Northwood Space, founded by former Disney star Bridgit Mendler, successfully connected its ground station with Planet Labs satellites in a groundbreaking test. Operating from North Dakota, the startup's phased-array antenna demonstrated bidirectional data transmission over multiple satellite passes. Mendler emphasized the importance of enhanced connectivity for the expanding space industry. Northwood aims to address terrestrial infrastructure challenges by mass-producing smaller, scalable ground stations. The company has raised $6 million in funding and plans to operationalize sites in 2025, targeting both U.S. and international markets.