Page 91 - SAMENA Trends - October-December 2024

SATELLITE UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

Sidus Space Receives FCC Approval to Expand Satellite Constellation in Low

Earth Orbit

Sidus Space, Inc. announced that it has secured approval from
the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to operate a
micro constellation of remote sensing satellites in Low Earth Orbit
(LEO). This regulatory clearance marks a significant step forward
in the company's plan to broaden its orbital presence and provide
versatile, cost-efficient data acquisition services through its data-
as-a-service model. Sidus retains ownership of the data collected
via its LizzieSat sensors for all missions, ensuring clients have
direct access to valuable data streams. The FCC authorization
covers LizzieSat 2 through 5, allowing Sidus to expand its
operations beyond the inaugural LizzieSat-1 mission. This
approval aligns with the company's long-term vision to establish
itself as a key enabler in space missions, offering enhanced
situational awareness for government, defense, intelligence, and
commercial users worldwide. “We are thrilled to receive this key
FCC approval, which allows us to further expand our on-orbit
presence and offer our customers a seamless combination of
hosted payload capabilities and data services,” said Carol Craig,
Founder and CEO of Sidus Space. “This milestone underscores the LizzieSat 2 and 3 missions, Sidus will host the HEO's Holmes
the value of our data-as-a-service model, providing clients not Imager payload, which is designed to capture detailed images of
only with payload hosting and on-orbit AI enhanced processing, satellites and space debris in orbit. In addition to payload hosting,
but also with continuous data streams to meet their operational Sidus will provide HEO with monthly data services. This FCC
needs. Additionally, with Sidus” ownership of the data collected by approval represents a substantial advancement for Sidus Space,
our LizzieSat sensors, we offer a unique proposition for customers enhancing its capacity to deliver expanded real-time, space-
looking for comprehensive and reliable data solutions.” As part of based data solutions across various industries.

Starlink's Entry into Zimbabwe Lowers Internet Tariffs

In September 2024, SpaceX's satellite In- countries such as Zambia and Mozam- launch in Zimbabwe, some residents had
ternet service, Starlink, officially launched bique. However, it came at a high price, been using its roaming services via service
its operations in Zimbabwe and it is al- with Starlink kits averaging at US$600 providers in neighboring countries, howev-
ready making a significant mark on pricing (due to third-party suppliers) along with a er this came at a high price. Nyere com-
of Internet services in the Southern African monthly bill of US$50 for unlimited roam- mended Starlink for having the capacity to
nation. In Zimbabwe, Starlink's user termi- ing Internet services. Internet is a accommodate several users per terminal,
nals retail from US$200 for the mini kit sought-after commodity in the country. which allows households in a particular
which offers unlimited Internet and speeds However, due to the hefty prices charged street to share one Starlink kit and contrib-
of over 100 Mbit/s for US$30 per month. by Internet services providers (ISPs) – ute towards monthly payments, in return
With this pricing Starlink has now become which average at around US$500 for un- for accessing faster Internet at a lower
the cheapest Internet provider in the coun- limited Internet – many have had to resort price. “Starlink's inception in Zimbabwe
try. In just over two months, Starlink's to monthly data packages from mobile has been most welcome, most people es-
equipment has also sold out in the coun- network operators (MNOs), often at exorbi- pecially in high density areas are sharing
try's capital of Harare, as well as other sur- tant rates. Erratic Internet service from Starlink costs, which means more people
rounding areas. The launch of broadband MNOs is also the norm and the reason why will have access to the Internet creating a
services via Starlink's low-Earth orbit Starlink is now the preferred choice. more tech-savvy generation which under-
(LEO) satellite constellation had been long Speaking to Connecting Africa, Sammy Ta- stands that Internet is not only for
anticipated in the country. Before the Sep- tenda Nyere, ZimCyber-Security's chief WhatsApp and TikTok,” said Nyere. In ad-
tember announcement by the Postal and technology officer, said the current elec- dition, information technology company
Telecommunications Regulatory Authority tricity crisis is also contributing to unreli- Compulink believes that the arrival of Star-
of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), several residents able Internet services, especially for MNOs link in the country represents an opportu-
had opted to use Starlink's roaming ser- who often need to use electricity for their nity to improve Internet connectivity and
vices via service providers in neighboring network boosters. Before Starlink's official coverage, especially in rural areas.

91 OCT-DEC 2024