Archives for 2025

Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) has been selected by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DoT) for an award through its Complementary Positioning,Navigation, and Timing (CPNT) Action Plan Rapid Phase Award II to support a broad network deployment of Iridium® PNT services.

Iridium is working with T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) to launch live-site activations across the United States, which delivers state-of-the-art, 5G network complementary timing synchronization that further strengthens their network resilience and helps to ensure customers enjoy the most reliable experience possible.

As the U.S. government’s civil lead for PNT, the DoT CPNT Action Plan is designed to evaluate mature and commercially available CPNT technologies in order to strengthen PNT resilience and enhance the safety of critical infrastructure, like 5G networks. Through this contract, T-Mobile will expand its installation of Iridium PNT receivers to 90 additional live 5G network sites in geographically diverse locations.

Iridium PNT will help protect against GPS disruptions that cause downtime and compromise the data integrity and performance of 5G networks, which rely on coordinated, precise timing to deliver the necessary speed, capacity, and reliability of service to end-users.

T-Mobile will also perform nominal and adverse user equipment exercises at its testing range. The indoor location, which includes the necessary wireless infrastructure, provides an ideal setting for DOT, Iridium, and T-Mobile to observe and record results.

Capable of sub-100-nanosecond accuracy—better than a millionth of a second—and secured using cryptographic techniques, Iridium PNT signals are 1,000 times stronger than GNSS systems like GPS and work inside buildings with no need for an outdoor antenna. The service is delivered by Iridium’s LEO satellite constellation, which provides truly global weather-resilient L-band connectivity.

It is essential for the U.S. to strengthen the resilience of our 5G wireless networks and other critical infrastructure that relies on PNT,” said Dr. Michael O’Connor, executive vice president, PNT, Iridium. “Our partnership with an industry-leading company like T-Mobile underscores the proven performance of our solution and reinforces why it’s the gold standard for PNT services like timing synchronization.”

Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (‘KONGSBERG’) and Andøya Space have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in several domains of strategic importance to Norway and its allies.

The MoU outlines a joint ambition to identify, define and pursue business opportunities within the space domain, drone segment and C4ISR. Given the investments already made within the space domain from both parties, the MoU highlights a near-term focus on building cooperation within the space sector, including satellite launch, system integration, testing, operations, and long-term infrastructure development.

By building on complementary strengths, KONGSBERG and Andøya Space aim to develop and further strengthen solutions that serve both Norwegian and allied needs in the years to come.

Norway already has the foundation for a nationally controlled and secure space value chain. Through this MoU with Andøya Space, we aim to further strengthen and operationalize that value chain by combining our experience in satellite production and system integration with Andøya’s unique launch capabilities,” said Øyvind Kolset, Executive Vice President, Missiles and Space, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. “This agreement supports both national and allied needs for secure access to space and enhanced responsiveness.”

It is only through close collaboration between authorities and national and international businesses that Norway will succeed with its investments in space. Norway has built a solid space value chain over many years, and this MoU with KONGSBERG will help strengthen Norway’s position as a leading actor in the space segment,” said Ketil Olsen, CEO of Andøya Space, adding: “We already have a world-class technology test range at Andøya, and we look forward to further developing this capability to ensure it remains relevant for emerging technologies and the needs of our allies.”

Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) has announced the launch window for its next mission for multi-launch customer, Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company—this mission will be Electron’s 74th launch to date and 16th mission this year.

The upcoming dedicated launch, named ‘The Nation God Navigates,” is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on November 5, 2025 UTC.

The mission will deploy QPS-SAR-14, nicknamed YACHIHOKO-I for the Japanese god of nation-building, to a 575 km circular Earth orbit. This satellite will join the rest of the QPS-SAR constellation in providing high resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images and Earth monitoring services globally. iQPS aims to build a constellation of 36 SAR satellites that will provide near-real-time images of Earth every 10 minutes.

