Starlink Users Are Happy With The Service
Starlink users in metro and nonmetro areas are relatively happy with the service, despite a slowdown over the past year, according to data released Monday by Ookla, which analyzes internet performance metrics. Starlink’s net promoter score (NPS), which measures customers’ loyalty to a brand by asking how likely they are to recommend the service, beat…
Israeli Startup WeSpace Technologies Plans a Lunar Hopper
Israeli startup WeSpace Technologies is angling to provide Israel’s official contribution to the Artemis program with its lunar hopper. The company plans to launch its first craft in less than three years to begin providing “flying services on the Moon,” CEO Yifat Feffer told Payload. Lunar hopping WeSpace’s offering to the growing lunar economy is…
Rocket Lab Launches NASA’s Storm Chaser Cubesats
Two NASA storm-tracking satellites lifted off aboard Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle last night in New Zealand, putting the first half of the planned four-satellite constellation into orbit. The “Rocket Like A Hurricane” mission was the first of two launches that will build the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation…
SES Announces Better Than Expected Q1 2023 Earnings
SES, a satellite telecommunications network provider from Luxembourg, reported Q1 financial results above market expectations on Thursday. Overall financials: SES’s next system: The company expects to begin commercial service in Q3 of its O3b mPOWER system, a communication satellite network that will serve customers such as Microsoft and Orange. SES launched two O3b mPOWER satellites…
Congress Reopens Space National Guard Battle
Some lawmakers are re-launching their bid to establish a Space National Guard, despite strong White House opposition to previous efforts. House Armed Services Committee members Reps. Jason Crow (D-CO) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO) this week reintroduced the Space National Guard Establishment Act, which would move space-focused Air National Guard members from seven states and one…
Airbus Reports Q1 2023 Earnings
Airbus reported €11.8B ($13B) in 1Q revenue yesterday, but the company’s defense and space division saw a 21.5% drop in net order intake. The overall numbers: • Free cash flow = €-900M (-$1B) • Revenue = €11.8B ($13B), a slight decrease from last year’s €12B • EBIT Adjusted = €800M ($885M) Breaking out defense &…
NUVIEW Emerges from Stealth with 3D Mapping Ambitions
NUVIEW is looking to see the world in a whole new dimension. The Orlando, FL-based startup emerged from stealth this morning with an ambition to map the globe in 3D each year and $1.2B in prospective customer contracts under its belt. The world in 3D: While there’s no shortage of companies supplying optical, hyperspectral, or…
Kratos Reports Q1 Results, Sees Space Services Growth
Kratos ($KTOS) is going all-in on space services after growing investment in the division drove strong overall sales growth, the company revealed Wednesday in its Q1 financial results. Overall financials: Breaking out space, satellite and cyber: In the first quarter, Kratos spent $10.2M on R&D, including significant investment in its growing OpenSpace software. OpenSpace is…
Airbus, SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and Thales Band Together for IRIS2
In the ultimate example of competitors coming together, Europe’s largest satellite companies announced yesterday that they are joining forces to bid on the EU’s IRIS2 program contracts. Airbus, SES, Eutelsat, Hispasat, and Thales said the partnership will “leverage the expertise and capabilities in the field of secure satellite communications solutions,” according to a joint press…
House Introduces NASA and DOE Collaboration Bill
Bipartisan leaders of the subcommittees that oversee NASA and the Energy Department introduced a bill last week that would remove barriers for collaboration between the two agencies. Reps. Eric Sorensen (D-IL), ranking member of the House space and aeronautics subcommittee, and Brandon Williams (R-NY), chairman of the House energy subcommittee, said the bill will allow…
Redwire, Microsoft, and Marvel Team Up on STEM Initiative
An eclectic group is teaming up to save the galaxy bring real-life space technology to students across the country. Ahead of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 movie release Friday, Redwire ($RDW) announced yesterday that it’s partnering with Microsoft ($MSFT) and Marvel to 3D print a Microsoft Zune music player, like the one Star-Lord…
US, Philippines Join Forces in Orbit
The US and the Philippines announced plans on Monday to increase cooperation in space on SSA and maritime domain awareness, according to a White House readout of Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s visit to DC. “Recognizing the importance of enhancing and sustaining joint efforts in outer space activities, the leaders also welcome their countries’…
