Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile plan to establish Rakuten AST to procure and operate satellites that connect directly to ordinary smartphones in Japan. Announced Nov. 9, 2026, the venture gives Rakuten 51% of voting rights and AST SpaceMobile’s Japanese subsidiary the remaining 49%.
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Rakuten and AST SpaceMobile plan to establish Rakuten AST to procure and operate satellites that connect directly to ordinary smartphones in Japan. Announced Nov. 9, 2026, the venture gives Rakuten 51% of voting rights and AST SpaceMobile’s Japanese subsidiary the remaining 49%.
A comment describing the US military as “notionally interested” in a lunar satellite constellation signals preliminary interest, not a confirmed program or procurement decision. The available report provides no details on mission, scale, timing or responsible service, leaving the scope of that interest unclear.
Italian power group Enel and aerospace and defense company Leonardo signed a memorandum of understanding covering energy, technology and security. The companies said the cooperation includes satellite services and protection of critical infrastructure, with the stated aim of supporting Italy and its businesses.
Thousands of inactive or non-communicating satellites orbit Earth in low Earth orbit, creating a challenge for operators that rely on spacecraft to signal their presence. Researchers are developing CORTEX, a system designed to guide a repair satellite to autonomously dock with these “zombie” spacecraft.
MDA Space said the delayed delivery of two Pathfinder satellites, intended to prove out Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation, will have no financial effect on its work as the constellation’s prime contractor. The company declined to specify the cause of the delay and is also positioning for U.S. and European military satellite business.
High activity
France has authorized U.S.-based Globalstar to launch and operate a 54-satellite next-generation constellation designed for direct-to-device connectivity. The company aims to begin deploying the satellites next year, marking a regulatory step toward expanding its space-based service.
High activity
France’s defense procurement agency has awarded Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space a joint contract to develop two next-generation IRIS optical reconnaissance satellites. The €1.5 billion program is intended to sustain the country’s high-resolution military observation capabilities.
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