Tag: Direct-to-Device
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Amazon Files for 5,105-Satellite D2D Constellation
Is Amazon Building a Separate D2D Megaconstellation on Globalstar Spectrum? 5,105 satellites. That is the scale of the Direct-to-Device (D2D) satellite constellation Amazon has formally filed with the FCC under the name "Amazon Leo," operating in spectrum the company intends to acquire through its pending Globalstar deal. The filing, reported by Via Satellite on July…
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ReOrbit Launches OrbitCloud Space Computing Programme with €4.6 Million Backing
ReOrbit has launched its OrbitCloud research and development programme to develop a space-based edge computing network, supported by an initial €4.6 million (US$5.3 million) funding award from Business Finland. The company said the overall value of the programme is expected to exceed €40 million (US$46 million) as development progresses. Space-Based Edge Computing ReOrbit describes OrbitCloud…
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Japan Nears Decision on $2 Billion Domestic Direct-to-Device Satellite Network
Japan is expected to select a proposal this month for its planned J-LEO direct-to-device (D2D) satellite network, a government-backed initiative aimed at establishing a domestically owned and operated low Earth orbit (LEO) communications system. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has allocated approximately $1 billion in subsidies for the project, covering up to…
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Amazon, Globalstar, Iridium and Telesat Launch NGSO Satellite Trade Association
Amazon, Globalstar, Iridium and Telesat have formed the SpaceConnect Association, a new trade organization representing non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) operators. The association said it will work with governments, international institutions and industry stakeholders to promote a competitive satellite communications market and expand global connectivity. Former National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator David Redl has…
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Northwood Space Unveils Prism Antenna to Support High-Throughput Satellite Communications
Northwood Space has introduced Prism, a new parabolic antenna system designed to support high-volume satellite communications and growing demand for data-intensive space applications. The company said the 2.4-meter antenna is engineered to deliver high-throughput, bidirectional connectivity across multiple orbital regimes and is intended for use cases including enterprise backhaul, direct-to-cellular services, and space-based computing networks.…
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NewOrbit Raises $18.5 Million to Commercialize Very Low Earth Orbit Satellite Operations
European satellite manufacturer NewOrbit has closed an oversubscribed $18.5 million Series A funding round to accelerate the commercialization of very low Earth orbit (VLEO), a region of space that has historically been considered too challenging for long-term commercial operations. The funding round was led by Voyager Ventures and included participation from several new and existing…
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Telefónica Germany and OQ Technology Test Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity
Telefónica Germany has partnered with Luxembourg-based satellite operator OQ Technology to test direct-to-device (D2D) satellite communications, marking a step toward integrating satellite connectivity with conventional mobile networks. The companies are conducting trials in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany, using Telefónica Deutschland’s frequency spectrum to evaluate two-way text messaging and voice communication directly between satellites and standard mobile…
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SWISSto12 Partners with Germany for D2D GEO Broadcast Satellite
What makes this German partnership crucial for GEO broadcast satellites? SWISSto12 has secured a strategic partnership with an unnamed German high-performance space subsystem provider to develop Direct-to-Device (D2D) capabilities for Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites focused on media broadcast applications. The collaboration represents a significant pivot toward consumer-facing satellite services from the Swiss company known primarily…
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BlueBird 7 Satellite Lost After Blue Origin Launch Failure
What happened to AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite after the Blue Origin launch? AST SpaceMobile’s 693kg BlueBird 7 direct-to-device satellite will be deliberately deorbited after a Blue Origin New Glenn upper stage malfunction stranded it in the wrong orbit on April 18, 2026. The $150 million satellite—designed to provide cellular connectivity directly to standard smartphones—reached…
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AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 Lost in New Glenn Upper Stage Failure
What happened to AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite? AST SpaceMobile has declared its BlueBird 7 satellite a total loss following an upper stage failure during Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch on April 19, 2026. The $50 million direct-to-device communications satellite was lost when the rocket’s upper stage experienced an anomaly during orbital insertion, despite Blue…