Satcoms

In this Space Café Radio - SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening spoke with Severin Meister, CEO of Rivada Space Networks about their ambitions and plans. We spoke with Severin during this year's ILA Berlin which is the largest aerospace trade show in Germany which took place this year June 22 - 26.

T-Mobile and SpaceX announced their new plan: Coverage Above and Beyond, to provide near complete coverage in most places in the U.S., even in many remote locations previously unreachable, leveraging SpaceX’s Starlink constellation and T-Mobile’s wireless network.

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office selected space data provider SpaceLink, to participate in the Space-Based Adaptive Communications Node (Space-BACN) program designed to connect the proliferated space domain, SpaceLink said.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has rejected LTD Broadband and Starlink’s applications for support through the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) program, causing the companies to lose out on US $1.3 billion and US $900 million respectively. The FCC made the decision based on the conclusion that the providers failed to demonstrate that they could deliver the promised services.  

Wireless laser communication systems developer, Astrolight, successfully performed a satellite-to-ground laser communication test using a portable OGS-1 optical ground station, the company said. Working with the European Space Agency (ESA), Astrolight established the laser communication link near ESA’s Izaña-1 (IZN-1) ground station, located at Teide Observatory.

The UK branch of global communications company Viasat, was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to conduct a multi-layered Satellite Communication (SATCOM) study focused on evaluating the use cases, market segments and technical aspects of these future systems, the company said. 

Satellite operators Eutelsat Communications and OneWeb have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a leading global connectivity company through a merger between them in an all-share transaction, Eutelsat said. Eutelsat will combine its 36-satellite geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) fleet with OneWeb’s constellation of 648 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites. 

OneWeb has asked the FCC to reject satellite broadcaster Dish Network’s and spectrum holder RS Access’ proposal to run two-way mobile services in the 12 GHz band. OneWeb sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) backing Starlink’s concern about terrestrial 5G interference with satellite broadband networks.

Launch and space systems company, Rocket Lab USA, has supported a significant milestone for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Mandrake-2 mission, the company said. Able and Baker, the two Mandrake-2 spacecraft, successfully closed and maintained an optical communications link at a range of 114 km.

Euroconsult published the latest update of “Prospects for the Small Satellite Market” forecasting further growth in the global supply and demand of small satellites weighing a maximum of 500 kg. The 8th edition of the market intelligence report expects about 18,500 smallsats to be launched over the next decade.