[ad_1] In 2017, the FCC denied Swarm’s application to launch its satellites, saying they could pose a safety hazard to other spacecraft. But Swarm went ahead and launched four cubesats without obtaining the necessary approvals. The FCC was obviously not happy about that, and it took Swarm to court. In a settlement, Swarm agreed to […]
Category: satellite
Satellite internet startup OneWeb declares bankruptcy to look for a buyer
[ad_1] The company also alluded to job cuts with references to “remaining employees,” but didn’t say how many people were losing jobs. This isn’t the end for OneWeb; Chapter 11 is usually used to regroup and get a second chance at life. However, the company clearly in a much more fragile position than it was […]
US Space Force will send its first satellite into space today
[ad_1] The launch is an important milestone for Space Force — the sixth branch of the military formed as a Trump administration directive. Until now, the agency has mostly just laid out plans, asked for funding, released a Star Trek-esque logo and inspired a Netflix comedy series starring Steve Carell. The AEHF-6 satellite will provide […]
FCC votes to auction C-band satellite spectrum for 5G use
[ad_1] A divided @FCC chose to give away $15B to foreign satellite companies when American taxpayers want that money for rural broadband. These foreign satellite firms want all 4 feet and their snout in the taxpayer trough, but the FCC shouldn’t be helping them.https://t.co/wpUwRziYnU — John Kennedy (@SenJohnKennedy) February 28, 2020 Following previous proclamations, Pai […]
Iran says it will launch an observation satellite ‘in the coming days’
[ad_1] According to Morteza Berari, head of Iran’s space agency, the satellite is designed to be operational for more than 18 months, although the agency hopes to construct five more satellites before March 2021. Berari didn’t specify when the launch was due to take place, noting only that it would be “in the coming days.” […]
MIT’s new GPS system uses satellite images to put you in the right lane
[ad_1] Typically, GPS maps are created by big companies such as Google, which sends camera-strapped vehicles around a neighborhood to capture details on an area’s roads. And that’s worked pretty well so far, but it’s not without its limitations. For a start, it’s an expensive process, and keeping these maps up to date is time-consuming. […]
DirecTV satellite is at risk of explosion due to battery issues
[ad_1] The company already switched the batteries off and has been operating Spaceway-1 using power generated by its solar panels. However, it’s expected to pass through Earth’s shadow in late February where only batteries can serve as its power source. That’s why DirecTV has to send it 300 kilometers above geostationary orbit, at a place […]
China’s alternative to GPS should be complete by mid-2020
[ad_1] Most Chinese users won’t have to lift a finger to take advantage of the new network. About 70 percent of Chinese smartphones already support Beidou, according to Nikkei. There are already 120 partners lined up to use Beidou for mapping technology. As with Russia’s GLONASS, China’s push for self-developed navigation is all about independence. […]
FCC chairman wants public auction to repurpose satellite bands for 5G
[ad_1] An FCC official told the Wall Street Journal that the regulator hoped to bring the C-band auction up for a vote in 2020 and start the auction by the end of that year. Satellite companies, however, might not be so happy. Industry giants like Intelsat and SES haven’t been averse to selling their spectrum, […]
Northrop’s satellite refueling spacecraft launches on October 9th
[ad_1] A second spacecraft, MEV-2, will help another Intelsat satellite in 2020 and should have the same amount of leftover fuel. Both MEVs are flexible, too. They can dock with 80 percent of current geostationary satellites, even if they weren’t designed for servicing. If the MEV program ramps up, NASA could buy its services going […]