Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has been selected by Airbus Constellation Satellites to provide high efficiency, space grade solar panels for 100 OneWeb Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites for Eutelsat Group—OneWeb satellites are designed to provide high-speed, low-latency global internet access to remote and underserved areas.

Rocket Lab will provide 200 solar panels, inclusive of carbon composite panel substrates, solar cells, and photovoltaic assemblies. These panels will be manufactured at Rocket Lab’s 150,000 square-foot space solar production facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rocket Lab’s panels will provide the large LEO constellation with approximately 80 kW of power, enough to power 16 Hubble-sized space telescopes. Rocket Lab’s panels will provide the large LEO constellation with approximately 80 kW of power, enough to power 16 Hubble-sized space telescopes.

Brad Clevenger, Vice President of Space Systems at Rocket Lab, said, “We’re thrilled to extend our partnership with Airbus by providing our world-leading space solar panels to power Eutelsat’s next-gen OneWeb constellation. This collaboration will see 100 more satellites equipped with Rocket Lab technology, ensuring dependable, cutting-edge solutions that advance global connectivity.”

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Dawn Aerospace has signed a new partnership with Reditus Space Inc, marking it Dawn’s first venture supporting on-orbit manufacturing applications in space.

Reditus Space is a company focused on developing reusable satellites for zero-gravity manufacturing, particularly in materials, pharmaceutical and biologics, to leverage the unique manufacturing opportunities that microgravity environments offer. The company aims to unlock a unique manufacturing environment with sustained access to and from space through a reusable re-entry capsule. Reditus, like Dawn, employs a modular approach, allowing for responsive and flexible solutions for their customers and values reusability, the key to a sustained space economy.

Reditus is preparing for its first full-scale re-entry mission, named ENOS, scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket in a launch window opening in March of 2026. This mission will host a pharmaceutical research and development payload, with plans to fully re-enter and recover the satellite. Dawn Aerospace will be providing its signature SatDrive systems, with five already on-orbit across three customers. Dawn plans to work closely with Reditus to explore reusability of the SatDrive propulsion system.

The collaboration highlights the growing intersection of space technology and terrestrial industry, with sustainability and reusable spacecraft hardware becoming critical factors in reducing the costs and footprint of commercial space operations.

ORBCOMM has produced a major upgrade to the company’s OGx satellite IoT service that enables larger and faster messages more cost-effectively, empowering solution providers to offer innovative satellite IoT applications that were previously cost-prohibitive.

OGx can now support messages as large as 16 kb at speeds up to four times faster than ORBCOMM’s previous IDP satellite service. OGx’s ability to transmit larger files—such as images, over-the-air updates, data logs and more—without having to split them into smaller pieces drastically simplifies data transfers. This can eliminate the need for manual device updates, conserve device power and enhance overall business operations for solutions leveraging the OGx service.

OGx’s flexible, service-based pricing, combined with the new capabilities, enables a wide range of new IoT applications. Using OGx, new solutions can now be deployed at price points significantly lower than those of other satellite IoT services on the market. This helps ORBCOMM’s partners expand the IoT applications they can build in both existing and new markets, providing opportunities for growth.

Launched last year, OGx features an innovative network design and patented technology that can significantly reduce IoT device power consumption.

“With these enhancements, OGx delivers the messaging capabilities that solution providers need to build new and better solutions for their customers across agriculture, transportation, maritime, oil and gas, heavy equipment, mining and more,” said Dave Roscoe, ORBCOMM’s President of Satellite IoT. “Sending larger messages faster unlocks IoT applications that were previously unfeasible due to cost, enabling solution providers to tackle industry challenges, increase revenue and exceed customer expectations. We will continue to set the industry standard in satellite IoT innovation by strengthening our OGx offering to meet the evolving needs of our customers. These latest enhancements are part of a series of additional features and functionalities that will be rolled out in the future.“

Zeus Agrotech, a smart agriculture IoT provider and ORBCOMM partner based in Brazil, currently deploys solutions with ORBCOMM technology and will be using OGx for its enhanced messaging functionalities, according to Zeus CTO Christian Machado. “With richer field data in their hands faster, our customers can make even more informed decisions to improve crop yield and reduce resource waste,” said Machado. “We’re excited to see our customers improve operations and grow their businesses with OGx’s increased messaging capabilities.

Xona Space Systems (Xona) collaboration with Trimble® (Nasdaq: TRMB) is in pursuit of Trimble correction services integration with Xona’s PULSAR, high-performance, navigation service.

Initial satellite launches are expected in late 2026, with service starting in 2027 through the PULSAR satellite network, enabling secure, high-precision positioning for applications ranging from geospatial to low-power mass mobile and IoT.

In support of this new and developing collaboration, Xona has received an investment from Trimble Ventures. Xona PULSAR, powered by Xona’s planned network of small satellites in LEO, is being developed to deliver powerful and secure high-precision positioning and navigation services directly to current GNSS hardware.

