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.

A new contract for GomSpace—a smallsat company with a 75 satellite mission track record—has been received by the company, valued at 760,000 euros.

The European Space Agency, ESA, is the contract originator, concerns the acceleration of the firm’s Attitude and Orbit Control (AOCS) software development. Without such crucially important tech, in-space, spacecraft control cannot be accomplished.

For GomSpace, this is a major step forward to ensure operational reliability and the ability to be ready for mission profiles and requirements that are constantly evolving. AOCS addresses implementation of the firm’s Attitude Determination Control System (ADCS), the NanoMind A3200, an onboard computer GomSpace designed for smallsats, within which attitude control via a 3-axis gyroscope and a magnetometer for magnetic sensing and actuation is handled. This computer handles communication with all GomSpace provided sensors, communication with GomSpace actuators and propulsion system and opens the possibility for customer implemented drivers to support other sensors and actuators.

The AOCS offers a Linux compile function for test and simulation processes and, included, is a Software Development Kit (SDK) for Command and Control for handling all low-level and platform setups.

With all of smallsat industry growth and the contracts being received by GomSpace, how can the firm adequately address the needs being clamored for by companies and organizations?

Back in July of 2025, the company entered into a strategic supply agreement with Danish electronics manufacturer NECAS to do exactly that… strengthen GomSpace’s production scalability for products and subsystems as well as to reduce lead times amid increasing global demand for satellites and satellite subsystems. Additional information regarding that particular contract is available at this direct link…

The CEO of GomSpace, Carsten Drachmann, stated that through embracing modern, model-based software engineering, flexibility and systematic reliability are achieved by the company, enabling the delivery of standardized hardware systems and platforms.

For more information regarding GomSpace, please access this direct link…

Exolaunch and Skyroot Aerospace have announced a Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) to provide end-to-end launch services for satellites and expand access to orbit for commercial, institutional, and government customers worldwide.

Through this agreement, Exolaunch will integrate and deploy customer satellites on Skyroot’s Vikram series of launch vehicles, beginning with the Vikram-1 orbital missions. Exolaunch will provide its flight-proven deployment technologies for Skyroot customers across dedicated and rideshare launches.

The partnership also includes the use of Exolaunch’s EXOtube payload stacks, designed to optimize multi-payload rideshare configurations, streamline constellation launches, increase mission flexibility, and enhance vehicle utilization.

Skyroot’s Vikram-1 is an all-carbon composite launch vehicle designed to provide on-demand and customizable launch solutions to small satellite operators. With a payload capacity of up to 350 kg to LEO. Vikram-1 addresses the growing demand for responsive and cost-effective space access. Skyroot is simultaneously developing Vikram-2, which will nearly double capacity with payloads up to 900 kg to LEO, expanding the company’s addressable market.

Both companies will collaborate on comprehensive launch campaign planning, satellite integration, and on-site mission execution to deliver seamless launch services to global satellite operators.

We’re proud to formalize and announce our new strong partnership in India. Skyroot’s Vikram rockets bring an impressive new capability and much anticipated launch capacity to the global launch ecosystem,” said Robert Sproles, CEO of Exolaunch. “Together, we will expand reliable, flexible, and cost-effective access to orbit for customers worldwide.”

Democratizing access to space requires an integrated solution that seamlessly addresses every aspect of a satellite customer’s journey — from mission planning to integration to launch,” said Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-Founder and CEO, Skyroot Aerospace. “Through our partnership with Exolaunch, a company with extensive global satellite integration and deployment heritage, Skyroot aims to provide a launch experience that is comprehensive and tailored to the needs of the modern space economy.”

Flexell Space and Dcubed GmbH signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) 2025 in Sydney, Australia.

The agreement establishes a strategic partnership to explore future opportunities in space power and deployable technologies. By aligning their complementary expertise, Flexell Space and Dcubed aim to strengthen innovation and expand cooperation across the global space sector.

Beyond technology, the partnership also highlights closer ties between Europe and South Korea, reinforcing international collaboration and opening pathways for future cooperation in global markets.

Taehun Ahn, CEO of Flexell Space, said, “This collaboration demonstrates the global recognition of our solar cell technology. Flexell Space’s innovative solar cells are characterized by 90% weight reduction, 60% cost savings, and enhanced durability against radiation and extreme temperatures compared to conventional space solar cells. By combining our expertise in lightweight solar cells with Dcubed’s proven deployable solar array systems, we can deliver a new class of reliable, scalable, and sustainable power solutions for satellites.”

Antonio Pedivellano, Director of Deployables at Dcubed, said, “Collaborating with Flexell Space is an important step toward fostering new opportunities in space technology. Together, we will explore solutions that meet the evolving needs of the satellite industry worldwide.”

Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) has been awarded a €3 million contract renewal by EUMETSAT—this renewal is part of a two-year operational contract starting August 14, 2025.

Through the contract, the Company will continue to provide radio occultation (RO) data. The Company’s RO data delivers information about the vertical profiles of pressure, humidity, and temperature across all points of the globe, including in the most remote regions and open oceans.

Spire will provide the data in near-real time, with EUMETSAT processing and disseminating it to national weather agencies across Europe and the broader World Meteorological Organization (WMO) community for integration into global forecast models.

Spire offers a vast portfolio of current weather data, historical weather data, and weather forecast solutions. Most recently, the Company introduced two AI-driven weather models, AI-WX and AI-S2S, which extend forecasting capabilities up to 45 days and provide probabilistic insights to help industries better anticipate and respond to extreme weather events.

Plan-S, the manufacturer and operator of Türkiye’s first LEO satellite constellation, has been authorized—through its subsidiary Connecta—by the Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) to provide satellite-based Internet of Things (IoT) communication services in Türkiye.

These services will be delivered through the Connecta IoT Network, which is designed and manufactured in-house, with more than 90% of its sub-systems developed internally. These developments mark the first time a LEO satellite operator has been authorized in the country, underscoring both Plan-S’s leadership and Türkiye’s growing role in global space communications.

Plan-S oversees every stage of its satellite development in-house, from design and production to testing and integration, and has launched 17 satellites since the company’s founding in 2021. Its Connecta IoT Network, currently operating 12 satellites, will expand to 200 in the coming years. With the growing constellation, Plan-S will provide global coverage along with enhanced service capacity and quality.

This authorization paves the way for IoT services across industries such as agriculture, energy, logistics, mining, water management, and disaster responses, particularly in regions where terrestrial networks are limited or unavailable. Leveraging LoRaWAN-based technology for low-power connectivity, the Connecta IoT Network ensures scalable, energy efficient, cost effective, interoperable, secure and reliable data transmission for both fixed and mobile applications.

The company has incorporated 3GPP standard-based NB-IoT technology into its roadmap to enable seamless coverage for networks built on 3GPP standards, with the first satellites supporting this technology scheduled for launch next year. This positions the company as the first satellite operator to deliver IoT services based on both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN, two of the most widely adopted technologies for IoT services in the terrestrial domain.

The company has already advanced its global market strategy with authorization in Australia. This new authorization from Türkiye now acts as a catalyst for further global expansion, reinforcing the Plan-S’s position as a strategic player in satellite-based IoT communications.

In addition to IoT, Plan-S is developing its Observa constellation to deliver high-resolution Earth Observation and advanced data analytics. By 2030, the company aims to operate more than 200 satellites, building a comprehensive and independent space infrastructure to serve industries worldwide.

Plan-S CEO, Özdemir Gümüşay, said, “Being recognized as Türkiye’s first authorized LEO satellite operator is a historic turning point, not only for our company, but also for our nation’s space and satellite communications ecosystem. At a time when the global satellite industry is undergoing profound transformation and countries are reshaping their strategies, this achievement marks an important step forward for Türkiye. Beyond enabling us to deliver IoT services at home, this authorization will significantly accelerate our investments in next-generation, strategic satellite communication technologies for international markets.”

The launch schedule of MICHIBIKI No.5, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZS-5) that will be aboard the 8th H3 Launch Vehicle (H3 F8: Flight No.8) is as follows…

• Launch date: December 7, 2025
• Launch Window: 1:30 (JST) through 12:30 (JST)*
• The time is the 24-hour clock
• Reserved Launch Period: December 8, 2025 through January 31, 2026
• Launch site:Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the JAXA Tanegashima Space Center
• Note: Launch time during the reserved launch period will vary.

QZSS (Michibiki) has been in operation since November of 2018 to develop a stable, satellite positioning service that can be used in all locations at all times. This system is compatible with GPS satellites and can be used with them in an integrated fashion. In this way, the satellite positioning service environment was dramatically advanced. QZSS can be used even in the Asia-Oceania regions with longitudes close to Japan, so its usage will be expanded to other countries in these regions, as well.

Synspective Inc., a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data and analytic solutions provider, has the launch schedule for the company’s seventh StriX SAR satellite.

The seventh StriX mission is scheduled to launch during a 14-day window that opens on October 14 at 16:30 (UTC). The launch may be postponed or canceled due to unforeseen weather conditions or complications.

The mission will launch on Rocket Lab’s Electron vehicle from Launch Complex 1 on the Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand.

For the latest information, please visit Rocket Lab’s infopage at this direct link…