Space News for Tuesday, March 11, 2025

SKY Perfect JSAT selects Thales Alenia Space to build “JSAT-32” communications satellite – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-03-10 00:00

JSAT-32 will provide coverage over Japan and its surrounding seas. It will be built on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus 4000B2 platform. The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2027, and will be designed to have an in-orbit lifetime of over 15 years.

Space Norway secures Intelsat as broadcasting customer – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-03-10 00:00

Intelsat is an anchor customer for Space Norway on its THOR 8 satellite at 1⁰ West. Intelsat takes lifetime ownership to a broadcasting payload tailored to CEE. THOR 8 is Space Norway’s new multi-mission satellite scheduled to launch in 2027.

SES and Lynk Global’s strategic partnership for high-growth Direct-to-Device (D2D) services – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-03-10 00:00

SES and Lynk Global have announced a strategic partnership to address the high-growth direct-to-device (D2D) segment. SES will provide Series B funding for Lynk Global’s D2D constellation and provide a suite of integrated services. SES will also become a strategic channel partner for Lynk Global.

SpaceX ready for Tuesday launch of NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory and PUNCH satellites – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-03-10 00:00

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, March 11 for Falcon 9’s launch of NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory and PUNCH satellites. Liftoff is targeted for 8:10 p.m. PT, with a backup opportunity available on Wednesday, March 12 at the same time. A live webcast of this mission will begin about one hour prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX.

SpaceX launch of Starlink Group 12-21 with 21 smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell now on Tuesday – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2025-03-10 00:00

SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, March 11 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities. Liftoff is targeted for 10:48 p.m. ET., with additional launch opportunities available until 11:50 p.m. The Group 12-21 launch costs $52 million. The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 40 which has witnessed the launch of 293 rockets, including 293 orbital launch attempts.

NASA Turns Off 2 Voyager Science Instruments to Extend Mission

Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 remain the most distant human-made objects ever built. Voyager 1 reached the edge of the heliosphere and the beginning of interstellar space in 2012; Voyager 2 reached the boundary in 2018. No other human-made spacecraft has operated in interstellar space.