Archives for 2025

Backed by the European Innovation Council (EIC), OQ Technology‘s 5NETSAT mission will deliver secure 5G satellite messaging and emergency alerts to unmodified smartphones, advancing Europe’s digital sovereignty and space innovation  

OQ Technology has announced the official launch of the company’s flagship 5NETSAT mission, supported by a €2.5 million grant from the EIC under the EIC Accelerator program.  

The mission will demonstrate breakthrough capabilities in direct satellite-to-smartphone communication, including emergency SMS and broadcast alerts delivered to standard 5G devices using IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) spectrum. These services will function seamlessly without any hardware or software modifications, marking a significant leap forward for Europe’s secure space-based communications infrastructure.  

Complementing the grant, OQ Technology has also been selected for equity investment by the EIC Fund, further validating the EU’s confidence in the company’s trajectory to become the region’s first commercial Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) satellite operator. This dual support comes amid rising geopolitical focus on sovereign digital infrastructure and resilient communications networks.

5NETSAT will serve as Europe’s first service demonstration of a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) in LEO. It will enable satellite-based delivery of emergency alerts and SMS messages to 5G smartphones, allow real-time public safety communications during disasters or cyberattacks, and support secure coordination for first responders and national emergency agencies. The system’s compatibility with standard 3GPP smartphones allows for rapid deployment across both civilian and governmental applications.  

Beyond technical validation, the mission is expected to deliver a wide-ranging impact. Socially, it promotes digital inclusion for underserved regions and improves public safety. Economically, it supports innovation, creates high-value jobs in the European space sector, and opens new commercial opportunities through mobile-satellite convergence. Environmentally, it reduces dependence on terrestrial infrastructure and aligns with the European Green Deal by enabling greener connectivity.  

5NETSAT also supports key EU policy initiatives, including IRIS², The Digital Decade, Horizon Europe, and the Gigabit Infrastructure Act. It directly contributes to global Sustainable Development Goals, especially in areas such as disaster resilience, climate action, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.  

With EIC funding secured, 5NETSAT becomes the critical first step toward full-scale deployment of OQ Technology’s global D2M constellation. The company is advancing rapidly toward commercial launch, unlocking new markets and delivering secure, resilient mobile connectivity across Europe and beyond.  

This marks a significant milestone in our journey to build Europe’s first commercial Direct-to-Mobile satellite constellation,” said Omar Qaise, Founder and CEO of OQ Technology. “With 5NETSAT, we are proving that secure, space-based mobile communication is not only technically viable but scalable, sustainable, and lifesaving.”  

Hiltron Communications recently reported the purchase of a latest-generation HMAM-XY motorized antenna mount by a German research organization—the mount is equipped with a 2.4 meter antenna and will be used for various applications including the advancement of technology related to LEO/MEO/SmallSat constellations.

Suitable for receive and transmit applications, HMAM-XY provides very high pointing and tracking accuracy with low backlash, and full hemispheric coverage with no zenith keyhole. High-accuracy absolute-reference encoders are incorporated.

Operation is via Hiltron’s HACU antenna control unit which includes TLE/NORAD tracking capabilities. Steptrack is available as an option. Control and monitoring can be performed through an Ethernet link with a web interface. HACU can be mounted on the HMAM-XY support column with local control possible using a directly connected handheld unit.

HMAM-XY tracking velocity is up to 10 degrees per second with 6 degrees per second squared maximum acceleration and within 0.05% accuracy. Elevation range is +5 to +175 degrees. Lateral rotation can be performed through a continuous 360 degrees. L, S, C, X, Ku and Ka bands with circular or linear polarization are supported. Multiband support is available as an option.

HMAM-XY can operate in temperatures of -30 to +50 Celsius (-40 to +60 Celsius storage) and in wind speeds of up to 90 kilometres per hour (up to 200 km/h survival in security position, dependent on reflector type) at up to 100% relative humidity. Power requirement is 400 volts AC, three-phase.

HMAM-XY builds on over 15 years of refinement since the introduction of the original HMAM,” said Antonio Monteverde, Sales Director of Hiltron Communications. “First exhibited at the September of 2024 International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam, it is designed to perform high precision tracking of LEO and MEO satellites, SmallSat constellations and flying objects such as drones. Planar antennas or prime focus reflectors of up to 2.5 metres diameter can be attached or changed quickly via a universal adapter. Fast acceleration combined with high tracking velocity and accuracy make HMAM-XY ideal for a wide range of broadcast, security and wider telecommunications applications.”

