Jason Rainbow, Author at SpaceNews https://spacenews.com Covering the business and politics of space Tue, 28 Oct 2025 20:08:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png Jason Rainbow, Author at SpaceNews https://spacenews.com 32 32 80681979 FCC proposes ‘licensing assembly line’ to accelerate satellite approvals https://spacenews.com/fcc-proposes-licensing-assembly-line-to-accelerate-satellite-approvals/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-proposes-licensing-assembly-line-to-accelerate-satellite-approvals/#respond Tue, 28 Oct 2025 19:35:48 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=558004

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.

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Slingshot sells first sensors in UK deal as more nations seek space-tracking sovereignty https://spacenews.com/slingshot-sells-first-sensors-in-uk-deal-as-more-nations-seek-space-tracking-sovereignty/ https://spacenews.com/slingshot-sells-first-sensors-in-uk-deal-as-more-nations-seek-space-tracking-sovereignty/#respond Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:05:57 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557973

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.

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MTN carves out private networks for Starlink’s business users https://spacenews.com/mtn-carves-out-private-networks-for-starlinks-business-users/ https://spacenews.com/mtn-carves-out-private-networks-for-starlinks-business-users/#respond Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:03:18 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557829

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.

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Iridium unveils chip to bring GPS protection to mass-market devices https://spacenews.com/iridium-unveils-chip-to-bring-gps-protection-to-mass-market-devices/ https://spacenews.com/iridium-unveils-chip-to-bring-gps-protection-to-mass-market-devices/#respond Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:38:37 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557805

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.

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Iridium pulls $1 billion 2030 service revenue goal amid SpaceX’s D2D push https://spacenews.com/iridium-pulls-1-billion-2030-service-revenue-goal-amid-spacexs-d2d-push/ https://spacenews.com/iridium-pulls-1-billion-2030-service-revenue-goal-amid-spacexs-d2d-push/#respond Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:25:40 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557542

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.

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Ion-X to supply upgraded thruster for Univity’s VLEO 5G constellation https://spacenews.com/ion-x-to-supply-upgraded-thruster-for-univitys-vleo-5g-constellation/ https://spacenews.com/ion-x-to-supply-upgraded-thruster-for-univitys-vleo-5g-constellation/#respond Thu, 23 Oct 2025 07:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557367

France-based propulsion startup Ion-X announced Oct. 23 it will provide an upgraded version of its electrospray thruster to Univity, a three-year-old French venture planning 1500 small 5G broadband satellites in VLEO.

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Lynk Global and Omnispace to merge in race for direct-to-device satellite spectrum https://spacenews.com/lynk-global-and-omnispace-to-merge-in-race-for-direct-to-device-satellite-spectrum/ https://spacenews.com/lynk-global-and-omnispace-to-merge-in-race-for-direct-to-device-satellite-spectrum/#respond Wed, 22 Oct 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557190

Lynk Global plans to merge with Omnispace to upgrade its direct-to-device services with globally coordinated S-band spectrum, joining SpaceX and AST SpaceMobile in shoring up satellite frequencies after initially relying on cellular partnerships.

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Starlink mini lasers to link Muon Space satellites for near real-time connectivity https://spacenews.com/starlink-mini-lasers-to-link-muon-space-satellites-for-near-real-time-connectivity/ https://spacenews.com/starlink-mini-lasers-to-link-muon-space-satellites-for-near-real-time-connectivity/#respond Tue, 21 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=557032

SpaceX is supplying optical terminals to Muon Space, the four-year-old Californian manufacturer said Oct. 21, enabling its future Halo satellites to use the Starlink broadband constellation as a global data-relay network.

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Belgian startup Nxgsat raises early funds for virtual 5G satellite modem https://spacenews.com/belgian-startup-nxgsat-raises-early-funds-for-virtual-5g-satellite-modem/ https://spacenews.com/belgian-startup-nxgsat-raises-early-funds-for-virtual-5g-satellite-modem/#respond Tue, 21 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=556975

A Belgian startup led by satellite networking veterans announced $1.4 million in seed funding Oct. 21 to develop a virtual 5G modem, designed for multi-orbit compatibility across traditionally closed communications infrastructure.

