Satellite Systems, Satcom & Space Systems

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

June 20, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

18 Jun 25. Eutelsat and France’s Armed Forces Ministry Reach Landmark Framework Agreement for Low Orbit Satellite Services in the Context of Frances’ NEXUS Program.• Signaling a strategic evolution in France’s space strategy, combining military and civilian resources

Underscoring the crucial role of low Earth orbit (LEO) constellations in defense applications
Providing strategic in-space resources in advance of the availability of the IRIS² constellation

Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 – Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) and France’s armed forces ministry (Direction générale de l’armement) have today announced a landmark framework agreement on the occasion of the Paris Airshow. The agreement is the embodiment of the NEXUS (Neo-Espace pour de multiples Usages Sécurisés) program launched by the French Ministry of Defence, which aims to reinforce the current French military space communications model by combining military and civilian resources. France reaffirms its commitment to the European IRIS² program, which has been supported from the outset since the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2022. However, the urgency of the international situation means that it cannot wait until then. As the first concrete step in the NEXUS project, the French defense procurement agency (DGA) has reached a 10-year framework agreement, valued at up to €1 bn in expenditure, with Eutelsat, covering the supply of priority-access space resources (notably capacity on Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO constellation), the hosting of ancillary missions for the French armed forces, and operational and security maintenance. The agreement also covers the upgrading and securing of the constellation for military grade use.

Jean-Francois Fallacher, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat commented: “We are honored at the prospect of supporting the French armed forces through this historic agreement, which underscores the crucial role of low earth orbit satellite capacity in responding to the requirements of contemporary operational theaters. Eutelsat today offers the only commercially operated LEO constellation capable of meeting stringent military standards ahead of the deployment of IRIS². It provides global coverage, low latency, rapid deployment, and adaptability to mobile use cases, attributes validated by successful large-scale experiments conducted with the French Armed Forces.” (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

16 Jun 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) unveiled plans to expand its current high frequency monitoring constellation with multispectral, large-area collection satellites. These new satellites will be designed to support country scale digital mapping, navigation, maritime and 3D digital twin applications at unmatched speed and scale. Initially designated as AROS, the new satellites will augment the high frequency site monitoring capabilities of Gen-3 to provide customers with dynamic broad area search, change monitoring, and predictable refresh of large area and 3D mapping datasets. BlackSky is engaged with development partners with plans to launch as early as 2027. AROS is optimized to collect new multispectral, proprietary, country and region scale datasets and is engineered to power the next wave of AI-driven geospatial and digital twin applications. This constellation will address upcoming gaps in the market as legacy large area collection satellites age out of service over the next few years and are replaced with lower collection capacity satellites. AROS will fill the gap with increased capabilities at disruptive speed and more favorable economics.

“As legacy satellites approach end-of-life, we see a critical opportunity to address market needs—not just in performance and agility—but also in affordability and AI-readiness. As confirmed through active customer and partner engagement, BlackSky is meeting the modern demands of governments and commercial users who need persistent visibility over very large areas, fast,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO.

BlackSky’s future, integrated constellation will be a first of its kind platform that combines very high-resolution broad area search with site monitoring to provide dynamic tipping and cueing for advanced maritime and Golden Dome type applications. This advanced platform will be powered by the BlackSky Spectra® AI-enabled real-time tasking and analytics platform, which will offer customers a fully integrated set of solutions. AROS has been under development for the past two years and was one of the key factors in BlackSky’s recent acquisition of LeoStella. Mature, vertically integrated manufacturing and production capabilities are providing BlackSky a strategic advantage in the rapid development and deployment of advanced space-based intelligence solutions. Leveraging the heritage of proven and reliable Gen-2 and Gen-3 architectures and manufacturing capabilities, the AROS system will incorporate BlackSky’s space, software and platform stack with industry-leading, AI-enabled analytics.

AROS’ key features that build upon the Gen-3 design include:

Very high-resolution, multispectral large areas collectors for mapping, change detection and digital twin applications
Low-latency delivery via optical inter-satellite links (OISL) for high-bandwidth tasking and downlink
A new proprietary data pipeline designed to feed real-time and retrospective analytics, model training and AI decision support tools
Best-in-class cost efficiency that will enable routine wide-area imaging without compromising image quality or revisit rate

This announcement comes on the heels of two successful back-to-back Gen-3 launches when BlackSky demonstrated industry-leading speed and performance by achieving first light in under 24 hours and commissioning in under 60 days. These successes demonstrate the maturity of BlackSky’s space platform capabilities that will be leveraged for AROS. Building on BlackSky’s Gen-2 and Gen-3 architectures, the new system will operate as an integrated extension of the company’s existing fleet, unlocking an entirely new class of scalable, AI capabilities.

13 Jun 25. Dawn Aerospace Partners with Oklahoma Spaceport to Launch US Based Spaceplane, Unlocking Daily Access to Space,

Dawn Aerospace’s Breakthrough – The fastest, highest-flying rocket-powered aircraft to launch from a runway, the Aurora is set to be the first aircraft to reach the Karman line – 100 km altitude – twice in one day
Space-Accessible State – Dawn Aerospace to establish operations at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port in Burns Flat, transforming the State into a launch point for microgravity research in the United States
Proven Performance – Aurora has flown 58 times and went supersonic in Nov 2024 (Mach 1.12 at 82,500 ft) and set a ‘time to climb’ world record (118.6 seconds to 20 km altitude)

Dawn Aerospace and the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority (OSIDA) have signed a binding partnership to bring a Mk-II Aurora spaceplane to Oklahoma. As part of the agreement, Dawn will deliver and operate Aurora at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port. The Aurora is scheduled for delivery in 2027, with flights to space commencing that same year.

“Our mission is to push the boundaries of aviation all the way to space, and Oklahoma is a perfect place in the United States to make that happen,” said Stefan Powell, CEO, and founder of Dawn Aerospace. “By developing a rapidly reusable aircraft, we’re bringing the efficiency of aviation to spaceflight—dramatically increasing flight frequency, cutting costs, and accelerating breakthroughs in science and space research that deliver critical insights and services for a better future.”

A rocket-powered, remote-piloted aircraft, the Aurora is designed to carry payloads of up to 11 lbs (5 kg) to altitudes of 330,000 feet (100 km). With a rapid turnaround time of just four hours, it would be the first aircraft to reach above the Karman line twice in one day. This cutting-edge capability at the Oklahoma Spaceport builds on OSIDA’s decades-long commitment to aerospace innovation and economic growth since its founding in 1999. With this new era of spaceflight, the spaceport is set to become one of America’s busiest suborbital launch sites, solidifying its role as a hub for microgravity research, atmospheric studies, and satellite technology testing.

“The next industrial revolution is happening in space, and the scientific research and commercialization opportunities that exist in microgravity are transformational. Operating Dawn’s Aurora spaceplane at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port will both reduce costs and increase access to microgravity throughout the space industry. This important partnership positions the state of Oklahoma at the center of American space innovation”, said Jim Bridenstine, managing partner of the Artemis Group and former NASA administrator (2018-2021).

“Oklahoma is positioned to be at the forefront of the next space frontier and a hub for national defense,” said Oklahoma Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell. “With targeted investment, the state is moving to secure frequent and reliable space access and is set to become America’s busiest suborbital launch site. Launching from Burns Flat will unlock a new class of microgravity research, national security applications, and commercial innovation.”

Microgravity research is critical because it allows scientists to study physical and biological processes in ways that are impossible on Earth. In a weightless environment, fundamental forces like convection and gravity-driven fluid motion disappear, providing new insights into material science and biomedical research. Frequent and low-cost access to microgravity will significantly accelerate discoveries, with potential breakthroughs in areas such as cancer and liver disease drug development, and advanced materials research. Under the terms of the agreement, Dawn will supply the aircraft, ground control station and an operations team. Flights on Aurora are expected to cost, on average, low hundreds of thousands of dollars per flight. Campaigns of multiple flights will redefine the landscape of space launch and enable researchers to conduct experiments in rapid succession, accelerating scientific progress while keeping costs low. Oklahoma colleges and universities will have free access to the aircraft for research purposes for the first year of operations. Reaching an altitude of 82,500 ft and achieving Mach 1.12, Aurora set a new benchmark for the fastest ‘time to altitude’ for an aircraft, surpassing a record held by the modified F-15 Streak Eagle set in 1975. The Aurora’s development will continue through 2027, with manufacturing and flight testing conducted at Dawn’s R&D facilities in Christchurch, New Zealand. (Source: ASD Network)

09 Jun 25. Italy’s SITAEL unveils smallsat platform. SITAEL unveiled Empyreum, the next-generation small satellite platform that is equipped with the company’s proprietary SPARK electric propulsion system. During the past 20 years, Italy’s SITAEL made several developments in the field of Electric Propulsion avionics, with a focus on High Voltage Power Supplies (HVPS) and Power and Processing Units (PPU) for Low and High Power Hall Effect Thrusters (HET). Today’s main products are a 300W PPU and a 5kW PPU, both successfully coupled with SITAEL Thrusters (HT 100 / HT 400 and HT 5k, respectively). Empyreum is a technical jewel, designed to meet the growing demand for agile and cost-effective satellites that can be produced at constellation scale. It’s perfect for dual-use application,” said Chiara Pertosa, CEO of SITAEL. (Source: Satnews)

09 Jun 25. Hanwha Systems Exits Eutelsat OneWeb Stake, Focusing on Military. Satellite Business. Hanwha Systems has sold its entire 5.4% stake in Eutelsat OneWeb, Europe’s leading satellite communications company. With the company’s value shrinking to about one-third of its purchase price, Hanwha Systems incurred a loss of approximately 200 bn won. According to Reuters and other sources on June 5 (local time), Hanwha Systems sold its entire 5.4% stake in Eutelsat OneWeb for $88.5 m (approximately 120 bn won). This is significantly less than the $300 m (about 345 bn won based on the exchange rate at the time) invested in 2021. At that time, Hanwha Systems announced its entry into the satellite communications service market by securing an 8.8% stake in OneWeb, a British satellite internet company, for $300 m. In 2023, when OneWeb was incorporated into France’s Eutelsat, the name changed to Eutelsat OneWeb, and Hanwha Systems’ stake decreased to 5.4%. With the change in ownership stake, Hanwha Group also had to relinquish its non-executive director position Hanwha Systems decided on this sale, concluding that further stake acquisition was meaningless without board management rights. The strategic shift to focus more on defense satellite operations and military communications rather than civilian satellite services, following a re-evaluation of new businesses and investments last year, also influenced the decision. Hanwha Systems maintains that it will continue to pursue low Earth orbit satellite communication services, focusing on the defense sector, separate from this stake sale. A company official stated, “As we hold the position of exclusive domestic supplier of Eutelsat OneWeb’s low Earth orbit satellite network for the Korean military until 2030, we can stably carry out the ‘Commercial Low Earth Orbit Satellite-based Communication System’ project.” Hanwha Systems has been actively participating in military low Earth orbit satellite network construction projects, including developing satellite payloads for Korea’s first low Earth orbit communication test satellite project led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) in 2018. (Source: Satnews)

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The company combines novel artificial intelligence and radar technologies to identify movement and provide context in real-time. MatrixSpace sensors are the smallest, lightest and most portable high-performance systems on the market powered by AI. They deliver actionable insights that empower a broad range of public and private enterprises to protect assets and maintain safety with superior situational awareness.

For the modern, mobile battlespace, MatrixSpace provides both high performance 4D radar and jam-resistant mesh networked communications engineered to perform in the harshest conditions—day or night, in any weather, and in remote, rugged locations. Designed for flexibility, our radar systems can be integrated with tactical vehicles or mounted on structures like buildings, TOCs, or stanchions. Offering 360° coverage, they provide unmatched field-of-view advantages, while low energy consumption allows for solar/battery-powered operation in off-grid environments at twice the duration and a fraction the cost of alternatives. The MatrixSpace AI platform removes clutter and classifies objects, so operators can act confidently without specialized radar expertise.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

MatrixSpace solutions are designed and developed in the United States, without ITAR export restrictions, manufactured under the highest ISO and IATF standards and rigorously tested for quality, reliability and compliance.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

June 12, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

11 Jun 25. Announcing Sierra Space Defense.

Emerging Defense-Tech Prime Launches Dedicated Defense Business to Reinvigorate the U.S. Defense Industrial Base
Enlarged Commercial Infrastructure Built with New “Victory Works” Facility Dedicated to Innovation-at-Speed Defense Technology

Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and emerging defense-tech prime, announced today the chartering of new operation dedicated to supporting national security space as a prime contractor: Sierra Space Defense. The company also unveiled expansion plans with a new production facility called “Victory Works,” adding 60,000 square feet of manufacturing space and bringing Sierra Space’s total infrastructure to more than one million square feet across seven states. The launch of Sierra Space Defense and related infrastructure expansion plans are driven by a palpable sense of urgency: the United States is facing new threats and near-peer adversaries at unprecedented levels in the space domain. In response to the evolving threat environment, Sierra Space is retooling its commercial capacity to focus on revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base through innovative satellite and spacecraft systems technology. Since 2023, Sierra Space has secured $1.5bn in national security and defense contracts, for production on 30 satellites; included in that figure are 18 missile warning and defense satellites awarded by the Space Development Agency (SDA) in January 2024, as part of a $740m prime contract to support the SDA’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer. In addition, Space Force awarded Sierra Space a “Quick Start” Resilient GPS (R-GPS) agreement in September 2024. And the company continues to make strides in its spacecraft systems business, boasting more than 20 active contracts for solar arrays and other components.

Sierra Space Vice President Erik Daehler will helm the new organization.

“We are mission-focused and dedicated to supporting our national security customers and the revitalization of the U.S. defense industrial base. Commercial space companies now have a profound responsibility to help lead an entirely new era for national defense,” Daehler said. “The creation of Sierra Space Defense enables stronger partnerships – such as our steadfast partnership with SNC – to tackle the hardest mission problems like Golden Dome. Our new Sierra Space Defense organization is a testament to our dedication to innovation at speed and excellence in satellite and spacecraft systems production, which will shape the future of defense technology.”

Sierra Space will dedicate a new manufacturing facility, called “Victory Works,” to defense technology. Located in Centennial, Colorado, the 60,000 square-foot space will play a pivotal role in the production of the company’s new Sierra Space Eclipse™ satellite bus line, a key component in Sierra Space’s efforts to enhance the capabilities of the U.S. defense sector. This expansion is on top of 24,000 square feet of existing sites dedicated to national security and defense work.

Lt. Gen. John E. Shaw (U.S. Space Force, Ret.) serves on Sierra Space’s National Security Space Strategic Advisor Group. “The growing scope and scale of what our adversaries are doing in space is alarming, and the threat environment is evolving rapidly as near-peer challenges accelerate,” Shaw said. “Commercial space companies possess the speed and agility required to outpace our adversaries and effectively respond to our critical national security space needs.”

In the Sierra Space Defense Portfolio:

Sierra Space Eclipse: a next generation product line of small, high performance, affordable satellites for on-orbit servicing missions
Sierra Space Ghost: a state-of-the-art space delivery system engineered to safely return objects from space – and through space – directly to precise locations on Earth
Sierra Space Spectre: a revolutionary satellite designed for precision rendezvous proximity operations (RPO)
Sierra Black OS: an advanced AI-enabled operating systemthat is able to operate across space, air and ground systems seamlessly

(Source: ASD Network)

10 Jun 25. Skeyeon, a pioneer in Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellite systems, today announced the issuance of three foundational U.S. patents that collectively redefine what is possible for long-duration, high-performance, low-cost space missions at altitudes below 300 km. These patents cover critical innovations in spacecraft architecture, communications, and materials science, each solving longstanding obstacles that have historically limited sustained operations in VLEO.

Newly Issued Patents:

Patent No. 12,258,307 – System for Producing Remote Sensing Data from Near-Earth Orbit

Issued: March 25, 2025

Inventors: Ronald E. Reedy, Thomas E. Schwartzentruber

Impact: Defines the baseline spacecraft design and mission-enabling parameters necessary for multi-year, low-cost VLEO satellite operations, including orbital mechanics, drag mitigation, and sensor integration.

Patent No. 12,267,146 – Radio Frequency Data Downlink for a High Revisit Rate, Near Earth Orbit Satellite System

Issued: April 1, 2025

Inventors: Dan Nobbe, Ronald E. Reedy

Impact: Introduces a novel, low-power communication method utilizing opposing phased array antennae—functioning like an inverted cellular system—to achieve ultra-high data rates in VLEO conditions, supporting daily re-imagery of the entire earth

Patent No. 12,311,634 – Atomic Oxygen-Resistant, Low Drag Coatings and Materials

Issued: May 27, 2025

Inventors: Timothy K. Minton, Thomas E. Schwartzentruber

Impact: Enables the use of specialized coatings that reduce atmospheric drag by over 50% while resisting the corrosive effects of atomic oxygen, unlocking affordable and durable VLEO missions.

“These patents represent major steps forward not just for Skeyeon, but for the future of Earth observation and real-time data systems,” said Dr. Ron Reedy, CEO and co-founder of Skeyeon. “We’ve proven that with the right design, materials, and communications strategy, Very Low Earth Orbit is not only viable—it’s the most efficient and powerful vantage point we have.”

With a strong and growing IP portfolio, Skeyeon continues to accelerate the deployment of resilient, high-revisit satellites for defense, commercial, industrial, and environmental monitoring and tracking, as well as global connectivity.

For more information, visit www.skeyeon.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

10 Jun 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has delivered the first very high-resolution images from the company’s second Gen-3 satellite just 12 hours following its successful launch last Monday.

“In today’s national security environment, BlackSky’s customers require space-based intelligence that moves at warfighter speed,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “BlackSky’s newest Gen-3 satellite has delivered low-latency, very high-resolution imagery on its first day in orbit demonstrating the maturity of our AI-enabled architecture and demonstrates the agile, mission-ready resilience of our commercial capabilities today.”

Early morning Gen-3, unit 2, imagery collected yesterday at 7:45 a.m. China Standard Time over Golmud Air Base, Qinghai Province, China has demonstrated the timely operational value of high-cadence, space-based dynamic monitoring capabilities in support of strategic and tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking defense and intelligence missions. Gen-3 gives decision makers the ability to discern vital aircraft movements, ground vehicle positioning and critical facility operations that can provide valuable real-time context to multisource intelligence efforts.