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) has reported that Pole Star Global has fully integrated Iridium Certus^®with their Podium platform—a unified maritime intelligence solution supporting a broad range of mission-critical capabilities.

This powerful integration streamlines support for Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), commercial vessel tracking, and data connectivity— all within a single, versatile environment. 

With Iridium Certus enabling resilient, global connectivity, Podium delivers uninterrupted situational awareness and actionable intelligence to support regulatory compliance, operational performance, risk mitigation, and emissions optimization—empowering maritime stakeholders to make smarter decisions, anywhere in the world. Using Iridium’s global satellite network, Podium5 delivers data from ships, shore, engine and environments, generating immediate, powerful and profitable outcomes for the modern fleet. 

With Iridium Certus, Pole Star’s tracking and alerting capabilities provide simple, cost-efficient, and unmatched global coverage to the maritime industry. By integrating multiple regulated services into one system, Pole Star and Iridium streamline compliance, enhance cybersecurity and physical safety, and help future-proof vessel operations. The service is especially valuable for fleets operating in high-risk, remote, or polar regions, where other satellite systems often fail to deliver dependable connectivity.

Powered primarily through the Lars Thrane LT-4200S terminal, Pole Star’s Iridium Certus integrated solution will also be available in terminals from Cobham, Intellian and Thales. 

By integrating Iridium Certus into our global tracking and compliance framework, we’re delivering unprecedented flexibility and resilience to our customers operating in every ocean,” said Ross Martin, Managing Director of Shipping & Offshore, Polestar Global. “This is especially critical for operators in high-risk zones or bandwidth-challenged environments where traditional coverage falls short.”

Embedded into the fabric of global maritime trade, Pole Star Global plays an essential role in providing vessel tracking, monitoring, and safety solutions, especially through their Podium5 solution,” said Wouter Deknopper, Vice President and General Manager of Maritime, Iridium. “By integrating Iridium Certus, they are strengthening their maritime intelligence to further protect vessels, people, and investments.” 

ICEYE recently launched their newest imaging mode, Scan Wide—this latest addition to ICEYE’s suite of SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) imaging products offers customers the largest scene size available in its portfolio to date: with Scan Wide, customers can now image an area of 60,000 km² with a single scene.

Scan Wide also supports multi-frame tasking, enabling customers to capture 120,000 km² in a single acquisition. This large scene size is particularly useful for maritime applications such as dark vessel search and oil spill monitoring.

Scan Wide extends ICEYE’s uniquely differentiated imaging capabilities, enabled by its phased array imaging technology. ICEYE is the only New Space company providing a comprehensive range of imaging modes, from 25 cm resolution Dwell and Spot modes with a 5 km x 5 km footprint to the 27 m resolution Scan Wide mode with a 200 km x 300 km footprint, with multiple resolution and scene size combinations between these extremes.

With ICEYE’s rich product capabilities, customers can use Scan Wide to conduct large-area intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). For instance, Scan Wide can help analysts identify suspicious activity like illicit ship-to-ship transshipment or vessels that have disabled their Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) to mask illegal activity.

Once these threats are identified with Scan Wide, users can deploy ICEYE’s 25 cm and 50 cm modes such as Dwell Precise and Spot Fine to better characterize the activity. Beyond defense applications, the Scan Wide footprint and resolution are well-suited for applications such as oil spill detection and monitoring.

Scan Wide is supported on all satellites in the rapidly-growing ICEYE fleet. The combination of ICEYE’s proliferated constellation and diverse imaging modes is unequaled in the industry.

By adding Scan Wide to our imaging portfolio, we enable users to ‘zoom out’ to search wide areas, and then ‘zoom in’ for high-resolution collections of targets of interest, tipping and cueing all within the same, seamless user experience,” said John Cartwright, ICEYE’s SVP of Product for Data. “ICEYE is unique among operators of its class in this extraordinary flexibility. We will continue to take advantage of our satellite technology to innovate new products that help our customers answer questions faster and more reliably, providing a powerful information advantage.”

ICEYE owns and operates the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, delivering unlimited global access and the highest frequency revisits on the market. ICEYE SAR satellites provide 25 cm ground resolution, enabling accurate object detection and situational awareness in all weather and light conditions. To date, ICEYE has launched 54 SAR satellites into orbit for ICEYE’s and its customers’ use. The release of the Scan Wide product demonstrates ICEYE’s ongoing leadership in expanding the frontier of imaging capabilities for NewSpace missions.

