{"frequency":"weekly","subject":"Starship’s Next Flight, a 15,000-Satellite Surprise, and ASTS’s Path through 2026","introduction":null,"banner":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ2NywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--f466160def716957b9d2ef9172272162c0508e51/Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20Copy%20of%20M33_NewsletterBanner%20(4).jpg","posts":[{"title":"AST SpaceMobile’s 2026 Path: All Eyes on New Glenn","slug":"ast-spacemobile-s-2026-path-all-eyes-on-new-glenn","visibility":"public","type":"analysis","summary":"AST SpaceMobile is racing to deploy a constellation big enough to power direct-to-cell service across the U.S., Europe, Japan, and the U.K. in 2026, and we map the possible trajectories of its Block-2 launch campaign.","card_description":null,"tags":["AST Spacemobile","DTC","Launch","Blue Origin"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/analysis/ast-spacemobile-s-2026-path-all-eyes-on-new-glenn","published_at":"Sep 24, 2025","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ2NiwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--db30d4bd217a9c9ca62509ead07265d1f4544fa2/ASTSTILE.png"}],"charts":[],"news":[{"title":"SpaceX Aims for Early October Starship Flight after Static Fire Test","summary":"SpaceX is gearing up for the eleventh test flight of its Starship rocket, potentially set for early October. A Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) indicates that Flight 11 could launch no earlier than October 6 at 6:15 p.m. CT (4:15 p.m. PT/7:15 p.m. ET). This preliminary filing, first spotted by @SERobinsonJr, signals that preparations are | SpaceX is gearing up for the eleventh test flight of its Starship rocket, potentially set for early October. A Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) indicates that Flight 11 could launch no earlier than October 6 at 6:15 p.m. CT (4:15 p.m. PT/7:15 p.m. ET). This preliminary filing, first spotted by @SERobinsonJr, signals that preparations are","tags":["Launch","SpaceX"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/spacex-aims-for-early-october-starship-flight-after-static-fire-test","published_at":"Sep 23, 2025","source":"Teslanorth","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ1OCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--dcdad63c72a4ee0a2af0f2ecbd186f61fe194eac/Screenshot%202025-09-24%20at%2012.17.18.jpg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eSpaceX is targeting October 6, 2025 for its next Starship test launch (Flight 11), according to a Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) filing revealing the proposed launch window. Earlier this week, the company completed a full-duration static fire test of the Starship upper stage at Starbase, firing its six Raptor engines while the vehicle remained anchored to the pad, a key milestone before flight.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe launch stack will use Booster 15-2 (the second flight for this booster) and Ship 38, and Flight 11 is expected to include further testing of heat shield modifications and additional Raptor engine evaluations. According to public summaries of the mission plan, the booster may return to launch site or splash down in the Gulf of Mexico, while the Ship may splash into the Indian Ocean.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIf the timeline holds, this 11th test will close out the V2 series of Starship, setting up the next evolutionary phase, V3. The V3 variant will feature increased propellant capacity, higher thrust from upgraded Raptor 3 engines, and payload capacity exceeding 100 tons to orbit, nearly triple that of V2. Physically, V3 stretches slightly taller at 124 meters, marking a step toward the eventual V4 design, which is projected to exceed 200 tons payload with even larger tanks and thrust.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"AST SpaceMobile: Bankruptcy court clears Ligado spectrum deal; stock +19.6%","summary":"A Delaware bankruptcy judge Monday approved insolvent satellite business Ligado Networks' deal with AST SpaceMobile Inc. that lets the companies work together to develop space-based broadband services, clearing a key hurdle in the debtor's path to securing confirmation of a restructuring plan that aims to cut almost $8 billion in debt.","tags":["AST Spacemobile","DTC"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/ast-spacemobile-bankruptcy-court-clears-ligado-spectrum-deal-stock-19-6","published_at":"Sep 22, 2025","source":"Law360","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ2NSwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--1b3d05bbc9285e92cf397e0804bd571273312c37/ASTS%20asd.png","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eDelaware’s bankruptcy court (Mon, Sept 22, 2025) approved AST SpaceMobile’s settlement for long-term rights to 40 MHz L-band (US/Canada) plus 5 MHz at 1670–1675 MHz, prime phone-friendly MSS spectrum. The order resolves key disputes and includes Inmarsat/Viasat support for AST’s regulatory applications; lowering legal risk, strengthening moat, and enabling broadband-class direct-to-device on unmodified phones. Investors repriced the outlook: ASTS rose ~19.6% from about $46 Monday open to $55 by Tuesday (Sept 23) close, reflecting the step-change in spectrum certainty and North American addressability.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"NASA Selects Blue Origin to Deliver VIPER Rover to the Moon’s South Pole","summary":"Posted: September 19, 2025 6:42 pm ET | Last Updated: September 20, 2025 12:23 pm ET | NASA has chosen Blue Origin to send the VIPER lunar rover to the Moon instead of Astrobotic.","tags":["Cislunar","NASA","Blue Origin"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/nasa-selects-blue-origin-to-deliver-viper-rover-to-the-moon-s-south-pole","published_at":"Sep 21, 2025","source":"Spacepolicyonline","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ1NiwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--7a8cb62bd224160ee60d7fddac88f97114a85bbc/viperas.jpg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eNASA awarded Blue Origin a $190 million task order under CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) (CS‑7). The first step is design/accommodation and demonstrating how to off‑load the rover; the option to actually do the lunar delivery is pending success of this initial phase. Targeted delivery by end of 2027.