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SpaceNews.com • Jason Rainbow

FCC approves SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase, conditioning approval on a $2.4B escrow tied to disputed terrestrial 5G buildo

The FCC has issued a Report and Order approving SpaceX’s planned acquisition of EchoStar spectrum for US direct-to-device services. The approval comes with a $2.4 billion escrow requirement linked to disputes over EchoStar’s abandoned terrestrial 5G network buildout, while the FCC also moves toward auctioning remaining Upper C-band spectrum by mid-2027.

2026-05-12T16:35:38.746696-07:00

Space Intel Report

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio

2026-05-12T16:35:28.169022-07:00

Via Satellite

AST SpaceMobile reaffirms 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 and readies mid-June SpaceX launch after a Blue Origin failure

2026-05-12T14:01:37.740391-07:00

Via Satellite

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites

2026-05-12T14:56:25.654451-07:00

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SpaceNews.com

FCC approves SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase, conditioning approval on a $2.4B escrow tied to disputed terrestrial 5G buildo The FCC has issued a Report and Order approving SpaceX’s planned acquisition of EchoStar spectrum for US direct-to-device services. The approval comes with a $2.4 billion escrow requirement linked to disputes over EchoStar’s abandoned terrestrial 5G network buildout, while the FCC also moves toward auctioning remaining Upper C-band spectrum by mid-2027.

2026-05-12T16:35:38.746696-07:00

FCC approves SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase, conditioning approval on a $2.4B escrow tied to disputed terrestrial 5G buildo

Space Intel Report

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio SES and Eutelsat said their negotiations with the European Commission on Europe’s IRIS2 multi-orbit secure connectivity constellation are not yet finalized, requiring several more weeks of work to lock cost, configuration and schedule. The operators are tying completion to resolving performance and final build details with the EC.

2026-05-12T16:35:28.169022-07:00

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio

Via Satellite

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites SES reported results broadly in line with analyst expectations, highlighting momentum from its Networks business as it records revenue growth tied to airline contracting. Alongside the performance update, SES disclosed the cancellation of two GEO satellite programs, underscoring a shifting balance between demand and fleet footprint.

2026-05-12T14:56:25.654451-07:00

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites

Via Satellite

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AST SpaceMobile reaffirms 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 and readies mid-June SpaceX launch after a Blue Origin failure AST SpaceMobile says it will still aim to place 45 BlueBird satellites in orbit this year after a Blue Origin launch failure. The company’s CEO Abel Avellan also indicated preparations for a mid-June SpaceX mission launching three BlueBird satellites. AST reports direct-to-device broadband performance of 98.9 Mbps to standard smartphones at sea, unchanged hardware.

2026-05-12T14:01:37.740391-07:00

AST SpaceMobile reaffirms 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 and readies mid-June SpaceX launch after a Blue Origin failure

SpaceNews.com

Space Force awards TrustPoint $4M TACFI contract to demo GPS-independent LEO PNT system TrustPoint, a Virginia startup, received a $4 million Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract from the U.S. Space Force to demonstrate an end-to-end, GPS-independent positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) system. The effort targets a first-of-its-kind GPS backup/complement layer using low-Earth-orbit navigation.

2026-05-12T07:30:46.768508-07:00

Space Force awards TrustPoint $4M TACFI contract to demo GPS-independent LEO PNT system

Runway Girl

ThinKom selected for Ka-band inflight connectivity upgrades across multiple Neo Space Group airline deployments, including Saudi ThinKom says its Ka2517 electronically steered antenna has been selected by Neo Space Group (NSG) for installations across multiple airlines, naming Saudia and Riyadh. The announcement follows ThinKom’s ThinAir Nexus multi-orbit ESA push and Saudia’s six-month Neo Space Group-backed pilot moving into commercial rollout.

2026-05-12T07:12:04.463831-07:00

ThinKom selected for Ka-band inflight connectivity upgrades across multiple Neo Space Group airline deployments, including Saudi

Space.com

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Star Catcher raises $65M Series A to validate a space power grid via power-beaming satellites Star Catcher Industries—led by former Made in Space/Redwire executive Andrew Rush—secured an oversubscribed $65 million Series A to validate in-orbit power-beaming and build what it calls the first power grid in space. The round brings total funding to $88 million, led by B Capital with co-leads Shield Capital and Cerberus Ventures.

2026-05-12T06:48:33.865401-07:00

Star Catcher raises $65M Series A to validate a space power grid via power-beaming satellites

SpaceNews.com

Transcelestial advances space-to-ground lasercom with satellite-to-ground laser terminal test Transcelestial says it has progressed its work on space-to-ground optical communications by testing satellite lasers to connect with ground stations. The effort targets validated performance for high-rate optical links, aligning with broader industry moves toward optical alternatives to radio-frequency communications.

2026-05-12T05:28:19.550608-07:00

Transcelestial advances space-to-ground lasercom with satellite-to-ground laser terminal test

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Satellite News

FCC approves SpaceX’s EchoStar spectrum purchase, conditioning approval on a $2.4B escrow tied to disputed terrestrial 5G buildo

SES and Eutelsat say IRIS2 secure connectivity negotiations with the European Commission need weeks to settle cost, configuratio

AST SpaceMobile reaffirms 45 BlueBird satellites in 2026 and readies mid-June SpaceX launch after a Blue Origin failure

SES posts results in line with expectations as Networks revenue grows on airline contracts; operator cancels two GEO satellites

News Timeline