KP Labs and Simera Sense have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during the 39th Annual Small Satellite Conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. The agreement formalizes a growing collaboration between the two companies, whose complementary technologies — optical payloads and onboard data processing — can support upcoming Earth observation and planetary exploration missions.

The MoU aims to establish a foundation for closer collaboration between Simera Sense and KP Labs, based on shared goals and complementary capabilities. This alignment opens the door to joint deployments where mission-ready components from both partners can be combined into compact, intelligent payloads with minimal integration overhead. By bringing together advanced optical sensing and in-orbit AI processing, both companies aim to accelerate the delivery of smarter small satellite missions.

The growing demand for real-time insights from space puts increasing pressure on downlink capacity and mission latency. By processing data directly in orbit, satellite operators can make faster decisions, reduce costs, and send back only the most valuable information. This combined solution is particularly relevant for applications such as environmental monitoring, agriculture, urban analytics, and planetary science — domains where both autonomy and data quality are essential.

A concrete example of this collaboration is the upcoming OPS-SAT VOLT mission led by Craft Prospect in partnership with ESA. For the first time, KP Labs and Simera Sense will fly together as an integrated payload.

Simera Sense will deliver the HyperScape100, a high-performance multispectral camera.

KP Labs will provide the Leopard Data Processing Unit (DPU) running AI-based algorithms directly onboard.

Craft Prospect are the pioneers behind the satellite mission, which will serve as a demonstrator for reconfigurable optical and processing systems on a CubeSat platform.

With the mission due for launch in mid 2026, OPS-SAT VOLT represents the first formal instance of the partnership in action, highlighting how both technologies can operate jointly to capture and process data autonomously in orbit. This collaboration also underscores a broader shift in how small satellite missions are being built, favoring modular, interoperable components that can be integrated efficiently without bespoke engineering.

KP Labs and Simera Sense are already working together on future mission concepts and are in discussions with partners looking to deploy intelligent optical payloads across various orbital platforms.

The integrated payload will be demonstrated at selected events in late 2025, highlighting how mission-ready sensors and onboard computing units can deliver meaningful results without ground intervention. This partnership is expected to serve as a foundation for future collaborations across both institutional and commercial missions.

This agreement marks a natural step in the evolution of our collaboration with Simera Sense,” said Michał Zachara, COO at KP Labs. “By combining proven, flight-ready technologies, we’re offering a shortcut to mission teams who want to deploy optical-AI solutions without building everything from scratch.”

Dr. Hina Khan, Head of Commercial at Craft Prospect, said, “Craft Prospect is pleased to see the development of the relationship between KP Labs and Simera Sense through the initial discussions on the OPS-SAT VOLT mission, which will demonstrate both partners capabilities for on board processing and optical observations on a small satellite platform. The mission launch, planned for mid-2026, will provide valuable flight heritage on the integrated payload and help develop further mission opportunities. We look forward to working with KP Labs and Simera Sense in the future.”

Simera Sense sees this collaboration with KP Labs as an essential step in enabling responsive EO missions with smaller satellites in the European landscape,” said Thys Cronje, CCO of Simera Sense. “For Simera Sense, providing our customers with a strategic advantage with near-real-time space-based intelligence is crucial.”

Dawn Aerospace has been selected by Infinite Orbits to develop a SatDrive propulsion system for their upcoming Orbit Guard #3 mission.  

Orbit Guard servicers developed by Infinite Orbits are GEO surveillance microsatellites. Equipped with the rendezvous solution patented by Infinite Orbits, these agile satellites are capable to perform space-based SSA, such as proximity inspection of GEO assets. This capacity allows Orbit Guard servicers to protect strategic assets in GEO orbit.

Orbit Guard #3, to be launched in 2027, will demonstrate these two capacities, thanks to a France 2030 project coordinated by French Space Agency, CNES.

Dawn’s continued development of ever more capable SatDrive’s has resulted in turnkey propulsion systems, capable of 6 degree of freedom maneuverability and electronics suited for the GEO environment. These qualities make our SatDrive an ideal fit for the technical demands of Orbit Guard #3.

The selection of our suppliers is key to the development of our services.” said Marion Andrieux, Chief Commercial Operator at Infinite Orbits. “To develop efficient, innovative, and competitive solutions, we needed to identify strong European partners who share the same NewSpace vision. We found that in our partnership with Dawn Aerospace, and we are glad to have them on board for this remarkable mission.”

