Satellite News

Via Satellite • Rachel Jewett

FCC considers allowing Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth-style unlicensed devices to connect directly with satellites for direct-to-device (D2D) s

The FCC is evaluating whether to permit unlicensed wireless devices—such as Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth—to communicate directly with satellites via direct-to-device (D2D) service. The proposal would shift connectivity models by enabling satellite links from common consumer device classes without requiring licensed handset transceivers.

1 Source

2026-07-15T13:46:08.686563-07:00

Space Intel Report

Eutelsat FCC filing suggests its 440-satellite Airbus OneWeb order could add new capabilities

1 Source

2026-07-15T11:14:01.105739-07:00

Associated Press

Amazon Leo to launch satellite broadband in South Africa by 2027, with Herotel distribution deal

12 Sources

2026-07-15T08:30:36.897441-07:00

European Spaceflight

Europe pressures secure satellite-network buildout as SpaceX momentum accelerates

5 Sources

2026-07-15T06:48:28.888867-07:00

Satellite Programs & Technology News Timeline

Via Satellite

1 source

FCC considers allowing Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth-style unlicensed devices to connect directly with satellites for direct-to-device (D2D) s The FCC is evaluating whether to permit unlicensed wireless devices—such as Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth—to communicate directly with satellites via direct-to-device (D2D) service. The proposal would shift connectivity models by enabling satellite links from common consumer device classes without requiring licensed handset transceivers.

2026-07-15T13:46:08.686563-07:00

FCC considers allowing Wi‑Fi/Bluetooth-style unlicensed devices to connect directly with satellites for direct-to-device (D2D) s

Space Intel Report

1 source

Eutelsat FCC filing suggests its 440-satellite Airbus OneWeb order could add new capabilities Eutelsat’s FCC filing tied to its Airbus Defence and Space order for 440 OneWeb satellites indicates the batch may not be a straight continuation of the current 640-satellite fleet. The filing points to potential additional features—such as optical inter-satellite links—that are not present across today’s satellites.

2026-07-15T11:14:01.105739-07:00

Eutelsat FCC filing suggests its 440-satellite Airbus OneWeb order could add new capabilities

Space Intel Report

None source

Eutelsat plans 528-satellite LEO constellation in addition to 440 satellites on order from Airbus

2026-07-15T11:14:01.105739-07:00

Eutelsat's 440-satellite order

Associated Press

12 sources

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Amazon Leo to launch satellite broadband in South Africa by 2027, with Herotel distribution deal Amazon has announced Amazon Leo—its low-Earth orbit satellite internet service—will be launched in South Africa by 2027, backed by an agreement with ISP Herotel to distribute broadband connectivity, including targeted coverage for underserved rural communities. The plan also positions Amazon to establish an early aviation footprint via JetBlue in 2027 while competing with Starlink in Africa.

2026-07-15T08:30:36.897441-07:00

Amazon Leo to launch satellite broadband in South Africa by 2027, with Herotel distribution deal

European Spaceflight

5 sources

❗️

Europe pressures secure satellite-network buildout as SpaceX momentum accelerates A parallel set of moves across Europe and Germany underscores a push for resilient, sovereign satellite connectivity: Brussels is countering SpaceX’s rise as defense space capabilities ramp, while projects in optical/quantum and secured 5G non-terrestrial networks expand ground-station infrastructure and authentication approaches. Launch and service timelines are being actively managed as technical schedules slip.

2026-07-15T06:48:28.888867-07:00

Europe pressures secure satellite-network buildout as SpaceX momentum accelerates

Payload

2 sources

Loft Orbital buys additional satellite bus inventory to scale Apex offerings for higher-power payloads Loft Orbital said it is purchasing new satellite bus inventory to expand its Apex platform capability, positioning the company to serve larger, more power-hungry customer payloads. The move increases production flexibility for a bus family aimed at scaling spacecraft integration capacity.

2026-07-15T06:15:51.002237-07:00

Loft Orbital buys additional satellite bus inventory to scale Apex offerings for higher-power payloads

Payload

15 sources

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SDA to relaunch York data transport satellites with SpaceX after technical fixes; DND advances Surveillance of Space 2, and SDA The U.S. Space Development Agency plans to resume launches after a months-long pause, sending the second batch of 21 York “transport layer” satellites to orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 following technical fixes. In parallel, the Defence Investment Agency moves forward on Surveillance of Space 2’s space-based optical segment and SDA awarded L3Harris and Sierra Space $1.75 billion for 36 Golden Dome missile tracking satellites.

2026-07-15T05:52:31.043058-07:00

SDA to relaunch York data transport satellites with SpaceX after technical fixes; DND advances Surveillance of Space 2, and SDA

Space.com

1 source

SpaceX Starlink logs 355,000+ collision-avoidance maneuvers in a year as satellites dodge other objects almost weekly SpaceX’s Starlink satellites have executed more than 355,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers over the past year, with each satellite dodging other objects almost weekly. The frequency underscores the growing operational burden from nearby objects and the risk environment experts say could worsen.

2026-07-15T05:14:12.048378-07:00

SpaceX Starlink logs 355,000+ collision-avoidance maneuvers in a year as satellites dodge other objects almost weekly

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