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- 1Amazon seeks FCC approval for 5,105 new satellites●# Amazon is asking the # FCC to approve 5,105 massive new # satellites while hiding their orbital debris risk models beh
Amazon has asked the US Federal Communications Commission to approve a constellation of 5,105 additional satellites for its Kuiper broadband project. Critics say the company has withheld its orbital debris risk models behind corporate secrecy, and space sustainability advocates are demanding full public transparency, arguing that a safe orbital environment is a shared resource that should not be shaped behind closed doors.
- 2FCC Holds Sweeping Power Over Massive Spaceflight Projects●"The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly green-light massive spaceflight projects that could comp
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve massive spaceflight projects, including large satellite constellations that could fundamentally alter the appearance of the night sky for everyone on Earth. Despite growing public outcry and concern from astronomers, space law experts say the FCC remains effectively the only gatekeeper, with very little other regulatory oversight available to check these approvals.
- 3Astronomers warn proposed 50,000 orbital mirrors would harm sky observation●"'They're saying we want to launch 50,000 mirrors by 2035,' Benvenuti said. 'That would be catastrophic for astronomy, t
Astronomer Benvenuti said plans to launch 50,000 light-reflecting mirrors into orbit by 2035 would be 'catastrophic for astronomy.' The comment came after the FCC reportedly granted approval to Reflect Orbital, a company that intends to bounce sunlight back to Earth as a commercial service. Researchers fear large numbers of bright reflective satellites would interfere with telescope observations and darken the night sky science relies on.
- 4UK study: silicon solar cells could slash satellite power costs by 90%●UK study says silicon solar cells could cut satellite power costs by up to 90%
A UK study suggests silicon solar cells could reduce satellite power costs by up to 90% compared with current space-grade technology. Standard silicon cells are far cheaper than the specialist cells traditionally used in orbit, though they must withstand radiation and extreme temperatures. If proven durable, the finding could significantly lower the cost of building and operating satellites, with implications for the fast-growing space industry.
- 5New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere as Fuel●New Satellite Engine Could Use Earth's Atmosphere to Stay in Orbit Indefinitely
Researchers have developed an atmospheric-breathing electric propulsion system that scoops up air molecules from the upper atmosphere and uses them as propellant. If it works at scale, satellites in very low Earth orbit could replenish their fuel indefinitely instead of falling back to Earth when thrusters run dry, extending mission lifetimes dramatically.
- 6ISRO opens doors to private sector, expert explains●സ്വകാര്യ മേഖലയ്ക്കായി ISRO വാതിൽ തുറക്കുമ്പോൾ : Dr M G Suresh Kumar | Bijumohan Channel
Dr M G Suresh Kumar has spoken about ISRO opening its doors to the private sector, in remarks circulating in Malayalam-language discussion of India's space policy. The commentary covers what greater private participation means for India's space programme, a topic of growing attention as the government pushes to involve private companies in launches and satellite work. Viewers are engaging heavily with the discussion of the agency's shifting role.
- 7Google's Project Suncatcher to put ML infrastructure in space▼Google’s Project Suncatcher to put ML infrastructure in space
Google has unveiled Project Suncatcher, a research initiative to place machine learning infrastructure in space, using solar-powered satellites to scale AI compute beyond Earth. Google published details and early findings on its research blog. The proposal is drawing attention for its ambition and for questions about cost, thermal challenges, and whether orbital data centers are realistic.
- 8Odds of being hit by falling space junk are rising, experts warn●"For now, people are more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space junk. But those odds are shifting. Sean
Experts including former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe say that while a person is still more likely to be struck by lightning than by falling space debris, those odds are shifting as more objects re-enter the atmosphere. They argue governments and companies should be compelled to use materials that fully burn up on re-entry, part of a growing push for space environmentalism as satellite launches and orbital clutter accelerate.
- 9Astronomers say AST SpaceMobile satellites far exceed brightness limits●"Our measurements reveal an average brightness seven times brighter than mitigation targets cited in FCC filings and pea
Astronomers report that measurements of AST SpaceMobile satellites show an average brightness seven times above mitigation targets cited in FCC filings, with peak values more than 200 times brighter than the International Astronomical Union's recommended threshold of magnitude 7. The findings raise concerns as the company prepares to deploy more satellites, with researchers warning of growing interference with ground-based astronomy.
