Elon Musk, speaking ahead of the November 19th Starship launch, denied a Bloomberg report that his rocket company SpaceX was discussing an initial public offering (IPO) for its satellite internet business, Starlink – perhaps as soon as 2024. Musk, posting on his social media platform X, specifically described the Bloomberg report as “false”. The report […]

SpaceX’s giant Starship has received all the necessary approvals for launch on November 17th. The FAA, as well as the US Fish and Wildlife Service, issued their approvals on November 15th. The launch window opens at 0n 13.00 pm GMT on November 17th. The launch is insured for $500 million. The sum is reportedly the […]

SpaceX could launch its second test flight of its Starship rocket on Novembr 17th. However, the rocket company says that it is still – as at November 13th – awaiting formal permission to come from the Federal Aviation Administration and other regulatory agencies. Elon Musk, in a Tweet/X on Novembr 14th said: “Was just informed […]

A SpaceX rocket has launched two O3b/mPOWER satellites into their transfer orbit for SES. The launch, shortly after 4pm Florida time on November 12th, took the mPOWER 5 and 6 on their way to a mid-Earth orbit at 8,000 kms in altitude. Signals were received after launch which indicate that all was well, however further […]

SpaceX will launch two O3b mPOWER satellites for SES on November 12th, the rocket company has confirmed, although subject to weather conditions being favourable. The two satellites are the 5th and 6th are in the expanded O3b/mPower constellation which will eventually comprise 13 craft. However, two are known to have potential problems. The first four […]

A combination of commercial launches with its Falcon 9 rocket plus the growing subscription income from its Starlink broadband-by-satellite service will propel SpaceX to sales in 2024 of around $15 billion (€14.07bn) according to a report from Bloomberg. SpaceX’s rocket and broadband business is forecasted achieve sales this year of some $9 billion. The report […]

Telesat of Canada – six years since the company was granted FCC permission to access the US market on the basis that 50 per cent of its 117-satellite constellation would be in orbit – is asking for a further delay of four and a half years. The FCC issued its initial Order permitting Telesat to […]

SpaceX’s unofficial broadband satellite service to Iran using Starlink must cease, the ITU along with US and Norwegian regulators have ruled. The ITU (and in particular its Radio Regulations Board, RRB) took a decision on October 27th to state that the US and Norway – as the official notifying administrations for Starlink’s frequencies – must […]

SpaceX has signed a deal with the European Space Agency (ESA) over potential satellite launches, according to the WSJ. Normally – in fact almost always – ESA uses Arianespace rockets to launch its scientific and governmental missions. However, there are no Arianespace launches available until 2025. The first test flight of Arianespace’s new Ariane 6 […]