A bitter war of words between two would-be ‘mega-constellation’ satellite operators is getting extremely legal. The spat became highly public back on February 21st when Elon Musk’s SpaceX “Starlink” (which wants to launch up to 12,000 smallish satellites to provide global broadband connectivity) published a no-holds barred response to Greg Wyler’s OneWeb (which wants to […]
No sooner than one of the FCC’s Commissioners makes (slightly) positive noises about the possible reallocation of some satellite C-band frequencies over the US than the FCC’s chairman Ajit Pai tells a conference that it was important to get any decision right, and that the FCC wouldn’t be making a ‘right now’ decision. Asked when […]
Hispasat, the Spanish satellite-based telecommunications operator, and GetSAT, the manufacturer of satellite terminals for aerial, maritime and land-based applications, have signed an agreement to offer Satellite on The Move (SoTM) Services. By pairing GetSAT’s terminals and Hispasat’s satellite fleet, both companies strengthen their business opportunities in aerial, drone, maritime, and land-based emergency services for security […]
In late 2020, the improved Ariane 6 rocket will become available for use by customers. Arianespace says that its launch service agreement specifies the use of the qualification launch of the Ariane 62 version, scheduled for the second half of 2020; the two Ariane 6 options (either in its 62 version, accommodating up to 36 […]
Specialist financial news publication CTFN is reporting that Doris Matsui (Democrat/California) is expected to commence formal legislation in the US House of Representatives which would have the effect of allowing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to receive proceeds from any repurposing of the C-band spectrum above the US. She is not arguing – as some […]
There’s positive feedback from Deutsche Bank following a series on US media and broadcasting interviews over the past few days, and including a Regulatory Panel which included Andrew Lipman, a partner with major law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. Deutsche Bank, in a report, says that the panel pointed to a high likelihood of […]
Mega-satellite constellation OneWeb has raised $1.25 billion (€1.1bn) in fresh funding as part of its plan to launch an initial 648 satellites to provide a global broadband service. OneWeb has started deploying its fleet. Six satellites are already in orbit, and a new Florida factory built in a joint-venture with Airbus is now turning out […]
Ottawa-based satellite operator Telesat has signed up its first customer for its proposed Low Earth Orbiting mega-constellation. The new business comes from specialised maritime service provider OmniAccess which focuses on the super-yacht market. Telesat says it has signed a “major, multi-year contract for broadband service” with the Majorca-based Spanish business. Telesat’s service isn’t due to […]
Every communications satellite is tested, retested and tested again while on the ground. The reason is obvious: you cannot send a technician into orbit to correct a defect. But OneWeb, which is looking to launch about 650 satellites into orbit over the next few years, is looking to adopt an even more rigorous testing regime […]
Nepal is looking to order its own communications satellite. More than two years ago it made a ‘Request for Proposals’ from the world’s leading satellite builders, and now has committed to French prime contractor Thales Alenia Space. Reportedly there’s no cash on the table just yet, but a Letter of Intent, signed in Paris on […]