SpaceX launches highly secret Israeli communications satellite
"We at IAI are extremely proud of the development and successful launch into space of the State of Israel's 'Dror 1' national communications satellite, Boaz Levy, CEO and President of IAI said in a statement. "Dror 1 is the most advanced communications satellite ever built in Israel, designed to preserve this national strategic capability in the country while providing Israel with essential satellite communications capabilities for years to come."
The satellite, which weighs 4.5 tons and spans nearly 60 feet in diameter when its solar panels are fully deployed, is scheduled to reach its fixed point destination over Earth in about two weeks.
SpaceX has only been involved in a handful of such secret missions.
This was the 13th mission for the stage one 9 booster rocket that sent the Falcon 9 into low-Earth orbit. About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the rocket landed on the droneship "Just Read the Instructions," which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
It was the 128th time the droneship has been used to retrieve a returning craft, and was the 474th SpaceX booster rocket landing overall.
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CNET
23 minutes ago
- CNET
I Tried T-Mobile's New Satellite Service for Texting in Dead Zones. Here's How It's Different
If you've traveled to remote areas where cellular coverage doesn't reach, you know that anxious feeling when your communications slam to a halt. T-Mobile's new $10 a month Starlink-based satellite texting service, T-Satellite, which went live today, takes a different approach from other satellite services to provide mobile access even within the half a million square miles of wireless dead zones in the US. To test it out, I drove nearly three hours from Seattle until my phone bars abandoned me, giving me a chance to see if satellite texting using T-Satellite is as easy as everyday cellular texting. Watch this: Hands-On with T-Mobile's T-Satellite Service 01:55 How T-Satellite differs from other satellite services Satellite texting is now a big deal: the wireless providers and phone-makers including Apple are betting satellite connectivity is the answer for travelers and people who live in remote areas (and even those impacted by emergencies such as the massive flooding in Texas). It also isn't new. Apple started offering SOS communication backed by Globalstar on the iPhone 14. And later, that allowed emergency texting when you're outside coverage areas -- a literal lifesaver for people injured, lost or stranded in remote areas. The feature also allowed you to share you location via satellite in the Find My app. Apple then expanded the service to include any texting using the Messages app, as well as calling for roadside assistance. CNET's David Lumb used Messages via satellite on his iPhone 15 Pro to text friends and share his thoughts when he summited Mount Haleakalā's peak in Hawaii. Google has a similar feature in its Pixel 9 phones, except the Pixel 9A, which works with satellite provider Skylo. Samsung Galaxy phones, like the recently released Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7, can use Verizon for satellite texting and to contact emergency services through Skylo, too. However, that communication involves a few steps to activate the feature. You need to be outdoors with a clear view of the sky -- no trees or buildings -- and point your phone at a passing satellite, keeping it steady to maintain the connection. With T-Satellite, the experience is quite different. Texting is almost indistinguishable from when you're within cellular coverage. On a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra with a T-Mobile plan, opening the Messages app showed the phone already connected to satellite, with a banner reading "You're messaging by satellite." A small satellite icon appears in the menu bar with radiating curves to indicate the status of the connection. The phone has automatically connected to the T-Satellite network, as indicated by its (teeny) status icon. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET This is due in part to the fact that there are now more than 650 Starlink satellites overhead providing wider coverage, but also because they use a frequency band compatible with most phones sold in the last four don't need a specific phone model that has satellite messaging hardware, such as the Motorola Razr Ultra. The experience of setting up T-Satellite on my iPhone 16 Pro was generally the same. One unique thing about T-Satellite is that T-Mobile is offering the service to anyone, even if they use another carrier for cellular service. In my case, I set up the T-Satellite beta using the second eSIM slot on my phone, and turned off the primary service (AT&T) in order to test just T-Mobile's feature. A solid black satellite icon appears in the menu bar. I should note that I performed this testing a couple days before T-Satellite went live, so it was technically during the T-Satellite beta period, and using a beta version of the Messages app on Android. Plus, I didn't attempt to make an emergency call, either, which on the T-Satellite service would mean dialing 911 in the phone app, versus initiating an SOS text communication using Apple's service. Texting, but sometimes slower Mostly, texting