Megaconstellations
FCC moves forward with orbital debris reform amid soul-searching about its responsibilities
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission pressed forward with plans to firm up its rules about space safety and orbital debris Nov. 15 while at the same time questioning whether it is the right agency to do so.
FCC approves SpaceX, Telesat, LeoSat and Kepler internet constellations
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Nov. 15 to approve four proposed satellite constellations, authorizing nearly 8,000 small telecom satellites to serve U.S. entities from low Earth orbit.
Will megaconstellations cause a dangerous spike in orbital debris?
It’s no secret the megaconstellations will have a dramatic impact on space traffic. Experts now are turning their attention to ensuring they don’t also create a dangerous spike in orbital debris.
Satellite antenna companies divided on near-term feasibility of cheap flat panels
Builders of satellite antennas disagree on whether flat panel antennas — widely considered a necessity for planned broadband megaconstellations — can be produced cheaply enough to address the mass consumer market in the near term.
Does the satellite industry have antenna deficit disorder?
To connect the masses, megaconstellations will need mega antennas mega cheap. Antenna makers need mega orders to make that happen.
Antenna builder ThinKom makes push for constellation market
ThinKom’s recent collaborations with satellite operators Telesat and SES have the antenna builder jockeying to compete with Viasat, IsoTropic Systems and others in the race to build affordable high-tech antennas that can link with satellite constellations in non-geosynchronous orbits.
Eric Béranger leaves OneWeb a month after demotion
Eric Béranger, former chief executive of satellite constellation venture OneWeb, has left the company entirely, OneWeb confirmed Oct. 15.
Analysts see demand for two or three megaconstellations
While there may be enough customer demand for two or three megaconstellations, it will be difficult for the ventures to attract enough financing, according to analysts speaking at the Satellite Innovation conference here.
Amid concerns, OneWeb gets vague about constellation’s cost
OneWeb in 2015 set the goal of building 900 satellites for no more $500,000 a piece. Now the startup's president will only say "below $1 million."
Space ground segment having its own launch sector-like renaissance, Kratos says
WASHINGTON — The revolution in space technology — prominently seen with reusable rocketry advances and the commercial adoption of miniaturized satellites — is also happening on the ground, according to Kratos.
OneWeb says regulatory concerns main reason it’s forgoing inter-satellite links
Wyler said OneWeb’s network will use more than 40 gateways around the world, each capable of “seeing” satellites up to 4,000 kilometers away. OneWeb may add more gateways to appease regulators, he said, but the current architecture provides global coverage.
Boeing constellation stalled, SpaceX constellation progressing
Boeing is not actively building any satellites for the constellation it proposed to U.S. regulators two years ago, an industry executive said June 25.
C-Com, University of Waterloo test hardware for new phased array antenna
Canadian satellite antenna manufacturer C-Com said June 21 it successfully tested the building blocks of a phased array antenna it hopes to sell next year.
Internet for the masses not a focus for Kymeta, Phasor
SpaceX and OneWeb, two companies building thousands of satellites for broadband services, both expect to connect billions of the world's least-served to the internet. The two most prominent developers of electronically steered antennas don’t share that aspiration, however.
OneWeb shifts first launch to year’s end
OneWeb has shifted the debut launch for its satellite megaconstellation to the fourth quarter of the year.
Rise of the megaconstellations breathes life into active debris removal schemes
The megaconstellations promising global broadband service are heightening concern about orbital debris and creating demand for space-based trash collection.
