A report from analysts at Quilty Space (the former Quilty Analytics) takes a forensic look at the reasons behind the collapse of Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit, and reports on what contributed to the project’s failure and entry into Chapter 11 reconstruction. Quilty reminds readers that Virgin Orbit was unveiled back in 2012 and has […]
Munich-based Rivada Space Networks (RSN), which is building a 300-satellite constellation, has ordered 12 rocket launches with SpaceX. The launches are planned to happen between April 2025 and June 2026. Rivada is on a tight timetable to get its initial constellation into space and to meet its obligations with the International Telecommunications Union (ITU). RSN […]
California-based satellite operator Viasat has suffered a negative report from Quilty Analytics. The analysts point out to clients that Viasat has “dialled back” guidance for 2023, not helped by delays to the launch of the first of its latest trio of sophisticated satellites. Quilty says: “For the second consecutive quarter, shares of Viasat sold off […]
In December 2022, the FCC granted a partial approval for a SpaceX application for a massive expansion to its mega-constellation. The FCC said that the Elon Musk Starlink broadband business could go ahead with launching 7,500 ‘Generation 2’ satellites, but has declined to approve an application for a further 30,000 satellites. A report from Quilty […]
Satellite operator Viasat has suffered Covid-based delays to launches of its trio of ViaSat-3 craft with the first of the three, serving the Americas, suffering a modest slippage and not now launching until “early 2023” instead of a “by December 2022” initially planned date. SpaceX will launch the craft. The late launch will impact Viasat’s […]
Quilty Analytics, in its latest in-depth study, says that the success of SpaceX has prompted more than 100 new launch start-ups entering the fray with most focussing primarily on smaller launch vehicles. But the report cautions that many will not be successful. Quilty says that historically, the business of designing, building, and operating launch vehicles […]
Comtech Telecommunications designs, develops and produces systems and services for advanced communications solutions. But trading is currently a challenge, says a report from analysts Quilty. “For the second consecutive quarter, Comtech slashed its forward guidance (EBITDA down 24 per cent), citing a combination of near-term supply-side constraints and timing issues, including the delay of two […]
A report from Quilty Analytics says that satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) has kicked into gear over the past few years. Currently, more than a dozen new operators are planning to launch over 1,000 satellites focused on IoT, says Quilty. The analyst asks how big an opportunity this explosion in service offerings represents? “The industry […]
Iridium Communications operates 66 active satellites and connects its customers with global voice and data from its hand-held satellite phones and terminals. It has moved from a quarterly loss to its fourth straight quarter of double digit growth and a profit and reported an extremely buoyant forward guidance with subscribers growing to 1.78 million (from […]
One of the mostly ignored elements of the Amazon Project Kuiper multi-rocket news – which in the words of Quilty Analytics “rightfully grabbed all the headlines” – might not be the most important story. Quilty says that Amazon’s announcement that it can build an all-electronically-steered flat panel antenna (FPA) for about $500 represents an earth-shattering […]