‘The Nation God Navigates’ will be the sixth mission deployed on Electron for iQPS, following previous successful missions ‘The Moon God Awakens’ in December 2023 as well as ‘The Lightning God Reigns’, ‘The Sea God Sees’, ‘The Mountain God Guards’ and ‘The Harvest Goddess Thrives’ in 2025. Beyond this mission, six more dedicated iQPS missions are set to launch on Electron in 2026 and beyond, making Rocket Lab the go-to provider for their constellation.

‘The Nation God Navigates’ launch window opens:

• 2:45 pm Eastern, November 5
• 11:45 am Pacific, November 5
• 19:45 UTC, November 5
• 4:45 am JST, November 6
• 8:45 am NZT, November 6

Rocket Lab is a leader in responsive launch and precise orbital access for a range of small satellite operators globally. The world’s most frequently launched commercial small-lift rocket, Electron continues to demonstrate its reliability amid a busy launch cadence, achieving 100% mission success on all missions this year – with more launches scheduled from now through the end of 2025.

 INNOSPACE (KS:462350), a South Korean satellite launch service company, announced that it has become the first private company to obtain a commercial launch authorization from the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA)—with this authorization, INNOSPACE has completed all approval procedures for the maiden launch of ‘HANBIT-Nano’ and has officially commenced preparations for the launch.

The company has finalized the launch window for the ‘SPACEWARD’ mission with HANBIT-Nano, scheduled between October 28 and November 28 (Brazil time). Based on launch operation procedures, mission stability, and coordination of integrated operation schedules with the Brazilian Air Force, the original launch window—October 28 to November 7—has been extended to November 28.

This extension was confirmed through a public call process hosted by the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB) and the Brazilian Air Force and reflects their active support in ensuring optimal conditions and a stable launch. The mission holds significant symbolic value as the first commercial launch by a private company from Brazil’s space launch site.

The exact launch date and time during this period will be finalized in coordination with the Brazilian Air Force, after comprehensive consideration of weather conditions, technical verifications, and overall launch operations status. The launch will take place at the Alcântara Space Center (CEA), operated by the Brazilian Air Force, from INNOSPACE’s proprietary launch platform.

The HANBIT-Nano ‘SPACEWARD’ mission marks the company’s first commercial launch, going beyond demonstration launch to carry customer satellites and payloads into low Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of 300 km. Under contracts signed with five customers from Brazil, India, and South Korea, INNOSPACE will deliver a total of eight registered payloads—including small satellites and non-separating experimental payloads—along with one symbolic branding item as a non-registered payload.

Among the registered payloads are five small satellites for practical purposes such as climate and environmental data collection, technology development, and education, as well as three non-separating experimental payloads for technology verification and data acquisition in space. In addition, through a collaboration with South Korean beverage company BREWGURU, INNOSPACE will carry a branding model item to space, symbolizing the pioneering spirit of the new space era.

Above all, for the first commercial launch of HANBIT-Nano, a government delegation from the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) will visit the launch site to strengthen space cooperation between Korea and Brazil, review the launch safety management system, and provide support for a stable and successful mission. This visit is expected to serve as an important milestone in expanding international collaboration and building greater global trust in the future.

The mission’s name ‘SPACEWARD,’ conveys the spirit of “Let’s Space Forward,” symbolizing INNOSPACE’s first step toward space with its independently developed two-stage launch vehicle, HANBIT-Nano, carrying customer satellites into orbit.

This authorization demonstrates that HANBIT-Nano has met all requirements for safety, mission capability, environmental and security standards, officially recognizing its technical and legal reliability as the first commercial launch vehicle approved for launch by a South Korean private company,” said Soojong Kim, founder and CEO of INNOSPACE. “As the SPACEWARD mission is not merely a flight test but a historic milestone announcing our entry into the commercial space transportation market, our entire team is committed to ensuring a stable and successful launch.

“From the development of our first commercial launch vehicle, HANBIT-Nano, to obtaining this launch authorization, these achievements have only been possible through the active cooperation and support of key institutions such as the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), Goheung County, local fire and police authorities, and all relevant organizations. INNOSPACE will continue to work closely with our partners to ensure rigorous safety management and responsible operations throughout the development, preparation, and launch phases of future missions as we advance toward becoming a trusted provider of launch services,” he added.

