ScotRail, in partnership with Clarus Networks Group, has launched a transformational connectivity project that sees the world’s first deployment of a rail-certified LEO satellite antenna.

This deployment delivers high-speed, resilient internet access to trains operating across some of the UK’s most remote rail corridors and sets a new global benchmark for digital rail infrastructure.

Scottish trains operating on rural routes from Inverness to Wick, Thurso, Kyle of Lochalsh, and Aberdeen have been equipped with a next-generation, onboard system powered by Starlink’s Rigid Terminal, which has now achieved full certification for use in rail environments.

The solution has been developed in close collaboration with SpaceX engineers, ensuring it meets the stringent performance, safety, and environmental standards required for rail deployment. Unlike legacy satellite or terrestrial connectivity solutions, the Starlink terminal is engineered to deliver consistent, high-throughput connectivity under the dynamic conditions of the rail environment — including vibration, varying altitudes, and severe weather exposure.

Achieving certification to the EN50155, EN50121, and EN45545 standards confirms the terminal’s suitability for critical transport applications. These include electromagnetic compatibility, electronic equipment resilience, and compliance with fire protection requirements in rail vehicles. The result is a ruggedised, high-performance connectivity solution that delivers enterprise-grade reliability, safety, and speed—uniquely adapted to the needs of modern rail.

The ScotRail deployment supports a wide range of digital enhancements, benefiting both customers and frontline rail operations…

• Improved passenger Wi-Fi, enabling streaming, browsing, and productivity even in remote regions;

• Wi-Fi calling, allowing passengers and train crew to make voice calls over the internet where mobile coverage is unavailable;

• GPS tracking of rolling stock, enabling real-time location data to support joined-up public transport and better service information;

• Live access to onboard CCTV, supporting rapid incident response, passenger safety, and enhanced situational awareness;

• Enhanced onboard passenger information systems, with more accurate and timely journey updates.

Passengers will easily identify upgraded trains via new on-board signage and will also experience a redesigned Wi-Fi landing page upon connection.

The project supports broader efforts to improve digital services in rural areas, addressing the long-standing connectivity gaps that have impacted community resilience, mobility, and economic development. By delivering stable, high-speed internet to even the most isolated parts of the rail network, the deployment plays a direct role in enabling smarter travel, improving service quality, and encouraging confidence in public transport.

This solution is already being considered for wider roll-out across the ScotRail fleet, with potential to cover other remote lines including the West Highlands, Stranraer, Dumfries, and the Borders and is also influencing the requirements of future rolling stock procurement — ensuring that connectivity is not a bolt-on, but a core part of train design and delivery.

Clarus Networks is leveraging this milestone to accelerate rail connectivity projects around the world. The company is currently engaged in deployments and partnerships across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and North America, helping rail operators modernise their onboard systems, streamline operations, and meet rising passenger expectations.

In these environments—often marked by sparse mobile coverage and complex terrain— LEO satellite solutions provide a cost-effective, rapidly deployable alternative to traditional infrastructure. By integrating these technologies into certified, rail-ready platforms, Clarus is helping global rail networks deliver the same level of connectivity seen in urban centers— without the need for fixed infrastructure or long lead times.

About Clarus Networks
Clarus is a global connectivity solutions provider, delivering innovative, high-performance communications across the most demanding environments—including rail, energy, construction, public safety, and maritime. With deep expertise in LEO satellite integration and hybrid connectivity, Clarus works with leading technology partners to deliver scalable, resilient solutions that keep people, infrastructure, and operations connected—anywhere in the world.

Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. (NASDAQ: GILT, TASE: GILT) has successfully completed a series of test flights featuring its ESR-2030Ku electronically steered antenna (ESA).

Conducted in collaboration with Gogo, which will be the exclusive distributor of the antenna for the business aviation and defense markets, the tests demonstrated outstanding performance of the ESA on the OneWeb LEO network.

The ESR-2030Ku—designed for mobility and engineered for efficiency—delivered full-duplex connectivity with throughput of 195 Mbps downlink and 32 Mbps uplink. The terminal remained stable and reliable throughout the tests, even in demanding performance scenarios.

