Tim Farrar
@tmfassociates.bsky.social
Consultant in satellite communications and wireless spectrum. I enjoy annoying billionaires.
Pinned
Tim Farrar
@tmfassociates.bsky.social
· Jul 6
TMF Associates blog » Back to blogging…
tmfassociates.com
Decided it was about time to get back to blogging, as the audience is fragmenting and its getting harder and harder to find threads, especially on X, and I thought it would be useful to highlight some of my recent research publications tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
I enjoy annoying billionaires...
September 9, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I enjoy annoying billionaires...
Thoughts on the fascinating EchoStar-SpaceX deal today tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/09...
TMF Associates blog » SpaceX disrupts everyone’s plans again…
tmfassociates.com
September 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Thoughts on the fascinating EchoStar-SpaceX deal today tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/09...
Reposted by Tim Farrar
🛰️🚀 ViaSat-3 F2 is scheduled to launch in the second half of October aboard United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s Atlas V551 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and is anticipated to provide more bandwidth capacity than the entire existing fleet when it comes into service. More: https://vsat.co/4mH64eZ
September 4, 2025 at 12:45 PM
🛰️🚀 ViaSat-3 F2 is scheduled to launch in the second half of October aboard United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s Atlas V551 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, and is anticipated to provide more bandwidth capacity than the entire existing fleet when it comes into service. More: https://vsat.co/4mH64eZ
Seems like a lot of pressure for everything to go right with the Starship launch (or at least to credibly declare it a success) if it's "part of a broader vision/strategy"
August 22, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Seems like a lot of pressure for everything to go right with the Starship launch (or at least to credibly declare it a success) if it's "part of a broader vision/strategy"
Which company claims to have a whole bunch of F9 launches planned over the next 12 months but never meets their planned schedule for satellite delivery? Maybe the #cluelesscult know?
And if "some planned launches of SpaceX’s Starlink satellites on Falcon 9 rockets would potentially be pushed from the end of this year to early 2026 because of the surge of Falcon engineers working on Starship" good luck to external F9 buyers wanting launch flexibility...
August 20, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Which company claims to have a whole bunch of F9 launches planned over the next 12 months but never meets their planned schedule for satellite delivery? Maybe the #cluelesscult know?
This is fascinating, especially noting reduction in SpaceX valuation from $500B whisper number earlier this year. I don't think its wise to do more V2 Starships that blow up as a "learning opportunity" if that hurts public perceptions of progress finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-...
SpaceX’s Expensive Starship Explosions Are Starting to Add Up
Shortly after the incident, roughly 20% of the engineering group working on the company’s flagship Falcon 9 program were reassigned for six months to Starship, a reusable rocket Musk hopes will someda...
finance.yahoo.com
August 20, 2025 at 8:35 PM
This is fascinating, especially noting reduction in SpaceX valuation from $500B whisper number earlier this year. I don't think its wise to do more V2 Starships that blow up as a "learning opportunity" if that hurts public perceptions of progress finance.yahoo.com/news/spacex-...
A Freakonomics podcast on the economics of satellite, featuring Rachel Jewett and me freakonomics.com/podcast/sate...
Satellites - Freakonomics
Satellites - Freakonomics
freakonomics.com
August 18, 2025 at 1:30 AM
A Freakonomics podcast on the economics of satellite, featuring Rachel Jewett and me freakonomics.com/podcast/sate...
Analysis: Is AST SpaceMobile launch schedule a pipedream?
www.mobileworldlive.com/ast-spacemob...
www.mobileworldlive.com/ast-spacemob...
Analysis: Is AST SpaceMobile launch schedule a pipedream?
AST SpaceMobile has an aggressive schedule for the launch of its Block2 Bluebird LEO satellites but there could be a hitch in its plans.
www.mobileworldlive.com
August 15, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Analysis: Is AST SpaceMobile launch schedule a pipedream?
www.mobileworldlive.com/ast-spacemob...
www.mobileworldlive.com/ast-spacemob...
Striking developments in the Ligado bankruptcy case today, as a dispute breaks out between Viasat and AST over whether AST will be able to try and compete with Viasat in L-band outside the US. My new blog post tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/08...