via satellite is just like texting via cellular. The data pipe between the phone and a satellite flying overhead at 17,000 miles per hour is small, so occasionally texts would take several seconds to go through. But sometimes a conversation would happen without any extended lag. By comparison, when CNET's Patrick Holland tested Apple's Messages via satellite feature, he noted that "most sends were nearly instantaneous, others took 15 to 20 seconds with one taking over a minute." One feature going live today for Android is the ability to send images, videos and audio files using Multimedia Messaging Service over the satellite network. On the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I snapped a photo of the lake and sent it using Messages as I normally would. The only difference over satellite is that it took around two and a half minutes to send. On Android, you can send photos via MMS even over the satellite connection. The feature is coming later for iOS. Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET However, MMS is currently only supported on Android; iOS support is coming later. Also arriving in the future -- October, specifically -- is the ability for apps to send and receive data over the satellite connection. T-Mobile has cited AllTrails as an example of apps that'll be compatible with the service. This would be a great use of data for other mapping tools. Although I was never lost on this trip --I pulled into a well-marked scenic overlook to test with a stunning view -- I also made a point of downloading an offline map of the area using Apple Maps while I was still within cellular range. Lingering questions and challenges Not every message went through, and after my limited testing, there are a few areas where more clarity would help. For example, on Android, it wasn't always obvious when I'd lost satellite connection. In theory, with many Starlink satellites overhead, you shouldn't have to worry about pointing at a specific patch of sky to maintain a connection. But at one point after sending a message, some text below it said the app was waiting to connect. Only then did I notice the tiny satellite icon was showing thin gray bars instead of thin black bars. Compare that to Apple's implementation, which uses Dynamic Island to show an impossible-to-miss green status button to indicate a solid connection to a satellite. Or Google's Satellite SOS service, with its full-screen visual prompts that help you stay connected to a satellite or connect to a new one if needed. The prominent green icon in the Dynamic Island indicates a satellite connection when using Apple's satellite texting feature. (The red icon shows that the screen is being recorded and isn't related to the connection.) Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET I also ran into some confusion with my iPhone 16 Pro running T-Satellite as a secondary eSIM. When attempting to text a friend who came along with me and was using Apple's method on his iPhone, I got a message that he was connected via satellite and was given the option to tap Send via Satellite. What I didn't realize at the time was that the connection dropped as I was typing the text. On further research, I discovered that an active third-party satellite connection shows "SAT" in the menu bar. When SAT is replaced by a black satellite icon, it means T-Satellite is no longer connected, but that Apple's satellite option is available; I thought it meant that I was still connected. At one point, I was unable to text my friend who was also using satellite access, even though it appeared to be connected (see the satellite icon in the menu bar). (The red button in the Dynamic Island shows that the screen is being recorded.) Screenshot by Jeff Carlson/CNET Look up, and ahead Will satellite services cover the remaining dead zones and allow easy communication even in remote areas? Based on my experience, the potential is definitely there. It's been less than two years since Apple first launched Emergency SOS via satellite on the iPhone and it's impressive how satellite connectivity has expanded so quickly with the ability to support texting. I appreciate that the T-Satellite implementation is similar to the way millions of people communicate every day via text. Removing friction is key to adopting technologies like this. As companies build up the capacity and performance of satellite services, it's easy to see a near future where you don't have to think about how you're getting data, just as we currently don't ever think about which cellular tower is relaying our data. As someone who lives in cellular-saturated Seattle, I probably won't need to rely on satellite data. But the North Cascades is where I've gone camping for years, so I can see it being occasionally useful, especially if there's ever an emergency situation. As I was juggling my phones and pestering my friends and family with texts, a couple approached to ask what I was doing. They were visiting the area from a small town in northern Idaho near the Canadian border, where cellular coverage is a rarity. After talking for a few minutes, I realized that being able to connect wirelessly via satellite could be a real boon for them, especially in emergencies, but also everyday annoyances when other forms of communication aren't available, like during power outages.
