News

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (MELCO) announced on 23 December 2019 it has been designated by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as the prime contractor of the new satellite for Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-2. Under the program, Mitsubishi Electric aims to establish a standardized platform for designing, manufacturing and operating small 100kg-class satellites incorporating standard parts for key functions such as attitude control and power supply.

The Luxembourg Government and NorthStar Earth & Space signed a Letter of Intent to create a Centre of Excellence for Clean Space in Luxembourg and to consider a contribution to NorthStar and its innovation activities in order to promote the safe and sustainable use of outer space for the benefit of all humanity.

Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., a leading global provider of airborne communications and satellite-tracking maritime and ground-station solutions, and Inmarsat Government, a leading provider of global mobile satellite communications and managed network services to the US government, today announced an initial order from Inmarsat Government for Orbit's Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT) 46WGX.

Hispasat, the Spanish communications satellite operator, and the Hispatec Group, a leader specialising in software and digitalisation solutions for the agricultural sector, have signed an agreement to promote the use of new technologies in this sector in Europe, the Americas and North Africa.

After a long field-testing campaign the GMV -developed avionics system for PLD Spaces' MIURA 1 launch vehicle has successfully passed its Qualification Acceptance Review (QAR), clearing it for fitting in this suborbital launch vehicle, one of the essential prelaunch conditions.

The aim of the OPS-SAT mission, which is being controlled from ESA's European Space Operations Centre in Darmstadt, Germany, is to carry out low-risk tests on space software directly in the course of flight. Until now, such in-orbit tests have been avoided for reasons of reliability.

exactEarth Ltd., a leading provider of satellite-AIS data services, has announced that it has renewed its contract with Antrix Corporation Ltd., the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), to provide satellite-AIS data services to the Indian Navy.

Rocket Lab, the global leader in dedicated small satellite launch, has begun construction on a new launch pad located at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.

Apple is reported to be working on unspecified satellite solutions that could provide direct connectivity to Apple devices around the world, and could improve the accuracy of Apple maps and geolocation services, according to a 20 December 2019 report published by Bloomberg.

As this exciting year comes to an end, we would like to thank you, our Readers, for all your interest, feedback and the trust you have placed in us.