HANBIT-Nano·SPACEWARD Mission: Customer Status

About INNOSPACE
INNOSPACE is a South Korean space platform provider specializing in satellite launcher manufacturing and orbital launch services. Founded in 2017, the company is developing hybrid rocket-powered small satellite launchers (HANBIT) to provide low-latency, low-cost, and reliable launch services in today’s rapidly expanding small satellite market. In March 2023, INNOSPACE successfully launched its test launch vehicle ‘HANBIT-TLV’ to verify the flight performance of the first stage 150 kN thrust hybrid rocket engine from the Alcantara Space Center in Brazil. INNOSPACE has offices in South Korea, Brazil and France and is expanding global business opportunities in the space industry.

Sateliot will test a pioneering system that allows its satellites to connect with IoT devices without relying on satellite navigation systems (GNSS) such as GPS.

This breakthrough opens new opportunities in sectors such as Defense and Security, where Europe’s technological autonomy and operation in “GNSS-denied” environments are strategic priorities.

LEO satellite constellations, such as the one developed by Sateliot, provide coverage in areas beyond the reach of terrestrial networks -over half of the planet’s surface. However, until now, they depended on GNSS, increasing both the energy consumption of devices and terminal costs.

The FreeGNSSNetwork project, signed with ESA and led jointly with GMV, eliminates this dependency using advanced algorithms that enable devices to calculate their position directly from the satellites’ signals. This maintains a stable and accurate connection even under complex conditions such as wartime scenarios.

According to the company, this project represents a paradigm shift and lays the groundwork for developing 6G technology, in which Sateliot actively contributes within the 3GPP framework. FreeGNSSNetwork enables device positioning with an accuracy of approximately 10 meters and provides extremely precise time synchronization services of 50 nanoseconds, the equivalent of 0.00000005 seconds.

The system is currently being tested in laboratories that replicate real satellite communication conditions and will be demonstrated in orbit with prototype satellites and terminals, sending Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) data directly to IoT devices.

According to Jaume Sanpera, co-founder and CEO of Sateliot, “this project positions Spain as a benchmark in satellite innovation and connects the European industry to new IoT and 5G service markets. With this research, Europe gains coverage and connectivity where there was none before, and Spain demonstrates its ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions. It is a dual-use technology, for both civil and defense applications, that enables greater autonomy, resilience, and energy efficiency.”

At a time when terrestrial and space connectivity are converging, UNIVITY, an operator of space-based connectivity services, and Telespazio France, a European leader in satellite operations and services, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Their objective is to combine their strengths to build a universal and accessible space connectivity offer, from the ground to space. Through this strategic partnership, the two companies bring together space innovation and operational expertise to accelerate the deployment of high-speed internet access, anywhere in the world.

As part of this agreement, Telespazio France will participate in UNIVITY’s test campaigns to evaluate and demonstrate the performance of its solution to civil and defense customers. The ambition is to ultimately integrate UNIVITY’s technology into Telespazio’s service catalog, providing a comprehensive connectivity offer combining ground infrastructures and a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) constellation.

The global coverage provided by UNIVITY’s future constellation and Telespazio Group’s international presence will make it possible to offer an integrated solution meeting the growing demand for high-speed connectivity in regions that remain underserved today.

UNIVITY stands out for a business model that places telecom operators at the heart of the value chain and a unique technological combination designed to reconcile performance, integration simplicity, and cost efficiency.

At its core lies a telecommunications architecture based on telecom operators’ 5G spectrum, designed to work in synergy with a Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) deployment (<375 km), enabling internet services that cover use cases from high-throughput to Direct-to-Cell (D2C).

This approach paves the way for high-performance, affordable, and sustainable connectivity, including in rural, remote, or crisis-affected areas, complementing existing fiber or cellular networks.

UNIVITY will benefit from Telespazio’s strategic locations and recognized operational expertise, in particular through its worldwide network of teleports. This synergy represents a major asset for UNIVITY, enabling the company to accelerate its deployment and provide solutions that are reliable, cost-effective, and easy to integrate into existing telecom operators’ infrastructures worldwide, as well as for governmental and public services.