Gizmodo
an hour ago
- Gizmodo
SpaceX Has the Nerve to Be Mad About a Competitor's Massive Satellites Littering Earth Orbit
Despite owning more than half of the satellites currently in low Earth orbit, SpaceX is complaining about AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird constellation and how it'll introduce added risks. In a letter sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), SpaceX raised concerns that AST SpaceMobile poses a threat to the sustainability of low Earth orbit. Elon Musk's space venture accused the Texas startup of underestimating collision risks in space and whether its satellites pose a threat to people on the ground during reentry. To be fair, these are valid concerns, but the accusations are laughably ironic coming from SpaceX. The company operates more than 7,800 satellites—currently around 60% of all satellites in orbit—and they've had more than a few close calls with other objects. In a case of the pot calling the kettle black, SpaceX calls on the FCC to 'carefully scrutinize' AST's plan of launching its BlueBird satellite constellation to ensure it doesn't 'present untenable risks to space sustainability.' SpaceX claims that AST's orbital debris mitigation plan 'uses inconsistent and unrealistic assumptions to significantly downplay the risk of its satellites.' AST SpaceMobile is seeking to create the first space-based cellular broadband network directly accessible by cell phones, but its satellites are obnoxiously big. The company's prototype satellite unfurled its giant array in late 2022, outshining most objects in the skies except for the Moon, Venus, Jupiter, and seven of the brightest stars. Prior to unfurling its tennis court-sized array, the satellite exhibited a brightness magnitude of around +3.5, making it visible to the naked eye. However, after deploying its antenna array, its brightness increased by about 2 magnitudes. Around two years later, AST launched five more satellites into orbit, which were just as large as the prototype, but future models could be even larger. The company wants to launch 243 more of its satellites. A second-generation BlueBird is set to launch in the next few weeks following the FCC's approval. SpaceX claims that AST's proposed constellation is filled with 'critical gaps and inconsistencies' that have to do with avoiding collisions with other objects in space and preventing debris from falling to Earth. In its letter, SpaceX warns that AST launching its satellite 'without resolving these issues would be irresponsible, potentially subjecting all other operators in LEO (low-Earth orbit) to unnecessary risk.' Although SpaceX's Starlink satellites have not had an orbital collision incident, they have had a couple of close calls. In September 2019, the European Space Agency's Aeolus satellite was forced to carry out an orbital maneuver to dodge a Starlink satellite. China also reported that its Tiangong space station crew had to conduct maneuvers in orbit to avoid the satellite constellation. The risk that the satellites pose for future collisions and space debris generation is a growing concern since they account for more than half of close encounters tracked in low Earth orbit, according to space tracking experts. But there's more to the hypocrisy and the accusations that SpaceX is levying at its rival. Similar to AST, SpaceX's satellites have also been a visual orbital nuisance. Astronomers have raised concern that Starlinks are interfering with their observations of the universe, appearing as bright streaks in telescopic images. SpaceX was also involved in multiple disputes over the use of spectrum bands that interfere with other networks; the company has been accused of using its position in the industry as a main provider of rocket launches to coerce other companies, like OneWeb, to share their wireless spectrum rights. The two companies are no better than one another, and they are locked in a competitive cycle as they both race to deliver satellite connectivity to smartphones. AST has previously accused SpaceX of attempting to 'intimidate and bully' its competitors after Musk's space venture sent a previous letter to the FCC last year claiming AST is spreading misinformation to try and hamper its work. As SpaceX and AST continue to squabble, both companies are contributing to low Earth orbit's increasing congestion.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Rocket Lab (RKLB) Stock Is Up 800% In A Year. Is Now The Time To Buy?
