Space is a Network.
Constellations is Your Connection.
Europe’s largest telecom operators see significant potential in satellite direct-to-device (D2D) services but remain uncertain about market demand, profitability and which D2D providers will ultimately survive.
Read more
Eleven satellite imaging firms have formed the Remote Sensing Collective to urge ITU members to preserve the 8.025–8.4 GHz band exclusively for Earth-observation satellites. With global regulators set to decide at Shanghai’s WRC-27, opening X-Band to terrestrial 5G could undermine future military surveillance and disaster-response imaging.
Companies must submit proposals by Sept. 30 outlining private-sector technologies for the three-year European Resilience from Space precursor constellation. The fast-track, €1 billion ERS plan will lay the groundwork for the EU’s broader Earth Observation Governmental Service in the 2028–34 budget.
After its August 12 launch aboard Ariane 6, the $6.1 billion Metop-SG program enters a year-long commissioning phase, gearing up for over 20 years of polar-orbit data collection. In partnership with NOAA’s Joint Polar Satellite System, Eumetsat will share sensors and ground stations, enhancing global storm forecasting and ensuring mutual backup across the Arctic and Antarctic.
Despite the ambitious capacity, initial output for Telesat and Globalstar will ramp up slowly to ensure quality and reliability. With four LEO constellations under contract and Aurora tech validated, MDA is positioning itself as a dominant force in next-gen satellite manufacturing.
The company must launch over 1,500 satellites by July 2026 to meet its first regulatory milestone, a feat made difficult by launch vehicle availability. This uncertainty, and competition from players like Starlink, raises questions about Kuiper's ability to fulfill its global internet ambitions.
Europe’s Iris2 satellite project is focused on achieving soverign communication capabilities rather than outperforming Starlink. The French military prefers its higher, more protected orbit, while Eutelsat maintains that its core performance metrics are already comparable.
The alliance’s new Commercial Space Strategy aims to integrate private sector space capabilities for collective security. This policy focuses on making commercial space assets interoperable among the 32 member nations and with their own government satellites. However, it leaves open questions about future budgets and how the alliance will secure priority access to these commercial services during a crisis.
Industry officials believe Elon Musk’s recent controversial behavior presents a golden opportunity for Europe’s space sector to counter the threat from his companies, SpaceX and Starlink. As customers express concern about relying on a single American provider, European companies like Eutelsat and Arianespace are promoting their sovereign satellite and launch services as crucial, reliable alternatives.
The technology is proven and demand is strong, yet system compatibility and scaled production are now vital. These hurdles directly affect multi-vendor initiatives, like the Space Development Agency's network goals.