“BlackSky is committed to giving customers an unparalleled operational advantage at disruptive speed, scale and economics. Our real-time dynamic monitoring capabilities offer a strong complement to national space assets, especially in support of time-dominant strategic and tactical operations,” said O’Toole.

As part of BlackSky’s high-cadence, time-diverse constellation, each new Gen-3 satellite is expected to accelerate the development of new customer applications in automated real-time and predictive battlefield monitoring. Gen-3 customers have subscription-based access to high-cadence, time diverse 35-centimeter very high-resolution imagery with AI-enabled automated detection analytics that identify and classify a wide library of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of military interest. As BlackSky’s constellation evolves with the regular addition of Gen-3 satellites, BlackSky will continue to optimize for increased constellation capacity and flexibility giving customers confidence in reliable access to services.

10 Jun 25. Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BAE Systems, the UK’s premier defense and security company, to jointly develop an advanced multi-sensor satellite system. This collaboration will look to integrate BAE Systems’ ultra-wideband Radio Frequency (RF) sensor technology with Hanwha Systems’ cutting-edge small Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite capabilities. Together, the two companies will explore the creation of a powerful space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance solution and strengthen their competitiveness in the global satellite market. The multi-sensor satellite system will combine data from both RF and SAR satellites and leverage machine learning to deliver precise, timely, and high-resolution intelligence. By fusing different types of satellite data, the system is expected to significantly enhance situational awareness and offer a formidable space-based surveillance asset.

Rachael Hoyle, Space Director, BAE Systems Digital Intelligence saids: “Bringing together our pedigree in space with Hanwha Systems’ expertise in SAR satellites represents an exciting opportunity to progress ISR capabilities from space for international markets. We’re looking forwards to building this relationship and advancing space technologies together.”

Sung-Chan Song, Head of the Space Division, Hanwha Systems saids: “Small SAR satellites are becoming increasingly recognised as invaluable resources for surveillance and reconnaissance. Hanwha Systems is proud to collaborate with BAE Systems and as we looks to further expand our presence in the global satellite market.”

Hanwha Systems is the provider of the SAR payload for the 425 Project, South Korea’s first military reconnaissance satellite program. In December 2023, the company successfully launched a 1-meter resolution small SAR satellite developed entirely with domestic technology, demonstrating its leadership in civilian-led Earth observation and surveillance capabilities. Hanwha is also participating in Korea’s first low Earth orbit (LEO) communications satellite development project, led by the Agency for Defense Development, and is actively contributing to the creation of an independent military satellite constellation.– END.

06 Jun 25. L3Harris Delivers Advanced Offensive Space Capability to Space Force. Meadowlands system safeguards U.S. military operations and warfighters with improved jamming capabilities and increased mobility. U.S. Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of U.S. Space Command, stated at this year’s Space Symposium, “It is our opponents, most notably China, who have accelerated the terrestrial and on-orbit space weapons and expanded their space-enabled kill chains. They are moving at jaw-dropping speed, and they’ve deployed vast armed arsenals of missiles, all deliberately fielded to threaten our homeland.” To help answer the call for space superiority and deter future threats, L3Harris developed and recently delivered Meadowlands systems to the U.S. Space Force’s Electromagnetic Warfare unit with additional units planned for distribution to various customer sites in the future. Meadowlands is a ground-based and transportable Counter Communications System (CCS) designed to block or disrupt enemy adversary satellite communications. It can maneuver with ease, deploy rapidly, scale to meet mission requirements, and is composed of radio frequency equipment with a flexible design that allows plug-and-play integration of updates or new technologies. USSF Col. Bryon E.C. McClain, Program Executive Officer for Space Combat Power, Space Systems Command, recently stated about Meadowlands, “We signed for the acceptance, which means it is now ours to move forward into the formal government testing process, our developmental testing and operational testing. We’ve had good success with the contractor testing, so we are optimistic that this next phase of more rigorous testing will be successful.”

“For more than 60 years, L3Harris has been a leader in providing innovative systems and tools to protect U.S. forces and ensure our adversaries are at a disadvantage in the space domain,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris Technologies. “Meadowlands is a capability that will give our country and allies a decisive advantage in an increasingly highly contested space.”

Smaller than the previous CCS, Meadowlands is mounted on wheeled trailers. The radar-like units can be repositioned with ease, making it more difficult for adversaries to pinpoint and counter them. Meadowlands will take CCS capabilities to another level — providing more efficient jamming in a more portable and automated system. (Source: ASD Network)

02 Jun 25. Iridium + Syniverse partner to deliver D2D satellite connectivity to global MNOs. Iridium Communications Inc. (NASDAQ: IRDM) recently partnered with Syniverse to support the rollout of Iridium NTN DirectSM service with mobile network operators (MNOs) worldwide. Through this partnership, Iridium NTN Direct is integrating with Syniverse’s global platform, making it easy for MNOs to keep their customers continuously connected everywhere on the planet. According to GSMA’s 2025 Industry Survey, 85% of MNOs planning to pursue non-terrestrial network (NTN) service are seeking a LEO solution that extends their coverage globally. As part of 3GPP Release 19, Iridium NTN Direct will provide truly global, standards-based direct-to-device (D2D) and narrow-band Internet of Things (NB-IoT) messaging and SOS for consumer devices, automobiles and industrial applications in agriculture, transportation, logistics, energy and utilities. The combination of MNO requirements and Iridium NTN Direct capabilities makes it the ideal solution. With Iridium NTN Direct, MNOs will know they have a reliable partner with a fully deployed, owned and operated satellite constellation, unmatched coverage, globally coordinated mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum, and a history of providing reliable safety of life services. We’re building the backbone of the global D2D movement, the right way and with the right partners as we prepare for on-air testing with MNOs and chipmakers in the coming months,” said Iridium CEO Matt Desch. “The integration of Syniverse’s system with the Iridium® network will give MNOs a simple path to expand their footprint to the entire planet.” Satellite networks are becoming a natural extension of the mobile ecosystem, and our role at Syniverse is to make that transition seamless,” said Andrew Davies, Chief Executive Officer of Syniverse. “By integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the global mobile framework using standards-based, carrier-grade systems, Syniverse is simplifying deployment, ensuring consistency and security, and accelerating access to non-terrestrial connectivity.” (Source: Satnews)

02 Jun 25. Rocket Lab launches BlackSky’s “Full Stream Ahead” Earth observing Gen-3 satellite mission. Rocket Lab’s “Full Stream Ahead” mission lifted off at 7:57 p.m. ET (June 2) launching to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) an Earth-observing “Gen-3” satellite for Virginia-based BlackSky. Photo by Satnews. The goal for “Full Stream Ahead,” is to deliver the spacecraft to a circular orbit 292 miles (470 kilometers) above Earth. The spacecraft “will join the remainder of the company’s constellation delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics for daily intelligence operations,” Rocket Lab wrote in a mission description. Rocket Lab added that, “‘Full Stream Ahead’ is the second in a series of four Electron launches booked by BlackSky to deploy its Gen-3 satellites to orbit this year, and the 10th overall [Electron] launch for the company — making Electron the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date.” (Source: Satnews)

04 Jun 25. SpaceX launches Starlink Group 11-22 smallsats from foggy California. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 sent 27 Starlink Group 11-22 smallsats soaring increasing the Starlink constellation on Wednesday, June 4 at 4:40 PDT. The rocket launched from a very foggy Vandenberg to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos by Satnews. This was the 26th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, DART, Transporter-7, Iridium OneWeb, SDA-0B, NROL-113, NROL-167, NROL-149, and 17 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage successfully landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. (Source: Satnews)

10 Jun 25. In a world-first, Kymeta, the company reimagining satellite connectivity, today announces a major technological leap: simultaneously operating across both Ku and Ka satellite bands in a single, compact antenna – laying the technical groundwork to enable seamless connectivity across satellite networks. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone for the satellite communications industry, ending a legacy of siloed satcom limitations. Kymeta has now advanced the ability to interoperate across satellite networks in different bands and different orbits, in a move to make satellite as seamless and ubiquitous as cellular.

Bruno Fromont, Intelsat CTO said: “Transformative technology milestones like this spark a catalytic shift across an entire landscape. Kymeta’s ability to unify Ku- and Ka- band connections through a single mobile antenna is a foundational leap toward combined satellite networks, making communication as seamless and automatic as the cellular networks we use every day. This success is changing the game.”

The ability to connect to both Ku- and Ka-band beams offers immediate and significant benefits – unlocking higher bandwidth, faster data rates, and more bits per second (bps). This also enables continuous connectivity, a vital component toward making advanced AI at the edge a reality. The breakthrough will now allow manufacturers to build the advanced tech of the future where this is a requirement. This achievement meets the demands of global militaries. The US Space Force vision whitepaper in 2020 outlined the requirement to support multi-bands, orbits, waveforms and a “network of networks to support responsive and agile operations”. Along with traditional C2 (command and control) functions, autonomous applications such as unmanned surface and aerial vehicles (USV, UAV and UGVs) require strong, reliable connectivity to operate and be competitive on the battlefield. This serves as a network hub and backhaul for downstream communication using MANET, mesh and cellular networks that will enable autonomous system operations at scale.

Ian Canning, president and CEO of Eutelsat America Corp + OneWeb Technologies (EACOWT) comments: “The U.S. DOD and defense forces around the globe require increasingly sophisticated, flexible and secure communications, which includes the need for high-performance, multi-band, multi-orbit connectivity from a single antenna. Kymeta’s ESA platform, reflecting their continued investment in innovation, is truly disruptive, and brings multi-orbit and multi-band capabilities into the modern era. I look forward to collaborating with Kymeta to develop world class satellite communication products that will open the door to the resilient communications required in the modern battlefield.”

Relying on a single network connection is insufficient to meet the complex and evolving needs of modern global forces, making multi-band beam switching a strategic necessity. This capability allows for simultaneous and redundant communication links, which are critical for maintaining operational integrity in contested or jamming-prone environments while on the move.

General (ret) Paul J Kern, former Commanding General, Army Materiel Command, currently Senior Counselor, The Cohen Group comments: “Kymeta’s breakthrough in seamless switching between Ku and Ka satellite bands delivers the kind of resilient, always-on communications that advanced military platforms and autonomous systems demand. This is a major step forward in preparing and equipping our forces for the modern battlefield. This capability would have made an enormous difference to my operations in the desert of Iraq.”

The technology was successfully demonstrated and validated at Kymeta on April 22, 2025. This achievement was made possible by Kymeta’s unique metamaterials antenna surface. Until this point, interoperability in the Ku and Ka bands has been possible only with Electronic Steered Antennas (ESA) using multiple physically separate antennas, which proves problematic due to the size and power usage required to operate. This technological disruption by Kymeta allows connectivity in both bands in one single antenna, giving space efficiency, low power consumption, and low cost (SWaP-C).

Kymeta Chief Scientist, Ryan Stevenson, says: “At Kymeta we’ve never followed convention. What began as novel metamaterials technology is now a proven engineering foundation – first brought to market in 2017, and now central to this groundbreaking achievement. We’ve turned breakthrough physics into a powerful, trusted toolkit. Using this toolkit we have now addressed the most challenging requirement in satellite communications. We have cracked the code on seamless multi-orbit, multi-band connectivity – and have set the standard for next-generation satellite communications.”

How it works

The physical area of Kymeta’s multi-band antenna aperture consisting of four, interleaved sub-arrays – Ku transmit, Ku receive, Ka transmit and Ka receive – allows for simultaneous and independently controlled Ku and Ka full duplex beams from its metamaterials surface. Structuring the antenna in this way, and pairing it with advanced AI algorithms for intelligent routing, enables frequency reuse and alleviates spectrum contention via Kymeta’s narrower receive and transmit beams. These beams are more focused and operate at higher directivity, promoting spectrum efficiency and interference mitigation, such as GEO / LEO beam straying, jamming and adverse weather like rain fade and atmospheric losses.

Further Innovation / Funding

With the success of this innovative advancement, fueled by the company’s VC support and Silicon Valley spirit, Kymeta looks towards its next phase of growth and will be working with strategic investment partners, as well as key government programs, who share the company’s vision to scale this universal transformation.

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

June 6, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

06 Jun 25. Musk-Trump breakup puts $22bn of SpaceX contracts at risk, jolting US space program.

Summary
Companies
Trump threatens to cancel Musk companies’ contracts amid tax cut bill dispute
Musk says SpaceX to decommission Dragon spacecraft, then appears to back off
Unprecedented feud threatens to shake up U.S. space program

About $22bin of SpaceX’s government contracts are at risk and multiple U.S. space programs could face dramatic changes in the fallout from Elon Musk and President Donald Trump’s explosive feud on Thursday. The disagreement, rooted in Musk’s criticism of Trump’s tax-cut and spending legislation that began last week, quickly spiraled out of control. Trump lashed out at Musk when the president spoke in the Oval Office. Then in a series of X posts, Musk launched barbs at Trump, who threatened to terminate government contracts with Musk’s companies. Taking the threat seriously, Musk said he would begin “decommissioning” SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft used by NASA. (Source: Reuters)

30 May 25. SpaceX launches U.S. Space Force’s secret GPS III-7 to stand against increasing threats. On Friday, May 30 at 1:37 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the GPS III-7 mission to medium-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos by Satnews. This was an accelerated mission requiring the launch to be completed in three months, requiring collaboration between the Space Force, prime contractor Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX. The satellite, SV-08, is nicknamed Ms. Creola Katherine Johnson, in honor of the American mathematician whose groundbreaking calculations of orbital mechanics at NASA were instrumental to the success of early U.S. manned spaceflights. The GPS III satellite, equipped with M-code technology, provides the warfighter with a capability that is three-times more accurate, and eight-times more resistant to jamming. This effort ensures rapid delivery of modernized Precision, Navigation, and Timing capabilities to the Joint Force. (Source: Satnews)

30 May 25. At 1:37 p.m. EDT today, the eighth GPS III space vehicle—designed and built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) —successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. It achieved signal acquisition shortly thereafter. Similar to its rapid response predecessor in December 2024, GPS III SV08 executed an accelerated launch call-up, shipping from its cleanroom in Colorado and undergoing launch preparations in Florida in just over three months, compared to the typical timeframe of several months.

“Our team is thrilled to support another launch of a critical GPS satellite, just five months since the last liftoff,” said Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems for Lockheed Martin Space. “This demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s ability to rapidly launch and deploy national security space assets, and we look forward to putting the next two GPS III satellites on orbit to further enhance this critical constellation.”

These GPS III satellites will play a vital role in providing accurate and resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities to both civilian and military users, enabling critical applications such as aviation, maritime, and land transportation, plus search and rescue operations. For military users, the advanced security features and anti-jamming capabilities of GPS III – and the follow-on GPS IIIF – satellites are particularly crucial, as they will ensure uninterrupted access to precise navigation and timing data, even in contested or denied environments, thereby supporting national security and defense operations. SV08 is now under operational control at Lockheed Martin’s Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center until its official acceptance into the current operational GPS network.

In addition to building the spacecraft at its Littleton, Colorado facility, and providing early on-orbit operations, Lockheed Martin plays a major role in the continuation and maintenance of the modernized GPS ground segment—also known as the Architecture Evolution Plan. This architecture is core to operating the 31 active GPS satellites on orbit, enabling them to provide life-changing PNT capabilities that our modern world relies. The ground segment underpinned by Lockheed Martin is responsible for monitoring and controlling the GPS satellite constellation, as well as providing navigation data to its users. It consists of a network of monitoring stations, master control stations, and ground antennas located around the world. Most recently, Lockheed Martin has further enhanced GPS’ ground segment by incorporating M-Code Early Use into the system, which allows for worldwide use of a specialized, secure military communications signal by American and allied troops. Once declared operational, GPS III SV08 will be the eighth GPS III satellite in space with boosted M-code, strengthening navigation, precision and anti-jamming for critical military operations. Lockheed Martin was also recently awarded a contract modification for two additional future GPS IIIF satellites to further enhance the constellation. (Source: Satnews)

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

May 30, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

29 May 25. Robotics demo points to interstellar future. UKAEA and Space Solar have collaborated on a robotics demonstration unit to pave the way for space-based data centres, solar farms and other megastructures. A collaboration between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK’s national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy, and space-tech innovator, Space Solar, has shown that robotic technology could build infrastructure in space without human intervention. The AlbaTRUSS project, conducted at UKAEA’s advanced test facilities on Culham Campus, Oxfordshire, used remotely operated dual-arm robotic manipulators to show that robots could assemble gigawatt-scale solar power satellites. The successful demonstration opens the door to building vast infrastructure projects in orbit, such as data centres and energy farms.

Dr Sam Adlen, Co-CEO of Space Solar, said: “The AlbaTRUSS project is a milestone not just for our satellite architecture, but for the future of large-scale structures in space, from data centres to energy infrastructure. Space Solar aims to harness abundant solar energy in space to provide power to energy-hungry consumers on Earth. Its space-based solar technology requires satellites comprised of hundreds of thousands of modular units to be put together in orbit. Up in space, the sun shines 24-7. Once constructed, these satellites capture solar power and beam it back down to Earth in the form of microwaves, which can be received by antennas on the ground and converted into electricity for the grid,” explained Dr Adlen.

The structures are designed to be several kilometres long and around 20 meters wide. AlbaTRUSS, a proof-of-concept project, showed that robots could assemble a scaled structural truss bay, or tubing called longeron, which forms a core element of the satellite’s framework. Unlike the International Space Station – the largest structure built in space to date – most satellites are single structures or feature only small additional elements that must be deployed in space. Using robots to remotely assemble, maintain and decommission infrastructure is more efficient and reduces the risks faced by astronauts.

Space Solar used UKAEA’s centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) because fusion and space robotics have a number of things in common – they don’t require oxygenated environments and can function in varying degrees of radiation.

Professor Rob Buckingham, Executive Director of UKAEA, said: “Building a machine as complicated as a fusion power plant on Earth, which will be entirely remotely operated, is similar to building structures in space. It could be a lunar station or a facility on Mars, so we’re talking about the future of humanity as well as ensuring energy security. Working closely with people in adjacent fields is vital for UKAEA. By enabling new perspectives, it inspires our staff to think of different ways to solve challenges. It is hugely valuable to both parties.”

Space-based solar power and fusion energy each have the potential to deliver constant, low-carbon baseload energy around the world. This partnership demonstrates that the UK is leading on multiple fronts to develop new sustainable energy sources.

The UKAEA-Space Solar partnership intends to strengthen the UK’s leadership in the fast-growing In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) sector.

