05 Nov 24. Gilmour finally cleared for launch in historic announcement. The Australian Space Agency has finally granted Gilmour the licence it needs to launch its Eris rocket in a historic moment for the local industry.
The business, which had hoped to blast off for the first time in April, said it would announce a fresh liftoff date “in the coming weeks”.
Gilmour Space Technologies has been developing its three-stage launch vehicle for eight years and hopes to address a gap in the global market for small satellite launch providers.
Gilmour was granted the licence, an Australian first, by Science Minister Ed Husic under the Space (Launches & Returns) Act 2018. A number of conditions need to be met, though, before a potential blast-off, including a mandatory 30-day notification period.
“With this green light, we will soon attempt the first orbital test flight of an Australian-made rocket from Australian soil,” said the firm’s founder, Adam Gilmour.
It comes after Gilmour’s Bowen Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland was granted its own separate licence to operate in March, and the company completed a wet dress rehearsal in September.
“Since starting its rocket program in 2015, Gilmour Space has expanded to over 200 employees, built a local supply chain of more than 300 Australian companies, attracted significant private investment, gained support from local, state and federal governments, and actively engaged communities across the region,” said Gilmour in a statement.
The news of the permit’s granting brings to an end the drawn-out saga, which at one point saw founder Adam Gilmour argue the Australian Space Agency was to blame for the delay.
Earlier this year, he argued the pushback was “more them than us” and even suggested that officials were concerned that its Eris launch vehicle could hit a passing ship.
“Like, what if a cruise ship comes out of Hawaii and goes in the path of the rocket as it’s going up [from the North Queensland coast]? And how are we not going to hit the International Space Station?” he said of their apparent questions.
Talking at the AFR’s Entrepreneur Summit, Gilmour added that his engineers were spending too much time answering questions from regulators rather than designing the next rocket.
“Regulation definitely kills innovation. The government is extremely risk-averse, even in the power market. People are talking about clean energy, but it takes two years to get a wind turbine approved or 18 months to get a solar farm approved.
“It’s taken us almost two years to get our first rocket launch approved. That is crazy.”
The announcement comes a day after rival spaceport Southern Launch announced its Whalers Way spaceport had been granted the crucial approval it need to become a permanent launch facility.
The site on the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia intends to specialise in orbital blast-offs but has previously used a temporary launchpad after gaining what was effectively interim authorisation for test launches.
However, in the last week, the firm received the go-ahead from both the SA’s Minister for Planning and the Commonwealth’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
Australia is currently home to four spaceports in total, with Equatorial Launch Australia using its Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory.
A fifth, Space Centre Australia, is planned for Far North Queensland and recently appointed former prime minister Scott Morrison as its new chairman.
(Source: Space Connect)
04 Nov 24. Europe picks consortium for sovereign satellite constellation IRIS². The European Commission picked a consortium led by SES, Eutelsat and Hispasat to deploy the IRIS² satellite constellation, as the European Union seeks its own satellite broadband system to ensure the bloc isn’t reliant on foreign entities such as Elon Musk’s Starlink. The parties will sign a 12-year concession contract by December, the Commission said in a statement on Thursday. Core subcontractors for the contract, which envisages more than 290 satellites in multiple orbits, include Thales Alenia Space, Airbus Space and Defence, Italy’s Telespazio and Thales SIX.
Militaries have jumped on the possibilities offered by SpaceX’s Starlink, the first large satellite constellation to use low Earth orbit to deliver broadband Internet, raising concerns of dependency on a private company that could potentially deactivate a critical service. The U.S. Air Force relies on Starlink for command and control, while Ukraine uses the service to guide drones and for battlefield communications.
“IRIS² is an essential pillar of our resilience,” European Parliament member Christophe Grudler, who sits on the legislature’s industry committee, said in a post on X on Thursday. “We need it fast.”
The EU is counting on IRIS² as a sovereign alternative to the likes of Starlink, Amazon’s Kuiper or U.K.-based OneWeb. Global satellite connectivity is fast becoming a strategic asset for security, safety and resilience, and the EU needs to urgently ensure guaranteed and unrestricted access that doesn’t rely on a third party, according to Commission.
Under the contract, the SpaceRISE consortium will provide governmental services by 2030, while also enabling commercial services. IRIS² will be used for government functions including border and maritime surveillance, secure communications for embassies and for military missions, according to the Commission.
