News

IEC Telecom will showcase its cutting-edge maritime connectivity solutions at Metstrade 2024, highlighting the transformative impact that LEO services, such as Starlink will have on the sector.

Maritime communication has been transformed, with Starlink disrupting traditional connectivity norms. In the Future of Maritime Connectivity Report 2024, to which IEC Telecom had a chance to contribute, Valour Consultancy estimates that, by 2033, more than 12,800 vessels will adopt the service. This growth surpasses the deployment of GEO VSAT systems, reflecting a shift toward more accessible and cost-effective LEO solutions. The appeal is clear: lower equipment costs, ease of installation, and a significant reduction in cellular data expenses—some service providers have seen an 80% decrease in costs since Starlink Maritime’s launch.

In response to shifting market dynamics, IEC Telecom has developed a versatile solution designed to provide yacht owners with maximum flexibility, particularly as Starlink is expected to restructure its offerings to two packages, 50 and 500 GB, starting in February of 2025. IEC Telecom’s network management ecosystem enables vessels to benefit from customized airtime packages tailored to their specific requirements.

Beyond flexible pricing, IEC Telecom’s advanced systems provide real-time visibility over traffic consumption and optimize each MB performance with features such as credit rollover. Automated notifications alert customers to unusual usage patterns, preventing unauthorized connections and potential losses. IEC Telecom’s 360 Starlink portfolio includes L-band backup and a suite of value-added services, known as OneGate Value-adds, ensuring business continuity and high-quality service even when primary connections are unavailable.

IEC Telecom’s network management solutions elevate the onboard leisure experience, offering everything from live concert streaming to individual VoIP calls. The Starlink portfolio provides yacht owners with seamless, home-like connectivity, whether cruising or anchored and allows for easy network adjustments via IEC Telecom’s proprietary OptiView portal. Designed for ultimate flexibility, these solutions come with an advanced guest voucher system that enables on-demand connectivity, with vouchers generated directly on board.

“IEC Telecom’s philosophy centers on customer-centric solutions,” said Gwenaël Lohéac, President Europe and Africa at IEC Telecom. “With over 400 yachts equipped with our Starlink-based solutions, IEC Telecom gains first-hand insight into the latest market developments. As the yachting industry booms with rising demand for luxury marine tourism and increased spending by high-net-worth individuals, we’ve introduced flexible connectivity packages that meet diverse needs—from small leisure boats to superyachts. In addition, we have expanded a range of our value-added services to ensure business continuity and advanced network management on board. We’re excited to introduce our comprehensive portfolio at Metstrade.”

Rivada Spec Networks, already suffering much negative press about missed financial deadlines, is now reported to have lost 12 dedicated launch slots on SpaceX. It is not said whether Rivada has paid ‘deposits’ on the launches when the contracts were signed. If deposits were paid then it is said that they will have been forfeited. Meanwhile, SpaceX can re-sell the reserved launches.

The lost launches follow on from Rivada losing its Liechtenstein issued priority spectrum filings because of non-payment of its annual 5 million Swiss Francs performance bond. Reports suggest that then Liechtenstein regulator was extremely patient in urging Rivada to pay up. Vaterland, the national newspaper of Liechtenstein, reported that the regulator was “deeply shaken” by Rivada’s failure to pay its annual bond. “The office has concerns about the financing of the project and has now lost confidence in Rivada”.

Meanwhile, Rivada on November 15th started an online marketing and awareness campaign featuring images of dozens of its staffers (its Rivada Space Academy), and stated, “We’ll let you in on a secret: it is our people and culture development platform, our (Rivada) place to get to know each other, to learn and share experiences, to translate our values into behaviors needed to achieve our goals. Do you want to work in a place where everyone, from C-suite to last month’s new joiner is an internal trainer, your trainer? Be fast, reach out to us […] and join the team.”

Meanwhile, a critic of Rivada, Pierre Lionnet (Research & MD at Eurospace) followed up the news by saying that he had heard directly from Rivada’s CEO Declan Ganley saying “multiple times that funding was secured? I’ve seen shady operations in the ‘newspace’ but Rivada Space tops them all.”

Rivada Spec Networks, already suffering much negative press about missed financial deadlines, is now reported to have lost 12 dedicated launch slots on SpaceX. It is not said whether Rivada has paid ‘deposits’ on the launches when the contracts were signed. If deposits were paid then it is said that they will have been forfeited. Meanwhile, SpaceX can re-sell the reserved launches.