The two partners are also considering joint initiatives in other space-related markets addressed by Telespazio France, such as satellite-based population alert systems or space surveillance. This opportunity is based on the possibility of embarking secondary payloads during the deployment of the UNIVITY constellation—secondary missions that would enhance the value of the constellation and help meet the growing needs for security, resilience, and digital sovereignty.

According to Charles Delfieux, President and Founder of UNIVITY, “This agreement marks a strategic milestone for UNIVITY and confirms our ambition: to build a hybrid connectivity model combining the strengths of terrestrial and space networks. Together with Telespazio France, we are asserting a global vision of connectivity, universal and competitive.”

Corinne Mailles, Deputy CEO of Telespazio France, said, “This partnership with UNIVITY is fully aligned with Telespazio France’s ambition to support the NewSpace ecosystem through our ‘Operations as a Service’ model. As a trusted operator for French and European institutions and a meta-operator facilitating Defense access to NewSpace, we are proud to contribute to the emergence of a new European space connectivity offer.”

Southern Launch and Varda Space Industries have signed a landmark agreement to facilitate 20 additional spacecraft returns at the Koonibba Test Range through to 2028, cementing South Australia’s position as a global hub for orbital re-entry operations.

The new contract builds on the success of the W-Series missions, including the historic W-2 mission, which marked the world’s first commercial spacecraft landing to a commercial spaceport in February 2025. The W-3 mission landing at the Koonibba Test Range just 10 weeks later demonstrates Southern Launch’s capacity to support high-cadence orbital returns.

The 20 new missions will see Varda’s in-space manufacturing capsules return to Earth with payloads that have made novel pharmaceuticals in orbit or conducted experiments in microgravity. The capsules re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere at Mach 25 and land under parachute in the Koonibba Test Range, which Southern Launch operates in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.

Varda and Southern Launch are the two key commercial entities leading the global emerging orbital economy. Together, the two companies have formed a valuable partnership that serves as a shining example of new space companies collaborating to bring home products made in space, benefiting people on Earth.

This new agreement between the companies will cement Australia’s role as the leader in commercial space launch and returns, and secure landing space for Varda’s future missions, which are planned to increase to a near-monthly cadence by the end of 2028.

Southern Launch and Varda will continue to collaborate on the W-Series missions, with the W-4 and W-5 missions scheduled to re-enter at the Koonibba Test Range by the end of this year.

Southern Launch CEO, Lloyd Damp, said the agreement reflects the growing demand for reliable re-entry infrastructure as the global in-space manufacturing economy becomes standard practice and grows. “This contract is a vote of confidence in our team and our facilities. With each successful mission, we’re proving that the Koonibba Test Range is the best place on Earth to bring space technology home Routine re-entries are no longer a dream; they are happening now, and we are proud to lead the way alongside Varda.”

Varda Chief Revenue Officer, Eric Lasker, said, “Products improved through production off Earth are within reach. Our partnership with Southern Launch is the lynchpin to realizing this new economy, and Varda’s increasing cadence is only possible due to the exceptional quality of work consistently delivered by the Southern Launch team. With this new contract we are thrilled to take another step towards the future.”

Premier and Minister for Defence and Space Industries, Peter Malinauskas, said the announcement represented a huge step forward for the state’s space ecosystem. “To establish South Australia as the first commercial spaceport to accept commercial returns speaks volumes to our reputation as a global leader in this field. Southern Launch securing these additional missions with Varda to enable their commercial space return operations reinforces our state’s position as a trusted, strategic location for this capability.”

Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Joe Szakacs, said the South Australian Government would continue to work closely with industry to unlock further opportunities. “South Australia is one of the few places in the world that can offer land-based returns like this in a comparably safe environment. Our government will continue to work collaboratively with the sector to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.”

Tusass, Greenland’s national provider of telecommunications services, has signed a strategic. multi-year agreement to bring Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO connectivity to Greenland—this expanded partnership will enable the delivery of secure and resilient communications across the country’s vast and remote territory.

