OneWeb
Starlink-rival OneWeb scores approval to launch satellite broadband services in India
OneWeb India, the local subsidiary of low-earth orbit operator Eutelsat OneWeb, has received the necessary approval from the country’s newly created space regulatory body to launch its commercial satellite broadband…
Six ex-OneWeb engineers raise $2.5M for Quindar to revolutionize satellite mission management
It’s never been cheaper to send a spacecraft to orbit, but many companies are hamstrung by the complex and expensive demands of satellite mission management. Quindar wants to change that.…
In this issue: Northrop Grumman and Firefly Aerospace want to make the Antares rocket all-American; how Muon Space is locking in customers; news from SpaceX, OneWeb and more
Satellite ‘frenemies’ OneWeb and Intelsat partner to bring multiorbit internet to airlines
Satellite communication rivals Intelsat and OneWeb have announced an unlikely alliance to deliver multiorbit, in-flight internet connectivity to commercial airlines around the world. The deal will see Intelsat, which specializes…
Eutelsat and OneWeb agree on merger to create European satellite juggernaut
Two major players in the European satellite space are merging in a $3.4 billion all-share transaction, a move that is widely seen as a challenge to Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Rumors…
Relativity Space inks deal with OneWeb, reaches $1.2B in Terran R launch contracts
Relativity Space will be sending OneWeb’s second-gen broadband satellites to orbit starting in 2025 using its fully reusable 3D-printed rocket Terran R, under a new multi-launch agreement. This is the…
Hello and welcome back to Max Q. There is SO much news this week, so let’s dive in. In this issue: Astroforge’s asteroid mining ambitions, Boeing’s Starliner comes home, and…
This week, Max Q again puts the focus on the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and the resulting halo effects that’s having on the international space industry. Neither private…
SpaceX’s Starlink forms India subsidiary, aims to deploy 200,000 active terminals by 2022
Starlink, part of Elon Musk’s SpaceX company, has registered its business in India and is preparing to apply for licenses from the local government, according to a top official. “Pleased…
We’re at the start of a gold rush in outer space — and our track record for the sustainable development of any environment during gold rushes hasn’t been particularly noteworthy.
Isotropic Systems raises $40 million for a satellite antenna that could make the most of new constellations
U.K.-based Isotropic Systems has raised a $40 million funding in an “oversubscribed” round that the startup says will help it get its next-generation broadband terminal to the production phase by…
OneWeb has now raised $1.4B, with $400M from SoftBank and Hughes, to help fund its first satellite fleet
After a troubled year that saw broadband satellite operator OneWeb file for bankruptcy, get rescue finance from the U.K. government and Bharti, and then emerge out of that with a…
OneWeb launches 36 satellites to join its global broadband constellation on orbit
In a return to active launch, constellation satellite operator OneWeb has sent 36 new satellites to join its existing spacecraft on orbit. This is the third large batch of OneWeb…
OneWeb emerges from bankruptcy, aims to begin launching satellites again on December 17
Broadband communication satellite company OneWeb has emerged from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection status, the company announced today. It’s now also officially owned by a consortium consisting of the U.K.…
The UK government to acquire satellite company OneWeb in deal funded in part by India’s Bharti Global
Distressed satellite constellation operator OneWeb, which had entered bankruptcy protection proceedings at the end of March, has completed a sale process, with a consortium led by the U.K. Government as…
Space is a special category of VC investment in the best of times — and the COVID-19 pandemic is not the best of times. Still, investors focused on and familiar…
Global satellite operator Intelsat has voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, the company announced late on Wednesday. Intelsat has attempted to position this as a positive moment that sees…
SoftBank-backed Oyo cuts salaries, furloughs employees
Oyo is furloughing more employees globally and levying a 25% pay cut across the board through July this year as the Indian budget lodging startup looks to reduce its expenses…
SoftBank expects $24 billion in losses from Vision Fund, WeWork and OneWeb investments
The Japanese technology conglomerate SoftBank Group said it would lose a staggering $24 billion on investments made through its Vision Fund and bets on the co-working real estate company WeWork…
India’s Oyo furloughs thousands of employees as revenue drops by over 50%
Oyo has placed thousands of employees on leave and furloughs for up to three months in the U.S. and several other markets as the Indian budget lodging firm contends the…
OneWeb to file for bankruptcy as effort to secure funding, including from investor SoftBank, falls through
Broadband constellation satellite operator OneWeb will file for bankruptcy protection in the U.S., likely some time Friday, after attempts to secure new funding, including from existing investor SoftBank, fell through,…
OneWeb confirms layoffs and potential launch schedule delays amid reported bankruptcy considerations
Satellite operator OneWeb has confirmed that its workforce has been reduced via layoffs, after TechCrunch learned that it reduced its workforce by as much as 10% this week. The company…
Orbital debris startup Astroscale chosen by JAXA for its first space junk removal mission
Japanese orbital debris removal technology startup Astroscale is going to be working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) on the agency’s first mission to remove some of the junk…
Max Q is a new weekly newsletter all about space. Sign up here to receive it weekly on Sundays in your inbox. Two rocket launches were set to take off…
Watch OneWeb launch 34 satellites for its broadband constellation live
One of the various companies looking to deploy a globe-spanning broadband internet satellite constellation is adding 34 satellites to its existing operations in space. OneWeb will launch that many satellites…
Featured Article
Why Astra built a space startup and rocket factory in Silicon Valley
There’s a new launch startup in the mix called Astra, which has been operating in semi-stealth mode for the past three years, building its rockets just a stone’s throw from the heart of startup central in Alameda County, Calif. Astra’s approach isn’t exactly a secret — its founders didn’t set out to hide anything and…
Space Angels’ Chad Anderson on entering a new decade in the ‘entrepreneurial space age’
Space as an investment target is trending upwards in the VC community, but specialist firm Space Angels has been focused on the sector longer than most. The network of angel…
The five biggest rounds in tech in 2019 and what they mean
Funding for tech startups has been on an inevitable upswing for years, a result of a virtuous circle where wildly successful tech companies on the public markets whet the appetites…
Amazon will establish a new headquarters for its Kuiper satellite broadband project
Amazon is ramping operations for its Kuiper project, its forthcoming high-speed satellite internet product, with a new HQ and R&D facility. From a small satellite constellation operating in low Earth…
Space is the next economic frontier… hear more about it at Disrupt SF
For decades space has been the playplace for world powers, but the advent of (relatively) cheap and frequent rocket launches has opened it up for new business opportunities. But it’s…
