Technology

U.S. Space Systems Command (SSC) on Monday said it has awarded Starfish Space a $37.5 million contract in which the company’s Otter space vehicle will dock with, and augment maneuvers of, national security space assets in a first of its kind mission. Under the $37.5 million Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) contract, Seattle-based Starfish is required to provide...

Pasqal and Thales Alenia Space have been using the power of quantum computing to make satellite technology more efficient and believe they have solved key satellite planning challenges through neutral-atom quantum computing. The power of quantum computing means the two companies can do more on this compared to classic computers. The two companies say they...

Iridium and Blue Sky Network are supplying the satellite connectivity solution for an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) surveillance operation for oil and gas company Chevron.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted American Aerospace Technologies (AATI) a first-of-its kind waiver in early May to conduct uncrewed aircraft surveillance on behalf of the Chevron Pipe Line Company...

Swissto12 has delivered three RF Antenna Feed Chains to Northrop Grumman for a GEOStar-3 satellite, after completing a qualification program. Swissto12 announced the milestone on May 13.  GEOStar-3 is Northrop Grumman’s Geostationary (GEO) satellite bus, the bus used in C-band replacement satellites for Intelsat and SES and the Mission Extension Vehcile (MEV) servicing spacecraft.  Swissto12...

Redwire Space is developing a Very Low-Earth Orbit (VLEO) spacecraft platform called Phantom, the company announced Monday. Phantom is being developed at Redwire’s facility in Belgium and is designed to carry out a wide array of intelligence, Earth science, and communications missions. Redwire said it is working with Thales Alenia Space to advance Phantom’s design...

Starfish Space executed a successful in-space rendezvous between its Otter Pup satellite and D-Orbit’s ION SCV006 satellite. The companies announced the milestone on May 7.  This was a backup mission for the Otter Pup, which faced a number of challenges on orbit. After launch deployment last year, the spacecraft fell into an uncontrollable rotation and...

New startup Portal Space Systems, led by SpaceX’s former vice president of propulsion Jeff Thornburg, emerged from stealth mode last week with plans to build capabilities for in-space maneuverability.  The company is developing the Supernova satellite bus, designed to maneuver from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geostationary Orbit (GEO) in hours, LEO to Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO)...

Skylo Technologies has certified the Sony Semiconductor Israel ALT1250 chipset as part of the Skylo Certification Program, which means all devices with the chipset will support cellular and satellite connectivity. Devices equipped with the ALT1250 chipset can operate on Skylo’s satellite network. This will support connectivity for remote tracking and sensing, IoT devices, wearables, and...

The satellite industry is always looking for new markets — how to increase the addressable market, and bring satellite services to news industries and customers. The 2023 Satellite Technology of the Year winner was recognized for unlocking a new greenfield of opportunity — mobile phones and devices. While the satellite and mobile industries have historically operated in...

Hughes Network Systems has opened a new manufacturing facility and private 5G incubation center in Germantown, Maryland. The Hughes Manufacturing Facility (EXM) will serve as a testing ground for private 5G solutions for enterprise applications and the U.S. Department of Defense. The center is located next to the Hughes headquarters, in the Pinkney Innovation Complex...