Secret SpaceX Launch, Starlink Triumphs, and Solar Storm Warnings – Space News Roundup (July 13–14, 2025)
The past two days saw major space milestones and surprises across the globe. A mystery SpaceX launch carried a “smartphone in space” satellite for Israel, marking the Falcon 9’s 500th mission spokesman.com spaceflightnow.com. Meanwhile, satellite internet initiatives made strides – Starlink scored regulatory wins and debut services – as rivals in Europe and China unveiled their own direct-to-device connectivity plans ts2.tech ts2.tech. On the space station front, a private astronaut crew headed home space.com, and China readied a cargo ship to resupply its orbiting outpost ts2.tech. Astronomers weren’t left out: a colossal sunspot sparked space weather alerts ts2.tech, and scientists uncovered evidence of dozens of “invisible” galaxies swarming our Milky Way ts2.tech. Below is a comprehensive roundup of the weekend’s top satellite and space developments – from launch pads and labs to boardrooms and policy halls – complete with expert insights and official quotes. Sources: This report draws on a wide range of official statements and credible media reports published over July 13–14, 2025. Key sources include Space.com space.com space.com, Spaceflight Now spaceflightnow.com, NASA Spaceflight nasaspaceflight.com, Reuters reuters.com reuters.com, Times of Israel timesofisrael.com, TS² Space News digests ts2.tech ts2.tech, KeepTrack.space briefings keeptrack.space keeptrack.space, and press releases from agencies like Xinhua