“This milestone represents a crucial step towards establishing a secure, resilient, and autonomous communications infrastructure for Europe,” the consortium said in a joint statement, adding that full operational status is targeted for the early 2030s.
The new timetable pushes IRIS² back by several years compared to the timeline presented by the EU in March last year, which envisaged first deployment as early as the end of 2024 and full service in 2027.
IRIS² will include satellites in low Earth orbit, or LEO, which allow for low latency connections, as wall as in medium Earth orbit, which can cover a larger part of the globe. The EU is counting on the system to provide broadband coverage in areas in Europe that currently lack service, as well as in the Arctic region.
The cost of the constellation is estimated at €10.6 bn, or $11.6bn, French financial newspaper Les Echos reported, without saying where it got the information. The concession contract will be funded by public money as well as private investment by the consortium.
The EU announced €2.4bn in funding for IRIS² last year, including €1.65bn through to the end of 2027. Additional European funding may be awarded after 2027, subject among other things to the European Parliament and member states adopting a successor program, the Commission said.
German Economy Minister Robert Habeck in March called for a delay of IRIS² to rethink the program, writing to the Commission to complain about the proposed €12bn budget, and the division of the work between France and Germany, Handelsblatt reported in April.
The EU already operates the Galileo navigation satellite system, as well as the Copernicus Earth-observation program. (Source: Defense News)
04 Nov 24. Australian Firms may not deal with Defence after JP9102 axe, says SIAA. The chairman of the Space Industry Association has said he believes companies will now think twice about working with Defence after the cancellation of the $3 bn JP9102 project was confirmed. In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Jeremy Hallett predicted there would be job losses as a result and lamented the time lost by companies who worked on the proposals since 2017.
“While other OECD nations see sovereign space capability as critical to creating high-tech, high-value jobs and a military advantage, in our own backyard we seem to be doing the exact opposite,” he said.
Space Connect reported on Monday how the government would sensationally axe the ‘JP 9102’ project to deliver a new military satellite communication capability for Australia.
The news significantly followed last year’s controversial cuts to the space sector, including abolishing the $1bn National Space Mission for Earth Observation (NSMEO).
Following the initial report in The Australian, the federal government confirmed the news but suggested the decision was because the planned single orbit GEO-based satellite communications system would not “meet strategic priorities”.
It added Defence would instead prioritise “a multi-orbit capability” and that its current satcom capabilities already supported Australia’s immediate needs.
The statement, which was just 187 words, thanked winning prime Lockheed Martin and said the company “continues to be a highly valued industry partner”.
The SIAA, though, argued Australia “needs to become a contributor of space capabilities” and not just “an idle consumer from our international partners”.
“This is needed to achieve a level of strategic autonomy and resilience that is fundamental to securing future economic and national security,” it said.
“Owning and operating significant military space infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific as part of a multi-orbit architecture would have achieved this, and provided meaningful contribution into AUKUS Pillar 2, the advanced capabilities of which cannot function without space capability.”
Hallett added that he could “only assume” there would be job losses as a result of this decision and lamented the time lost by companies who were involved for up to eight years.
“I am sure some companies will seriously consider the business case for dealing with Defence as a customer in the future, which I worry will mean our warfighters will miss out on homegrown innovations that can make a difference on the battlefield.”
JP 9102 was only signed off just 18 months ago, with prime contractor Lockheed Martin beating big-hitters including Boeing, Northrop Grumman Australia, and Optus to become the “preferred tenderer”.
However, it’s unknown whether Lockheed formally had the final contract signed after it entered the last formal stages of negotiation.
If approved, JP 9102 would have created more than 200 direct jobs, while Lockheed Martin itself pressed ahead with making key appointments for its staff to oversee it.
The plan would have seen the launch of a new geostationary satellite alongside multiple ground stations and an advanced satellite management system, creating secure communications that the ADF would have used.
The separate axing of the $1bn NSMEO led to Swinburne University professor Alan Duffy telling journalists the cuts had a “chilling” effect on the industry, while Equatorial Launch Australia CEO Michael Jones argued the sector was a low priority for the government.
