This digest covers space-related developments from September 7 to 13, 2025, summarizing key advances, announcements, launches, and policy shifts across the global space sector.

Weekly Metrics Snapshot

Based on Jonathan McDowell’s Launch Log (GCAT LaunchLog) as the baseline, supplemented by official releases and industry reporting, the week registered at least three orbital launches from U.S. ranges, placing a minimum of 46 satellites into orbit. Activity included the Space Development Agency’s first Tranche 1 Transport Layer deployment (21 spacecraft), a commercial geostationary communications satellite for Indonesia (Nusantara Lima), and a Starlink batch from Vandenberg (24 spacecraft). The cadence underscored persistent U.S. launch rate growth and increasing defense-related LEO activity.

This Week’s Top Stories

SpaceX to acquire EchoStar spectrum in a $17B deal to accelerate Starlink direct-to-cell

SpaceX announced an agreement to buy wireless spectrum licenses from EchoStar for approximately $17 billion, positioning Starlink to expand direct-to-cell services and integrate with terrestrial connectivity ecosystems. The transaction, which includes cash and stock, signals growing convergence between space-based and terrestrial mobile networks and may materially alter competitive dynamics across global connectivity markets. read more

FAA and Department of the Air Force clear up to 120 annual Falcon 9 launches from SLC-40

The Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of the Air Force issued environmental findings enabling SpaceX to more than double Falcon 9 launch cadence at Cape Canaveral’s SLC-40 and proceed with a new on-site landing zone concept, subject to mitigation measures. The decision expands Eastern Range throughput and has important implications for national security, civil, and commercial missions reliant on rapid launch availability. read more

SDA launches first 21 Tranche-1 Transport Layer satellites on Falcon 9 from Vandenberg

SpaceX launched 21 satellites for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (Tranche-1 Transport Layer), initiating a series of deployments aimed at resilient, low-latency military communications and data transport. The mission marks a scaling phase from Tranche-0 demos to operational capability, with monthly launches anticipated for follow-on planes. read more

SpaceX deploys Indonesia’s Nusantara Lima GEO comsat after weather scrubs

Following multiple delays, a Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral successfully delivered the Boeing-built Nusantara Lima satellite for Pasifik Satelit Nusantara into geostationary transfer orbit. The very high-throughput system expands regional broadband capacity for Indonesia and neighboring markets and illustrates continued GEO investment alongside proliferated LEO architectures. read more

U.S. planetary science leaders warn of funding cliff for 19 active missions

An expert assessment highlighted that a portfolio of Earth and planetary missions faces imminent funding risks absent near-term appropriations, with potential impacts on climate data continuity and deep-space exploration. The analysis frames policy debates over balancing flagship ambitions with sustaining operational science assets. read more

Mars Sample Return outlook weighed amid new Perseverance findings

New scientific context from Perseverance sampling has renewed discussions about Mars Sample Return architecture, schedule, and cost. Reporting this week reviewed options under consideration and the trade space NASA faces to deliver high-value samples within fiscal constraints. read more

ESA marks 100,000 orbits of the Columbus module on the ISS

ESA highlighted the Columbus laboratory’s 100,000th orbit milestone, emphasizing sustained European research on the International Space Station and continued partnerships underpinning human spaceflight utilization. The achievement underscores the platform’s value for microgravity science and technology demonstrations. read more

Europe celebrates three decades of satellite navigation capability

ESA and partners commemorated 30 years of European satellite navigation development, reflecting on progress from early programs to Galileo service maturity and future augmentation. The event highlighted resilience, spectrum management, and multi-orbit strategies to counter interference and improve performance. read more

Global audiences observe the Sept. 7–8 total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse was visible across large parts of Europe, Asia, and western Australia, offering observational opportunities for science outreach and testing of imaging workflows relevant to public engagement. Coverage compiled viewing guidance and observational highlights across regions. read more

Starship Flight 11 preparations advance as Booster 15 and Ship 38 complete key tests

Program updates indicated static-fire completions and pad reconfigurations ahead of Starship Flight 11, with plans signaling the final Block-2 configuration flight from Pad 1(A). The status reflects incremental progress toward higher-cadence operations for heavy-lift missions and payload deployment concepts. read more

SDA constellation enters buildout phase, targeting rapid operational use

Post-launch briefings outlined accelerated commissioning timelines for Tranche-1 Transport Layer satellites, with early adopters in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command expected to evaluate services within months. The approach aims to deliver incremental capability plane-by-plane to meet operational demand. read more

Additional context: Nusantara Lima mission expands Indonesian broadband capacity

Mission reporting detailed Boeing’s 702MP VHTS platform, expected capacity, and service entry timelines for Nusantara Lima at the 113°E slot. Regional operators continue balancing GEO refresh with complementary LEO backhaul strategies. read more

Apex reaches unicorn valuation amid defense-driven smallsat demand

U.S. spacecraft bus manufacturer Apex disclosed a funding round taking the company’s valuation above $1 billion, with proceeds earmarked for factory expansion and throughput increases. The raise illustrates investor appetite for vertically integrated smallsat supply to government and commercial constellations. read more

In Case You Missed It

• Live coverage: SpaceX targeted a Sept. 13 Starlink launch from Vandenberg, underscoring sustained LEO broadband cadence read more
• Launch preview: SDA and SpaceX outlined next-gen national security constellation elements ahead of the Tranche-1 mission read more
• Total lunar eclipse image roundups captured the Sept. 7–8 “blood moon” from multiple regions worldwide read more
• ESA astronaut reserve completed parabolic flight training during a Bordeaux campaign, supporting future research and operations read more
• Local Florida coverage tracked the Nusantara Lima launch campaign and weather-related scrubs earlier in the week read more

Upcoming Events

• NG-23 Cygnus XL to ISS (NET September 14): Falcon 9 launch carrying Northrop Grumman’s upgraded cargo vehicle to the ISS read more
• Starlink 17-12 (September 17): Falcon 9 from Vandenberg targeting another 24-satellite LEO batch read more
• Starlink 10-61 (September 18): Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral with 28 satellites, drone ship recovery planned read more
• NASA/NOAA IMAP + rideshares (September 23): Falcon 9 from LC-39A delivering IMAP, SWFO-L1 and Carruthers Geocorona Observatory toward L1 read more
• ULA Atlas V 551 • KA-03 (September 25): Project Kuiper deployment from SLC-41, Cape Canaveral read more
• Blue Origin New Glenn • NASA EscaPADE (September 29): Dual Mars smallsats to begin cruise to Mars orbit read more
• JAXA H3 • HTV-X (October 21 JST): First HTV-X cargo mission to ISS from Tanegashima read more

Key Takeaways

The week’s developments point to continued acceleration in U.S. launch operations, an expanding defense communications architecture in LEO, and ongoing private capital formation for satellite manufacturing. Regulatory approvals at Cape Canaveral, combined with SDA’s first Tranche-1 deployment and a major spectrum acquisition for direct-to-cell services, indicate that launch cadence, proliferated-network resilience, and space-terrestrial integration are converging. Europe’s navigation and ISS milestones underscore sustained programmatic depth, while broad public engagement around the total lunar eclipse demonstrates enduring societal interest in space.