A lot hinges on Rocket Lab's ability to evolve its revenue model and reach sustained profitability. Rocket Lab stock is in the stratosphere — skyrocketing 800% over the past year, propelled by a potent mix of explosive launch cadence, major contract wins and mounting anticipation around its upcoming Neutron rocket. Beyond fundamental strength, broader investor rotation into tariff-insulated aerospace names, and SpaceX-related political headwinds have turbocharged the rally. With sentiment now sky-high, the real question is: Can Rocket Lab keep climbing? Let's break down the key drivers, risks and whether it's still a buy. Rocket Lab At A Glance Rocket Lab has been feeding off investor excitement around the burgeoning space economy. Beyond offering reliable launch services for small satellites — significant in itself — Rocket Lab is deepening its moat by building an end-to-end space infrastructure platform. With its Electron rocket for small satellite launches, spacecraft platform, satellite components and on-orbit management solutions, Rocket Lab is targeting the full spectrum of the space value chain. This integrated approach strengthens its appeal for procuring large scale government and commercial contracts. Rocket Lab operates through two core segments: launch services and space systems. For the recent first quarter of 2025, space systems represented $87 million, or 70% of revenues, while launch services $35.6 million or 30%. Rocket Lab's revenue has grown at a stellar pace of 7x, from $62.2 million in 2021 to $436.2 million in 2024, and is estimated to grow to $573.3 million in 2025, representing 31% year-on-year growth. The company is not yet profitable and cash flows are negative. Cash and equivalents at the end of Q1 2025 was $517 million. Backlog as of Q1 2025 was $1.067 billion with 60% attributed to the space systems segment and 40% to launch services. Commercial customers represented 54% of the backlog, while Government customers represented 46%. Rocket Lab expects about 56% of this backlog to be recognized within 12 months. Key Drivers Behind Rocket Lab's 800% Stock Surge Rocket Lab's 800% stock surge reflects a blend of recent execution and future potential. Neutron is the main narrative investors are buying into now, even if Rocket Lab's current fundamentals are still tied to Electron. At the heart of Rocket Lab's next growth chapter is Neutron, its upcoming next-gen satellite launch vehicle that is central to its shift from small satellite missions to heavier payloads and high-value national security contracts. Neutron builds on the success of Electron, which has logged 3x more successful launches than all other American small launch providers combined over the past decade. If successful, Neutron could emerge as the first credible challenger to SpaceX's Falcon 9 in the medium-lift launch market, breaking into a near-monopoly space and significantly expanding Rocket Lab's total addressable market. Investors already have a reason to be optimistic: The U.S. Space Force selected Rocket Lab to compete for high-priority, national security missions under its $5.6 billion National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program. Rocket Lab's launch vehicle for this program will be Neutron. Meanwhile, Electron, which is the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket, remains Rocket Lab's workhorse. The company successfully launched its 68th Electron rocket (as of June 28) and also set a new launch turnaround record, with the mission being the second of two launches from the same launch site in less than 48 hours. In the first quarter of 2025, Electron achieved a 100% mission success rate, including an impressive, rapid turnaround of three launches in 13 days. This operational excellence continues to win trust and contracts for Electron missions. Rocket Lab sees commercial and government demand for 20+ Electron launches in 2025. Rocket Lab's hypersonic test vehicle — HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) is seeing strong demand in the U.S., and beginning to gain traction internationally. Regular hypersonic flight tests are vital to advancing a nation's defense capabilities, and HASTE is playing a central role. Both The U.S and The United Kingdom have picked HASTE to develop sovereign hypersonic technology for their multibillion dollar defense programs. Rocket Lab is also a key subcontractor under Kratos Defense's flagship DoD program MACH‑TB 2.0, a $1.45 billion, five-year project to boost the U.S.'s hypersonic testing capabilities. With the latest launch award, Rocket Lab has now secured a total of seven HASTE missions for MACH-TB, underscoring its reliable launch cadence. Critically, Rocket Lab's U.S.-based, non-China-linked ecosystem is a major asset in an era where national security, tech sovereignty and supply-chain resilience are top priorities. Although there is remarkable progress in the U.S.