Luxembourg-based satellite operator SES has expanded its service to the Democratic Republic of Congo, and adding some 5.8 million users via 1,100 base stations, and in the process increasing its population coverage by 27 percent. SES is working with Africa Mobile Network (AMN) locally. “There is a clear demand for connectivity across the region, a […]
Astrolight, a space and defence-tech company pioneering laser communication solutions across space, ground and maritime domains, is set to demonstrate its low-SWaP (size, weight, and power) ATLAS-1 laser communication terminals in space for the first time. The terminals will demonstrate high-bandwidth (up to 1 Gbps), secure space-to-ground links aboard two customer satellites, scheduled for launch […]
Arianespace’s Ariane 64 rocket is scheduled to launch on February 12th carrying a cargo of Amazon Leo satellites, subject to the usual weather conditions. This flight (VA267) with the first Ariane 64 launch, carries a large batch of satellites for Amazon Leo, whose mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet to customers beyond the reach […]
MTN, the network operator and specialist in low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite technology adoption, has finalised an agreement to offer Amazon Leo, Amazon’s satellite internet as an authorised reseller for maritime deployment. MTN will initially provide this service across key maritime industries, including commercial shipping, yachting, offshore, and cruise & ferry, among others. Amazon Leo […]
TerreStar has enjoyed – and suffered – a somewhat chequered history. Formerly known as Motient Corp and American Mobile Satellite, it declared bankruptcy back in 2010. XM Satellite Radio (now incorporated into SiriusXM) was a spin-off from TerreStar. The chair of the now Montreal-based business says that to compete with American giants, it intends to […]
Telesat launched its LEO-3 demo satellite back in July 2023. But it is now suffering problems with its on-board thruster. Telesat informed the FCC on February 2nd that it would not now be able to de-orbit the satellite at the end of its mission. The Ottawa-based operator is building a fleet of satellites for its […]
The recent World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos published a report – Clear Orbit, Secure Future: A Call to Action on Space Debris – produced in partnership with the Centre for Space Futures, the Saudi Space Agency, LeoLabs, and Novaspace. The report makes gloomy reading and while recognising that while we are solidly in the […]
The German army is preparing to go ahead with plans to place a constellation of 200 low Earth orbiting satellites according to a report in the Handelsblatt newspaper. While the details in the report are new, the German army’s wish for an independent source for satellite-based communications is not. German specialist armaments group Rheinmetall wants […]
Nigeria, Africa’s largest telecom market, is opening its skies to more satellite internet providers with Amazon’s Leo securing approval to operate across the country. The decision places Amazon Leo in direct competition with Elon Musk’s Starlink which is already permitted to operate in Nigeria.. The country issued 7-year operation permits to Amazon for its Leo […]
SpaceRISE, the consortium of satellite operators SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat, has successfully brought into use Ka-band military frequencies through a dedicated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite operated by Eutelsat, one of many among the large fleets of multi-orbital satellites operated by the members of SpaceRISE. By leveraging ‘Ka mil’, a part of the Ka frequency […]