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spacex

Starlink quits South Africa satellite discussion

Last week the South African government, via its ICASA telecoms regulator, held formal public consultations on a proposed licensing plan for satellite services in the country. But SpaceX, and therefore Starlink, declined to appear. SpaceX was due to make a presentation to the hearing, but failed to turn up. According to an ICASA spokeswoman, SpaceX […]

February 10, 2025By Chris Forrester

Report: Starlink shines in Europe

While Europe may not represent the largest market for satellite solutions compared to other large landmass regions with lower fibre density and a greater share of the population living in rural areas, low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations have emerged as an important part of the connectivity toolkit in the region. SpaceX’s Starlink has secured a […]

February 5, 2025

SpaceX complains over South Africa investment rules

SpaceX currently cannot operate in South Africa despite some apparent enthusiastic support from Cyril Ramaphosa, the nation’s president. SpaceX has formally asked for local telecoms regulator ICASA to modify its requirements. ICASA is to hold consultations starting on February 5th and 6th with interested stakeholders and the public. The filing is by SpaceX Internet Services […]

February 5, 2025

Airbus hires bank to research rival to SpaceX

Aerospace giant Airbus has hired Goldman Sachs to advise it on forming a European space and satellite company to compete with Elon Musk’s dominant SpaceX, according to Bloomberg News. Discussions are in an early stage to create the company with support from French aerospace company Thales and Italy’s Leonardo. The range of services for the […]

February 4, 2025By Chris Forrester

SpaceX valued at $350bn

According to a recent Bloomberg broadcast, SpaceX is now valued at about $350 billion (€336.2bn). This value has been suggested to split with the Starlink broadband system representing about 65 per cent of SpaceX’s valuation at $227.5 billion and the rocket launch side of the business accounting for 35 per cent at $122.5 billion. SpaceX […]

January 30, 2025

Scandinavian Airlines commits to Starlink

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite services has been chosen by airline Scandinavian Airlines (SAS). SpaceX, posting on X, said: “Next-gen Wi-Fi is coming onboard! With SpaceX Starlink, you can enjoy high-speed internet – even over remote areas like the North Pole or Atlantic Ocean. Rolling out fleet-wide in late 2025, and free for EuroBonus members.” SAS said: […]

January 29, 2025By Chris Forrester

Starlink poised for South Africa approval

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite system could soon be legitimately be available to South African residents. Local reports say that the nation, which requires incoming businesses to have a shareholding which includes a 30 per cent ‘black’ ownership (officially Historically Disadvantaged Groups), is close to approving Starlink’s availability. South Africa recently announced that it would introduce new […]

January 28, 2025By Chris Forrester

Musk loses Starship, but lands booster

SpaceX lost a Starship on its seventh test flight in a fiery explosion over the Turks & Caicos Islands in the Caribbean. However, the rocket’s booster was successfully captured back at the launch site by the Texas pad’s ‘chopsticks’. Launch was at 5.37pm Texas time on January 16th. SpaceX said: “Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled […]

January 17, 2025

ITU’s hands are tied on space jamming

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is having a hard time getting some of its member states to observe its regulations. Two problems are paramount: The first is the regulation of so-called ‘space debris’ whether dying satellites or collision avoidance obligations. The second concerns the deliberate jamming of certain TV signals which includes the rules governing […]

January 13, 2025

New Glenn scrubs launch; SpaceX Starship slips

SpaceX has delayed the attempted launch of its massive Starship to January 15th with anxieties about the weather off the Texas coast. The Jeff Bezos-backed New Glenn rocket (NG-1) planned launch from Florida in the early hours of January 13th was also scrubbed. The delay to Elon Musk’s giant Starship was made because of bad […]

January 13, 2025By Chris Forrester