Collaboration for rollout in Saudi Arabia and select markets in the Middle East and Africa

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) and stc group have signed a 10- year commercial agreement to enable direct-to-device satellite mobile connectivity across Saudi Arabia and key regional markets.

As part of this agreement, stc has committed to a prepayment of $175 million for future services and made a significant long-term commercial revenue commitment.

AST SpaceMobile will integrate its space-based cellular broadband connectivity with stc’s terrestrial infrastructure to expand mobile coverage across Saudi Arabia, as well as select countries in the Middle East and Africa. The partnership aims to eliminate connectivity gaps by delivering 5G and 4G LTE services directly to standard mobile phones without the need of any specialized software or device support or updates, for consumers, enterprises, and government sectors, ensuring seamless voice and broadband access

Under this agreement, the first in the region for AST SpaceMobile, the company will build three ground gateways in Saudi Arabia and establish a Network Operations Center (NOC) in Riyadh to support the network’s operations and service quality. These key infrastructure developments will be instrumental in providing seamless connectivity across the region.

The partnership will extend broadband cellular coverage to remote and underserved areas, empowering millions of people with reliable, high-speed connectivity. By complementing stc’s existing mobile networks, AST SpaceMobile’s technology will help drive economic development, education, and digital inclusion across the region.

With this agreement, stc group will become the first operator in the region to adopt direct-to-device satellite broadband connectivity, advancing its strategy to expand digital access, invest in next-generation infrastructure, and shape the future of mobile connectivity across the Kingdom and beyond. By leveraging AST SpaceMobile’s technology, stc group aims to extend its network far beyond the limits of traditional terrestrial infrastructure, delivering enhanced mobile access to customers and reinforcing its position as a leading digital enabler in the region.

Commercial services are anticipated to launch during the fourth Q of 2026, contingent upon securing full regulatory authorization, licensing, and compliance from the Communications, Space and Technology Commission (CST) of Saudi Arabia and other relevant regulatory bodies across the 15-country operating footprint.

stc group regional leadership and commitment to innovation, combined with our pioneering space-based network, will create a paradigm shift in how people connect,” said Abel Avellan, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of AST SpaceMobile “We are pleased to partner with stc as the first regional operator to collaborate with us on this groundbreaking initiative. This partnership is another major leap forward to deliver on the promise of truly universal mobile broadband coverage, bridging the digital divide and empowering millions with reliable and easy-to-use connectivity.”

Olayan Alwetaid, CEO of stc group, said, “By expanding coverage by using the latest innovations in telecommunications technology, stc and AST SpaceMobile are bridging connectivity gaps and ensuring no one is left out of the digital future. It’s a step forward in our ambition to lead in digital infrastructure and deliver world-class connectivity access to everyone, no matter where they are located.”

Pramatra Space and Infostellar Inc. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to partner to establish and conduct joint development for networks to link Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) ground stations that offer secure space communications.

The agreement marks a significant milestone in building the foundation for a global quantum communication network, leveraging both organizations’ complementary strengths. Under the scope of the MoU, Infostellar will provide access to its global ground station network, spanning optical and RF systems, to support Pramatra’s upcoming satellite missions. This includes Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) operations and the integration of third-party ground segments.

In parallel, both companies will engage in collaborative R&D to design and validate a QKD-enhanced ground station framework that supports secure satellite-to-ground data links. The partnership is expected to open future commercial pathways for quantum-grade encryption services, data relays, and hybrid space-terrestrial communication systems addressing various applications.

The collaboration underlines a shared commitment to advancing quantum resilience in data exchange infrastructure. Both companies aim to explore opportunities in joint demonstrations, technology validation missions, and commercial deployment strategies in alignment with emerging space and cybersecurity regulations.

This MoU reinforces the strategic alignment between India’s expanding quantum-space ecosystem and Japan’s leadership in ground networking technologies—creating a platform for innovation, knowledge exchange, and deployment of secure space-driven connectivity across continents.

Richa Hukumchand, Founder and Director of Pramatra Space, said, “We see this partnership as a pivotal step in strengthening global collaboration between India and Japan in the domain of secure space communications. Infostellar brings exceptional expertise in scalable and interoperable ground infrastructure, which perfectly complements Pramatra’s quantum communication roadmap.”

Naomi Kurahara, CEO of Infostellar Inc., said, “We’re excited to partner with Pramatra Space to advance quantum-secure satellite communications. This MoU combines Infostellar’s proven ground network infrastructure with Pramatra’s cutting-edge quantum capabilities, positioning both companies to lead in the next era of space-based secure connectivity.”

WISeKey International Holding’s subsidiaries WISeSat.Space and SEALSQ Corp. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership with INNOSPACE Co., Ltd., a South Korean satellite launch service company.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing secure and efficient satellite deployment, leveraging South Korea’s rapidly growing space ecosystem.

