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New York Times • Kalley Huang

iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite Enables Skiers' Rescue After Avalanche

The iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite feature — which sends text alerts to emergency responders when no cell tower is available — helped locate and rescue skiers after an avalanche. The case shows consumer satellite links can provide direct, life‑saving communications in remote search‑and‑rescue scenarios.

2026-02-18T16:31:08.462766-08:00

Via Satellite

Analysts: SpaceX's xAI acquisition and orbital data‑center plan offer major upside — and major risks

2026-02-18T13:13:58.924467-08:00

Via Satellite

EUSPA awards Thales Alenia Space framework to build central ground platform for European GNSS services

2026-02-18T13:11:26.068133-08:00

Space Intel Report

EU to field sovereign satcom: Iris2 to offer free, anonymous government links as GOVSATCOM goes live

2026-02-18T10:15:35.912836-08:00

News Timeline

New York Times

iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite Enables Skiers' Rescue After Avalanche The iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite feature — which sends text alerts to emergency responders when no cell tower is available — helped locate and rescue skiers after an avalanche. The case shows consumer satellite links can provide direct, life‑saving communications in remote search‑and‑rescue scenarios.

2026-02-18T16:31:08.462766-08:00

iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite Enables Skiers' Rescue After Avalanche

Via Satellite

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Analysts: SpaceX's xAI acquisition and orbital data‑center plan offer major upside — and major risks Analysts say SpaceX's acquisition of xAI and its plan to field orbital data‑center constellations could open new revenue streams by combining launch, connectivity and AI services, but also creates significant execution and regulatory risks industry observers are still parsing over the medium term.

2026-02-18T13:13:58.924467-08:00

Analysts: SpaceX's xAI acquisition and orbital data‑center plan offer major upside — and major risks

Via Satellite

EUSPA awards Thales Alenia Space framework to build central ground platform for European GNSS services EUSPA has awarded Thales Alenia Space a framework contract to develop a central ground support platform and an EGNSS Service Demonstrator to integrate EU navigation and space services — EGNOS, Galileo, Copernicus and GOVSATCOM/IRIS². The work is intended to streamline deployment and enable cross-service interoperability.

2026-02-18T13:11:26.068133-08:00

EUSPA awards Thales Alenia Space framework to build central ground platform for European GNSS services

Space Intel Report

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EU to field sovereign satcom: Iris2 to offer free, anonymous government links as GOVSATCOM goes live Brussels plans to offer Iris2 satellite communications free and anonymously to governments, with deployment accelerated from 2029 and commercial links potentially pre-empted during crises. The move coincides with activation of GOVSATCOM secure‑encrypted services as the EU builds a homegrown alternative to Starlink and other global providers.

2026-02-18T10:15:35.912836-08:00

EU to field sovereign satcom: Iris2 to offer free, anonymous government links as GOVSATCOM goes live

smallsatnews.com

MTN authorized to resell SpaceX government satellite connectivity (Starshield/Starlink) MTN Satellite Communications said on Feb. 18, 2026 it has been authorized by SpaceX to operate and resell the company’s government-focused satellite connectivity ecosystem (Starshield/Starlink), enabling MTN to integrate and offer SpaceX connectivity services to government and defense clients effective immediately.

2026-02-18T09:53:24.175381-08:00

MTN authorized to resell SpaceX government satellite connectivity (Starshield/Starlink)

Bloomberg

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Amazon Leo accelerates LEO deployment after major launch and regulatory win Amazon's Leo broadband programme gained momentum after a major satellite launch and a regulatory approval, giving the operator both in‑orbit capacity and cleared licensing to advance deployment. The twin developments reduce near‑term operational and commercial risk and support plans to speed service rollouts.

2026-02-18T08:05:21.390931-08:00

Amazon Leo accelerates LEO deployment after major launch and regulatory win

Via Satellite

Belgian startup EDGX advances Sterna edge‑AI computer for onboard satellite processing EDGX, a Belgian AI space startup, is commercializing Sterna, a next‑generation edge AI computer designed for satellites. The company's CEO outlined plans to field Sterna for in‑orbit AI workloads, enabling satellites to process data onboard and run advanced machine‑learning applications.

2026-02-18T07:30:27.509893-08:00

Belgian startup EDGX advances Sterna edge‑AI computer for onboard satellite processing

Via Satellite

Insider threats could dramatically lower the barrier to satellite hacking The long-held view that satellite hacking requires exceptional technical skill is challenged by analysis arguing insider access—from employees, contractors or partners—can provide credentials, operational knowledge and physical access that bypasses complex ground and space protections, dramatically lowering the barrier to attacks on orbital systems.

2026-02-18T07:30:27.455104-08:00

Insider threats could dramatically lower the barrier to satellite hacking

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Satellite News

iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite Enables Skiers' Rescue After Avalanche

Analysts: SpaceX's xAI acquisition and orbital data‑center plan offer major upside — and major risks

EUSPA awards Thales Alenia Space framework to build central ground platform for European GNSS services

EU to field sovereign satcom: Iris2 to offer free, anonymous government links as GOVSATCOM goes live

News Timeline