In recent days, a slew of banks have issued their valuation forecasts on SpaceX following on from its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The range was extremely wide, from $143 per share from Deutsche Bank to a staggering $800 from Raymond James. However, analysts at technology research company Moffett Nathanson took a more modest view and […]
SpaceX has confirmed that it will launch its giant Starship on July 16th, subject to the usual weather and technical considerations. It will launch from SpaceX’s Starbase in South Texas. Launch is scheduled for 5.45pm (Texas time). The launch comes just hours after the Federal Aviation Commission (FAA) ended its investigation into the launch of […]
Germany’s Bundeswehr (army) plans to operate up to 1,200 low Earth orbiting satellites by 2030 for communications and reconnaissance, with about 200 satellites which are planned for its SATCOMBw Stufe 4 communications system. The balance, about 1,000 satellites, will serve its SPOCK-2 reconnaissance system. SPOCK is Germany’s Spacesystem for Persistent Operational Tracking Stage 2. Germany […]
According to Bloomberg Law, the Ligado Networks saga continues with the satellite operator seeking Bankruptcy Court approval to settle a long-running dispute with Boeing and a claim for $32 million (€27.9m), nearly half of the multinational’s asserted claims in Ligado’s bankruptcy. AST SpaceMobile has an agreement in place with Ligado for L-band services over the […]
China is echoing SpaceX in managing to achieve the perfect relanding of one of its rockets. The landing on July 10th was handled on a floating platform using a mesh of nets contained withing a strong frame. The aim is to break the US dominance as far as rocket reusability is concerned. The flight was […]
Thailand-based satellite operator Thaicom has problems with one of its satellites. The operator says that “component performance anomalies” are affecting Thaicom as well as four other operators who have bought or ordered satellites from San Francisco-based Astranis Space Technologies. The four other satellites affected were two for Mexico (Apco-1 and Apco-2), a craft for Chunghwa […]
London-based satellite operator Avanti Communications says it is seeing growing demand for its enterprise, cellular backhaul and rural connectivity in South Africa. While Starlink is stymied and seemingly unable to launch services in the country, Avanti is enjoying growth given that it is already licensed to operate in South Africa. Avanti CEO Kyle Whitehill, speaking […]
Jeff Bezos is seeking up to $10 billion (€8.75bn) of fresh external investor cash to inject into his Blue Origin rocket company. The NYT reports that the funding injection would value Blue Origin at well over $130 billion. The report says that Bezos would himself put in an additional $2 billion while $4 billion would […]
Arianespace says that from 2029 it will make available ‘rideshare’ launch opportunities for smaller satellite companies, universities and other research operations. The space would initially be for the launch of geostationary satellites, although low Earth orbit (LEO) launches are possible. Arianespace has now signed a Memorandum of Understanding with French in-orbit servicing company Infinite Orbits […]
SpaceX has filed a formal application with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for permission to orbit 100,000 satellites. The filing was made on July 6th and covers ‘Generation -3’ versions of its Starlink craft and to orbit the fleet in Very Low Earth orbit (VLEO). The filing stated: “SpaceX seeks authority to deploy Gen3: 100,000 […]