WISeSat aims to diversify the launch locations of its next-generation satellites to expedite the establishment of its infrastructure. Through this partnership, WISeSat will deploy its latest generation of secure satellites using INNOSPACE’s HANBIT-SERIES launch vehicles, ensuring reliable, cost-effective, and innovative access to space. Collaborating with INNOSPACE reinforces WISeSat’s commitment to providing quantum-resistant, secure IoT connectivity solutions on a global scale.

INNOSPACE, recognized for its groundbreaking achievements in private space launches, offers flexible and affordable launch solutions tailored to the unique needs of satellite operators such as WISeSat. This collaboration will facilitate efficient satellite deployment, supporting critical sectors such as cybersecurity, IoT, environmental monitoring, and secure communications.

This announcement comes at a time when the European market for satellite connectivity is experiencing rapid expansion, with growing demand for European alternatives in the sector. The partnership between WISeSat and INNOSPACE underscores the importance of international collaboration in fostering secure and sustainable space technology.

This is beginning of a long-term collaboration between WISeSat and INNOSPACE. The companies will continue to explore further opportunities for cooperation in space-based cybersecurity, AI-driven satellite applications, and beyond.

Partnering with INNOSPACE marks a significant advancement in expanding WISeSat’s capabilities in secure satellite communications,” said Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey. “South Korea has emerged as a key player in the global space industry, and INNOSPACE’s cutting-edge technology aligns seamlessly with our vision of delivering highly secure and resilient connectivity solutions.”

Partnering with WISeSat represents an opportunity to combine INNOSPACE’s agile launch capabilities with WISeSat’s cutting-edge satellite technologies,” said Soojong Kim, Founder and CEO of INNOSPACE. “Together, we look forward to enabling new possibilities in secure and reliable access to space.”

AAC Clyde Space has begun integration of the first satellite in its VIREON constellation. This phase involves assembling the spacecraft and verifying that the onboard systems work together as designed. The constellation is designed to deliver actionable, high-quality data to multiple customers worldwide.

VIREON is built to provide frequent, reliable data on land and vegetation. Its insights support agriculture and forestry, helping users improve productivity and sustainability while addressing growing environmental and climate pressures.

Combining advanced imaging capabilities with analysis-ready data, VIREON delivers both the detail and the insight users need, offering exceptional value for money across commercial and institutional applications.

The constellation advances AAC Clyde Space’s expansion in Data and Services, providing recurring revenue through the delivery of decision-ready data to multiple customers worldwide.

VIREON connects every part of our business, showing the strength of our full value chain,” said Luis Gomes, CEO of AAC Clyde Space. “We build our own satellites, use our own components, and deliver unique data that helps customers turn information into insight and make better decisions.”

Hubble Network recently announced a major step forward as the firm raised $70 million in Series B funding, bringing the company’s total funding to $100 million since its founding in 2021.

This raise fuels their growth and also validates the enormous opportunity to reshape global IoT connectivity.

Space is hard and the industry has long been known for capital intensity, slow cycles, and technical hurdles. Hubble has taken a different path. By leveraging existing Bluetooth chips and building a developer-first platform, we dramatically lower costs, simplify integration, and speed up adoption.

With seven satellites on-orbit, the company has proven that satellite connectivity doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This approach is making space practical and scalable for the billions of IoT devices that need it. With this new funding, the company is focused on…

• Expanding the satellite constellation toward global coverage
• Scaling the developer ecosystem to make integration as easy as plugging in an SDK.
• Powering enterprise deployments across logistics, infrastructure, defense, and consumer IoT.

Hubble Network’s long-term vision is bold and clear: to build a global satellite network that enables affordable, low-power, ubiquitous connectivity for billions of devices unlocking a new era of IoT at planetary scale.

Alex Hare, the Chief Executive Officer of the company and also the co-founder of Life360, will be a featured panelist at Silicon Valley Space Week that is now in session through October 30th. Mr. Haro will be taking part in the discussion titled: The Sensing Stack: How Are Multimodal Inputs Transforming GEOINT?

The panel discussion occurs on Wednesday, October 29th, from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m. PST at the Computer History Museum in Silicon Valley, California.

The Center for Space Exploration Research at the University of California, Davis, has partnered with Proteus Space to launch a U.S. government-sponsored satellite into space with a custom, AI-enabled payload in a brand-new, first-ever, rapid design-to-deployment small satellite.

The team will launch the satellite and payload in October of 2025 from Vandenberg, California. From the time the project was fully approved, the design and launch will occur within 13 months.

The UC Davis-designed payload was developed by Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Stephen Robinson’s Human/Robotics/Vehicle Integration and Performance Laboratory, or HRVIP Lab.

This is a dynamic digital twin that models the current condition and predicts the future condition of the spacecraft’s power system. The novel aspect of this payload is that the system-state model is running in real time onboard the spacecraft, instead of in ground-based mission control.

