Satellite/Comms

January 22, 2025

Tariff rates in Nigeria have remained constant since 2013, despite increased operating costs for telecom companies.

Angola and France sign deal for ANGEO-1 satellite development

January 22, 2025

Airbus Defence and Space in France will construct ANGEO-1, the first Angolan Earth observation satellite.

Loft Orbital secures $170m Series C funding

January 20, 2025

Launched a $100m+ joint venture in the UAE with Marlan Space, with Loft Orbital currently constructing a 50,000-sqft facility.

NIGCOMSAT and Eutelsat to expand LEO satellite connectivity in Nigeria

January 19, 2025

The initiative will enhance nationwide remote communications, mobile connectivity and offshore operations.

EGA celebrates MBZ-SAT launch featuring CelestiAL solar aluminium

January 17, 2025

EGA supplied MBRSC with CelestiAL solar aluminium produced in Jebel Ali.

EGA celebrates MBZ-SAT launch featuring CelestiAL solar aluminium

January 17, 2025

EGA supplied MBRSC with CelestiAL solar aluminium produced in Jebel Ali.

UAE University celebrates launch of Al Ain Sat-1 satellite

January 17, 2025

The project aims to empower student teams from various local and international universities to work on developing small satellites and then exchange experiences and knowledge among them.

MBRSC confirms deployment and operation of MBZ-SAT

January 16, 2025

The satellite will be able to capture images with double the precision of previous models while increasing image generation capacity tenfold.

Government space investments hit $135bn in 2024: Novaspace

January 16, 2025

Defence spending has driven government space budgets to historic highs.

Neo Space Group appoints Mark Dickinson as CTO

Dickinsons portfolio includes managing a fleet of 15 Geostationary satellites, overseeing approximately $1bn in spacecraft and launch procurement.

Pixxel launches first three satellites of Firefly constellation

The Fireflies deliver critical data and analysis to industries worldwide to make informed decisions for addressing global challenges, improving resource management and driving climate action.

Space42 expands satellite constellation with Foresight-2 launch

Foresight-1 and Foresight-2 will boost UAEs earth observation capabilities.

SpaceX launches UAEÂs MBZ-Sat satellite into orbit

MBZ-Sat has been in development by Emirati engineers at the MBRSC since 2020, with most of the satellite parts made by private companies.

Telenor appoints new members of Group Management

January 14, 2025

Both executives leverage diverse experience from multiple Telenor markets.

Ooredoo Kuwait appoints new Chairman

Currently, he serves as the Regional Chief Executive Officer of Ooredoo Group for the Middle East.

Rocket Lab adds Neutron launch services to NASA’s VADR programme

Neutron is scheduled for its debut launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 in Virginia from mid-2025.

UAE signs agreement to develop EMA Lander for Asteroid Belt Mission

The mission spans 13 years, with a six-year spacecraft development phase followed by a seven-year voyage to the main asteroid belt beyond Mars.

UAE signs agreement to develop EMA Lander for Asteroid Belt Mission

The mission spans 13 years, with a six-year spacecraft development phase followed by a seven-year voyage to the main asteroid belt beyond Mars.

Du and Huawei launch Youth Digital Pioneers Programme

January 10, 2025

The programme journey will commence at the Huawei office, where participants will dive into the core of cutting-edge digital technologies and sustainable business practices.

MBRSC announces final preparations for MBZ-SAT launch

January 10, 2025

The MBRSC is sending MBZ-SAT to space through SpaceX's rideshare programme.

Nokia and Intuitive Machines to deploy first cellular network on Moon

January 9, 2025

Nokia intends to prove capabilities of cellular technology for future lunar exploration with the upcoming IM-2 mission.

NASA announces new approach to return samples from Mars

January 8, 2025

The European Space Agency is currently assessing NASAs approach.

Orange Jordan announces key leadership changes for 2025

January 8, 2025

These changes aim to capitalise on the strengths of the company's employees and further develop their skills in line with the group's strategy.

AST SpaceMobile acquires mid-band spectrum from Ligado

January 7, 2025

Ligado Networks has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring and reached an agreement with AST SpaceMobile to grant access to its mid-band spectrum.

Es’hailSat’s Al Ghuwayriyah Teleport achieves WTA certification

January 6, 2025

The Al Ghuwayriyah certification marks the 69th issued since the programme's inception at IBC 2015.

Space42 launches Thuraya 4 telecommunications satellite

January 5, 2025

Thuraya 4 will provide more secure capacity, faster speeds, and wider coverage across Africa, Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East.

OneWeb service restored after 48-hour outage

January 3, 2025

The outage was caused by a software issue within the ground segment.

Gilat secures $18m orders addressing demand for IFC solutions

January 2, 2025

The orders primarily include Gilat SkyEdge platforms, associated services, and solid-state power amplifiers.

Space-Comm Expo reveals 2025 space industry trends and challenges

January 2, 2025

Space debris, AI and cybersecurity take centre stage, alongside government and commercial collaboration to fuel growth.

Starlink to go ahead with price restructure in Nigeria

December 30, 2024

The revised tariffs mirror those proposed in the October 2024 announcement and follow proper regulatory channels, addressing concerns raised by NCC.