“This achievement opens up new horizons for the space sector, an adjacent economic sphere that can ensure a bright future here on Earth,” concluded Dr Adlen.

The AlbaTRUSS project was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Proof of Concept grant.

Space Solar plans to commission its first 30MW demonstrator system by 2029 and reach full gigawatt-scale capacity by the early 2030s. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

21 May 25. Abu Dhabi to launch region’s first SAR satellite manufacturing hub. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced the launch of the Middle East’s first dedicated commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite manufacturing facility. The project is delivered in partnership with Space42, the UAE’s AI-powered space technology company with global reach. The facility, to be named Space42 Space Systems, will localize the design, assembly and testing of SAR satellites used for Earth Observation (EO), securing independent access to space-based intelligence for Abu Dhabi. This marks the first time such capabilities will be developed locally for commercial use, enabling the UAE to produce advanced EO satellites independently and strengthening its sovereign space infrastructure. Revealed during Make it in the Emirates 2025, the project advances ADIO’s mission to drive strategic investment into priority sectors, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and supporting its transformation into a global hub for advanced manufacturing. Space42 Space Systems will deliver sustainable economic impact and create high-skilled jobs in the advanced industries sector, including a significant number of roles for UAE Nationals, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to cultivating a highly skilled local talent base. Additionally, it will directly advance the UAE’s Space Strategy 2030 and the UAE’s EO Space Programme, designed to build national capabilities in satellite-based remote sensing. Operated by Space42, Space42 Space Systems will oversee the full manufacturing lifecycle, from system design to launch readiness. It advances the company’s goal of building sovereign EO capabilities while anchoring a space ecosystem that can scale globally from Abu Dhabi. SAR satellites, capable of capturing high resolution imagery in all weather and light conditions, are vital for national security, environmental monitoring and disaster response. Until now, production of these systems has remained largely concentrated in a handful of international markets. Through this pioneering facility, Abu Dhabi will, for the first time assemble, integrate and test commercial SAR satellites, positioning the emirate at the forefront of the global space economy and reinforcing its status as a centre of excellence for space innovation. Beyond manufacturing, the facility will actively support Abu Dhabi’s strategy to develop a sustainable pipeline of local talent. It will embed robust academic and industry programs, including internships for UAE nationals, technical lectures, industry site visits and research collaborations with leading Abu Dhabi universities. These initiatives will contribute to developing a national space workforce with hands-on industrial expertise. The new modular facility will manage the complete Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) lifecycle, from system design to launch preparation. As space becomes an increasingly important sector of the global economy, ADIO’s support ensures that Abu Dhabi becomes an exporter of satellite technology, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a regional hub for manufacturing, data intelligence and sovereign technologies.

His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said, “This strategic partnership brings together global capability and national ambition. By enabling transformative companies like Space42 to scale breakthrough technologies here in Abu Dhabi, we are delivering on our mandate to accelerate the emirate’s economic growth and establish future-ready industries. The transformational project demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s vision in action, enabling knowledge transfer, advancing critical infrastructure and delivering sustainable economic impact.”

Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Banayat Smart Solutions at Space42, said, “Bringing commercial satellite manufacturing into the UAE marks a pivotal step in realising Space42’s strategy. It enhances our sovereign capability in Earth Observation and strengthens our position as the preferred partner for premium geospatial data. Abu Dhabi is at the centre of this ambition, providing the environment to test, scale and export space-based capabilities that are sovereign at origin and global in application. With ADIO as a partner, we are turning strategic intent into scalable infrastructure and cultivating Emirati talent that will shape the future of this sector.” (Source: Satnews)

18 May 25. Space Systems Command advances the Space C2 Data Platform Program. U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) are advancing their Space C2 Data Platform to provide enterprise data storage and data management solutions including seamless, synchronized, multi-domain warfighting to space and air operational communities. Space systems—such as satellites—are vital to the military’s ability to project combat power, collect intelligence, navigate, and communicate across the globe. In an increasingly crowded space domain, threats to military space systems are also growing. Space command and control is the ability for military commanders to make timely, strategic decisions, take tactical actions to meet mission goals, and counter threats to U.S. space assets. This decision-making depends on underlying data collection and analysis. The Space Command and Control (Space C2) program is the Department of Defense’s (DOD) latest software-intensive system intended to provide this capability. Through the award of a $217.8m Delivery Order under the Data Software Services (DSS) IDIQ, SSC has selected Palantir USG, Inc. to provide Space C2 Data Platform solutions capable of operating in secure environments and providing data products and advanced analytics to the DoD and joint force. The Space C2 Data Platform harnesses the power of data to enable military leaders to make decisions more quickly, efficiently and with greater confidence resulting in real world mission impacts. It is a configurable enterprise data management and operations software solution that enables the integration and management of data from various disparate data sources. It supports application delivery, in-depth analysis, and data-driven decision-making across echelons and functional communities, including users who operate on multiple security levels across multiple networks. Data is a strategic asset that is imperative to leverage in the deterrence of multi-domain threats and to ensure superiority against great power competition. The Space C2 Data Platform provides solutions on multiple networks and promotes an efficient, cross-service response to evolving and crisis events. USSF requires the ability to ingest and properly secure sensitive data, to operationalize this data, and to enable leaders to make data-driven decisions for a lethal and effective joint force that sustains U.S. influence and advances shared security and prosperity. We’ve transitioned to an agile commercial approach toward software development so that we can quickly deliver advanced warfighter capabilities that require the aggregation of massive amounts of data from disparate sources and systems,” said USSF Lt. Col. David Williams, material leader for SSC Space Defense and Theater Support. “Leveraging this data accelerates our ability to develop and execute joint space warfighting capabilities.” (Source: Satnews)

20 May 25. Anywaves reports the successful deployment of a commercial reflectarray in orbit. Anywaves has marked a significant milestone by becoming the first commercial equipment provider to deploy a Reflectarray in orbit—this achievement follows the company’ earlier selection by CNES to demonstrate the technological feasibility of this type of antenna that is tailored for nanosatellites. The Reflectarray antenna, featuring a deployable configuration and compact form factor, delivers exceptional gain and enhanced reliability through a simple, robust passive deployment mechanism. First used by NASA on the ISARA, MarCO-A, and MarCO-B missions, this type of antenna is now being deployed in orbit by Anywaves. This technical breakthrough enables the use of very high-gain antennas while meeting the size constraints of nanosatellite platforms. The use of foldable flat panels allows for easy storage and transport on small spacecraft. Paving the way for new high-data-rate communication capabilities, the Reflectarray, designed in the Ka-band but adaptable across various frequency bands (from X- to Ku-, including Q-/V-), is ideally suited for deployment in satellite constellations. It targets commercial LEO missions and exploration missions, representing a major competitive advantage. With higher antenna gain, satellite operators and integrators can now opt for a more efficient system, either significantly reducing onboard power requirements or substantially increasing data rates. Designed for rapid serial production, the development of this new antenna follows a roadmap aligned with evolving market demands. The successful deployment in orbit of this Reflectarray is the result of a collaborative effort between several space players, including COMAT and Nimésis. (Source: Satnews)

18 May 25. Rocket Lab launches The Sea God Sees (iQPS Launch 2). ‘The Sea God Sees’ launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on May 17, 2025. The mission deployed a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite called QPS-SAR-10 (nicknamed “WADATSUMI-I” for the Japanese god of the sea) to a 575km circular Earth orbit, from where the satellite will join the rest of the iQPS constellation in providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally. Photo by Satnews. The mission was the third overall Electron launch for iQPS and the second in a line-up of eight dedicated missions across 2025 and 2026 to deploy iQPS’s constellation. Launch Status Rocket Lab called the mission “The Sea God Sees.” That was a reference to the satellite going up, which iQPS nicknamed Wadatsumi-I after a water deity in Japanese mythology. The satellite was built by Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, or iQPS, a Japanese company developing a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellites. This was the third Electron launch for iQPS and the second in a multi-launch contract after a launch in mid-March. (Source: Satnews)

25 May 25. SpaceX’s successful Friday launch of Starlink Group 11-16 smallsats and record of 450 successful booster landings. On a super foggy Friday, May 23 at 3:32 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink Group 11-16 smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos by Satnews. This was the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and now 15 Starlink missions. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched SpaceX’s Starlink Group 11-16 of 27 smallsats from Vandenberg Space Force Base today at 4:36 p.m. EDT (1:36 p.m. local time; 2036 GMT). About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster landed safely on SpaceX’s Of Course I Still Love You drone ship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This was the 450th successful landing of a Falcon 9 rocket, according to SpaceX. (Source: Satnews)

23 May 25. Rocket Lab Schedules Next Launch in Series of Multiple Missions for BlackSky. The mission will be Rocket Lab’s tenth overall launch for BlackSky and cements Electron as the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the launch window for its next mission for real-time space-based intelligence company BlackSky (NYSE: BSKY). The mission, named ‘Full Stream Ahead, will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on May 28th, 2025 UTC. The mission will launch the next of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites to a mid-inclination circular 470km orbit, where it will join the remainder of the company’s constellation delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics for daily intelligence operations. Full Stream Ahead is the second in a series of four Electron launches booked by BlackSky to deploy its Gen-3 satellites to orbit this year, and the tenth overall launch for the company – making Electron the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date. Rocket Lab’s launch for BlackSky will be the seventh Electron mission of 2025, its 65th launch overall, and will bring the total number of satellites delivered to space by Rocket Lab to 226. (Source: ASD Network)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

May 22, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

22 May 25. ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for earth observation, and IHI Corporation (“IHI”), the Japanese heavy industries company, start cooperating on the development of a SAR constellation of up to 24 satellites, to provide earth observation data for military, civilian and commercial purposes. A memorandum of understanding between the two companies was signed at DSEI Japan, the biannual defense event taking place this week at Makuhari Messe, near Tokyo. As part of the planned development, IHI and ICEYE plan to establish a satellite manufacturing facility in Japan, with satellites to be operated domestically. This initiative is intended to support Japan’s space ambitions of boosting space industries while strengthening national security and resilience. The foundation is still subject to definitive agreements and official approvals.

Rafal Modrzewski, Co-founder & CEO of ICEYE, said: “ICEYE has had a close relationship with Japan since 2018, building trust and long-term commitment. The strengthening of Finland-Japan relationship and technical alliance enhance the security of both nations. By collaborating with Japanese organizations, ICEYE improves its defense capabilities and strengthens shared security. We are dedicated to creating new connections and deepening relationships with all of Japan’s industry and government organizations.”

Atsushi Sato, President of IHI’s Aero Engine, Space & Defense Business Area, said: “Today’s world is increasingly insecure. Japan’s National Defense Strategy recognizes the importance of strengthening its own sovereign capability in space whilst simultaneously opening the door to cooperation and collaboration with allies / like-minded countries who share the nation’s strategic interests. This MoU is the first step in realizing the next generation of capabilities critical to Japan’s national security in the years to come.”

22 May 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) have established a launch window opening May 27 for the second Gen-3 satellite. The launch, named “Full Stream Ahead,” will add very high-resolution 35-centimeter imaging capability to BlackSky’s high-cadence, low-latency data and AI-enabled analytics offerings.

“Each successive Gen-3 launch represents a major step forward for our global defense and intelligence customer base with the prospect of new mission applications that will be enabled by combining very high-resolution imaging with high-frequency monitoring and advanced AI analytics,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “With every Gen-3 addition we improve revisit rates, capacity and the quantity and quality of actionable intelligence for our customers.”

BlackSky is setting new industry standards using advanced software and AI-enabled automation to accelerate space-based intelligence capabilities through disruptive speed, economics and insights. BlackSky has signed multiple early access contracts for Gen-3 services with anticipated general commercial availability anticipated to begin by Q4. The company is on track to place eight Gen-3 satellites on orbit by early 2026. As BlackSky’s constellation evolves with the regular addition of Gen-3 satellites, BlackSky will continue to optimize for increased constellation capacity and flexibility giving customers confidence in reliable access to services. Gen-3 customers will be able to conduct the automated detection, identification and classification of a wide library of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of tactical interest. These new capabilities will further enable BlackSky’s space-based intelligence applications for tactical ISR missions and strategic intelligence operations.

20 May 25. Airbus next-generation Skynet satellite reaches major milestone. The UK’s next-generation military communications satellite – Skynet 6A – has successfully completed the coupling of its communications and service modules. The spacecraft – designed and built at Airbus’ Stevenage and Portsmouth plants – will provide vital communications services for Britain’s armed forces and achieved the major milestone at the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The NSTF is operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space.

“This significant development in the programme will allow Airbus to complete final baseline testing at our Stevenage site, followed by environmental testing back at NSTF later this year,” said Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman Ben Bridge.

“Skynet 6A is the next-generation, fully-hardened military satellite for the Ministry of Defence. It has three-and-a-half times the capacity of the UK’s current Skynet 5 military satellites and is due to enter service in 2027.”

The Airbus Skynet satellite programme has provided the UK military with sovereign capability for the past 50 years and the 6A spacecraft builds on that wealth of home-grown experience to incorporate new, innovative capabilities to meet the changing requirements of our armed forces for the foreseeable future.

“Congratulations to Airbus Defence and Space, RAL Space and the MOD project team on achieving this impressive milestone,” said Barry Austin, Skynet Programme Manager at Defence Digital. “This marks a significant achievement for the Skynet 6 programme and the UK space sector as a whole. Once operational, Skynet 6A will enhance and be critical to our Armed Forces’ military satellite communications capability and ensure they continue to receive world-class connectivity globally.”

This is the first time that a large, geostationary-orbit (GEO) communications satellite has been coupled in the UK. Skynet 6A is also the first spacecraft to use the new NSTF during this initial year of operation by RAL Space; earlier this year 6A’s antennas were successfully tested in the NSTF’s electromagnetic compatibility facility.

“Welcoming our first customers represents a significant achievement for the NSTF, and we are proud to support Airbus with the integration and testing of Skynet 6A,” said Sean Stewart, Head of Environmental Test at RAL Space. “This milestone is a testament to the dedication of all involved and marks an exciting step for the UK as we prepare to host many more satellites of this scale.”

19 May 25. Synspective and SATIM Partner to Launch New AI-Based Satellite Data Solution. SATIM, a world-leading provider of AI-driven solutions for object detection and classification in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery, has entered a strategic partnership with Synspective Inc., a Japanese SAR data provider and satellite operator. The collaboration combines Synspective’s high-resolution SAR satellite data with SATIM’s proven AI-based analytics software, resulting in the launch of a powerful Object Detection and Classification (ODC) solution. By integrating SATIM’s advanced Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) technology with Synspective’s expanding StriX satellite constellation, the ODC platform enables high-confidence, near real-time detection and classification of vessels and aircraft across vast maritime and land domains. The solution is designed to provide persistent situational awareness in all conditions, regardless of weather, daylight, or cloud cover. This partnership represents a strategic milestone in the AI and satellite market, setting a new standard for SAR-based monitoring capabilities and potentially influencing competitors and customers alike.

“By integrating SATIM’s advanced AI analytics with Synspective’s growing StriX satellite constellation, the collaboration delivers persistent, high-precision situational awareness across critical regions worldwide. The combined strengths of both companies enable the creation of adaptable, data-driven solutions that meet the operational needs of security, defense, and intelligence users. Our technology is mission-agnostic, resolution-independent, and field-proven. Whether it’s low-resolution wide-area scans or high-resolution tactical imagery, we transform SAR data into intelligence that matters. This partnership with Synspective not only validates our technology—it also aligns with our long-term vision to support large-scale, multi-orbit surveillance operations across diverse geographical regions. “Jacek Strzelczyk, CEO and Co-Founder of SATIM

“We are excited to launch the Object Detection and Classification solution, which significantly advances our SAR-based analytics for defense intelligence. Our collaboration with SATIM strengthens our solution lineup, reinforcing a core pillar of our company’s growth strategy. By continuously innovating and expanding our solutions, we are working towards achieving our mission to realize a resilient future.” Motoyuki Arai, CEO of Synspective

This collaboration addresses the growing global need for timely and dependable monitoring capabilities in complex operational environments. Both SATIM and Synspective are committed to the continuous enhancement of their joint solution to ensure it remains aligned with the evolving mission requirements and strategic priorities of their end users.

19 May 25. Satellite technology leaders Eutelsat OneWeb and Kymeta today announce the general availability of the new Kymeta™ Goshawk u8 flat-panel terminal on the Eutelsat OneWeb LEO network, a new multi-orbit terminal for government and military customers. The terminal meets key defense needs by enabling the benefits of both GEO and LEO networks on one terminal, providing resilient, flexible multi-orbit connectivity across all operational domains. As nations boost defense spending and invest in sovereign SATCOM, the Goshawk u8 is purpose-built to deliver. With robust and trusted communications being a top security priority, the Goshawk u8 delivers seamless connectivity from both LEO and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite networks in a single user terminal. The terminal’s rugged, low-profile design and reliable, high-bandwidth performance make it ideally suited for the evolving demands of allied nations’ defense and security sectors.

“Defense infrastructure is being reshaped at speed, and satellite communications are now a key piece delivering seamless, secure connectivity across all domains,” said Filipe De Oliveira, Vice President Commercial Connectivity Business Unit of Eutelsat OneWeb. “Thanks to the Kymeta Goshawk u8, we can provide secure connectivity on our Eutelsat OneWeb LEO constellation that meets the strategic and operational requirements of governments and security-focused organizations around the world.”

The Kymeta Goshawk u8 provides a ‘plug-and-play’ terminal, designed for use across a range of platforms, including land vehicles, maritime vessels, and fixed installations. Combining LEO, GEO, and cellular connectivity it allows for improved responsiveness to enable maneuver warfare tactics, such as rapid, focused, and unexpected actions that can shatter an enemy’s cohesion.

“In today’s contested battlespace, the ability to move, adapt, and fight without losing connectivity is non-negotiable,” said Rick Bergman, President and CEO of Kymeta. “The Goshawk u8 gives defense forces the freedom to operate across orbits with resilience and certainty, even under pressure.

“Kymeta remains connected with governments, special forces, and military operators to assist with providing solutions to critical defense requirements. Together with Eutelsat OneWeb, we are equipping all warfighters with the communications infrastructure they need to dominate the mission environment.

As allied nations prioritize secure, resilient and rapidly deployable communications, the Goshawk u8 delivers a critical solution with its flexible, open network architecture designed to support defense operations on the move.

