Finance

Telesat has made a key technology move as it looks to build out its Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. The Canadian operator has signed a memorandum of understanding with General Dynamics Mission Systems, a secure communication and information systems provider, to collaborate on developing user terminals for its LEO satellite constellation. The user terminals will...

Virgin Orbit has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sitael, a privately owned Italian space company, to collaborate on investments including orbital launches and future launch system evolution. Sitael previously selected Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket to launch μHETsat, an electric propulsion technology demonstrator mission built for the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian space...

Gilat Satellite Networks is teaming up with Telesat to develop a broadband communications technology using Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites. The joint Canada-Israel endeavor will combine both company’s engineering capabilities to conduct live testing using Gilat modem technology over the Telesat Phase-1 LEO satellite launched earlier this year. “This project will allow us to demonstrate...

Lockheed Martin signed a contract with Guardtime Federal, a cybersecurity company servicing the U.S. government, to incorporate a variety of integrity and cyber-related capabilities into Lockheed Martin aircraft products and processes. The contract focuses on reducing the attack surface of the information supply chain, which forwards information to and from operational aircraft systems. The new...

Japanese space debris-removal company Astroscale has established its first ground station in Totsuka, Yokohama, the company announced July 6. The ground station will provide data transmission and reception services in support of its first space debris removal demonstration satellite, ELSA-d, developed and built by Astroscale and its simulated space debris satellite by Surrey Satellite Technology...

DigitalGlobe has appointed U.S. Air Force Col. (Ret.) Mike Edwards vice president and senior advisor for defense programs, the Maxar Technologies-owned imagery satellite operator announced July 5. Edwards will report to DigitalGlobe President Dan Jablonsky, providing strategic leadership on various defense contracts, including the operator’s work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and collaborations...

British mobile satellite operator Inmarsat has rejected a 2.45 billion pound ($3.2 billion) bid from U.S.-based satellite group EchoStar, stating that the offer “very significantly undervalued” the company and its standalone prospects. Echostar dropped the offer minutes before the formal deadline offer of 5 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) today. EchoStar’s initial offer was made...

Consolidated Precision Products Corporation (CPP), a manufacturer of highly engineered components and sub-assemblies, announced July 4 that it acquired Selmet, a manufacturer of titanium castings and machined components. Both companies service the aerospace and defense industries. The acquisition of Selmet will expand CPP’s offerings to include titanium castings, allowing the company to provide more comprehensive...

Eutelsat promoted Ghassan Murat to the role of managing director of Eutelsat’s Middle East office, according to a July 5 statement by Eutelsat’s Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Regional Vice President Ali Korur. Ghassan will replace Laurent Roussel, who previously held the title of Eutelsat managing director and regional vice president of sales and...

NSSL Global, an independent service provider of satellite communications, acquired the remaining 49 percent of shares of Marine Electronics and now has complete ownership of the company. NSSL Global said the acquisition would help develop marine system integration and technical solutions. Marine Electronics Solutions specializes in developing communication and navigation solutions and products. The company’s...