August 4, 2025

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TOP STORY

EchoStar Orders $1.3B D2D Constellation from MDA Space
EchoStar is moving forward with plans for a standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) constellation, placing an initial $1.3 billion order with Canadian manufacturer MDA Space for 100 Aurora satellites. The contract announced Aug. 1 is for 100 satellites, but EchoStar plans to expand it to 200 satellites to even thousands of satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).

The constellation will provide talk, text, and broadband services, using non-terrestrial network (NTN) 3GPP standards. It will operate in EchoStar’s AWS-4/S-band spectrum in the 2 GHz band — spectrum holdings the FCC launched an inquiry into in May, along with an inquiry into EchoStar's 5G…[continued]

Connectivity
Amazon CEO Tells Investors There Will Be 2 Players in LEO
Amazon CEO Andy Jassy told investors that Amazon is planning to bring Project Kuiper into commercial beta service later this year or early next year…[continued]

Imagery and Sensing
SFL Missions to Develop Maritime Monitoring Satellite for Norway
SFL Missions Inc. will develop a microsatellite for the Norwegian Space Agency for maritime ship tracking under a contract announced July 29. The AISSat-4 satellite…[continued]

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Redwire Enhancing Defense & Intelligence Operations in the U.S. and Abroad

With the U.S.-built SabreSat and European-built Phantom VLEO platform designs, Redwire is taking an innovative approach to developing a new breed of spacecraft that bridge the gap between air and space. VLEO is a crucial domain for the future of defense and intelligence operations.

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Finance
SES Posts Double-Digit Growth in Government Revenue Amid Rising Demand
SES reported stable revenues in the first half of 2025, with standout 17% year-over-year growth in the Government segment in H1. CEO Adel Al Saleh…[continued]

Finance
Viasat Investor Advocates for Spin-Off of Defense Business
An investment firm that holds a 2.6% stake in Viasat is advocating that the company spin-off or IPO its Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) business,…[continued]

People
ICYMI: Via Satellite Rising Stars of 2025
Back for the second year, Via Satellite recognizes a new class of 25 Rising Stars — a group of young professionals shaping the future of the space…[continued]

Here's what else we're reading:

Italy's opposition warns against involving SpaceX in satellite program update | Reuters

In reversal, Defense Department will continue providing crucial satellite weather data | NPR

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