16 May 25. ICEYE, the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology, announces strengthening its presence and the opening of its new office in Greece. The company’s growing footprint in Greece is an important step in the company’s participation in the “Greek National Satellite Space Program – Axis 1.2”, in cooperation with the Hellenic Space Agency and the Ministry of Digital Governance. As announced in September 2024, Axis 1.2 covers the Greek SAR Space Segment and includes both radar imagery and the development of a Greek Observation System with two ICEYE SAR satellites, and their launches. In addition to sovereign satellites, Greece will also have access to ICEYE’s existing SAR satellite constellation.

ICEYE’s growing presence also strengthens the Greek space sector with an influx of SAR expertise by attracting and nurturing talented professionals interested in working in the industry.

ICEYE’s new Athens facilities feature a satellite assembly production line, creating jobs in a growing industry. Long-term investment in talent development and infrastructure will expand ICEYE’s Greek presence, establishing the country as a regional space technology hub. The company’s growth strategy includes a Centre of Excellence to leverage talent, advanced technologies, and the Greek market’s potential, enhancing employment for Greek scientists and engineers.

“We are very proud of the commencement of our operations in Greece, a strategic hub for ICEYE’s expansion in South Eastern Europe. We very much look forward to strengthening our collaboration with the Greek space industry and to accelerating its growth. We announced our collaboration with the Hellenic Space Agency and the Ministry of Digital Governance last year, and we continue to build on the success of that project,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE.

“We are working hard to set a solid foundation in Greece to guarantee our future success and more in-country investment. ICEYE is one of the most promising companies in the world, and we want to leverage that to promote the Greek ecosystem into the center of the European space industry,” said Vasilis Chaloulakos, Head of ICEYE Greece.

As a signal of the importance of the Greek market for the strategic development of the company, ICEYE’s Board of Directors met in Greece in connection with the inauguration of the Greek office, together with an opportunity to meet with the company’s partners and clients.

16 May 25. US FAA approves license modifications for SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mission. The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday said it approved license modifications for the SpaceX Starship Flight 9 mission, but did not immediately allow it to fly. SpaceX will not be allowed to launch until the FAA either closes its Starship Flight 8 investigation or makes a return to flight determination, the FAA added. The approval also included allowing SpaceX to increase the number of launches at Boca Chica, Texas, from five to as many as 25, a Starship Flight 8 exploded in space in early March, shortly after it began spinning uncontrollably with its engines cut off. The incident disrupted about 240 flights, with space debris concerns requiring more than two dozen of those planes into diversions. The FAA said it was reviewing the mishap report SpaceX submitted on May 14, and that it would expand the size of aircraft and maritime hazard areas in the United States and other countries for the Starship Flight 9 mission. (Source: Reuters)

15 May 25. Defense Intelligence Agency releases ‘Golden Dome’ missile threat assessment. The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) recently released an unclassified assessment titled “Golden Dome for America: Current and Future Missile Threats to the U.S. Homeland” to depict threats a sophisticated missile defense system for the United States would defend against—this product presents the agency’s unclassified intelligence on adversary missile threats and capabilities. In the coming decade, missile threats to the U.S. Homeland from more advanced conventional—and nuclear-capable delivery systems—will expand in scale and sophistication. DIA profiles the missile threat and inventories in six categories: intercontinental ballistic missiles, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, two types of hypersonic weapons, land attack cruise missiles, and fractional orbital bombardment systems. DIA’s mission is to provide intelligence on foreign militaries and their operating environments to prevent and decisively win wars. DIA officers are united in a common vision—to be the indispensable source of defense intelligence expertise for the nation. For more than 60 years, DIA has met the full range of security challenges faced by the United States. DIA intelligence officers operate around the world, supporting customers from forward-deployed warfighters to national policymakers. (Source: Satnews)

14 May 25. INNOSPACE signs strategic MoU with Saturn Satellite Networks to develop + launch smallsats. INNOSPACE (KS:462350) has signed a strategic MoU with Saturn Satellite Networks, Inc. (Saturn), a U.S.-based satellite company headquartered in Florida. The companies will jointly develop next-generation satellites, commercialize complementary products and services and explore strategic investment opportunities, including the potential establishment of a joint venture (JV) aimed at expanding into the U.S launch services market. Through this partnership, Saturn will develop, with the support of INNOSPACE, a next- generation of LEO satellite, the Caelsat, optimized for INNOSPACE’s HANBIT-Mini launch vehicle. The Caelsat satellite is designed for more than ten years of operation and can provide a stable power supply of over 1000W to onboard payloads. To reduce launch costs, the Caelsat will feature an integrated deployment mechanism capable of efficiently accommodating multiple satellites within a single launch vehicle fairing. The development of the Caelsat satellite will be led by Space Systems Korea (SSK), Saturn’s South Korean affiliate. Launch services for the satellite constellation projects jointly pursued by both companies will primarily be provided by INNOSPACE. The ‘Skycel’ project, which focuses on building a 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), is the initial use case for this satellite. The project involves 120 LEO satellites, with a minimum of eight launches required, based on the HABIT-Mini standard. These launches will be carried out using INNOSPACE’s launch services. As part of the joint vision, INNOSPACE and Saturn plan to establish a joint venture to advance into the U.S. space launch services market.The two companies will also explore strategic investment collaborations aimed at long-term business growth. This initiative is expected to broaden launch service offerings to U.S. customers and lay the groundwork for further expansion in the global space industry. This partnership with INNOSPACE enables Saturn and its Korean affiliate, Space Systems Korea, to offer an integrated satellite platform and launch solution which should achieve the lowest cost point for any customer that is looking to develop their own commercial and government LEO satellite constellations,” said Tom Choi, Chairman of Saturn. “INNOSPACE’s ability to launch from virtually any location, subject to export approvals, provides additional flexibility and attractiveness to our joint offering. We strongly believe U.S. customers will be excited to see a new launch entrant to the marketplace that combines both extreme technical competence, reliability, and affordability. We look forward to building a bright future with INNOSPACE.” This agreement marks a significant milestone in building a joint value chain that spans from satellite and launch vehicle development to launch and satellite services,” said Soojong Kim, CEO of INNOSPACE. “By combining INNOSPACE’s space launch technologies with Saturn’s expertise in satellite development and operations, we aim to accelerate global market penetration in the U.S. and strengthen our competitiveness in the commercial space industry through close partnership.” (Source: Satnews)

11 May 25. Rocket Lab partners with U.S.A.F. | AFRL for Neutron launch for rocket cargo missions. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will launch their medium-lift, reusable rocket—Neutron—for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for a Rocket Cargo mission that supports point-to-point cargo transportation and this mission is scheduled for a return-to-Earth launch no earlier than 2026. The launch contract will see Neutron execute a Rocket Cargo survivability experiment under the AFRL Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) solicitation, an effort by the Department of Defense to create a rocket-based point-to-point transportation system to quickly and rapidly deliver cargo around the world with commercial launch providers. AFRL’s experiment will be launched by Neutron and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in a demonstration of re-entry capability for future REGAL missions. Rocket Lab’s Neutron medium-lift reusable launch vehicle will provide both government and commercial customers with an alternative and reliable launch service capable of deploying 13,000 kg to LEO. Neutron is tailored to deploy constellations and national security missions as well as science and exploration payloads. In addition to serving customers with greater affordability in the medium-launch market, Neutron is key to Rocket Lab’s strategy as an end-to-end space company preparing to deploy its own constellations and deliver services from space in the future. Neutron’s debut remains on track for first launch in the second half of 2025. (Source: Satnews)

13 May 25. SpaceX launches Starlink Group 6-83 smallsats on a foggy Florida Tuesday morning. On Tuesday, May 13 at 1:02 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 28 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was the 28th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, O3B mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, Koreasat-6A, and now 17 Starlink missions. SpaceX scrubs Florida launch of Starlink Group 6-83 smallsats to Tuesday. Monday’s launch was scrubbed as weather at Kennedy Space Center was nasty. SpaceX is now targeting Tuesday, May 13 for a Falcon 9 launch of 28 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 1:02 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 3:31 a.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Tuesday, May 13 starting at 11:06 p.m. ET. AccuWeather’s assessment: A couple of heavy evening thunderstorms; otherwise, clearing; storms can bring flash flooding and damaging winds. This is the 28th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-22, Crew-3, Turksat 5B, Crew-4, CRS-25, Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G, O3B mPOWER-A, PSN SATRIA, Telkomsat Merah Putih 2, Galileo L13, Koreasat-6A, and 16 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

May 16, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

12 May 25. Terma enhances Terma Ground Segment Suite with new capabilities for satellite formations, mission planning automation, and LEON5 processor emulation. This customer-driven upgrade is shaped by direct customer feedback and real mission needs, ensuring Terma is ready to support the demands of future space missions. Terma is excited to announce a major upgrade to TGSS, a flexible and comprehensive set of tools designed to support satellite missions from early testing to full operations. The newest features help satellite operators improve precision, automate workflows, and prepare for next-generation space demands – reducing complexity and boosting mission efficiency.

New Features in TGSS

Satellite Formations in ORBIT

Terma’s Flight Dynamics System, ORBIT, now supports satellites formations, i.e. missions where multiple satellites are working together in close proximity to enhance and/or complement each other payloads’ capabilities. This new feature allows operators to define the complex maneuvering plan to acquire and maintain the desired relative positioning with respect to a reference satellite.

Automation in PLAN

Thanks to advanced algorithms and data-driven optimization, Terma’s Mission Planning System, PLAN, is able to automatically generate schedules, resolve conflicts, handle changes in resources, and ultimately to ensure that both on-ground and on-board tasks are executed efficiently. Users can focus on the mission’s objectives while leaving the complexities of mission planning to Terma’s automation tools.

LEON5 Support in TEMU

TEMU, Terma’s flight processor emulator, now includes support for the high-performance LEON5 processor. This update helps customers to simulate and validate their flight software with greater speed and accuracy, ultimately reducing costs and increasing time-to-market.

Terma is committed to meeting the evolving needs of our customers and the growing demands of future space missions. Several of the new features in TGSS are developed based on customer requests. By continually expanding and refining our products, Terma ensures that we are ready to support the next generation of space missions, whether it’s for Earth Observation or telecommunications.

“At Terma, we are dedicated to ensuring our clients can focus on achieving their mission goals while we take care of the tools that make it possible. Our innovative solutions are designed to future-proof space operations by providing efficient and reliable technologies. As the space industry evolves, Terma remains at the forefront of delivering solutions that meet the needs of today and the challenges of tomorrow,” Günther Lackner, Senior Vice President for Space at Terma.

13 May 25. UK RAF Tests Launch of FPV Drones from Helicopters. First Person View (FPV) drones have been trialled by deploying them from an RAF Chinook helicopter. UK defence is embracing FPV drones due to their proven effectiveness in recent conflicts, the tactical advantages they offer on the battlefield, their alignment with future military strategies, and the ability to rapidly train personnel in their use. FPV drones equipped with thermal imaging can provide a significant advantage in night-time operations, reducing the risks associated with crewed missions in low-visibility conditions. This technology is seen as a crucial element in maintaining a modern and adaptable fighting force. The tests were carried out as part of the Hornets Nest program, which involves launching FPV drones from platforms and exploring the potential use of helicopters as platforms for their mass deployment. It is worth noting that the United Kingdom is currently fast-tracking the integration of FPV drones into its armed forces’ weapons systems and is developing new approaches to their use. As part of this expansion, in April 2025, the country’s Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Viking Arms for the rapid delivery of 180 FPV drones, intended to be used by British troops for training purposes. The value of the contract amounted to £256,000 (approximately $336,805), with delivery scheduled to be completed within 19 days. The contract included 60 drones of each size: 5 inches (12 centimeters), 8 inches (20 centimeters), and 10 inches (25 centimeters). To date, the Ministry of Defence has supported an investment program for the development of drones for the British Army, Navy, and Air Force, allocating £4.5 bn for research, procurement, and scaling their deployment in the armed forces. (Source: UAS VISION/RAF)

13 May 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has signed Gen-3 early access agreements with multiple international defense sector customers for real-time, space-based monitoring capabilities. The customers will now be able to integrate very high-resolution, 35-centimeter imagery into daily intelligence operations, reducing the speed of analyses and opening a new, expansive set of mission solutions.

“These early access agreements demonstrate confidence in the quality and reliability of our imagery products and will give these customers transformative capabilities that BlackSky uniquely delivers through our proven end-to-end, next-generation AI-enabled commercial architecture,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO.

The subscription-based contracts provide access to the BlackSky Spectra® tasking and analytics platform, through which customers will be able to order high-cadence, time-diverse dawn-to-dusk Gen-2 and Gen-3 imagery and AI-enabled analytics. These initial contracts are designed to scale in size and volume as the company increases available Gen-3 capacity over time.

“Dawn-to-dusk, high-cadence monitoring has become a foundational element of many of our customers’ space-based intelligence operations,” said O’Toole. “Our customers rely on BlackSky as a trusted partner, delivering real-time decision-quality data at mission speed.”

BlackSky’s worldwide customer base tasks and receives thousands of high-resolution images and analytics over priority areas of interest every month, gaining visibility and insight into border crossings, nuclear and port facilities, and other critical national security and economic infrastructure at massive scale.

13 May 2025. Thales unveils its new multi-mission Primary Surveillance Radar, the TRAC SIGMA with simultaneous capacity for Approach and Long-Range Air surveillance for both civil and military Air Traffic Control. In an increasingly congested air traffic environment, the new TRAC SIGMA L-Band radar is the only radar of its class to discriminate small aircraft at an extended range (300KM), helping ensure the 3NM distance separation over the entire airspace and not just for final approach. Inheriting technology from the TRAC family, the TRAC SIGMA offers higher availability, resistance to jamming and radar interferences, extended coverage, improved discrimination and accuracy, as well as full 3D air picture ensuring smoother coordination between Civil and Military missions. With more than 1,200 Air Traffic Control radars installed in over 100 countries, Thales is a leader in this market and today unveils TRAC SIGMA, its new Primary Surveillance Radar, helping to ensure faster coordination between military and civil operations in an ever-congested airspace. With the increasing congestion of airspace due to the growing number of aircraft, military aircraft will need to fly at lower and higher altitudes, and the minimum distance between aircraft will become ever more crucial. In line with ICAO recommendations, it will become essential for both civil and military air traffic controllers to optimize the minimum horizontal separation between aircraft to three Nautical Miles (NM) across the entire airspace – not just during final approach. The TRAC SIGMA, the latest product from Thales’s worldwide field proven TRAC Primary Surveillance Radar family, leverages the latest in digital technologies; bringing to the market outstanding performances with enhanced detection capabilities at an extended coverage. It is the only radar of its class to discriminate small targets with precision at an extended range (300KM), helping ensure the 3NM distance separation over the entire airspace, while also ensuring approach surveillance. This radar inherits advanced 3D detection capabilities and unmatched discrimination of small aircraft wherever they are flying whether at high altitude, low altitude or long distance, a high availability/reliability due to full redundancy and hot swap component replacement, jamming/interference resistance, as well as compliance with international standards and regulations. The 2 in 1 radar also helps improve life-cycle costs with optimized infrastructure and resources.

Eric HUBER, Vice President Surface Radars, Thales, said, “With over 50 years’ experience in this field, Thales is continuously investing to lead the latest innovations in the Air Traffic Control radar market, helping ensure safer skies. TRAC SIGMA offers a single sensor for simultaneous approach and long-range surveillance supporting all air traffic control missions, and enables ATCOs to meet the challenges related to optimizing an increasingly congested airspace.”

12 May 25. Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, has confirmed the GX10A and GX10B satellite payloads are now available to deliver services for government customers, with commercial maritime and aviation services anticipated to follow throughout fiscal year 2026. Viasat successfully completed in-orbit testing of the payloads late last year and government services are now available. Launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in August 2024, the GX10A and GX10B payloads are housed on Space Norway’s Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission spacecraft — ASBM-1 and ASBM-2. The satellites feature hosted payloads for the Norwegian Military and the U.S. Government, as well as a radiation monitoring capability for the European Commission. For Viasat, the GX10A and GX10B payloads are aimed to provide broadband satellite coverage over the Arctic region for government and commercial customers. The connectivity demands of governments, commercial mobility services and scientists over the Arctic region have been rapidly growing. These new payloads will expand the coverage area served by Viasat, further strengthening the company’s global coverage capabilities with this dedicated capacity for the Arctic region. These payloads also support Viasat’s roadmap of delivering multi-orbit services to support customers across markets. The satellites operate in a Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) and extend Viasat’s network for markets including aviation, maritime, and governments beyond geostationary orbit for the first time. For Government customers, Viasat’s Global Xpress (GX) network provides high-speed Ka-band services across land, sea, and air, with the Arctic coverage extension now offering uninterrupted connectivity across the polar region.

Girish Chandran, Chief Technology Officer and President, Global Space Networks, said: “We would like to thank Space Norway, our project partners, and our teams for their continued hard work to make this project a reality. Bringing these payloads into service for government will help our vision to deliver the flexibility, coverage, and connectivity our customers need – wherever they operate.”

Susan Miller, President, Viasat Government, said: “We’re excited to begin delivering services in the Arctic region to support scientific research and enable assured, resilient communications for tactical and strategic government missions. This is another step in Viasat’s ability to provide innovative, multi-orbit solutions and services to meet the changing connectivity requirements of government customers worldwide.”

Viasat is planning to further expand its high-speed broadband capacity and capabilities for government and commercial mobility customers with five new Ka-band satellites currently under construction, which are expected to enter service during the course of the next few years.

12 May 25. Quadsat has launched QS RF Locator, a new product to geolocate RF signals to a precise location. Using its existing testing and measurement technology to enable close inspection, this latest product will enable the commercial and military satellite communications industries to quickly and efficiently detect and locate sources of interference. QS RF Locator enables last mile geolocation. It can be used in conjunction with existing geolocation solutions that narrow down the interference to a wide area, often up to several hundred kilometers squared. Its interference hunting algorithms scan the radio spectrum with the Quadsat payload. As it takes more measurements, it is able to find the precise location of the signal. The feature is available as part of the Quadsat system, a compact antenna testing and calibration solution that can be used to test and verify antennas and radio frequency equipment in-situ.

Lars Bach, Chief Technology Officer, Quadsat, commented: “Interference can be extremely harmful, causing downtime and potential loss of revenue. Geolocation has been proven to be effective, however current methods are exceptionally time-consuming. By using the drone, we are able to precisely locate the source much quicker than existing alternatives, enabling our customers to resolve the issues in record time.”

