AST SpaceMobile
NASA signs spaceflight safety agreement with AST SpaceMobile
NASA has signed an agreement with AST SpaceMobile to cooperate on spaceflight safety, even as astronomers grow increasingly concerned about the effects of that company’s satellites.
AST SpaceMobile plots $86 million share sale
AST SpaceMobile said Nov. 30 it could raise more than $86 million from selling a chunk of shares as the company looks to accelerate its direct-to-smartphone constellation plans.
AST SpaceMobile searching for funds to accelerate constellation
A year and a half after netting around $417 million through its IPO, AST SpaceMobile is seeking more funds to accelerate a direct-to-smartphone constellation that has fallen behind a key regulatory deadline.
Lynk Global to deploy experimental 5G payload in December
Lynk Global said Sept. 28 it will test the ability to send a 5G signal from a satellite launching in December to standard mobile devices, after getting funding for the demonstration from an undisclosed partner.
Lynk Global gets first commercial satellite direct-to-cell operating license
Lynk Global secured regulatory approval Sept. 16 to operate its initial cellphone-compatible constellation globally, although the startup needs to deploy more satellites and get landing rights before it can start services.
AST SpaceMobile secures communications with prototype
Satellite-to-smartphone startup AST SpaceMobile is preparing to unfurl the largest commercial antenna ever deployed in low Earth orbit after establishing contact with its BlueWalker 3 prototype satellite.
Direct-to-cell startups welcome Musk’s arrival
Startups developing constellations for providing connectivity directly to standard cellphones say they stand to benefit from SpaceX entering their market.
AST SpaceMobile delays commercial satellite debut by six months
Supply chain issues have delayed the launch of the first operational satellite in AST SpaceMobile’s cellphone-compatible broadband constellation by about six months to late 2023.
Second commercial Lynk Global satellite still looking for launch
Lynk Global said it is still waiting for Spaceflight to rebook a flight for the second commercial satellite in its cellphone-compatible broadband network, four months after the launch services provider’s space tug was kicked off a SpaceX mission.
Kongsberg to acquire majority stake in NanoAvionics
Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace will acquire a majority stake in NanoAvionics in a deal that values the smallsat manufacturer at 65 million euros ($67 million).