-China relations, geopolitical setups are never fully reliable and remain a wildcard. So, it is reassuring for investors to know that Rocket Lab is well aligned with Western defense and aerospace priorities. The company sees its current backlog for Electron and HASTE to support a higher average selling price for missions for through 2025 vs. 2024, powering continued gross margin expansion. Non GAAP gross margin for the first quarter was 33.4%, above its guidance of 30% to 32%, and is seen expanding to 34% to 36% for the second quarter. On June 30, 2025, Rocket Lab joined the Russell 1000 Growth Index, prompting a wave of passive fund rebalancing worth $200 billion as index-tracking ETFs snapped up RKLB shares. The stock is up 30% from its June 30, closing price of $35.77. Is Rocket Lab A Buy? Whether Rocket Lab stock will continue to rise, hinges on a successful Neutron launch, and seamless execution of its end-to-end space platform strategy. So far, everything seems to be going right with Neutron. Neutron's inclusion in the Pentagon's $5.6 billion National Security Space Launch program is a validation of its strategic alignment with U.S. defense and space priorities, and a potential springboard into high-value defense missions. Neutron is being designed for reuse and frequent launches, which is a critical advancement in space tech that the Department of Defense (DOD) appears highly supportive of. As an endorsement for Neutron's return-to-Earth capabilities, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has selected Neutron for a mission that supports its broader initiative to explore point-to-point cargo transportation using commercial launch vehicles. The mission will focus on returning payloads to Earth, and is scheduled to fly no earlier than 2026. Rocket Lab has signed a multi-launch agreement with an unnamed commercial satellite constellation operator, under which it will launch two dedicated missions on Neutron starting from mid-2026. The deal marks the start of what could become a larger collaboration, with Neutron likely to play a central role in launching the full constellation. All this interest in Neutron from Government and private customers, while it is still in the pre-launch phase - ups the ante significantly. Neutron has successfully completed its second stage qualification campaign — a major milestone that validates its design, operations and launch readiness for later this year. Rocket Lab said it conducted launch-like operations across the full stack, including flight software, hardware, avionics, and guidance, navigation and control systems. The stage was also proof-tested to more than 25% of its design load, including applying more than 1.3 million pounds of force and tension across the carbon composite structure. Neutron's Stage 2 is a novel design compared to traditional rockets. Instead of being supported from the bottom, Stage 2 is suspended from the top of Stage 1's tank, enabling a very lightweight structure. Retiring the risk associated with this novel configuration early on was a strategic priority. Stage 2's structural design closely mirrors that of Stage 1, so this successful test campaign also helped de-risk critical elements of the first stage. Per Rocket Lab's earnings call in May, Neutron Stage 2 is now going through final assembly and will be shipped to the launch site in the next few months in preparation for stage testing with the engine. Neutron's Stage 1 upper module is also nearing completion. It integrates some of the most complex mechanical systems on the rocket, all of which are expected to perform seamlessly in testing. While most of Neutron is assembled at Rocket Lab's facilities, the vehicle is shipped in segments to the Launch Complex 3 in Virginia, where it is integrated as a full rocket. The good news is construction at Launch Complex 3 is on schedule and nearing completion. The challenge is the launch site — the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia — has limited maritime infrastructure, and access through the shallow Sloop Gut channel is possible only during favorable tides. Rocket Lab is exploring a workaround with plans for dredging the channel so barges can deliver the segments more reliably. And yes, Rocket Lab still expects to launch Neutron in the second half of this year. Can Rocket Lab Deliver On Its Full-Stack Space Ambitions? Rocket Lab's plan to build an end-to-end space company is key to its ability to win large-value contracts, so it is imperative that the plans succeed. A key part of this strategy is its pending acquisition of Mynaric, a German company specializing in laser-based satellite communication systems. The deal expands Rocket Lab's footprint into Europe, and provides access to European programs and growth opportunities. The acquisition is a natural fit: Mynaric already supplies CONDOR Mk3 optical communication terminals to Rocket Lab under its $515 million Space Development Agency (SDA) contract to produce 18 satellites for the Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta. Mynaric