SpaceNews.com
• Sandra Erwin
Viasat selected Rocket Lab to build a GEO satellite for the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global program, while Globalstar deployed eight replacement satellites. Eutelsat advanced Europe’s IRIS² sovereign connectivity system, and ReOrbit launched a €4.6 million program for GEO and LEO direct-to-device technologies.
Satellite
Latest source-backed stories
Slingshot Aerospace is adding AI-powered space traffic monitoring capabilities to its Portal platform, aimed at helping satellite and other space operators better monitor an increasingly crowded orbital environment. The announcement expands Portal’s role in tracking and managing space traffic for commercial and government users.
High activity
Viasat selected Rocket Lab to build a GEO satellite for the U.S. Space Force’s Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global program, while Globalstar deployed eight replacement satellites. Eutelsat advanced Europe’s IRIS² sovereign connectivity system, and ReOrbit launched a €4.6 million program for GEO and LEO direct-to-device technologies.
High activity
Airtel Africa and Starlink have launched commercial satellite-to-mobile operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The service expands direct-to-device connectivity in the African market, linking compatible mobile devices to satellite infrastructure without relying solely on conventional terrestrial networks.
SpaceX has reversed its decision to restrict Starlink roaming for customers in Poland, resolving a dispute that included an official threatening to reconsider $50 million in annual payments. The reversal underscores the commercial and policy sensitivities surrounding satellite broadband service access in national markets.
High activity
The week of Aug. 17-23 will feature three SpaceX Starlink launches alongside China’s second test flight of the partially reusable ZhuQue-3 launcher and the robotic Chang’e 7 lunar mission. The schedule marks China’s return to launch activity after the previous week’s Chang Zheng 7A failure.
Australian Earth-observation company HEO will access Planet’s satellite constellation under a new agreement to capture imagery of objects in orbit. The partnership expands HEO’s ability to monitor and characterize spacecraft from space, underscoring the growing commercial role of satellite-based space domain awareness.
The European Union has sanctioned the head of a Roscosmos subsidiary involved in developing a synthetic aperture radar satellite system for the Russian military. The action expands pressure on Russia’s space industry and targets leadership linked to military space capabilities.
NASA is testing technologies aimed at reducing dependence on Earth-based infrastructure and improving mobility beyond Earth. The agency demonstrated GPS-free optical navigation on its Starling CubeSat swarm, evaluated wheel designs for lunar bases, and developed a fabric-based ground-penetrating-radar antenna for SkyFall Mars helicopters.
Create a free account to see more recent Satellite stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
