TAMPA, Fla. — Amazon and several other non-geostationary satellite operators have formed a trade association to represent their fast-growing market, with SpaceX notably absent despite having by far the largest NGSO constellation.
Globalstar, which Amazon is seeking regulatory approval to acquire, is also an anchor member of the Washington, D.C.-based SpaceConnect Association, alongside Iridium and Telesat.
David Redl, former head of the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration, was appointed to lead the association as executive director.
Julie Kearney, who joined law firm DLA Piper in 2025 two years after becoming the first chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Space Bureau, is general counsel for the association.
“SpaceConnect will bring deep expertise and a global perspective to advancing policies that foster innovation while ensuring safe and responsible operations in low Earth orbit,” Kearney said in a June 24 news release announcing SpaceConnect.
“By advocating for updated licensing processes, efficient spectrum access and industry-led best practices, we aim to help unleash the full potential of NGSO systems for governments, businesses, and communities worldwide.”
Elephant in the room
Redl said in a media briefing that SpaceConnect remains open to including SpaceX, which has more than 10,000 satellites in NGSO, around 22 times the number operated by the association’s members combined.
“As a trade association, we represent a segment of the market, and they’re certainly a big player in the segment,” said Redl, who is retaining his role as CEO of the Salt Point Strategies consultancy he founded, “but they’re by no means the only player in the segment.”
SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment.
Amazon has so far deployed 367 of more than 3,200 satellites for its NGSO constellation, ahead of plans to launch broadband services later this year to compete with Starlink.
SpaceX is slated to begin serial launches next year for the 198 NGSO broadband satellites proposed by Canadian geostationary operator Telesat, the only SpaceConnect member based outside the United States.
Iridium and Globalstar operate smaller constellations focused on mobile satellite services, rather than broadband, with the latter supporting basic space-enabled messaging services on Apple’s latest iPhones.
Redl said the association will look to address global NGSO issues, singling out next year’s World Radiocommunication Conference, where international spectrum rules will be negotiated, and Europe’s proposed EU Space Act, which he said “is designed to foster protectionism for … particular nationalities of operators.”
He said SpaceConnect will be distinct from the decades-old Satellite Industry Association, which also counts Amazon, Globalstar, Iridium, Telesat and not SpaceX as members, by giving NGSO players a dedicated voice on issues where they may not be aligned with the broader satellite industry.
Redl pointed to the heated debate over satellite power limits as an example of where NGSO and geostationary operators have been at odds.
“NGSOs and other parts of the satellite ecosystem don’t necessarily have complete alignment on the things that would protect their ability to compete and to have access to open markets,” he said.
“And so what we’re looking at through SpaceConnect is representing the unique interests of NGSOs, in addition to working with other associations on the broader implications across the satellite ecosystem.”
While SpaceConnect is starting with communications-focused members, he also said the association is not necessarily tied to connectivity, leaving the door open to Earth observation and other parts of the NGSO market.