We’ve had the privilege of collaborating with Infinite Orbits across several projects”, said Jeroen Wink, director and CRO at Dawn Aerospace. “Being selected to contribute our propulsion expertise to the Orbit Guard #3 mission is both an honor and a strong endorsement of our system capabilities.”

After the fourth delay due to weather, on Monday, August 11 at 8:35 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This is the second of a three launches contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite internet constellation. 24 small satellites are on board.

This was the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage landed on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX is targeting Monday, August 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 27-minute window opens at 8:35 a.m. ET.

This is the fourth delay due to weather of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch for Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites.

According to weather officials, there’s a 75% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule, Anvil Rules. The forecast calls for a temperature of 82°F, scattered clouds, 37% cloud cover and a wind speed of 10mph.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX set to launch Amazon’s mission Project Kuiper (KF-02) on Thursday from the Cape

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, August 7 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 27-minute window opens at 10:01 a.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Friday, August 8 with a 25-minute window that opens at 9:40 a.m. ET.

This is the second in three launches contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit 28 satellites internet constellation.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX’s ‘delivery’ of Amazon’s ProjectKuiper launch scrubbed and is now on Friday

SpaceX is now targeting Friday, August 8 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 25-minute window opens at 9:40 a.m. ET.

SpaceX officials just confirmed this morning’s mission was postponed “to perform additional vehicle checkouts.”

The countdown clock on SpaceX’s site stopped at 45 minutes, 29 seconds before liftoff.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX plans Amazon’s Kuiper mission on Thursday providing weather cooperates

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, August 7 for a Falcon 9 launch of the KF-02 mission to orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The 27-minute window opens at 10:01 a.m. ET. If needed, a backup launch opportunity is available on Friday, August 8 with a 25-minute window that opens at 9:40 a.m. ET.

This is the second of a three launches contract for Amazon’s Kuiper low Earth orbit satellite internet constellation. 24 small satellites are on board.

According to weather officials, there’s a 85% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials are monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Cumulus Cloud Rule. The forecast calls for a temperature of 83°F, overcast clouds, 99% cloud cover and a wind speed of 2mph.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app.

This will be the first flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission. After stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Astroscale Ltd. (“Astroscale UK”), the UK subsidiary of Astroscale Holdings Inc., has agreed to provide Xona Space Systems with next-generation docking plates for integration into Xona’s growing constellation of LEO satellites.

The collaboration supports two critical goals: building a resilient Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) infrastructure and keeping Earth’s orbit safe and sustainable.

Xona is developing Pulsar, the world’s most advanced PNT satellite infrastructure based in LEO. Pulsar operates alongside legacy systems like GPS, delivering stronger signals, centimeter-level precision, and built-in protection against interference like jamming and spoofing. As threats to global navigation escalate, a more resilient and secure PNT architecture has become essential for national security, critical infrastructure, and connected devices around the world.

PNT powers the systems that modern life depends on—from aircraft landings and emergency response to financial transactions and transportation systems, nearly every sector of the global economy relies on precise location and timing data.

However, legacy systems like GPS were designed for a different era. In both civilian and national security settings, the consequences of disruption are severe. Jamming, spoofing, cyberattacks, and rising tension in space have exposed the risks of relying on an aging and unprotected system. Resilient alternatives designed for dual-use and built for the next era are now a strategic necessity for governments and commercial technologies.

Astroscale will provide docking plates for Xona’s future Pulsar satellites as the company scales to launch its full constellation, allowing for future in-orbit servicing, upgrades, or safe deorbiting. This supports a more flexible and responsive satellite architecture and helps prevent space debris. These are both key parts of responsible space operations.

Resilient PNT is a national and economic priority,” said Giorgio Taylor, Director of Business Development, Xona UK & Europe. “Pulsar delivers stronger, faster, and more secure navigational intelligence designed for the threats we face today. Our work with Astroscale reinforces our belief that space infrastructure should evolve to continue meeting user needs, not remain frozen in time.”

With tens of thousands of satellites being launched in the coming years, we have to build the infrastructure in space with long-term stewardship in mind,” said Andrew Faiola, Commercial VP and Director, Astroscale UK. “Our docking plates make Xona’s satellites ready for the future, whether that means extending their life, removing them responsibly, or upgrading their capabilities. It is a great example export-led growth of the emerging ISAM industry from the UK.”