Second-guessing when Elon Musk’s massive Starship might launch is a challenge. The FAA set more than 60 modifications to the rocket before it would give permission to launch. There are potential problems from other US agencies, not least those involved in protecting the local environment at the Boca Chica launch site in South Texas. There […]
Samsung is suing China-based BOE Technology Group (or Jingdongfang in Chinese) alleging patent infringements. Samsung recently gained a significant ruling in its favour from the US International Trade Commission (ITC). In essence, Samsung had accused BOE of infringing on several of its patents, notably for its Diamond Pixel technology (instead of the standard RGB arrangement). […]
The commercial agreement between SES and SpaceX’s Starlink to jointly serve the fast-growing cruise market is a major move for both businesses. SES, using its O3b medium Earth orbiting (MEO) satellites, and SpaceX’s Starlink, both have existing relationships with cruise lines. This new relationship will see SES sell and manage multi-orbit connectivity services into the […]
The long-running legal action from SES arguing for a greater share of the FCC’s C-band compensation payments, and which demands Intelsat honour its 50/50 agreement with SES, has now set some key dates for the action. SES has already received a positive Appeal verdict from the US District Court and now the lower Bankruptcy Court […]
Euroconsult used their Paris World Satellite Business Week conference to make a dramatic forecast in suggesting that geostationary satellite capacity would shrink to “meaningless” amounts within the next five years, with non-Geo constellations providing 95 per cent or more of global satcom capacity by 2028. Euroconsult’s data showed that today’s non-geo constellations were almost all […]
Amazon’s broadband-by-satellite Project Kuiper system is getting closer. Two prototype satellites will launch in the next few weeks. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) rocket operator has confirmed that its next launch will carry Amazon’s KuiperSat-1 & 2 prototypes for their Project Kuiper mega-constellation. According to an insider source, reportedly the mission, known as the Project […]
The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has given SpaceX a list of 63 tasks that must be carried out before the new Starship rocket can be launched. Elon Musk has Tweeted that the rocket is ready for launch. On the upside, the FAA has closed its investigation as to what went wrong on the Starship’s first […]
Analysts at MoffettNathanson Research (MN), in a deep dive into prospects for Amazon’s Project Kuiper broadband mega-constellation, are asking some tough questions. They point out that as well as being head-to-head with Elon Musk’s Starlink, along with other would-be players in the orbital broadband space, Amazon is also facing considerable criticism from its own shareholders […]
Munich-based Mynaric makes laser communication equipment for airborne and spaceborne communication networks. The growing mega-constellations of satellites increasingly depend on these laser inter-satellite links. And business at Mynaric is booming. As at April 27th it enjoyed a 348 terminal backlog, up from 256 orders as at Dec 31st. Mynaric’s mission statement is simple: “We create […]
SpaceX has passed its 2022 record of 61 launches of its Falcon 9 rockets. September 3rd saw that record easily broken and another flight added to the 57 Falcon 9’s launched, plus three Falcon ‘Heavy’ rockets and one Starship during the year to date. SpaceX lofted its 62nd mission this year on September 3rd (at […]