coronavirus
RSCC planning four satellites to cover Russia’s Far North
Yuri Prokhorov, RSCC’s chief executive, said the company wants to have the satellites in orbit in 2024 to provide Ku-band coverage to Russia’s Far North.
Forgivable loans in an unforgiving environment
Many space companies began working with their banks to apply as soon as PPP was unveiled in March, but were frustrated when the initial tranche of $320 million was committed in less than two weeks.
Op-ed | An unexpected effect: the industry’s recent challenges prove the importance of space
Rationalization of the startup landscape and the right sizing of company balance sheets is inevitable, paving the way for “Space 3.0,” which will see the profitable and sustainable exploitation of entirely new market opportunities, backed by a growing base of enlightened stakeholders.
Infostellar, watching coronavirus, extends capital raising effort
Japanese ground station startup Infostellar announced $3.5 million in new funds April 29 from Airbus Ventures and other investors, but is seeking $1.2 million more by June as a bulwark against challenges stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
Iridium says coronavirus clouding revenue projection
The coronavirus pandemic is making it harder for Iridium to line up customers for its recently upgraded satellite constellation, but isn’t expected to reverse the company’s six-year annual growth streak, according to CEO Matt Desch.
Foust Forward | Rethinking what space activities are essential
One reason space companies have weathered the pandemic so far is that the federal government considers it an essential industry.
Pandemic perseverance: How NASA has adapted to the coronavirus
COVID-19 has transformed NASA like no other event in the agency’s six-decade history, dispersing its workforce and forcing it to make tough decisions about which projects to continue and which to put on hold.
Coronavirus pandemic forces small space companies to improvise
It’s difficult to gauge the impact of the novel coronavirus on small space companies because no one knows how long the pandemic will last. “Uncertainty is really the killer here,” said Space Angels CEO Chad Anderson.
Defense market a safe haven for space companies during pandemic
Since the pandemic hit, Pentagon contracts have been a lifeline for companies in the space industry.
Satellites reveal striking impact of COVID-19 on people and air quality
Satellite imagery and data are revealing the astonishing impact of the novel coronavirus on people and the environment.
Op-ed | Space startups, Darwin and the coronavirus
For many smaller space startups and entrepreneurial enterprises, COVID-19 is a potential deathblow. As in many other industries, the hard fact is that many space startups are simply going to go away in the next few months.
OneWeb falls back to Earth
Analysts agree the coronavirus crisis roiling markets is making it difficult for companies to raise money, but OneWeb’s troubles began well before the outbreak became a global pandemic.
Planet imagery reveals source of Beijing’s ongoing pollution
Air pollution has fallen dramatically in many areas of China as activity slows in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some parts of Beijing, though, have experienced little relief because work continues at nearby power plants and steel mills.
DIU letters support contractors working during pandemic
The Defense Innovation Unit is issuing letters to help contractors and their subcontractors inform local authorities their work is essential to national security and should continue in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chinese commercial rocket sells for $5.6 million in April Fool’s Day auction
A Chinese commercial Kuaizhou-1A rocket sold for $5.6 million in a live streamed auction hosted by e-commerce platform Taobao Wednesday.
Chinese new-generation spacecraft mission proceeding despite coronavirus, Long March 7A failure
The launch of a Long March 5B heavy-lift rocket carrying a Chinese new-generation spacecraft is going ahead despite the coronavirus outbreak.
