Author: Robert Zimmerman

The Australian telecommunications company NBN has now signed a contract with Amazon to use its Kuiper constellation of satellites, once operational, to provide internet access to its customers.

It appears that Amazon will sell its Kuiper terminals through NBN, instead of directly to customers, unlike Starlink which generally sells direct (unless local law forbids it). In this case it could be the Australian government is requiring these constellations to make such deals. It is also possible that government is playing favorites, favoring Amazon (not operational) over Starlink (now operational for years with millions of customers.

Firefly now expects the stock price for its initial public offering (IPO) from $35-$39 per share to $41-$43, increasing the expected capital it will raise to as much as almost $700 million.

This will raise the company’s value to as much as $6 billion.

Two launches since yesterday. First Rocket Lab used its Electron rocket to place a Japanese commercial radar satellite into orbit, lifting off from one of its two launchpads in New Zealand.

Next China’s Long March 12 rocket lifted off from its Wencheng coastal spaceport, placing another set of satellites in orbit for one of China’s mega-constellations intended to compete with Starlink..

The leaders in the 2025 launch race:

97 SpaceX
42 China
11 Rocket Lab
9 Russia

SpaceX still leads the rest of the world in successful launches, 97 to 73.

Courtesy of BtB’s stringer Jay. This post is also an open thread. I welcome my readers to post any comments or additional links relating to any space issues, even if unrelated to the links below.

• Europa Clipper’s radar instrument tested successfully during Mars fly-by

• New satellite images show Deep Blue Aerospace VTVL test explosion

• Chinese pseudo-company Galaxy Space completes the first batch of satellites for government constellation

SpaceX last night successfully launched 28 more Starlink satellites, its Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral.

The first stage completed its 21st flight, landing on a drone ship in the Atlantic.

The leaders in the 2025 launch race:

97 SpaceX
41 China
10 Rocket Lab
9 Russia

SpaceX now leads the rest of the world in successful launches, 97 to 71.

Posting shall be light through Tuesday, as I am participating as a volunteer in north Arizona for Luke5Adventures.

Basically I am combining hiking with service, for fun. I will try to post in my free time, but don’t expect any essays.