The PULSAR service, which will include high precision correction services through this collaboration, has the potential to provide scalable, cost-effective solutions for industries with demanding positioning and navigation requirements, such as civil construction, surveying and mapping, and automotive and IoT applications. Xona’s signals are also expected to enable operations inside low-rise buildings, as well as improve resistance to jamming and interference compared to current GNSS capabilities.

Precision positioning solutions from LEO constellations are intended to provide new enhanced capabilities along with high levels of uptime to meet the rapidly evolving needs of industries around the world. The inclusion of Trimble correction services with Xona PULSAR is expected to enhance the reliability of Trimble1 correction services delivery, which is crucial for users in areas without reliable cell coverage, limited sky visibility environments, including high-latitude regions and other challenging geographies.

About Xona
Xona is a provider of navigation solutions aimed at enabling modern technologies to operate safely and eciently in any environment, anywhere on Earth. Xona PULSAR delivers the security and precision needed for autonomous operations from a network of cutting-edge small satellites, to form the backbone of the next generation of navigation technologies.

About Trimble
Trimble is transforming the ways people move, build and live. Core technologies in positioning, modeling and data analytics connect the digital and physical worlds to improve our customers’ productivity, quality, safety, transparency and sustainability.

Kacific Broadband Satellites Group (Kacific) and PAKSAT are partnering to expand high-speed, affordable satellite internet across Pakistan, where over 54% of the population lacks reliable broadband.

Leveraging 11 Ka-band spot beams on the Paksat MM1 satellite, this partnership will bridge the digital divide and support the country’s growing connectivity needs. With high-throughput capacity for over 20,000 sites, the collaboration will provide essential broadband access for communities, businesses, government agencies, ISPs, and telcos, enabling mobile backhaul and backup connectivity in remote regions.

Pakistan’s broadband demand is increasing with every passing year, yet over 131.8 million people remain offline. Fiber penetration is extremely low, with fiber-to-the-home access under 5%. Only 15% of the country’s 55,000 cell towers are fibre-connected, compared to the 40% international benchmark. Kacific’s high-speed satellite service will significantly enhance Pakistan’s mobile backhaul capabilities, bypassing infrastructure limitations at a fraction of fibre’s cost.

Launched in May 2024, Paksat-MM1 delivers 99% availability with seamless nationwide coverage. Gateway beams over Lahore, Karachi, and Islamabad provide real-time monitored connectivity, backed by 24/7 support from Kacific’s Singapore Operations Center.

Following the launch of Paksat-MM1, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called it a “momentous occasion,” highlighting its role in revolutionizing Pakistan’s digital landscape. Minister of State for IT & Telecom, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to digital inclusion, emphasizing the satellite’s potential to enhance connectivity, especially in remote areas.

Kacific is working directly with strategic partners to ensure reliable, cost-effective connectivity: The company is introducing their Gigstarter plans that offer unlimited data and easy, low-cost installation for both residential and business users. Kacific will offer three plans for the consumer market: an entry-level 30/20 Mbps plan and two with higher speeds and bigger priority data quotas: 60/20 and 100/20 Mbps. These plans are billed per site monthly, providing cost-effective solutions for diverse connectivity needs. Kacific will sell the services in Pakistan via Operators registered with the regulatory bodies. In addition, Kacific intends to train and certify hundreds of Kacific Authorized Distributors to install, resell, and maintain sites across Pakistan, fostering community engagement and economic growth.

Paksat International (Pvt) Limited (PAKSAT): The private limited company markets the satellite capacity of National Communication Satellites, including PakSat-MM1, a high-power multi-mission satellite which provides communication services in Ka-, Ku-, C- and other bands.

SUPARCO (Pakistan’s Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission): Pakistan’s national space agency, ensuring seamless satellite operations.

Complementing our strategic partners, Kacific brings a proven, scalable broadband model, delivering high-speed connectivity across 25 countries. With experience in large-scale VSAT deployment, rural network infrastructure, and disaster response, Kacific has connected over 500,000 users. Kacific also provides end-to-end support, from satellite payload operations to network management, ensuring seamless and affordable broadband expansion in Pakistan.

About Kacific
Founded in 2013, Kacific Broadband Satellites Group is a next-generation satellite operator providing access to affordable, reliable, high-speed broadband services across Asia and the Pacific. Kacific uses advanced Ka-band space and ground communications technologies to provide innovative services to governments, businesses, and communities. Today, as one of the largest Ka-band satellite operators in Asia-Pacific, Kacific fosters greater internet usage, fuels economic growth, supports disaster management and control, and improves the delivery of other critical services. Kacific1, which was launched back in 2019, connects underserved areas in 25 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Kacific is an award-winning company, recognized with many awards, including the Gold Stevie® Award for Excellence in Innovation in Technology Industries (Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, 2024), Connecting the Unconnected (Global Telecoms Awards 2022), Outstanding Satellite Company (PCT Awards, 2022 and 2024). Kacific is headquartered in Singapore and employs over 100 staff globally.

