Forrestere’s Digest: Space42, Viasat launch Equatys D2D venture – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-09-17 00:00
Space42 and Viasat have created Equatys to enable global Direct-to-Device (D2D) services. The venture aims to establish a foundation for reliable global communications with commercial rollout targeted within three years. Equatys will operate and manage as a neutral ‘space tower’ company providing lowest-cost space and ground infrastructure.
Lynk Global seeks FCC approval for S-Band trial in South Africa – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-09-17 00:00
Lynk Global, a LEO satellite provider, has applied to the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval to conduct an S-Band trial in South Africa. The company is seeking a 60-day special temporary authorisation (STA) beginning on September 22, 2025. The trial will be supported through a ground station located at Pretoria’s Kitty Hawk Aerodrome.
SES delivers unprecedented MEO satellite connectivity for French Navy’s Clemenceau 25 mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-09-17 00:00
SES leveraged its secure and reliable O3b mPOWER satcom service — Managed Naval mPOWERED — during the Clemenceau 25 mission. This high-throughput, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) connectivity solution supported all of the aircraft carrier’s operations.
SpaceX scrubs Wednesday’s launch of Starlink Group 17-12 smallsats from California and looks like weather challenges – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-09-17 00:00
SpaceX's Falcon 9 was scheduled to launch 24 Starlink Group 17-12 smallsats on Wednesday to the Starlink constellation in a polar, low-Earth orbit. The launch originally scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th was delayed and is now targeting no earlier than Thursday, September 18th, at 8:41 a.m. PDT. There is a good possibility that Thursday’s projected launch may be scrubbed again as the cloud cover will be 100% according to weather officials.
Arctic Sea Ice Reaches Annual Low
Original Publication Date: 2025-09-17 13:02
The extent of sea ice in the Arctic shrank to its annual minimum on Sept. 10. The total sea ice coverage was tied with 2008 for the 10th-lowest on record at 1.78 million square miles. In the Southern Hemisphere, where winter is ending, Antarctic ice is still accumulating.
Starship Block 3 development continues at Starbase and McGregor
Original Publication Date: 2025-09-16 18:20
SpaceX is gearing up for the next evolution of Starship, with Block 3 hardware on display at Starbase. Glimpses of Ship 39, the inaugural vehicle from the Block 3 production line, are providing visual updates on the Flight 12 vehicle. SpaceX is set to begin launches with the Block 3 vehicle in 2026.