The satellite, which includes multiple commercial and research payloads, will monitor its own health in space using sensors that assess voltage and measurements of the batteries it is running on. The digital twin software will continually analyze the health and charge capacity of the battery. Using artificial intelligence, the digital twin will be aware of its own state and learn to predict its future state.

In addition to the team at Proteus, Zufall and Robinson are working with Associate Professor of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Xinfan Lin, whose research specializes in intelligent battery management systems. The team also includes mechanical and aerospace engineering Ph.D. students Jackson Fogelquist and Ayush Patnaik, and Ansha Prashanth, a master’s student in computer science.

The satellite will settle into LEO and operate for up to 12 months. After three years, the satellite will naturally fall back to Earth, burning up in the atmosphere.

The spacecraft itself can let us know how it’s doing, which is all done by humans now,” said Adam Zufall, a graduate student in the HRVIP Lab who is overseeing the UC Davis side of the project.

It should get smarter as it goes,” said Robinson, “and be able to predict how it’s going to perform in the near future. Current satellites do not have this capability.”

Story by by Jessica Heath, UC David

SD Government (SDG), the division of Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO) that provides SATCOM to global governments, has received a five-year, federal contract to deliver multi-band, multi-orbit, airborne global satellite communications to a U.S. government agency.

The new agreement, initially valued at $3 million, is a follow-on from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III activity originally undertaken by SDG prior to the merger with Gogo.

Awarded as a sole-source contract, the agreement will see the agency consolidate all aero communications across its fleet to this single contract over the next five years. With the consolidation of multiple contracts into a single contract, procurement time and complexity are dramatically reduced. In addition, the agreement allows users to focus resources on the mission rather than managing diverse contracts and vendors.

This is the first SDG government contract to optimize the company’s integrated multi-orbit, multi-band, multi-network capabilities. The deal also includes provision for the government to add new technology and services as they become available over the life of the contract.

The agency’s missions demand consistent, reliable high-bandwidth satellite connections in every theater of operations globally, as well as the highest encryption levels for secure communication and data transfer. SDG’s deep experience in the government and defense markets, combined with its ability to deliver 24/7/365 expert customer support, will ensure the customer retains consistent critical mission connectivity.

As the contract’s full scope is realized, it will employ Gogo’s air-to-ground networks, low-Earth orbit (LEO), medium-Earth orbit (MEO), high-Earth orbit (HEO) and geostationary orbit (GEO) constellations for Ku- and Ka-band connectivity as required.

The customer agency will benefit from our extensive expertise, support, and cybersecurity expertise, along with our agnostic ability to provide the best-performing connections and terminals across multiple orbits on its diverse fleet of aircraft,” said Hayden Olson, Head of SDG. “We are providing a simple, seamless solution for the agency to procure resilient airborne communications. The streamlined access to all types of connectivity will enable seamless procurement and support, which is extremely valuable to a busy government agency.”

Open Cosmos recently celebrated the successful completion of the company’s MANTIS mission, a two-year program that delivered Earth Observation (EO) data and set a new benchmark for sustainable space operations.

Launched on November 11, 2023, aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-9 mission, MANTIS was the first ESA InCubed satellite, backed by the UK Space Agency, and carried Satlantis’s iSIM90 high-resolution camera and a reconfigurable AI processor from Ubotica.

Over its two-year mission, MANTIS proved how a small, agile satellite could deliver outsized impact. It completed more than 10,000 orbits, capturing high-resolution daily imagery across half a million square kilometers. Its advanced optics and AI allow to transform raw imagery into actionable intelligence in near real time, faster and more efficiently than traditional missions, enabling energy, mining and environmental sectors to make faster, more informed decisions.

The mission also advanced the use of AI in orbit and validated new technologies, processes, and operational models together with IngeniArs and Ubotica that are now embedded into the wider OpenConstellation, the global Earth Observation constellation managed by Open Cosmos and used by governments, businesses, and organisations to tackle global challenges like climate change, resource management and environmental protection using space data.

MANTIS managed to acquire and download imagery within just 10 days of launch, which was presented at the UK Space Expo in 2023.

MANTIS also demonstrated how innovation can go hand-in-hand with responsibility. Designed from the start with sustainability in mind, the satellite is planned to be permanently shut down at an altitude of 300 km and will safely de-integrate during atmospheric re-entry, leaving no debris behind. This means MANTIS not only contributed to better environmental monitoring on Earth, but also left space itself cleaner for future missions.

Rafel Jordà Siquier, founder and CEO of Open Cosmos, said, “MANTIS was a landmark mission for Open Cosmos. It proved our ability to deliver end-to-end Earth Observation with state-of-the-art AI and optical technology, and it delivered critical data for sectors tackling climate, energy and land management challenges. Its safe and sustainable end-of-life shows how responsible satellite design can protect the space environment. MANTIS leaves a powerful legacy – both in the data it produced and the standards it set for future missions.”