About PAKSAT
PAKSAT International (Pvt) Limited was established in 2004 to market the satellite capacity of National Communication Satellites. PAKSAT offers commercial satellite capacity and managed services via its high-power satellites, Paksat-1R and Paksat-MM1, located at 38° & 38.2° East. These satellites support a range of services across C, Ku, Ka, and L bands, catering to customers in South Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Central Asia. PAKSAT has grown rapidly since its foundation, with significant milestones, including the launch of PAKSAT-1R in 2011, followed by the advanced PAKSAT-MM1 in May 2024. PAKSAT-MM1 marks a major step in satellite technology, further expanding broadcasting capabilities by distributing over 120 TV channels. PAKSAT’s innovative approach in the digital era supports the vision of Digital Pakistan, bridging the gap between urban and rural areas through reliable satellite links. With a focus on long-term partnerships, PAKSAT delivers tailored, cost-effective solutions that add real value, making it a trusted partner for TV broadcasters, cellular operators, internet service providers, and government organizations across four continents. Its commitment to excellence and continuous innovation remains at the heart of its success in the evolving communications landscape.

Norway’s new national satellite, NorSat-4, built by Space Flight Laboratory, was launched on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 8:09 PM Norwegian time.

During the night leading into Wednesday, the control room established contact with the satellite, and everything looks good.

The launch was carried out by SpaceX using a Falcon-9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Transport-12 mission carried several small satellites of varying sizes into space.

NorSat-4, like the other national satellites NorSat-1, NorSat-2, and NorSat-3, will primarily monitor maritime traffic from orbit.

This maritime monitoring microsatellite is the seventh spacecraft developed for the Norwegian Space Agency (NOSA) by SFL and carries a fifth-generation AIS ship tracking receiver developed by Kongsberg Seatex and a first-of-its-kind low-light imaging camera.

In addition, NorSat-4 carries two other payloads onboard: a low-light camera and an encryption solution. Both are new technologies to be demonstrated in space.

The main payload on NorSat-4 is a receiver that captures signals from the Automatic Identification System (AIS), a collision-avoidance system that all ships over 300 gross tons are required to have onboard.

AIS signals provide information on a ship’s position, speed, direction, and identification. Satellites use these signals to ensure safe maritime traffic, detect illegal fishing, smuggling, and other criminal activities, monitor borders, secure maritime areas, and more.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration owns and operates the AIS system for Norway and shares this information with other users, including the Armed Forces, other government agencies, private companies, and organizations.

The AIS receiver on NorSat-4 is manufactured by Kongsberg Discovery and is the same type as those on the other national satellites, NorSat-1, -2, and -3.

In addition, NorSat-4 carries two payloads with new technology to be demonstrated in space.

One payload is a camera designed for maritime surveillance. It is capable of detecting ships longer than 30 meters, even during periods of darkness or under poor lighting conditions. This low-light camera was designed and is owned by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) and was developed and built by the French company, Safran Reosc.

The other payload encrypts all communication with the satellite, including telemetry, commands, and onboard-generated data. This encryption payload was commissioned by FFI and built by the Norwegian company EIDEL.

NorSat-4 will operate in a polar SSO at an altitude of 590 kilometers. The new Norwegian satellite will be controlled from the control room at Statsat in Skøyen, Oslo. The satellite will undergo commissioning for a few weeks.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration financed the construction of NorSat-4 and owns the AIS receiver onboard. FFI (Norwegian Defence Research Establishment) owns the two technology demonstration payloads onboard. The Norwegian Space Agency led the development of NorSat-4, which began in 2019.

Article authored by Berit Ellingsen

Amphinicy Technologies and Turion Space have selected the Blink software modem for ground communications for DROID satellites.

As Turion prepares for the launch of DROID.002, Blink will play a crucial role in ensuring seamless data reception from space. Real-time insights and reliable downlink performance gives Turion confidence that its mission data will be captured with precision from day one.

Malfunctioning satellites and other space debris pose major risks to both current and future space missions. Turion Space is committed to enhancing space situational awareness by developing a fleet of autonomous DROID satellites. These spacecrafts are designed for essential in-space servicing functions, including space domain awareness, space debris removal, and on-orbit inspections and repairs.

On the ground side of the DROID constellation, Turion is using the AWS virtualized ground segment—including the Blink software modem—for reliable, efficient and convenient satellite payload data reception. In the DROID satellites mission, Blink is deployed in the AWS cloud to manage on-demand, high-speed, X-band downlink communication. Blink demodulates the signal, decodes the data, and generates advanced signal processing reports.