MBRSC’s 2024 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Programme closes successully

December 25, 2024

During the 10-week REU programme, the participants worked on diverse research projects that contributed significantly to space science.

DEWA SAT-1 relays 2.7 GB of operational data

December 25, 2024

The nanosatellite has been applied to monitor DEWAs assets in various ways, such as tracking power factor and frequency in low-voltage rooms, monitoring water pipelines, among others.

Gulfsat Communications avails Es’hailSat’s transponder services

December 24, 2024

The new Agreement provides transponder capacity on Es'hail-1 to Gulfsat for VSAT and high-speed connectivity to MENA.

SES’ Astra 1P starts delivering content across Europe

December 24, 2024

Astra 1P will enhance SES' ability to deliver premium content with superior reliability and image quality to 118 million TV households.

Congo secures $20m funding for Earth Observation satellite

December 19, 2024

The satellite is expected to be critical in modernising geographic infrastructure, safeguarding strategic data, and supporting territorial observation.

New Zealand launches nationwide direct-to-smartphone Starlink service

December 19, 2024

It enables select users to send and receive texts in the 40% of New Zealands landmass not covered by cell towers.

MBRSC successfully completes second analog study in NASAÂs HERA campaign

December 18, 2024

The study was designed to simulate the conditions of long-duration space missions here on Earth, providing insights into human adaptability to isolation, confinement, and remote conditions.

SpaceRISE signs concession contract to deliver Europe’s IRIS2 connectivity network

December 18, 2024

The project is valued at some 10.6 billion, with public funding from the European Commission, EU Member States, and the European Space Agency representing c. 60% of the total project...

Airbus to build 100 satellites for Eutelsat’s OneWeb low Earth orbit constellation extension

December 18, 2024

The new satellites will be technologically compatible with IRIS2 constellation, Europes sovereign $11.1 billion multi-orbit broadband slated to enter service by early 2031.

UAE’s Supreme Space Council hosts first meeting

December 17, 2024

TThe countrys investments in the sector reached AED40bn over the past years, with research and development spending on space exploration projects rising by 14.8%.

Space42 secures AED 18.7bn contract for UAE satellite and managed services

December 17, 2024

The contract includes the procurement of Al Yah 4 and Al Yah 5 advanced satellites and confirms the Capacity and Managed Services Mandate awarded to Yahsat in September 2023.

ST Engineering iDirect’s new tech to allow multi-orbit capacity

December 16, 2024

The multi-orbit and switching tech uses an innovative tracking algorithm to deliver the necessary frequency & timing compensation for satellites in all orbits, enabling smart switching.

Registrations open for MBRSC’s Winter Space Explorer Camp 2024

December 15, 2024

Students will design 3D space-inspired artwork, engage in interactive scientific experiments, and meet Emirati astronauts.

UAE Space Agency and Japan strengthen space exploration ties

December 15, 2024

The dedicated workshop brought together more than 50 industry experts and government officials from the UAE and Japan.

Viasat secures $568m IDIQ contract from US General Services Administration

Viasat will support the modernisation of the US Department of Defence technology with tactical networking, ground system, satellite communication and cybersecurity solutions.

Oman Lens joins China’s International Lunar Research Station project

Omans involvement will include creating specialised instruments capable of analysing the moons surface and resources.

Eutelsat and Clear Blue Technologies partner to deliver smart energy based connectivity across Africa

Eutelsat will integrate Clear Blues energy technology into its GEO Konnect and LEO OneWeb platforms to optimise broadband quality and prioritise applications based on power conditions.

Smallsat market to maintain steady growth over next decade: Novaspace

The smallsat market is expected to reach a value of $113.3bn driven by strategic investments and emerging technologies.

Viasat hosts first demonstration of direct-to-device connectivity in the UAE

December 12, 2024

The tests used a commercial Android smartphone enabled for non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity with an over-the-top messaging application.

Global policymakers congregate at Abu Dhabi Space Debate

December 12, 2024

Representatives from 35 government Space Agencies spoke about regulatory frameworks to protect space.

Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub inaugurates Comlux facility

December 11, 2024

Jean-Michel Champredonde, General Manager of Comlux Middle East & Africa, will be overseeing the day-to-day operations at the 20,000 square metres facility in Dubai South.

Lockheed Martin delegation visits Morocco to explore expansion opportunities

December 11, 2024

Lockheed Martin aims to leverage Morocco's manufacturing expertise to strengthen global operations and create local economic opportunities.

Space42Âs Thuraya 4 satellite reaches Kennedy Space Center launch site

December 10, 2024

The new Thuraya 4 geostationary satellite will be launched in December and will deliver superior mobility solutions across Europe, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East.

Cloudflare reports threefold growth in Starlink’s internet traffic for 2024

December 10, 2024

This is the second consecutive year of rapid growth for Starlink. The company almost tripled traffic in 2023.

UAE to manufacture EO satellites under a new joint venture between Space42 and ICEYE

December 9, 2024

Space42s Assembly, Integration, and Testing and LEO facilities in Abu Dhabi will host the joint ventures manufacturing operations and Space42s constellation operation services.

New partnership with Expertise France to boost Kenya Space Agency’s capabilities