Harshbir Sangha, Director of Missions and Capabilities at the UK Space Agency, said, “The MANTIS mission shows how strategic investment can turn advanced ideas into operational systems that deliver real benefits. Our support through ESA’s InCubed programme has strengthened the UK’s role in a competitive global market, opened new commercial opportunities, and addressed pressing challenges such as environmental monitoring. With Open Cosmos demonstrating outstanding technical expertise and leadership throughout the mission, MANTIS has built capability across the UK space sector and set the stage for future missions that will keep the UK leading in innovation in this rapidly expanding domain.”

Although ESA’s small Arctic Weather Satellite was built as a demonstrator for future constellation called EPS-Sterna, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts is now incorporating its data into its operational weather forecast system—highlighting the fact that small satellites delivered in record time can achieve great things.

Conceived, built and launched in just three years and within a tight budget, the Arctic Weather Satellite delivers high-value atmospheric humidity and temperature data from a compact platform. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is the first center to use these new observations operationally, which are leading to a robust improvement in forecasts.

The data, along with numerous other observations, are merged with a short-range forecast that is guided by earlier measurements to produce the most accurate possible snapshot of the Earth’s current state. This analysis then serves as the starting point for generating weather forecasts.

Information from the Arctic Weather Satellite’s microwave radiometer complements data from similar sensors on much larger satellites provided by organisations such as the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites (Eumetsat), the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the China Meteorological Administration (CMA).

For the first time, the Arctic Weather Satellite operates in the ‘sub-mm’ spectral band – wavelengths shorter than 1 mm – to also provide fresh insights into ice clouds, as shown in the image above. The mission proves that high-quality, passive microwave measurements can be delivered by a small, cost-efficient satellite.

Launched a year ago, the mission – developed as a prototype within three years and for a fraction of the cost of a traditional Earth-observing mission – has already demonstrated that the New Space approach of building quickly and at low cost could be applied to a future constellation of similar satellites.

And now, ECMWF’s decision to assimilate its data into their forecasting system stands as a strong endorsement of the mission’s excellence.

The image just below, for example, shows how the mission is improving wind forecasts, improvements show up in blue. The last image shows how the mission’s new 325 GHz channel can be used to reveal colder brightness temperatures which then offer a clearer view of typhoons.

Ville Kangas, ESA’s Arctic Weather Project Manager, said, “We are extremely proud of this mission. While we were confident that our New Space approach to developing and building the satellite would succeed, its performance in orbit has far exceeded our expectations. And given that it is only a demonstrator – a precursor to a potential constellation of satellites capable of delivering an almost continuous stream of data for very short-term weather forecasting in the Arctic and beyond – we couldn’t be more delighted.”

Weighing just 125 kg and measuring 1.0 m × 5.3 m × 0.9 m, the Arctic Weather Satellite is a small satellite. It carries a 19-channel cross-track scanning microwave radiometer that yields high-resolution vertical profiles of atmospheric temperature and humidity in all weather conditions.

Despite its name, the Arctic Weather Satellite collects measurements around the globe. However, its humidity data are particularly valuable for weather forecasting across the Arctic where concentrations of water vapor can change rapidly.

The impacts of the climate crisis are being felt more strongly in the Arctic than other parts of the world. Nevertheless, what happens in the Arctic doesn’t stay in the Arctic, so these changes are affecting the Earth system as a whole. Information from the Arctic Weather Satellite and the potential constellation, called EPS-Sterna, will also support research into climate change.

The proposed constellation would comprise six satellites for higher temporal coverage, and each satellite would be replenished three times to ensure data is delivered for years to come.

It is envisaged that ESA would build the EPS-Sterna constellation in cooperation with Eumetsat, following the established model used for Europe’s other meteorological missions, namely the geostationary Meteosat and the polar-orbiting MetOp missions.

The Meteosat geostationary satellites, positioned 36,000 km above the equator, return images every 15 minutes but they have no visibility of higher latitudes closer to the poles, making them unsuitable for Arctic weather forecasting. The MetOp satellites do return data over the poles as they circle Earth from pole to pole in a lower orbit, but it can take up to 24 hours to achieve global coverage. The EPS-Sterna constellation of six satellites would fill the temporal coverage gap.

If the EPS-Sterna constellation becomes a reality, it would complement the MetOp Second Generation, Joint Polar Satellite System and Fengyun polar orbiting weather missions, doubling the number of orbital planes from three to six.

While the decision on EPS-Sterna is still to be made, the Arctic Weather Satellite is certainly already proving its worth: successfully built as a New Space mission, hailed as excellent, and now its data are being used operationally—not bad for a prototype.