Megaconstellations
Musk says Starlink “economically viable” with around 1,000 satellites
SpaceX shared details about its largely secretive Starlink constellation program March 15, providing updated targets for commercial service, details about satellite design and the thought process behind why the company’s upper target is 12,000 satellites.
Telesat’s LEO plan: dedicated satellite factory, bulk launch contracts and a variety of antennas
Telesat wants a factory capable of building 20 to 25 large LEO satellites a month so that it can have monthly launches. The company is also working with several antenna builders to have user terminals ready for broadband services.
ITU wants megaconstellations to meet tougher launch milestones
Regulators worry that the ITU’s current bring-into-use rules make it too easy for companies to warehouse spectrum, potentially tying up valuable non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) frequencies for years without introducing new satellite services.
SpaceX to launch “dozens” of Starlink satellites May 15, more Starlink launches to follow
Gwynne Shotwell, SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, said the launch will carry “dozens of satellites,” adding more prototypes to the two currently in low Earth orbit.
Satixfy prepares release of flat panel antennas this year
Rajanik Mark, Satixfy’s chief operating officer, said the company has created its own chipsets that it can build in-house to bring down the cost of antenna modules that are built into full user terminals.
Amazon planning 3,236-satellite constellation for internet connectivity
The internet shopping giant has asked international spectrum regulators to provide access to airwaves for a constellation of 3,236 satellites.
Mynaric raises $12.5 million from mystery constellation customer
Laser communications terminal provider Mynaric says it raised 11 million euros ($12.5 million) in post-IPO funding from a mystery constellation venture that plans to buy up to 1,000 terminals.
How OneWeb plans to make sure its first satellites aren’t its last
OneWeb’s dream of blanketing the globe in affordable, abundant broadband took an important step toward reality Feb. 27 when a Russian rocket lifted off from South America to deliver six French-built satellites into low Earth orbit.
Former SpaceX Starlink exec joins German lasercomm startup
Mynaric, a German laser communications startup focused on satellite and airborne platforms, has hired a SpaceX employee previously involved in the Starlink megaconstellation.
Air Force laying groundwork for future military use of commercial megaconstellations
Low-cost internet access from LEO constellations is one of the products that the Air Force wants to be able to acquire and use as soon as possible.
Gilat issues $25 million dividend while pumping R&D
CEO Yona Ovadia said Gilat had $104 million on hand as of Dec. 31 and will have sufficient resources for significant financial plays even after subtracting the dividend.
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.
