Via Satellite
Industry magazine delivering news and analysis on satellite communications business, broadcast and broadband technology, and market trends.
SpaceX Gets Nearly $4.2 Billion Nod From Space Force For Initial SB-AMTI
The U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command awarded SpaceX a nearly $4.2 billion Other Transaction Authority contract to field the initial Space‑Based Airborne Moving Target Indicator (SB‑AMTI) system, following a $2.3 billion contract for the Space Data Network Backbone. SB‑AMTI will deploy a low‑Earth‑orbit satellite constellation by 2028 to provide resilient, space‑based tracking that supplements traditional airborne radar. The award is part of a broader vendor‑diverse effort, while Congress kept the Boeing E‑7 Wedgetail program alive at $4.9 billion. SpaceX also announced a Nasdaq IPO slated for June 12 under the ticker SPCX.
Orbital Data Centers Must Tackle Chip Lifespan, Launch Availability, and Cybersecurity Challenges
Experts at SmallSat Europe examined the hype around orbital data centers, noting that space‑based compute promises unlimited energy but requires custom silicon and massive launch capacity. Dr. Paul Struhsaker warned that rapid AI ASIC turnover shortens chip lifespans to two...
ST Engineering iDirect’s New CEO Kuppanna Talks Ground Tech’s Cloud-Native, Interoperable Future
ST Engineering iDirect appointed Sridhar Kuppanna as CEO, continuing the cloud‑native, software‑defined roadmap he helped craft as CTO. He outlined four strategic pillars: digital transformation to cloud‑native architecture, convergence of terrestrial and non‑terrestrial networks, standardization for interoperability, and AI‑driven automation....
HackerOne Exec Explains Key Security Trends in the Age of AI
HackerOne security architect Laurie Mercer told Space Security Sentinel that AI‑driven vulnerability reporting surged 210 % over the past year, with sixteen AI collectives now hunting bugs at scale. He warned that space firms face particular challenges in running public bug‑bounty...
Northrop Grumman’s First MRV Readies for Summer Launch to Expand the Space Servicing Toolkit
Northrop Grumman’s SpaceLogistics will launch its Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) this summer on a dedicated SpaceX ride, marking the first commercial robotic in‑space servicing mission. The MRV, equipped with dual robotic arms, a standardized refueling interface and advanced docking sensors,...
Space42 Reports Space Services Revenue Growth Despite Flat Results
Space42 reported flat overall revenue of $116 million in Q1 2026, matching the prior year, while its Space Services segment surged 15% year‑on‑year. Net profit slipped to $5 million, but the company highlighted a robust $700 million, 15‑year government capacity contract driving the services...
SpinLaunch to Collaborate with Aalyria for Network Orchestration
SpinLaunch announced a partnership with Aalyria Technologies to integrate the latter’s Spacetime network‑orchestration software into the Meridian low‑Earth‑orbit communications constellation. The collaboration will provide a vendor‑agnostic control layer that accelerates Meridian’s ground‑segment readiness and supports rapid deployment of LEO satellites...
Eutelsat Shows Strong Growth in LEO Services and Mobility in Q3
Eutelsat reported third‑quarter revenue of 293 million euros ($343 million), a 2.3% decline on a reported basis but a 3% rise on a like‑for‑like basis. LEO‑driven revenue surged 65% year‑over‑year, propelling Mobile Connectivity up 27% to €45 million ($53 million). The company announced a...
Bringing LEO to Private Networks: Logos Space Engineering VP Explains the Constellation’s Enterprise-Focused Design
Logos Space has secured FCC approval for a 4,178‑satellite low‑Earth‑orbit (LEO) constellation aimed at private, secure enterprise networks. Unlike consumer‑oriented constellations such as Starlink, the design emphasizes symmetric, Layer‑2/2.5 throughput and electronic‑warfare resilience for both commercial and government users. The...
Networks Business Propels Revenue Growth for SES, Operator Cancels 2 GEO Sats
SES reported Q1 revenue of €847 million ($997 million), up roughly 50% and slightly above analyst forecasts, driven largely by its Networks division. Networks generated €556 million ($655 million), representing 66% of total revenue and posting over 100% year‑on‑year growth, especially in mobility and...
UPCOMING: From Perk to Platform: How In-Flight Connectivity Is Rewriting Aviation Economics
In‑flight connectivity has moved from a passenger perk to a core aircraft asset, now embedded in new‑fleet specifications and reflected in lease rates and residual values. Multi‑orbit architectures that blend LEO, MEO and GEO satellites are becoming the industry baseline...
Greek Government Taps Planet for New Satellite Data Deal
Planet Labs Germany has landed a two‑year, seven‑figure contract—estimated between $1 million and $9 million—with the Greek government. The agreement, brokered through ESA, provides near‑daily medium‑resolution imagery, high‑resolution tasking, and a decade of PlanetScope data to support Greece’s National Satellite Space Project....
Operational AI Is Hitting the Limits of Earth Observation Data
AI models are moving from experimental Earth Observation (EO) datasets to operational deployments that must function across diverse geographies, seasons, and sensor changes. However, satellite imagery suffers from calibration drift, uneven revisit schedules, and fragmented data supply, forcing users to...
Enabled by AI, NGA Director Focused on Mission, Transformation, and Workforce
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) unveiled an AI‑driven strategy built on three lines of effort—mission, transformation, and workforce—at the GEOINT Symposium. Director Lt. Gen. Michelle Bredenkamp tied the plan to the National Defense Strategy, stressing rapid, precise geospatial intelligence for...
Verizon Details ‘Satellite-Everywhere’ for Disaster Response, Expands Satellite Fleet
Verizon announced a major expansion of its disaster‑response satellite fleet, now totaling 2,600 assets. The rollout includes a new multi‑orbit off‑road trailer that can switch between GEO and LEO satellites to deliver mobile 5G hotspots in hard‑to‑reach areas. The company...