is also involved in other SDA contracts and shares many clients with Rocket Lab spanning commercial constellation operators, prime contractors and defense and civil government agencies. Rocket Lab plans to scale production and improve efficiencies within Mynaric's manufacturing process, bolstering its ability to deliver optical terminals on time and on budget. The move should position Rocket Lab to support a broader range of future SDA and defense initiatives. On the spacecraft side, Rocket Lab's Pioneer spacecraft has already launched three missions for Varda Space Industries, supporting in-space pharmaceutical manufacturing and rapid reentry operations. The third mission for Varda was launched within 15 days after the successful return of Varda's second mission, demonstrating Rocket Lab's ability to maintain high-cadence launch and reentry space missions. Meanwhile, integration and testing for a fourth and final Pioneer spacecraft is in the works. New product launches like STARRAY, a plug and play, low-cost line of modular solar arrays to meet the power needs of satellites operating in any orbital conditions, are gaining traction with customers. Rocket Lab has also expanded its suite of Frontier satellite radios that are compatible with the industry's most important global ground stations. The company has also launched the next generation versions of its popular MAX software packages for satellite guidance and control. Rocket Lab's MAX software supported the successful Moon landing of Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost Mission 1 earlier this year. The MAX software suite is also utilized in both NASA's CAPSTONE mission and DARPA's Blackjack program, as well as in Rocket Lab's own Pioneer spacecraft for its Varda missions. So, the vertical integration plan appears to be proceeding smoothly. As Rocket Lab gears up to compete on a larger scale, comparisons with industry giant SpaceX are inevitable. How SpaceX Could Create Opportunity For Rocket Lab SpaceX claims that it represents approximately 80% of the payload mass launched in orbit. Rocket Lab, by contrast, has focused on launching smaller satellites and payloads, but is aiming to facilitate bigger payloads with Neutron. Neutron will be a few tons below the payload capacity of Space X's Falcon 9, but a Neutron launch is estimated to cost customers an estimated $50-55 million compared to the $67 million price tag for a Falcon 9 launch. On a per-kilogram basis, the cost is more-or-less the same for both. The company expects Neutron launch margins of approximately 50%, with the cost per Neutron launch estimated between $20 million and $25 million. Rocket Lab anticipates flying each reusable Neutron booster 10 to 20 times, comparable with the reuse cadence of a Falcon 9 booster. Rocket Lab's Long-Term Outlook For long-term, growth-oriented investors, Rocket Lab offers strong upside, subject to achieving key milestones. Some catalysts include: Steep valuation vs. opportunity: Bloomberg recently reported that SpaceX is preparing for an insider share sale that would value the company at around $400 billion, which is nearly 20x bigger than Rocket Lab's $22.5 billion market cap. Even with a modest narrowing of this enormous valuation gap, the potential upside for Rocket Lab stock could be substantial. Neutron could unlock a larger total addressable market: If Neutron succeeds in the medium lift segment, Rocket Lab could unlock a sizable, multi-billion total addressable market over the next decade, paving the path to profitability and leaving room for further stock upside. Minimal tariff exposure: Rocket Lab's Electron rockets are made in New Zealand and launched from there. Very few of its Electron launches happen outside of New Zealand. So, the tariff exposure is minimal in its Electron launch business. Rocket Lab's Space Systems business is intensively domestically sourced. Most manufacturing happens in the U.S., and what is not manufactured in the U.S. still entails high U.S. involvement. Rocket Lab has its manufacturing intensity largely aligned to geographies with minimal tariff exposure. This factor is also key to procuring defense contracts ruled by national security concerns. Rocket Lab Risks And Challenges Bottom Line: Is Now A Good Time To Buy Rocket Lab? Increasing launch cadence, a clear path to government-aligned revenue streams, a bold yet calculated bet on the Neutron rocket, strategic vertical integration and a growing backlog give Rocket Lab a foundation that many other space stocks still lack. This suggests that RKLB's 800% rally over the past year is not merely rooted in hype. That said, the stock's current valuation, with much of the investor optimism already priced in, leaves little room for missteps. A lot hinges on Rocket Lab's ability to evolve its revenue model and reach sustained profitability. At current levels, the stock has already hit the upper range of analyst price targets, making it more of a Hold than a Buy for now.
