Entrepreneurship

Global satellite operator SES, chose to launch its EAGLE-1 satellite, which will support the end-to-end secure Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) system for Europe, by commercial launch service provider Arianespace, the company said. EAGLE-1 is planned to be launched on a Vega C rocket as early as Q4 2024. 

Japan-based Global lunar exploration company ispace, has received a license from the Japanese government to conduct business activity on the Moon as part of its first lunar mission, the company said. The approval is the first granted under Japan’s Act on the Promotion of Business Activities for the Exploration and Development of Space Resources (Space Resources Act). 

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.

OneWeb CEO Sunil Bharti Mittal has announced that it will become ready for service in the second half of 2023 as it will complete the launch of its constellations by March 2023. Sunil made this announcement at the ongoing Connecting the World from the Skies forum, organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Saudi Arabia Communications, Space & Technology Commission (CST). 

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. 

The 5G Automotive Association (5GAA) published a position paper outlining core priorities in the field of space-based connectivity and industry requirements for the European Communication Satellite Constellation, the 5GAA said.  With the publication, the Association aims to highlight the role of NTNs (non-terrestrial networks) in the development of automotive and telecommunications industries.

Fleet Space Technologies has announced a major new contract with Core Lithium. The 12-month agreement was signed on October 12 by Fleet Space co-founder & CEO Flavia Tata Nardini and Gareth Manderson, CEO of Core Lithium.

D-Orbit spa, Exprivia spa, Planetek Italia srl, and Serco Italia spa have established OSIRIDE (Operational Solutions for IRIDE) to generate ideas by fostering the emergence of startups and innovative approaches for the development of the Iride satellite constellation. OSIRIDE will also extend benefits to a broad ecosystem of SMEs and startups in all Italian regions, thus ensuring innovation and further boosting the growth of aerospace districts.

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.

POLARIS conducted a 4-day flight campaign at the Airport of Peenemünde on the Baltic Sea, lasting from Friday, 28th to Monday, 31st of October. While previous demonstrator flight test campaigns took place at the local airport of Rotenburg/Wümme close to Bremen, POLARIS now required significantly larger airspace for high-performance testing.