The lost launches follow on from Rivada losing its Liechtenstein issued priority spectrum filings because of non-payment of its annual 5 million Swiss Francs performance bond. Reports suggest that then Liechtenstein regulator was extremely patient in urging Rivada to pay up. Vaterland, the national newspaper of Liechtenstein, reported that the regulator was “deeply shaken” by Rivada’s failure to pay its annual bond. “The office has concerns about the financing of the project and has now lost confidence in Rivada”.

Meanwhile, Rivada on November 15th started an online marketing and awareness campaign featuring images of dozens of its staffers (its Rivada Space Academy), and stated, “We’ll let you in on a secret: it is our people and culture development platform, our (Rivada) place to get to know each other, to learn and share experiences, to translate our values into behaviors needed to achieve our goals. Do you want to work in a place where everyone, from C-suite to last month’s new joiner is an internal trainer, your trainer? Be fast, reach out to us […] and join the team.”

Meanwhile, a critic of Rivada, Pierre Lionnet (Research & MD at Eurospace) followed up the news by saying that he had heard directly from Rivada’s CEO Declan Ganley saying “multiple times that funding was secured? I’ve seen shady operations in the ‘newspace’ but Rivada Space tops them all.”

The launches are currently planned to begin in 2026 and will support
the deployment of the Helios vehicle, among other payloads

Impulse Space has signed a contract with SpaceX for three, Falcon 9 rocket launches that will support the ongoing development and deployment of Impulse’s vehicles Helios and Mira.

The first of these missions will be the inaugural launch of Helios and is targeted for mid-2026. Prior to launch, Helios will be fueled with up to 14 tons of liquid methane and liquid oxygen while integrated into Falcon 9 in Florida. Falcon 9’s second stage will deploy Helios and its payloads in LEO, and Helios will transport those payloads to both Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO).

This mission will deliver a Mira vehicle to GTO as part of the VICTUS SURGO mission. The subsequent launches will also feature Helios, with payloads to be determined at a later date.

“Securing these launches allows us to showcase the full potential of Helios,” said Eric Romo, President and COO of Impulse Space. “Delivering spacecraft to high energy orbits rapidly and economically changes the equation for commercial communication operators and national security missions like VICTUS SURGO.”

“We’re honored Impulse Space selected Falcon 9 to launch these exciting missions,” said SpaceX Vice President of Commercial Sales, Stephanie Bednarek. “We share Impulse’s goal of making space more accessible for those looking for a ride to orbit, and we look forward to working with their team once again.”

According to the CBC, the government of the province of Ontario, Canada, is partnering with Starlink to provide high-speed internet access for 15,000 customers, both businesses and rural in rural, by June of 2025.

Called the ONSAT (Ontario Satellite Internet) program, this move is part of a nearly $4 billion investment by the provincial government’s to bring enable access to high speed internet to all communities in Ontario. 

At a news conference in Sudbury, Ontario, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, said the province signed a nearly $100 million contract with Starlink, which is owned and operated by SpaceX.

Read the entire CBC article at this direct link…

Blue Origin now has a multi-launch agreement (MLA) to deliver multiple, next-generation, AST SpaceMobile Block 2 BlueBird satellites to LEO on New Glenn— all launches will occur over a multi-year period from Blue Origin’s Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. 

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network designed for both commercial and government applications. It will operate directly with everyday smartphones and allow seamless switching between terrestrial cell towers and satellite signals depending on location and coverage needs. 

New Glenn stands more than 320 feet (98 meters) tall and is named after John Glenn, the first person to orbit Earth. Its seven-meter fairing enables twice the payload volume of any five-meter class commercial launch system.   

The vehicle’s reusable first stage is designed for a minimum of 25 missions and is powered by seven Blue Origin BE-4 engines, the most powerful liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled, oxygen-rich staged combustion engine ever flown. Its second stage is powered by two BE-3U engines. Each BE-3U generates 160,000 lbf of thrust in vacuum. Blue Origin also manufactures BE-7 engines for its Blue Moon lunar landers and New Shepard’s BE-3PM engine.  

New Glenn’s first launch is on track for this year.  

“New Glenn’s performance and unprecedented capacity within its seven-meter fairing enables us to deploy more of our Block 2 BlueBird satellites in orbit, helping provide continuous cellular broadband service coverage across some of the most in-demand cellular markets globally,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, AST SpaceMobile. 

“It’s an honor to support AST SpaceMobile’s deployment of their next generation BlueBird satellites, which will expand connectivity across the globe and positively impact many lives,” said Dave Limp, CEO, Blue Origin. “New Glenn is purpose-built for these kinds of innovative and ambitious missions.” 