The ESR-2030Ku is a unique compact and low-power full-duplex aero ESA built for the OneWeb network. Production hardware delivery to support customer STCs is expected later in 2025.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will launch their medium-lift, reusable rocket—Neutron—for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for a Rocket Cargo mission that supports point-to-point cargo transportation and this mission is scheduled for a return-to-Earth launch no earlier than 2026.

The launch contract will see Neutron execute a Rocket Cargo survivability experiment under the AFRL Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) solicitation, an effort by the Department of Defense to create a rocket-based point-to-point transportation system to quickly and rapidly deliver cargo around the world with commercial launch providers. AFRL’s experiment will be launched by Neutron and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in a demonstration of re-entry capability for future REGAL missions.

Rocket Lab’s Neutron medium-lift reusable launch vehicle will provide both government and commercial customers with an alternative and reliable launch service capable of deploying 13,000 kg to LEO. Neutron is tailored to deploy constellations and national security missions as well as science and exploration payloads.

In addition to serving customers with greater affordability in the medium-launch market, Neutron is key to Rocket Lab’s strategy as an end-to-end space company preparing to deploy its own constellations and deliver services from space in the future. Neutron’s debut remains on track for first launch in the second half of 2025.

Rheinmetall and ICEYE are intensifying their cooperation and the two companies intend to establish a joint venture (JV) for satellite production, with an MoU signed by both firms to this effect on May 8, 2025.

Rheinmetall is to be the majority shareholder in the new joint venture named Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions, with 60 percent of the shares, while ICEYE will hold 40 percent. The foundation is still subject to definitive agreements and official approvals.

As part of a Rheinmetall Space Cluster in Germany, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions is to manufacture satellites, starting with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites and subsequently other space solutions. Production is to take place at the Neuss site, among others, and is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

In September of 2024, Rheinmetall and ICEYE had further intensified their cooperation, with Rheinmetall securing exclusive rights to market the SAR satellites to military and government end users in the German and Hungarian markets. The first major milestone in the cooperation between Rheinmetall and ICEYE was reached in November of 2024. To meet the Ukraine’s urgent need for SAR imaging satellite reconnaissance capabilities, the two companies had signed a contract with the support of the German government. The agreement extends the SAR data and other support that Ukraine received from ICEYE during the war.

U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) recently awarded the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) Enterprise Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) Solution (EOS) contract to SciTec, Inc.—the $259 million award was made through a competitive Other Transaction Authority (OTA) prototype agreement leveraging the SSC Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC).

FORGE provides the cornerstone of a resilient OPIR ground architecture supporting legacy Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) and Next-Gen OPIR satellite payloads such as Next-Gen OPIR GEO (NGG), Polar (NGP), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations. It will also integrate capabilities from both FORGE and non-FORGE efforts, ensuring interoperability and mission flexibility across the missile warning and tracking enterprise. EOS builds upon the existing FORGE framework, which provides foundational hardware and software infrastructure, on which OPIR mission applications are built upon.

The EOS contract is the follow-on contract vehicle to continue the development and delivery of the FORGE framework, serving as the foundation for developing, managing, and hosting mission data processing applications. This cyber-resilient, modular, and scalable framework enables the ingestion of large volumes of data, efficient upgrades, and real-time wideband processing.

A framework is a software platform that provides a standard way to build, deploy, and interface with applications. The FORGE framework’s data-processing capability is crucial for orchestrating real-time data processing demands of Next-Gen OPIR satellites and future sensors to meet tomorrow’s threats.

The FORGE framework was initially developed under the SSC Mission Data Processing Application Framework (MDPAF) contract from 2020 to 2025. The EOS prototype represents the next phase for the FORGE ground system, enabling SSC to continue development and integration with emerging sensor technologies, adopting hybrid-cloud architectures, addressing technical debt, and building upon existing investments to meet growing threat timelines and mission needs.  

This approach also reinforces FORGE’s acquisition strategy built on a foundation of modular and open systems architectures. Government ownership of the technical baseline and modular elements of the FORGE architecture provide the flexibility needed to access a continuous supply and a broad range of industry vendors.  It also spurs competition resulting in best value for tax payers and greater innovations of critical capabilities for the nation.  

In April of 2024, the FORGE program achieved a key milestone with the first operational delivery of the FORGE framework to the OPIR Battlespace Awareness Center (OBAC) at Buckley Space Force Base, Colorado., enhancing operational resilience and application performance for the 11th Space Warning Squadron, Space Operations Command.  This event also successfully demonstrated the ability to deliver iterative, regular and continuous warfighting capabilities into operations. The next delivery of FORGE capabilities to operators is scheduled for this summer.

