Intelsat asks bankruptcy court to clear roadblock for Spaceflight launch business sale

Intelsat is asking its bankruptcy court for authorization to modify a $50 million loan to Spaceflight Industries’ Earth-observation business BlackSky that could become a snag in Spaceflight’s sale of its launch rideshare business. 

Intelsat, SES to participate in FCC’s $9.7B C-band program • OneWeb says it wants 48,000 satellites

OneWeb told the FCC May 26 that it wants to increase its constellation size to 48,000 satellites despite having filed for bankruptcy over an inability to fund a smaller broadband megaconstellation.

Op-ed | An unexpected effect: the industry’s recent challenges prove the importance of space

Rationalization of the startup landscape and the right sizing of company balance sheets is inevitable, paving the way for “Space 3.0,” which will see the profitable and sustainable exploitation of entirely new market opportunities, backed by a growing base of enlightened stakeholders.

Intelsat aiming to cut debt in half through bankruptcy

Intelsat hopes it can eliminate around half of its $15 billion debt load through bankruptcy, a move that would free the company to invest in next generation satellite technologies, according to a company executive. 

Intelsat declares bankruptcy as means to fund C-band spectrum clearing

Intelsat, the world’s second largest satellite operator by revenue, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late May 13 as a means to ease its nearly $15 billion debt load and participate in an FCC spectrum auction. 

Maxar announces multi-satellite GEO order as pandemic crimps quarter 

Maxar said the satellite order, which industry analysts say is likely driven by a U.S. effort to clear satellite C-band spectrum to make way for 5G wireless networks, is a “multi-hundred million dollar contract.”

Shareholder urges Intelsat to avoid defaulting into bankruptcy

Cyrus Capital Partners, a $4 billion investment advisory firm with offices in New York and London, said Intelsat appears to be headed for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing after it skipped a $125 million interest payment due April 15. 

Speedcast files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy 

Speedcast International, a network services provider leasing capacity on more than 80 satellites, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection April 23, citing weakness in the cruise and oil markets. 

Intelsat-901 satellite, with MEV-1 servicer attached, resumes service

A 19-year-old Intelsat satellite resumed service April 2 after getting a new lease on life through Northrop Grumman’s MEV-1 satellite servicer, the companies announced Friday. 

Thales Alenia Space to build two prototype satellites for constellation venture

Omnispace, a company planning a satellite constellation to keep mobile asset trackers, sensors and other smart devices constantly connected using common cellular standards, ordered two prototype spacecraft from Thales Alenia Space, the companies announced April 9. 

Gogo pursuing satellite contract changes as coronavirus dampens demand

Gogo CEO Oakleigh Thorne said the coronavirus pandemic is partly behind the company’s cost-saving efforts, since decreased airline traffic has had a knock-on effect on demand for passenger Wi-Fi. 

Airbus impressed by Northrop Grumman, but remains undecided on satellite servicing 

Airbus Defence and Space wanted to launch a satellite servicer shortly after Northrop Grumman launched MEV-1, but backed away from those plans two years ago because of uncertainty about the commercial market. 

FCC’s $9.7 billion C-band incentive hinging on Intelsat and SES participation 

WASHINGTON — The FCC says it will scrap a $9.7 billion spectrum clearing incentive package approved last week if Intelsat and SES don’t both agree to the terms. 

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Telesat sides with SES against Intelsat’s request for more C-band money

Telesat and SES are urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to reject Intelsat’s request for a larger share of the $9.7 billion in incentive payments the FCC plans to offer satellite operators to hasten the clearing of C-band spectrum the United States wants to repurpose for 5G cellular networks.

SES and Eutelsat make their own cases for more C-band money

SES has started its own campaign for more money, arguing that “undisputed facts conclusively show that Intelsat and SES deserve equal shares of any accelerated relocation payments.”