Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS) is a Japanese SBAS (Satellite Based Augmentation System), i.e. a satellite navigation system which supports differential GPS (DGPS) designed to supplement the GPS system by reporting (then improving) on the reliability and accuracy of those signals. 

A similar service is provided in North America by Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), and in Europe by European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS).

It is operated by the Japan's Government.

The Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) is an air navigation aid developed by the Federal Aviation Administration to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS).

The goal is to improve the GPS signal accuracy, integrity, and availability. Essentially, WAAS is intended to enable aircraft to rely on GPS for all phases of flight, including precision approaches to any airport within its coverage area.

WAAS uses a network of ground-based reference stations, in North America and Hawaii, to measure small variations in the GPS satellites' signals in the western hemisphere. Measurements from the reference stations are routed to master stations, which queue the received Deviation Correction and send the correction messages to geostationary WAAS satellites in a timely manner (every 5 seconds or better). Those satellites broadcast the correction messages back to Earth, where WAAS-enabled GPS receivers use the corrections while computing their positions to improve accuracy.

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) calls this type of system a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS).

Similar service is provided in Asia, notably Japan, by the Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), and in Europe by European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS).

As an official European Union regulatory authority, the European GNSS Agency (GSA) manages public interests related to European GNSS(*) programmes.
The Agency's strategic objectives include the achievement of a fully operational GALILEO system. This includes the laying of foundations for a fully sustainable and economically viable system and its security.

(*) GNSS: Global Navigation Satellite Systems 

The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) is a satellite based augmentation system developed by the European Space Agency (ESA), the European Commission and EUROCONTROL.

The EGNOS system provides additional signals to users of satellite navigation services, broadcast through geostationary satellites, guaranteeing the integrity of satellite navigation so that it can be used in support of safety-of-life services such as civil aviation.

It supplements the GPS, GLONASS and Galileo systems by reporting on the reliability and accuracy of the positioning data. The official start of operations was announced by the European Commission on 1 October 2009.

According to specifications, horizontal position accuracy should be better than seven metres. In practice, the horizontal position accuracy is at the metre level. The EGNOS system consists of three geostationary satellites and a network of ground stations.

The system started its initial operations in July 2005, showing outstanding performances in terms of accuracy (better than two metres) and availability (above 99%); and it was certified for use in safety of life applications in March 2011. An EGNOS Data Access Service is also available since July 2012.

Similar service is provided in North America by the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), and in Asia, notably Japan, by the Multi-functional Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS).

Wenchang Satellite Launch Center (WSLC), located near Wenchang on the north-east coast of Hainan Island, is a former sub-orbital test center currently under upgrade (Nov. 2012).

It is the fourth and southernmost space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) of China. It has been specially selected for its low latitude, which is only 19 degrees north of the equator, which will allow for a substantial increase in payload, necessary for the future manned program, space station and deep space exploration program. Furthermore, it will be capable of launching the new heavy lift Long March 5 booster currently under development.

Unlike the Space Centers on the mainland whose rail tracks are too narrow to transport the new five meter core boosters, Wenchang can use its sea port for deliveries. 

The Xichang Satellite Launch Center (XSLC) is a China space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) approximately 64 km northwest of Xichang, in Sichuan, China.

The facility became operational in 1984 and is primarily used to launch powerful thrust rockets and geostationary communications and weather satellites. It is notable as the site of Sino-European space cooperation, with the launch of the first of two Double Star scientific satellites in December 2003. 

the company Globalstar USA LLC is operating the satellite constellation Globalstar.

This is a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications, somewhat similar to the Iridium satellite constellation and Orbcomm satellite systems.

Globalstar is a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation for satellite phone and low-speed data communications, somewhat similar to the Iridium satellite constellation and Orbcomm satellite systems.

The Globalstar project was launched in 1991 as a joint venture of Loral Corporation and Qualcomm. On March 24, 1994, the two sponsors announced formation of Globalstar LP, a limited partnership established in the U.S., with financial participation from eight other companies, including Alcatel, AirTouch, Deutsche Aerospace, Hyundai and Vodafone.

Now operated by the American company Globalstar USA, LLC.

The Southwest Research Institute (SwRI),  is one of the oldest and largest independent, nonprofit, applied research and development (R&D) organizations in the USA. 

SwRI provides contract research and development services to government and industrial clients. Among several areas of activities, SwRI comptence cover Space Science and Engineering.

It is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, USA. It was founded in 1947. 

Planetary Resources Inc. is an American company based in Washington, USA.

Planetary Resources, Inc.'s goal is to "expand Earth's natural resource base" by developing and deploying the technologies for asteroid mining. 

Though the long-term goal of the company is to mine asteroids, its initial plans call for developing a market for small (30–50 kg) cost-reduced space telescopes for both Earth observation and astronomy.

It is was formed in November 2010 (formerly known as Arkyd Astronautics), reorganized and renamed in 2012.