Author: starpathwp-production
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The race to build a super-large ground telescope is likely down to two competitors
I have been writing about the Giant Magellan Telescope for a long time. Nearly two decades ago, for example, I wrote that time was “running out” in the race to build the next great optical telescope on the ground. At the time the proposed telescope was one of three contenders to make a giant leap…
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NASA Rolls Artemis II Moon Rocket to Launchpad as Final Preparations Begin
NASA on Saturday began the final phase of launch preparations for its Artemis II mission, moving the agency’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket toward its Florida launchpad ahead of the first crewed flight under its lunar return programme. The 322-foot-tall SLS rocket was rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center…
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Canada Rocket Company Emerges From Stealth With $4.5 million Seed Round
Canada Rocket Company (CRC), a Toronto-based space launch startup, has emerged from stealth after securing C$6.2 million ($4.5 million) in seed funding, as it seeks to develop domestic light- and medium-lift rocket capabilities for Canada amid rising government investment in the space sector. The round was co-led by the Business Development Bank of Canada and…
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Unions Oppose Airbus Plan to Absorb Constellation Satellites Unit
French labour unions are pushing back against Airbus as it moves to consolidate its satellite manufacturing activities, with Airbus Defence and Space set to absorb Airbus Constellations Satellites (ACS). In a statement, the Union Nationale des Syndicats Autonomes (UNSA) described the planned move as “industrial, economic and social nonsense,” arguing that there was no justification…
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40 Years Young and Still Going Strong
Welcome to the first edition of Via Satellite in 2026 and what promises to be another big year for the industry. I will start by wishing our community a happy new year and wish you all the best for 2026. It is also a HUGE year for Via Satellite as we celebrate our 40th birthday.…
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The Arctic Space Race Heats Up
The race for space dominance continues shifting north to the Arctic. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 significantly heightened European and broader Western interest in securing the Arctic. President Trump’s repeated calls to make Greenland part of the U.S. since returning to office further intensifies the stakes in the Upper North. Explore the…
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BlackSky Reports Gen-3 Pilot Customers Signing Renewal Deals
BlackSky reports it has secured multiple expansion contracts for its Gen-3 satellite program from customers in the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Customers who worked with the company for early access pilot programs are turning into renewal deals, BlackSky said. The company did not name specific customers in the Tuesday announcement. BlackSky began launching its upgraded…
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Asia-Pacific Operator Signs $11M Order for Gilat SkyEdge Platform
An unnamed satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region has contracted Gilat Satellite Networks for $11 million for its SkyEdge platform to deliver advanced mobility services. Gilat reported the SkyEdge platform was selected for its performance in high-capacity networks, flexibility to support diverse service profiles, and ability to scale with market demands. Announcing the deal…
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ArianeGroup Appoints Christophe Bruneau as CEO, Succeeding Martin Sion
ArianeGroup, jointly owned by Airbus and Safran, said its board has appointed Christophe Bruneau as chief executive officer, effective April 1, succeeding Martin Sion. Bruneau joins ArianeGroup from Safran Aircraft Engines, where he has served since 2020 as executive vice president and general manager of the Military Engines division. His appointment follows Sion’s earlier decision…
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Expandable space stations are back… well at least Max Space thinks they are
A cutaway interior layout concept of Thunderbird Station. Image: Max Space Public information about Max Space’s funding remains limited. The company appears to be operating on early-stage private capital rather than large institutional backing, a contrast to some higher-profile competitors pursuing rigid-module stations or luxury-oriented orbital platforms. That quieter posture may be intentional, allowing the…