08 May 25. Australia’s Gilmour Space Technologies ready to launch maiden Eris Test flight the nation’s first orbital launch in over 50 years. Gilmour Space Technologies is gearing up for their first Eris Test flight, no earlier than May 15. Gilmour Space’s Eris TestFlight1 will be the first Australian-made rocket. Weather forecast calls for a temperature of 77 °F, clear skies, 4% cloud cover and a wind speed of 5 mph.

Gilmour Space Technologies is the leading launch services company in Australia, located in Bowen Orbital Spaceport, North Queensland, providing valuable access to space to global Commercial and Defense customers. Backed by some of the country’s biggest investors, Gilmour Space is tracking to launch Eris orbital launch vehicles and ElaraSat bus/platforms to Low Earth Orbits (LEO) from 2025.

Bowen Orbital Spaceport hosts the Eris Pad which has witnessed the launch of 0 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts. While Bowen Orbital Spaceport, has been the site for 0 rocket launches. Private orbital launch facility owned and operated by Gilmour Space. Gilmour has said that they plan to have fifty of their personnel based in Bowen for the inaugural launch. Eris’ maiden flight will be the first orbital launch attempt of an Australian rocket from Australian soil, according to co-founder and CEO Adam Gilmour. (Source: Satnews)

04 May 25. IAF To Get Pseudo Satellites, Army Missile System. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to acquire advanced “pseudo satellites,” officially known as High-Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), while the Indian Army will induct a new batch of Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS). These acquisitions come against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following recent border skirmishes and a major terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. However, these procurements will not have an immediate impact on military readiness, as the acquisition and induction processes are expected to take several months. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for three HAPS platforms for the IAF. These solar-powered, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are designed to operate at altitudes of around 16–20 km, well above commercial airliners and traditional drones but below low Earth orbit satellites. The primary roles of these platforms include:

Persistent Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance (ISR): HAPS can provide continuous monitoring over sensitive areas, making them ideal for border surveillance and intelligence gathering.

Communication And Data Relay: They act as airborne relays, linking ground stations and aircraft, and supporting other unmanned platforms.

Electronic Signals Interception: The systems can intercept and relay adversary electronic signals, enhancing situational awareness.

HAPS are powered by extremely thin solar films, allowing them to remain airborne for extended durations without refuelling. They offer significant operational advantages over satellites, including lower deployment and maintenance costs, easier repair, and the ability to be launched from various locations. The platforms are required to maintain line-of-sight communication up to 150 km and satellite communication up to 400 km.

This move follows a similar acquisition by the Indian Navy, which has partnered with Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies to develop indigenous HAPS under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative.

Indian Army: Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS)

Alongside the IAF’s upgrades, the Indian Army will receive 48 launchers of the next-generation VSHORADS, 85 missiles, and 48 night-vision sights. The VSHORADS is a man-portable, infrared homing missile system designed to counter low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Key features include:

Operational Flexibility: The system can be deployed on land, at sea, and in high-altitude, desert, and coastal environments.

Day And Night Capability: Equipped with night vision, VSHORADS can operate in all weather conditions, including snow-bound areas.

Range And Speed: The missile can engage targets up to 6,000 meters away and at speeds of up to 400 meters per second.

Portability: The system can be shoulder-launched or mounted on a tripod, enhancing its versatility and rapid deployment potential.

Advanced Warhead: It features a 2 kg warhead with an adaptive proximity fuse, increasing the likelihood of destroying fast-moving or small aerial targets.

VSHORADS will serve as the last line of air defence, protecting forward field formations and critical assets from aerial threats.

Strategic Context And Impact

These acquisitions are part of India’s broader strategy to modernize its military capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign technology, in line with the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative. The timing coincides with renewed tensions along the India-Pakistan border, but the MoD has clarified that these procurements are not expected to alter immediate military readiness due to the time required for tendering, manufacturing, and induction. The induction of HAPS and VSHORADS will significantly enhance India’s persistent surveillance, communication, and air defence capabilities over the medium to long term, supporting both conventional and asymmetric security challenges. (Source: Satnews/Indian Defence News Tribune)

09 May 25. SpaceX’s Friday at the beach and a launch of Starlink Group 15-3 smallsats. It was a beautiful sunny Friday at a California beach that hosted a launch from Vandenberg of a much delayed Starlink Group 15-3 smallsats to add to the SpaceX constellation. This was the 14th flight for the first stage booster tail number 1081, supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, and now seven Starlink missions. Approximately eight minutes after liftoff, B1081 landed on the SpaceX droneship, ‘Of Course I Still Love You.’ This marked the 128th booster landing on that vessel and the 441st booster landing to date. News has indicated that there will be more Falcon 9 rocket launches this year compared to years past on the Southwest part of the United States. In March, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepted the Final Environmental Assessment (EA) from the Department of the Air Force to allow SpaceX to increase the number of launches from SLC-4E from 36 up to 50. (Source: Satnews)

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

May 9, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

08 May 25. Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense tech prime that is Building a Platform in Space to Benefit Life on Earth® and protect economic freedom in the Orbital Age®, announced today another successful demonstration of the company’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) technology for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). In this third milestone, Sierra Space demonstrated an early integration of the R-GPS satellite technology through FlatSat flight software and hardware subsystem testing, in addition to successful communication with ground software. Sierra Space announced in September a “Quick Start” R-GPS contract awarded by the Space Systems Command (SSC) to produce design concepts for smaller, more cost-effective GPS satellites. This new achievement comes only six months after the start of that program, highlighting Sierra Space’s rapid capabilities to bring technology to market in the national security space.

“The field for this program has recently narrowed down to three companies from the original four,” said Erik Daehler, Vice President of Sierra Space Defense. “The challenges of harnessing this technology in a competitive environment motivates us to reach these milestones. Sierra Space is focused on advancing GPS technology for the security of the United States, and demonstrations like this one showcase our dedication to being at the forefront of defense tech innovation.”

GPS technology plays a crucial role in everyday life. However, the growing complexity of threats such as jamming and spoofing by adversaries requires improvements in GPS resilience. To tackle these issues, the USSF’s R-GPS program plans to incorporate a network of smaller satellites into the existing GPS architecture to add additional layers of security. The recent testing milestone from Sierra Space demonstrated the successful flow of commands and telemetry between Sierra Space’s ground software and ground stations as-a-service provider, to establish that the technology will eventually work from orbit with ground-based facilities. Additionally, there was successful testing of flight software and hardware subsystems in FlatSat format – when satellite components are laid out flat for evaluation. These early integration achievements are a significant milestone as Sierra Space moves closer to advancing the USSF’s ability to rapidly deploy R-GPS Space and Control Segments to augment the current GPS system. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

08 May 25. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it will launch its new medium-lift reusable rocket Neutron for the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) for a Rocket Cargo mission that supports point-to-point cargo transportation, establishing a new era of commercial launch capability to advance global defense logistics for the nation. The mission is scheduled for a return-to-Earth Neutron launch no earlier than 2026. The launch contract will see Neutron execute a Rocket Cargo survivability experiment under the AFRL Rocket Experimentation for Global Agile Logistics (REGAL) solicitation, an effort by the Department of Defense to create a rocket-based point-to-point transportation system to quickly and rapidly deliver cargo around the world with commercial launch providers. AFRL’s experiment will be launched by Neutron and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere, in a demonstration of re-entry capability for future REGAL missions. Rocket Lab’s Neutron medium-lift reusable launch vehicle will provide both government and commercial customers with an alternative and reliable launch service capable of deploying 13,000 kg to low Earth orbit. Neutron is tailored to deploy constellations and national security missions as well as science and exploration payloads. In addition to serving customers with greater affordability in the medium-launch market, Neutron is key to Rocket Lab’s strategy as an end-to-end space company preparing to deploy its own constellations and deliver services from space in the future.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Neutron is a powerful new launch option that will set a new standard for performance, affordability, and reliability for government and commercial space users in medium launch. This opportunity for the U.S. Air Force not only helps to advance space logistics, it also demonstrates a high degree of confidence by the DOD in Neutron’s capabilities. Anticipation is high for Neutron’s inaugural flight this year, and we’re excited to showcase Neutron as a platform for R&D for point-to-point logistics for the DoD.”

Neutron is strongly positioned to capitalize on the medium-lift launch requirements for future government and commercial missions. Recently Significant progress continues to be made at the rocket’s launch pad on Wallops Island, Virginia, with the site’s completion expected in the next few weeks. Production, infrastructure scaling, and both Archimedes engine and full-scale components testing is continuing at pace across Rocket Lab’s various production and test facilities in the United States. Neutron’s debut remains on track for first launch in the second half of 2025. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

08 May 25. Rheinmetall and ICEYE plan to establish a joint venture – satellite production and other space solutions in the new Rheinmetall Space Cluster. Rheinmetall and globally leading SAR satellite manufacturer ICEYE are further intensifying their cooperation. The two companies intend to establish a joint venture for satellite production. A memorandum of understanding to this effect was signed on 8 May 2025. Rheinmetall is to be the majority shareholder in the new joint venture named Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions with 60 per cent of the shares, while ICEYE will hold 40 per cent. The foundation is still subject to definitive agreements and official approvals. As part of a Rheinmetall Space Cluster in Germany, Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions is to manufacture satellites, starting with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites and subsequently other space solutions. Production is to take place at the Neuss site, among others, and is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026.

“With the establishment of the new joint venture, we are making further inroads into the space domain,” says Armin Papperger, CEO of Rheinmetall AG. “We are thus not only responding to the increased demand for space-based reconnaissance capabilities among armed and security forces worldwide, but also contributing to the preservation and expansion of Germany as a centre of technology. Our highly qualified colleagues at the Neuss site are being given a promising new perspective for the future. We are delighted to expand our cooperation with our proven partner ICEYE.”

“ICEYE aims to be the primary provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to allied nations. We are excited to deepen our strategic collaboration with Rheinmetall by establishing a joint venture. This joint venture further strengthens our focus on developing space-based technology for the needs of global defense markets and securing sovereign defense capabilities for Europe,” says Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE.

SAR satellites offer the advantage over conventional satellites that they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. These are very detailed and make even the smallest objects on the earth’s surface identifiable. This can bring decisive advantages for the armed forces in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance or their own positioning on the battlefield. Back in June 2024, the Düsseldorf-based technology group announced its participation in the world’s largest fleet of radar reconnaissance satellites. In September 2024, Rheinmetall and ICEYE had further intensified their cooperation. In the course of this, Rheinmetall had secured exclusive rights to market the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites to military and government end users in both the German and Hungarian markets. The first major milestone in the intensified cooperation between Rheinmetall and the SAR satellite company ICEYE was reached in November 2024. To meet Ukraine’s urgent need for SAR imaging satellite reconnaissance capabilities, Rheinmetall and Ukraine had signed a contract with the support of the German government. The agreement extends the SAR data and other support that Ukraine received from ICEYE during the war.

07 May 25. ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, has today announced expanding its global footprint with the launch of a new Research & Development and Manufacturing Center in Valencia, Spain. The new center is the company’s second-largest R&D hub. It will drive innovation in ICEYE’s pipeline researching, developing, and manufacturing SAR-based and future multi-sensor technologies and solutions for persistent Earth Observation. This strategic investment highlights ICEYE’s confidence in the Valencia region’s skilled workforce and its potential to contribute to ICEYE’s global innovation and growth efforts by developing technologies and solutions made in Spain.

“As a leading innovator in SAR satellite technology, we are excited to open our cutting-edge R&D and Manufacturing Center in Valencia. With this significant investment in Spain, we are enhancing the development and manufacturing of our Earth observation technologies as we expand our global presence. Our SAR technology has proven crucial for sectors such as defense and intelligence, security, maritime monitoring, insurance, and natural catastrophe response. We continue to invest in developing and expanding our leading SAR satellite constellation, delivering satellite missions to our customers. We are also advancing our Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform and related systems for our customers in the defense sector,” said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE.

“ICEYE is a company that has made innovation and excellence its reason for being in a strategic sector for everyone, namely space. The Spanish government’s commitment to this sector makes Spain an attractive country for the development and growth of companies in the ‘NewSpace’ industry, in a municipality such as Paterna, in which talent and vibrant business activity thrive,” said Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General for Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

In the words of Sari Rautio, Finnish Ambassador to Spain, “both Spain and Finland are committed to the development of space technologies and dual-use solutions to promote our security and competitiveness. This new ICEYE plant in Paterna, Valencia, highlights the importance we attach to innovation and investment geared towards achieving European strategic autonomy in key technologies”.

Carlos Mazón, President of the Valencian Regional Government, said that “this ICEYE microsatellite component production and assembly centre contributes to strengthening the Valencian Community as a key hub for the aerospace industry and supports a high-tech ecosystem that creates quality jobs”.

For Mazón, the contribution of companies such as ICEYE, which has the world’s largest constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites, is two-fold: “On the one hand, making it possible to respond to emergency situations, and on the other, facilitating the planning of urban development, stimulating infrastructure design and initiatives for sustainable development and environmental protection”.

With its presence in Valencia, ICEYE will directly contribute to the local community, broader Spanish economy, and national defense and space industry sectors by creating highly skilled jobs and infusing advanced technological expertise. ICEYE also aims to engage with local academic institutions, such as the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV). Additionally, by developing and building proven technological sovereign solutions in Spain and thanks to its flexible and quick access to space, ICEYE will work with the Government of Spain to help strengthen its national security and defense intelligence interests.

“Valencia was selected for our R&D and Manufacturing Center due to its highly skilled talent pool, the area’s nascent and highly promising New Space ecosystem and infrastructure for innovation and technology, and the operational efficiency of the area. We anticipate expanding our Valencia team to over 100 employees within the next three years. We are actively seeking to grow our global team of engineers, scientists, and innovators with skilled professionals in Valencia to contribute to cutting-edge space technology and make a tangible impact on global security and resilience,” said Gonzalo Garcia-Munoz, CEO of ICEYE Spain and Global SVP of Operations at ICEYE.

07 May 25. Sivers Semiconductors AB (STO: SIVE), a global leader in photonics and wireless technologies, today announced that it has joined the Digital Intermediate Frequency (IF) Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium, an independent space industry group formed to advance interoperability in satellite and ground system networks. The DIFI Consortium is a global collective of industry leaders collaborating to develop and promote open, standards-based interoperability for digital IF/RF systems. Sivers joins a growing roster of leading organizations and innovative companies contributing to the digital transformation of space, satellite and related technologies for the advancement of the industry. Recently, the company announced an agreement to support the development of high-performance, low-cost digitizers based on the NXP Layerscape platform, for SATCOM by Intelsat, operator of one of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial networks.

“We are proud to become a member of the DIFI Consortium and contribute to shaping the future of satellite communications,” said Vickram Vathulya, CEO of Sivers Semiconductors. “Our advanced RF and optical technologies are at the core of next-generation connectivity and through DIFI, we aim to accelerate innovation and standardization across the satellite and space ecosystem.”

With more than two decades years of expertise in developing mmWave solutions for satellite communications and advanced 5G systems, Sivers Semiconductors’ participation in DIFI underscores its commitment to industry collaboration and leadership. The company brings a wealth of experience in mmWave, optical solutions and integrated circuits for aerospace, defense and satellite markets, positioning the company as a valuable contributor to the Consortium’s technical initiatives.

“We welcome Sivers Semiconductors to our growing list of members worldwide,” said DIFI Chairman Stuart Daughtridge. “We are pleased they have joined us as we continue to evolve the standard to effectively handle more use cases and roll out our Certification Program.”

“Joining DIFI is a strategic step for us as we continue to expand our footprint in the satellite and space communications market,” said Harish Krishnaswamy, Managing Director, Wireless Division at Sivers Semiconductors. “Open standards are key to unlocking scalable and interoperable solutions and we are excited to collaborate with other industry leaders to shape the next generation of space-based connectivity.”

Sivers Semiconductors delivers cutting-edge millimeter-wave (mmWave) and RF solutions tailored for SATCOM, defense, telecommunications, and 5G infrastructure. Designed for superior reliability, performance, and energy efficiency, Sivers products empower customers to accelerate development, streamline deployment and stay ahead in competitive markets. For more information, please visit https://www.sivers-semiconductors.com/. (Source: PR Newswire)

07 May 25. ST Engineering iDirect’s EU Satcom Centre of Excellence, ST Engineering iDirect Europe, based in Sint-Niklaas, Belgium, today announced the advancement of the European Protected Waveform (EPW) project to its second phase. Under the leadership of Belgium’s Ministry of Defence and with ST Engineering iDirect Europe as the consortium lead, this milestone marks significant progress in enhancing secure and autonomous satellite communications for Europe. The project brings together a consortium of 22 organisations from 12 EU Member States, encompassing experts from industry, government and academia. This collaborative effort aims to develop a comprehensive, end-to-end waveform solution designed to ensure resilient and secure communications for military operations and critical government needs in increasingly complex operational environments. With the foundation established during Phase 1 that laid the framework for the waveform’s initial development, Phase 2 focuses on the prototyping and integration of the EPW system. The goal is to provide secure, interoperable systems that align with Europe’s strategic initiatives, including the future IRIS² satellite constellation and the EU GovSatCom programme.

“Together with ST Engineering iDirect Europe, we are investing in the backbone of modern military operations: secure and reliable communication,” said Theo Francken, Belgian Minister of Defence. “With support from the European Defence Fund, we are advancing technological innovation, strengthening strategic autonomy, and enhancing the safety of our troops. In today’s uncertain world, European cooperation in research and development is not a luxury — it’s an absolute necessity. This project aligns perfectly with our broader mission to modernise Defence and deepen European collaboration in R&D.”

“The advancement to EPW Phase 2 underscores the strategic importance of this initiative to bolster European autonomy in secure satellite communications,” said Koen Willems, Vice President, EU Programmes, at ST Engineering iDirect Europe. “This recognition by the European Defence Fund demonstrates the urgent necessity to address emerging threats and foster resilience for critical operations across Europe.”

