Space.com
• Mike Wall
SpaceX says Starship could launch as soon as Sept. 22 on its first attempt to reach orbit. The roughly 10-hour mission is also expected to deploy 26 V3 Starlink satellites, combining a pivotal test of the vehicle with the introduction of a new-generation constellation platform.
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Direct-to-device satellite services are attracting partnerships between mobile network operators and satellite companies, promising broader coverage without terrestrial infrastructure in remote areas. As these relationships multiply, unresolved questions around deployment, commercial models and service execution will shape whether D2D becomes a scalable network extension.
High activity
SpaceX says Starship could launch as soon as Sept. 22 on its first attempt to reach orbit. The roughly 10-hour mission is also expected to deploy 26 V3 Starlink satellites, combining a pivotal test of the vehicle with the introduction of a new-generation constellation platform.
Nine orbital launches are scheduled worldwide this week, including two Falcon 9 missions from California and a Vega C flight from French Guiana carrying the Sentinel-3C and FLEX satellites. The schedule reflects continued activity across commercial launch providers and Earth-observation programs.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a new space-diplomacy effort alongside its first project: a two-year, $6.5 million initiative to extend satellite internet access to rural communities in southern Peru. The program links U.S. diplomatic engagement with practical connectivity infrastructure and international space cooperation.
Canada is presenting a broad portfolio of strategic projects to international investors, spanning spaceports and satellite initiatives alongside data centers, critical-mineral mines, high-speed rail and an Arctic trade corridor. The pitch positions aerospace infrastructure within a wider national effort to attract capital to major economic and connectivity projects.
Maverick has booked 10 Kepler satellites on a dedicated launch operated by Portal, using available capacity as demand for orbital launch services continues to intensify. The deal highlights the value of flexible launch arrangements for satellite operators seeking access to increasingly constrained capacity.
Kuva Space released data from a pilot program demonstrating its ability to monitor illegal poppy farming from orbit. The results highlight a potential satellite-based approach for identifying illicit crop cultivation over broad areas without relying solely on ground-based surveillance.
British startup Shield Space has completed the critical design review for Broadsword, a 2027 mission intended to demonstrate in-orbit satellite inspection. The company says defense customers could deploy the capability within nine months of signing a contract, positioning rapid inspection as a near-term space-security service.
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