Tag Archives: Commercial Space

Since the launch of the first satellite, Sputnik I, on 4 October 1957 our presence in space has been described, defined, and politically and technologically driven by metaphors.

The UAE Space Agency conducted a strategic workshop on the Global Space Industry Accelerator (GSIA) to identify key industry challenges that can be addressed through space, and shed light on the status of intellectual property (IP) in the sector.

Northrop Grumman Corporation's wholly-owned subsidiary, Space Logistics LLC, have successfully completed the first docking of the Mission Extension Vehicle-1 (MEV-1) to the Intelsat 901 (IS-901) spacecraft in order to provide life-extension services.

If they are brilliant, dedicated, and just a bit lucky, teams of 3-6 members can transform a fledgling idea into a company in just 54 hours at Startup Weekend Space in Bremen, Germany.

High-performance internet connectivity was restored in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) within just four days after the West Africa Cable System (WACS) undersea cable cut, thanks to the combined efforts of Gilat Telecom and SES, the companies announced on 10 February 2020.

Australian New Space company Fleet Space Technologies has selected Italian aviation and aerosapce firm Tyvak International SRL to mass-produce satellites for its Low Earth Orbit constellation, according to an online statement by Flavia Tata Nardini, Fleet's co-founder and CEO, posted on 21 February 2020.

The first two Airbus-built Pléiades Neo imaging satellites have started comprehensive environmental testing to ensure they are ready for in-orbit operation, Airbus announced on 24 February 2020.

The innovations and opportunities for those in the satellite industry seem to come almost as fast as satellites are launched. With these opportunities come compelling issues such as orbital debris, sustainable space operations, and cybersecurity. Long-standing matters such as access to spectrum, financing, signal interference, and antenna performance remain front and center as prerequisites to a healthy industry. These are some of the known opportunities and threats our industry faces. As technologies, markets, and services emerge, additional opportunities and threats will emerge as well.

The Shetland Space Centre (SSC) is set to benefit from investment of more than £2 million (US$2.58 million) from private equity firm Leonne International, which will own a 20 percent stake in the venture. According to a report in Scotsman.com, the investment will be used to develop the Unst facility, including …

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. and a leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, has introduced its new mapping software, SPOT Mapping. This new platform gives adventurers and lone workers enhanced location insights, including granular detail about terrain to aid navigation, and, …