Satellite and Space Projects Newsletter March 2025

Satellite networks are normally restricted to communications within a single network.However, Amazon would aim to provide a secure, intermediary layer to enable cross-network communication between military and non-military counterparts.

Space Norway orders THOR-8 GEO:

Space Norway has ordered its latest new satellite, THOR 8, from Thales Alenia Space. THOR 8 is expected to launch in 2027 with a service life of at least 15 years. The satellite will deliver high-speed internet access for fixed and mobile infrastructure to government and commercial clients in the maritime, aeronautical and land-based sectors, in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, as well as broadcasting services covering Central and Eastern Europe and the Nordics.

Spire Global files lawsuit against Kpler for maritime unit sale:

In November 2024, Kpler was set to purchase Spire's maritime business for $241 million. Spire has now filed a legal complaint against Kpler, claiming it had failed to close the deal despite Spire's belief that the conditions to closing have been met. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Spire noted that it had intended to use the proceeds from the sale to repay debts it had incurred. Due to the delay, Spire intends to seek equity or debt financing options.

European Commission moving ahead with EU Space Act:

The Commission's 2025 work plan includes plans for an EU Space Act, with the aim of providing an EU framework regulating European space operations. Among other areas, the Act will seek to address space debris and the environmental impact of space activities. Importantly, it remains to be seen whether the EU Space Act will take the form of a regulation or a directive. Some EU countries have called for a directive rather than a regulation, to retain wider competence over their national space programmes.

Airbus' £127m contract to build imaging satellites for UK military:

Airbus is to build a new satellite system, called "Oberon", at its space facilities in Stevenage and Portsmouth, UK. The system will comprise two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites for the capture of day and night-time images and is expected to launch in 2027. The MoD said it anticipates the satellites being used to support military operations and other government tasks such as natural disaster monitoring, mapping, and tracking the impact of climate change. The project is seen by the UK government as part of its growth mission and securing Britain's competitive edge in space.

Starlink withdraws from South African satellite licensing consultations:

The South African telecoms regulator held public hearings for satellite service licensing in early February, but SpaceX, and therefore Starlink, did not participate. SpaceX had provided written submissions earlier in the process but declined to attend the public hearings. SpaceX has not publicly commented on the withdrawal, but has previously criticised South Africa's ownership laws requiring 30% ownership by historically disadvantaged groups.

Airbus and Thales pursuing merger talks:

Airbus and Thales are in non-binding talks about merging the satellite and satellite services businesses of the two companies. Airbus' CEO, Guillaume Faury, stated that the final product of the merger had not been settled on, but was seeking greater scale and speed to be competitive with the likes of the US or China. Faury noted the success of the MBDA missile joint venture project, between Airbus, British BAE Systems and Italy's Leonardo, as a potential model.

Space42 and Edge Group create joint venture:

The new joint venture (JV) aims to build out the UAE's earth observation technology with the manufacturing and operation of dual-use satellites. Space42 offers AI-powered satellite solutions, and FADA, an Edge Group entity, is focussed on geospatial analytics expertise. While the JV is initially concentrating on earth observation, Space42 also noted hopes for broader application of the space economy for national security and economic growth.