(Source: Space Connect)
05 Nov 24. Australia scrapped satellite because new tech could ‘shoot it out of sky’, says defence minister. Australia’s defence minister said on Tuesday a defence satellite program was scrapped because of the threat of new technology that can “shoot satellites out of the sky”, and Canberra instead wants to use a mesh of micro satellites for defence communications. Australia’s Department of Defence said on Monday it cancelled a multi-bn dollar Geostationary Earth Orbit satellite project with Lockheed Martin <LMT.N> that was to deliver Australia’s first sovereign-controlled satellite communication system over the Indo-Pacific ocean regions. Defence Minister Richard Marles said on Tuesday the government had abandoned the plan to have two or three geosynchronous satellites above Australia to deliver defence communications because the system designed eight years ago was out of date. (Source: Reuters)
05 Nov 24. Russia launches Soyuz rocket with dozens of satellites, including two from Iran. Russia launched a Soyuz rocket early on Tuesday carrying two satellites designed to monitor the space weather around Earth and 53 small satellites, including two Iranian ones, Russia’s Roscosmos space agency said. The Soyuz-2.1 launch spacecraft, which lifted off from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome, carried two Ionosfera-M satellites, which will become part of the space system for monitoring the Earth’s ionosphere, the agency said.
The ionosphere, where Earth’s atmosphere meets space, stretches roughly 50 to 400 miles (80 to 644 km) above Earth’s surface, according to information provided on NASA’s website. Each Ionosfera-M satellite weighs 430 kg (948 lb) and its working orbit is at an altitude of 820 km (510 miles), according to Interfax news agency. The system will include in total four of the Ionosfera-M satellites. The next two devices are planned to be launched in 2025, Roscosmos reported. (Source: Reuters)
04 Nov 24. World-leading flat-panel satellite antenna company, Kymeta (www.kymetacorp.com), today announced the launch of the Goshawk u8, a hybrid geostationary/low Earth orbit (GEO/LEO/Cellular) terminal. Designed for seamless mobility, the Goshawk u8 offers a fully customizable solution that integrates easily across a wide range of vehicles and vessels, delivering reliable, network-redundant connectivity on the move, to address mission-critical requirements for global forces.
As the second multi-orbit, multi-network, modem-agnostic terminal in Kymeta’s product suite, the Goshawk u8 builds on the company’s growing portfolio in the Multi-X market. The Goshawk u8 reflects Kymeta’s ongoing commitment to providing highly configurable, resilient, and innovative communications solutions.
“The Goshawk u8 addresses the increasing demand for high-performance, mobile connectivity in unpredictable environments,” said Rick Bergman, President and CEO of Kymeta. “With its software-defined capabilities, the Goshawk u8 ensures consistent, secure communications even in the most remote and rugged conditions.”
The terminal’s multi-orbit capabilities provide enhanced availability and flexibility, offering a low-power, low-profile solution that is easy to deploy and operate. Designed to meet the operational needs of global defense forces and other demanding industries, it ensures robust performance in challenging environments.
With the Goshawk u8, Kymeta continues to push the boundaries of satellite communication technology, delivering solutions that empower customers with always-on connectivity, anywhere in the world.
Attendees of the Global MilSatCom in London, UK on November 4th – 7th are encouraged to visit us to see the Goshawk u8 in person and to speak with a member of the Kymeta team.
04 Nov 24. Satellite deal signed for advanced military tech.
New Juno satellite to support military operations will be designed and built in the UK.
Armed forces personnel are to have access to the latest space technology for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite.
The £40 m project with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd will support around 200 skilled jobs, boosting the UK’s space sector and helping to grow the economy.
Named Juno, the satellite will be able to capture daytime images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Expected to launch in 2027, Juno will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August this year.
Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance programme, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.
These satellites will support military operations, for instance by monitoring adversary activities, and also contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, environmental monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle said: “The contract for Juno shows the UK’s commitment to grow one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world and keep our competitive edge in space science and technology.
“Juno will not only support Armed Forces personnel deployed globally, but also support highly skilled jobs, delivering on the government’s growth mission.”
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton said: “With Tyche in space, and Juno now on contract, UK Space Command’s ISTARI programme is making great strides, showcasing innovation and collaboration across government and industry.
“With these Earth Observation satellites on orbit, UK Space Command and defence will be better equipped to conduct all-domain military operations and deliver assured space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to the joint force and our allies.”
The contract for Juno was awarded via competitive procurement to Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the same company that manufactured Tyche.
SSTL employs around 400 engineers, technicians and support staff across its two sites in Guildford, Surrey, and Bordon, Hampshire. With around half of these employees expected to work on the project, Juno will play a key part in securing critical UK skills in the growing global space sector. The project will also help inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements.
Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director, SSTL, said: “We’re incredibly proud that the Ministry of Defence has again placed its trust in SSTL to deliver the UK’s next sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance spacecraft.
“Juno will offer a step change in imaging capability over Tyche, SSTL’s demonstrator spacecraft which launched in August and is now being operated for UK Space Command. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with UK Space Command, DE&S, and Dstl, and playing a leading role in delivering the UK Defence Space Strategy.”
Paul Russell, Space team leader at DE&S said: “Placing contracts and managing delivery of a new generation of UK military capabilities for use in a complex and critical environment takes incredible focus and collaborative working with our defence and industry partners. These efforts are key in ensuring the UK Armed Forces have access to the surveillance and intelligence information they need to maintain a competitive edge.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
04 Nov 24. $3bn Australian JP9102 satcom project to be axed, claims report. The federal government is set to sensationally axe the ‘JP 9102’ project to deliver a new military satellite communication capability for Australia, according to a new report.
The Australian claims the $3 bn deal, arguably the biggest and most significant in the sector, has been shelved as Defence doesn’t have enough money to complete the project.
It significantly comes after Labor made a series of wide-ranging cuts to space last year, including a $32.3 m pledge to help Australia’s spaceports and abolishing the $1bn National Space Mission for Earth Observation (NSMEO).
JP 9102 was only signed off just 18 months ago, with prime contractor Lockheed Martin beating big-hitters including Boeing, Northrop Grumman Australia, and Optus to become the “preferred tenderer”.
However, it’s unknown whether Lockheed formally had the final contract signed after it entered the last formal stages of negotiation.
If approved, JP 9102 was set to create more than 200 direct jobs, while Lockheed Martin itself pressed ahead with making key appointments for its staff to oversee it.
The plan would have seen the launch of a new geostationary satellite alongside multiple ground stations and an advanced satellite management system, creating secure communications that the ADF would have used.
“There is no money. There needs to be money to actually start the program,” a defence source told the newspaper.
If true, the news would be a huge blow to the space sector, already reeling from last year’s cuts.
The separate axing of the $1bn NSMEO led to Swinburne University professor Alan Duffy telling journalists the cuts had a “chilling” effect on the industry, while Equatorial Launch Australia CEO Michael Jones argued the sector was a low priority for the government.
“Call it what it is: the lack of federal government support with the change in government makes me nervous, and it makes the job really hard,” said Jones last year.
He hinted he believes space is now an afterthought for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and quipped you had to “look hard” on its website to even spot the Australian Space Agency.
“Poor Enrico [Palermo, head of the ASA] is three or four levels down in that organization, and that really worries me. As an industry, we had claims last year that we’re looking for 20,000 jobs and $20 bn of economic stimulus in the future. We’re not going to get there if we don’t support the industry.
“Because as we travel around the world trying to get rocket companies to come to Australia, there are a number of impediments for them that we have to design strategies to overcome.
“We’re also competing against sovereign entities almost everywhere, who are supporting the industry in very, very financial and demonstrable ways, which make it hard for us to compete.” (Source: Space Connect)
31 Oct 24. Viasat to Deliver Dual-Band Global Aero Terminals for Embraer C-390 Multi-Mission Airlifter.
Viasat’s multi-band, multi-orbit, multi-network terminals will be integrated into Embraer C-390 Millennium aircraft
Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications (SATCOM), and Embraer (NYSE: ERJ; B3: EMBR3), a global leader in the aerospace industry, today announced their collaboration to enable advanced hybrid satellite communications capabilities on the Embraer C-390 Millennium military aircraft. Viasat will deliver its Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA), based on the dual-band, global aero terminal, GAT-5530 (known as KuKarray), for integration on the new C-390 multi-mission aircraft. The application of advanced hybrid SATCOM capabilities across the common fleets will provide increased operational awareness and enhance interoperability, data rate throughput, and resilient connectivity with Automated Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (APACE) communication plans across multiple domains.
Viasat will work with Embraer to deliver its flexible HSA solution and support terminal integration on the C-390 aircraft. The integration of Viasat’s hybrid capability addresses the requirement for differentiated and resilient SATCOM solutions to support the rapidly evolving missions of current and future global defense customers.
The HSA will provide secure and reliable satellite connectivity to the C-390 aircraft with automated failover, enhancing operations with resilient broadband SATCOM supporting the operational flexibility and responsiveness required by the C-390 tactical mission.