The total investment in the EPW project now stands at €65 m, with €35 m dedicated to Phase 2 following the €30 m allocation in Phase 1. This investment highlights Europe’s commitment to advancing protected satellite communications and strengthening collaborative defence capabilities among its Member States. The European Protected Waveform (Phase 2) is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of ST Engineering iDirect Europe only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

06 May 25. SpaceX gets FAA approval to ramp up Starship launches from Texas.

Summary
Companies
SpaceX can now launch 25 Starships a year, up from five
FAA says plan would have little environmental impact
Decision follows vote to make the Texas Starship site a town

SpaceX received key U.S. regulatory approval on Tuesday to increase the annual rate of Starship rocket launches from Texas and booster landings in various bodies of water, allowing Elon Musk’s space company to significantly expand development of its giant Mars rocket. The Federal Aviation Administration, capping a years-long review, said SpaceX’s proposal to increase the number of Texas Starship launches from five to 25 would not have a major impact on the surrounding environment, nor would associated booster landings or potential rocket explosions over the Gulf of Mexico and some international waters. (Source: Reuters)

06 May 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has successfully completed commissioning its first Gen-3 satellite. The first satellite continues to exceed expectations for tasking-to-delivery performance amid positive customer feedback on early very high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery and AI-driven analytics samples.

“BlackSky has demonstrated incredible, industry-leading speed for launch to on-orbit operations, completing commissioning for our first Gen-3 satellite a full month ahead of schedule,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “This pace of performance is a testament to our team’s experience, quality and rigor of our design, production and test practices, giving BlackSky a distinct advantage for scaling this service quickly and reliably for our customers.”

“The regular cadence of Gen-3 launches will produce a robust combination of capacity and low-latency, high-revisit capabilities to support near-term, early access customers and long-term demand for real-time space-based dynamic monitoring services,” said O’Toole.

Satellite commissioning processes begin immediately after deployment from a launch vehicle and typically includes initial tracking, making first contact and the sequential activation of critical subsystems. Follow-on activities include calibrating payloads, sensors, communications and control systems, and optimizing automated operations across the entire constellation-to-ground architecture. During the Gen-3 commissioning process, BlackSky’s first Gen-3 satellite quickly produced imagery within five days and AI-enabled analytics within three weeks of launch.

“BlackSky has received resounding positive customer response to early very high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery samples. The crispness and detail have enhanced the utility of these data products by giving users the ability to make observations often accomplished with higher resolution systems. In many instances analysts were able to discern details like sunroofs on top of automobiles or individual people and their shadows. This incredible amount of detail, combined with AI-enabled analytics makes available an expansive new set of mission solutions and reduces the speed of analyses over large volumes of imagery from days to minutes,” said O’Toole.

BlackSky has made final preparations to send its second Gen-3 unit to Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, in anticipation of launch in Q2. The Gen-3 launch schedule is proceeding as planned as the company prepares to integrate high-cadence, very high-resolution 35-centimeter imagery into customers’ daily workflows later this year.

06 May 25. Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, today announced a special U.S. government version of the Iridium® 9603 module built for Enhanced Short Burst Data (ESBD). ESBD is a low-latency and secure messaging service designed to provide optimal transmission security (TRANSEC) for the U.S. government and approved allies. The ESBD version can act as a drop-in replacement for the existing Iridium 9603 Short Burst Data® (SBD®) module. Alongside Iridium’s known reliability and resiliency, Iridium 9603 ESBD can deliver secure one- or two-way messaging with an increased payload capacity for mobile-originated (MO) and mobile-terminated (MT) messages. Example applications range from command and control (C2) and image data transfer to personnel and asset tracking.

“Iridium 9603 ESBD is a testament to Iridium’s commitment to investing in secure, low-latency solutions that address threats in the changing global environment,” said Scott Scheimreif, executive vice president, government programs, Iridium. “The new module offers end-to-end communication security for critical operations, helping ensure warfighters can exchange vital information with confidence — no matter the environment. This capability not only safeguards mission success but also reflects the Department of Defense’s trust in Iridium’s proven technology, network reliability, and operational excellence.”

The upgraded module represents the latest innovation of Iridium to support the Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) program, a decades-long partnership that delivers truly global standard and secure voice, broadcast, PTT, and other services to an unlimited number of Department of Defense and DoD-approved subscribers anywhere on Earth. Iridium 9603 ESBD is targeted to be made available to EMSS-approved value-added manufacturers in July. With its unique low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, Iridium provides resilient L-band connectivity and unparalleled global coverage that does not encounter permanent line-of-sight blockages faced by geostationary (GEO) systems. This helps to ensure the delivery of mission-critical communications for the DoD and other federal agencies. Whether in high-risk combat zones or during inclement weather events, the Iridium network provides pole-to-pole satellite communications that keep users connected when it’s needed most, making it critically important for the Joint All Domain Command and Control’s (JADC2) Primary, Alternate, Contingency, and Emergency (PACE) communications architecture.

02 May 25. US Army to Roll Out Enlisted Space Ops Specialty. The Army confirmed it will implement a new space domain-related enlisted military occupational specialty by next fall, the service’s top space officer announced during a media briefing at the Pentagon today. Initially announced by the Army’s deputy chief of staff in December 2024, the MOS — titled 40D space operations specialist — is on track to become official by October 2026, the commander of Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Army Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, told reporters.

“These soldiers will become the experts we turn to during the next conflict. Our Army space professionals support unique assets to interdict or disrupt adversaries use of space capabilities, ensuring Army forces maintain the initiative to fight from positions of relative advantage in all domains,” said Gainey, adding that soldiers provide close space support to the Army’s conventional and special operations forces.

To date, the Army’s space operations have been mostly filled by the officer corps; the new MOS will ensure that enlisted soldiers in the ranks of specialist through command sergeant major will be able to show up to space formations with “expertise and experience in space operations,” Gainey said.

Additionally, Gainey said that the new specialty will help stabilize the career progression and retention of soldiers who are currently operating outside of their assigned jobs in the air defense, signal and intelligence fields in order to assist in space operations.

“This is a zero-growth effort,” he said.

When asked how the 40D mission would differ from that of the Space Force, Gainey explained that the Army’s space mission is more ground-based.

“[We’re] focused on the tactical maneuver fight with our forces on the ground, pushing that capability forward so our forces [are] able to leverage the effects of a space-based system, directly benefitting the operator on the ground,” Gainey said, adding that the Army’s space mission helps enable the Space Force to complete a range of its own missions, including on-orbit.

“[The good news] is that there’s more than enough work for all of us on the battlefield today,” he said.

As for training the new 40D soldiers, Gainey said they will attend the Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, once they have completed their initial entry training.

“The majority of [40D] training will be on systems that we employ [such as the Tactical Integrated Ground Suite] and some of our other smaller systems,” Gainey said, adding that the students will have more advanced level schools just like other specialties.

When asked about recruiting efforts once the career field is established, Gainey said the Army is already seeing a lot of interest from young soldiers.

“I want to encourage everybody [who’s] interested in the space 40D MOS to compete for it, but it’s going to be very competitive,” he said. (Source: U.S. DoD)

27 Apr 25. ATMOS Space Cargo conducts 1st re-entry mission. ATMOS Space Cargo (ATMOS) has conducted the first orbital test flight of its innovative PHOENIX 1 re-entry capsule to and back from LEO. Initial analysis confirms that the mission achieved its primary objectives, including the activation of key systems and deployment of ATMOS’ proprietary inflatable heat shield under realistic re-entry conditions. ATMOS Mission Control in Lichtenau, Germany, adds that expected flight data from the capsule and its onboard customer payloads has been successfully transmitted and is currently undergoing detailed analysis. These findings add critical information early to the already started development of the next-generation PHOENIX 2 capsule, which is planned to launch in 2026. This flight establishes ATMOS as the fastest-moving private space logistics company in Europe to conduct an orbital return mission and also demonstrates that sovereign return capabilities are within reach—and that private industry is ready to lead in building Europe’s independent space infrastructure.

PHOENIX 1 launched into space aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40), Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida at 20:48 local time, as part of the Bandwagon-3 rideshare mission. Following injection into a 45° inclination orbit, the capsule completed one full orbit. A planned de-orbit burn by the Falcon 9 upper stage over Los Angeles, California, then placed PHOENIX 1 on its return trajectory.

PHOENIX 1 – successful separation.

Following upper stage separation, PHOENIX 1 began its return trajectory, transmitting critical system and payload data to ground stations the ATMOS ground segment team set up across South America. As planned, the capsule performed initial inflation of its heat shield before entering Earth’s atmosphere at the Entry Interface Point (EIP) approximately two hours post-launch south-east of the Brazilian coast. (Source: Satnews)

28 Apr 25. United Launch Alliance successfully launches Amazon’s first operational satellites. Atlas V precisely delivers the first grouping of operational broadband satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper constellation. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fla., (April 28, 2025) – A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Kuiper-1 mission for Amazon’s Project Kuiper lifted off on April 28 at 7:01 p.m. EDT from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The Kuiper 1 launch marks the beginning of full-scale deployment of the Kuiper constellation and a new chapter in the commercial launch industry as Amazon partners with ULA to deliver a majority of its advanced satellites in low-Earth orbit (LEO).

“This launch is an incredible milestone in Amazon’s ambitious initiative to provide fast, reliable broadband service to unserved and underserved communities around the world,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “We have worked diligently with the Project Kuiper team to place this important mission on orbit and are grateful for the opportunity to continue building upon this dynamic partnership.”

In addition to the successful launch of two Kuipersat prototypes in 2023 and another seven launches aboard Atlas V, Project Kuiper will leverage the next-generation Vulcan rocket for 38 high-cadence, rapid-fire launches, positioning ULA to deliver more than half of the constellation’s more than 3,200 satellites through the world’s largest commercial launch agreement.

“This launch marks the first step towards the future of our partnership and increased launch cadence. We have been steadily modifying our launch facilities in Cape Canaveral to support the capacity for future Project Kuiper missions in a manner that will ultimately benefit both our commercial and government customers as we endeavor to save lives, explore the universe and connect the world,” said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. “The addition of a second launch processing capability allows for dual, simultaneous launch processing between both integration facilities seamlessly.” (Source: Satnews)

01 May 25. SpaceX launches Starlink Group 6-75 smallsats on Thursday night at the Cape. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 successfully launched 28 Starlink Group 6-75 smallsats on Thursday, May 1, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station . These 28 smallsats will join all the others that are building SpaceX’s smallsat constellation. This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, NG-21, and 11 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, May 1, for a Falcon 9 launch of 28 Starlink smallsats to to low-Earth orbit for their smallsat constellation from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The four-hour launch window opens at 9:51 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 1:51 a.m. ET on Friday, May 2. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, May 2 starting at 9:25 p.m. ET. According to weather officials, there’s a 99% chance of favorable weather conditions for Thursday’s launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 73°F, overcast clouds, 98% cloud cover and a wind speed of 12mph. A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app. This is the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, SES ASTRA 1P, NG-21, and 11 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

April 25, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

25 Apr 25. US Space Force develops new gateway for commercial, legacy data. Programme officials at the US Space Force (USSF) are in the midst of standing up a new data gateway to allow space-based collection platforms to access and transmit legacy data previously inaccessible by current USSF systems. USSF’s Space Systems Command (SSC) awarded Virginia-based data integration company Raft a USD2.9 million other transaction authority (OTA) deal in April to develop the new application programming interface (API) gateway for service intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems. The new API gateway, once mature, is designed to be an “enhancement tool that expands data accessibility and enables interoperability”, according to a USSF statement. Specifically, the new gateway will allow access for USSF assets into the service’s Unified Data Library (UDL). Officially coming online in 2019, the UDL is a “cloud-based, multiclassification repository” for operational data on space-based objects collected from commercial and military satellites, service officials explained in the statement. While the collection side of the UDL effort continues apace, “many producers of [UDL] data … have legacy data messaging formats that cannot be read by modern API endpoints, making much of this data unusable”, according to USSF officials. The new API gateway under development will translate data from legacy formats into ones that can be read by current systems equipped with “modern API endpoints”, the statement said. This data translation will be executed automatically, via the new API gateway tool, “thus making data more accessible, available, and usable for military purposes at the speed of need”, service officials added in the statement. (Source: Janes)

24 Apr 25. Rocket Lab Awarded New HASTE Launch Contract for the DOD by Kratos. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has been selected by Kratos to launch a full-scale hypersonic test flight for the Department of Defense (DOD) under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) 2.0 program. The mission will launch on Rocket Lab’s HASTE rocket from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 on Wallops Island, Virginia no earlier than Q1, 2026. The launch agreement is the first full-scale flight test to be awarded by Kratos under the MACH-TB 2.0 contract, a $1.45 bn program designed to rapidly expand the number and frequency of opportunities to test hypersonic technologies for the nation. Rocket Lab was selected to join the Kratos-led team of subcontractors for MACH-TB 2.0 in January this year after previously delivering multiple successful hypersonic test launches for the first iteration of the MACH-TB program from 2023. Successful missions to date include three launches for the DOD – including twice within just 21 days – from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 2 in Virginia. Operating at an unmatched commercial price, capability, and launch cadence, HASTE is uniquely qualified to meet the needs of the MACH-TB mission. A suborbital variant of Electron – the world’s most frequently launched small orbital rocket – HASTE includes much of the same innovative technology as Electron, including carbon fiber composite structures and 3D printed rocket engines, but has a modified upper Kick Stage tailored for hypersonic technology tests and a larger payload capacity of up to 700 kg / 1,540 lbs. HASTE can deploy technologies at speeds of more than 7.5km per second to test air-breathing, glide, and ballistic payloads, as well as technologies to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from space. Combined, Rocket Lab’s HASTE and Electron launch vehicles have deployed 200+ payloads to date.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “In less than two years since its first launch, HASTE has quickly emerged as a leading commercial test platform of hypersonic systems. With our operational speed and cadence, and the ability to serve multiple mission profiles all in one platform, HASTE is helping to move the needle on hypersonic innovation. I’m confident this will be the first of many new opportunities to serve the nation through the MACH-TB program, and we’re proud to be working alongside Kratos to bring this test flight to the launch pad on a rapid timeline.”

The mission is the latest to join an increasing manifest of HASTE launches for 2025 and 2026. Upcoming flight tests with HASTE include a mission for the Defense Innovation Unit to deploy a scram-jet powered vehicle at hypersonic speed; continuation of a multi-launch contract with Leidos to deploy five missions in total for the first iteration of the MACH-TB program; and a hypersonic test flight for a confidential customer. In addition to MACH-TB, HASTE has recently been onboarded to two significant defense initiatives. In the United States, HASTE is now part of the $46bn Enterprise-Wide Agile Acquisition Contract (EWAAC) under the United States Air Force. This inclusion enables Rocket Lab to compete to provide launch services and engineering expertise to support the development of new capabilities. In the United Kingdom, HASTE has been added to the Ministry of Defence’s (UK MOD) Hypersonic Technologies & Capability Development Framework (HTCDF), a £1 bn (~$1.3bn) program aimed at rapidly advancing the nation’s hypersonic capabilities. (Source: ASD Network)

23 Apr 25. South Korea launches fourth military reconnaissance satellite. The satellite separated normally approximately 15 minutes after liftoff and achieved its target orbit. The South Korean Ministry of National Defence and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) have announced the successful launch of the country’s fourth military reconnaissance satellite from Cape Canaveral Space Station in the US. The satellite, which was carried by a Falcon 9 launch vehicle, separated normally approximately 15 minutes after liftoff and achieved its target orbit. Around 56 minutes post-launch, the satellite established successful communication with the ground station, confirming its operational status. This latest addition to South Korea’s reconnaissance capabilities is equipped with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), similar to the technology on satellites two and three, which allows for high-resolution imaging in all weather conditions and during both day and night. The satellite will undergo a space orbit test to verify its performance, led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). Following this, the military will conduct an operational test and evaluation before the satellite commences its surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The enhanced capabilities provided by the fourth satellite are expected to identify provocations from North Korea more accurately. This is due to the reduced revisit cycle made possible by the swarm operation of the reconnaissance satellites, which now includes the first three launched satellites. DAPA head and launch management unit head and Seok Jong-geon said: “Following the successful launch of the 4th satellite this time, we plan to launch all military reconnaissance satellites by the end of this year, and if we launch the ultra-small satellite currently under development in the future, our military will be able to establish its own space power and leap forward as a strong national defence space force.

“In addition, we will continue to make efforts to build a domestic ground launch site to enhance our space operation capabilities and to be able to launch satellites using launch vehicles developed with our own technology.”

The development of the fourth military reconnaissance satellite represents a collaborative effort between the ADD and domestic companies, with DAPA overseeing the project management. This project strengthens South Korea’s military surveillance as well as contributes to the accumulation of domestic satellite development experience. The launch follows ADD’s recent demonstration of AI-based photonic radar technology, which has the potential to detect and identify small-scale aircraft, such as drones. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

22 Apr 25. Optus forced to delay ‘straight to mobile’ Starlink. Optus has been forced to delay the introduction of its “straight-to-mobile” service with Starlink, which will eventually allow users in remote areas to make calls via satellite. The technology was due to launch with texts late last year, but The Australian reports the pushback occurred because parent company SpaceX encountered regulatory hurdles in the US. The update comes despite the technology launching commercially in the United States and New Zealand earlier this month. In a statement, Optus said it was still “committed” to the technology and would continue to work with Starlink to determine “timelines that enable the best possible experience for customers”. Starlink’s direct-to-cell technology is unique because it does not require customers to obtain specific hardware and will work on all compatible handsets. It works because its satellites essentially function as cell towers in space to expand terrestrial coverage into otherwise unreached areas.

“Over the past year, SpaceX has rapidly scaled the Direct to Cell network, launching a constellation of over 400 satellites,” said SpaceX in a statement announcing services in the US and New Zealand has gone live.

“In 2024, millions of messages were sent through Starlink Direct to Cell during Beta testing and in emergency scenarios to provide critical connectivity to the public.

“The availability of the commercial messaging service is the first step in our vision of eliminating mobile dead zones and providing ubiquitous global connectivity using satellite-to-mobile technology.”

Starlink in January last year launched its first direct-to-cell satellite, which orbits a few hundred kilometres above Earth’s surface and flies at tens of thousands of kilometres per hour relative to users on the ground.

“This creates unique challenges, including the need to account for doppler shift, latency, and overcoming the low antenna gain and transmit power of terrestrial devices,” added SpaceX.

“Addressing these obstacles required rapid innovation from the Starlink team, including the development and engineering of new phased array antennas, custom silicon, and complex software algorithms to optimise beam size and placement.”

