Satellite Communications 5 March 2026

SpaceX Hits 10,000 Active Starlink Satellites as Falcon 9 Readies New Florida Launch
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SpaceX Hits 10,000 Active Starlink Satellites as Falcon 9 Readies New Florida Launch

SpaceX surpassed 10,000 active Starlink satellites after a Falcon 9 launch from Vandenberg on Tuesday, with 29 more set to launch from Cape Canaveral Thursday at 9:58 a.m. EDT. The network, now serving over 10 million customers in 160 markets, faces growing competition from Amazon and Chinese constellations. SpaceX has averaged a launch every 2.3 days this year. The upcoming mission will use booster B1077, aiming for its 27th flight and droneship landing.
March 19, 2026
AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) lands TELUS equity deal for Canada satellite-to-phone service, adds Africa’s Axian
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AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) lands TELUS equity deal for Canada satellite-to-phone service, adds Africa’s Axian

AST SpaceMobile and TELUS signed a deal to launch satellite-powered texting, voice, and data in remote Canada by late 2026, with TELUS investing in ground infrastructure and taking an equity stake. AST also partnered with Axian Telecom for direct-to-device mobile broadband in Africa, pending approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed. AST shares fell about 12% to $92.72 in New York trading.
March 5, 2026