Latest news with #satellite
Associated Press
a day ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Another Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Satellite Lifts Off into Orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla., May 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At 1:37 p.m. EDT today, the eighth GPS III space vehicle—designed and built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) —successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. It achieved signal acquisition shortly thereafter. Similar to its rapid response predecessor in December 2024, GPS III SV08 executed an accelerated launch call-up, shipping from its cleanroom in Colorado and undergoing launch preparations in Florida in just over three months, compared to the typical timeframe of several months. 'Our team is thrilled to support another launch of a critical GPS satellite, just five months since the last liftoff,' said Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems for Lockheed Martin Space. 'This demonstrates Lockheed Martin's ability to rapidly launch and deploy national security space assets, and we look forward to putting the next two GPS III satellites on orbit to further enhance this critical constellation.' These GPS III satellites will play a vital role in providing accurate and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities to both civilian and military users, enabling critical applications such as aviation, maritime, and land transportation, plus search and rescue operations. For military users, the advanced security features and anti-jamming capabilities of GPS III – and the follow-on GPS IIIF – satellites are particularly crucial, as they will ensure uninterrupted access to precise navigation and timing data, even in contested or denied environments, thereby supporting national security and defense operations. SV08 is now under operational control at Lockheed Martin's Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center until its official acceptance into the current operational GPS network. Ground Operations for Space Security In addition to building the spacecraft at its Littleton, Colorado facility, and providing early on-orbit operations, Lockheed Martin plays a major role in the continuation and maintenance of the modernized GPS ground segment—also known as the Architecture Evolution Plan. This architecture is core to operating the 31 active GPS satellites on orbit, enabling them to provide life-changing PNT capabilities that our modern world relies. The ground segment underpinned by Lockheed Martin is responsible for monitoring and controlling the GPS satellite constellation, as well as providing navigation data to its users. It consists of a network of monitoring stations, master control stations, and ground antennas located around the world. Most recently, Lockheed Martin has further enhanced GPS' ground segment by incorporating M-Code Early Use into the system, which allows for worldwide use of a specialized, secure military communications signal by American and allied troops. Once declared operational, GPS III SV08 will be the eighth GPS III satellite in space with boosted M-code, strengthening navigation, precision and anti-jamming for critical military operations. Lockheed Martin was also recently awarded a contract modification for two additional future GPS IIIF satellites to further enhance the constellation. About Lockheed Martin Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Lockheed Martin
Bloomberg
a day ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Eutelsat in Talks to Double France's Stake in €1.5 Billion Raise
Eutelsat Communications SA, the European satellite operator working to rival Elon Musk's Starlink, is in talks with investors to raise €1.5 billion in a deal that would more than double the French government's stake to 30%, people familiar with the matter said. Eutelsat has been in talks with the French government, investor Fonds Strategique de Participations, shipping company CMA CGM and the UK government about participating in the fundraising, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. The funds would help build out Eutelsat's low-Earth orbit satellite network, they said.
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
Starlink Offers a $40 Discount in 30 States. But There's a Catch
Starlink just got a lot more affordable for customers in 30 states. The internet service provider now offers a cheaper alternative to its $120 monthly Residential plan. This new plan -- dubbed Residential Lite -- brings the cost down to $80 per month. However, that means slower speeds and some other compromises. According to the Starlink FAQ section, the Residential Lite plan offers download speeds of 45 to 130 megabits per second with no data caps. The satellite internet service initially rolled out to 15 US states in March, but has since added another 15. Read more: Ontario Contract With Starlink Is Canceled Even if Tariffs Are Lifted The Residential Lite plan at $80 a month is now available in 30 states. Starlink The less expensive plan has some caveats. It's half the speed of the Residential plan, which boasts download speeds of 100 to 270Mbps. In addition, Starlink acknowledges that Residential Lite plans will be the first to be deprioritized, which may result in lower speeds during peak hours. "This service plan will be deprioritized compared to Residential service during peak hours," Starlink says. "This means speeds may be slower for Residential Lite service relative to Residential service when our network has the most users online." Locating local internet providers Peak hours are generally between 6 to 11 p.m. on weekdays. That's right