Satellite News

SpaceNews.com • Andrew Parsonson

ESA moves to assess repurposing Lunar Link for a dedicated lunar communications asset

The European Space Agency has opened a call to examine the feasibility of repurposing Lunar Link—a communications system originally developed for NASA’s now-paused Gateway space station—into a dedicated lunar communications capability. The effort targets a future-focused architecture for lunar connectivity.

1 Source

2026-07-28T14:00:02.495836-07:00

Associated Press

Katalyst Space’s Link spacecraft rescue mission for NASA’s aging Swift Observatory faces thruster failure and loss of attitude c

2 Sources

2026-07-28T14:41:42.119420-07:00

Via Satellite

Eutelsat signs MoU with Poland to support IRIS² secure satellite communications participation

2 Sources

2026-07-28T14:11:46.527106-07:00

Via Satellite

Skywave expands industrial IoT offering with Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD)

1 Source

2026-07-28T12:59:28.529641-07:00

Satellite Programs & Technology News Timeline

Associated Press

2 sources

Katalyst Space’s Link spacecraft rescue mission for NASA’s aging Swift Observatory faces thruster failure and loss of attitude c Katalyst Space Technologies says its Link satellite, deployed to assist NASA’s aging Swift Observatory, is experiencing thruster problems and has entered an uncontrollable spin. The attitude disturbance is disrupting communications as the mission works through the anomaly.

2026-07-28T14:41:42.119420-07:00

Katalyst Space’s Link spacecraft rescue mission for NASA’s aging Swift Observatory faces thruster failure and loss of attitude c

Via Satellite

2 sources

Eutelsat signs MoU with Poland to support IRIS² secure satellite communications participation Eutelsat says it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Poland to deepen cooperation in support of Europe’s secure satellite communications infrastructure under the IRIS² programme. The agreement is aimed at enabling Poland’s participation in the IRIS² effort alongside related cooperation commitments.

2026-07-28T14:11:46.527106-07:00

Eutelsat signs MoU with Poland to support IRIS² secure satellite communications participation

SpaceNews.com

1 source

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ESA moves to assess repurposing Lunar Link for a dedicated lunar communications asset The European Space Agency has opened a call to examine the feasibility of repurposing Lunar Link—a communications system originally developed for NASA’s now-paused Gateway space station—into a dedicated lunar communications capability. The effort targets a future-focused architecture for lunar connectivity.

2026-07-28T14:00:02.495836-07:00

ESA moves to assess repurposing Lunar Link for a dedicated lunar communications asset

Via Satellite

1 source

Skywave expands industrial IoT offering with Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) Skywave and Iridium/Orbcomm-backed services have formed a strategic partnership to embed Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) into Skywave’s industrial IoT offering for heavy equipment OEM customers. The move brings Iridium’s satellite connectivity to a new OEM segment and marks the first collaboration between the two companies.

2026-07-28T12:59:28.529641-07:00

Skywave expands industrial IoT offering with Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD)

Via Satellite

1 source

Impulse Space unveils Electra: first electric propulsion system for long-duration missions Impulse Space has detailed its first electric propulsion system, Electra, designed to support long-duration operations in space. The company positioned the system as a stepping stone for extended mission lifetimes, aligning propulsion capability with next-phase spacecraft operations.

2026-07-28T12:59:27.753101-07:00

Impulse Space unveils Electra: first electric propulsion system for long-duration missions

Space Intel Report

1 source

Viasat discloses $291.4M in satellite construction payments due by 2031 and $509.8M in future capacity lease commitments Viasat said in its 2026 annual report that, as of March 31, it had $291.4 million in satellite construction payments due over the next five years (through 2031). It also reported $509.8 million in future commitments to purchase satellite capacity from third-party fleet operators.

2026-07-28T11:17:18.680889-07:00

Viasat discloses $291.4M in satellite construction payments due by 2031 and $509.8M in future capacity lease commitments

Space.com

3 sources

China signals an offshore satellite-launch push while SpaceX expands Starlink cadence after Starship test activity China is pursuing sea-based satellite launches, aiming to narrow the US orbital gap and broaden commercial launch options, according to a July 28, 2026 roundup. The competitive push lands as SpaceX executed a Starship flight test and continues deploying Starlink via Falcon 9—most recently lifting 24 satellites from Vandenberg on July 25.

2026-07-28T08:11:28.873571-07:00

China signals an offshore satellite-launch push while SpaceX expands Starlink cadence after Starship test activity

Payload

2 sources

Amazon files with the FCC to launch a direct-to-device LEO constellation of more than 5,000 satellites Amazon has filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission to operate a direct-to-device network in low Earth orbit, targeting a constellation sized at more than 5,000 satellites. The filing signals Amazon’s entry into the direct-to-device satellite communications race and escalates competitive pressure in LEO broadband.

2026-07-28T06:47:04.117930-07:00

Amazon files with the FCC to launch a direct-to-device LEO constellation of more than 5,000 satellites

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