Satellite operator SES has seven ‘small’ satellites on order for its O3b division, called mPower craft, and being constructed by Boeing. They are scheduled for launch in 2021, and are small enough to fit three or four at a time onto a SpaceX rocket. These seven are to orbit as Mid-Earth orbiters, but SES has […]
Satellite operator SES is due to release its Q3 financials on October 26th, but on September 20th briefed analysts on its latest guidance ahead of entering its obligatory ‘closed period’. It seems that after a couple of years in the doldrums things are slightly looking up at SES Video Networks division. Sami Kassab, media analyst […]
A report from Northern Sky Research (NSR, Global Satellite Capacity Supply & Demand) states that despite slow growth in satellite supply and capacity over the past few years, the next ten years will see 1155 satellites (more than 500 kgs in size) likely to be ordered, and some 1285 will be launched. NSR says that […]
A couple of major insurance losses on rocket and satellite failures will send insurance rates up. A presentation last week at Euroconsult’s World Space Business Week by a group of insurance executives confirmed that premiums are rising as the industry tries to recoup from those losses and adjust what were uncompetitive premiums, and return to […]
Saudi Arabia-based ArabSat is no longer carrying beouitQ’s pirate satellite transmissions. The satellite signals were removed almost a month ago but may not protect ArabSat for potentially punitive legal actions seeking significant compensation. The news follows a joint investigation by FIFA, the AFC, UEFA, the Bundesliga, La Liga, Lega Serie A, LFP and the Premier […]
Two conflicting views on the prospects for so-called space ‘rescue tugs’ or Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV). On the one hand delegates to Euroconsult’s World Space Business Week in Paris heard Northrup Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics speak enthusiastically of their MEVs. Northrop Grumman bought rival satellite builder Orbital ATK last year and thus ensuring another significant player […]
Israel’s Spacecom satellite operator, which owns the Amos fleet of spacecraft, says it is now putting the challenges of the past few years behind it and is returning to normality. Its latest craft, Amos-17 launched on August 6th, is safe in orbit and is racking up business. Spacecom CEO David Pollack says Amos-17 has booked […]
The answer to the question is: the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), stupid! Which technically is correct except to say that the FCC tries to act according to a set of rules, key to which is its ‘priority’ system. The rules are straightforward enough. If a satellite operator gets its craft to a position where it […]
Russia’s President Putin says he is interested in allowing foreign investment in the country’s new rocket and satellite launch site at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Far East of Russia. Bloomberg reported that Putin, speaking at an Economic Forum in Vladivostok, told delegates that he was ready to invite foreign partners to help develop the […]
The prospects for C-band spectrum being released over the US by the C-Band Alliance (and Eutelsat) is constantly a hot topic. The CBA wants to auction 180 MHz of spectrum. A timely report from analysts at Northern Sky Research (NSR) suggests that while the urgency to repurpose mid-band spectrum in the US is clear, but […]