Two launches by SpaceX
SpaceX completed two launches on April 20 and 21, 2026. The first launch deployed 25 Starlink satellites using Falcon 9, marking its first stage's 8th flight. The second launch delivered a GPS satellite for the Space Force, with the first stage completing its 7th flight. This shift from ULA to SpaceX marked the fastest contract-to-launch timeline for the Space Force.
Starlink struggling for approval on South Africa, India
Starlink faces significant regulatory hurdles in South Africa and India, with Elon Musk criticizing BEE laws as discriminatory. In South Africa, Starlink's operations are stalled due to ownership regulations, while in India, its FDI application is on hold amid national security concerns. Gwynne Shotwell and SpaceX executives are actively engaging with Indian officials to advance their broadband initiatives.
Launch Preview: GPS, Progress, and Starlink missions to launch during busy week
Falcon 9 is set to launch GPS III SV10 on April 21, 2026, at 2:53 AM EDT, marking the final satellite of the first-generation GPS III contract. This mission features a Tesat-Spacecom SCOT80 optical communications terminal for a laser communications demonstration. Additionally, Falcon 9 will deploy 25 Starlink v2 Mini satellites on April 22, 2026, enhancing SSO coverage.
600 rocket landings! SpaceX notches another milestone during Sunday Starlink launch (video)
SpaceX achieved its 600th successful rocket landing with the recovery of Falcon 9 booster B1097 after deploying 25 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit on April 19, 2026. This milestone marks the eighth landing for this booster and the 47th Falcon 9 launch of the year, contributing to over 10,275 satellites in the constellation.
China ramps up satellite production capacity amid constellation ambitions
China is rapidly expanding its satellite manufacturing capacity, aiming for 7,360 satellites annually across 55 factories. Despite this, only 371 satellites were launched in 2025, reflecting significant bottlenecks in launch capabilities and uncertain demand. The push supports the Guowang and Qianfan megaconstellations, which plan for a total of 28,000 satellites, indicating ambitious long-term goals.
Impressive Starlink deployment rate
SpaceX has launched and deployed 4,207 Starlink satellites in 469 days, significantly outpacing Amazon Leo, which plans a constellation of 3,232 satellites. Amazon faces challenges meeting FCC obligations for its Gen 1 deadline due to delays from launch providers like Arianespace and Blue Origin. The FCC has authorized a second-generation constellation with extended deployment deadlines.
Starlink Outages Disrupt Navy Drone Tests as Pentagon Dependency Grows
Starlink outages have disrupted U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessel operations, causing significant concerns over the military's reliance on a single commercial provider. Following an $11.6 billion acquisition of Globalstar by Amazon, the Pentagon is exploring hybrid architectures to mitigate risks. Meanwhile, SpaceX is reportedly pursuing a $2 trillion IPO amid rising strategic importance in satellite communications.
Live coverage: SpaceX attempts 600th Falcon booster landing amid West Coast Starlink mission
SpaceX is set to achieve its 600th Falcon booster landing during the Starlink 17-22 mission on March 13, 2026. The Falcon 9 rocket, utilizing booster B1097 for its seventh flight, will deploy 25 satellites into LEO. Liftoff from Vandenberg Space Force Base is scheduled for 7:33:40 a.m. PDT, with landing on drone ship OCISLY expected shortly after.
Airlines See IFC as Way to Build Relationships With Customers
flydubai's senior vice president, Daniel Kerrison, emphasized in-flight connectivity (IFC) as essential for emotional customer engagement. The airline, transitioning from a low-cost model, plans to install Starlink to enhance passenger experience. Ethiopian Airlines' Samson Arega Bekele highlighted the need for personalized content, comparing IFC to home streaming services like Netflix, marking it as a core element of service.
Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX
SpaceX's Starlink experienced a global outage last August, disrupting U.S. Navy unmanned surface vessel operations off California. This incident underscores the Pentagon's increasing dependence on SpaceX for critical communications. The outage halted drone tests, raising concerns about the reliability of commercial satellite networks for military applications, particularly in operational scenarios requiring continuous connectivity and situational awareness.
Starlink outage hit drone tests, exposing Pentagon’s growing reliance on SpaceX
SpaceX's Starlink experienced a global outage last August, disrupting U.S. Navy tests of unmanned vessels and exposing vulnerabilities in military reliance on commercial satellite communications. The incident halted operations for nearly an hour, raising concerns among lawmakers about dependence on a single provider for critical national security capabilities. Despite competition, SpaceX maintains a dominant position in low-earth orbit communications.
Live Coverage: West Coast SpaceX Falcon 9 mission to launch 25 Starlink satellites
SpaceX's Falcon 9 is set to launch the Starlink 17-27 mission, deploying 25 satellites. Liftoff will occur from Space Launch Complex 4 East at 9:29:49 p.m. PDT. This mission continues the expansion of the Starlink constellation, enhancing global broadband coverage. The launch is part of SpaceX's ongoing efforts to provide reliable internet services worldwide.
Live coverage: SpaceX to launch 1,000th Starlink satellite of 2026 on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
SpaceX's Starlink 10-24 mission will deploy 29 additional satellites to the Starlink constellation, marking the 1,000th satellite launch of 2026. Liftoff is set for 5:33:10 a.m. EDT from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission continues the expansion of the low Earth orbit network, enhancing global broadband coverage.
Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to launch Starlink satellites, New Glenn to launch with flown booster
Falcon 9 is set to launch Starlink satellites this week, while Blue Origin's New Glenn will utilize a flown booster for its upcoming mission. This marks a significant operational period with six launches scheduled globally, highlighting the increasing cadence of commercial space activities. Both launches reflect advancements in reusability and satellite deployment strategies within the industry.
Amazon reveals aviation antenna as LEO inflight connectivity race intensifies
Amazon has unveiled its aviation antenna designed for the upcoming LEO constellation, targeting gigabit connectivity for commercial aircraft. This development positions Amazon to compete effectively against Starlink's dominance in the inflight broadband market, having already secured partnerships with major airlines. The antenna aims to enhance inflight connectivity capabilities significantly, marking a pivotal advancement in the sector.
Falcon 9 booster launches for record 34th time on Starlink delivery mission
Falcon 9 booster launched for a record 34th time, successfully delivering Starlink payloads. Liftoff occurred from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:15 p.m. EDT. This milestone reinforces the vehicle's reusability and operational efficiency, contributing to the expansion of the Starlink constellation in low Earth orbit, enhancing global broadband coverage.
SpaceX launches batch of Starlink satellites from the West Coast
SpaceX successfully launched the Starlink 17-17 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base, deploying a batch of satellites. Liftoff occurred at 4:03 p.m. PDT, marking another step in the expansion of the Starlink constellation. This mission continues to enhance global broadband coverage, contributing to the growing demand for satellite internet services in various regions worldwide.