Via Satellite
• Rachel Jewett
Xona says it is preparing to begin initial beta service for its commercial satellite navigation offering in early 2027. The company this week marked two milestones: a launch carrying six satellites and a $250 million Series D funding round.
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Thaicom has returned to the International Telecommunication Union with additional evidence that the delay to its Thaicom-9 geostationary satellite followed a March incident at manufacturer Astranis. The operator says the cause was beyond its control as it seeks more time to meet the satellite’s regulatory deadline.
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Xona says it is preparing to begin initial beta service for its commercial satellite navigation offering in early 2027. The company this week marked two milestones: a launch carrying six satellites and a $250 million Series D funding round.
Washington says a Russian military satellite with an undisclosed mission moved close to a U.S.-registered satellite linked to Ukraine last week, describing the approach as deliberate. The episode highlights the growing strategic stakes around satellites supporting Ukraine and the risks posed by close approaches in orbit.
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PhillipCapital reversed its SpaceX rating from sell to buy and raised its price target to $250, citing the company’s AI business. Separately, Bernstein said Starlink’s improving profitability could support aggressive pricing in broadband and mobile services, positioning it to challenge established U.S. telecom operators despite slowing subscriber growth.
Two U.S. researchers say commercial satellite imagery spanning more than a year shows Saudi Arabia expanding a ballistic missile factory. The work may support production of larger solid-fuel missiles able to fly farther or carry heavier payloads, though the assessment is based on imagery analysis rather than a confirmed Saudi announcement.
Four major European mobile network operators are joining forces to explore a bid for future allocation of mobile satellite service spectrum. The move signals coordinated operator interest in securing spectrum for satellite-linked mobile services, though the available report gives no details on the companies, timing or terms of a potential bid.
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