Commercial
Inmarsat uses ships as stepping stones in mesh network trial
Inmarsat said May 19 it has successfully tested a mesh network that enables ships to switch from satellite to terrestrial connectivity by using other vessels as stepping stones to land-based signal towers.
NASA and Boeing set for second Starliner test flight
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft is ready to attempt another uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station, with both the company and the agency expressing confidence in the spacecraft despite past problems.
Military buyers challenged to stay up on the latest commercial space innovations
Space Force Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein said commercial innovation today is "outpacing the demand signal from the government."
Kongsberg orders satellites for Norwegian maritime surveillance
Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace has ordered three microsatellites to keep tabs on vessels operating clandestinely in the North Sea.
Space Development Agency’s satellite contractors team up to deal with supply shortages
The Space Development Agency and its contractors have had to scramble to deal with parts shortages and other supply chain problems that have affected the entire space industry.
Military experiment demonstrates intersatellite laser communications in low Earth orbit
Two small satellites launched last summer by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency successfully established an optical link during a nearly 40-minute test.
Operational AST SpaceMobile satellites could proceed without prototype
AST SpaceMobile will start deploying operational satellites in 2023 “even in the event of any complication” with the BlueWalker 3 prototype slated to launch this summer, an executive for the cellphone-compatible broadband constellation said.
Foust Forward | Building a space industry in Steel City
John Thornton and others want to ensure that Astrobotic isn’t the only space company in Pittsburgh or the wider region.
DIU selects nuclear-powered spacecraft designs for 2027 demonstrations
The Defense Innovation Unit announced May 17 it selected Ultra Safe Nuclear Corp. and Avalanche to develop small nuclear-powered spacecraft for in-space demonstrations planned for 2027.
Uzbekistan woos Starlink, OneWeb to bring satellite broadband
The overtures to Starlink and OneWeb are part of the Uzbek government’s efforts to strengthen the Central Asian nation’s information technology competitiveness and provide better communications services to underserved remote areas.
Space systems dominate Rocket Lab revenue
Rocket Lab, the company best known for its Electron small launch vehicle, generated most of its first quarter revenue from other space systems and not launch itself.
ABL Space Systems completes acceptance testing of RS1 upper stage
ABL Space Systems has completed testing of the second stage of its small launch vehicle, four months after a previous version of the stage was destroyed in a test accident.
Spacecom plots maritime expansion after netting first customer
Israeli satellite operator Spacecom is adjusting its business to serve maritime customers as the market shows signs of recovering from the pandemic.
Chinese satellite propulsion startup secures funding as country’s constellation projects grow
A Chinese satellite electric propulsion company has secured multi-million yuan angel round financing amid a proliferation of Chinese constellation plans.
Launcher announces customers for first Orbiter space tug mission
Launch vehicle and in-space transportation services company Launcher has filled the manifest for the first flight of its space tug later this year with a mix of commercial and academic payloads.
Redwire warns of volatility in commercial space markets
Space technology company Redwire said that while it still sees the commercial sector as its biggest prospect for long-term growth, volatility among its customers may cause delays.
