All articles tagged with #satellite communication
T-Mobile is expanding its free satellite-based 911 emergency texting service, allowing not only T-Mobile customers but also AT&T and Verizon users with compatible phones to send texts to 911 via satellite, enhancing emergency communication options across carriers.
Apple has announced the Apple Watch Ultra 3, the most advanced Apple Watch yet, featuring satellite Emergency SOS, the largest display, 42-hour battery life, 5G, the most accurate GPS, and new health and fitness capabilities, including hypertension notifications and Workout Buddy. It is designed for sports, adventure, and everyday health monitoring, with availability starting September 19, 2025.
Google unveiled the Pixel Watch 4, the first smartwatch with satellite communication support enabled by Qualcomm's Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 chipset, allowing messaging without a mobile carrier, with battery life of up to 40 hours.
Google announced the Pixel Watch 4 featuring a domed display, standalone satellite emergency communication, enhanced health and fitness tracking, longer battery life, and a new AI health coach, available for preorder and launching on October 9.
NASA's GOLD mission discovered unexpected X-shaped plasma structures in Earth's upper atmosphere during calm conditions, suggesting local atmospheric factors influence ionospheric dynamics, which could impact satellite communications and GPS accuracy.
Elon Musk's proposal to deploy Starlink satellites around Mars to create "Marslink" aims to improve communication on the planet but won't significantly speed up Earth-Mars communication due to the vast distance and the speed of light limitations. Musk's idea of a "data bridge" using satellite relays doesn't reduce latency and may even increase processing time. Current physics doesn't support faster-than-light travel, making petabit/second speeds between Earth and Mars impossible. SpaceX plans to send unmanned rockets to Mars by 2026, with human missions by 2028, though these timelines are met with skepticism.
SpaceX is proposing a Mars-specific version of its Starlink satellite internet system, dubbed 'Marslink,' to NASA as part of a broader initiative to enhance communication capabilities for Mars exploration. The concept involves deploying multiple satellites in Mars orbit to provide comprehensive data relay services, potentially exceeding NASA's current requirements. This initiative aligns with SpaceX's long-term vision of supporting human colonization of Mars and enhancing interplanetary communication.
Google is reportedly working on incorporating emergency satellite SOS support into the upcoming Pixel 9, utilizing the new Exynos Modem 5400 with optional non-terrestrial network capabilities. This move would make the Pixel 9 the first to support Android's native satellite implementation. T-Mobile is expected to be the initial service provider for this feature, potentially in partnership with Skylo for traditional satellite communication. This development aligns with Google's strategy of using the Pixel line to pioneer new hardware features for Android.
Researchers from Drexel University and the University of British Columbia have developed a lightweight waveguide made from 3D-printed polymers coated with a conductive nanomaterial called MXene, which can guide microwaves in space and potentially reduce the weight of satellite payloads. The MXene-coated waveguides weigh significantly less than standard aluminum ones and perform nearly as well, showing potential for use in space technology and other terrestrial applications.
Chinese carmaker Geely's subsidiary, Geespace, launched 11 communications satellites into low-Earth orbit, aiming to provide real-time satellite communication for its vehicles and consumer electronics. The company plans to deploy a network of satellites to support features in Geely vehicles and offer global satellite communication services. Geespace's efforts reflect China's push to catch up in low-Earth orbit, challenging SpaceX's dominance in the area.
SpaceX successfully sent text messages via Starlink satellites using T-Mobile's network, marking a milestone in its efforts to bring direct-to-device cell service to market. The recent test follows the launch of six Starlink satellites equipped with direct-to-device capabilities and paves the way for expanded services, including voice, data, and internet of things. With partnerships with mobile operators like T-Mobile, SpaceX plans to offer D2D text service this year and expand further in 2025, while other companies, such as Apple and Iridium, are also pursuing similar initiatives.
A recent study based on test data for the Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope has shown that the Starlink satellite constellation, with its large number of low-orbit satellites, poses challenges for radio astronomy. The study detected both intentional and unintentional radio emissions from Starlink satellites, with some emissions being brighter than the brightest sky objects at low frequencies. While intentional signals can be mitigated through exclusion zones, the difficulty of shielding low-frequency emissions means that stray signals from Starlink could significantly impact research goals for SKA. This highlights the need to find a balance between the convenience of satellite internet and the exploration of the radio sky.
Intense solar storms and eruptions caused disruptions in radio communication and satellite navigation systems across the western hemisphere. Russia launched the Luna-25 spacecraft, marking its first attempt to land a spacecraft on the moon since 1976, while India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is scheduled to land on August 23. NASA may change the nature of the Artemis 3 mission, currently intended to be the first manned landing on the moon since 1972, if there are significant delays in implementing key elements of the program.
Apple's little-known feature called Emergency SOS on the iPhone has been credited with saving lives during natural disasters, such as the recent Maui wildfires. The feature allows users to contact emergency responders via satellite even when there is no cellular service. In a real-life example, a family caught in their vehicle during the Maui fires were able to communicate with first responders and were safely evacuated within 30 minutes. This feature has also been used to rescue lost hikers in California.
A new space weather sensor called the Multi-Needle Langmuir Probe is being sent to the International Space Station (ISS) to help scientists understand how solar outbursts affect Earth's upper atmosphere. The sensor will gather data on charged particles from the sun and their interaction with Earth's magnetic field, allowing space weather forecasters to predict disruptions to satellite communication links and navigational signals. The probe's high precision measurements will provide a more accurate understanding of how radio signals are disrupted as they travel through Earth's atmosphere, aiding in the forecasting of disruptions to satellite services. The sensor will be installed on the ISS ahead of the Crew-7 mission and will remain in orbit for approximately three years.