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"Blue Origin launches 35th New Shepard flight after long delay","summary":"Liftoff of the uncrewed mission occurred at 9:01 a.m. EDT today (Sept. 18).","tags":["Blue Origin"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/blue-origin-launches-35th-new-shepard-flight-after-long-delay","published_at":"Sep 19, 2025","source":"Space","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ1MiwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--d805573d0ccbf462de963e544f51a2a3861310b1/Screenshot%202025-09-19%20at%2013.48.42.png","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eBlue Origin conducted its 35th New Shepard suborbital mission (NS‑35), uncrewed, from West Texas. It carried ~40 payloads including 24 from the NASA TechRise Student Challenge. The launch had been delayed multiple times (~4 weeks) due to avionics issues. This helps Blue Origin demonstrate continued reliability and payload capability in suborbital flights, with the industry highly anticipating the ramp up of New Glenn.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"SpaceX Seeks FCC Approval for 15,000 Starlink Satellites to Power Direct-to-Cell Service","summary":"SpaceX is looking to significantly expand its Direct to Cell Starlink network, filing a request with the FCC to launch as many as 15,000 next-generation satellites to support cellular service — reports PCMag. The request comes just days after SpaceX announced its $17 billion deal with Boost Mobile parent EchoStar to acquire valuable wireless spectrum. | SpaceX is looking to significantly expand its Direct to Cell Starlink network, filing a request with the FCC to launch as many as 15,000 next-generation satellites to support cellular service — reports PCMag. The request comes just days after SpaceX announced its $17 billion deal with Boost Mobile parent EchoStar to acquire valuable wireless spectrum.","tags":["AST Spacemobile","DTC","SpaceX","Starlink"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/spacex-seeks-fcc-approval-for-15-000-starlink-satellites-to-power-direct-to-cell-service","published_at":"Sep 19, 2025","source":"Teslanorth","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ1NywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--9555f96e8bbef5cde19ca8cf0b583fd70d8ad1f1/Fccc.jpeg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eSpaceX’s new FCC filing (SAT-LOA-20250916-00282) marks a dramatic expansion of its direct-to-cell ambitions: the company now seeks approval for up to 15,000 Starlink V3 satellites dedicated to DTC service, compared with earlier expectations of around 2,000. The scale difference underscores a strategic divergence in satellite architectures. AST SpaceMobile is pursuing a few hundred large, high-power satellites optimized for direct handset connectivity, while SpaceX appears to be betting on sheer numbers, blanketing low Earth orbit with thousands of smaller spacecraft.\u0026nbsp;\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf approved, the filing suggests Starlink could evolve beyond a wholesale partner to mobile operators and move toward offering its own end-to-end carrier-style service. The contrast highlights how both companies may succeed on complementary paths: ASTS working with MNOs to extend rural and suburban coverage, and Starlink bundling DTC with home broadband and possible terrestrial nodes to cover urban gaps. Together, they point toward a future of truly ubiquitous mobile connectivity.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"Northrop Grumman cargo ship reaches International Space Station succesfully","summary":"The capture came after Northrop Grumman engineers adjusted the sensitivity of main engine fault detection software that prematurely triggered shut downs during two rendezvous thruster firings Tuesday.","tags":["Northrop Grumman"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/northrop-grumman-cargo-ship-reaches-international-space-station-succesfully","published_at":"Sep 18, 2025","source":"Spaceflightnow","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ1MywicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--aa53cb40f7bc46e9aa3dba013a2994bba5e9277b/20250918_CygnusXL_rendezvous.jpeg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eThe Cygnus XL spacecraft (Northrop Grumman) successfully rendezvoused with the ISS after a delayed arrival caused by a change in its burn plan. It carries science, tech demonstration, and supply payloads. This mission is part of the NASA Commercial Resupply Services contract.\u003c/div\u003e"},{"title":"Amazon (Kuiper) urges FCC to drop five‑year post‑mission deorbit rule","summary":null,"tags":["Amazon Kuiper"],"url":"https://research.33fg.com/news/amazon-kuiper-urges-fcc-to-drop-five-year-post-mission-deorbit-rule","published_at":"Sep 18, 2025","source":"Lightreading","thumbnail":"https://research.33fg.com/rails/active_storage/blobs/redirect/eyJfcmFpbHMiOnsiZGF0YSI6MTQ1NCwicHVyIjoiYmxvYl9pZCJ9fQ==--590dc3d68b0d3a53c337b5a02669f6232091dd84/kuio%5Ber.jpeg","commentary":"\u003cdiv\u003eAmazon (Kuiper Systems) has formally requested the FCC to remove the existing requirement that satellites deorbit within five years after mission completion. Their argument: it’s “artificial and rigid,” maybe not always reflecting operational realities or adding significantly to overall space safety. This could reduce Kuiper’s costs / risk depending on how the regulation evolves.\u003c/div\u003e"}]}
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