Jason Rainbow

Europe must move quickly to craft a large-scale strategy for space-based data centers or risk ceding a potential pillar of future digital infrastructure to global competitors, according to the European Space Policy Institute.

OQ Technology has become the first European satellite operator to send an emergency broadcast message directly to an unmodified smartphone from low Earth orbit, the Luxembourg-based venture announced Nov. 19.

Kymeta is working on a conformal antenna that could be integrated into the body of missiles being developed by iRocket, enabling the multi-orbit connectivity they say will be vital for the U.S. Golden Dome interceptor network.

An Atlas 5 rocket sent Viasat’s second ViaSat-3 satellite toward geostationary orbit Nov. 13, bringing the U.S. broadband provider closer to operating a terabit-per-second giant it had hoped to debut six years ago.

Project Kuiper has shed its seven-year-old code name, emerging as Amazon Leo Nov. 13 as the company nears the start of initial broadband services from the low Earth orbit constellation next year.

Lux Aeterna is attracting growing interest from across the U.S. government for heat shield technology designed to make satellites fully reusable, securing two partnership agreements since emerging from stealth in June.

New Mexico-based mPower Technology has started automated, high-volume production of its space-grade solar modules in New York, the company announced Nov. 11 as it ramps up to meet demand from satellite constellations.

Spain’s Sateliot announced plans Nov. 10 to develop upgraded satellites from newly expanded facilities in Barcelona, aiming to move beyond connecting sensors and machines to also provide wideband voice, video and data links directly to smartphones.

AST SpaceMobile has registered plans with international regulators via Germany for a sovereign, space-based network that would provide broadband directly to devices across Europe, the U.S.-based satellite operator said Nov. 7.

Managing space domain awareness data has become a greater challenge than collecting it

Geostationary satellite operator EchoStar is selling another batch of radio frequencies to help improve SpaceX’s direct-to-cell services in the United States, in return for $2.6 billion worth of the company’s stock.

Astranis unveils Vanguard for secure beyond-line-of-sight satellite communications

The United Kingdom must move swiftly to turn ambition into action after falling short of a vision outlined three years ago to become a major global space power, a cross-party parliamentary committee warned Nov. 3.

Ukrainian telco Kyivstar said Oct. 31 it is preparing to test SpaceX’s Starlink Direct to Cell service across most of the country, excluding border areas, active combat zones and territories occupied by Russian forces.

Saudi telecoms giant stc Group has signed a 10-year agreement that includes a $175 million prepayment commitment to use AST SpaceMobile’s planned space-based cellular broadband network, the Texas-based venture announced Oct. 29.

Slingshot Aerospace is in talks with other countries to create or expand space-tracking capabilities after selling optical sensors to the U.K., marking the California-based company’s first deal for the hardware behind its monitoring software.

The FCC voted Oct. 28 to propose creating a modular “licensing assembly line” that would overhaul its satellite application process to accelerate reviews and cut red tape.

Networking specialist MTN has launched a service that enables SpaceX’s Starlink LEO satellites to operate as part of a privately secured communications system, giving businesses a way to link remote sites without using the public internet.

Iridium Communications plans to release a tiny chip next year to protect devices relying on navigation satellites from jamming and spoofing, reinforcing one of the L-band operator’s core strengths as SpaceX’s Starlink encroaches on other parts of its business.

Iridium’s shares closed down more than 7% Oct. 23 after the satellite operator lowered its full-year service revenue outlook again, while withdrawing its $1 billion target for 2030 amid mounting competition from SpaceX.