Commercial
Mynaric, Redwire, BigBear.ai partner for DARPA’s laser communications program
Mynaric selected a cybersecurity tool from Redwire and BigBear.ai for an inter-satellite laser communications terminal being developed for DARPA
Mangata Networks gets funds for Scottish satellite manufacturing hub
Mangata Networks, the U.S.-based startup founded by a former OneWeb executive, said Dec. 5 it signed a $100 million financing deal to build a manufacturing facility in Scotland for its multi-orbit broadband constellation.
Defense, Commerce Departments select companies to prototype space traffic management solutions
The Office of Space Commerce and the Department of Defense announced Dec. 6 they have selected six commercial firms to prototype space traffic data platforms
Slingshot Aerospace completes $40.8 million funding round
Slingshot Aerospace announced Dec. 6 it has raised $40.8 million in a Series A2 funding round.
Advisory panel to examine DoD’s demand for commercial space systems
The Pentagon’s top research official has directed the Defense Science Board to examine the military’s growing reliance on commercial space technology and its implications.
Ukraine’s Promin Aerospace on track for 2023 flight test
Ukrainian startup Promin Aerospace remains on track to conduct the first test of its small satellite launch technology early next year, in spite of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war.
Op-ed | Let’s keep an open dialogue on how to protect satellites on orbit
The conflict in Ukraine has shined a bright light on the policy ambiguity regarding the options available to the U.S. government to protect commercial satellite operators
E-Space buys RF hardware developer CommAgility
Greg Wyler’s megaconstellation startup E-Space said Dec. 5 it plans to buy radio frequency module developer CommAgility in a $14.5 million deal.
Growth of SSA systems could create problems for satellite operators
The growth of space situational awareness (SSA) capabilities worldwide, intended to better track satellites and debris in orbit, could instead create confusion for satellite operators, one official warned.
Chris Pearson takes the reins at Agile Space Industries
Chris Pearson, former Roccor CEO and Redwire executive vice president, is the new CEO of Durango, Colorado-based propulsion startup Agile Space Industries.
SpaceX rolls out new business line focused on military satellite services
SpaceX on Dec. 2 revealed a new business segment called Starshield aimed at U.S. national security government agencies.
OneWeb aims to deploy a record 40 satellites in SpaceX mission
OneWeb said SpaceX is slated to launch 40 of its satellites as early as Dec. 6 to complete almost 80% of its low Earth orbit broadband constellation.
FCC grants partial approval for Starlink second-generation constellation
The FCC has partially approved SpaceX’s application for the second generation of its Starlink constellation, allowing the company to launch up to a quarter of the proposed 30,000 satellites while deferring action on the rest.
Rocket Lab launches subsidiary focused on national security market
Rocket Lab USA is creating a separate entity to focus on U.S. defense and intelligence agency customers.
Eutelsat orders GEO broadband satellite with LEO in mind
Eutelsat said Dec. 1 it has ordered a geostationary broadband satellite to support multi-orbit services in the Americas from 2026.