Telstra has also signed a similar straight-to-mobile deal with Starlink, while TPG is working towards a tie-up with Lynk Global. It comes after Space Connect reported earlier this month how Starlink’s traditional antenna service is continuing to massively outperform NBN’s satellite rival. The latest Measuring Broadband Australia Report gathered data from users in December 2024. It found that the latency of NBN’s geostationary satellite service, Sky Muster, averaged 663 milliseconds across all hours, compared to just 31 milliseconds on LEO rival Starlink. Those figures are similar to the 665 and 30 milliseconds recorded in the previous report, which measured performance in September. The numbers suggest Sky Muster would struggle to consistently stream high-quality videos or play computer games online. LEO satellite constellations, such as Starlink, offer quicker services than traditional geostationary satellites, such as NBN Sky Muster, because they are closer to Earth. The lower height though means LEOs cover a smaller area and need to operate in larger, connected constellations to be effective. Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, has the advantage of being able to launch thousands of satellites without paying external customers because it operates its own reusable rockets. It’s currently thought there are around 7,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, with plans for a final constellation of 40,000. (Source: Space Connect)

21 Apr 25. Boeing looks to existing production lines for Golden Dome pitch. The head of Boeing’s space mission systems business envisions at least two of the company’s product lines as a clear fit for the Pentagon’s Golden Dome homeland missile defense capability — the X-37B spaceplane and a fleet of missile-tracking satellites the firm is developing for the Space Development Agency’s “Foo Fighter” program. The Pentagon is still crafting its architecture recommendations for the project, which will include a mix of advanced sensors and potentially a fleet of in-space interceptors designed to defeat enemy missiles. Officials have said this initial analysis phase involves determining which existing capabilities to scale and what new technologies it will need to develop. Boeing’s Michelle Parker told Defense News the company’s conversations with the Pentagon about Golden Dome have focused on which production lines the company can ramp up and where it can invest over time to bring new technology to existing systems.

“In addition to the technology aspects of Golden Dome, it’s the ability to get something quickly at scale,” she told Defense News in an interview at Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. “So, what do you have now that can get up there and start to be part of that architecture, and then how do you evolve it?”

Boeing has been evolving its X-37B, an orbital test vehicle, on a regular basis since its first mission in 2010. While not an operational spacecraft, the vehicle is used to fly experiments and test maneuvers and operational concepts in orbit, most of them veiled in secrecy. The reusable spacecraft returned from its seventh mission in March, where it demonstrated a novel aerobraking maneuver, which allows it to change orbits using minimal fuel. Space Force officials said the learnings from this mission will inform future space operations. Boeing has built two X-37Bs, to date, and Parker said the company has the capacity to produce more if called upon.

“We would love to do that, and we believe we can,” she said.

Parker declined to discuss specifics about Boeing’s proposal for how existing capabilities might fit into the Golden Dome architecture. It’s possible the X-37B could be used to support what will likely be a rigorous test program required to validate space-based interceptor technology and the sensor network. Boeing also has expertise supporting missile warning and defense programs. Its small satellite subsidiary, Millennium Space Systems, is developing satellites for the Space Force’s Resilient Missile Warning and Missile Tracking layer in medium Earth orbit. The company is also providing satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Foo Fighter program. Millennium is under contract to build eight Foo Fighter satellites — and the associated ground systems — that can detect and track hypersonic missile threats. The spacecraft will carry sensors from L3Harris. Millennium recently passed a key design review for the program, keeping it on track to deliver the first eight satellites by 2026. To help meet Foo Fighter production demands, Parker said Boeing is expanding Millennium’s footprint within the larger company’s satellite factory, essentially doubling its capacity. If DOD calls on the firm to produce more of these spacecraft, she said, Boeing is prepared to do that and will look at ways to use more automated manufacturing tools to streamline and make more space where needed.

“We’re trying to take an approach that we’ve got our stable production lines operating. If the demand signal says expand, we can do that within the space we have,” she said. (Source: Defense News)

12 Apr 25. SpaceX sends NROL-192 spy satellites on Saturday on secret mission + two more NROL launches this week. On Saturday, April 12 at 5:25 a.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-192 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos by Satnews. This was the 24th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, NROL-153 and 14 Starlink missions.

The two other NROL missions are:

April 16 NROL-174 from Vandenberg
April 19 NROL-145 from Vandenberg

SpaceX plans NROL-192 launch of spy satellites on secret mission this Saturday

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, April 12 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-192 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 5:25 a.m. PT. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Sunday, April 13 starting at 5:09 a.m. PT.

The mission payload contains a batch of spy satellites that will join up with a proliferated architecture constellation constructed by SpaceX and Northrop Grumman on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office. The satellite constellation, once completed, will deliver space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems designed to be responsive to future national security challenges, according to NRO officials. No sonic boom is expected to be heard locally. A live webcast of this mission will begin about 10 minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. This is the 24th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-87, NROL-85, SARah-1, SWOT, Transporter-8, Transporter-9, NROL-146, Bandwagon-2, NROL-153, and 14 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean. (Source: Satnews)

17 Apr 25. Firefly Aerospace’s launch of Lockheed Martin’s FLTA006 Message in a Booster mission is ‘to be determined.’ Lockheed Martin is set to launch its self-funded LM 400 technology demonstration satellite aboard Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha FLTA006 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. While the precise date and time remain undisclosed, the upcoming launch represents a major step in advancing space-based capabilities. Firefly Aerospace’s launch of Lockheed Martin’s FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) from Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, is yet to be determined. Alpha FLTA006 is the second mission Firefly is launching for Lockheed Martin and the first of Firefly’s multi-launch agreement with Lockheed Martin that includes up to 25 missions over the next five years. This mission will launch Lockheed Martin’s LM 400 tech demo to prove out the risk-reduction and pathfinding efforts the company has done for its multi-mission satellite bus. Launching the mid-size satellite to low Earth orbit, FLTA006 will further validate Alpha’s robust performance to take customers directly to their preferred orbits as the only operational 1 metric ton rocket. The LM 400 is Lockheed Martin’s most flexible and capable satellite platform with multi-mission capabilities that can be tailored for almost any mission, including remote sensing, communications, imaging and radar. Firefly Aerospace’s Firefly Alpha to launch Lockheed Martin’s FLTA006 Message in a Booster mission on Friday On Friday, April 18 Firefly Aerospace will launch FLTA006 (Message in a Booster) between 6:37 AM – 8:17 AM PDT Space Launch Complex 2W, Vandenberg SFB, California, at a cost of $15m. Firefly Aerospace is an American private aerospace firm based in Austin, Texas, that develops small and medium-sized launch vehicles for commercial launches to orbit. The forecast calls for a temperature of 51°F, clear skies, 0% cloud cover and a wind speed of 14mph. This launch will be the sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher, launching the demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus, which will carry a communications payload. The satellite bus is customizable to support different missions, including remote sensing, communications, imagery and radar Earth observations. It can also support different kinds of orbits and launch configurations. (Source: Satnews)

16 Apr 25. Northrop Grumman’s “superb launch” NROL-174 on secret reconnaissance mission for Space Force and NRO. The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), in partnership with U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Small Launch and Targets Division, Space Launch Delta 30, and Northrop Grumman, successfully launched multiple national security payloads with the NROL-174 mission aboard a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) April 16, 2025, at 3:33 p.m. EDT. NROL-174 marks another successful mission in a long-standing partnership with SSC through the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP). RSLP, the small launch counterpart to the National Security Space Launch program, focuses on the small launch market and primarily launches more risk-tolerant experimental, research and development, responsive space, and operational missions.

“This launch is a testament to what the national security launch enterprise is able to achieve,” said Laura Robinson, Deputy Director, NRO Office of Space Launch, and NROL-174 Mission Director. “The NROL-174 Minotaur IV rocket was once a Peacekeeper ICBM that sat watch 24/7 in support of our nation’s nuclear deterrent. Now modified for space launch, it completed its final mission of placing a national security payload on orbit, a credit to the decades-long dedication of those who were part of the missile’s early development, maintenance and operations, and innovative conversion into the Minotaur IV rocket. It was truly a team effort.”

NROL-174 is the third NRO mission launched from SSC RSLP’s Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 contract. Today’s Minotaur IV rocket launch follows previous Minotaur family of rocket launches with NROL-129 in July 2020 and NROL-111 in June 2021, both from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. NRO last launched a Minotaur rocket from VSFB with NROL-66 in 2011. (Source: Satnews)

17 Apr 25. Sidus Space’s LizzieSat®-powered vessel detection enables Little Place Labs near real-time maritime intelligence. Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) a space mission enabler, announces the unveiling of near real-time vessel detection and classification capability to be enabled by its hybrid 3D printed LizzieSat® satellite platform. Processing data directly onboard LizzieSat® through Sidus Orlaith™ AI Ecosystem, which includes FeatherEdge™ edge computing hardware, and the OrbitfyEdge software from Little Place Labs, represents a significant advancement in space-based maritime intelligence. Left to right: Jim Larson, Senior VP, AI Strategic Initiatives for Sidus Space, Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space, Bosco Lai, Co-Founder and CEO of Little Place Labs and David Braithwaite, Chief Federal Strategy Officer for Little Place Labs. In January 2025, Sidus and Little Place Labs (LPL) formed a strategic partnership and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop integrated satellite solutions based on edge computing and AI applications. This collaboration aims to meet the growing needs of a global customer base and is expected to provide accurate vessel detection and classification within one hour of satellite observation. By processing data directly onboard LizzieSat® satellites, OrbitfyEdge is expected to eliminate the delays traditionally associated with downlinking and ground-based analysis. This solution not only detects and classifies vessels but also cross-references onboard AIS (Automatic Identification System) data to identify or flag “dark” vessels engaged in illegal activities such as piracy or illegal fishing. The insights will be delivered in near real-time, supporting rapid response to maritime security threats and supply chain disruptions.

“We are excited to support Little Place Labs in delivering near real-time maritime intelligence through our LizzieSat® constellation,” said Jim Larson, Sidus Space Senior Vice President of AI Strategic Initiatives. “By enabling edge processing in orbit with our FeatherEdge™ onboard edge computing hardware, we’re reducing the time from data capture to actionable insight, which is critical for operations where every minute counts. This collaboration underscores our commitment to advancing space-based AI and making satellite data more immediate and impactful.” (Source: Satnews)

17 Apr 25. Italy moves ahead with study for 100-satellite constellation. The Italian government has approved Phase 2 of a feasibility study exploring the possibility of the country developing an 100-satellite constellation. While few details have been announced, initial reports indicate that the constellation will support communications and be designed for interoperability with other similar systems. In late 2024, the Interministerial Committee for Space and Aerospace Policies (Comint) tasked the Italian Space Agency (ASI) with conducting a feasibility study on the development of a new satellite constellation. According to a Ministry of Business and Made in Italy update, the project aims to satisfy the objectives outlined in the Disegno di Legge Spaziale (Space Bill), which was approved by the Italian Chamber of Deputies on 6 March 2025. However, all official communication from ASI or the Italian government has not included the planned focus of the constellation. In March 2025, ASI delivered the initial study to the government. On 28 March, the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy announced that it would move ahead with Phase 2, signaling a seemingly favorable response to the agency’s findings. The second phase of the feasibility study will see ASI consult with interested industry partners to assess Italy’s capability to develop the constellation.

“ASI will meet with our companies to understand if they are capable, on their own, of creating the constellation,” said the Minister for Business and Made in Italy, Adolfo Urso.

Phase 2 is expected to be completed by September, after which a more detailed projection of the project, including its potential cost, will become clear. While few details of the feasibility study’s findings have been made public, the Italian financial newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore has reported that the constellation would comprise around 100 satellites and could be delivered within five years. It also claimed that in addition to meeting its own needs, the Italian government has proposed offering the service to other countries. On 31 March, Reuters cited a source close to the matter who stated that the constellation would be designed to “work together with others, not necessarily on its own.” The report also indicated that the system is unlikely to become operational before 2031. A secure communications constellation would be the second large constellation of satellites Italy has taken on. The country is currently developing IRIDE, an Earth observation constellation that will comprise over 60 satellites and will cost approximately €1.3 bn. The constellation will include a mix of optical, radar, panchromatic, multispectral, hyperspectral, and infrared instruments and is expected to be fully operational by June 2026.

Update: This article was updated on 16 April to remove mention of the constellation being a national alternative to IRIS2. While that may still be the case, the evidence currently available suggests otherwise. (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

April 18, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

17 Apr 25. New Space Force ‘warfighting framework’ sharpens weaponization plans. The Space Force has been upping its rhetoric around the need for weapons in space — and on Thursday it issued a framework meant to provide a “warfighting” lens for planners, operators and weapons buyers on how the service views the use of military power in a domain long viewed as benign. The release of the Space Warfighting Framework comes as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stresses the need for the U.S. military to adopt a stronger “warfighting mentality” and as the service prepares to argue its case for a larger share of funding in the fiscal 2026 budget cycle. Space Force officials say that while the document aligns with Pentagon messaging and supports its case for more resources, releasing the framework is part of the natural growth trajectory for the service, which was established five years ago.

Lt. Gen. Shawn Bratton, deputy chief of space operations for strategy, plans, programs and requirements, told reporters Wednesday the service spent its first few years building its organizational structure and has shifted in recent years to ensuring it has the strategy, doctrine and codified processes in place to guide current and future operations.

“This space warfighting document is sort of in the vein of the natural maturing of the Space Force,” Bratton said in a briefing at the Pentagon. “This document is very specific to our core function of space control and how we think about warfighting in space.”

The language the Defense Department uses to describe conflict in space has changed over time. For years, officials would use terms like “congested” and “contested” to discuss growing threats in the domain and “protect and defend” as a vague indicator of how the U.S. would respond to those concerns. The Space Force’s ability to talk more freely and clearly about its approach to warfighting evolved in the last few years and in recent months, as officials have touted the need for space weapons to keep up with Russia and China. Bratton said the release of the warfighting framework reflects that change.

“I think now we’ve sort of matured and arrived at a place where we’re comfortable saying that, hey, this is a warfighting domain,” he said.

The framework’s primary function is to define key terms and concepts so that its internal stakeholders have a common lexicon and external partners understand how the Space Force thinks about maintaining dominance in the domain. For example, the document provides a detailed list of defensive and offensive space actions. In the defensive category, it includes things like counter attack, escort, mobility, disaggregation and redundancy — passive and active responses the service can take to protect against or respond to enemy aggression. Its list of offensive responses includes electromagnetic and cyber attack and strikes targeting space-enabling assets in other domains. That could includes launch vehicles or other ground networks and facilities. The document notes that coordination across the joint force is crucial, as operators in all domains are increasingly reliant on space capabilities to perform their missions.

“Not only are space operations global, they are also multi-domain,” the document states. “A successful attack against the terrestrial, link or orbital segment can neutralize a space capability; therefore, space domain access, maneuver and utilization require deliberate and synchronized offensive and defensive operations across all segments.”

The framework also defines targets, to include ground networks, communication and data links that help transport information and on-orbit capabilities like satellites. It lays out variables that operators should consider as they plan a response, and it discusses the process for prioritizing and engaging targets. Bratton noted that the document itself doesn’t represent a change in policy or rules of engagement around how weapons may be employed in space, rather it spells out the existing process as it applies to space. It’s also intentionally broad and describes capabilities the department may not have now but could have in the future.

“It’s not intended to imply that we have all developed all these capabilities or weapons or any of those things, but it certainly is intended to start that discussion about what we do need to compete and win in space during conflict specifically,” he said. (Source: Defense News)

17 Apr 25. Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO), a leading global provider of broadband connectivity services for executive and mil/gov aviation, has confirmed Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) approval from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a direct current (DC) variant of the Plane Simple® Ka-band tail mount terminal for Gulfstream G280 aircraft types. This represents the first time a Plane Simple antenna has received regulatory approval for a terminal powered by direct current flow rather than alternating current (AC). The DC option supports the distribution of high-speed broadband, powered by the Viasat Jet ConneX service, to passengers and crew traveling on the agile, super midsized jet. The STC was achieved in partnership with Gulfstream and Jet Aviation, with the antenna installed by Jet Aviation at its maintenance center in Basel, Switzerland. The Plane Simple Ka-band aftermarket solution is now available for installation through authorized Gulfstream and Jet Aviation Service Centers worldwide. The G280 owner, a large German automotive supplier, will use the DC Plane Simple Ka-band antenna to maximize uninterrupted global connectivity coverage. With the antenna supporting digitally heavy applications, including video streaming, live TV, video calls, file transfers, gaming, and virtual private networks, passengers can be assured of remaining productive in flight. The DC variant connects immediately with existing Viasat GX satellites and future next-generation GX satellites, which, on deployment, will transmit dual polarity signals, more than doubling the amount of data being transmitted and received. The customer will also have access to the added value delivered by the Gogo ecosystem, which provides industry-leading, genuinely global customer support, tailored training, and unparalleled cybersecurity services.

“The latest STC in our growing portfolio showcases our commitment to delivering a portfolio of products that enables every type of business aircraft operator to access our connectivity services. We can modify our products to integrate with the varying requirements and configurations of in-service airframes while simultaneously equipping a connectivity system purpose-built to maintain pace with the changing connectivity landscape. We are determined to make our connectivity options available to every owner that seeks high-speed broadband, and this STC confirms we are on track to meet the diverse missions of our business aviation, military, and government customers,” says Dave Falberg, Gogo, Senior Vice President Sales, EMEA.

The advanced technology hardware has been developed in partnership with QEST, a worldwide provider of innovative aeronautical antennas. The singular design of the Plane Simple terminal consists of just two line replaceable units, a modem unit, and the tail-mount antenna. This minimizes installation times, reduces maintenance fees, and, located in the unpressurized part of the fuselage, frees up valuable cabin space. Gogo provides cabin connectivity service plans on both in-production and in-service legacy aircraft for the Gulfstream Connectivity Service program.

15 Apr 25. Hughes Network Systems Ltd (Hughes Europe), a leader in managed network connectivity solutions, announces the availability of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite service. Using Eutelsat’s OneWeb high-speed, low-latency, LEO satellite broadband services with Hughes ground equipment, installation, and network management, enterprises across Europe will experience enhanced connectivity from European-based providers. As an engineering partner, Hughes is developing gateway electronics and the core technology that powers every user terminal in the OneWeb system. Hughes has designed an electronically steerable flat-panel antenna (ESA) specifically for the OneWeb satellite service. Projects are underway in the manufacturing, construction, power generation, and retail sectors. Additionally, government agencies are reviewing the Hughes LEO service for critical infrastructure connectivity.

“Together with Eutelsat we are bringing reliable, high-quality connections to enterprise and government users across Europe,” said Christopher Britton, Managing Director at Hughes Europe. “LEO satellite connectivity with the Hughes ESA and the White glove services from Hughes Europe, offer a European based alternative for high-speed, low-latency coverage.”

