrail sign contract to co‑develop on‑orbit de‑orbiting and servicing mission Astroscale and Exotrail have signed a contract to co‑develop an on‑orbit satellite de‑orbiting and servicing mission, a collaboration that combines Japanese and French expertise in on‑orbit operations, mission design and disposal to deliver a LEO end‑of‑life removal and in‑orbit servicing capability for commercial satellites.

2026-04-02T12:38:34.568215-07:00

Astroscale and Exotrail sign contract to co‑develop on‑orbit de‑orbiting and servicing mission

Via Satellite

Northwestel signs multi‑year deal for Telesat Lightspeed capacity to bring broadband to Canada’s North Northwestel has signed a multi‑year agreement to purchase capacity on Telesat’s Lightspeed LEO constellation, enabling the Canadian provider to deliver broadband connectivity across remote northern communities. The deal formalizes Northwestel as a Lightspeed customer and strengthens Telesat’s Canadian commercial footprint.

2026-04-02T12:35:32.781281-07:00

Northwestel signs multi‑year deal for Telesat Lightspeed capacity to bring broadband to Canada’s North

Via Satellite

In‑orbit logistics firms press governments for clearer demand signals and flexible funding Industry leaders say demand for in‑orbit inspection, repair and debris removal will grow rapidly over the next five to ten years, but warn commercial scale‑up requires clearer government demand signals and more flexible, programmatic funding to de‑risk investment and secure supply‑chain capacity.

2026-04-02T12:35:32.767833-07:00

In‑orbit logistics firms press governments for clearer demand signals and flexible funding

Via Satellite

ArkEdge launches AE1a and signs MoU with ABIT to develop IoT and satcom devices ArkEdge Space launched micro-satellite AE1a on March 30, has established communications and begun initial checkout as it builds a micro-satellite constellation for maritime real-time tracking. The UAE-based company also signed a memorandum of understanding with ABIT Corporation to jointly develop IoT solutions and satellite communication devices.

2026-04-02T12:18:46.576406-07:00

ArkEdge launches AE1a and signs MoU with ABIT to develop IoT and satcom devices

Space Intel Report

ITU again rebuffs Oman’s bid to register placeholder satellite at 73.5°E Oman's effort to win International Telecommunication Union approval for a placeholder geostationary slot at 73.5°E has been rebuffed again by the regulator. The decision prolongs the government's challenge to secure orbital and spectrum rights needed to formalize its planned satellite capability and launch timeline.

2026-04-02T10:46:34.707783-07:00

ITU again rebuffs Oman’s bid to register placeholder satellite at 73.5°E

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon awards Raytheon $45M for GPS ground system amid program review The Pentagon has awarded Raytheon a $45 million contract to develop and support a GPS ground system while the program's future is under reassessment. The funding covers near-term work as Defense officials review the program's scope and long-term role in U.S. PNT infrastructure.

2026-04-02T10:27:23.724267-07:00

Pentagon awards Raytheon $45M for GPS ground system amid program review

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Satellite News

Astroscale and Exotrail sign contract to co‑develop on‑orbit de‑orbiting and servicing mission

Northwestel signs multi‑year deal for Telesat Lightspeed capacity to bring broadband to Canada’s North

In‑orbit logistics firms press governments for clearer demand signals and flexible funding

ArkEdge launches AE1a and signs MoU with ABIT to develop IoT and satcom devices

News Timeline