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Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Canada and Costa Rica regulators, with GSMA, confront direct-to-device (D2D) compliance for mobile-satellite (MSS) spectrum

Telecom regulators in Canada and Costa Rica—countries whose coverage includes large terrestrial cellular gaps—are trying to set enforcement rules for satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services operating in mobile-satellite (MSS) spectrum, in coordination with the GSMA. Officials warn that weak oversight could enable a “Wild West” approach to compliance.

2026-05-22T12:40:32.605961-07:00

Via Satellite

ST Engineering iDirect names Sridhar Kuppanna CEO as ground-tech market shifts toward cloud-native, interoperable satcom

2026-05-22T11:41:03.266585-07:00

AINonline

Tamarack Aerospace launches AirConnect IFC for Cessna Citation 525—aircraft-grade Wi‑Fi distribution, certified electrical integ

2026-05-22T09:11:59.957143-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract to design, build and operate first GEO SDA satellites

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00

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Space Intel Report

Canada and Costa Rica regulators, with GSMA, confront direct-to-device (D2D) compliance for mobile-satellite (MSS) spectrum Telecom regulators in Canada and Costa Rica—countries whose coverage includes large terrestrial cellular gaps—are trying to set enforcement rules for satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services operating in mobile-satellite (MSS) spectrum, in coordination with the GSMA. Officials warn that weak oversight could enable a “Wild West” approach to compliance.

2026-05-22T12:40:32.605961-07:00

Canada and Costa Rica regulators, with GSMA, confront direct-to-device (D2D) compliance for mobile-satellite (MSS) spectrum

Via Satellite

ST Engineering iDirect names Sridhar Kuppanna CEO as ground-tech market shifts toward cloud-native, interoperable satcom ST Engineering iDirect appointed Sridhar Kuppanna as CEO in late March, positioning the ground-technology vendor for a more dynamic market. In the CEO interview, Kuppanna emphasized a cloud-native approach and an interoperable future for satcom ground systems as operators and enterprises evolve their connectivity needs.

2026-05-22T11:41:03.266585-07:00

ST Engineering iDirect names Sridhar Kuppanna CEO as ground-tech market shifts toward cloud-native, interoperable satcom

Via Satellite

Viasat completes direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration in Uzbekistan with companion-device satellite connectivity Viasat says it has completed a D2D demonstration in Uzbekistan spanning two mass-market Android smartphones: one connected to the service via a companion device using satellite connectivity, and the other using a traditional terrestrial cellular network. The company shared application-based messaging results from the test.

2026-05-22T11:25:02.947996-07:00

Viasat completes direct-to-device (D2D) demonstration in Uzbekistan with companion-device satellite connectivity

AINonline

Tamarack Aerospace launches AirConnect IFC for Cessna Citation 525—aircraft-grade Wi‑Fi distribution, certified electrical integ Tamarack Aerospace says its AirConnect IFC for the Cessna Citation 525 uses certified electrical integration and aircraft-grade cabin Wi‑Fi distribution. The company reports AirConnect has reached 122 first customer aircraft already flying, with an FAA STC still pending.

2026-05-22T09:11:59.957143-07:00

Tamarack Aerospace launches AirConnect IFC for Cessna Citation 525—aircraft-grade Wi‑Fi distribution, certified electrical integ

Space Intel Report

Panel at 6G Global Summit says US satellite direct-to-device market is too small—justifies a T-Mobile/AT&T/Verizon joint venture At the 6G Global Summit, GSMA speakers argued the US satellite direct-to-device market is small enough to warrant a joint venture among T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon rather than independent carrier-led investments. The assessment frames D2D as a constrained, ecosystem-dependent business model in the US.

2026-05-22T09:11:59.783483-07:00

Panel at 6G Global Summit says US satellite direct-to-device market is too small—justifies a T-Mobile/AT&T/Verizon joint venture

SpaceNews.com

AUKUS partners’ Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability site hits early operations as Australia targets full capability by 2027 Australia’s Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) Site 1 in Western Australia is already delivering early tracking data for AUKUS partners, with full operational capability targeted for 2027. The deployment underscores how Australia’s southern geography is being used to build dual-use space surveillance resilience for strategic coordination.

2026-05-22T06:10:08.386342-07:00

AUKUS partners’ Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability site hits early operations as Australia targets full capability by 2027

SpaceNews.com

Rocket Lab completes 9th Electron mission for Synspective, deploying a StriX radar imaging satellite Rocket Lab has successfully launched its ninth dedicated Electron mission for Japan-based Earth-observation firm Synspective, deploying the latest StriX radar satellite. The flights underscore Rocket Lab’s sustained smallsat launch cadence as Synspective reportedly looks to raise up to $3 billion via stock sales to fund future initiatives.

2026-05-22T04:53:30.003790-07:00

Rocket Lab completes 9th Electron mission for Synspective, deploying a StriX radar imaging satellite

SpaceNews.com

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Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract to design, build and operate first GEO SDA satellites Rocket Lab has secured its first geostationary-orbit satellite orders from the U.S. Space Force for a Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission, via a $90 million award to design, manufacture and operate two GEO satellites. The effort targets monitoring and tracking objects in orbit and marks Rocket Lab’s entry into GEO production for SDA.

2026-05-22T02:54:42.006132-07:00

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract to design, build and operate first GEO SDA satellites

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Satellite News

Canada and Costa Rica regulators, with GSMA, confront direct-to-device (D2D) compliance for mobile-satellite (MSS) spectrum

ST Engineering iDirect names Sridhar Kuppanna CEO as ground-tech market shifts toward cloud-native, interoperable satcom

Tamarack Aerospace launches AirConnect IFC for Cessna Citation 525—aircraft-grade Wi‑Fi distribution, certified electrical integ

Rocket Lab wins $90M Space Force contract to design, build and operate first GEO SDA satellites

News Timeline