#satellite

Amazon’s Project Kuiper team reports ‘entirely nominal’ start after first satellites launch
- By Alan Boyle on

https://www.geekwire.com/2025/amazon-video-project-kuiper-satellites/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=a1c97087-a996-416d-b9eb-fc7d388764e7
#satellite #space

Coming soon to my web site!

In early 1999 #Swatch set out to publicize its new “Swatch .beat Internet Time” by launching #Beatnik, a grapefruit‑size “mini‑Sputnik” #satellite from the Mir space station. The plan was to replay user‑submitted voice clips (each had to include the word *beat*) on the #hamradio frequencies between 145.8 and 146 MHz. Because ITU rules forbid any commercial traffic on ham frequencies, the idea threatened to turn protected #radio spectrum into a marketing platform.

In February of 1999, a young me stumbled onto the scheme while browsing Swatch’s website. I confirmed the frequency claim and posted the first public alert. That single e‑mail snowballed into the pages that aggregated press releases, contract excerpts, ITU citations, and template letters to regulators. The archive helped the ARRL, multiple #AMSAT groups, and hundreds of individual operators coordinate a unified protest that reached the #FCC, the Swiss and Russian telecom authorities, and the ITU’s Radiocommunication Bureau.

The pressure paid off. Beatnik was hand‑launched from #Mir on 16 April 1999, but its transmitter stayed off; Swatch later claimed its batteries were “donated” to the cosmonauts instead. No commercial messages ever hit the airwaves.

I recently found all the documents from that time and have converted them into consistent Markdown to republish. Watch this space!

A posting from the #Amazon executive in charge of the #ProjectKuiper #satellite #broadband network includes a rare look at the satellites being deployed in orbit. This week's Project Kuiper launch marked the start of a years-long campaign to catch up with the #SpaceX #Starlink network. https://www.geekwire.com/2025/amazon-video-project-kuiper-satellites/ #Space #Tech

Biomass - ESA's Forest Mission – Mapping Biomass From Space - Overview Video
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#GIS #spatial #mapping #biomass #satellite #remotesensing #earthobservation #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #vegetation #forest #radar #canopy #tomography #imaging #geomorphometry #forests #carbon #carbonaccounting #climatescience #management #planning #ecosystems #ESA

Biomass - ESA's Forest Mission – Mapping Biomass From Space
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https://www.esa.int/Applications/Observing_the_Earth/FutureEO/Biomass <-- shared Biomass information hub
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#GIS #spatial #mapping #biomass #satellite #remotesensing #earthobservation #spatialanalysis #spatiotemporal #vegetation #forest #radar #canopy #tomography #imaging #geomorphometry #forests #carbon #carbonaccounting #climatescience #management #planning #ecosystems
#ESA

U.S. Space Force awards $237M in STEP 2.0 smallsat contracts to 12 firms
- By Sandra Erwin

https://spacenews.com/u-s-space-force-taps-12-firms-for-237-million-small-satellite-procurement/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=10657c78-c4d5-4599-9c76-76c34269be0e
#satellite #spaceforce #space

#Biomass, le satellite européen pour percer les secrets des forêts, est en orbite ! Une mission scientifique inédite pour mieux comprendre le rôle des forêts dans le climat.
À lire →
https://cnes.fr/actualites/biomass-un-satellite-science #ESA #CNES #Climat #Satellite

Luxembourg, with fresh NATO support, weighs allied market for a GovSat-2; its optical ISR satellite still awaits launch
- By Peter B. de Selding

https://www.spaceintelreport.com/luxembourg-with-fresh-nato-support-weighs-allied-market-for-a-govsat-2-its-optical-isr-satellite-still-awaits-launch/
More: https://hype.aero/space/?story=31b60977-9a54-4496-9dc3-b0a4d6448c56
#satellite #space

At the end of March, #Starlink consisted of more than 7100 satellites . Over five million people worldwide use the system. #Amazon launched two test satellites into space in 2023. The plan was to launch the first regular satellites into space in the first half of 2024. #ULA is set to complete up to five more #satellite transports for the company this year https://www.heise.de/en/news/Amazon-launches-first-Kuiper-satellites-into-space-10366771.html

UP42 Integrates Maxar WorldView Legion for Near-Real-Time Global Imagery
- By Joshua Faleti

https://spacewatch.global/2025/05/up42-and-maxar-to-broaden-global-access-to-maxars-geospatial-intelligence/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=3cbf0bbb-a508-458a-b465-3a00fb046f48
#satellite #space

So it seems from the lack of responses to my previous post https://fediscience.org/@jgomezdans/114427792187001051 that no one is using the #Copernicus #DataSpace via #STAC. I guess most academic #geo peeps use #GoogleEarthEngine or just download the data files directly? Is STAC only really used by commercial #satellite "bros"?

Today marks one of my personal highlights of the teaching year, gathering signals straight from NOAA and turning them into imagery, with the students learning about the material networks that underpin our contemporary environment. Below NOAA 19 11.21.51, confirming it is indeed a beautiful day!

#weather #noaa #amateurRadio #radio #data #satellite #space

Astrostrom Explores Lunar Construction for Space-Based Solar Power Satellites
- By Andy Tomaswick

https://www.universetoday.com/articles/a-comprehensive-plan-to-manufacture-a-solar-power-satellite-from-lunar-materials
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/space-exploration-science-missions/?story=0866d61c-8b5a-469d-9695-a29f22183e6e
#satellite #space

JAXA Partners with Aerospacelab for SAMRAI Satellite Mission
- By Rachel Jewett

https://www.satellitetoday.com/manufacturing/2025/04/30/jaxa-selects-aerospacelab-to-build-platform-for-samrai-demonstration-mission/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=277d44ec-1451-4143-81d4-3aa9edaeea2c
#satellite #space

Myriota Boosts IoT Satellite Network with Spire Global Partnership
- By Rachel Jewett

https://www.satellitetoday.com/connectivity/2025/04/30/myriota-will-add-16-more-satellites-to-iot-constellation-with-spire/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=5a4df7e2-7ef8-438d-b46e-5a7baca9898f
#satellite #space

Europe by night. #satellite

SES Engages in Discussions on EU's Independent Satellite Options to Replace Starlink
- By Gianluca Lo Nostro

https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/satellite-firm-ses-talks-with-eu-over-long-term-option-complement-starlink-2025-04-30/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=5465acfc-00e7-4c0b-bb39-3f184f5a8493
#starlink #satellite #elonmusk #space

ESA launches Biomass, a satellite set to unlock the secrets of forests.

The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched its Biomass satellite from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.

Manufactured by Airbus and Arianespace, the satellite is designed to advance understanding of tropical forests by measuring how much carbon they store, helping to understand how they work and how they're changing.

https://mediafaro.org/article/20250429-esa-launches-biomass-a-satellite-set-to-unlock-the-secrets-of-forests?mf_channel=mastodon&action=forward

#ESA #Space #Satellite #ClimateChange #Forests #Science

SES Exceeds Earnings Expectations with Boost from Government Contracts

https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/europes-ses-beats-earnings-estimates-helped-by-new-government-contracts-2025-04-30/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/satellite-news/?story=899d88cd-34c4-40c6-8485-f8bb810bba1f
#satellite #space

Space Force Overhauls Satellite Program with Commercial Tech Infusion
- By Sandra Erwin

https://spacenews.com/space-force-embraces-commercial-tech-in-major-overhaul-of-surveillance-satellite-program/
More: https://hype.aero/coverage/united-states-department-of-defense/?story=7954739f-ba0d-43e8-851a-e89ae08c717b
#spaceforce #satellite #space