Advanced Television

Satellite

Starlink: Over 2.6m subs

Elon Musk’s Starlink says it now has “more than 2.6 million customers”, and up more than 300,000 in the last 11 weeks. The overall growth rate has been extremely steady and if it continues then Starlink could have 3.5-3.7 million subscribers/users by the end of this year. Meanwhile, two back-to-back launches of Starlink satellites have […]

March 11, 2024By Chris Forrester

Two new US spaceports proposed

The FAA has authorised upgrades to Paso Robles airport in California as a potential future spaceport. The decision is helped by a $594,055 grant from the FAA under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed by President Joe Biden, which will kickstart a series of renovations aimed at extending the runway’s lifespan and paving the way for […]

March 8, 2024By Chris Forrester

Lost Eutelsat craft stabilised

On February 2nd, Eutelsat’s 113 West A LatAm satellite unexpectedly suffered an orbital malfunction which left it tumbling uncontrolled in space. Eutelsat promptly shifted its clients to near-by satellites. Reports from ground-based observers said that the satellite has been at least stabilised, and is no longer tumbling. “It appears that the attitude control is at […]

March 8, 2024

UK awards £100m for space R&D

The UK’s government is awarding £100 million (€117m) in grants to British-based space organisations in particular focusing on the development of low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellites. In addition, it is also granting £10 million to Scotland’s SaxaVord rocket launch site. The intention is to highlight development of on-board data processing, laser optical links for satellite-to-satellite […]

March 7, 2024By Chris Forrester

Starlink reports 200k Australian users

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband by satellite service is now connecting more than 200,000 customers and counting across Australia, says the Elon Musk-owned business. The news prompted a slew of comments on X from India, where potential subscribers are waiting for the service to be granted permission to operate. Starlink’s numbers – as at December 31st 2023 […]

March 7, 2024By Chris Forrester

Terran Orbital wins Space Force contract

Boca Raton-based Terran Orbital says it has been awarded a $15.2 million (€13.9m) contract to supply its Ambassador Class satellite platforms complete with solar arrays and support equipment to the US Air Force Research Laboratory AFRL. The contract, managed through Axient Corp, will integrate payloads onto these space vehicle platforms to support specific US Space […]

March 7, 2024By Chris Forrester

Musk’s Starship #3 to launch on March 14

SpaceX has announced that the third test flight of its Starship giant ‘Super Heavy’ rocket, subject to the usual weather considerations, will happen on March 14th. Recent days have seen various final tests and rehearsals take place at the Boca Chica launch site and the FAA and other national agencies (for wildlife and environmental impact) […]

March 6, 2024By Chris Forrester

Thaicom strengthens fleet with THAICOM-9

Thaicom Public Company Limited (Thaicom), an Asian satellite and space tech company, has announced the selection of Astranis, a satellite manufacturer and operator, to provide THAICOM-9, the newest addition to Thaicom’s fleet of high-throughput satellites at 119.5 degrees East. Thaicom’s subsidiary, Space Tech Innovation Limited (STI) and Astranis have signed an agreement for an Astranis […]

March 6, 2024

Terran Orbital adopts ‘poison pill’ defence

Satellite builder Terran Orbital has adopted a so-called ‘poison pill’ share reconstruction in its defence of a buy-out by its existing major shareholder Lockheed Martin (L-M). Officially, it is a limited period stockholder rights plan.  The company stated: “An independent committee of the Board will review and evaluate the Lockheed Proposal as part of the […]

March 5, 2024By Chris Forrester

Eutelsat 36D readies for launch

Eutelsat’s latest satellite has appeared in the list of craft due for launch by SpaceX. The satellite will launch towards the end of March. The launch is something of a surprise and has not formally been announced by Eutelsat. Eutelsat 36D is based on Airbus’ Eurostar-Neo satellite bus, and weighs approximately 5,000kg. It will be […]

March 5, 2024By Chris Forrester