Satellite News

Space.com • Robert Z. Pearlman

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.

3 Sources

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

Payload

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

2 Sources

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

Space.com

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 test flight recap highlights on the megarocket’s progress

2 Sources

2026-07-27T15:06:24.692742-07:00

Space Intel Report

Indra Group says its space division is on track for €400M ($455M) in 2024 revenue despite 6% first-half softness

1 Source

2026-07-27T13:06:40.601887-07:00

Satellite Programs & Technology News Timeline

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

Space.com

2 sources

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 test flight recap highlights on the megarocket’s progress SpaceX’s Starship completed its 13th test flight, described as going “pretty well,” with an accompanying set of highlights from the mission. A separate weekly recap also points to broader momentum around moon-lander/rover concepts, AI-enabled engineering, and large-scale launch and communications funding.

2026-07-27T15:06:24.692742-07:00

SpaceX Starship Flight 13 test flight recap highlights on the megarocket’s progress

Space Intel Report

1 source

Indra Group says its space division is on track for €400M ($455M) in 2024 revenue despite 6% first-half softness Indra Group says its space business—now encompassing satellite fleet operator Hispasat and military satcom provider Hisdesat since January—remains on track to reach €400 million ($455 million) in revenue this year. In the three months ended, revenue declined 6% but the division’s outlook is unchanged.

2026-07-27T13:06:40.601887-07:00

Indra Group says its space division is on track for €400M ($455M) in 2024 revenue despite 6% first-half softness

SpaceNews.com

4 sources

Space Force awards $287M to Sphinx Defense for ESS mission-planning software as SES links Starlab for space-station connectivity The U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command awarded Sphinx Defense a $287 million Other Transaction Authority agreement to develop and complete prototype mission-planning application software for Phase 3 of the Evolved Strategic SATCOM (ESS) system. Separately, SES Space & Defense announced a connectivity collaboration with Starlab for space-station communications.

2026-07-27T12:20:40.514862-07:00

Space Force awards $287M to Sphinx Defense for ESS mission-planning software as SES links Starlab for space-station connectivity

Via Satellite

1 source

Inside the smallsat manufacturing market: assembling faster with tighter tradeoffs across speed, cost, quality and mission flexi A look at how smallsat assembly is evolving into a more industrial, production-line model—expanding capabilities for a more diverse customer base while forcing manufacturers to balance speed, cost, quality and mission flexibility. The report outlines the process constraints shaping today’s smallsat build cycle.

2026-07-27T06:38:44.643905-07:00

Inside the smallsat manufacturing market: assembling faster with tighter tradeoffs across speed, cost, quality and mission flexi

Via Satellite

3 sources

New Space’s LEO scaling stress-tests satellite architecture and shifts bandwidth from RF to laser—and toward lunar connectivity As LEO megaconstellations and in-orbit computing projects accelerate data generation, the brief highlights how subsystem design and payload integration determine platform scalability. Separately, Astrolight positions end-to-end lasercom to relieve RF spectrum congestion and throughput limits, while NASA/ESA work to establish communications “connectivity backbones” for lunar and cislunar ecosystems.

2026-07-27T06:38:43.510663-07:00

New Space’s LEO scaling stress-tests satellite architecture and shifts bandwidth from RF to laser—and toward lunar connectivity

Via Satellite

None source

Building the Connectivity Backbone for the Next Era of Lunar Exploration

2026-07-27T06:38:43.510663-07:00

Building the Connectivity Back

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