North America

Canadensys Aerospace, a space systems company, has announced it has received a contract from the Canadian Government to design and build Canada’s first lunar rover. Initiated under the Canadian Space Agency’s Lunar Exploration Accelerator Program (LEAP), the lunar rover will demonstrate key technologies for future lunar activity and accomplish meaningful lunar science.

Apple’s Advanced Manufacturing Fund invested US $450 million in critical infrastructure supporting Emergency SOS via satellite for iPhone 14 models in the US and Canada. The new service will be available later this month, making the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models capable of connecting to a satellite directly. The connection in turn, will allow for messaging emergency services even without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the South African National Space Agency (SANSA) have renewed their partnership in lunar exploration with the groundbreaking of a new communications facility that will help the Artemis missions return humans to the Moon. The ceremony came after the signing of a Letter of Intent between NASA and the South African Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to formalize the space exploration partnership.

The first Space Cafè Summit of the autumn focused on the link between Space, Energy and Economics. With more than 130 participants, it was one of the most successful webinars hosted this year on our platform, an obvious sign of the interest around the subject.

Lynk CEO Charles Miller has announced that the mobile network technology company will begin its commercial services in early 2023 after receiving the "first commercial license" from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).  Miller made the disclosure during a panel session at the ongoing 3-day international forum on Connecting the World from the Skies

The Space Café Podcast #67: Thomas Zurbuchen - NASA’s Science Mission director Thomas Zurbuchen is one of NASA's most successful science directors of all time. After 6 years in office, he looks back on an outstanding career and gives insights into the future of NASA. 

Sateliot, the U.S.-based first nanosatellite telecommunications company to offer 5G connectivity for IoT devices, announced the launch of its first functional nanosatellite in Q1 2023. The technology will allow anyone with a standard 5G device to stay connected anywhere in the world. 5G connectivity will also have an impact on the logistics, agriculture, maritime, energy, utilities, transportation and environmental sectors, the company stated.

Launch and space systems company Rocket Lab, has partnered with Inmarsat Government to develop and manufacture an L-band radio in support of NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP), Rocket Lab said. CSP aims to accelerate the development of commercial near-Earth communications services by leveraging the expertise and technology of satellite communications providers. 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, announced a plan to reorganize the agency to better support the needs of the growing satellite industry, promote long-term technical capacity at the FCC, and navigate 21st century global communications policy, the FCC said.  Under the plan, the FCC’s International Bureau will be reorganized into a Space Bureau and a standalone Office of International Affairs.  

NASA is launching CCSC-2, its second Collaborations for Commercial Space Capabilities initiative to foster the development and growth of the American space industry, the agency said. Under the collaboration, NASA will share its expertise and capabilities to support US company innovations.