Tag: communications
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Intuitive Machines’ Maxar Acquisition Gains Momentum With $600 Million Satellite Order and Orbital Data Center Ambitions
Intuitive Machines’ decision to acquire the former Maxar satellite manufacturing business is beginning to look less like a bet on traditional spacecraft production and more like a strategy to build a vertically integrated space infrastructure company. The clearest evidence came in August 2026, when Intuitive Machines disclosed that it had secured a commercial contract worth…
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Taiwan Proposes Shared Satcom Constellation to Counter Starlink
Can Taiwan Build a Coalition to Challenge Starlink’s Dominance? Taiwan’s space agency director has proposed an ambitious multinational satellite constellation to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink network, marking a significant shift in how democratic nations view space-based communications infrastructure. The proposal calls for allied countries to pool resources and share operational costs for a constellation that…
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Laser communication: the future of communicating in space
Laser communications, an ever so important factor for the future of space exploration, has seen some important steps forward recently. Two test missions are on the way to provide important information, and a third one is planned for next year. The Integrated LCRD LEO User Modem and Amplifier Terminal (ILLUMA-T), which flew to the International…
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Kymeta goes beyond antennas with acquisition of Lepton satellite service company
A military-style Polaris RZR off-road vehicle plows through desert dunes with a Kymeta satellite antenna installed on top. Kymeta’s acquisition of Lepton Global Systems is aimed at strengthening the company’s offerings for government and military customers. (Kymeta Photo) Kymeta Corp. — the satellite antenna venture that’s based in Redmond, Wash., and backed by Microsoft co-founder…
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RBC Signals teams with India’s Antrix for space communications beyond Earth orbit
Vikram Sarabhai Space Center’s 18-meter antenna, located near Bangalore, India, can be used for deep-space communications. (VSSC Photo) Seattle-based RBC Signals has forged an agreement with Antrix, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization, to widen its spectrum of communication services for spacecraft operators. The partnership adds C-band, Ku-band and Ka-band communication capabilities…
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Techstars grad Kepler Communications raises $5M to launch mini satellites by 2017 and double its team
Kepler CEO Mina Mitry. Kepler Communications, a Techstars Seattle graduate building telecom infrastructure for space, just secured $5 million in seed funding. New York venture capital firm IA Ventures led the round. The Toronto-based startup will use the funds to grow its team and launch two tiny satellites into space in the next 15 months. Previously: Startup…
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Giant antenna deploys successfully aboard Morelos 3
CAPE CANAVERAL — Mexico’s advanced mobile communications satellite launched last month for humanitarian and national security uses has successfully blossomed in space. The $300 million Morelos 3 spacecraft was deployed Oct. 2 into a geosynchronous transfer orbit by a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Over the past month, the 11,685-pound…
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Video: Liftoff of Atlas 5 rocket with Mexico’s Morelos 3
A replay of the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket launching Mexico’s Morelos 3 communications satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida. See earlier Morelos 3 coverage. Our Atlas archive.
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Photos: Predawn launch of Atlas 5
A collection of liftoff photos from the United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket flight to deploy the Morelos 3 communications satellite for Mexico. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance See earlier Morelos 3 coverage. Our Atlas archive.
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Photos: Atlas 5 rolls out for launch
The Atlas 5 rocket emerges from the Vertical Integration Facility for rollout to Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral in preparation to launch Morelos 3 on Friday at 6:08 a.m. EDT. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance See earlier Morelos 3 coverage. Our Atlas archive.