Latest news with #SpaceExplored
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Huge boost for Brits as major UK airline set to offer free Wi-Fi on all flights
The Starlink constellation of satellites will provide internet to the Virgin fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, the airline's CEO Shai Weiss announced on Tuesday evening Virgin Atlantic has pledged to provide free, streaming-quality Wi-Fi to all passengers on all of its planes by the end of 2027. Elon Musk's Starlink constellation of satellites will provide internet to the Virgin fleet of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, Virgin Atlantic chief executive Shai Weiss announced on Tuesday evening. According to Space Explored, Starlink for aviation is different from the typical ground-based product and uses a specially made antenna that can work at high speeds and remain reliable over long periods. A number of airlines have announced plans to use the service by the end of 2025, including United Airlines, SAS, and Air France. Virgin Atlantic is aiming to be the first UK airline to offer the service, which will be unlimited for every passenger who signs up to the airline's Flying Club loyalty scheme. The airline hopes to have it installed on its fleet of Airbus A330neos, A350s, and Boeing 787s by the end of 2027. Some frequent flyers are bound to welcome the move, given the current high cost and unreliable nature of in-flight Wi-Fi. Others may feel that being disconnected from the internet for a few hours now and again is something to be cherished. CEO Shai Weiss said: 'To fulfil the brief that we've set ourselves, which is to offer free, basically unlimited, streaming-quality connectivity on a plane, right now there's only one solution: it is Starlink. We were the first airline to launch Wi-Fi fleet-wide across the Atlantic, and now we will be the first fleet to complete this transformation.' The rollout of Starlink was not the only major announcement on Tuesday evening. Virgin Atlantic also plans to invest £17 billion in a mixed fleet of 45 next-generation, fuel-efficient aircraft, including 19 A330-900s, 12 A350-1000s, and 14 B787-9s, with an average fleet age of just under seven years by 2028. It will also increase the number of premium seats across its fleet due to high demand. Premium economy seats will increase from 35 to 56, while business class will increase from 31 to 44. Economy seats, meanwhile, will decrease from 192 to 127. 'In the last four decades, we've evolved from a challenger to a leader and a premium, long-haul flag carrier. We exist to make our customers smile—it's that simple—obsessing over finding new ways to delight our guests, delivered by our amazing people, on our journey to become the most loved travel company,' Shai said. 'We are investing billions to fly the youngest fleet across the Atlantic; the first UK airline to have free, streaming-quality, fleet-wide Wi-Fi; more premium cabins; and a full retrofit of the 787 fleet—alongside a new app featuring the world of Virgin Atlantic in your pocket, all delivered by our amazing teams. The best is yet to come.'
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Business Standard
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
NASA+ lands on Netflix: Stream live rocket launches, spacewalks & more soon
NASA+ lands on Netflix: Netflix is going interstellar—literally! In a game-changing move, the streaming giant has teamed up with Nasa to bring the cosmos closer than ever before. Starting later this summer, Netflix subscribers will get access to NASA+, the space agency's official streaming service, offering front-row seats to real rocket launches, astronaut spacewalks, and breathtaking live views from the International Space Station—all without leaving the couch. In a statement released on June 30, Nasa said the partnership is part of its mission to inspire a global audience. While NASA+ will now stream on Netflix, the space agency confirmed that all content will continue to be free and ad-free on its official app and website, where viewers already tune in for live coverage and original programming. Netflix-Nasa's collab for the first time This deal marks the first time Netflix will feature Nasa's live programming. The platform has already experimented with live content, like comedy specials and sports, but this is its first step into live space coverage. 'The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 calls on us to share our story of space exploration with the broadest possible audience,' Rebecca Sirmons, general manager of NASA+, said in the release. This partnership comes at a time when commercial space launches are booming, especially thanks to Elon Musk's company, SpaceX. In just the first half of 2025, SpaceX has already completed 81 rocket launches, according to Space Explored. It's also the only US company approved to carry astronauts to the International Space Station. At the same time, NASA continues to support missions close to Earth, in what's called low-Earth orbit. As for Netflix, the platform now has over 700 million users worldwide. Its shares have hit record-high prices, rising by nearly 51 per cent since the start of the year. About NASA+ NASA+ is Nasa's own ad-free streaming service, launched in 2023 and already available for free via the NASA app and website. It offers documentaries, mission footage, educational videos, and live broadcasts, all without ads. This Netflix partnership is not Nasa's first move into popular streaming. Earlier this year, they launched a live 'FAST' channel on Prime Video as well. But with over 700 million users, Netflix could help Nasa reach an even bigger global audience. When will this partnership happen? The NASA+ section on Netflix is due to launch in summer 2025, although exact dates haven't been confirmed yet. Along with live streams, viewers will get behind-the-scenes clips, expert interviews, and in-depth documentaries on space science and exploration.
CNBC
30-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
NASA plans to stream rocket launches on Netflix starting this summer
NASA's live programming, including rocket launches, spacewalks and views of Earth from space, will begin streaming on Netflix this summer. NASA said the move is part of its effort to reach a global audience, according to a press release. The agency noted that the content will remain free and ad-free on the NASA app and website, where it already has live programming. NASA+ launched in 2023 as a way to give the public easier access to space content. "The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 calls on us to share our story of space exploration with the broadest possible audience," Rebecca Sirmons, general manager of NASA+, said in the release. NASA did not disclose financial details of the deal. The partnership comes as there has been a surge in commercial rocket launches, led by Elon Musk's SpaceX. SpaceX has had 81 launches in the first half of 2025, according to Space Explored. It also continues to be the only U.S. company with a spacecraft that's certified to bring astronauts to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, NASA has been supporting missions in low-Earth orbit. Shares of Netflix, which has more than 700 million users, have been trading at all-time highs. The streaming service is up almost 51% since the beginning of the year.
