Astranis inks fresh Falcon 9 deal
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Feb 04, 2025
Astranis enthusiastically reveals it has finalized a new agreement with SpaceX for an additional Falcon 9 mission carrying five MicroGEO satellites before the end of this year. These advanced satellites will be placed in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to deliver broadband connectivity to users worldwide, including major operators such as Thaicom in Thailand and internet providers like APCO in Mexico, effectively bringing cost-conscious internet access to countless communities. After reaching orbit, these five units will integrate seamlessly into Astranis's expanding fleet.

On December 30, 2024, Astranis deployed four MicroGEO satellites on a dedicated Falcon 9, tailored for clients in the Philippines, Mexico, and the United States. Following successful Initial Commissioning, the satellites commenced their transfer to GEO on January 10 and will become operational by summer. This milestone followed the 2023 launch of Arcturus, Astranis's inaugural satellite, which now operates in orbit and supports short-term demonstration efforts for commercial and U.S. government customers.

In just a few short years, Astranis's presence in GEO has grown from a single satellite to ten, setting a remarkable pace unmatched by any other operator. By outpacing the industry's largest GEO incumbents in satellite deployments, Astranis continues to shape the future of orbital communications. The company now has five MicroGEO satellites active in orbit, supported by a workforce of over 400 and state-of-the-art in-house production and testing facilities. Astranis also focuses on high-orbit innovations, working on the forthcoming Omega series and supporting advanced defense initiatives with the U.S. Government, including Resilient GPS.

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