Swarm Technologies
Satellite operators see acquisition opportunities
Companies that operate both geostationary satellites and low Earth orbit constellations say they see opportunities to acquire complementary firms but cautioned that a long-projected consolidation of the industry isn’t likely in the near future.
SpaceX to acquire Swarm Technologies
SpaceX has quietly agreed to acquire Swarm Technologies, a company that operates a smallsat constellation providing internet-of-things services.
Astrocast mulls going public to expand to 100 satellites
Swiss startup Astrocast is considering becoming a public company to expand its constellation for connecting internet of things (IoT) devices.
Orbcomm gets no offers after contacting more than 50 potential buyers
Satellite operator Orbcomm said May 10 it did not get any alternative proposals in its 30-day “go-shop” period, which followed private equity firm GI Partners’ $1.1 billion acquisition offer.
Startup and established IoT satellite operators exchange blows in regulatory battle
U.S.-based startup Swarm Technologies and 28-year old Orbcomm, both pursuing the fast-growing market for connecting Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to satellites, are locked in a regulatory tussle over plans to expand overseas.
SpaceX launches record-setting cluster of smallsats
A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 143 small satellites for a wide range of customers Jan. 24 on the company's first dedicated rideshare mission, a service that poses a competitive threat to emerging small launch vehicles.
Swarm Technologies reveals plan to connect devices for $5 per device per month
Swarm Technologies announced prices for its satellite communications products Sept. 29, including data services starting at $5 per device per month.
Swarm works with Exolaunch to fly 24 SpaceBees on SpaceX Falcon 9
Swarm Technologies is working with Exolaunch of Germany to send 24 SpaceBee satellites into orbit on the SpaceX Falcon 9 small satellite rideshare mission scheduled to launch in December.
Swarm teams with Momentus to spread out SpaceBees
Swarm Technologies is working with in-space transportation startup Momentus to send its constellation of tiny internet-of-things satellites into different orbital planes.
Swarm of tiny satellites could relay messages by year’s end
Since 2017, Swarm Technologies has built, launched and operated nine miniature satellites, raised more than $28 million for a 150-spacecraft constellation and forged agreements with some 200 potential customers. The company’s most impressive accomplishment, though, isn’t on that list.
LeoLabs unveils commercial satellite tracking service for small satellites
LeoLabs, a company mapping low Earth orbit with ground-based radars, unveiled a commercial tracking service called LeoTrack for small satellites and cubesats Aug. 5 at the Small Satellite Conference here.
Swarm CEO talks past mistakes, future goals
Swarm Technologies’ self-stated mission is to bring internet access to the whole world, but it’s best known at this point for defying the U.S. Federal Communications Commission by launching four tiny SpaceBee satellites last year without a license.
Swarm raises $25 million for smallsat constellation
The new Series A funds will go toward deploying the company’s full constellation over the next 18 months, as well as adding new hires and boosting technology development.
Swarm, after FCC blunder, hires satellite regulatory veteran Kalpak Gude
In an interview, Gude said he is not Swarm’s mandated compliance director, but will be helping Swarm navigate through the global regulatory landscape as its general counsel and head of regulatory affairs.
FCC fines Swarm $900,000 for unauthorized smallsat launch
Swarm Technologies will pay $900,000 to settle an investigation by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission into the startup’s launch of four picosatellites on an Indian rocket this January without regulatory approval, the FCC announced Dec. 20.
Foust Forward | For commercial space, a question of forgiveness versus permission
Incidents with SpaceX and Swarm Technologies may result in more scrutiny of space companies by these and other regulators, like the FAA, even as the White House backs efforts to update and streamline rules governing commercial space activities.
FCC issues warning in wake of Swarm’s unauthorized launch
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on April 12 released an enforcement advisory warning that organizations will be penalized for launching spacecraft without the appropriate regulatory approvals and advised launch providers they should be ready to remove unauthorized spacecraft from their rockets if necessary.
Industry worried about regulatory backlash after unauthorized cubesat launch
The launch of several cubesats by an American company without authorization from a federal agency has the rest of the industry worried of a potential regulatory and public relations backlash.
