Why Amazon Is Buying Globalstar-and What It Means for Your iPhone

Key Points:

• Amazon announced its $11.57 billion acquisition of Globalstar, a low-Earth-orbit satellite company, to enhance its Project Leo satellite network and directly connect devices globally, competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
• The deal includes licensed access to wireless spectrums for direct-to-device satellite communication, enabling faster deployment of services like off-grid emergency SOS features, currently used by Apple devices such as the iPhone 14 and Apple Watch Ultra 3.
• Amazon’s Project Leo aims to deploy thousands of satellites to provide widespread connectivity, with 241 already in orbit and more launches planned through 2027; the Globalstar acquisition is expected to close by 2027, pending regulatory approval.
• The rapid expansion of satellite constellations raises concerns about space debris and the risk of Kessler syndrome, a potential cascade of collisions that could severely impact space operations and astronomy, prompting calls for better regulation and tracking.
• Experts emphasize the need for cooperation between commercial space developers and the scientific community to balance technological progress with protecting the night sky and ensuring sustainable use of low-Earth orbit.