Archives for 2023

SpaceX has successfully launched 56 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral SFS aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, sending them to orbit to join the company’s constellation.

As is becoming customary for SpaceX, the first stage successfully returned to Earth and landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship station in the Atlantic Ocean.

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, mPOWER-a, and two Starlink missions.

Previous information posting…

SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 24th., at 11:33 a.m., ET, (15:33 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 56 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

If needed, there are additional launch opportunities the same day at 1:14 p.m. ET (17:14 UTC) and 2:55 p.m. ET (18:55 UTC).

Backup opportunities are also available on Saturday, March 25th., at 11:08 a.m., ET (15:08 UTC), 12:49 p.m. ET (16:49 UTC), and 2:30 p.m. ET (18:30 UTC).

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, mPOWER-a, and two Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Watch the live launch webcast starting about 5 minutes before liftoff.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) successfully launched their 35th Electron rocket from Mahia, New Zealand, deploying two, multi-spectral, Gen-2 satellites to LEO for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.

The mission occurred only seven days following the Company’s previous Electron mission from Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, setting a new company record for fastest turnaround between Electron missions.

The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,” lifted off at 09:14 UTC, March 24th., 2023, from Pad B at Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab’s private launch site on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula and was Rocket Lab’s seventh launch for BlackSky since 2019, helping to build out BlackSky’s growing, real-time, geospatial intelligence constellation.

Additionally, Rocket Lab accomplished a successful ocean splashdown of Electron’s first stage in an effort to make Electron the world’s first, reusable, orbital, small launch vehicle. The first stage will now be transported back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for assessment, testing and re-qualification to inform future recovery missions. Pending the outcome of these assessments Rocket Lab may choose to proceed with marine operations as the primary recovery method, opting to transition away from helicopter use.

Rocket Lab is on track this year to surpass its launch record of nine launches set in 2022 with 15 planned launches. Upcoming disclosed Electron missions in 2023 include two launches for the NASA TROPICS constellation, the first of five dedicated missions for Internet-of-Things (IoT) connectivity provider Kinéis; several launches for Capella Space, and the launch of a mission to demonstrate space debris removal technology by Astroscale Japan.

“Electron has repeatedly proven itself as a reliable constellation builder and today we’re proud to deliver mission success once again for BlackSky and Spaceflight after many previous missions together. Launching two successful missions just seven days apart from two different hemispheres is a real demonstration of responsive space in action, and successfully splashing down Electron’s first stage as part of our reusability program is the icing on the cake.”

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck

Previous information posting…

UPDATE: Rocket Lab has delayed the launch to low Earth orbit of a two-stage Electron rocket due to bad weather. The launch will take place from the New Zealand site on Friday at 3:45 a.m. EDT (0745 GMT; 8:45 p.m. local New Zealand time). The mission had been targeted for Wednesday (March 22), but Rocket Lab pushed it back because of bad weather. The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,”will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc., during a launch window that opens on March 22nd., 2023 UTC.

The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,” will launch two of BlackSky’s Gen-2, Earth-imaging satellites from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, and will bring the total number of satellites delivered by Electron to orbit to 159 — Electron will deliver the satellites to a circular 450 km orbit, that will bring the total number of satellites in BlackSky’s constellation to 16.

As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab plans to recover Electron’s first stage after it parachutes back to Earth and splashes down in the ocean. Rocket Lab’s recovery team will retrieve Electron using a customized vessel and transport the stage back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for analysis. Data from this recovered stage will inform Rocket Lab’s ongoing recovery and reuse program.

The pair of high-resolution, multi-spectral, Gen-2 satellites to be launched on Electron will expand BlackSky’s network in space and its offering of real-time geospatial intelligence and monitoring services. BlackSky combines high-resolution images captured by its constellation of microsatellites with its proprietary artificial intelligence software to deliver analytics and insights to industries including transportation, infrastructure, land use, defense, supply chain management, and humanitarian aid.

Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive, Peter Beck, said, “We’re proud to continue playing a key role in building out BlackSky’s growing constellation. We’ve now delivered 9 satellites to orbit for BlackSky since our first launch for them in 2019 and we’re grateful to have been entrusted with their mission once again. Counting down to another mission just six days after a successful launch from LC-2 in Virginia is no mean feat and testament to our team’s experience and dedication to delivering response launch.”

SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 24th., at 11:33 a.m., ET, (15:33 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 56 Starlink satellites to LEO from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

If needed, there are additional launch opportunities the same day at 1:14 p.m. ET (17:14 UTC) and 2:55 p.m. ET (18:55 UTC).

Backup opportunities are also available on Saturday, March 25th., at 11:08 a.m., ET (15:08 UTC), 12:49 p.m. ET (16:49 UTC), and 2:30 p.m. ET (18:30 UTC).

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, mPOWER-a, and two Starlink missions.

Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Watch the live launch webcast starting about 5 minutes before liftoff.

Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE American: GSAT) has announced that a major, international provider of hazardous gases is helping organizations and consumers to use cleaner energy.

The gas exporter has deployed the Ovinto Sat smart asset monitoring system to ensure the safety of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as it travels in cryogenic tank containers to customers around the globe.

Ovinto Sat is enabled by the Globalstar worldwide satellite fleet and includes multifunction sensors built around Globalstar’s STX3 chipset (pictured below), the smallest and lowest power consuming satellite IoT chipset on the market.

LNG is a rapidly growing business area for the company, particularly in the U.S. and Mexico. It is believed that the LNG market will see significant growth in the coming years as demand surges for sources of energy alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Particularly to fuel vehicles, hydrogen demand is on the rise. Many of the initiatives aimed at promoting using hydrogen for vehicles are backed by governments as part of their commitments to reduce carbon emissions.

Ovinto Sat owns 600 tank containers, each fitted with an Ovinto Sat sensor device, as is every new container purchased.

The company began to deploy Ovinto Sat four years ago. Earlier solutions the company tried were only able to provide positioning information. Only Ovinto Sat sensors could measure internal temperature and pressure and the sensor’s configurability was also a huge factor in the exporter’s procurement decision. The company also found Ovinto Sat’s operational dashboard to be highly functional and user friendly.

Alternative systems trialed were unable to provide uninterrupted tracking due to reliance on GSM technology. Others were too complex for speedy implementation, or their operational user interface was unintuitive. The robustness, low power consumption and long battery life of Ovinto Sat units were further valued features.

It’s critical to be able to continually monitor the pressure inside these containers to ensure the safe travel and delivery of these highly dangerous liquefied gases. Tank containers get stacked during transport and storage. The sensor devices are affixed to the outside of the container, each safe inside its own rugged domed casing, to keep a continuous line of sight with the satellites. The devices maintain uninterrupted visibility of the Globalstar satellite network in LEO, so data on the environmental characteristics of the container flow uninterrupted as they traverse the globe.

Critically important for the conveyance of hazardous materials, Ovinto Sat complies with the highest possible ATEX (AT mosphère EX plosibles) standard certification for explosion prevention. At the heart of Ovinto Sat is Globalstar’s low power STX3, the smallest and lowest power consuming chipset on the market. Because it’s powered by long-life batteries, Ovinto Sat allows customers to monitor materials in unpowered environments including rail tank cars and containers.

As the world turns to cleaner sources of energy, hydrogen is a big part of the solution to solve the global energy crisis. We were confident that Ovinto Sat units were rugged enough to withstand the long journeys on road, rail and sea that our containers take.”

Assets Manager for the gas exporting company

The Globalstar satellite system remains the best solution on the planet on account of its coverage, minimal latency, low power and, as a result, its affordability.”

Frederick Ronse, Managing Director of Ovinto

We are continually amazed by the myriad of ways in which Satellite IoT enabled solutions based on Globalstar are used to improve people’s lives, businesses and the environment. And we’re tremendously proud that, together with our valued partner Ovinto, we’re enabling the safe delivery of cleaner energy solutions to ever more customers.”

