Page 3 - Satellite

Pak looks to formulate stricter regulations for foreign satellite operators

Pakistan has been delaying the launch of satellite-based internet services as authorities look to invite more players into the field and formulate stricter regulations for foreign satellite operators, according to a media report. The role of satellite-linked communication systems came under sharp focus after the recent India-Pakistan and Iran-Israel conflicts, prompting authorities in Pakistan to formulate new guidelines for companies in the business of satellite internet. The Dawn newspaper reported that following the expiration of the temporary no-objection certificate (NOC) for Starlink in March, all foreign satellite operators are now required to submit new applications under the newly drafted Satellite Communications Regulations. The regulations are being finalised by the Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB), based on industry feedback gathered during a recent roundtable discussion. A senior official from the Ministry of IT and Telecom emphasised the need for ...

UK to invest 163 million euros in Eutelsat, Bharti Space ups stake

The UK government will invest 163 million Euros in Eutelsat, boosting the satellite operator's capital raise to 1.5 billion Euros

SatSure, Dhruva Space sign MoU to deliver end-to-end space-based solutions

The strategic partnership aims to combine Earth Observation analytics with satellite platform capabilities to serve strategic and commercial users with high-reliability Indian tech

Bharti Space to invest $36 million in French satellite major Eutelsat

Eutelsat to raise €1.35 billion via capital increase and rights issue to expand LEO satellite capacity and repay debt; Bharti Space to invest €31.4 million

Spacetech startup GalaxEye to build second satellite with 0.5 m resolution

Built entirely in-house, the satellite will offer 0.5m resolution and sub-3-day revisit for real-time geospatial insights across defence, disaster response and urban security

Vi partners with AST SpaceMobile for direct-to-cell satcom in India

The latest tie-up marks the third and final private sector telecom company to officially enter the unfolding satcom race

Vodafone Idea partners AST Spacemobile to offer satellite phone services

Telecom operator Vodafone Idea on Wednesday announced a partnership with Satcom firm AST SpaceMobile, a rival of Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, to deliver satellite services on smartphones directly. AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by smartphones, designed for commercial and government applications, Vodafone Idea said in a statement. "Vi (Vodafone Idea) and AST SpaceMobile Inc...announced a strategic partnership to expand mobile connectivity across India's unconnected regions. AST SpaceMobile made history by placing the first-ever voice and video call from space using a standard mobile phone, a milestone that demonstrates the real-world viability of its advanced technology," the statement said. The company did not disclose the date for the launch of the service. Vi's competitors Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio have joined hands with SpaceX to sell services of its satellite communications (satcom) arm Starlink in ...

Vi, AST SpaceMobile tie-up to offer direct-to-device satellite connectivity

US-based AST SpaceMobile develops satellites that deliver 4G and 5G connectivity directly to standard smartphones without the need for any other equipment

Upcoming kharif crop area estimates to be fully based on satellite data

India will use satellite data instead of the traditional girdawari system for estimating kharif crop acreage, improving accuracy and coverage across all districts

Starlink may launch with ₹3K-4.2K per month plans, ₹33K setup kit

Starlink hardware will cost Rs 33,000 and monthly subscription plans are expected between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,200, mirroring prices in neighbouring countries

Starlink gets govt licence, to join Jio & OneWeb in India's satcom race

The go-ahead is expected to make Starlink a major player in India's telecom industry providing satellite communication services

Telcos slam Trai satellite spectrum charges as 'unjustifiably low'

Says proposals will create non-level playing field, impact sustainability of terrestrial services

SpaceX launches another Starship rocket, but it tumbles out of control

After back-to-back explosions, SpaceX launched its mega rocket Starship again on Tuesday evening in hopes of making it through the entire test flight and releasing a series of mock satellites. The 123-metre rocket blasted off on its ninth demo from Starbase, SpaceX's launch site at the southern tip of Texas. Plans called for the spacecraft to target a splashdown halfway around the world in the Indian Ocean, after popping out eight objects meant to resemble SpaceX's Starlink internet satellites. It was the first time one of CEO Elon Musk's Starships -- intended for moon and Mars travel -- flew with a recycled booster that aimed for the Gulf of Mexico. There were no plans to catch the booster with giant chopsticks back at the launch pad unlike earlier tests. The previous two Starships never made it past the Caribbean. The demos earlier this year ended just minutes after liftoff, raining wreckage into the ocean. No injuries or serious damage were reported, although airline travel wa

Intelsat gets govt nod for direct satellite broadcast services in India

US-based Intelsat has become one of the first foreign satellite operators to get approval from the Indian government to provide direct satellite coverage to domestic media organisations, a move that would allow the company to expand operations in the region. Following the authorisation from the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), Intelsat won new business from three of India's largest media companies, the US company said in a statement here. The IN-SPACe approval authorises Intelsat to operate four geostationary satellites --? IS-17, IS-20, IS-36, and IS-39 --? offering C-band coverage across India. These satellites will support content delivery and distribution both within the country and beyond its borders. "This approval represents a significant step forward in Intelsat's contribution to India's space commerce sector, a source of great national pride," said Gaurav Kharod, Regional Vice President for Asia Pacific at Intelsat. "Our extensive satell

States' race for space investment may help sector hit $44 bn by 2033

This follows the opening up of space to private participatio­n in June 2020, the Indian Spa­ce Policy of 2023, and a luc­­r­ative foreign direct investment policy of February 2024

Vodafone Idea must stop seeking waivers from government and courts

Vi must urgently raise capital

PierSight gains strategic investors to grow satellite maritime surveillance

Backed by Sustainable Ocean Alliance and CE-Ventures, PierSight aims to scale its SAR satellite constellation, boost ocean intelligence, and grow its engineering team

India will see fastest satcom rollout, says Jyotiraditya Scindia

Minister says India's satcom market will grow from $2.3 billion to $20 billion by 2028 as Starlink awaits final clearance and QoS becomes key focus for telcos

Satcom guidelines: DoT looks to finalise key technical conditions

TRAI leaves spectrum sharing and coordination distance norms to DoT as satellite operators await clarity before launching services using C, Ku and Ka bands

From satellites to navigation, India's plan to go deep into space

The country aims to grow its space economy from $8.4 billion in 2022 to $44 billion by 2033, according to a report by Ficci and EY