Ryan Duffy
SpaceX, T-Mobile Announce Cellular Partnership
ICYMI, and you probably didn’t, SpaceX and T-Mobile have teamed up to bring satellite-to-smartphone connectivity to mobile networks. SpaceX is working on connecting existing, unmodified phones to a new type of mobile network. Big, if true This technology could blanket the globe with a new layer of cellular connectivity. And the tie-up has the potential…
SatixFy, SPAC Slash Post-Deal Valuation
SatixFy is bucking the trend and staying the course. SatixFy 101 The Israeli startup is a fabless chipmaker and developer of electronically steered antennas. Its portfolio consists of “end-to-end” products, ranging from satellite payloads to end-user terminals. SatixFy recently unveiled Onyx Aero, a terminal for commercial airliners and large corporate jets that can connect to…
The Role of Satellites and Space-Based Services during War, Six Months after Russia Invaded
Today marks the six-month anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine. Over the last half year, space-based services have played an integral role in each step of the conflict. Today, we’re providing a partial accounting of how space-based services and hardware have altered the course of the conflict (and how the space industry has itself been changed).…
Pathfinder Lucky #0013 with Giuseppe Santangelo
Today’s Pathfinder takes us back and forth across the Kármán line plenty of times. Our guest is Giuseppe Santangelo, president at Red Cat Holdings ($RCAT) and founder of Skypersonic. The company develops drones that can be remotely piloted from thousands of miles away, and operated in high-risk, confined, and GPS-denied locations. Santangelo is no stranger…
An S-1 for the Space Economy
Editor’s note: Payload space cadets Ryan Duffy (managing editor) and Mo Islam (cofounder) originally penned this essay for Not Boring, an uber-popular newsletter on tech, strategy, startups, and investing. Nearing 150,000 subscribers, Not Boring is primarily authored by Packy McCormick, with editing and research duties fulfilled by Dan McCormick and Rahul Rana. What you’re about…
Pathfinder #0012, featuring Emiliano Kargieman
On today’s Pathfinder, we sit down with Emiliano Kargieman, who is CEO and cofounder of Satellogic ($SATL). Originally started in Buenos Aires, the now-global ~$500M microsat operator is developing a LEO constellation and aims to develop a high-res, live catalog of Earth. Satellogic launched nine satellites on SpaceX’s Transporter-4 and -5 missions in April and…
BlackSky ($BKSY) CEO: “Strong Momentum Across All Aspects of Our Business”
Last week, BlackSky reported Q2 financial results. The satellite operator beat expectations on top- and bottom-line earnings, riding on the back of key contract wins and a big new integration. “We have strong momentum across all aspects of our business,” BlackSky CEO Brian O’Toole told Payload in an interview. Q2 results at a glance Revenue…
Redwire ($RDW) Reports Q2 2022 Results
Redwire ($RDW) reported Q2 2022 results before the market opened on Wednesday. The Jacksonville, FL-based space infrastructure company reported quarterly revenues of $36.7M (+14.2% YoY). Quick refresher: Commercial space powerbroker AE Industrial Partners hatched Redwire in late 2020 by merging Adcole Space and Deep Space Systems. Shortly thereafter, Redwire acquired Made in Space. The company…
Capella Space Unveils Next-Gen “Acadia” SAR Satellite
San Francisco-based Capella Space has announced Acadia, its next generation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites. Capella’s SAR satellites can see through clouds and provide all-weather, 24/7 imaging. The startup primarily serves defense and intelligence customers. Backstory: Capella launched Denali, a backpack-sized SAR satellite, in late 2018. Next came the 100-kg. Sequoia in Aug. 2020.…
Viasat Reports Q1 FY23 Financial Results
Viasat ($VSAT) kicked off another busy week of space earnings after the bell Monday. The satellite operator reported Q1 FY23 revenues of $678M (+2% YoY), with a GAAP net loss of $22M (vs. $17M of net income last year). Viasat reported total consolidated awards of $783M (+32%YoY) for the quarter, good for a book-to-bill ratio…
Pathfinder #0011: Moriba Jah on Tackling Orbital Debris
Today, we’re tackling the topic of space junk on Pathfinder with Dr. Moriba Jah. Moriba is an astrodynamicist, space environmentalist, and associate professor of aerospace engineering and engineering mechanics at UT Austin (obligatory 🤘 from Ryan). He’s also the chief scientist and cofounder of Privateer, with Alex Fielding and Steve “Woz” Wozniak. Pathfinder is brought…
Benchmark Acquires AASC’s Plasma Thruster Tech
Benchmark has agreed to acquire plasma thruster technology from AASC, the two announced this morning. Benchmark is short for Benchmark Space Systems, a chemical propulsion provider based in Burlington, VT. Benchmark’s Starling and Halcyon satellite propulsion systems are its bread and butter. AASC is short for Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation. The Oakland-based entity keeps a…
Report: SES, Intelsat in Merger Talks
Consolidation is the order of the day in the legacy satellite world. The latest: Luxembourg-based SES and American satellite operator Intelsat are in talks to tie the knot, the FT reports. The GEO operators are long-standing competitors, and in recent memory, duked it out in bankruptcy court. Is it time to let bygones be bygones? …
