Tag: satellite manufacturing
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German Startup 3D Prints Rigid Beam on Free-Flying Satellite in Orbital First
The technology addresses a growing challenge for future spacecraft, which will need to generate far more electrical power and radiate far more heat into the vacuum, particularly if they serve as orbital data centers. Those spacecraft must still fit within the tight confines of a rocket fairing, so building equipment in orbit could ease both…
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How to Mass-Produce Satellites Like Cars
Imagine walking into two factories. On an automotive assembly line, bodies move forward as wiring harnesses, seats and glass arrive at each workstation in sequence. In a satellite integration facility, engineers gather around a spacecraft to check interfaces, wiring and test records. Some argue that satellites should be built like cars, rolling off an assembly…
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How Much Does a Satellite Constellation Really Cost? Calculating Its Full Lifecycle Cost
Constellation announcements often promise billions in investment, but rarely explain where the money goes. To understand the economics of space computing, we need to break down five costs across a computing satellite’s life, from development to disposal. The exercise reveals why companies in this industry need to understand both aerospace engineering and cost accounting. 1.…
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How to Assess a Satellite Thermal Control Company’s Competitive Edge and Growth Potential
Satellite thermal control may sound like a niche business, but it is critical to a spacecraft’s survival. Yet not every company in the field is equally capable. Some quietly deliver hardware that flies; others excel at telling a compelling story. Assessing a satellite thermal control company requires a closer look at several factors. Technical Capabilities…
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Astro Digital Sets $587 Million SPAC Merger to Scale Satellite Production
Astro Digital has delivered nearly 40 satellites across a range of mission types, with customers including NASA, Sony, Boeing, and EchoStar. Its platforms supported the Starcloud-1 on-orbit computing mission and the Mandrake 2 mission for DARPA’s Blackjack program, and the company built the Lyra IoT satellites for EchoStar. The transaction is expected to provide $180…
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Beyond Reach Labs Opens Brooklyn Facility to Scale Flarewing Solar Arrays
Beyond Reach Labs is opening a 16,000-square-foot manufacturing and testing facility at Brooklyn’s Industry City complex in New York on September 24, establishing dedicated production capacity for its Flarewing deployable solar array. The system is designed to provide high-density electrical power for commercial space stations, orbital computing platforms and direct-to-device satellite networks. Founded by former…
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Commercial GEO Satellite Orders Rebound to 14 in 2026 as C-Band Transition Drives Fleet Renewal
Commercial geostationary communications satellite orders reached 14 spacecraft through September 21, up from 10 during all of 2025 and the highest annual total since 2020, according to market intelligence firm Novaspace. The recovery is being driven partly by satellite operators preparing for another U.S. C-band spectrum transition while replacing aging broadcast and connectivity assets. The…
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Aerospacelab Turns Profitable Before Securing €2.4 Billion IRIS² Satellite Contract
Belgian satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab said September 21 that it had reached profitability in early 2026, before winning a €2.4 billion ($2.75 billion) contract to design, manufacture and deliver 264 low Earth orbit satellites for the European Union’s IRIS² secure communications constellation. The contract, announced September 10, gives Aerospacelab responsibility for approximately 76% of the 348…
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What Is “Burn-In,” and Why Do Satellites Need It?
A piece of onboard electronic equipment has just come off the production line. It has passed visual inspection, its insulation and electrical characteristics are normal, and every functional test has been completed successfully. In theory, it should be ready for delivery. Before installing it on a satellite, however, engineers will often keep it powered on…
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Fifth International Summit on Large-Scale Beidou Applications Highlights Everyday Uses and Global Cooperation
The fifth International Summit on Large-Scale Beidou Applications concluded Sept. 16 in Zhuzhou, Hunan province, after two days of demonstrations spanning consumer devices, drone operations and overseas projects. Organizers unveiled 51 products, technologies and application solutions, while 41 industry and research cooperation projects involving a total planned investment of 5.54 billion yuan were signed. The…