Archives for August 2024

Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) significantly expanded their ground segment capabilities and the company is delivering comprehensive, end-to-end, ground segment services, including satellite operations (SatOps), for the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Arctic Weather Satellite mission as part of a consortium with Thales Alenia Space, headed up by OHB Sweden.

As part of their New Space approach, ESA has engaged a consortium of industry leaders, with OHB Sweden responsible for building the satellite and KSAT entrusted with operating the entire ground segment.

KSAT’s role in this mission is essential. The company is operating all aspects of the ground segment, from launch support to first contact all the way through to decommissioning. This includes advanced satellite operations designed to optimize performance and reliability through automated systems, minimizing the need for human intervention. With this capability, KSAT ensures seamless communication and control throughout the entire lifecycle of the Arctic Weather Satellite.

The data collected by this satellite will be critical in improving weather forecasting in the Arctic region and supporting vital climate research. KSAT’s extensive ground station network, including the world’s largest polar station in Svalbard, provides unparalleled access and communication capabilities for LEO satellites, making it an ideal partner for this mission.

“ESA’s New Space approach for this mission is a game-changer, and we are thrilled to be a part of it. By providing the full ground segment, including satellite operations, we are not only supporting the Arctic Weather Satellite but also showcasing the strength and flexibility of commercial partnerships in space,” said Rolf Skatteboe CEO and President of KSAT. “By incorporating satellite operations into our ground segment services, we are now able to provide an unmatched end-to-end solution for satellite missions. This positions KSAT as a total provider in the ground segment, capable of delivering scalable and cost-effective services to our clients. We take care of the ground so that they can focus on their mission. Our involvement in the Arctic Weather Satellite mission is a testament to our advanced capabilities and our ability to meet the demands of complex satellite missions. We are excited to contribute to this mission, which will have a significant impact on weather forecasting and climate research in the future.”

Sateliot has successfully launched four additional satellites as part of the company’s 5G NB-IoT NTN constellation— these satellites, designed to extend the coverage of Mobile Telecom Operators to 100% of the planet, were deployed via the SpaceX Transporter-11 mission.

The launch occurred on Friday, August 16, at 20:18 CET, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. A special event in Barcelona brought together the Sateliot family and key stakeholders to witness the launch live, featuring support from ESA, GSMA, the Spanish Government, and more.

Presented by Josep Calatayud, director of the “Control de Misión” YouTube channel , the event featured interviews with shareholders, authorities, and employees. Co-founders Jaume Sanpera (CEO) and Marco Guadalupi (CTO) provided in-depth explanations and forecasts for Sateliot’s future.

Re-watch the entire event at this direct link…

Inspired by Antoni Gaudí‘s iconic dragon, the mission badge for ‘Revolution‘ symbolizes the resilience of Sateliot’s technology and the company’s global ambitions. The four flames represent each newly launched satellite, with the multicolored fragments foreshadowing a constellation of more than 100 satellites by 2028. It also represents the revolution of the 5G NB-IoT NTN standard as Sateliot is presented with the opportunity to transform industries worldwide; regardless of location or infrastructure, connectivity black spots will become a thing of the past.

The technology incorporates enhancements from previous satellites and is the first constellation to implement standard GSMA and 3GPP developments fully on satellites. In addition to providing commercial services, Sateliot aims to use these advancements to continue leading the NTN community in future innovations.. Sateliot’s approach, featuring its patented “Store and Forward” technology, offers unparalleled global connectivity with its new orbital plane.

Additionally, the company is advancing a certification program for commercial terminals to expedite the integration of their service into the market. Looking ahead, Sateliot plans to deploy additional satellites by 2025 and is actively engaged in discussions to secure a Series B funding round of 30 million euros.

Since its founding in 2018, Sateliot has raised 25 million euros and aims to achieve revenues of 1 billion euros by 2030. Sateliot’s technology, which initially will connect more than eight million devices from companies that have already contracted the service, is characterized by its democratic and accessible nature. It is designed to support a wide range of use cases for SMEs, public administrations, and large enterprises in sectors such as agriculture, livestock, logistics, and critical infrastructures.

