Commercial
Airbus subsidiary UP42 unveils data, analytics platform
Airbus Defence and Space subsidiary UP42 unveiled Sept. 17 a commercial data and analytics platform that offers access to satellite imagery, other geospatial datasets and algorithms.
Satellite C-band is worth billions, but how many?
As the U.S. Federal Communications Commission prepares to decide how to reallocate some or all of the nation’s satellite C-band spectrum for the coming wave of 5G mobile communications services, experts say appraising the monetary value of the spectrum remains tricky.
Iridium lands seven-year, $738.5 million Defense Department contract
Iridium said Sept. 16 that the new seven-year, $738.5 million contract ensures continuity for voice, data, broadcast and other services to Defense Department and associated users.
EU agency starts space sustainability initiative
The European Union’s equivalent of a foreign ministry is starting a new effort to promote the need for sustainable space operations, but that effort will not initially include any new regulation of European satellite operators.
Space insurance rates increasing as insurers review their place in the market
A space insurance executive confirmed Sept. 11 that a spate of recent claims is increasing rates and leading some insurers to reconsider their place in the market.
Kepler reviews plan for constellation architecture
Kepler Communications is reviewing the architecture for its internet-of-things constellation in response to SpaceX’s plan to revise the architecture of its Starlink constellation.
Satellogic signs deal to provide imagery service in China
Earth imaging startup Satellogic has signed an agreement with a Chinese company that will give it access to its fleet of satellites for imaging a Chinese province.
Earth observation companies plan new satellites and seek new customers
As operators of Earth observation satellites prepare to update their fleets, with an emphasis on both improved resolution and revisit time, they disagree on how much demand there is for existing and new data.
Thales Alenia Space hedges bet on serially built, reprogrammable small GEOs
Thales Alenia Space is shedding around 6% of its workforce while rolling out a new line of reprogrammable satellites it says will benefit from an Iridium Next-style production.
AsiaSat plays waiting game on next-gen high-throughput satellite
“I’m glad that we didn’t jump into AsiaSat-10 two years ago, otherwise I would have a satellite that is not very economical,” Tong said Sept. 9 at the World Satellite Business Week conference here.
Smallsat launch services feel pricing pressure
Companies that provide both dedicated and rideshare launch services for small satellites say that price remains a major factor for their customers, with pressure from growing competition to lower them.
Iceye releases stereo images from satellites launched in July
Iceye released the first images Sept. 12 from its new synthetic aperture radar satellites launched in July and began offering commercial access to its three-satellite constellation.
Spire unveils weather product for maritime customers
Spire Global unveiled Spire Forecast Sept. 11, a product designed to provide the maritime industry with detailed information on atmospheric conditions including global sea surface temperatures, ocean currents, wave heights, surface winds and air temperature.
Relativity signs launch agreement with Momentus
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity Space announced Sept. 11 a contract with Momentus to carry a set of small satellites to geostationary orbit.
To do business, reprogrammable satellites now the requirement for manufacturers
Manufacturers say software-defined satellites that can redesign beams and capacity have shifted from a wish-list feature to a requirement for operators.
Airbus and Telespazio to sell excess capacity on Syracuse 4 satellites
Airbus and Telespazio announced Sept. 9 that the two companies will establish a partnership to sell excess capacity on France’s upcoming Syracuse 4 series of military communications satellites.
