Commercial

Commerce Department outlines plans for basic space traffic management service
The Commerce Department has outlined the services it proposes to offer free of charge to satellite operators from the space traffic management system it is developing.

Lynk Global finalizing ground station for direct-to-smartphone services
Lynk Global is close to completing a ground station in Hawaii as part of plans to connect its growing constellation of small satellites to standard smartphones this spring.

Hispasat invests in reforestation to drive sustainability expansion strategy
After recently investing in Spain’s largest reforestation project, Madrid-based operator Hispasat hopes to use a satellite SpaceX is launching next month to support other sustainability projects across Latin America.

U.S. sanctions Chinese satellite firm for allegedly supplying SAR imagery to Russia’s Wagner Group
The U.S. has sanctioned a Chinese small satellite manufacturer for allegedly supplying Russia's Wagner Group with radar satellite imagery of Ukraine to support its combat operations

Spaceflight books dedicated Isar Aerospace launch in 2026
U.S.-based launch services provider Spaceflight said Jan. 25 it has booked a dedicated launch in 2026 from Isar Aerospace, the German rocket developer aiming to perform the first test flight of its Spectrum vehicle this year.

Astrobotic completes Peregrine testing
Astrobotic Technologies said that it has completed testing of its Peregrine lunar lander and it ready to ship it to Cape Canaveral for launch.

Buckle up, it could get bumpy: The space economy’s vaunted resilience will be tested in 2023
While challenging economic conditions this year will hit some space companies harder than others, the industry as a whole is expected to remain robust as multiple headwinds rock the sector.

Quindar raises seed round to provide mission management software services
A startup has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to further development of a software system to make it easier for companies to operate satellite constellations.

Channeling frustration into program management software
Charter, one of six space companies that participated in the fall 2022 Techstars Aerospace and Defense Accelerator, has raised $1.2 million in venture funding from TechStars, 7percent Ventures, Topspot Ventures and other investors.

UK Space Agency offers $62 million for innovative connectivity projects
The U.K. announced 50 million British pounds ($62 million) in funding Jan. 23 for projects that could boost the country’s satellite communications industry.

It’s belt-cinching time for space startups
Space startups are hunting for cost savings as the tough financial climate threatens their business plans, leading to more innovative working practices to come out on top.

Op-ed | How Canada is Shaping the World’s Future in Space
For decades, Canada has taken part in space research, exploration and defense, and while the nation’s contributions are not always the flashiest, they are almost always mission-critical.

Lockheed Martin eyes international customers for GPS augmentation systems
Lockheed Martin developed a satellite-based augmentation system that leverages the L1C signal that is interoperable with both GPS and Galileo

Canadian government to establish commercial launch licensing regulations
The Canadian government announced plans Jan. 20 to set up a regulatory framework to allow commercial launches from the country as part of an effort to expand Canada’s space industry.

Connecting the Dots | Space insurers toast another profitable year
The space insurance market made a profit for 2022 despite a devastating rocket failure at the end of the year. However, the shift toward constellations of satellites in LEO poses questions about the shape of the market in the years ahead.

Space Florida shrugs off loss of Terran Orbital factory
Terran Orbital’s decision not to build a large satellite factory in Florida is only a minor setback for the state’s efforts to grow the space industry’s presence in the state and to expand beyond launch, according to one official.