Satellite News

SpaceNews.com

Elve qualifies 100-watt millimeter-wave amplifier platform for spaceflight

California startup Elve has qualified its 100-watt millimeter-wave Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier platform for spaceflight, advancing a high-frequency communications component from development toward use in spacecraft and satellite systems. The qualification marks a program milestone for the company’s space-focused amplifier technology.

Bloomberg

SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile pursue Grain spectrum valued at $6 billion for direct-to-phone satellite services

SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile are among companies exploring the acquisition of spectrum held by Grain Management that could support satellite-to-phone wireless services, according to people familiar with the discussions. AST SpaceMobile already has FCC approval to test the frequencies with commercially available phones through Sept. 12.

Via Satellite

Sypris Electronics wins power-processing contract for unnamed LEO constellation

Sypris Electronics will manufacture power processing units for an unnamed next-generation low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation under a newly announced award. Protoflight production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026, with deliveries expected to continue through 2028, signaling a multi-year manufacturing commitment.

Via Satellite

High activity

Rocket Lab to Acquire Iridium in a Major Satellite-Sector Expansion

Rocket Lab announced an agreement on June 29 to acquire Iridium, a move that would significantly broaden the launch company’s position in the satellite sector. Analysts are assessing how the transaction could accelerate Rocket Lab’s strategy to build a next-generation space company.

Ars Technica

SpaceX’s orbital data centers could create a new category of e-waste

SpaceX’s proposed orbital data centers would place large-scale computing hardware in space, creating a new end-of-life challenge for electronic equipment beyond Earth. The concept resembles asteroid mining in reverse: instead of extracting material from orbit, operators could leave behind increasingly difficult-to-manage e-waste.

Payload

High activity

Portal Space Systems books Falcon 9 for Supernova debut, opens excess capacity to rideshare customers

Portal Space Systems has secured a Falcon 9 launch for its first Supernova spacecraft while marketing remaining fairing capacity to rideshare customers through Maverick Space Systems. The company is also preparing to ship its first Starburst satellite to Florida, marking a major step toward operations.

Bloomberg

Muon Space raises $250 million from Google and Salesforce Ventures after launching 11 satellites

Muon Space has raised $250 million from Alphabet’s Google and Salesforce Ventures after deploying 11 satellites and opening a California manufacturing facility. The funding strengthens the satellite startup’s capital base as it expands from orbital deployments into in-house production capacity.

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX Sets Falcon 9 Launch-Cadence Record With Two Flights 38.5 Minutes Apart

SpaceX launched two Falcon 9 rockets from Florida and California on Aug. 15, delivering payloads for Globalstar and the U.S. Space Force just 38.5 minutes apart. The milestone comes as SpaceX prepares its 75th Starlink mission of 2026, underscoring the company’s high-tempo launch operations.