Astranis to supply micro GEO satellite to Saudi's STC. Satellite to launch next year September 15, 2026 Micro GEO satellite operator Astranis has signed a new capacity deal with Saudi telecoms firm STC. Astranis and STC have announced a partnership to deploy a dedicated satellite serving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The satellite, part of Astranis' Block 3, is scheduled to launch in 2027. "As STC plays a key role in advancing Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure, space has become a critical layer of our ecosystem, with dedicated satellite capacity central to how we deliver resilient, reliable, and secure connectivity across the country," said Mohammad Alabbadi, group chief carrier & wholesale officer at STC Group. "Astranis' speed and flexibility made them the right partner for this stage of that work. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for secure and reliable connectivity supporting the Kingdom's digital vision." Astranis develops micro GEO satellites - satellites in geostationary orbits that are much smaller than traditional machines at such high orbits. Astranis' satellites are often measured in the hundreds of kilograms, compared to traditional GEO satellites that can weigh multiple tons. The company currently has five of its micro GEO satellites in orbit, and recently announced new projects with customers including Chunghwa Telecom in Taiwan and MB Group in Oman, set to launch later this year. "It's an honor to work with STC Group to deliver dedicated, secure networks that support the expansion of Saudi Arabia's broader digital infrastructure program," added John Gedmark, CEO and co-founder of Astranis. "Countries require national control over critical networks and data, and we built Astranis to deliver it." Get a weekly roundup of MENA news, direct to your inbox. More in space.

stc group and Astranis advance Saudi Arabia's connectivity with dedicated satellite. Space Technologies September 10, 2026 Dedicated satellite capacity to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity across Saudi Arabia's networks in 2027. The partnership gives stc group full authority over payload configuration, coverage, and in-region data security. SAN FRANCISCO AND RIYADH, September 10, 2026 - stc group, a leading digital enabler, and Astranis today announced an agreement to deploy a dedicated satellite serving the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The satellite, part of Astranis' Block 3 scheduled to launch in 2027, will expand stc group's portfolio of satellite communication services and enhance connectivity across the Kingdom. Countries around the world are increasingly investing in dedicated communications infrastructure, prioritizing ownership and control over shared capacity. Saudi Arabia's investment reflects the same shift, with expanded satellite coverage adding a further layer of redundancy alongside the Kingdom's existing fiber network and reinforcing communications infrastructure that is already a national priority alongside other key sectors. "As stc plays a key role in advancing Saudi Arabia's digital infrastructure, space has become a critical layer of our ecosystem, with dedicated satellite capacity central to how we deliver resilient, reliable, and secure connectivity across the country," said Mohammad Alabbadi, Group Chief Carrier & Wholesale Officer at stc group. "Astranis' speed and flexibility made them the right partner for this stage of that work. Together, we are setting a new benchmark for secure and reliable connectivity supporting the Kingdom's digital vision." This partnership gives stc group full authority over payload configuration and coverage, with data remaining in-region under enterprise-grade security. The model complements stc group's capacity in other orbits, further expanding the reach and resilience of its network. Astranis' satellite offering is built for rapid deployment, providing stc group with capacity on an unmatched timeline. "It's an honor to work with stc group to deliver dedicated, secure networks that support the expansion of Saudi Arabia's broader digital infrastructure program," said John Gedmark, CEO and co-founder of Astranis. "Countries require national control over critical networks and data, and we built Astranis to deliver it." This dedicated satellite is part of a broader wave of digital infrastructure investment already underway at stc group. The company has committed significant investment to a national network agreement, with phase one deployments already underway. About stc group stc group is a digital enabler, offering advanced solutions and driving a role in the digitalization process. The group provides a comprehensive suite of services encompassing digital infrastructure, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things (IoT), digital payments, digital media, and digital entertainment. The group comprises 13 subsidiaries across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. About Astranis Astranis builds advanced satellites for high orbits, expanding humanity's reach into the solar system. Today Astranis satellites provide dedicated, secure networks to highly-sophisticated customers across the globe - large enterprises, governments, and the US military. With five satellites on orbit and many more set to launch soon, the company is servicing a backlog of more than $1 billion of commercial contracts. Astranis is the preferred satellite communications partner for buyers with stringent requirements for uptime, data security, network visibility, and customization. Astranis has raised over $1.2 billion from some of the world's best investors, including Andreessen Horowitz, Baillie Gifford, BlackRock, Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, and Snowpoint, and employs a team of 500 engineers and entrepreneurs. Astranis designs, builds, and operates its satellites out of its 153,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Northern California, USA. Astranis Media Contact Kati Dahm: [email protected]

Astranis unveils perceptor, an SDA product for GEO. Thursday August 13, 2026 Waxing Crescent Payload in your inbox. In-depth research, exclusive data, and expert analysis on the business and policy of space. Get ahead of the competition.