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iRocket turns to missiles to fuel reusable launcher ambitions https://spacenews.com/irocket-turns-to-missiles-to-fuel-reusable-launcher-ambitions/ https://spacenews.com/irocket-turns-to-missiles-to-fuel-reusable-launcher-ambitions/#respond Thu, 16 Oct 2025 15:22:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=556672

iRocket's plans for a fully reusable satellite launcher got a boost from the first flight test of IRX-100, a short-range missile the startup hopes will generate near-term revenue to support its orbital Shockwave vehicle.

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Beyond Gravity plans US push after fivefold boost in European solar mechanism output https://spacenews.com/beyond-gravity-plans-us-push-after-fivefold-boost-in-european-solar-mechanism-output/ https://spacenews.com/beyond-gravity-plans-us-push-after-fivefold-boost-in-european-solar-mechanism-output/#respond Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=556394

Beyond Gravity is weighing expanding solar array drive mechanism production in Florida to support Golden Dome and other U.S. space projects, after doubling manufacturing space in Europe for hardware that keeps satellites pointed toward the sun.

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Viasat and Space42’s D2D joint venture finds first mobile partner in UAE https://spacenews.com/viasat-and-space42s-d2d-joint-venture-finds-first-mobile-partner-in-uae/ https://spacenews.com/viasat-and-space42s-d2d-joint-venture-finds-first-mobile-partner-in-uae/#respond Tue, 14 Oct 2025 17:22:59 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=556352

Equatys, the U.S.-based Viasat and Emirati satellite operator Space42’s shared space infrastructure joint venture for direct-to-device services, has gained its first mobile network partner as it seeks to challenge SpaceX’s growing lead in the emerging market.

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AST SpaceMobile gains Verizon ally amid SpaceX’s direct-to-device push https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-gains-verizon-ally-amid-spacexs-direct-to-device-push/ https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-gains-verizon-ally-amid-spacexs-direct-to-device-push/#respond Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:09:08 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=555692

AST SpaceMobile’s shares closed up more than 8% Oct. 8 after Verizon joined AT&T in signing a definitive agreement to use its planned space-based cellular network, easing investor concerns about SpaceX’s aggressive push into the fledgling D2D market.

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Space infrastructure investments surge to five-quarter high https://spacenews.com/space-infrastructure-investments-surge-to-five-quarter-high/ https://spacenews.com/space-infrastructure-investments-surge-to-five-quarter-high/#respond Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=555559

Early-stage investor Space Capital said global investments in core space infrastructure climbed to a five-quarter high of $4.4 billion over the three months to the end of September, amid a breakout year for U.S. satellite manufacturing.

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Sateliot hails standards-based IoT connection from LEO to a commercial device https://spacenews.com/sateliot-hails-first-standards-based-iot-connection-from-leo-to-a-commercial-device/ https://spacenews.com/sateliot-hails-first-standards-based-iot-connection-from-leo-to-a-commercial-device/#respond Tue, 07 Oct 2025 22:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=555525

Spain’s Sateliot says it has achieved a narrowband connection from a LEO satellite for the first time to a commercial IoT device built to global 5G standards known as 3GPP Release 17.

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FCC launches ‘Space Month’ to fast-track satellite licensing and spectrum reforms https://spacenews.com/fcc-launches-space-month-to-fast-track-satellite-licensing-and-spectrum-reforms/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-launches-space-month-to-fast-track-satellite-licensing-and-spectrum-reforms/#respond Mon, 06 Oct 2025 21:51:17 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=555419

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr vowed Oct. 6 to accelerate satellite regulatory reforms, declaring October as “Space Month” at the U.S. regulator to overhaul licensing and spectrum rules amid mounting competition from China.