TMF Associates blog » Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it…
tmfassociates.com
August 15, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Striking developments in the Ligado bankruptcy case today, as a dispute breaks out between Viasat and AST over whether AST will be able to try and compete with Viasat in L-band outside the US. My new blog post tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/08...
What's the key takeaway from AST's results announcement (other than the 2-3 month slip)? Now they only talk about making 40 sets of microns & don't say anything about completing the actual satellites. Not a surprise given the pending redesign challenges for FM3
August 12, 2025 at 5:27 AM
What's the key takeaway from AST's results announcement (other than the 2-3 month slip)? Now they only talk about making 40 sets of microns & don't say anything about completing the actual satellites. Not a surprise given the pending redesign challenges for FM3
My new blog post on Globalstar's launch delays and the potential implications for EchoStar's pending decision on launch contracts tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/08...
TMF Associates blog » Choose carefully Charlie…
tmfassociates.com
August 9, 2025 at 6:31 AM
My new blog post on Globalstar's launch delays and the potential implications for EchoStar's pending decision on launch contracts tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/08...
I've now published my new 100+ page report on everything you wanted to know about D2D but were afraid to ask, where I discuss the implications of EchoStar's announcement yesterday tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/08...
TMF Associates blog » Everything you wanted to know about D2D but were afraid to ask…
tmfassociates.com
August 2, 2025 at 5:38 PM
I've now published my new 100+ page report on everything you wanted to know about D2D but were afraid to ask, where I discuss the implications of EchoStar's announcement yesterday tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/08...
Reposted by Tim Farrar
Investor argued that Viasat is being priced as a challenged #satcom firm, and the market is “barely” valuing its defense part.
"The firm’s analysis found that the defense business alone could support a valuation of over $50/share, which is more than 3 times the current stock price."
"The firm’s analysis found that the defense business alone could support a valuation of over $50/share, which is more than 3 times the current stock price."
Viasat Investor Advocates for Spin-Off of Defense Business
An investor in Viasat called for a spin-off of its Defense and Advanced Technologies (DAT) business, calling it undervalued.
www.satellitetoday.com
August 1, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Investor argued that Viasat is being priced as a challenged #satcom firm, and the market is “barely” valuing its defense part.
"The firm’s analysis found that the defense business alone could support a valuation of over $50/share, which is more than 3 times the current stock price."
"The firm’s analysis found that the defense business alone could support a valuation of over $50/share, which is more than 3 times the current stock price."
Reposted by Tim Farrar
Not that it really matters since the FAA under Biden/Buttigieg probably would've let them do it too but SpaceX is gonna break the law, violate NEPA etc and blow through the 90 seconds of annual static burn time at Boca Chica
July 29, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Not that it really matters since the FAA under Biden/Buttigieg probably would've let them do it too but SpaceX is gonna break the law, violate NEPA etc and blow through the 90 seconds of annual static burn time at Boca Chica
My new blog post discusses how AST and AT&T have been annoying the FCC which now needs to decide whether to take action over violations of AST's experimental license conditions tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
TMF Associates blog » How to annoy the FCC…
tmfassociates.com
July 25, 2025 at 5:05 PM
My new blog post discusses how AST and AT&T have been annoying the FCC which now needs to decide whether to take action over violations of AST's experimental license conditions tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
My new blog post on the role of LEO satellites in the BEAD program and the estimates of Starlink capacity limits published last week by XLab tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
TMF Associates blog » The fight over BEAD funding for satellite
tmfassociates.com
July 23, 2025 at 9:24 PM
My new blog post on the role of LEO satellites in the BEAD program and the estimates of Starlink capacity limits published last week by XLab tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
Reposted by Tim Farrar
Liechtenstein just published the #Rivada decision:
Rivada loses its frequency allocations in Liechtenstein. The communications authority revoked the rights to use ITU frequencies 3ECOM-1 & -3 due to major breaches of obligations, including missed payments and failure to prove project financing.
Rivada loses its frequency allocations in Liechtenstein. The communications authority revoked the rights to use ITU frequencies 3ECOM-1 & -3 due to major breaches of obligations, including missed payments and failure to prove project financing.
