Commercial
Kacific, with SpaceX launch imminent, borrows $160 million for satellite refinancing
Kacific said it recently secured $160 million from the Philippines-based Asian Development Bank and GuarantCo, a European- and Australian-government backed infrastructure investment organization, along with other financiers.
Electron launches smallsats in test of rocket reusability
Rocket Lab successfully launched several smallsats Dec. 6 on an Electron mission also designed to test technologies to make the rocket’s first stage reusable.
Raytheon deputy director joins SAR startup Umbra Lab
Umbra Lab announced that Marcus Chevitarese, former deputy engineering director for Raytheon Vision Systems, is the startup's new engineering vice president.
Capella Space announces first in a series of global partnerships
Capella Space announced an agreement with Remote Sensing Instruments, making the Indian firm Capella’s exclusive reseller in India.
Falcon 9 launches Dragon cargo spacecraft to ISS
A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station Dec. 5 on a mission that will also perform a test of the rocket’s upper stage.
Inmarsat delists from stock exchange after buyout
British satellite operator Inmarsat delisted from the London Stock Exchange Dec. 5, completing a $3.3 billion buyout that some shareholders sought to delay.
York Space Systems opens Washington-area office
York Space Systems opened a Washington-area office and mission operations center.
Founder Institute opens space accelerator with ties to NASA Ames
The Founder Institute, an accelerator with operations in 180 cities globally, is establishing a new program with ties to the NASA Ames Research Center.
Sky and Space Global narrows immediate goal to eight satellites as funding remains elusive
Sky and Space Global, a startup planning a constellation of 200 cubesats for low-data-rate communications, has narrowed its near-term focus to raising enough money for an initial eight satellites.
NileSat buys satellite from Thales Alenia • Arctic comms payloads pass review • NationSat launch slips to 2021
Thales Alenia Space received a contract from Egyptian satellite operator NileSat to build a new geostationary communications satellite.
FAA approves commercial space office reorganization
The Federal Aviation Administration has approved a reorganization of the office that oversees commercial launches in a bid to improve its efficiency as the number of launches grows.
Starliner test flight slips two days
Boeing announced Dec. 3 that it’s delaying the uncrewed test flight of the company’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle by two days because of a minor launch vehicle issue.
Globalstar refinancing ends liquidity crisis
Globalstar executives on Dec. 2 said the recent refinancing of its $342 million debt and new loans secured with help from EchoStar ensures sufficient cash flow through 2025.
NASA taps TriSept for ongoing cubesat launch support
TriSept Corp., a launch integration and mission management company, announced Dec. 2 an $18 million indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to support NASA cubesat launches.
Why Cloud Constellation turned down $100 million
In December, Cloud Constellation was finalizing receipt of a $100 million investment that would help the startup deploy a ring of secure data-storage satellites in low Earth orbit. By spring, Cloud Constellation had walked away from the deal, citing a review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, or CFIUS, as one of the reasons.
Space as a service takes root at RBC Signals
RBC Signals is expanding its global network of ground stations by combining excess capacity in existing antenna networks with its own antennas. CEO Ron Faith spoke with SpaceNews about the lessons he sees in the growth of cellular networks at the World Satellite Business Week conference in September.
