A bankrupt OneWeb and other troubled commercial space SATCOM startups could get help from the Pentagon

WASHINGTON – As the U.S. Space Force looks to expand military communications capabilities in the far north, it is facing a problem. Defense News reports. Continue reading original article

The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:

29 May 2020 -- The global pandemic has hit satellite communications (SATCOM) startups exponentially hard, and OneWeb, one of the companies aiming to provide internet to Arctic locations, filed for bankruptcy in March.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is considering taking action to help fortify OneWeb and other vulnerable commercial space startups, says Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of Headquarters U.S. Space Force.

Thompson does not lay out options under consideration by the Pentagon to aid OneWeb, but says the department’s Space Acquisition Council devised a list of proposed investments for space companies that need rapid, aggressive action.

Related: Air Force to capitalize on growing commercial satellite communications infrastructure for tactical internet

Related: Navy makes $14.7 million order to L3Harris to provide military and commercial SATCOM for surface warships

Related: Pentagon research leader says U.S. military forces cannot rely on commercial satellite communications alone

John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics