Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, was selected by Royal Brunei Airlines (RB), the country’s flag carrier, to provide multi-orbit inflight connectivity service to the airline’s Airbus A320neo fleet. “Royal Brunei’s passengers will soon benefit from reliable, multi-orbit connectivity that will provide the same fast and dependable internet […]

Eutelsat has reportedly held talks with investors to raise €1.5 billion to expand its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations as it seeks better to compete with Elon Musk’s satellite-broadband service Starlink. The satellite operator is said to be in discussions to acquire funding from the French government, investor Fonds Strategique de Participations, shipping company […]

Space Norway, the European satellite operator, has signed an agreement with Starlink by SpaceX to provide Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite connectivity services starting with immediate effect. This contract further extends the company’s strategy of offering multi-orbit infrastructure combining geostationary (GEO), Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) and LEO satellites. The Starlink satellite constellation will enable Space […]

O3b mPOWER, SES’s second-generation medium earth orbit (MEO) system, has been awarded the Platinum badge by the Space Sustainability Rating (SSR) Association. This is the highest possible SSR rating tier, and has been awarded to the O3b mPOWER constellation of 13 high-throughput and low-latency satellites, eight of which are already in orbit. The O3b mPOWER […]

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system is not authorised or licensed by South Africa. Recent discussions between SpaceX and South Africa’s licensing authorities could see this prohibition lifted. However, there are reportedly thousands of Starlink users in South Africa. The users have imported equipment from neighbouring states where Starlink is authorised and have accessed Starlink via its […]

Earlier in May the FCC launched a review into EchoStar’s compliance with certain 5G wireless coverage obligations (as part of their efforts to build the fourth national wireless network in the US) and raising questions about the buildout extensions granted in September 2024 and EchoStar’s utilisation of 2GHz mobile-satellite service (MSS) spectrum. EchoStar has filed […]

The SmallSat Europe conference at the RAI Congress Centre in Amsterdam heard speaker after speaker express anxiety over the planned European IRIS2 mega-constellation. The project, which will eventually bring together low Earth orbit, mid-Earth and geostationary satellites in a global ring of craft with ultra-secure communications, is looking extremely fragile if the event’s speakers are […]

Satellite operator Eutelsat has announced the passing of Giuliano Berretta, its former Chairman and CEO, at the age of 84. It described him as a “visionary and a pioneer”  who played a key role in shaping the history of Eutelsat and the European space sector. An engineer by training, a graduate of the University of […]

SpaceX’s giant Starship rocket failed again. It was the ninth test flight but the third failure in a row for the massive 122-metre-high rocket. The flight spun out of control about halfway through the mission but failed to achieve some of its key targets. However, the flight engineers can take some modest comfort in that […]

Intelsat has received permission from the Indian government to provide extensive satellite coverage directly to India’s broadcast media companies. The move represents “a significant regulatory achievement that puts Intelsat on an accelerated path to offering new services and further India investment,” said Intelsat. Intelsat has secured authorisation for four geostationary (GEO) satellites providing C-band coverage […]