- 10Space Force Books 2027 On-Orbit Servicing Missions●U.S. Space Force Schedules 2027 On-Orbit Servicing Missions With Astroscale U.S. and Starfish Space
The U.S. Space Force has scheduled on-orbit servicing missions for 2027 with Astroscale U.S. and Starfish Space, two companies developing spacecraft capable of refueling, repairing, or repositioning satellites in orbit. The program marks a step toward routine commercial servicing of military satellites, extending their lifespans and reducing costs.
- 11Astronomer turns sinking Starlink satellites into planetary barometer●Astronomer watches Starlink satellites sinking to build a 'planetary barometer'
An astronomer is tracking the gradual orbital decay of Starlink satellites to measure density changes in the upper atmosphere, effectively turning the satellite constellation into a global 'planetary barometer'. As satellites sink, the drag they experience reveals how the thin air at their altitude expands and contracts with solar activity. Space scientists are discussing the approach as a clever reuse of existing mega-constellation telemetry for atmospheric research.
- 12Retail Traders Call SpaceX Pre-IPO Shares Overpriced●SPACEX Faces ‘Overpriced’ Calls From Retail Traders Amid Frenzy For Pre-IPO Access
SpaceX is drawing heavy retail interest ahead of a possible share sale, with some traders arguing the private-market valuation is too high even as demand for pre-IPO access surges. Discussion centres on whether the rocket and satellite company's price reflects its growth in launch and Starlink, or hype, as small investors seek ways in before any listing.
- 13SpaceX Weighs Entry Into US Mobile Market●SpaceX May Be Eyeing US Mobile Market – Even As Musk Says ‘Star’ Branding Has Gone Too Far
SpaceX may be preparing a push into the US mobile market, building on its satellite connectivity ambitions, even as Elon Musk says the 'Star' branding across his companies has spread too far. Observers are watching whether the company will follow its Starlink internet service with a direct-to-consumer mobile offering, and how Musk squares that expansion with his branding comments.
- 14DARPA Plans Repair Robot for Geosynchronous Orbit●Inside DARPA’s Mission to Send a Repair Robot to Geosynchronous Orbit
DARPA is developing a robotic spacecraft designed to service and repair satellites in geosynchronous orbit, roughly 36,000 kilometers above Earth. The program, profiled by IEEE Spectrum, would allow aging or malfunctioning satellites to be fixed or refueled in place, extending their working lives. Interest centers on the technical challenge of robotic operations at that altitude and what orbital servicing could mean for the satellite industry and space security.
- 15Taliban Arrest Three Over Alleged Starlink Use in Khost●Taliban Arrest Three Over Alleged Use of Starlink Satellite Internet in Khost
Taliban authorities have arrested three people in Khost province, Afghanistan, over the alleged use of Starlink satellite internet terminals, according to the Kabul Tribune. The detentions highlight the Taliban's restrictions on internet access and their efforts to control unlicensed satellite communications, which bypass the country's state-controlled telecommunications infrastructure.
- 16Amazon Stock Rises as Satellite Service Nears Launch●AMZN Stock Gains On Hitting Satellite Milestone to Launch Starlink Internet Rival This Year
Amazon shares gained after the company hit a key satellite milestone, clearing the way for its broadband constellation to begin launching this year as a rival to SpaceX's Starlink. Investors welcomed the progress on Project Kuiper, which aims to deliver satellite internet service to customers worldwide.
- 17Google's space-based data center experiment is launching●Google's strangest data center experiment is finally leaving Earth
Google is moving forward with its plan to test data centers in space, taking its unusual experiment beyond Earth. The idea is to run computing infrastructure on satellites, where solar power is more abundant and cooling is less constrained than on the ground. Commenters are treating it as one of the company's boldest infrastructure bets, with debate over whether orbital data centers can ever be practical or affordable.
- 18PeakDo teases Starlink Mini power bank with semi-solid-state battery●PeakDo teases new Starlink Mini power bank with a semi-solid-state battery
PeakDo is teasing a new power bank designed for the Starlink Mini portable satellite dish, built around a semi-solid-state battery. Details remain scarce beyond the teaser, but the promise of semi-solid-state cell technology points to higher energy density and improved safety compared with conventional lithium-ion packs. The announcement is drawing attention from satellite internet users and gadget watchers interested in longer runtimes for off-grid Starlink Mini setups.