Last week, a $2.4 billion satellite manufacturing contract took the industry by surprise, sending shares of Terran Orbital soaring. The buyer? Rivada Space Networks GmbH: a privately held subsidiary of U.S.-based Rivada Networks and relative newcomer to the space industry, but no stranger to spectrum sagas. Rivada Space debuted in March 2022, fast-tracking ambitious plans to launch a 600-satellite, laser-linked LEO broadband constellation for enterprise customers. Can they pull it off? We take a look at this company’s familiar business model, colorful history, and head start so that you may decide.