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Runway Girl • Mary Kirby

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system

Viasat says ViaSat-3 F2 is now in the middle of in-orbit testing, with the operator expecting the satellite’s capabilities to materially improve inflight connectivity. Alongside the spacecraft test campaign, Viasat also unveiled AERA, a new multi-beam ESA platform positioned for aviation connectivity use cases.

2026-04-26T10:34:13.048904-07:00

Space.com

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy after 18 months with Viasat-3.3 (F3) from LC-39A, targeting GTO on April 27

2026-04-26T09:20:22.706970-07:00

Spaceflight Now

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg

2026-04-26T06:49:39.318256-07:00

SpaceNews.com

China launches PRSC-EO3 for Pakistan, deploying Earth-monitoring optoelectronic satellite on a Long March-6

2026-04-26T03:20:08.970505-07:00

News Timeline

Runway Girl

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system Viasat says ViaSat-3 F2 is now in the middle of in-orbit testing, with the operator expecting the satellite’s capabilities to materially improve inflight connectivity. Alongside the spacecraft test campaign, Viasat also unveiled AERA, a new multi-beam ESA platform positioned for aviation connectivity use cases.

2026-04-26T10:34:13.048904-07:00

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system

Space.com

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy after 18 months with Viasat-3.3 (F3) from LC-39A, targeting GTO on April 27 SpaceX is targeting April 27 for a Falcon Heavy launch of the Viasat-3.3 (F3) mission from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, aiming for geosynchronous transfer orbit. It will be SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy flight since 2024, with booster landings expected to generate sonic booms in Central Florida.

2026-04-26T09:20:22.706970-07:00

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy after 18 months with Viasat-3.3 (F3) from LC-39A, targeting GTO on April 27

Spaceflight Now

❗️

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SpaceX is preparing to launch a Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base on Sunday, marking the company’s 50th flight of the year. The mission is set to deploy 25 Starlink satellites, underscoring continued high-tempo Starlink cadence from its West Coast launch site.

2026-04-26T06:49:39.318256-07:00

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg

SpaceNews.com

China launches PRSC-EO3 for Pakistan, deploying Earth-monitoring optoelectronic satellite on a Long March-6 China launched Pakistan’s PRSC-EO3 optoelectronic remote-sensing satellite from Taiyuan on a Long March-6, placing it into orbit for internet testing and environment monitoring. Reporting says PRSC-EO3 is Pakistan’s fifth satellite launched on Chinese rockets in the past 18 months, expanding Pakistan’s Earth-observation capability.

2026-04-26T03:20:08.970505-07:00

China launches PRSC-EO3 for Pakistan, deploying Earth-monitoring optoelectronic satellite on a Long March-6

European Spaceflight

Rheinmetall to establish satellite testing facility in Andøya, Norway Rheinmetall has signed a Letter of Intent to establish a new satellite testing facility in Andøya, Norway. The agreement aims to expand the company’s Nordic space and defense-industrial test footprint, aligning with broader efforts to scale satellite-related experimentation and validation work.

2026-04-25T04:34:27.650016-07:00

Rheinmetall to establish satellite testing facility in Andøya, Norway

Via Satellite

GomSpace and Ukraine partners form JV to build sovereign satellites in-country GomSpace says it will create a new joint venture in Ukraine aimed at developing sovereign communications capabilities. A separate agreement pairs the Danish company with Ukrainian firm Stetman to manufacture satellites in Ukraine, positioning the country as a full-cycle production hub for GomSpace and Stetman.

2026-04-24T15:10:55.733287-07:00

GomSpace and Ukraine partners form JV to build sovereign satellites in-country

Via Satellite

Rocket Lab rolls out next-generation star tracker for longer-duration missions Rocket Lab has introduced a next-generation star tracker lineup intended to extend spacecraft mission duration. The company’s updated sensor suite is designed to improve onboard attitude determination performance over longer operational timelines, targeting more ambitious flight plans beyond current endurance limits.

2026-04-24T14:19:30.654063-07:00

Rocket Lab rolls out next-generation star tracker for longer-duration missions

Via Satellite

Lockheed Martin Ventures to add funding to imagery startup Arlula Australian imagery startup Arlula is set to receive additional investment from Lockheed Martin Ventures, the defense prime’s venture subsidiary. The follow-on funding signals Lockheed’s continued push to back commercial geospatial/imagery capabilities that can feed defense and intelligence missions.

2026-04-24T09:49:04.241071-07:00

Lockheed Martin Ventures to add funding to imagery startup Arlula

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Satellite News

Viasat advances aviation multi-beam satcom with ViaSat-3 F2 in-orbit testing and AERA ground/antenna system

SpaceX to relaunch Falcon Heavy after 18 months with Viasat-3.3 (F3) from LC-39A, targeting GTO on April 27

SpaceX counts down Falcon 9’s 50th 2026 launch: 25 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg

China launches PRSC-EO3 for Pakistan, deploying Earth-monitoring optoelectronic satellite on a Long March-6

News Timeline