“This launch propels us into a new phase of development,” said Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot. “Not only will we begin generating revenue, but we will also position Spain as a global leader in IoT connectivity.”

SpaceX is targeting Friday, August 16 for Falcon 9’s launch of the Transporter-11 mission to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The 53-minute window opens at 11:20 a.m. PT. If needed, there is a backup opportunity on Saturday, August 17 at the same time.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch here and on X @SpaceX.

This will be the 12th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Transporter-11 is SpaceX’s 11th dedicated smallsat rideshare mission. There will be 116 payloads on this flight, including CubeSats, MicroSats, and an orbital transfer vehicle carrying eight of those payloads, five of which will be be deployed at a later time. To date, SpaceX has launched more than 1,000 smallsats for 130+ customers across our entire Rideshare program.

Marlink, managed services provider of business-critical ICT solutions, introduced flexible and bespoke Starlink LEO internet plans within its hybrid network solutions.

The new plans allow customers across maritime, onshore and offshore energy, enterprise and leisure boating industries to benefit from a range of bespoke connectivity plans from 10GB to unlimited data, depending on their needs.

The plans enable customers to create and customize their own SpaceX Starlink allowance packages depending on their specific business requirements, sharing data across remote sites and assets as demand changes.

The plans are offered within Marlink’s hybrid network solutions that combine the high throughput, low latency Starlink LEO service with guaranteed bandwidth VSAT and 4G/5G solutions. Data transfer and application performance can be optimized according to client priorities with networks managed on an end-to-end basis to provide resilient solutions.

Marlink is one of the largest provider of Starlink solutions in maritime, and provides network solutions to one-third of the IMO shipping fleet. As demand for LEO solutions continues to increase across clients on land and at sea, so does the need for flexible plans that meet the diverse demands from large and small customers.

To date, Marlink has recorded 3,200 LEO terminals sold for integration within its hybrid networks or deployed standalone, supporting customers in remote and challenging environments. By providing flexible and bespoke hybrid plans as part of overall network solutions, Marlink can enable managed access to a full range of digital solutions to optimize each customer’s operations.

“Our customers operating in challenging and remote environments require a partner which can create flexible and innovative solutions that bring new possibilities to their operations,” said Erik Ceuppens, CEO, Marlink. “The ability to create customized Starlink solutions that are seamlessly integrated into the Marlink hybrid network, enables customers to benefit from the blend of managed, optimized and secure connectivity.”

HawkEye 360 Inc. has announced the upcoming launch of the company’s Cluster 10 satellites aboard the Transporter-11 Rideshare mission with SpaceX via launch integrator Exolaunch.

The satellites will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California to SSO no earlier than August 16th at 2:20 PM EDT. Adding these three satellites will enhance the company’s robust constellation, increasing the total to 32 satellites and significantly augmenting global RF monitoring capabilities.

Cluster 10 will reinforce HawkEye 360’s capacity for frequent revisits to areas of strategic interest globally. Once on orbit, these satellites will enhance HawkEye 360’s collection capabilities, providing more comprehensive coverage and timely data across vital regions. Cluster 10 will continue to advance HawkEye 360’s mission of delivering precise and actionable RF insights, ensuring greater coverage and enhanced monitoring capabilities.

“The launch of Cluster 10 is a pivotal moment as we expand our constellation, introducing our tenth trio of satellites and surpassing thirty in total,” said John Serafini, CEO of HawkEye 360. “Our ongoing advancement in satellite technology, particularly our use of formation flying, continues to enhance our precision in geolocating RF emissions. This capability sets us apart in the industry, enabling us to deliver more frequent and reliable data for critical applications such as maritime domain awareness and terrestrial monitoring, reinforcing our leadership in RF sensing.”

Eutelsat Group and Bayobab, a subsidiary of MTN Group, have engaged in a multi-year agreement for LEO capacity on Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation, with this collaboration aiming to address the connectivity needs for enterprises and cellular backhaul, providing reliable solutions to enhance network performance and customer experience across the African continent.

Bayobab will leverage Eutelsat’s OneWeb constellation to deliver fixed connectivity services. By improving coverage in rural areas, these innovative satellite solutions will provide high-quality connectivity and reduced latency. The roll-out roadmap will see implementation completed across the continent by December of 2024, with services already available in four African countries.