The Viasat HSA is designed with an open architecture to support agile and resilient communications, allowing flexible terminal integration to enable, according to each customer operational needs, multi-band, multi-orbit connectivity on Viasat’s networks, third-party networks, and access to private government networks including the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) network.
The dual-band (Ku/Ka) broadband terminal integration on C-390 will offer to the global defense market an expandable, highly flexible, multi-network, multi-band, and multi-orbit SATCOM capability that can seamlessly traverse Viasat’s high-capacity Ka-band and global Ku-band satellite networks, as well as third-party government and military networks (to include Mil-Ka).
“Viasat is excited to expand its relationship with Embraer and deliver a hybrid SATCOM solution on the C-390 Millennium platform. Our Hybrid SATCOM Approach design supports advanced airborne connectivity for defense customers seeking reliable, resilient satellite communications in contested environments,” said Victor Farah, Senior Vice President of Viasat Government Solutions and Services. “We are committed to working with Embraer to enable dynamic and scalable beyond-line-of-sight connectivity that supports mission requirements today and in the future.”
“The C-390 offers interoperability and multi-mission capability off-the-shelf, and Embraer is consistently working to expand the envelope,” said Frederico Lemos, Chief Commercial Officer for Embraer Defense & Security. “The selection of Viasat’s hybrid satcom terminal is totally aligned with our vision to deliver reliable global connectivity and PACE communication to the end-users as these are important capabilities the customers reference in the mission requirements and a key differentiator for our aircraft.”
The Embraer C-390 multi-mission airlifter provides customers with increased operational flexibility and responsiveness, logistical support in various missions and operations, and enables a wide range of humanitarian and medical tasks. Viasat’s HSA solution will help strengthen this operational capability by supporting communications using Ku-band and WGS and providing flexibility for installation of future mission communications systems in LEO and L-Band.
(Source: ASD Network)
27 Oct 24. Intelsat + U.S. Army complete 1st satellite managed service pilot. Intelsat earlier this month provided the U.S Army with new, flexible, and fully managed multi-orbit SATCOM support, following the completion of the Army’s first-ever, multi-vendor, SATCOM as a Managed Service (SATaaMS) Pilot contract.
Intelsat’s turn-key solution provided a comprehensive offering including a terrestrial network, terminals and capacity. Unlike legacy government-operated solutions, the model required Intelsat to take full accountability for the end-to-end solution’s performance.
Intelsat’s solution includes Intelsat Flex services for GEO connections and provides commercial LEO satellite service for a LEO option. Intelsat delivered worldwide coverage via leased satellite terminals and services with 24×7 support. The scope of the Army’s SATaaMS Pilot included end-to-end managed subscription services to support connections with commercial teleports and internet services.
As part of the 12-month trial, Intelsat and the Army:
• Conducted pilots at 10 global locations
• Ensured that the Intelsat managed service and equipment was in use for nine months.
• Conducted the program in a wide range of conditions and terrain, including severe cold weather, high-humidity climates, as well as dry and wet conditions.
“The government understands the need for new, more efficient approaches – and we understand that industry must step up to provide them,” said David Broadbent, President, Intelsat’s Government Solutions. “This 12-month pilot program demonstrated how a commercially managed SATCOM model can deliver the latest equipment and highest level of customer service with efficiency and effectiveness for mission-critical rapid deployment. The Intelsat system enables the Army to re-deploy turnkey SATCOM solutions, where and when they’re needed. This program demonstrates that we can create the flexibility to quickly respond to different types of missions and operations around the globe. We’re able to help the customer maintain a technological edge without constantly investing in network infrastructure.” (Source: Satnews)
31 Oct 24. RocketLab’s new launch date for ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ for unknown client.
Finally it appears that Rocket Lab will be launching ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ on Monday, November 4th, at 2:30 AM PST from Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The launch cost is $6 m.
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1B has witnessed the launch of 22 rockets, including 22 orbital launch attempts, while Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand, has been the site for 49 rocket launches.
Electron’s 54th mission is ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’, a dedicated mission to low Earth orbit for a confidential commercial customer. The mission will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 and will be Rocket Lab’s 12th launch of 2024, increasing the record number of Electron launches achieved annually since orbital launch services began in 2018. The expedited mission will also be Rocket Lab’s fastest turnaround to date: from signed contract to launch date in less than two months.