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EchoStar clears key regulatory step for spectrum sale to SpaceX https://spacenews.com/echostar-clears-key-regulatory-step-for-spectrum-sale-to-spacex/ https://spacenews.com/echostar-clears-key-regulatory-step-for-spectrum-sale-to-spacex/#respond Fri, 03 Oct 2025 19:27:38 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=555129

EchoStar said Oct. 3 it has met regulatory conditions needed to maintain rights to the global S-band spectrum it is selling to SpaceX in a deal worth more than $17 billion.

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Maxar retires its name, rebrands as Vantor and Lanteris https://spacenews.com/maxar-retires-its-name-rebrands-as-vantor-and-lanteris/ https://spacenews.com/maxar-retires-its-name-rebrands-as-vantor-and-lanteris/#respond Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=554541

The Maxar name is disappearing from the space industry as two successor companies emerge with distinct identities: Maxar Intelligence will now operate as Vantor, and Maxar Space Systems will go by Lanteris

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Maldives plots $50 million fund for sovereign space capabilities https://spacenews.com/maldives-plots-50-million-fund-for-sovereign-space-capabilities/ https://spacenews.com/maldives-plots-50-million-fund-for-sovereign-space-capabilities/#respond Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=554604

The Maldives is looking to raise $50 million for a space agency fund that aims to be the first of its kind for an island nation, targeting sovereign infrastructure and support for other developing states facing climate and security challenges.

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What’s next for direct-to-device after SpaceX’s blockbuster spectrum deal https://spacenews.com/whats-next-for-direct-to-device-after-spacexs-blockbuster-spectrum-deal/ https://spacenews.com/whats-next-for-direct-to-device-after-spacexs-blockbuster-spectrum-deal/#respond Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=553809 Starlink satellites pass overhead near Carson National Forest, N.M., in Feb. 2022. Credit: M. Lewinsky/Creative Commons Attribution 2.0

The direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity market has been completely transformed in the space of six weeks. On Aug. 1, U.S.-based EchoStar ordered 100 satellites from Canada’s MDA Space for a planned […]

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OQ Technology expands satellite IoT services to Australia https://spacenews.com/oq-technology-expands-satellite-iot-services-to-australia/ https://spacenews.com/oq-technology-expands-satellite-iot-services-to-australia/#respond Tue, 30 Sep 2025 20:54:36 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=554525

OQ Technology has expanded its satellite connectivity services for remote Internet of Things devices to Australia, the Luxembourg-based LEO operator announced Sept. 30.

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SpaceX’s D2D deal spurs space bulls https://spacenews.com/spacexs-d2d-deal-spurs-space-bulls/ https://spacenews.com/spacexs-d2d-deal-spurs-space-bulls/#respond Tue, 30 Sep 2025 18:38:05 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=554249 Starlink satellite stack

Satellite investors are increasingly optimistic about the industry amid rising valuations, deeper capital pools and a wave of M&A that is reshaping the global space economy.

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ViaSat-3 F2 delivered to Florida for October launch https://spacenews.com/viasat-3-f2-delivered-to-florida-for-october-launch/ https://spacenews.com/viasat-3-f2-delivered-to-florida-for-october-launch/#respond Tue, 30 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=554413

TAMPA, Fla. — Viasat’s second ViaSat-3 satellite has arrived in Florida for a launch in the second half of October, giving the company another chance to operate a terabit-per-second broadband powerhouse from geostationary orbit.

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Kayhan Space releases free software to speed up satellite visualization https://spacenews.com/kayhan-space-releases-free-software-to-speed-up-satellite-visualization/ https://spacenews.com/kayhan-space-releases-free-software-to-speed-up-satellite-visualization/#respond Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:02:59 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=554395

Orbital traffic software firm Kayhan Space released a free online tool Sept. 30 that it says will help researchers and developers visualize massive satellite catalogs, without the sluggish performance that often slows them down.

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