The partnership between Eutelsat and Bayobab marks a step forward in bridging the digital divide in Africa. The deployment and integration of LEO satellite technology will provide enhanced connectivity solutions that will empower communities across the continent.

Cyril Dujardin, Co-President of the Eutelsat Group Connectivity Business Unit, said, “We are proud to count Bayobab and the broader MTN Group amongst Africa’s early adopters of the Eutelsat/OneWeb LEO constellation. This partnership underscores the commitment of both Eutelsat and Bayobab to drive digital inclusion, and the pertinence of innovative satellite solutions to achieve this aim, notably the unique properties of ubiquitous, low latency LEO capacity.”

Frédéric Schepens, Bayobab’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “ At Bayobab, we’re passionate about being at the forefront of harnessing technology to empower people and businesses across Africa. Our partnership with Eutelsat and the integration of OneWeb’s LEO satellite services into our solutions is a testament to this commitment. This collaboration brings cutting-edge digital connectivity to even the most remote corners of the continent and reaffirms our promise of ‘Connecting Africa’ – a promise rooted in partnership and driven by a vision of a digitally inclusive future.”

Ovzon has received, through Viasat Government Services, its first order for Ovzon Pegasus service on the new Ovzon 3 satellite. This represents the transition from current Ovzon SATCOM-as-a-Service delivered to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) using leased satellite capacity to now using Ovzon 3. The order is for 12 months and the service was activated on August 1, 2024. The order value amounts to approximately $6.2 million.

This order, specific to U.S. DoD requirements, replaces the previous eight-month contract that was signed in December 2023. The Ovzon 3 satellite was launched in January 2024. After the conclusion of successful in-orbit tests the satellite entered into commercial service on July 5, 2024.

“The U.S. Department of Defense has been a valued long-term customer for Ovzon. They were the first to rely on Ovzon SATCOM-as-Service for their critical missions, the first to order the Ovzon T7 mobile satellite terminal, and now first to take advantage of the unique capabilities of the industry first Ovzon 3 satellite. We are proud to support the U.S. DoD and deliver specialized applications for enhanced performance, mobility, and resiliency. Transitioning from leased satellite networks to Ovzon 3 is in progress, and we are confident it will play a critical role for the U.S. DOD and other key customers in the years to come,” said Per Norén, CEO of Ovzon.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS) has announced that the firm’s first five commercial satellites, called BlueBirds, have arrived in Cape Canaveral, Florida, ahead of the planned orbital launch during a 7 day launch window this September.”

The BlueBird satellites feature the largest-ever commercial communications arrays to be deployed in LEO, at a remarkable 693 square feet, a technological leap forward in AST SpaceMobile’s ability to deliver seamless cellular broadband connectivity to billions of mobile users worldwide.

Building on the success of its BlueWalker 3 satellite, AST SpaceMobile’s first five commercial satellites will have a tenfold increase in processing capacity. This advancement sets the stage for delivering global space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones, starting with non-continuous coverage across the continental United States using over 5,600 cells on premium low-band spectrum.

These first five commercial satellites were built in AST SpaceMobile state-of-the-art 185,000 square feet facilities in Midland, TX, specifically designed for satellite production. This advanced facility, equipped with cutting-edge technology, is a testament to AST SpaceMobile’s commitment to innovation and operational excellence.

During 2024, AST SpaceMobile has secured additional strategic investment from AT&T, Verizon, Google and Vodafone, as well as a new contract award with the United States Government through a prime contractor. The company has agreements with more than 45 mobile network operators globally, which have more than 2.8 billion existing subscribers total, including Vodafone Group, AT&T, Verizon, Rakuten Mobile, Bell Canada, Orange, Telefonica, TIM, Saudi Telecom Company, Zain KSA, Etisalat, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Telkomsel, Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Millicom, Smartfren, Telecom Argentina, MTN, Telstra, Africell, Liberty Latin America and others. AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Google, Rakuten, American Tower, and Bell Canada are also existing investors in AST SpaceMobile.

