The Jeff Bezos super-constellation, Project Kuiper, will launch two test prototype satellites in early 2023 using a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket. But the launch is later than expected. Kuipersat-1 and Kuipersat-2 will be the first of a massive commitment from Amazon which calls for 3,236 broadband satellites. The licences for the experimental […]
Inmarsat has secured a communications and data contract worth $980 million (€1bn) with the US Navy. The agreement requires London-based Inmarsat to build a global system that can be integrated with existing military satellite coverage in the Arctic region. The contract is for 10 years. Inmarsat already held an earlier contract and won the re-bid […]
Eutelsat CEO Eve Berneke delivered a masterclass three-hour presentation October 12th to an audience of analysts, bankers and investors and explained the logic and ambitions behind its recent deal to merge with LEO constellation OneWeb. Her highlight was that margins from the new pairing would eventually rise to reach the high margins currently enjoyed in […]
The Carrier and Wholesale Services (C&WS) division of e& (formerly known as Etisalat Group) has announced a partnership with Microsoft and SES to host the co-located SES O3b mPOWER and Microsoft ground station at Ras Al Khaimah in UAE. The first O3b mPOWER ground station in the region will facilitate one-hop connectivity to the cloud […]
Eutelsat has unveiled its Q1 results showing overall revenues have fallen by 4.5 per cent on a like-for-like basis to €287 million. But CEO Eva Berneke said that its merger with OneWeb, now progressing through the normal regulatory measures, would take the combined businesses to revenues of €2 billion by 2027. Berneke said that the […]
Eutelsat’s Hotbird series of satellites have been a remarkable industry success. The first Hotbird was launched back in March 1995 to the 13 degrees East orbital slot. On October 13th SpaceX is planning to loft 13F at 11.25pm Florida time. Hotbird 13F, an all-electric satellite, is one of a pair and is the first craft […]
Viasat’s next generation ViaSat-3 Americas satellite has moved a major step forward towards its launch having completed its mechanical environmental test phase. “This is a significant milestone that is designed to verify the satellite can endure the rigors of launch and continues the momentum for launch later this year. During mechanical environmental testing, the ViaSat-3 […]
In a contract worth several million euros, Exotrail is the in-orbit logistics operator the French major space institutions have selected to ensure capacity for satellites transferring into low Earth orbit (LEO). In 2021, the French government announced a national investment and stimulus package (France 2030), which included €1 billion to support emerging French space companies. […]
Following our report on the progress of first satellite launch from UK soil, UK government ministers and industry executives have welcomed the upcoming Virgin Orbit mission and its benefits. Virgin Orbit’s carrier aircraft, ground support equipment, and rocket set to arrive in Cornwall this week. Made possible by funding from the UK Space Agency, the […]
Low Earth orbit (LEO) network company E-Space has appointed Karim Michel Sabbagh to managing director, Europe and Middle East, reporting to E-Space Founder and CEO Greg Wyler. Sabbagh will oversee all European and Middle East business strategy and operations, as well as provide support to the regional corporate development, technical and manufacturing team activities. He […]