Satellite News

Bloomberg

Nokia and ICEYE to develop sovereign low-Earth-orbit satellite communications for governments and defense customers

Nokia and ICEYE will jointly develop secure, high-performance satellite communications systems that governments can own and operate, supporting military, border-security, emergency-services and disaster-response missions. The companies said the first satellites are expected to launch in 2028.

investors.rocketlabcorp.com

Iridium stockholders approve Rocket Lab acquisition, advancing satellite-and-launch industry deal

Iridium stockholders have approved Rocket Lab’s acquisition of the satellite communications company, marking a key milestone toward completing the transaction. The vote comes as Rocket Lab expands its launch and space-systems business, including a 20-launch Electron agreement with Synspective and continued commercial launch activity.

Reuters

Ukraine urges U.S. sanctions on entities supporting Russia’s Starlink rival

Ukraine is asking Washington to sanction several Russian entities it says are helping develop Rassvet, a domestic satellite network intended as an alternative to SpaceX’s Starlink. The appeal underscores the network’s strategic significance and Kyiv’s effort to constrain Russia’s access to space-based communications capabilities.

Via Satellite

FCC Exempts Space Activities From Some Environmental Rules and Opens 1,000 MHz of Spectrum

The FCC advanced its deregulation agenda with two decisions: exempting certain space activities from federal environmental regulations and making 1,000 megahertz of spectrum available. The actions could reduce regulatory requirements for affected space activities while expanding access to communications capacity.

NASA Spaceflight

High activity

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 reaches orbit and deploys 26 Starlink V3 satellites

SpaceX’s Starship Flight 14 completed its mission despite engine losses on both stages: Booster 21 flew its full profile, while Ship 41 reached orbit, deployed 26 Starlink V3 satellites and safely returned to the Pacific Ocean north of Hawaii. Preparations for Flight 15 are now underway.

Paddle Your Own Kanoo

British Airways Resumes Free Starlink Wi‑Fi Rollout, Prioritizing Airbus A350s

British Airways has restarted its rollout of free, ultra-fast Starlink in-flight Wi‑Fi after a nearly four-month pause during the peak summer travel period. Airbus A350s are now among the aircraft being equipped first, providing an updated view of the airline’s installation priorities.

SpaceNews.com

High activity

Space Force taps five companies for an open-architecture Space Data Network

The U.S. Space Force selected five companies in August to help develop a next-generation Space Data Network designed to connect commercial satellite systems through standardized interfaces. The architecture aims to improve interoperability while reducing the government’s dependence on any single commercial provider.

Payload

Blackswan Space raises €2.5M seed round ahead of in-orbit RPO Kit demonstration

Blackswan Space has raised €2.5 million in seed funding as it prepares to launch its first in-orbit mission for the RPO Kit payload. The demonstration will advance the company’s rendezvous and proximity operations technology in space.