around when everyone finishes work and school and sits down to eat dinner, play video games or watch some Netflix before bed. Starlink says its network is a "finite resource" until the company can reach a peak number of Starlink satellites. Thus, Residential Lite subscribers may experience slow internet speeds if enough people are online. The big picture for low-income households The Affordable Connectivity Program ended last year, due to funds running out. Before the ACP ended, the government subsidized low-income households from $30 to $75 per month to help them get internet in their homes. The end of the program saw around 23 million households lose their internet connection. While Congress has not yet passed a similar bill or found a way to revive the ACP, other low-cost internet options exist. At $80 per month, the Residential Lite plan from Starlink is quite affordable for satellite internet service, but it's still not quite as good a deal as faster broadband plans from major ISP providers. For instance, I pay $80 per month to Spectrum for much faster, 600Mbps download speeds. For around the same price, Cox offers 250Mbps. AT&T Fiber's 300Mbps plan is $55 monthly, and Xfinity is even cheaper with a 400Mbps plan at a starting price of $40. People looking for cheap internet have more affordable broadband options than Starlink's Residential Lite tier. But this less expensive, albeit slower, plan could appeal to those in rural areas without many ISP options.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
What Apple's Surprise Free Offer To All iPhone 13 Users Means Right Now
When Apple released iOS 18.5 (and we've just learned that there may not be an iOS 19 this fall), there were few new features. One that was there was satellite connectivity for iPhone 13 users — something nobody had been expecting. Here's what it means right now. Apple iPhone 13 series That's the feature which was introduced with the iPhone 14 series, and means that if you're in the great outdoors with no cellular connection, you can point your iPhone 14 or later at the sky and be connected to emergency services or car breakdown companies. Software in the iPhone knows your location and is able to spot the satellites passing overhead to guide you where to point. This service uses Globalstar satellites and can't be introduced to the iPhone 13 as the necessary hardware isn't on board. Instead of that, the new option for users of the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, this is 'carrier-provided satellite features,' as Apple describes it. This means that you don't need to point the phone at the satellite to make contact. It happens automatically and works even if your phone is in your pocket— this difference has been described as a 'game-changer' for its greater convenience. Services like these are more like conventional cellular connections and need the right plan to work. Right now, only T-Mobile has this capability, though other carriers will follow. It's not limited to the iPhone 13, or any other iPhone, and will work on Android phones, too. You need to have signed up to the T-Mobile Starlink beta, which runs until July, after which it will become a paid service — though included in some T-Mobile plans at no extra cost. Please note, unlike some reports suggested, Starlink is not installed on your phone.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Here's Why Apple's (AAPL) Satellite Goals Are Under Threat
Back in 2022, Elon Musk made tech giant Apple (AAPL) an offer. According to The Information, Musk pitched a deal for SpaceX's Starlink service to power satellite connectivity for iPhones. He proposed an 18-month exclusive partnership for $5 billion upfront, followed by $1 billion in annual payments. He also warned that if they rejected the offer, he would launch a similar satellite messaging feature that would still work with iPhones. Apple declined and instead partnered with Globalstar (GSAT), which likely angered Musk and led to a collaboration with T-Mobile (TMUS) to offer satellite messaging services. Confident Investing Starts Here: Easily unpack a company's performance with TipRanks' new KPI Data for smart investment decisions Receive undervalued, market resilient stocks right to your inbox with TipRanks' Smart Value Newsletter It is worth noting that Apple had already been exploring satellite internet for years. Starting in 2015, the company launched 'Project Eagle,' a plan to deliver full satellite internet to iPhones and homes through thousands of Boeing satellites. The project was shut down by 2016 over financial and regulatory concerns, but Apple didn't abandon satellite plans entirely. It later partnered with Globalstar and invested more than $1.5 billion to expand satellite coverage for its Emergency SOS feature. Today, that feature is available in 17 countries and can handle emergency messages, location sharing, and roadside help. However, tensions between Apple and SpaceX have continued. SpaceX has tried to block Globalstar's access to key radio spectrum via regulatory filings, which could affect Apple's service. Separately, some executives at Apple question whether it's worth continuing the satellite project altogether due to its high cost and limited performance. Others also worry that charging users for the service could trigger new regulations, as it would classify Apple as a telecom provider. Is Apple a Buy or Sell Right Now? Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Moderate Buy consensus rating on AAPL stock based on 17 Buys, eight Holds, and four Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average AAPL price target of $228.22 per share implies 14.2% upside potential. See more AAPL analyst ratings
