Viasat
Viasat’s Inmarsat acquisition clears UK national security review
Viasat took a step closer to buying London-based Inmarsat Sept. 16 after the British government ruled it poses no risk to the U.K.’s national security.
US appeals court upholds Starlink deployment change
A U.S. appeals court Aug. 26 upheld the Federal Communications Commission’s year-old decision to let SpaceX deploy more satellites at lower altitudes to improve the Starlink broadband constellation’s performance.
SpaceX loses $900 million in rural broadband subsidies
SpaceX has lost its bid for nearly $900 million in rural broadband subsidies for its Starlink service.
Consolidation wave pushes rivals SES and Intelsat into merger talks
SES and Intelsat are in active merger talks as a wave of consolidation sweeps over the satellite industry, the Financial Times reported Aug. 4.
ESA selects Viasat for multi-orbit satellite communications study
Viasat said July 26 it has been selected to study multi-orbit satellite networks for the European Space Agency.
Microsoft reveals Azure Space Partner Community
Microsoft is expanding its relationships with space companies through the Azure Space Partner Community, an initiative unveiled July 19 at the Microsoft Inspire 2022 conference.
Second ViaSat-3 payload arrives in California for integration
The payload for Viasat’s second ViaSat-3 broadband satellite has arrived in California to be integrated with a Boeing chassis, the operator said July 13.
Viasat shareholders approve Inmarsat acquisition
Viasat said June 21 that its shareholders voted to approve its $7.3 billion plan to acquire British satellite operator Inmarsat.
As U.S. blames Russia for KA-SAT hack, Starlink sees growing threat
Elon Musk says Russian hackers are increasing efforts to take down SpaceX’s Starlink broadband service amid the war in Ukraine.
‘Mounting evidence’ shows need for Starlink Gen 2 environmental review, says Viasat
Evidence is mounting of a need to perform an environmental review before approving SpaceX’s plans to add nearly 30,000 satellites to its Starlink constellation, satellite broadband competitor Viasat told the FCC May 2.
Viasat to begin integration of long-delayed Link 16 military communications satellite
The Link 16 spacecraft, funded by the Air Force Research Laboratory, has been delayed due to late delivery of the Blue Canyon satellite bus
NASA selects six companies to demonstrate commercial successors to TDRS
Six companies, including both traditional satellite operators and constellation developers, have won NASA awards to demonstrate services that could ultimately replace the agency’s existing fleet of communications satellites.
Antonov shortage threatens delivery delays for the biggest satellites
A shortage of Ukrainian Antonov aircraft raises the prospect of more delays for satellite projects already bogged down by supply chain issues.
Satellite supply chains coming under increasing scrutiny
Changes in the geopolitical landscape following Russia’s war in Ukraine are pushing space companies to tighten international supply chains amid a renewed focus on security.
Starlink reaches 250,000 subscribers as it targets aviation and other markets
SpaceX now has a quarter of a million subscribers for its Starlink satellite broadband service as it looks to move into new markets like aviation.
Cyber warfare gets real for satellite operators
The U.S. government on March 17 advised satellite operators to put their guard up in the wake of a cyberattack that disrupted internet services in Europe provided by Viasat’s KA-SAT.
Connecting the Dots | Viasat sails uncharted waters to Inmarsat acquisition
Will U.S.-based satellite operator Viasat’s plan to buy Inmarsat for $7.3 million through a mix of cash and shares clear regulatory hurdles?
Viasat adds polar coverage to ground station-as-a-service business
Viasat plans to deploy an antenna in Sweden in April to give its ground station-as-a-service business polar coverage for the first time, the California-based satellite operator said Feb. 9.
Lack of critical skilled workers delays first ViaSat-3 launch to late summer
A shortage of skilled workers has pushed the launch of the first ViaSat-3 broadband satellite from the first half of 2022 to “late summer,” Viasat said Feb. 3 as the pandemic continues to disrupt the industry’s supply chains.
First ViaSat-3 pushing through pandemic challenges for 2022 launch
The first ViaSat-3 broadband satellite is on track to launch in the first half of 2022 despite ongoing pandemic-related challenges, according to Viasat’s recently appointed chief operating officer Kevin Harkenrider.