Blink is a product by Amphinicy Technologies, a provider of advanced software solutions and products for the satellite industry. Amphinicy developed Blink to empower satellite operators and ground station service providers to optimize their operations, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs.

In addition to AWS, Blink can be deployed on other public clouds or private clouds or run efficiently on standard servers, seamlessly integrating with existing ground stations. It is the only software modem capable of fully supporting Ka-band communication, in addition to S- and X-band, and is also suitable for TT&C communications.

Blink will be present at SATELLITE 2025 in Washington DC at booth #2737.

About Turion Space
Turion Space builds and operates critical space infrastructure, unlocking the full potential of space by integrating hardware (DROID satellites) with advanced software architecture (STARFIRE OSTM).

About Amphinicy Technologies
Amphinicy Technologies designs innovative ground segment software solutions that optimize satellite operations and maximize their functionality. With 25 years of experience and offices in Zagreb (Croatia) and Luxembourg, the company has built a solid portfolio of solutions, among which are its flagship products, Monica—a monitoring and control solution—and Blink, an advanced satellite software modem.

WISeKey International Holding (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN) with its subsidiaries WISeSat.Space and SEALSQ Corp. (NASDAQ: LAES) (“SEALSQ”) has added several key space experts to the company’s team—this expansion will further strengthen the company’s capabilities in space operations and regulatory compliance, and enhancing its collaboration with the Swiss Armed Forces.

New team members include…

• Edward Burger, Space Regulatory Operations Specialist. Mr. Burger brings extensive experience in navigating the complex landscape of telecommunications law and regulation for space operations, ensuring projects comply with national and international requirements.
• Yiorgos Lemos, Space Operations Specialist. Mr. Lemos’ knowledge in operational processes and satellite technology will enhance WISeKey’s operational efficiency and effectiveness in mission execution.
• Eric Bottlaender, Space Technology Monitoring Specialist. Mr. Bottlaender will focus on monitoring emerging technologies and trends in the space sector, enabling WISeKey to remain at the forefront of innovation.
• Philip Haemelink, Space Project Manager & Software Engineer. Mr. Haemelink brings valuable experience from the space sector and will oversee project coordination between WiseSat and clients while leading software integration efforts.
• Vlad Dancau, Space Software Engineer. Mr. Dancau brings deep expertise in applied cryptography, network security, and telecommunications, empowering WISeKey to advance secure satellite communications.

“We are thrilled to have these talented professionals join our team,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO and Founder at WISeKey. “Their expertise will not only enhance our capabilities but also strengthen our partnership with the Swiss Armed Forces as we work towards innovative solutions in the space industry. With the addition of this expert team, WISeKEY is poised to take on new challenges and opportunities in collaboration with the firm’s esteemed partners.”

Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) recently unveiled a contract award for Intellian to design and manufacture Ka-band flat panel User Terminals for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation.

Under this agreement, fully optimized Ka-band LEO flat panels for the Telesat Lightspeed network are being designed and manufactured to deliver high-speed throughput for markets including fixed enterprise applications, wireless backhaul, government, land mobility and maritime connectivity.

Intellian is trusted by customers worldwide, recognized for its exceptional reliability and quality. Their technical innovation and proprietary advancements in Active Electronically Scanning Arrays (AESA) flat panel User Terminals has driven the expansion of Intellian’s portfolio, now featuring the latest groundbreaking Ka-band AESA technology.

Telesat Lightspeed customers will benefit from Intellian’s fully integrated approach to satellite connectivity User Terminal manufacturing. Produced in their state-of-the-art campus, these small form factor flat panels leverage specialized manufacturing techniques to deliver exceptional performance with minimal weight and power consumption.

About Telesat
Backed by a legacy of engineering excellence, reliability and industry-leading customer service, Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) is one of the largest and most innovative global satellite operators. Telesat works collaboratively with its customers to deliver critical connectivity solutions that tackle the world’s most complex communications challenges, providing powerful advantages that improve their operations and drive profitable growth. Telesat Lightspeed, the company’s state-of-the-art, Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, has been optimized to meet the rigorous requirements of telecom, government, maritime and aeronautical customers. Telesat Lightspeed will redefine global satellite connectivity with ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity, secure and resilient links with fiber-like speeds.

About Intellian Technologies, Inc
Intellian is driven by a passion for innovation and an agile responsiveness to customer needs. As the crucial link between satellite networks and millions of people on Earth, Intellian’s leading technology and antennas empower global connectivity across oceans and continents, organizations and communities. Strategic thinking, an obsession with quality and a proven ability to deliver enables Intellian to invent for the future, creating mutual success for partners and customers as the world’s connectivity needs evolve.

Intellian Technologies Inc. is listed on the Korean Stock Exchange, KOSDAQ (189300:KS).