Mark O’Connell, General Manager for Globalstar EMEA & APAC

On its 7th Transporter mission with SpaceX, Exolaunch is conducting a launch campaign for more than 15 satellites for a number of companies, including Spire Global, NanoAvionics, Unseenlabs, GomSpace, EnduroSat and Plan-S.

Exolaunch also welcomes new customers (they account for 50% of the launch manifest): Space Flight Laboratory on behalf of the Norwegian Space Agency, TÜBİTAK UZAY, Kenya Space Agency with SayariLabs and EnduroSat, ISILAUNCH on behalf of Orbital Solutions Monaco (OSM) and Laboratoire Athmosphères, Observations Spatiales (LATMOS), Stanford Student Space Initiative, Bronco Space, the Colombian Air Force and two, additional undisclosed customers

The company’s EXOpod Nova enhanced CubeSat separation system and the newly designed, multi-satellite adapter EXOport ‘Europa’ will fly on Transporter-7

Exolaunch will cross the milestone of having launched more than 285 satellites for global customers. First flown on Transporter-5 and Transporter-6, Nova enhances the EXOpod design with superior specifications. Nova increases the allowable satellite mass by up to 30% and the available side panel volume by a factor of 4 when compared to traditional, CubeSat deployment systems. It also enables CubeSat manufacturers to keep launch costs low while building larger, heavier and more capable satellites. Nova brings the EXOpod family’s deployment record to 186 satellites as of March of 2023.

The extensive integration campaign for Transporter-7 has already been completed for all satellites flying with Exolaunch. After a successful CubeSat integration at the company’s new facilities in Berlin, the Exolaunch team finalized the integration of the remaining smallsats with the Falcon 9 launch vehicle at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.

This is the seventh Transporter mission in a series of rideshare launches, which Exolaunch is manifesting on Falcon 9 under a Multi-Launch Agreement (MLA) with SpaceX that was first signed in 2020 and later extended to include new missions. For each Falcon 9 procured through the MLA, Exolaunch provides a turnkey solution encompassing industry-leading mission management & satellite integration services in addition to its flight-proven separation systems.

Exolaunch has manifested on every Transporter mission since the program’s inception, deploying more than 150 smallsats and CubeSats through the dedicated rideshare program. Transporter-7 is the latest addition to Exolaunch’s streak of ever-more diverse manifests, strengthening its position as a trusted and reliable launch & deployment service provider.

“As always, we are entirely focused on delivering a smooth launch experience for each and every customer. This time around, we were delighted with the opportunity to welcome both well-known and new faces in our brand-new integration facilities in Germany. The entire team is particularly proud of our work with SpaceX on the Transporter program and being able to offer access to space that is unrivaled in its regularity and cost-effectiveness.”

Jeanne Allarie, VP Launch at Exolaunch

“The integration proceeded flawlessly for all customer satellites. Our team works hand in hand with our customers throughout stringent validation and testing processes, so it’s a great experience to take the final step together. It speaks volumes to the advantages of the Nova deployer that it was chosen to fly all the CubeSats manifested by our new customers. On the other hand, SpaceX has been a marvelous launch provider and an inestimable force to revolutionize access to space.”

Michael Tolstoj, Mission Director at Exolaunch

This year promises to be Exolaunch’s busiest yet: With customers manifested aboard multiple launch vehicles and every SpaceX Transporter mission in 2023, the German launch service provider is poised to achieve the significant milestone of the 300th satellite launched into orbit.

UPDATE: Rocket Lab has delayed the launch to low Earth orbit of a two-stage Electron rocket due to bad weather. The launch will take place from the New Zealand site on Friday at 3:45 a.m. EDT (0745 GMT; 8:45 p.m. local New Zealand time). The mission had been targeted for Wednesday (March 22), but Rocket Lab pushed it back because of bad weather. The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,”will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc., during a launch window that opens on March 22nd., 2023 UTC.

