Amazon Leo has filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for 5,105 low Earth orbiting satellites for its proposed direct-to-device (D2D) mega-constellation. It plans to combine Amazon Leo infrastructure with Globalstar’s spectrum, satellites and ground network, expanding from emergency messaging toward voice, data and industrial IoT. The application (made by Kuiper Systems LLC, a wholly-owned […]
AST SpaceMobile has announced a private debt funding offering to raise $1 billion (€0.87bn) in the shape of Convertible Senior Notes. AST has also confirmed that is in “advanced discussions” with Japanese company Rakuten regarding the preliminary selection of RAST Co., Ltd. as an indirect subsidy recipient for the Low Earth Orbit Satellite Infrastructure Development […]
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 […]
South Korea, already one of the best-equipped countries on the planet in terms of fibre connections (and where an estimated 99 per cent of users have 4G or 5G cellular access) is going ahead with its own satellite low Earth orbing broadband system. Korea’s Economic Daily news says that the South Korean government wants the […]
Would-be global cellular connectivity business AST SpaceMobile says that speeds of hundreds of Mb/s will be deployed in 5G via its Block 2 BlueBird satellites. “AST SpaceMobile has already demonstrated in its Block 1 satellites speeds of 98 Mbps. With our Block 2 satellites, with the largest phased-array antennas in low earth orbit, we will […]
The Communications and Information network Association of Japan (CIAJ) has published extra information on the proposed Japan and AST SpaceMobile scheme for a Japanese-backed low earth orbiting constellation of broadband satellites. The CIAJ manual provides the clearest official detail yet on how the Rakuten/AST (RAST) satellite project will be funded. The manual confirms a maximum […]
Amazon Leo’s broadband satellite constellation is growing fast. A successful launch of 29 craft on July 2nd means that there are now 396 satellites in orbit, and enough to start a ‘beta’ test service this autumn. United Launch Alliance (ULA) handled the launch using its last Atlas V rocket. All future ULA launches for Amazon […]
July 2nd should see a United Launch Alliance rocket place 29 Amazon Leo satellites into orbit. This will add to the more than 350 craft already in orbit for Amazon Leo. The massive ULA Atlas V rocket (Flight LA-08) has been tested and the craft integrated into the rocket’s nose-cone. Lift off is scheduled for […]
A group of satellite operators has formed a trade body to represent their interests in the Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) sector. The founding members are Amazon, Iridium, Telesat and Globalstar in the SpaceConnect Association. The aim is to represent and advocate for issues such as open markets, competitive choice, responsibility in space and global parity, […]
Eutelsat and AST Networks, a provider of global satellite communications and network solutions, have signed a new multi-year, multi-million-dollar agreement for Eutelsat’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity services. The agreement builds on an established partnership between the two companies. To support growing customer demand, AST Networks will expand its use of Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO services as […]