Tusass will leverage Eutelsat’s OneWeb network to address a wide range of connectivity needs, from community broadband access to mission-critical infrastructure, including maritime, mobility, and emergency services. The deployment supports Tusass in delivering on its strategic objectives for digital inclusion, infrastructure integration, and sovereign capacity across Greenland.

Eutelsat’s OneWeb satellites operate in a polar orbit, enabling seamless high-latitude coverage and ensuring low latency, high-speed connectivity in Arctic conditions. This capability is especially critical for Greenland, where many areas lack access to terrestrial infrastructure. OneWeb’s proven resilience in challenging environments such as Northern Canada further underscores its reliability across similarly remote Arctic regions.

As resilience and sovereignty become top priorities for Arctic and European nations, this partnership reinforces Eutelsat’s role as a trusted enabler of secure, sovereign-grade connectivity solutions.

Cyril Dujardin, President of the Connectivity Business Unit at Eutelsat, said, “Critical infrastructure has become a key focus area across Europe, and we are delighted to continue our work with Tusass to support its efforts in connecting remote communities, backbone infrastructure, and enabling essential services such as rescue operations and maritime security and safety. Our expanded partnership highlights the growing relevance of LEO for both resiliency and redundancy, and for meeting the evolving sovereign and commercial connectivity needs of remote regions. As Arctic nations seek to reinforce their infrastructure Eutelsat delivers a unique capability to connect communities and critical systems, wherever they are.”

Toke Binzer, Tusass Chief Executive Officer, said, “Greenland presents one of the world’s most complex connectivity challenges. By partnering with Eutelsat and its OneWeb LEO solution, we are strengthening our ability to meet the needs of our people and institutions— from everyday internet access to robust national communications infrastructure. This agreement reflects our commitment to resilient, future-proof connectivity that serves all society.”

Communication to and from space certainly rides at the top of nearly everyone’s ‘to do’ lists these days and Kiyohara Optics, ArkEdge Space, NICT and SoftBank Corporation have agreed to collaborate on the advancement to create demos of optical wireless comms between space and the stratosphere as well space and the ground.

The first demo is targeting a LEO launch in 2026 that will, hopefully, verify the viability of comms between space and the ground. Then, in 2027, optical wireless devices will be installed on a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) to verify the ability to send bidirectional optical wireless comms between space and the stratosphere that will witness the LEO spacecraft orbiting the Earth at high speed and covering a distance of as much as 2,000 kilometers… quite ambitious and a tech project that is undeniably demanding for those involved.

With optical wireless communication, frequency allocation and licenses for wireless comms are no longer needed. Ultra-narrow, highly direction beams are required by this tech and the challenge will be to establish and well as maintain stable communication.

Softbank’s Advanced Technology Research Institute has authored a blog article that delves into optical wireless comms in non-terrestrial networks (NTN).

OQ Technology has joined the membership in the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA), an industry effort to progress the development of direct-to-device (D2D) IoT and other advanced Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) connectivity.

MSSA, which was launched in February of 2024, seeks to develop a global ecosystem using  L- and S-band spectrum, which is already allocated and licensed for mobile satellite services (MSS). This spectrum is well-suited for integration into a broad range of mobile devices.

OQ Technology holds 60 MHz of priority MSS S-band and, by being part of the organization, will leverage the active and collaborative conversation with the members for the better use of NTN and D2D over LEO and GEO satellites in the MSS S-band. Through the coordinated deployment of technical standards and enhancement of regulatory frameworks, the MSSA drives new initiatives to foster support for MSS-based services leveraging the 3GPP mobile standards.  

The Association’s members, along with other ecosystem players, support integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial to deliver scalable, sustainable, and affordable connectivity to any device, anytime, anywhere. Advanced NTN services can expand connectivity and enable competition across multiple large and diverse segments, including cellular, industrial, government, agriculture, automotive, and others.  

For more information on the formation and mission of MSSA, visit the Association’s website.