“These satellites represent years of relentless innovation,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “We are excited to take yet another step towards bridging the digital divide on a global scale with space-base cellular broadband.”

“As of July 31st 2024, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents balance was approximately $14.6 million which, without additional funding, will not be sufficient to meet its obligations within the next twelve months from the issuance of this quarterly report.” So said the cautionary note which accompanied Terran Orbital’s quarterly trading statement (for the three months to June 30th) which warned that the business must raise more capital.

Terran, part-owned by Lockheed-Martin (LM), is busy equipping a new 94,000 sq. ft. factory and handling orders for LM as well as for the US government. However, its largest order is a 300 satellite commitment from Rivada Space Networks (Rivada’s OuterNET system).

Terran did not hold the typical Q&A with analysts after the financial announcements but during an event hosted by investment bank Jefferies on June 25th, Terran CEO Marc Bell said that pre-manufacturing design of Rivada’s satellites was taking longer than anticipated. As to the financing crunch, Bell said, “We feel very comfortable. No issues on our side.”

In other words, the cautionary notes on the August 12th statement might just be the usual ‘boilerplate.’ As to the specific financials, Terran posted revenues of $30.39 million for the quarter ended June 2024. Its share price tumbled 8.54 percent to just 65 cents per share. This is also a problem in that the NASDAQ exchange requires listed businesses to maintain a share price above $1 per share.

A breakdown of Terran’s order book reveals… “During the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, Lockheed Martin represented approximately 69 percent and 84 percent of consolidated revenue, respectively, and Rivada Space Networks represented approximately 15 per cent and 4 per cent of consolidated revenue, respectively. During the six months ended June 30th 2024 and 2023, Lockheed Martin represented approximately 71 per cent and 79 per cent of consolidated revenue, respectively, and Rivada represented approximately 11 per cent and 2 per cent of consolidated revenue, respectively. There were no other individual customers who accounted for more than 10 percent of the Company’s revenue during these periods,” stated Terran.

On the upside, as of June 30th, Terran had approximately $312.7 million of remaining performance obligations. The Company estimates that approximately 90 percent of the remaining performance obligations will be recognised as revenue by December 31st 2025 and the remainder by December 31st 2026.

Rivada’s obligations amount to $2.4 billion. The amount of revenue recognised under the Rivada Agreement duringthe three months ended June 30th 2024 and 2023 was $4.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, and $6.2 million and $1.2 million during the six months ended June 30th 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of June 30th 2024, the Company’s remaining performance obligations included $1.6 million related to the Rivada agreement, which represents the associated contract liability.

Terran’s existing debt totals some $200.39 million. On May 30th it announced a share sale and received $37.1 million from the exercise. It has similar options which, if carried out, could realise up to a total of $60 million in fresh cash over and above the $37 million.

On May 16th, the company hired a new CFO (Adarsh Parekh) and on May 20th a new COO (Peter Krauss), both of whom will, no doubt, be working hard to keep the company’s head above water.

SmallSat Europe is far more than just another conference – SmallSat Europe is the launchpad for all of your small satellite ambitions.

Here’s what awaits you:

• Technical presentations: Deep dives into mission design, propulsion, payloads, communications, and more.

• Business forums: Insightful discussions on market trends, investment opportunities, and regulatory landscapes.

• Networking opportunities: Meet potential partners, investors, and collaborators at dedicated events and social gatherings.

• Exhibition hall: Explore cutting-edge technologies from leading industry players and uncover solutions to your project challenges.

• Student Exhibitions: Meet future leaders at the dedicated student exhibition hall

Continue to prepare for the future and gain the knowledge and insights necessary to ensure smallsat success — mark you calendar for SmallSat Europe today.

Important show dates…

• May 20, 2024: Early Bird Registration Open
• May 20, 2024: Open Call For Participation
• December 1, 2024: Abstract Submission Deadline
• January 17, 2025: Abstract Notification
• March 3, 2025: Technical Papers Due
• March 3, 2025: Open Call For Business Track Presenters
• April 11, 2025: Early Bird Deadline

NOTE: Exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are currently available!  

Learn more about SmallSat Europe via this direct link…