Starfish Space has raised $29 million in a new funding round led by Shield Capital. Major participants in the round include new investors Point72 Ventures, Booz Allen Ventures, Aero X Ventures, Trousdale Ventures, and TRAC VC, as well as existing investors Munich Re Ventures, Toyota Ventures, NFX, and Industrious Ventures.

The additional funding will enable Starfish to complete the development of the first three Otter servicing vehicles, which will perform missions for Intelsat, the U.S. Space Force, and NASA. The completion of this round brings Starfish’s total funding to date to over $50 million. This round builds on multiple significant milestones achieved by Starfish throughout 2024, including concluding the Otter Pup mission with a successful rendezvous, winning a $37.5M STRATFI contract with the U.S. Space Force, signing a contract with Intelsat for a life extension mission, and partnering with NASA for a debris inspection mission in low Earth orbit.

Starfish is developing a suite of innovative software and hardware technologies to enable Otters to perform servicing missions. These include CETACEAN and CEPHALOPOD—proprietary software systems that provide precise autonomous navigation and docking capabilities, and Nautilus, a unique capture mechanism designed to dock with a wide variety of client satellites.

Starfish has grown to a team of 70 employees at its headquarters in Tukwila, Washington. The company’s first two Otter missions for Intelsat and the U.S. Space Force will launch to geostationary orbit in 2026, and begin providing services to client satellites thereafter. 

“This new round of funding is a pivotal moment in the journey of Starfish Space, as it will allow us to launch the first Otter satellites to orbit,” said Austin Link, Co-Founder of Starfish. “These first Otters will change what is possible when it comes to operating satellites in space. We are excited to partner with an outstanding group of investors to make these missions happen, and proud of the growing support we’ve received from existing investors as part of this round.”

“On-orbit satellite servicing is a critical evolution to unlock the next level of value for defense and commercial space,” said Letitia ‘Tish’ Long, newly appointed Starfish Board member and Senior Advisor at Shield Capital. “Austin, Trevor, and the whole Starfish team have proven their ability to execute complex missions on orbit, and we are excited to be partnering with them as they deliver Otter for critical customer applications.”

Sidus Space, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIDU) has announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,600,000 shares of its Class A common stock (or pre-funded warrants (“Pre-funded Warrants” in lieu thereof)).

Each share of Class A common stock (or Pre-funded Warrant) is being sold at a public offering price of $1.25 per share (inclusive of the Pre-funded Warrant exercise price) for gross proceeds of $7.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. All of the shares of common stock and Pre-funded Warrants are being offered by the Company. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45 day option to purchase up to an additional 840,000 shares of Class A common stock and/or Pre-funded Warrants to cover over-allotments at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The offering is expected to close on November 14, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

ThinkEquity is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282632) relating to the shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on November 12, 2024. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41^st Floor, New York, New York 10004. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at this direct link…

This information release by the company shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The strengthened cooperation between Rheinmetall and SAR satellite company ICEYE, announced in September 2024, is already bearing fruit — to meet Ukraine‘s urgent demands for SAR satellite reconnaissance capabilities, Rheinmetall and Ukraine, supported by the German government, have signed a contract.

The agreement further increases the SAR data and other support Ukraine has been receiving from ICEYE during the war. Since early October 2024, Ukraine receives new satellite images taken by ICEYE’s SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites, under the collaboration between Rheinmetall and ICEYE.

This provision will supplement further reconnaissance data obtained by other sensors and provide the basis for decision-making and operational planning by the Ukrainian armed forces. The collaboration includes dedicated satellite capacity and constellation access, which allows the capacity of the entire ICEYE satellite fleet to be utilized.  Since 2018, ICEYE has launched 38 satellites for ICEYE’s and its customers’ use.

SAR satellites offer the advantage over conventional satellites that they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. These are very detailed and make even the smallest objects on the Earth’s surface identifiable. This can bring decisive advantages for the armed forces in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance or their own positioning on the battlefield.

In June of 2024, the Düsseldorf-based technology group announced its participation in the world’s largest fleet of radar reconnaissance satellites. In September 2024, Rheinmetall and ICEYE had further intensified their cooperation. In the course of this, Rheinmetall had secured exclusive rights to market the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites to military and government end users in both the German and Hungarian markets.

ICEYE has been working closely with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to support and help Ukraine in building space defence capabilities. In August of 2022, ICEYE announced a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to provide the Government of Ukraine with ICEYE’s SAR satellite imaging capabilities with one of ICEYE’s SAR satellites designated for the Government of Ukraine’s use over the region.

