Spire
PSLV launch a boost for smallsat IoT, remote-sensing constellations
A total of 30 small satellites flew as secondary payloads with the Indian Space Research Organisation’s HysIS hyperspectral imaging satellite when it launched Nov. 29 from the Satish Dhawan Space Center on the Indian island of Sriharikota at 11:28 p.m. Eastern.
Commercial EO innovation challenges snail-pace government timescales
Leaps in capabilities of commercial constellations of small Earth-observation satellites and the decreasing cost of their services were at the center of a debate about the future of publicly funded Earth-observation missions after Spire CEO Peter Platzer introduced the company’s ambition to become “the Amazon” of space.
Price swings expected during launch industry shakeout
The next two to three years will be a time of adjustment in the space launch industry, according to panelists at Satellite Innovation 2018 here.
Three companies win NOAA commercial weather data pilot contracts
NOAA awarded more than $8 million in contracts this week to three companies in the second round of a commercial satellite weather data pilot program.
Rocket Lab sets date for first commercial launch
Rocket Lab plans to perform the first commercial launch of its Electron rocket later this month, carrying satellites for at least two companies, the company announced April 3.
Smallsat launch providers face pricing pressure from Chinese vehicles
Companies that are developing small launch vehicles or who provide rideshare launch services say they expect new Chinese launch vehicles to drive down launch prices, raising concerns among some of unfair competition.
Largest cubesat operators say 25-year deorbit guideline a priority
Planet and Spire, operators of the two largest commercial cubesat constellations in orbit, say they manage their fleets to prevent retired spacecraft from lingering in space beyond internationally accepted guidelines.
The still-unrealized promise of commercial Earth science data
Proponents of commercial satellite weather programs have talked up the promise of government data buys from such systems. The results so far have been underwhelming.
New companies needed to maintain small satellite market growth
The number of small satellites launched in 2017 exceeded even the most optimistic forecasts, but continued growth of the market will require new companies to start deploying constellations in the next few years.
PSLV launch a milestone for India and several companies
The successful launch of an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Jan. 11 marked not just the return to flight of the rocket but also major achievements for several of the companies with payloads on board the vehicle.
Luxembourg to invest in Spire
An agreement announced Nov. 15 brings together a space company looking to grow its capabilities with a government seeking to expand its presence in the space industry.
Rocket Lab to fly satellites on second Electron launch
Rocket Lab, the U.S.-New Zealand company developing the Electron small launch vehicle, said Sept. 26 that it will fly four cubesats from two companies on the rocket’s next test flight late this year.
Minotaur 4’s canceled commercial cubesat rideshares could spark policy changes
Following a decision to pull eight Spire commercial cubesats from an Orbital ATK Minotaur 4 launch from Cape Canaveral Aug. 26 carrying a military payload, the U.S. Air Force says it and other government agencies are crafting clear procedures on how to handle such future rideshare agreements.
Spire, 40 cubesats in orbit, competing more directly in space-based ship-tracking market
Spire is wading deeper into the ship-tracking business, challenging established competitors operating fleets of much bigger satellites.
Soyuz launches 73 satellites
A Soyuz rocket successfully launched 73 satellites, including spacecraft for four companies’ cubesat constellations, July 14.
NGA using data from Spire and Ball to monitor Arctic maritime traffic
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is using satellite data provided by Spire Global and Ball Aerospace to monitor maritime traffic in the Arctic, a region where the changing climate is having a dramatic impact on trade routes, Peter Platzer, Spire chief executive, said March 6 during a Satellite 2017 panel here.
