SATELLITE CONSTELLATIONS
US court rejects challenges to FCC approval of SpaceX satellites
A U.S. appeals court has upheld the FCC's approval of SpaceX's plan to deploy thousands of Starlink satellites for broadband internet. Challenges from DISH Network and astronomers were rejected. SpaceX aims to expand its satellite network for wider internet coverage.
TV channels told to seek IN-SPACe nod before using foreign satellite capacity
In an advisory dated July 10, the MIB stated that the existing arrangements for provisioning of capacity in C, Ku or Ka frequency bands from foreign satellite operators can be extended till March 31, 2025.
Amazon's Project Kuiper in queue for satcom licence
Amazon is the fourth firm to seek such a licence in India to offer space communications services after Eutelsat OneWeb, Jio's satcom unit, and Starlink as competition in the still nascent Indian broadband-from-space market hots up.
Space regulator nod must from April 1 next year for use of non-Indian satellites
The Indian government has issued an advisory requiring satellite television broadcasters to obtain authorisation from IN-SPACe, India's space regulator, for using non-Indian satellites starting from April 1, 2025. This directive aligns with the Indian Space Policy-2023 implemented by IN-SPACe, which mandates that only authorised non-Indian satellites can provide services in India.
Space regulator nod must from April 2025 for use of non-Indian satellites
The government advises private television channel broadcasters to get IN-SPACe authorisation for non-Indian satellites by April 1, 2025. Following the Indian Space Policy-2023 and May NGP issuance, existing services continue until March 31, 2025. From April 2025, only authorised GSO/NGSO satellites can provide services. New capacity in C, Ku, Ka bands requires authorisation through an Indian Entity.
Ozone layer at risk from Elon Musk's Starlink satellites? New study shows
With 6,000 of the 8,100 objects currently in low Earth orbit belonging to Starlink, the environmental impact of these satellites is raising concerns among scientists. The findings reveal that the reentry of satellites in 2022 resulted in a 29.5% increase in atmospheric aluminum above natural levels, injecting approximately 17 metric tons of aluminum oxides into the mesosphere.
British scientists discover planet near Earth, which can support life. Know in detail
Gliese 12b, which is around the same size as Venus, orbits its sun every 12.8 days. The sun, called Gliese 12, is a cool red dwarf star located in the constellation Pisces.
Sri Lanka approves Starlink's satellite internet service, ushering in a new era of connectivity
In his post, President Wickremesinghe emphasized the transformative potential of this move for Sri Lanka, particularly for the country's youth.
Road ministry to roll-out satellite based toll collection on highways soon
The National Highways Authority of India, under the ministry of road transport and highways, has invited bids for to develop and implement GNSS-based electronic toll collection system in India, first on commercial vehicles and extended to private vehicles over the next two years.
Access to international orbital slots opens new doors for Indian satcom companies
Experts and industry executives said this will allow Indian players to tap surplus international satellite capacities to deliver satcom services at competitive rates in India.
Tata's military-grade satellite successfully placed into orbit
Built by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) at its Vemagal facility in Karnataka, the TSAT-1A was onboard the Bandwagon-1 mission launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket in Florida.
Airtel versus Jio: More shots fired in the satcom space battle
Airtel and Jio stand sharply divided on various issues related to satcom and have battled each other over complexities that surround satcom. The rivalry between the two biggies, with other satcom players also divided sharply, continues. A few days ago, they locked horns over the usage and price of satcom.
Elon Musk's SpaceX is building spy satellite network for US intelligence agency
The network is being built by SpaceX's Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract signed in 2021 with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), an intelligence agency that manages spy satellites, the sources said.
US agency probes risks of foreign satellite use by handheld devices
The Federal Communications Commission has concerns US handheld devices are receiving and processing Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals from satellites controlled by foreign adversaries in violation of commission rules.
General Anil Chauhan calls on private industry to enhance defence-space capabilities
Amidst China's space advancements, General Anil Chauhan urges India to fortify its defence space capabilities. Emphasizing a need for collaboration, he advocates for private industry involvement and significant investments. Key initiatives include satellite constellations and secure networks. With evolving threats, such as anti-satellite weaponry, General Chauhan stresses the importance of counter-space capabilities. Government support and partnerships aim to bolster India's position in the space domain, fostering self-reliance and resilience against emerging challenges.
Working towards launching six satellites in 2024, 18 by 2025: Pixxel CEO Awais Ahmed
Fireflies is a constellation of satellites which will have high resolution cameras and higher collection capacity and will remain in Space for ten years. Honeybees is another constellation of satellites which will increase the resolution of images and the wavelength range of Pixxel’s satellites.
Satellite 'constellations' could hamper night sky observations, astronomers raise concerns
The international team of scientists, including those from Imperial College London, have published a paper in Nature journal, detailing the impact of the prototype BlueWalker 3 satellite on astronomy. The BlueWalker 3 is a prototype satellite, part of a satellite constellation planned by its owner AST SpaceMobile, intended to deliver mobile or broadband services anywhere in the world.
Telesat taps SpaceX to launch its broadband satellites in orbit
Canada's Telesat on Monday said it has signed a agreement with SpaceX to launch its low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite constellation called Lightspeed starting in 2026, with the aim of providing global broadband service from space in late 2027.
Europe to build satellite constellation akin to SpaceX's Starlink: Report
IRIS2 (Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite) is the European Union's new flagship space programme for a digital, resilient and safer Europe.
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