Rocket Lab’s rapid call-up launch capability, its standardized and rapid production of Electron launch vehicles that ensures a rocket can be assigned a payload for on-demand launch within days, responsive launch sites, and its experienced team behind the second most frequently launched U.S. orbital rocket, are key enablers for this mission. (Source: Satnews)
29 Oct 24. AST SpaceMobile completes the unfolding of their 1st Five commercial satellites in LEO. AST SpaceMobile BlueBirds 1-5 unfolded, U.S. coverage with 5600+ cells.
AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS) has reported the successful unfolding of its first five commercial satellites, BlueBirds 1-5.
With this significant post-launch technical activity now complete, ahead of schedule at 6 weeks after the launch of the satellites, the BlueBirds are now preparing for commercial and US government operations.
AST SpaceMobile will target 100% nationwide coverage across the United States, providing service through more than 5,600 cells on premium low-band spectrum via strategic partnerships with leading operators like AT&T, Verizon, and Vodafone, among others.
AST SpaceMobile’s technology features large, phased array antennas supported by over 3,450 patent and patent-pending claims. This innovative design aims to extend cellular coverage globally, eliminating dead zones and delivering space-based cellular broadband connectivity to underserved regions. These advanced phased arrays, the largest ever deployed commercially in LEO, connect directly to standard smartphones at broadband speeds. This eliminates the need for specialized equipment, enabling seamless use with existing mobile phones while enhancing and complementing mobile operator networks.
AST SpaceMobile’s technology also offers significant advantages for government applications, with its dual-use capability supporting both communications and non-communications use cases. The company’s innovative approach positions it to deliver advanced space-based solutions for a range of strategic needs, providing scalable, secure, and reliable connectivity to support various government missions.
“The unfolding of the first five commercial satellites is a significant milestone for the company. These five satellites are the largest commercial communications arrays ever launched in low Earth orbit,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “It is a significant achievement to commission these satellites, and we are now accelerating our path to commercial activity. The deployment of our first five BlueBird commercial satellites marks just the beginning of our journey. As we prepare for commercial services, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Our team is already hard at work building the next generation of satellites, which will offer ten times the capacity of our current BlueBirds, further transforming mobile connectivity and delivering even greater benefits to our customers and partners worldwide.”
About AST SpaceMobile
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio, and designed for both commercial and government applications. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five bn mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the bns who remain unconnected. (Source: Satnews)
31 Oct 24. Logos Space, a new satellite company built for EW Era, launches to provide enterprise connectivity.
Logos Space Services, a SATCOM operator for enterprise customers, has now been launched — the company will use spectrum differently than previous satellite operators to maximize security and avoid jamming.
The firm filed an application yesterday at the Federal Communications Commission to construct, launch, and operate a non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) system.
Logos provides MPLS and ethernet connectivity enabling enterprises and other telecom providers to extend their cloud, data center, and communication networks with fiber-like performance globally without touching the Internet. Internet connectivity is an option for customers such as airlines and maritime transportation that also want Internet access. Logos also will provide backup communications services for companies already connected by fiber or other terrestrial connectivity.
Logos’ system will provide the enhanced security and resilience that businesses need. The LEO satellite service network will use the K-, V- and E-bands rather than the typical commercial satellite bands. Using higher frequencies and very narrow beams means that the system will avoid interference from other users and bad actors and enable the system to provide multi-gigabit service to users worldwide using closed user groups for enhanced security.
As Logos’ system is resilient to interference, the company will solve a critical national security need. Logos’ system is designed to be highly resilient to electronic warfare (EW) — not just because of the very narrow beams it uses, but also due to specially designed control waveforms that are difficult to direct and jam.
Logos is led by Milo Medin and Rama Akella, two veterans in space technology and broadband networks, and backed by Thomas Tull’s U.S. Innovative Technology fund.
“Increasingly, our space systems are being targeted by jamming, and in the future, all spectrum access will likely be contested,” said Milo Medin, the founder and CEO of Logos Space. “We engineered Logos Space’s LEO system with this in mind to withstand electronic warfare and provide the enhanced security that businesses and the US Government need for their mission-critical communications.”
About Logos Space
Logos Space is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite system purpose-built to serve the connectivity needs of the enterprise user, wherever they may be. We will help fill an important gap in the market, providing resilient, high-performance satellite-based connectivity services to enterprise customers worldwide. (Source: Satnews)