SpaceX funding round: SpaceX closed over US$350m in Series H funding giving the company an estimated value of US$21.2bn, according to Equidate.
Intelsat: A number of equities analysts have recently upgraded their ratings for Intelsat. Both Zacks Investment Research and ValueEngine have upgraded their ratings for the company from sell to hold, and several institutional investors and hedge funds have increased their holdings in the company this year.
LaunchUK: The UK Space Agency has received 26 proposals in response to its call for applications for grant funding to help develop the UK's commercial launch spaceflight capability. Proposals were submitted by potential UK spaceports and in the fields of launch and sub-orbital flight technologies. Funding awards are likely to be announced later this financial year.
OneWeb: OneWeb is to open a London office. According to propertyweek.com, OneWeb will take 30,000 square feet in the White City Place development and plans to relocate certain operations to the new site in early November.
Low cost LEO launches: Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) and In-Space Missions Limited are joining forces to provide low-cost LEO opportunities for small payloads of between 1kg and 50kg. The demonstration "Faraday" missions will use SSTL satellite platforms, with In-Space managing the payload interface and providing customer support on payload development, testing and operations. Customers can initially take up services for a 6-month demonstration and qualification phase, with the possibility of up to 5 years further service delivery. Launches are scheduled for 2019, 2020 and 2021.
Avanti board change: Avanti Communications announced 10 August 2017 the departure of CEO David Williams. Non-executive Directive Alan Harper has been appointed interim CEO. The company plans to begin comprehensive search for a new permanent CEO in due course.
Sky and Space Global: Sky and Space Global (SAS) has signed its first binding contract with a wholesale customer - Sat-Space Africa. SAS plans to use a constellation of around 200 nanosatellites over the equatorial belt to deliver affordable data, voice and instant messaging services. Commercial services are expected to begin with three demonstrator nanosatellites in Q4 2017. The full constellation is expected to be launched and operational by the end of 2020.
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