Author: starpathwp-production
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NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Alters Its Trajectory to Target Sample Capsule’s Landing Zone
On Sept. 10, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft briefly fired its ACS (attitude control system) thrusters to point itself toward Earth, putting it on course to release its sample capsule, carrying rocks and dust from asteroid Bennu, from 63,000 miles (or 102,000 kilometers) above Earth’s surface on Sept. 24. The trajectory-correction maneuver changed the spacecraft’s velocity by…
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FAA closes SpaceX-led Starship mishap investigation
The FAA has closed the SpaceX-led mishap investigation following the first Starship Integrated Test Flight (IFT). SpaceX founder Elon Musk also published the checklist of 63 items to be completed before the company can apply for a launch license modification for IFT-2. The pathway to the next launch is now being hashed out between SpaceX…
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SkyFi Launches Two New Services
SkyFi has launched two new products in the Earth Observation (EO) arena. SkyFi announced details of the two products, Sept. 11. The two products are called Open Data and SkyFi Insights. SkyFi aims to position itself as the geospatial hub for the world. SkyFi offers a web and mobile app that aims to empower users…
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SES Signs UKTV Capacity Deal
SES has announced a new multi-year capacity deal with UKTV. The deal was announced Sept. 12. The two companies have extended their capacity agreement at SES’s key TV neighborhood at 28.2 degrees East through the end of the decade. In addition to the renewed transponder for UKTV’s bouquet of channels, the agreement will see SES…
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Falcon 9 rocket launches another batch of Starlink satellites from California
Updated (4:02 a.m. EDT (0720 UTC) with satellite deploy The plumes of the Falcon 9’s Merlin 1D first-stage engines seen from an onboard camera. Image: SpaceX. SpaceX launched another batch of satellites for the company’s Starlink internet service from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 11:57 p.m. PDT Monday (2:57 a.m. EDT / 0657…
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Phase Four’s Maxwell Propulsion System Achieves Flight Heritage
Phase Four, one of the leaders in advanced radio-frequency thrusters for small satellite propulsion, has announced the successful flight heritage of its next-generation Maxwell propulsion system. This marks a major step in deploying state-of-the-art propulsion technology for small satellites. The advances in the Maxwell propulsion system underscore Phase Four’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer-focused…
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How Big is the Satellite Industry’s Direct-to-Device Opportunity?
Satellite executives discuss direct-to-device opportunities at World Satellite Business Week in Paris (photo: Rachel Jewett) PARIS — Direct-to-device, satellite-to-cell, NTN/non-terrestrial networks — the satellite industry hasn’t come to a consensus on what to call this type of connectivity, but players are making bold projections for its potential revenue and impact. The term direct-to-device is too “inside…
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A year after New Shepard’s accident, Blue Origin may return to flight next month
One year ago today, a Blue Origin-built rocket carrying a spacecraft exploded above the West Texas desert in dramatic fashion. There were no passengers aboard the New Shepard capsule, which was able to push powerfully away from the rocket with its escape system and land safely under a parachute in the desert. The failure of…
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Yahsat Signs Nigerian Sub-Saharan Broadband Deal
Yahsat has signed a contract that it hopes will improve its broadband prospects in Sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Nigeria. It announced Sept. 11 that its subsidiary, YahClick, will partner with Nigerian satellite operator, NIGCOMSAT to expand broadband penetration in Sub-Saharan Africa and boost access to critical electronic services across the region. The project is expected to…
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Terran Orbital Opens 60,000 SF Satellite Manufacturing Factory in Irvine California
Terran Orbital announced the official opening of a new 60,000-square-foot satellite manufacturing space adding to its existing manufacturing capability. With this previously announced addition, the total size of the manufacturing complex in Irvine has expanded to approximately 98,000 square feet. This new addition enables Terran Orbital to significantly boost satellite production, increasing it from an…