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executivetraveller.com • David Flynn

United CEO Scott Kirby shuts down free inflight Wi‑Fi for non‑Starlink aircraft after brief “open access” glitch

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says the carrier will not offer free in‑flight Wi‑Fi on aircraft not equipped with Starlink, despite a short-lived issue last week that reportedly allowed open access across parts of United’s fleet. The stance reinforces a paid-connectivity model tied to specific installed systems.

2026-04-23T00:24:29.882146-07:00

SpaceNews.com

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites

2026-04-22T23:05:44.348378-07:00

DefenseNews.com

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links

2026-04-22T17:50:05.414500-07:00

Via Satellite

Jetstar selects Viasat AMARA to equip 11 upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliners with high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi

2026-04-22T13:24:49.422758-07:00

News Timeline

executivetraveller.com

United CEO Scott Kirby shuts down free inflight Wi‑Fi for non‑Starlink aircraft after brief “open access” glitch United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says the carrier will not offer free in‑flight Wi‑Fi on aircraft not equipped with Starlink, despite a short-lived issue last week that reportedly allowed open access across parts of United’s fleet. The stance reinforces a paid-connectivity model tied to specific installed systems.

2026-04-23T00:24:29.882146-07:00

United CEO Scott Kirby shuts down free inflight Wi‑Fi for non‑Starlink aircraft after brief “open access” glitch

SpaceNews.com

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites French startup Univity says it has raised around $32 million in a Series A to launch a pair of 5G very-low-Earth-orbit (VLEO) demonstrators next year. The funding supports plans for at least 1,600 VLEO satellites aimed at extending 5G coverage from space for telecom operators.

2026-04-22T23:05:44.348378-07:00

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites

DefenseNews.com

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links A space-based laser communications system integrated on the European Data Relay System (EDRS)-A satellite payload is scheduled for launch Jan. 27. ESA and Airbus Defence & Space describe it as a secure, high-capacity data transmitter supporting both commercial and military operators.

2026-04-22T17:50:05.414500-07:00

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links

DefenseNews.com

USAF weighs outsourcing day-to-day Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) operations to a commercial partner by 2016 The U.S. Air Force is considering moving day-to-day operations of its Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) constellation to a commercial partner as early as 2016, according to a senior service communications official. The decision would shift routine constellation operations toward an external operator model.

2026-04-22T16:49:52.706045-07:00

USAF weighs outsourcing day-to-day Wideband Global Satcom (WGS) operations to a commercial partner by 2016

Via Satellite

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Jetstar selects Viasat AMARA to equip 11 upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliners with high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi Jetstar Airways has chosen Viasat’s next-generation AMARA in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution for its upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet. The rollout covers 11 aircraft, according to the carrier’s announcement, positioning AMARA as the connectivity backbone for Jetstar’s long-haul cabin upgrades.

2026-04-22T13:24:49.422758-07:00

Jetstar selects Viasat AMARA to equip 11 upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliners with high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi

Via Satellite

Eutelsat renews Mexico video distribution deal with PCTV and expands Caribbean DTH/connectivity with Co-op Cable via EUTELSAT 11 Eutelsat announced new broadcast agreements alongside renewals to support DTH and video services in Mexico and the Caribbean. The operator will continue distributing PCTV video services over EUTELSAT 117 West A and partner with Co-op Cable for an expanded Caribbean DTH and connectivity offering using EUTELSAT 65 West A.

2026-04-22T12:57:33.145288-07:00

Eutelsat renews Mexico video distribution deal with PCTV and expands Caribbean DTH/connectivity with Co-op Cable via EUTELSAT 11

Space.com

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Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna Rocket Lab is set to launch its second Electron/JAXA dedicated mission, “Kakushin Rising,” delivering eight Japanese satellites into orbit. The payload set includes a spacecraft featuring an origami-folded antenna, as part of JAXA’s Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration Program.

2026-04-22T10:06:44.189999-07:00

Rocket Lab Electron to launch JAXA “Kakushin Rising” mission, deploying 8 Japanese satellites including origami-fold antenna

Satellite Evolution

SSC Space and Kuva Space sign LOI for strategic collaboration spanning Nordic commercial, institutional and security space oppor Finnish hyperspectral Earth observation and AI intelligence provider Kuva Space has signed a Letter of Intent with SSC Space to explore a strategic collaboration across the Nordic space value chain. The companies say the regional effort targets commercial, institutional, and security-related space opportunities, with SSC announcing the partnership on April 22.

2026-04-22T09:25:46.414025-07:00

SSC Space and Kuva Space sign LOI for strategic collaboration spanning Nordic commercial, institutional and security space oppor

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Satellite News

United CEO Scott Kirby shuts down free inflight Wi‑Fi for non‑Starlink aircraft after brief “open access” glitch

Univity raises ~$32M Series A to field two 5G VLEO demonstrators in 2027, scaling toward 1,600+ satellites

EDRS-A to launch with space-based laser communications payload for secure, high-capacity data links

Jetstar selects Viasat AMARA to equip 11 upgraded Boeing 787 Dreamliners with high-speed in-flight Wi-Fi

News Timeline