Satellite Programs & Technology News

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

EchoStar orders 100 satellites in $1.3B first tranche of $5B S-band D2D constellation

EchoStar Corp has placed a $1.3 billion order with MDA Space for 100 Aurora-based satellites, the initial tranche of its planned $5 billion low-Earth-orbit S-band direct-to-device connectivity constellation. Deliveries are scheduled from 2028 as the company grapples with financing delays and a 17% share drop amid FCC spectrum scrutiny.

2025-08-01T07:20:49.057122-07:00

Payload

India’s GSLV Rocket Successfully Deploys $1.5B NASA-ISRO NISAR Earth Radar Satellite

2025-07-30T05:43:45.505224-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX’s 94th Falcon 9 Launch of 2025 Deploys 19 Starlinks from West Coast

2025-07-31T11:53:08.468589-07:00

spaceinsider.tech

NASA and ISRO Set to Launch Most Advanced SAR Satellite NISAR on July 30

2025-07-28T03:19:20.557638-07:00

Satellite Programs & Technology News Timeline

Space Intel Report

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EchoStar orders 100 satellites in $1.3B first tranche of $5B S-band D2D constellation EchoStar Corp has placed a $1.3 billion order with MDA Space for 100 Aurora-based satellites, the initial tranche of its planned $5 billion low-Earth-orbit S-band direct-to-device connectivity constellation. Deliveries are scheduled from 2028 as the company grapples with financing delays and a 17% share drop amid FCC spectrum scrutiny.

2025-08-01T07:20:49.057122-07:00

EchoStar orders 100 satellites in $1.3B first tranche of $5B S-band D2D constellation

Payload

OroraTech USA and Opterrix Roll Out Near-Real-Time Wildfire Data Feed for Insurers OroraTech USA, the US arm of German infrared Earth observation startup OroraTech, has teamed with risk intelligence platform Opterrix to integrate a near-real-time wildfire data feed into insurers’ risk platforms, launching a pilot with USAA to enhance underwriting and loss modeling.

2025-08-01T05:35:41.047137-07:00

OroraTech USA and Opterrix Roll Out Near-Real-Time Wildfire Data Feed for Insurers

SpaceNews.com

Albedo Secures Stage II NRO Contract to Expand Commercial Imaging Services Albedo has been awarded a Stage II contract by the US National Reconnaissance Office to scale its commercial Earth observation imagery and analytics for national security missions. Building on successful Phase I work, the award funds expanded low-Earth-orbit collection and advanced geospatial intelligence capabilities.

2025-08-01T03:11:44.163507-07:00

Albedo Secures Stage II NRO Contract to Expand Commercial Imaging Services

IEEE

SoftBank’s Solar-Powered Stratospheric Airships to Replace Cell Towers SoftBank is testing solar-powered stratospheric airships fitted with 4G/5G cell masts to extend network coverage and reduce reliance on ground towers. The high-altitude platforms promise persistent, wide-area connectivity with low operational costs, offering telecom carriers a scalable alternative for underserved regions.

2025-07-31T21:04:23.356922-07:00

SoftBank’s Solar-Powered Stratospheric Airships to Replace Cell Towers

Payload

Eycore and Kongsberg NanoAvionics to Launch SAR Demonstrator on Falcon 9 in Early 2026 Eycore and Kongsberg NanoAvionics will launch a synthetic-aperture radar demonstrator on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 in early 2026, using an MP42 microsatellite bus to test Eycore’s X-band payload and deliver submeter-resolution, all-weather imagery for NATO and allied defense forces.

2025-07-31T17:35:49.389632-07:00

Eycore and Kongsberg NanoAvionics to Launch SAR Demonstrator on Falcon 9 in Early 2026

Via Satellite

Ex-Intelsat CEO David Wajsgras Joins HawkEye 360 Board David Wajsgras, who steered Intelsat through its multimillion-dollar acquisition, has joined the board of HawkEye 360, the U.S. space analytics firm specializing in radio-frequency geolocation. His appointment brings seasoned satellite sector leadership as HawkEye 360 readies its next-generation constellation for launch.

2025-07-31T14:33:30.128980-07:00

Ex-Intelsat CEO David Wajsgras Joins HawkEye 360 Board

Space.com

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SpaceX’s 94th Falcon 9 Launch of 2025 Deploys 19 Starlinks from West Coast SpaceX on Thursday launched a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying 19 Starlink satellites in its Starlink 13-4 mission. The 27-flight booster landed on the droneship Of Course I Still Love You, and omissions in the webcast have fueled speculation that classified payloads were also aboard.

2025-07-31T11:53:08.468589-07:00

SpaceX’s 94th Falcon 9 Launch of 2025 Deploys 19 Starlinks from West Coast

The National UAE

Space42, Microsoft and Esri unite to create Africa’s most detailed AI-powered map The UAE’s Space42 has teamed up with Microsoft and Esri to develop the most detailed AI-powered map of Africa, leveraging high-resolution satellite data and cloud-based GIS platforms. It will equip planners and emergency responders in all 54 African nations with real-time insights for urban development and disaster response.

2025-07-31T08:29:47.212417-07:00

Space42, Microsoft and Esri unite to create Africa’s most detailed AI-powered map

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