Advanced Television

spacex

Starlink: Over 2.3m active customers

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband by satellite service says it has more than 2.3 million active customers – up 300,000 from three months ago. However, Starlink declines to call these users “subscribers” which would – at least – confirm there was a commercial relationship in place. Starlink says that it is available on all seven continents and […]

December 22, 2023By Chris Forrester

SpaceX applies for Drone Ships

Elon Musk’s SpaceX has applied to the FCC for permission to place 12 US flagged ‘Drone Ships’ in an experiment to fill the maritime gaps. The tests will run from January 1st to June 29th 2024. The Drone Ships will be placed in US territorial waters in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. The SpaceX request […]

December 20, 2023By Chris Forrester

Report: “Starlink most disruptive force in sat market”

Starlink is busy counting down the days to the end of the month with observers speculating on whether it might reach a rumoured 100 launches for 2023. Either way, SpaceX and its Starlink division have achieved a spectacular 2023, and with 2024 launches of its giant Starship expected, the company can expect further intense media […]

December 19, 2023By Chris Forrester

SpaceX putting first D2D satellites into orbit

A planned launch from Vandenburg Space Force Base of 21 Starlink satellites on February 15th 2024 will contain the first batch of Elon Musk’s ‘direct to cell’ craft. Six of the 21 satellites are described as “trailblazers” and are equipped to handle direct to device communications including cellphones. The remining 15 craft are conventional Version […]

December 15, 2023By Chris Forrester

Costco Japan slashes Starlink price

Japan’s Costco Online is selling SpaceX’s Starlink broadband-by-satellite equipment for Yen 33,000 (about $227) and a reduction of Y22,000 (approx €138). However, buyers have to move fast and order the kit by December 31st. The price is a bargain given that Costco US continues to sell Starlink equipment at the routine $499 cost. Meanwhile, a […]

December 15, 2023By Chris Forrester

SpaceX sells shares at $97

SpaceX, as expected, has sold ‘insider’ shares at $97 (€88.80) to existing and new shareholders. It means that SpaceX is now valued at around $180 billion. The $97 achieved is a couple of dollars better than the rumoured $95 talked about over the past few weeks and indicates a strong demand for participation. Investors would […]

December 14, 2023By Chris Forrester

Forecast: 4 tons of satellites launched daily by 2032

Euroconsult, a specialist in satellite industry market intelligence, has announced the release of its 26th edition flagship report, Satellites to be Built and Launched. This edition forecasts an average of over 2,800 satellites launched annually – equivalent to eight satellites per day and totaling a mass of four tons – between 2023 and 2032. The […]

December 13, 2023

Air New Zealand chooses Starlink

Air New Zealand is to install Starlink antenna on its domestic aircraft fleet for broadband in-flight connectivity. The plan includes installations on the airline’s Airbus A320 and also its ATR 72 turbo-prop aircraft, and believed to be the first use anywhere on turbo-prop aircraft. “Whether travelling for work or leisure, we know maintaining seamless internet […]

December 13, 2023By Chris Forrester

SpaceX suffers deployment malfunction

Earlier in November SpaceX launched one of its regular ‘Rideshare/Transporter’ missions when it carries dozens of smaller satellites into space. It now appears that the November 11th launch suffered a glitch in safely deploying three small satellites for Momentus. San Jose-based Momentus, which offers clients in-space infrastructure services, including in-space transportation, hosted payloads and in-orbit […]

December 11, 2023

Ghana warns over illegal Starlink usage

Elon Musk’s Starlink is not licensed to be used in Ghana, however some citizens are importing equipment from West African near-neighbours. Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA), the country’s regulator, has cautioned the general public against satellite services alleged to be from Starlink following reports of equipment being sold and operated in the country. The NCA […]

December 11, 2023By Chris Forrester