Friday, May 15, 2026

FCC approves SpaceX spectrum deal with $2.4 billion escrow condition

By Jason Rainbow

SpaceX has the FCC’s blessing to buy EchoStar spectrum as a way to improve direct-to-device services in the United States, but the approval is subject to a $2.4 billion escrow tied to disputes over the seller’s abandoned terrestrial 5G network buildout.

The regulator said May 12 it would allow the geostationary satellite operator to sell around 115 megahertz of spectrum in separate deals announced last year with SpaceX and AT&T. Collectively, the deals are worth more than $40 billion.

However, EchoStar must also set up the escrow account for claims from infrastructure partners involved in the 5G network its Dish subsidiary abandoned following the spectrum sales.

House appropriators approve spending bill that keeps NASA budget flat

The House Appropriations Committee voted 32-28 along party lines to send along the commerce, justice and science appropriations bill that rejects many of the cuts to NASA proposed by the administration.

ESA and JAXA finalize agreement on Apophis asteroid mission

The European Space Agency and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have finalized an agreement to collaborate on the Ramses mission to study the asteroid Apophis during its close flyby of Earth in 2029.

NASA retaining six-month ISS missions

NASA plans to continue exchanging International Space Station crews about every six months after considering longer stays.

MILITARY

Viasat wins $307 million Marine Corps satellite communications contract

The Space Systems Command’s commercial space office awarded Viasat a $307 million contract to provide satellite communications services for the U.S. Marine Corps. The company is retaining the work after winning a recompete for the contract supporting Marine Corps global communications.

Congressional Budget Office estimates $1.2 trillion price tag for Golden Dome

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that a national missile defense system broadly aligned with President Donald Trump’s Golden Dome executive order could cost roughly $1.2 trillion over 20 years, a figure that dramatically exceeds the Pentagon’s public estimate of about $185 billion.

Golden Dome chief pushes back on $1.2 trillion CBO estimate

Gen. Michael Guetlein forcefully rejected a new Congressional Budget Office estimate that President Donald Trump’s proposed Golden Dome missile defense initiative could cost $1.2 trillion over 20 years, arguing the analysis relies on outdated assumptions and does not reflect the architecture the Pentagon is actually pursuing.

COMMERCIAL

Cowboy raises $275 million to build rockets with orbital data center upper stages

Cowboy Space, founded less than two years ago as Aetherflux to develop space-based solar power, has raised $275 million at a $2 billion valuation to build rockets with upper stages that would serve as data centers once in low Earth orbit.

Star Catcher raises $65 million for space power grid

Star Catcher Industries, a company developing power-beaming technology for satellites, has raised $65 million in a Series a to validate the technology in space.

AST SpaceMobile may use ULA’s Vulcan

AST SpaceMobile may launch some of its direct-to-device satellites on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket to expand the launch options for its constellation.

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He's Back. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will kick off ASCEND 2026

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Jared Isaacman, NASA

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Since his confirmation in December 2025, Isaacman has moved fast. His landmark Ignition initiative commits $20 billion to a permanent lunar base, crewed moon landings every six months, 30 robotic missions starting in 2027, and a nuclear-powered spacecraft bound for Mars as early as 2028.

"NASA is committed to achieving the near-impossible once again. The clock is running in this great-power competition, and success or failure will be measured in months, not years."

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