The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,” will launch two of BlackSky’s Gen-2, Earth-imaging satellites from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, and will bring the total number of satellites delivered by Electron to orbit to 159 — Electron will deliver the satellites to a circular 450 km orbit, that will bring the total number of satellites in BlackSky’s constellation to 16.

As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab plans to recover Electron’s first stage after it parachutes back to Earth and splashes down in the ocean. Rocket Lab’s recovery team will retrieve Electron using a customized vessel and transport the stage back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for analysis. Data from this recovered stage will inform Rocket Lab’s ongoing recovery and reuse program.

The pair of high-resolution, multi-spectral, Gen-2 satellites to be launched on Electron will expand BlackSky’s network in space and its offering of real-time geospatial intelligence and monitoring services. BlackSky combines high-resolution images captured by its constellation of microsatellites with its proprietary artificial intelligence software to deliver analytics and insights to industries including transportation, infrastructure, land use, defense, supply chain management, and humanitarian aid.

Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive, Peter Beck, said, “We’re proud to continue playing a key role in building out BlackSky’s growing constellation. We’ve now delivered 9 satellites to orbit for BlackSky since our first launch for them in 2019 and we’re grateful to have been entrusted with their mission once again. Counting down to another mission just six days after a successful launch from LC-2 in Virginia is no mean feat and testament to our team’s experience and dedication to delivering response launch.”

UPDATE: Rocket Lab has delayed the launch to low Earth orbit of a two-stage Electron rocket due to bad weather. The launch will take place from the New Zealand site on Friday at 3:45 a.m. EDT (0745 GMT; 8:45 p.m. local New Zealand time). The mission had been targeted for Wednesday (March 22), but Rocket Lab pushed it back because of bad weather. The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,”will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will launch a pair of satellites on a dedicated Electron mission for BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) through global launch services provider Spaceflight, Inc., during a launch window that opens on March 22nd., 2023 UTC.

The mission, named “The Beat Goes On,” will launch two of BlackSky’s Gen-2, Earth-imaging satellites from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, and will bring the total number of satellites delivered by Electron to orbit to 159 — Electron will deliver the satellites to a circular 450 km orbit, that will bring the total number of satellites in BlackSky’s constellation to 16.

As a secondary mission, Rocket Lab plans to recover Electron’s first stage after it parachutes back to Earth and splashes down in the ocean. Rocket Lab’s recovery team will retrieve Electron using a customized vessel and transport the stage back to Rocket Lab’s production complex for analysis. Data from this recovered stage will inform Rocket Lab’s ongoing recovery and reuse program.

The pair of high-resolution, multi-spectral, Gen-2 satellites to be launched on Electron will expand BlackSky’s network in space and its offering of real-time geospatial intelligence and monitoring services. BlackSky combines high-resolution images captured by its constellation of microsatellites with its proprietary artificial intelligence software to deliver analytics and insights to industries including transportation, infrastructure, land use, defense, supply chain management, and humanitarian aid.

Rocket Lab founder and Chief Executive, Peter Beck, said, “We’re proud to continue playing a key role in building out BlackSky’s growing constellation. We’ve now delivered 9 satellites to orbit for BlackSky since our first launch for them in 2019 and we’re grateful to have been entrusted with their mission once again. Counting down to another mission just six days after a successful launch from LC-2 in Virginia is no mean feat and testament to our team’s experience and dedication to delivering response launch.”

The KSF Space Foundation has recently announced a game-changing solution that could revolutionize the industry — their Jupiter Rocket, which is set to launch the least expensive cubesat missions in history.

KSF Space Foundation is a non-profit organization that was founded in 2016 with the goal of advancing space exploration and technology, as well as promoting international cooperation in the industry. The foundation is made up of a team of experienced engineers and scientists, many of whom have worked for major players in the space industry such as NASA and SpaceX. They are also producing their own less expensive cubesat kit model that is designed for education purpose and is ready to fly.

One of the main reasons why small companies and organizations have struggled to launch their own satellites in the past is the high cost of rocket launches. Traditional launch providers such as SpaceX and United Launch Alliance charge millions of dollars for a single launch, which is simply not feasible for many smaller entities. This has led to a bottleneck in the industry, with many innovative ideas and projects being unable to get off the ground due to financial constraints.

