The Edge
Space Force raises the stakes as rocket companies compete for lucrative military missions
A Falcon Heavy rocket launches the USSF-67 mission on January 15, 2023 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. SpaceX The U.S. military is raising the stakes — and widening the field — on a high-profile competition for Space Force mission contracts. The Space Force plans to buy even more rocket launches from companies in […]
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Astranis internet satellite malfunctions before beginning Alaska service, backup planned for spring
The Arcturus satellite is seen en route to geosynchronous orbit. Astranis Satellite internet service provider Astranis said Friday its first commercial satellite in orbit, which was intended to provide coverage to Alaska, has malfunctioned. A backup satellite is planned for the spring. It’s an early setback for a unique approach to providing internet service to […]
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Amazon to construct $120 million facility in Florida to prep Kuiper net satellites for start
An artist’s rendering of the Job Kuiper satellite processing facility in Florida. Amazon Amazon will commit $120 million to develop a satellite processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Room Center in Florida, as the business prepares to launch the 1st satellites for its Task Kuiper world-wide-web community, the tech large announced Friday. The facility will be […]
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Private investment in space firms shows ‘signs of stabilization’ in Q2 after steady decline
Senior satellite technician Chris Summers completes the final pre-flight checks on satellites Kepler-16 and Kepler-17. Kepler Communications Private investment in space companies, especially from venture capital, showed “signs of stabilization” in the second quarter after steady declines over the past year, according to a report Monday by New York-based Space Capital. Investment in space companies […]
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Elon Musk’s SpaceX nears $150 billion valuation after secondary share sale
A Starship prototype stands on the company’s launchpad in Boca Chica, Texas on March 16, 2022. SpaceX The valuation of Elon Musk’s SpaceX hit near $150 billion following a share sale by existing investors announced this week, CNBC has learned. SpaceX has an agreement with new and existing investors to sell up to $750 million […]
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Viasat stock plunges after company discloses malfunction in new satellite
A long-exposure photo shows a trail left by SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket while launching the ViaSat-3 Americas satellite from Florida on April 30, 2023. Viasat Viasat‘s stock dropped in after-hours trading on Wednesday after the company disclosed its most recently launched communications satellite suffered a malfunction. The Carlsbad, California-based company said an “unexpected event occurred” […]
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Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket engine explodes during testing
A test of a BE-4 engine at the company’s Launch Site One facility in West Texas on Aug. 2, 2019. Blue Origin A Blue Origin rocket engine exploded during testing last month, CNBC has learned, a destructive setback with potential ramifications for the company’s customers as well as its own rocket. During a firing on […]
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Astranis to bring satellite internet to 2 million people in the Philippines next year
A visualization shows an Astranis satellite over the Philippines in orbit. Astranis Astranis, a San Francisco-based company with an alternative approach to providing internet access from satellites, recently signed a deal to provide dedicated service to the Philippines, a first for the archipelago nation. “They are going to use this capacity to connect hospitals, schools […]
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Astra plans a reverse stock split, seeks to raise up to $65 million in offering
Astra CEO Chris Kemp speaks inside the company’s headquarters during the company’s “Spacetech Day” on May 12, 2022. Brady Kenniston / Astra Spacecraft engine manufacturer and small rocket builder Astra plans to conduct a reverse stock split at a 1-to-15 ratio, the company disclosed in a securities filing on Monday Astra also seeks to raise […]
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Intelsat ends merger talks with rival satellite communications giant SES
A company jet tests a new satellite communications antenna for inflight Wi-Fi service. Intelsat U.S. satellite communications giant Intelsat walked away from merger discussions with Luxembourg-based competitor SES on Wednesday, CNBC confirmed. Intelsat ended the discussions after differences arose with SES over business priorities, a person familiar with the situation told CNBC. It also wasn’t […]
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