EOS expands the aperture for industry innovation and will take the FORGE framework to the next level,” said Lt. Col. Daniel Groller, SSC FORGE materiel leader.  “By delivering a scalable, cyber-secure, and modular ground processing capability designed to meet the demands of an evolving OPIR enterprise, we ensure our warfighters have faster, more reliable access to critical missile warning and tracking data for modern warfare.”       

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force 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.

Engage Communication last month announced a breakthrough in optimizing Starlink‘s satellite network for real-time data transmission.

By leveraging Redundant Delayed Packets, Engage Communication enhances the reliability and continuity of mission-critical streaming applications, ensuring seamless communication even in challenging network conditions.

As Starlink continues to expand satellite-based connectivity, its real-time streaming applications—such as voice, video, and telemetry—face challenges such as latency spikes, packet loss, and brief outages due to satellite handoffs.

Engage Communication has introduced Redundant Delayed Packets, a solution that bolsters data integrity and minimizes disruptions caused by Starlink’s dynamic network environment.

Engage Communication’s IP-Tube product line, when combined with Redundant Delayed Packets, ensures seamless and reliable data transmission over Starlink for real-time applications. The IP-Tube efficiently converts legacy TDM, serial, and analog interfaces into IP packets, enabling mission-critical communications to leverage Starlink’s global satellite network.

By incorporating Redundant Delayed Packets, the IP-Tube mitigates the effects of Starlink’s inherent latency variations and packet loss, ensuring smooth voice, video, and telemetry transmissions. This solution is ideal for public safety, defense, and industrial applications, where uninterrupted connectivity is essential despite the dynamic nature of satellite networking.

Starlink has revolutionized connectivity in remote and underserved areas, but real-time data streaming demands uninterrupted and resilient transmission,” said Mark Doyle, CEO and Founder of Engage Communication. “With our technology, users can experience improved reliability and quality of service, even in the face of fluctuating network conditions.”

Key Benefits of Redundant Delayed Packets in Starlink Networks…

Enhanced Reliability – Mitigates data loss by providing backup packets that compensate for missing or delayed transmissions.

Reduced Latency Spikes – Smooths out performance inconsistencies caused by satellite transitions.

Seamless Satellite Handoffs – Ensures continuous data flow, preventing interruptions in live streaming applications.

Improved Quality of Service (QoS) – Critical for VoIP, video conferencing, and telemetry-based communications.

Fault Tolerance – Adds an extra layer of protection against Starlink’s dynamic routing and congestion issues.

Empowering Mission-Critical Applications Engage Communication’s Redundant Delayed Packet technology is ideal for industries that rely on real-time streaming, including: Public Safety & Emergency Communications – Maintaining uninterrupted communication for first responders.

Defense & Government – Enhancing the reliability of secure data transmission in remote locations.

Telemedicine & Remote Monitoring – Ensuring stable video and telemetry for critical healthcare applications.

Industrial IoT & Smart Infrastructure – Supporting continuous data flow for automation and control systems.

Future-Proofing Satellite-Based Networking

Engage Communication remains committed to advancing connectivity solutions that maximize the potential of satellite networks such as Starlink. By addressing latency, packet loss, and reliability concerns, Engage’s latest innovation ensures organizations can depend on Starlink for high-quality real-time communications.

About Engage Communication
Engage Communication is a trusted provider of secure and reliable networking solutions, specializing in telecommunications, cybersecurity, and mission-critical data transmission. With a legacy of innovation, Engage continues to bridge the gap between traditional and modern network technologies, empowering organizations with robust connectivity solutions.

Starlink Group 6-93 originally planned for Saturday, May 3, is now targeting Tuesday, May 6 for a Falcon 9 launch of 28 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. These satellites will add to SpaceX’s Starlink smallsat constellation. Liftoff is targeted for 8:22 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 12:22 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 7. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Wednesday, May 7 starting at 7:30 p.m. ET.

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

This is the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-9, RRT-1, Firefly Blue Ghost Mission 1, Fram2 and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Falcon 9 first stage will attempt to land on one of two East Coast ASDS after its flight. The mission costs $52 million.