This is where the KSF Space Foundation’s Jupiter Rocket comes in. Unlike traditional rockets that are designed for orbital launches, the Jupiter Rocket is a suborbital rocket that is specifically optimized for launching cubesats for hardware cubesat testing purpose heading altitude of 110,000 feet. These smallsats, which typically weigh less than 10 kilograms, are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility and affordability. However, until now, there hasn’t been a dedicated launch vehicle for cubesats. The rocket is built under a partnership agreement with Kansas University R&D Department at the aerospace engineering school and KSF Space Foundation.

Dr. Mohamed Kayyali, the chairman of KSF Space, said, “The Jupiter Rocket is set to change all of that. By designing a rocket specifically for cubesats, the KSF Space Foundation has been able to drastically reduce the cost of launching these small satellites.”

In fact, they claim that their rocket will be the least expensive rocket launch in history, with prices starting at just $5,000 / 1kg / 1U per launch. This is a game-changer for the industry, as it makes it possible for smaller companies and organizations to launch their own satellites at a fraction of the cost of traditional providers.

The benefits of the Jupiter Rocket go beyond cost savings, however. By having a dedicated launch vehicle for cubesats, the KSF Space Foundation is able to offer more flexibility and customization options to their customers. For example, they can offer more frequent launches, as well as the ability to choose the exact sub-orbit and trajectory for their satellites. This is a level of control that is simply not possible with traditional launch providers, who have to prioritize larger payloads and more complex missions.

The rocket is a two-stage vehicle that is powered by a strong engine that can carry up to 10 kilograms of payload, which is more than enough for most cubesats. The rocket is also designed to be reusable, which further reduces the cost of each launch. The first stage of the rocket is equipped with landing legs and can be recovered after each launch, while the second stage is expendable, the rocket can reach a speed of 3.1 Mach.

The impact of the Jupiter Rocket on the space industry could be significant. By making it more affordable and accessible for smaller companies and organizations to test and launch their own satellites, we could see a wave of innovation and experimentation in the industry. This could lead to new discoveries and breakthroughs in fields like telecommunications, climate monitoring, and scientific research. It could also help to democratize space exploration, making it possible for more people and organizations to participate in this exciting field.

This dedicated launch vehicle for cubesats has the potential to break down the cost barriers that have prevented many smaller companies and organizations from launching their own satellites. With its affordable pricing, flexibility, and reusability, the Jupiter Rocket could usher in a new era of innovation and experimentation in the space industry. I can’t wait to see what exciting breakthroughs and discoveries will come from this game-changing rocket.

To learn more about the KSF Space Foundation’s Jupiter Rocket, visit their website at www.ksf.space

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense (EBAD) recently deployed an experimental payload with the company’s Payload Release Ring (PRR) spacecraft separation system.

The PRR demonstration mission launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on January 31, 2023, and the PRR successfully deployed the payload from D-Orbit’s ION carrier on February 8, 2023.

D-Orbit’s ION Satellite Carrier successfully delivered EBAD’s experiment to LEO. The data gathered from this experiment ensures EBAD’s new spacecraft dispensing products carry the same reliability that the industry is accustomed to with its heritage NEA® release mechanism.

The experiment provided valuable data on the performance of the PRR, which is designed to separate satellites from the launch vehicle or orbital transfer vehicle (OTV). Available in 8-inch, 15-inch, and 24-inch diameters, the PRRs use the NEA® Hold Down & Release Mechanisms (HDRM) and are configured to fasten directly to industry-standard, circular, mounting interfaces, and to satellites up to 800 kg in mass.

Outside of this mission, EBAD has a long history of successful space separation events with its ultra-low shock and high reliability NEA® Hold Down & Release Mechanisms and resettable TiNi Mechanisms, including 187 releases on the James Webb Space Telescope, 80 deployments of the OneWeb satellites, and most recently, the release of the O3b mPower satellites in a 4-Point Mount configuration.

