Tag: Low Earth Orbit
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Northwood Space Unveils Prism Antenna to Support High-Throughput Satellite Communications
Northwood Space has introduced Prism, a new parabolic antenna system designed to support high-volume satellite communications and growing demand for data-intensive space applications. The company said the 2.4-meter antenna is engineered to deliver high-throughput, bidirectional connectivity across multiple orbital regimes and is intended for use cases including enterprise backhaul, direct-to-cellular services, and space-based computing networks.…
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SpaceX Debuts Starfall Reentry Vehicle for Microgravity Research and In-Space Manufacturing
SpaceX has conducted the first demonstration flight of Starfall, a new reentry spacecraft designed to support microgravity research, in-space manufacturing, and the return of payloads from orbit. The Starfall demonstration mission launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Tuesday, marking the first public flight of the vehicle.…
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ESA Astronaut Tests EuroSuit Prototype Aboard ISS as Development Program Advances
A prototype of the European-developed EuroSuit intravehicular activity (IVA) spacesuit has undergone testing aboard the International Space Station (ISS), while a parallel water survival campaign has been completed on Earth as part of the suit’s ongoing development program. The EuroSuit initiative was launched by the French space agency CNES in late 2023 and is being…
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Loft Orbital and NASA JPL Partner to Demonstrate AI Software in Orbit
Loft Orbital has entered into an agreement with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to host and operate artificial intelligence software demonstrations in orbit as part of a NASA-funded Earth science technology program. The collaboration supports the Federated Autonomous MEasurement (FAME) project, which is funded by NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) and focuses on advancing…
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Sophia Space Raises Funding, Plans In-Orbit Demonstrations of Orbital Computing Platform
Sophia Space has announced new funding and a series of planned in-orbit demonstrations as it advances development of its orbital computing technology platform. The company said it is finalizing a $7 million SAFE financing round that is expected to close this week. Investors participating in the round include EverGreen, the NVIDIA Alumni Investment Network, SparkLabs…
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Rocket Lab Launches U.S. Space Force Mission in Under 17 Hours After Call-Up
Rocket Lab has successfully launched a responsive space mission for the U.S. Space Force, deploying a spacecraft less than 17 hours after receiving a launch order as part of the Victus Haze mission. The mission, conducted under the U.S. Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) program, lifted off aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from…
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Jio Explores Sovereign LEO Satellite Constellation to Expand Broadband Coverage Across India
India’s largest telecom operator, Jio Platforms, is evaluating the development of a sovereign low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation as part of a broader strategy to expand broadband connectivity across the country. The plan was outlined by Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm, during the company’s shareholder meeting on June 19. Dual Satellite Strategy According…
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ESA Delays Space Rider Drop Test After Anomaly During Helicopter Ascent
The European Space Agency (ESA) has postponed a key drop test of its Space Rider reusable spaceplane after an anomaly occurred during a helicopter-assisted ascent phase in May, delaying the final stage of the vehicle’s landing qualification campaign. ESA confirmed that the incident took place during a two-week test campaign that concluded on May 8,…
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Instinct Space Pivots From Lunar Navigation to Low-Cost Moon Landers
Instinct Space has announced a major strategic shift, moving away from plans to develop a lunar navigation constellation and instead focusing on low-cost lunar landers designed to provide more affordable access to the Moon. The London-based startup, which joined Y Combinator in 2025 to develop a GPS-like navigation network around the Moon, said challenges surrounding…
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NewOrbit Raises $18.5 Million to Commercialize Very Low Earth Orbit Satellite Operations
European satellite manufacturer NewOrbit has closed an oversubscribed $18.5 million Series A funding round to accelerate the commercialization of very low Earth orbit (VLEO), a region of space that has historically been considered too challenging for long-term commercial operations. The funding round was led by Voyager Ventures and included participation from several new and existing…