In November 2022, AST SpaceMobile reported that it had successfully managed to unfold the ‘origami-like’ giant 64 square metre space antenna. Called BlueWalker-3, the antenna is the largest-ever placed into space and in low Earth orbit. The antenna, and its important sister craft, are vital to AST’s plans to girdle the planet with ordinary – […]
Pale Blue Global has developed a water-based propulsion system for satellites. The Japanese business describes its technology as ‘The ultimate green propellant’. The company says it has succeeded in operating the water vapor propulsion system (resistojet) in low Earth orbit. Pale Blue’s propulsion system was installed on ‘EYE’, a small nano-satellite for the Sony-backed STAR […]
Low Earth orbit satellite communications company OneWeb, and aerospace manufacturer and satellite Internet Service Provider mu Space and Advanced Technology have agreed a multi-million, multi-year deal to deliver OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity solutions across mainland Southeast Asia, also known as Indochina, which includes Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Malaysia. As one of OneWeb’s […]
Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company OneWeb and telco Orange have signed a distribution agreement to expand connectivity services across Europe, Africa, Latin America, and other global regions. The news comes as governments across the world prioritise the development of digital infrastructure networks post-COVID. With this partnership, Orange will offer enriched connectivity, integrating OneWeb’s […]
Japan-based Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), a major shipping line, has signed up for broadband connectivity with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service. MOL joins other maritime operators, such as Norwegian Cruise Lines, to use Starlink. MOL says it will work with satellite service provider Marlink for this trial of Musk’s technology. While only a trial at […]
The deployment of satellite constellations in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for low-latency and high throughput network applications and extending terrestrial network (TN) coverage have become significant drivers in the adoption of satellite services in the global telecommunications sector, notes technology intelligence firm ABI Research who forecasts that this adoption will culminate in $141 billion (€135.7bn) […]
Greg Wyler, a serial entrepreneur who founded O3b, OneWeb and now the Rwanda-backed e-Space concept of 300,000 low Earth orbiting satellites, explained to delegates his vision for satellite industry at the Riyadh Connecting the World from the Skies event. He said 10 years from now there should be no difference between satellite and terrestrial. “Everything […]
BApple is investing $450 million (€435.6m) as part of its strategy to supply emergency Text/SOS messaging from satellites to suitable iPhones (initially iPhone 14 models). Much of the cash goes to Louisiana-based satellite operator Globalstar which Apple has already announced as a key partner in the scheme. The investment cash comes from Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing […]
A ministerial meeting in Brussels scheduled for November 17th with EU official and lawmakers could reach a decision on Europe’s plans for an independent satellite broadband and GPS system. The intention is for Europe to have its own low Earth orbiting satellite broadband and sat-nav system which would provide back-up in emergency situations as well […]
Europe’s upcoming Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) super-secure satellite, the ESA’s Eagle-1, will be launched for SES by Arianespace on a Vega C rocket from French Guiana as early as Q4/2024. The satellite will be placed into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The EAGLE-1 project comprising satellite and ground infrastructure, is developed by SES and its consortium […]