{"frequency":"weekly","subject":"Weekly Space Intelligence: SpaceX’s $17B spectrum bet, Starlink’s full-stack connectivity potential","introduction":null,"banner":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTM5MywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--012602392f4af2eb8f1a6c4e7e008c7c9de5e124/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20M33_NewsletterBanner%20(2).jpg","posts":[{"title":"Starlink Full-Stack Connectivity: $17B DTC Spectrum Bid Could Bypass Carriers","slug":"starlink-full-stack-connectivity-17b-dtc-spectrum-bid-could-bypass-carriers","visibility":"public","type":"analysis","summary":"SpaceX’s $17B purchase of AWS-4/H-block spectrum and the rollout of V3 Starship-class satellites turn Starlink DTC into a very strong rural/suburban solution, and, paired with terrestrial Starlink hardware in cities, position Starlink as a full-stack connectivity challenger to U.S. MNOs.","card_description":null,"tags":["Deep Dive","AST Spacemobile","EchoStar","DTC","SpaceX","Starlink"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/analysis/starlink-full-stack-connectivity-17b-dtc-spectrum-bid-could-bypass-carriers","published_at":"Sep 10, 2025","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTM4NCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--fd4735e7edd4ac1e4b703f6cc5f023a103cae6af/DTC%20baby.jpeg"}],"charts":[],"news":[{"title":"Rocket Lab unveils Mars comms orbiter","summary":null,"tags":["Mars","Rocket Lab"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/rocket-lab-unveils-mars-comms-orbiter","published_at":"Sep 09, 2025","source":"Rocketlabcorp","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTM4NiwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--ff66a3fcbee9821ec994dea8082d2d9c21fd1a3f/Screenshot%202025-09-10%20at%2014.21.33.png","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eRocket Lab announced plans for a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter designed to provide persistent, high-bandwidth connectivity between Earth and Mars. The system aims to support future astronaut safety and mission readiness, marking a long-term extension of Rocket Lab’s ambitions beyond Earth orbit. The company positions MTO within a commercial Mars Sample Return architecture, highlighting a vertically integrated, firm-fixed-price approach and heritage from ESCAPADE and prior Mars hardware contributions. Rocket Lab will be an early mover in the interplanetary infrastructure market, signaling intent to leverage its spacecraft platform and diversify revenue beyond LEO/GEO satellites into deep space communications.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"Musk implies SpaceX targeting full mobile competition, but the runway is long","summary":null,"tags":["DTC","SpaceX","Starlink"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/musk-implies-spacex-targeting-full-mobile-competition-but-the-runway-is-long","published_at":"Sep 09, 2025","source":"Youtube","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTM4OCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--80dfca0088a3912b43f507e0200192ddef295605/Screenshot%202025-09-10%20at%2014.35.35.jpg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eOn the All-In Podcast, Elon Musk said Starlink’s Direct-to-Cell technology will deliver high-bandwidth satellite connectivity directly to standard smartphones, eliminating dead zones and enabling video streaming “anywhere on your phone.” He noted full rollout is ~2 years away, requiring both new Starlink satellites and modified chipsets in phones. Musk tied the vision to SpaceX’s $17B spectrum acquisition, saying Starlink could act as an additional U.S. carrier, and even hinted that buying a carrier “is not out of the question.” The service is designed to work indoors and across devices, positioning Starlink as both a home broadband and mobile option. By aiming to deliver Starlink services directly to regular smartphones, SpaceX is positioning itself to become a full-stack connectivity provider; fixed broadband and wireless mobile. Read our weekly analysis for a breakdown on implications.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"SpaceX Acquires $17B in EchoStar Spectrum, Sets Up Major D2C Expansion","summary":"SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft.","tags":["DTC","SpaceX","Starlink"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/spacex-acquires-17b-in-echostar-spectrum-sets-up-major-d2c-expansion","published_at":"Sep 08, 2025","source":"Spacex","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTMwNiwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--4707722230be0c19c35139139ef2b2af8146998d/Screenshot%202025-09-08%20at%2017.07.28.jpg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eSpaceX has struck a definitive agreement to acquire EchoStar’s AWS-4 and H-block spectrum licenses in a $17 billion deal; structured as up to $8.5 billion in cash and $8.5 billion in SpaceX stock, with an added $2 billion commitment to cover EchoStar’s debt interest payments through November 2027.\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAccording to the official SpaceX update, user speeds under its newly enhanced Direct-to-Cell (D2C) constellation will improve 20×, and throughput capacity will rise \u003cstrong\u003e100×\u003c/strong\u003e, enabled by the dedicated spectrum.\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003eInvestors should note the aggressive valuation: committing $17 billion suggests SpaceX views D2C as a massive Total Addressable Market (TAM), likely a tens-of-billions opportunity annually\u0026nbsp;. This strategic move also shores up EchoStar financially while securing exclusive spectrum to challenge terrestrial carriers in the satellite-to-cellular space.