This most recent demonstration focused on the PRR 8-inch diameter and EBAD has several other upcoming flight demonstration missions for its 15-inch and 24-inch diameter PRRs, and its integrated 4-Point Mount Separation System, which also use the flight-proven NEA® HDRMs.

Chad Thompson, president of EBAD, said EBAD’s extensive experience in providing reliable, high-quality products to various missions across markets helps them create a product that clients can rely on, no matter the scale of their mission. He said, “EBAD serves both the satellite and launch vehicle markets, giving us a unique understanding of separation and dispensing systems requirements, which reside at the crossroads of both space markets. Our high volume and vertically integrated production capabilities allow us to deliver reliable payload deployment systems with higher value and significantly shorter lead times.”

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense has been in business for more than 180 years, supplying world-class initiation and separation system products for space programs for more than 60 years. With facilities in Graham, Kentucky., Moorpark, Californnia, and Simsbury, the company delivers mission-critical solutions for satellites (separation and dispensing), human spacecraft, missiles, and launch vehicles, and has the Space industry’s widest array of flight-proven pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic separation system solutions.

ST Engineering iDirect’s Mx-DMA® MRC waveform technology will enable Mexican connectivity service provider, Aitelecom/APCO Networks (Aitelecom), to support services on that firm’s new MicroGEO satellites that will be built by satellite manufacturer, Astranis Space Technologies (Astranis).

The satellites and ground infrastructure will deliver critical connectivity for 4G cellular backhaul and enterprise services across Mexico and part of Central America. Deployed on Aitelecom’s existing Dialog® platform, the services will be made available to hundreds of sites across the country and part of Central America.

This agreement further strengthens the long-standing relationship between ST Engineering iDirect and Aitelecom and creates a roadmap for the future which will see the companies evolve together to meet Aitelecom’s current and future requirements.

The demand for cellular backhaul services across Mexico has seen a major surge in recent years. In 2022, more than 74 percent of mobile phone users in Mexico accessed the internet through their mobile phone. By 2027, it is projected that this will rise to around 88 percent [1].

ST Engineering iDirect’s Mx-DMA MRC return technology and GTP acceleration was a critical consideration for Aitelecom as it will enable the company to serve a myriad of use cases in a single return link without making tradeoffs between speed, efficiency and scale. This also lowers their total cost of ownership, while minimizing network configuration complexity and creating flexible connectivity for all LTE/4G types of sites.

Mx-DMA MRC will empower Aitelecom to scale its services while simplifying its operations, sharing capacity seamlessly and very efficiently amongst its user terminals, and satisfying the most demanding throughput requirements presented by its MNO and enterprise customers.

The MicroGEO satellites from U.S.-based Astranis are small and highly capable spacecraft that are designed and manufactured at a rapid pace in comparison with larger GEO satellites, and at a lower cost. These smallsats are slated for launch in Q3 2024 and will enable Aitelecom to go to market rapidly, delivering high-speed, flexible services with advanced ground infrastructure to match.

“We are excited and motivated to take the next step in our company’s evolution towards a fully vertically integrated service provider controlling our own destiny in terms of capacity, technology and service delivery. With ST Engineering iDirect´s Mx-DMA MRC as the focal technology, we are confident that service continuity, quality of service and unparalleled support will be paramount in the delivery of our solutions to our customers.”

Orlando Castillo, CEO of Aitelecom

“We are excited to partner with Aitelecom and ST Engineering iDirect to offer an end-to-end, managed service for our customers. This offering will allow us to expand high-speed coverage throughout Mexico, offering a turnkey service for an affordable price.”

Astranis Chief Commercial Officer, Doug Abts

“The sheer flexibility of Mx-DMA MRC will enable Aitelcom to serve the burgeoning markets in Mexico and Central America in the most operationally and cost optimal manner. Extending our commitment and partnerships with Aitelecom allows them to augment their service delivery to reach new parts of the region.”

Darren Ludington, Regional Vice President, Americas at ST Engineering iDirect