06.09.2024: Entscheidung zur Untersagung der Tätigkeit der iMetrik AG - Liechtensteinische Landesverwaltung
www.llv.li
July 15, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Liechtenstein just published the #Rivada decision:
Rivada loses its frequency allocations in Liechtenstein. The communications authority revoked the rights to use ITU frequencies 3ECOM-1 & -3 due to major breaches of obligations, including missed payments and failure to prove project financing.
Rivada loses its frequency allocations in Liechtenstein. The communications authority revoked the rights to use ITU frequencies 3ECOM-1 & -3 due to major breaches of obligations, including missed payments and failure to prove project financing.
"The Enron Intelligent Network's global fiber & satellite distribution & embedded software intelligence sets it apart from other network providers. The EIN bypasses traditional fragmented and bottlenecked public Internet routes to deliver faster, higher-quality data"
July 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
"The Enron Intelligent Network's global fiber & satellite distribution & embedded software intelligence sets it apart from other network providers. The EIN bypasses traditional fragmented and bottlenecked public Internet routes to deliver faster, higher-quality data"
A new blog post on Starlink's amazing revenue growth, with details from their newly revealed accounts and revelations about the massive prepayments they've received from unknown sources tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
TMF Associates blog » Starlink’s amazing revenue growth
tmfassociates.com
July 15, 2025 at 12:39 AM
A new blog post on Starlink's amazing revenue growth, with details from their newly revealed accounts and revelations about the massive prepayments they've received from unknown sources tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
Not the headline I'd pick, but new details on Starlink finances are interesting www.wsj.com/tech/elon-mu...
As Tesla Stumbles, SpaceX’s Finances Go From Strength to Strength
Much of Elon Musk’s business empire is in disarray, but his rocket-and-satellite company is riding high.
www.wsj.com
July 12, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Not the headline I'd pick, but new details on Starlink finances are interesting www.wsj.com/tech/elon-mu...
Reposted by Tim Farrar
Virgin Atlantic will install the Starlink inflight internet service, bringing streaming levels of service to its entire fleet, part of a push that also includes interior retrofits and more premium seats on board.
#PaxEx
#PaxEx
Virgin Atlantic Picks Starlink for IFC Renewal, Plans Premium Expansion
Virgin Atlantic will install the Starlink inflight internet service, bringing streaming levels of service to its entire fleet, part of a push that also includes interior retrofits and more premium seats on board.
paxex.aero
July 8, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Virgin Atlantic will install the Starlink inflight internet service, bringing streaming levels of service to its entire fleet, part of a push that also includes interior retrofits and more premium seats on board.
#PaxEx
#PaxEx
Updated version now published, with more discussion of today's reports on a new funding round which is said to include a primary equity raise for the first time in three years
My new blog post asking when will SpaceX have a new secondary funding round, and discussing why this remains important tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
TMF Associates blog » When will SpaceX have a new secondary round?
tmfassociates.com
July 8, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Updated version now published, with more discussion of today's reports on a new funding round which is said to include a primary equity raise for the first time in three years
My new blog post asking when will SpaceX have a new secondary funding round, and discussing why this remains important tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
TMF Associates blog » When will SpaceX have a new secondary round?
tmfassociates.com
July 8, 2025 at 6:30 AM
My new blog post asking when will SpaceX have a new secondary funding round, and discussing why this remains important tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
Decided it was about time to get back to blogging, as the audience is fragmenting and its getting harder and harder to find threads, especially on X, and I thought it would be useful to highlight some of my recent research publications tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
TMF Associates blog » Back to blogging…
tmfassociates.com
July 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Decided it was about time to get back to blogging, as the audience is fragmenting and its getting harder and harder to find threads, especially on X, and I thought it would be useful to highlight some of my recent research publications tmfassociates.com/blog/2025/07...
Despite the spin, LEO can't be that important if they can wait until Telesat IFC is ready in 2028-29 and then it's mainly to "cover remote areas — such as the South Pacific or the Antarctic region"
LATAM touts GEO/LEO as it turns to @viasat.com inflight Wi-Fi for widebodies runwaygirlnetwork.com/2025/07/lata...
July 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Despite the spin, LEO can't be that important if they can wait until Telesat IFC is ready in 2028-29 and then it's mainly to "cover remote areas — such as the South Pacific or the Antarctic region"