Payload
• Douglas Gorman
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.
Satellite
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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.
Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal has opened an inquiry into Ukraine’s loss of access to the Pentagon’s Starshield satellite communications service. He says the resulting disruption has degraded Kyiv’s ability to defend itself against Russian attacks, putting military connectivity and access to commercial space-enabled services under scrutiny.
Planet Labs told customers on April 4 that it would indefinitely withhold imagery of Iran and the surrounding conflict zone, retroactive to March 9. The decision puts commercial satellite data access in focus as Gulf buyers assess who can control or interrupt imagery availability during a conflict.
PlanetiQ is expanding its collection of GNSS radio-occultation data through back-to-back rideshare launches in October. CEO Ira Scharf says demand for the weather data is growing among both government and commercial users, underscoring the company’s effort to scale a satellite-based source of atmospheric observations.
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence has signed a letter of intent with ICEYE and Nokia to explore cooperation on a sovereign, secure satellite communications capability. The agreement sets out an effort to assess collaboration in the space sector; the companies have not announced a system design, schedule or funding.
A US official said a Russian satellite that has been following other spacecraft “sure looks like an orbital weapon.” The comments come after a Russian official described commercial satellites as legitimate targets, while now saying concerns about the satellite are unfounded.
In a SpaceNews interview, Aalyria CEO Brian Barritt discusses how networks in space are evolving, what scaling the company entails and why software interoperability matters. The conversation focuses on the software and network changes shaping how space systems connect.
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