Radio astronomers are looking to the future as satellite mega-constellations light up the sky

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sends 47 Starlink satellites into orbit from Kennedy Space Center. (SpaceX Photo) There are plenty of astronomers who worry that the thousands…

Amid challenges, Kymeta and OneWeb sign deal to widen satellite broadband access

Engineers test Kymeta’s antenna system with OneWeb’s satellite service in France. (OneWeb via YouTube) Redmond, Wash.-based Kymeta Corp., the mobile connectivity company backed by Bill Gates, has…

Spaceflight Inc. hails a pair of successful launches as it deals with frictions in SpaceX relationship

Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle lifts off into the skies over New Zealand, sending two BlackSky satellites into orbit. Seattle-based Spaceflight Inc. played a supporting role in…

Xplore acquires assets of Kubos flight software company as it ramps up for first space mission

An artist’s conception shows Xplore’s satellite platform in low Earth orbit. (Xplore Illustration) Redmond, Wash.-based Xplore says it’s acquired the assets of Kubos Corp., the creator of…

Amazon reserves up to 83 rocket launches for Project Kuiper broadband satellite constellation

Amazon plans to have satellites sent into orbit by (from left) United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rockets, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rockets and Arianespace’s Ariane 6 rockets….

Activate the ion drive! LeoStella will buy Astra’s electric propulsion systems for small satellites

An electric propulsion system lights up its thruster with xenon propellant. (Astra / Apollo Fusion Photo) Astra Space says it’s made a deal with Tukwila, Wash.-based LeoStella…

NASA awards millions to SpaceX and Amazon’s Project Kuiper for satellite communications

An artist’s conception shows a NASA Tracking and Data Relay Satellite in orbit. (NASA Illustration) Six satellite ventures — including SpaceX’s Starlink network and Amazon’s Project Kuiper…

Astronomers make an Earth Day plea to rein in satellite constellations for the environment’s sake

Astronomers say this streak in a Hubble Space Telescope image is likely to have been created by a Starlink satellite flying just a few miles above Hubble….

SpaceX launches 59 payloads, including Spaceflight’s latest breed of orbital tug

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket rises from its Florida launch pad. (SpaceX via YouTube) A new type of controllable orbital transfer vehicle built by Seattle-based Spaceflight Inc. made…

NRO strikes multibillion-dollar deals with BlackSky, Maxar and Planet for spy satellite imagery

An artist’s conception shows one of BlackSky’s satellites in orbit. (Black Sky Illustration) Three satellite imaging companies are in line to receive billions of dollars from the…