NGSO
Connecting the Dots | Diverging NGSO distribution strategies
After revolutionizing the launch industry through vertical integration, SpaceX hopes to do the same for satellite broadband with its Starlink megaconstellation.
Connecting the Dots | Getting satellite regulation up to speed
As part of efforts in the U.S. to bring regulation up to speed, the Federal Communications Commission is proposing revising rules governing how fixed-satellite service operators in NGSO share congested spectrum to avoid interference.
EOS establishes SpaceLink with Dave Bettinger at the helm
Electro Optic Systems (EOS) of Australia formed SpaceLink, a wholly owned subsidiary, based in McLean, Virginia, to provide data-relay services for satellites in low Earth orbit and named former OneWeb Vice President David Bettinger as its chief executive officer.
SpaceX submits paperwork for 30,000 more Starlink satellites
The FCC, on SpaceX’s behalf, submitted 20 filings to the ITU for 1,500 satellites apiece in various low Earth orbits, an ITU official confirmed Oct. 15 to SpaceNews.
SpaceX says more Starlink orbits will speed service, reduce launch needs
SpaceX is asking federal regulators to allow it to spread out Starlink satellites in more rings around the Earth.
Amazon lays out constellation service goals, deployment and deorbit plans to FCC
Amazon released more details on its plan to deploy 3,236 broadband satellites, telling U.S. telecom regulators the constellation can start service in limited areas with less than a fifth of the total constellation.
Northrop Grumman to build two triple-payload satellites for Space Norway, SpaceX to launch
Northrop Grumman will build two satellites for Space Norway, each equipped with payloads for Inmarsat, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, and the U.S. Air Force.
Space Norway in final procurement for two highly elliptical orbit satellites
Stig Nilsson, a colonel in the Norwegian Ministry of Defence’s Department for Defence Policy and Long Term Planning, said the satellite system, known as the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM), should be under construction by June, following a downselect among competing manufacturers.
Blue Canyon Technologies wins constellation contract
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency awarded BCT a contract to define bus and payload requirements for Blackjack, a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit to offer persistent global communications and Earth observation.
Phase Four aims for constellation orders
Phase Four, an El Segundo, California startup, is expanding its leadership team as part of a campaign to direct its advanced electric propulsion system toward the growing satellite constellation market.
LeoSat and partners put satellites on a diet
LeoSat’s strategic partners, Spanish satellite operator Hispasat and Sky Perfect Jsat of Japan, are helping the constellation developer update its satellite design.
Loon offers network controller for new constellations
MOUNTAIN VIEW, California — Loon, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, is promoting networking technology and user interfaces it developed to operate its high-altitude balloons for constellations of nongeostationary …
Telesat says ideal LEO constellation is 292 satellites, but could be 512
Satellite fleet operator Telesat says the desired size of its future low Earth orbit broadband constellation is more than twice the number of satellites authorized by U.S. regulators, and could ultimately scale to 512 spacecraft.
O3b MEO constellation grows to 16 with latest Soyuz launch
A Soyuz rocket from Arianespace successfully delivered four telecommunications satellites into medium Earth orbit for fleet operator SES.
FCC chairman urges approval for SpaceX’s satellite internet constellation
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai wants his agency approve SpaceX’s 15-month-old application to serve the U.S. with its proposed megaconstellation.
OneWeb spars with SpaceX, Boeing, SES and Space Norway over FCC coverage rule
A U.S. Federal Communications Commission requirement that developers of non-geostationary-orbit (NGSO) satellite systems provide full coverage of the United States to get market access has prospective megaconstellation operators pitted against each other.
FCC gets five new applications for non-geostationary satellite constellations
Boeing’s plan to deploy a constellation of V-band satellites in non-geostationary orbit has prompted at least five companies, including SpaceX and OneWeb, to file me-too proposals with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission.