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"JetBlue to use Amazon Kuiper for in-flight Wi-Fi","summary":null,"tags":["Amazon Kuiper"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/jetblue-to-use-amazon-kuiper-for-in-flight-wi-fi","published_at":"Sep 08, 2025","source":"X","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTM4NSwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--b6db7eb12ff205442199d2ab37047316a4beb895/Screenshot%202025-09-10%20at%2014.20.16.jpg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eJetBlue announced a deal to adopt Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite network to provide in-flight Wi-Fi across its fleet. The agreement positions Kuiper as a direct competitor to Starlink Aviation in the growing market for airline connectivity. For investors, this marks Kuiper’s first major aviation contract, demonstrating customer traction ahead of its commercial service launch and signaling potential for additional airline partnerships.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"Isaacman: SpaceX spacesuits already two generations beyond Polaris Dawn","summary":null,"tags":["Mars","NASA","SpaceX"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/isaacman-spacex-spacesuits-already-two-generations-beyond-polaris-dawn","published_at":"Sep 08, 2025","source":"Youtube","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTM4NywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--4adf4160b1629c389f92bb310a180c63b2bdbb39/EVASD.jpeg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eOn the Shawn Ryan Show podcast, Jared Isaacman revealed that SpaceX has advanced “two generations beyond” the EVA suit tested on Polaris Dawn. The company ultimately plans to produce thousands of spacesuits for sustained lunar and Martian operations, with each iteration serving as a step toward that goal. SpaceX’s rapid suit development underscores its vertically integrated approach to human spaceflight, expanding beyond launch into mission-critical hardware. Scaling suit production could become a key enabler for NASA contracts, private astronaut missions, and long-term Mars infrastructure.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"SpaceX completes static fire of Super Heavy booster ahead of 11th Starship flight","summary":null,"tags":["Launch","SpaceX"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/spacex-completes-static-fire-of-super-heavy-booster-ahead-of-11th-starship-flight","published_at":"Sep 07, 2025","source":"X","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTMwNCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--3ed170bfb7fdfbf74f5af7e23b598e6f6cb28b9f/Screenshot%202025-09-08%20at%2016.56.48.jpg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eThe static fire on September 7 involved a re-used Super Heavy booster 15 (the second reuse of a Starship booster) ahead of Starship’s eleventh flight test; underscoring progress toward rapid, cost-efficient reusability. SpaceX confirmed via X that the burn was successfully completed.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"U.S. President orders sweeping deregulation of space industry","summary":null,"tags":["Politics"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/u-s-president-orders-sweeping-deregulation-of-space-industry","published_at":"Sep 04, 2025","source":"Wsj","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTMwNywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--03a65da61b069dcea964b6fd78ac921ca9916f76/Screenshot%202025-09-08%20at%2017.13.13.png","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eAn executive order signed by President Trump mandates streamlined environmental reviews and accelerated FAA licensing for rocket launches and spaceport development. This regulatory overhaul aims to expedite growth in U.S. commercial launch capacity, potentially benefiting SpaceX, Blue Origin, ULA, and emerging spaceport operators.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"Blue Origin sets New Glenn NG-2 launch for Sept. 29 carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars mission","summary":"Blue Origin says to expect a big uptick of activity at New Glenn's launchpad.","tags":["Blue Origin"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/blue-origin-sets-new-glenn-ng-2-launch-for-sept-29-carrying-nasa-s-escapade-mars-mission","published_at":"Sep 04, 2025","source":"Space","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTMwMSwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--d57ba303add5938dab61a0de64f0cba07330ab3f/new%20glenn.jpeg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eBlue Origin confirmed its second New Glenn flight (NG-2) is scheduled for \u003cstrong\u003eno earlier than September 29, 2025\u003c/strong\u003e, aiming to loft NASA’s twin ESCAPADE Mars probes and attempt a first-stage recovery following the maiden launch. The mission also includes a secondary technology demonstration from Viasat in support of NASA’s Communications Services Project.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"NASA releases draft for industry-led low Earth orbit stations","summary":"NASA is requesting feedback from American companies on the next phase of its commercial space stations strategy to ensure a seamless transition of activities","tags":["Space Stations","NASA"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/nasa-releases-draft-for-industry-led-low-earth-orbit-stations","published_at":"Sep 04, 2025","source":"Nasa","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTMwNSwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--ebde38608ec893dce7dd19acc5de22b31dd0b41c/space%20stations%20asdfads.jpeg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eNASA has published a draft Phase 2 Announcement for Partnership Proposals, soliciting feedback from industry on the next phase of developing commercial low Earth orbit (LEO) space stations. Industry proposals are due by 1 p.m. EDT on September 12, with a briefing scheduled for September 8, indicating accelerating momentum toward a post-ISS commercial LEO ecosystem.\u003c/div\u003e"}]}
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