Other News SpaceX scrubbed a Starlink launch Wednesday night. The company had planned to launch the Group 6-44 Starlink mission on a Falcon 9 from the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday evening, but scrubbed the launch about two minutes before the scheduled 9:25 p.m. Eastern liftoff. SpaceX did not disclose the reason for the scrub but says it will try again tonight at 7:04 p.m. Eastern. [Spaceflight Now] Satellite operators are making unusual partnerships in order to provide customers with multi-orbit services. Those partnerships, like deals Intelsat and SES made with OneWeb and Starlink, point to a future of mixed space networks spanning multiple orbits. Hybrid networks that were once considered niche are now becoming a dominant trend in the satellite communications industry. Collaboration and partnership models are becoming the norm for operators to stay relevant and meet the complex demands of customers who want to ensure continuous connectivity even in challenging situations. [SpaceNews] Omnispace says its proposed satellite constellation could provide direct-to-device services in Africa. Omnispace announced an agreement this week with MTN, Africa's largest terrestrial mobile network operator, where they will use Omnispace prototype satellites to test how S-band spectrum could be used to keep mobile customers connected outside cell tower coverage. Omnispace has announced similar testing agreements with mobile phone operators in several other countries, and also recently announced winning regulatory approval provide services in Brazil. Omnispace expects to provide initial services in 2026 with 300 LEO satellites. [SpaceNews] A startup has won a $15 million contract to update computer systems at U.S. Space Force launch ranges. Colorado Springs-based Defense Unicorns won a so-called Strategic Funding Increase, or STRATFI, agreement from SpaceWERX, the technology arm of the Space Force. The contract will go towards updating IT systems and software applications used to support rocket launches. The company last week announced it raised a $35 million Series A funding round led by Sapphire Ventures and Ansa Capital. [SpaceNews] A company led by two former Blue Origin executives has confirmed its interest in mining helium-3 from the moon. Interlune said Wednesday it has raised $15 million to start work on technologies that could be used to extract that rare isotope, often linked to future nuclear fusion reactors, from the lunar surface. Interlune was founded by Rob Meyerson and Gary Lai, the former president and chief architect, respectively, of Blue Origin. The announcement confirmed earlier reports about both the interest in the company and its interest in helium-3. [Ars Technica] | |
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