ICEYE also provides access to its constellation of SAR satellites, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations. In July of 2024, ICEYE and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Cooperation outlining partnering to strengthen Ukraine’s space defence capabilities.

Aechelon Technology Inc. and ICEYE are partnering to bring cutting-edge synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology with real-time sensor fusion and machine learning (ML) exploitation capabilities to the market.

This collaboration will deliver enhanced 3D electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) situational awareness solutions, providing unparalleled insights for national defense, emergency response, and allied operations.

This innovative partnership integrates ICEYE’s advanced SAR satellite constellation with Aechelon Technology’s expertise in real-time, GPU-driven, multi-spectral, 3D processing. The joint solution will empower decision-makers with intuitive, high-resolution, 24/7 SAR imagery, unaffected by night, weather or smoke, ensuring quick and effective responses to global events.

ICEYE owns and operates the world’s largest SAR constellation, offering near real-time, EO capabilities. This partnership enhances ICEYE’s mission to deliver reliable, actionable information to global defense and response agencies.

Aechelon Technology’s advanced, digital twin processing capabilities will fuse multiple ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) data sources, providing users with an in-context, realistic 3D representation of ICEYE’s SAR data, powered by ICEYE’s live ISR exploitation. This high-fidelity visual representation will assist leaders in making informed, rapid decisions with a natural understanding of real-time events.

In support of the collaboration, Aechelon will deploy Image/Sensor Generators at mobile ground testing stations in Finland for field evaluations with allied nations, and in the United States for ICEYE’s U.S.-exclusive solutions.

Through this partnership, ICEYE and Aechelon Technology are committed to delivering transformative real-time capabilities, offering defense and response agencies a decisive edge in rapidly changing environments.

“Meeting the ICEYE team in Finland and seeing their commitment to innovation firsthand was a career highlight,” said Javier Castellar, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Aechelon Technology. “Their relentless pursuit of technological advancement shows that the future is now. Together, our companies will provide the US and allied nations with precise, on-demand situational awareness, overcoming the limitations of weather, smoke, and night conditions. This solution not only enhances national security but also provides unique capabilities for first responders in times of natural or man-made crises, ensuring help reaches those in need when it matters most.”

“ICEYE is excited to partner with Aechelon Technology and combine the capability of the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation with Aechelon’s world leading global database and simulation capabilities to provide customers with unparalleled situational awareness and decision making capabilities. Aechelon Technology and ICEYE both have a culture of driving  innovation and serving the most demanding customers in the US and allied national security sectors  so we think we are very well positioned to work together,” said ICEYE’s Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Pekka Laurila.

After helping more than 250 U.S. Space Force Guardians and operators experiment and train with various tactics, techniques, and procedures in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), the Tetra-1 satellite has completed its mission and transitioned for residual operations. 

Since launching the Tetra-1 satellite on November 1, 2022, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Innovation Development Branch, partnered with Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, has successfully completed the Tetra-1 mission.

Tetra-1 was the first in a series of Tetra small satellites paving the way for how SSC leverages non-traditional vendors to provide on-orbit capabilities to the Space Force.  As part of SSC’s Innovation and Prototyping Directorate, the Innovation Development Branch rapidly fielded Tetra-1 as a prototype vehicle developed by Millennium Space Systems into GEO in less than 18 months. This satellite provided crucial training for more than 250 Guardians and Airmen, enabling operators to experiment and train with various tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The capability Tetra-1 provided is critical to space operators’ understanding how to manage a small satellite, especially as SSC identifies what roles small satellites can potentially play in future USSF missions at GEO.

Throughout its lifecycle, Tetra-1 was supported a multitude of advanced training events and experimental exercises. Most notably was Tetra-1’s employment in SCARLET STAR, a testing and training campaign spearheaded by the 98th Space Range Squadron and 57th Space Aggressor Squadron of Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). These exercises required coordination across all three USSF Field Commands in order to successfully complete multiple live on-orbit events.

Eighteen months after launch, Tetra-1 has now transitioned for residual operations, doubling its expected 1 year mission life. This transition was completed in less than five months by a team comprised of members from multiple organizations to rapidly execute a transfer of the Tetra-1 satellite and its ground station to a mission partner and its ground site.

As opposed to retiring the vehicle, these residual operations allow SSC to use Tetra-1 as a test bed to characterize satellite component lifespans for future missions. While this is the end of Tetra-1’s original mission, Tetra-1 can continue to be used for the foreseeable future, significantly extending the value of Tetra-1 to the USSF and DoD space community.

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.