Cyril Dujardin, President of the Connectivity Business Unit, Eutelsat Group, said, “We are pleased to expand on our longstanding partnership with Hughes to enable the delivery of our Eutelsat OneWeb services to European businesses. High-speed, low-latency connectivity is essential to support critical business functions, and we look forward to providing the connectivity needed to help businesses across Europe thrive and succeed.”

As industries and enterprises increasingly rely on fast and reliable internet access, the demand for high-performance satellite connectivity has never been greater. Hughes Europe will integrate Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO technology into its existing broadband portfolio, enabling uninterrupted, high-quality connectivity in areas where traditional networks fall short, ensuring next-generation connectivity for mission-critical operations. (Source: PR Newswire)

16 Apr 25. IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Intellian Technologies, Inc., a leading global provider of satellite communication antennas and ground gateway solutions, to explore how secure quantum networking can transform satellite communications. This memorandum furthers IonQ’s work in strategically partnering across South Korea’s enterprise, government, and academic sectors and launching initiatives seeking to advance their quantum economy. Intellian is a leading satellite and marine radio, terminal and antenna company headquartered in Pyeongtaek, South Korea. As a global partner to more network operators than any other manufacturer, Intellian’s hardware is critical for enabling satellite network connectivity around the world. Today’s announcement underscores Intellian’s ongoing commitment to advancing satellite communication technologies.

“IonQ has grown and prospered due to its commitment to global partnerships. We look forward to working together with Intellian to innovate and discover how quantum networking technologies can secure free communications,” said Niccolo de Masi, President & CEO of IonQ. “South Korea has been a vital partner in the advancement of quantum computing and our longstanding engagement with partners in the region reflects our shared commitment to innovation.”

de Masi continued, “IonQ’s long-term vision includes being a leader in the quantum-enabled communications industry, leveraging our expertise in quantum networking to support secure satellite to satellite and ground to satellite communications. We also ultimately envisage quantum time synchronization as a GPS alternative.”

“We’re excited to partner with IonQ to reimagine the future of satellite technologies,” said Eric Sung, CEO of Intellian. “Our technology connects customers to the satellites’ networks in space and together, we have the opportunity to explore a new technological paradigm to fundamentally transform current satellite communications and enhance services for the ms of customers who depend on them every day.”

This non-binding memorandum with Intellian advances IonQ’s vision and marks a key step toward the future of quantum-enabled satellite communications. IonQ’s connection to South Korea is deeply rooted in the company’s history. Co-founder Dr. Jungsang Kim, who was born and raised in South Korea, has been a pioneering force in the quantum computing industry. He was named a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors in 2023 for his achievements at IonQ and contributions to the quantum technology field. Over the past six years, IonQ has actively collaborated with South Korean government agencies, academic institutions, and enterprises to help advance the nation’s quantum strategy and accelerate research and commercialization efforts. In 2023 and 2024, IonQ played an active role in key national quantum initiatives, including sponsoring the Quantum Korea conference, supporting multiple quantum hackathons, and contributing to Korea’s National Quantum Strategy. Key milestones include investments from Korean global technology leaders Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor Company prior to IonQ’s 2021 IPO. IonQ has since collaborated with Hyundai on multiple quantum projects aimed at advancing next-generation batteries and autonomous vehicle technologies. Building on this momentum, IonQ signed agreements with Seoul National University and Sungkyunkwan University to support quantum research and workforce development. IonQ also plans to enter into a strategic partnership focused on quantum with SK Telecom, South Korea’s largest wireless telecommunications operator. As IonQ expands its global quantum capabilities, South Korea continues to be a vital partner in advancing the company’s mission to accelerate quantum innovation. Through ongoing collaboration across government, industry and academia, IonQ remains focused on supporting quantum technology and workforce development in South Korea, seeking to drive impactful progress for the future. For more information, please visit www.ionq.com and http://www.intelliantech.com (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

15 Apr 25. Rohde & Schwarz, a global leader in mobile network testing services, today announced enhanced measurement options across its testing equipment portfolio to meet the unique requirements of advanced, next-generation satellite networks. Telesat (Nasdaq and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, has been leveraging Rohde & Schwarz’s advanced testing equipment to optimize service link design of its Telesat Lightspeed LEO network. Telesat Lightspeed aims to revolutionize global satellite connectivity by providing ubiquitous, affordable, high-capacity links at fibre-like speeds, with global service anticipated by the end of 2027.

Gerald Tietscher, Vice President Signal Generators, Power Supplies & Meters at Rohde & Schwarz, says: “At Rohde & Schwarz, we’re proud to collaborate with visionary companies like Telesat, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in satellite connectivity. Our work on the Telesat Lightspeed project exemplifies how innovative test and measurement solutions can accelerate the development of cutting-edge technologies, ultimately transforming global communications. The seamless integration of our high-end test equipment into this project underscores our commitment to delivering precise, reproducible results – a crucial factor for the reliable operation of Low Earth Orbit networks.”

Telesat uses the Rohde & Schwarz signal generator R&S SMW and spectrum and signal analyzer R&S FSW to qualify and verify new RF chipsets and satellite modems across multiple vendors. The instruments are employed for testing receiver chipsets, as well as comprehensive evaluation and verification of modem performance for multiple waveforms, notably DVB-S2X and DVB-RCS2. These unique test capabilities ensure the integrity and reliability of highest data throughput rates of the Telesat Lightspeed constellation. The collaboration with Telesat led to new product enhancements to support testing advanced capabilities of the Telesat Lightspeed network, including Beam Hopping and Superframe, DVB-RCS2 with return channels that are larger than what has previously been available in satellite network deployments.

The advanced functionalities developed by Rohde & Schwarz assist not only in the development and testing of Telesat Lightspeed satellites’ onboard processors, but also serve the broader Telesat ecosystem, including modem and chipset manufacturers.

“Rohde & Schwarz’s innovative products that support the Telesat Lightspeed waveform capability are a key enabler for validating system performance prior to the availability of production satellites and ground terminals,” stated Aneesh Dalvi, Telesat’s Vice President of Lightspeed Systems Development. “The integration of Rohde & Schwarz test equipment into our LEO development labs allows Telesat to build automated development and test environments to support 24/7 availability for onsite and remote testing.”

14 Apr 25. Space Force commercial office eyes pilot for quick-reaction launches. The Space Force is exploring options to use its new Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve to facilitate on-demand launches for getting much needed capabilities on orbit quickly. Col. Richard Kniseley, who leads the service’s Commercial Space Office, told reporters in an April 10 briefing at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colo., his team will work with the Space Force’s launch enterprise and its Space Safari office to that end. That office has been coordinating a series of Tactically Responsive Space exercises aimed at sharpening the service’s ability to react to real-time, on-orbit needs. The pilot effort will focus on establishing a framework for using the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve, or CASR, for responsive launches. Kniseley said Space Safari is particularly interested in CASR’s approach to managing supply chain risk and security issues and creating an on-call vendor pool. The goal is to start the pilot by this fall, Kniseley said, noting that the effort would largely be a tabletop exercise rather than an operational demonstration. The Space Force created the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve as a mechanism to leverage commercial capabilities both in peacetime and during a conflict. Officials have compared the program to the Air Force’s Civil Reserve Air Fleet, which contracts with commercial airlines to provide additional airlift capacity in emergencies. While the Space Force has its own military-unique requirements, commercial space companies already provide many capabilities the Defense Department relies on, including satellite communications, space domain awareness and launch services. The service in recent years has made a concerted effort to better understand how it can take advantage of those capabilities and integrate them into a range of mission areas. The Space Force awarded its first four CASR contracts in early March. The awards totaled $1.1m and went to companies who provide space domain awareness services. Kniseley said the service plans to make additional awards for satellite communications and tactical surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking — which includes data and imagery collection and dissemination. Kniseley noted that as the service starts to execute on the initial contracts, it’s still fleshing out structural elements of CASR, like the policies around prioritizing government demand and how to offer financial protection for commercial companies who might be targeted by U.S. adversaries. The Space Force is working closely with the Pentagon’s policy shop to address these questions and hopes to have results from an ongoing study in the next few months. The Commercial Space Office has also started convening CASR wargame exercises as a way to better understand the nuances of each mission area involved in the program. Kniseley said the team recently held its first commercial satellite communications wargame, bringing together several SATCOM vendors to explore how they would distribute capacity in various wartime and peacetime scenarios and weigh the demands of investors, private sector customers, government users and international allies.

“We have a number of different action items and topics we want to work on and we are now going to get back together with the SATCOM communication in May to have a deep dive to start answering some of those questions,” Kniseley said, noting that there will be a second SATCOM wargame later this year. (Source: Defense News)

14 Apr 25. UK and Cyprus strengthen space ties. Cyprus and the UK are set to collaborate more closely on space activities following a successful bilateral event held in Nicosia on 27-28 March. The first Cyprus-UK Bilateral Cooperation Event brought together representatives from the space sectors and governments of both countries, with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA). The Cypriot Government used the event to announce its intention to join ESA as an Associate Member, a move which could unlock further growth in its space sector and greater collaboration with other ESA member states such as the UK.

Professor Anu Ojha, International Director at the UK Space Agency, said: “There is great potential for collaboration on space activities to add a new dimension to the UK’s strong partnership with Cyprus. This has never been more important, with space firmly established as a vital tool for driving economic growth, environmental protection and national security.

That’s why Cyprus has been working with ESA and growing its space sector to great effect over recent years, and we are looking forward to working very closely with them in the future.”

Mr. George Komodromos, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, said: “The high-level dialogue and engagement among companies, as well as among delegations is encouraging and shows that we are moving in the right direction. We are especially grateful for the UK’s continued support of our efforts to position ourselves within the global space ecosystem, a highly revolving and rapidly changing environment in a vastly changing world.”

The event featured a number of working sessions on topics including regulation, the development of space strategies, commercial development and future missions and opportunities within ESA. Cypriot universities and companies shared information on national space projects in areas such as Earth observation, satellite research and digital infrastructure. Ten UK space companies, alongside fourteen Cypriot entities, delivered presentations on their growing capabilities, while ESA representatives explained the potential funding programmes that could support future joint UK-Cyprus initiatives. The UK is a founding member of ESA, which currently has 23 member states. In addition, Cyprus is one of four countries with a cooperation agreement with ESA, signed in 2016, aiming to achieve Associate Membership in ESA by 2026. The UK Space Agency will host a reciprocal visit by the Cypriot government, academics and companies later this year, and both countries will work together to map existing capabilities and identify areas for future collaboration. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

07 Apr 25. Rocket Lab announces expanded radio products for reliable C&C. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has expanded the company’s suite of space-grade radio frequency (RF) communications systems, the Frontier radios—they are flight-proven, software-defined and designed for reliable telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C). Adapted from the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s Frontier Lite radio, Rocket Lab’s high-performance Frontier radios have over 13 years of flight heritage and are now available in L-, S-, C-, X-, and Ka-band models. The radio is designed from the ground up for reliable and secure communications to support any orbit or space environment and have advanced capabilities like ranging waveforms for radiometric navigation. Frontier radios are compact and lightweight for easy integration onto any satellite. As part of Rocket Lab’s vertically integrated subsystems and components, Frontier radios are compatible with the Deep Space Network and other global ground stations, including the Near Earth Network, Air Force Satellite Control Network, KSAT, SSC, Viasat, and other commercial networks. This RF product suite is a further expansion of Rocket Lab’s component products, joining a portfolio that includes reaction wheels, star trackers, solar power systems, flight software, ground software, separation systems, and more. Frontier radios are flight-proven across a range of missions including Rocket Lab’s Photon Pathstone, three Rocket Lab Pioneer spacecraft for Varda Space Industries, NASA’s CAPSTONE, NASA’s Europa Clipper, NASA’s Solar Probe Plus, Emirates Mars, and Van Allen Probes. Upcoming, Rocket Lab’s Frontier L-band radio will be used for Viasat to support their hybrid space communications network demonstrations for NASA’s Communications Services Project. The Frontier Radio was also selected as a 2024 R&D 100 Award for innovations pushing the boundaries of research and development. We are excited to add this suite of software-defined radios to our expanding portfolio of products,” said Brad Clevenger, Vice President of Rocket Lab Space Systems. “We continue to demonstrate our ability to deliver high reliability, high performance products at constellation scale. While much of the industry struggles with supply chain challenges, Rocket Lab continues to demonstrate that it is the right partner for merchant component supply to the most demanding missions.” (Source: Satnews)

11 Apr 25. US company to use giant spinning cannon to blast hundreds of pancake-like ‘microsatellites’ into space. Rocket start-up SpinLaunch wants to catapult hundreds of flattened “microsatellites” into space at once, using a cannon-like machine that accelerates objects by spinning them. The first orbital demonstration is scheduled for next year. A California-based startup plans to launch hundreds of flattened “microsatellites” into low-Earth orbit at once, by firing rockets out of a giant centrifugal cannon. The first batch of pancake-like spacecraft could be shot into space as soon as next year — and could set a new record. SpinLaunch is a private company that aims to fire payloads into space using giant, cannon-like machines. These “cannons” accelerate spacecraft using spinning arms inside a vacuum-sealed chamber, before shooting them upward out of a barrel faster than a speeding bullet. Using this novel technology, the company aims to establish its own satellite constellation, Meridian Space, which they claim could provide more cost-effective competition to the likes of SpaceX’s Starlink network. On April 3, SpinLaunch revealed that it had received $12 m in funding from Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA), putting its total funding close to $150m. The announcement also revealed that KDA’s NanoAvionics had been selected to build the first batch of 250 satellites in the Meridian Space constellation, which could be launched during an in-orbit demonstration test planned for some point in 2026. (Source: Google)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

April 11, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

10 Apr 25. Sidus Space and Reflex Aerospace Sign MOU to Launch JV for Global Satellite Solutions. Collaboration to Deliver Agile, High-Performance Satellite Platforms for Commercial, Defense, and Government Customers Worldwide. Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) (the “Company” or “Sidus”), an innovative, agile space mission enabler, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Berlin-based Reflex Aerospace GmbH, a cutting-edge European designer and manufacturer of high-performance, tailor-made satellites. The agreement was officially signed during the Space Foundation’s 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO, formalizing a partnership that began with a Letter of Intent at the Space Tech Expo Europe in November 2024. The agreement formally establishes the framework to form a U.S.-based Joint Venture focused on delivering flexible, cost-effective, and high-performance solutions to meet diverse customer needs while strengthening their presence in global markets. Under the agreement, Sidus and Reflex will jointly develop and manufacture integrated satellite platforms leveraging Sidus’ mission operations, technology integration and advanced manufacturing expertise alongside Reflex’s rapid satellite development capabilities and high-performance components. The collaboration will target U.S. and European markets across defense, commercial, and government sectors, with both companies contributing to production, business development, and market distribution.

“This partnership strengthens our global position as a full-stack space services provider,” said Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space. “By combining Sidus’ heritage in mission management, in-orbit operations, and space hardware manufacturing with Reflex Aerospace’s rapid-response satellite design and subsystem technologies, we’re creating a powerful platform to deliver timely, customized solutions to meet mission-critical needs across multiple orbits.”

The joint venture will focus on multi-orbit missions in LEO, MEO, and small GEO; In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) and In-Orbit Validation (IOV) campaigns; and advanced space applications such as LIDAR, software-defined radio (SDR), on-orbit surveillance, and refueling missions. Additionally, the companies intend to competitively pursue major government space architecture programs by optimizing the supply chain and co-developing responsive satellite systems. As part of the MOU, Sidus will provide integration and test (AI&T) facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida and will contribute mission management, operations, and proprietary subsystems such as Orlaith™ AI Ecosystem featuring FeatherEdge™ hardware for data process and analysis, Cielo™ software for space-based data and insights, VPX OBC high performance on-board computer, and advanced manufacturing solutions.

“Partnering with Sidus accelerates Reflex’s vision to deliver scalable satellite systems and meet the rising demand for high-performance, rapidly-deployable spacecraft,” said Walter Ballheimer, CEO of Reflex Aerospace. “Together, we’re expanding our global reach and providing greater value to customers through innovation, efficiency, and a shared commitment to mission success.” (Source: ASD Network)

09 Apr 25. A Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Space Logistics LLC has successfully undocked with Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite, completing its life extension service. This marks the first undocking between two commercial spacecraft in the geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) graveyard.

MEV-1 has provided five years of life-extension services to IS-901, allowing Intelsat to operate this space-based asset beyond its design life.
In 2020, MEV-1 successfully proved docking with IS-901 was possible in the GEO graveyard orbit and brought IS-901 back into operation in GEO.
Now that life-extension services are complete, MEV-1 released the IS-901 satellite back into the GEO graveyard and is relocating to the next servicing mission.
Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics has provided reliable service to the satellite operator for MEV-1’s entire mission. MEV-2 will remain docked to Intelsat 10-02, providing life-extension for an additional four years – nearly doubling service from the original extension contract.

Rob Hauge, president, Space Logistics: “The first-of-its kind technology that extended a satellite’s life is paving the way for an entire infrastructure of future on-orbit satellite servicing missions for a variety of customers. We are continuing to invest in next-generation capabilities to deliver the most technologically advanced servicing capabilities to support and maintain new and existing space-based assets.”

Northrop Grumman is currently the only proven provider of life-extension services for satellites in GEO – redefining the boundaries of resiliency, flexibility and capabilities across government, commercial and national security customers. MEV-1 performed the first-ever in-orbit commercial spacecraft docking with IS-901 in the graveyard orbit before reducing the satellite’s inclination and bringing it back into operation in GEO in 2020. Since the technology was successfully proven in graveyard orbit with MEV-1, MEV-2 docked with Intelsat’s IS-10-02 directly in GEO in 2021, with no reported disruption in service during the docking. Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics provides in-orbit satellite servicing to GEO satellite operators using its MEVs, which dock with customers’ existing satellites to provide propulsion and attitude control needed to extend satellite service lives. Starting next year, Space Logistics next-generation systems will be able to provide expanded satellite services including on-orbit repairs, upgrades, refueling, debris removal, assembly and manufacturing. Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.

09 Apr 25. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“Comtech” or the “Company”), a global communications technology leader, announced today that Comtech Satellite Networks Technologies Corp., located in Montreal, Canada, recently completed initial deliveries of the Company’s next generation Very Small Aperture Terminal (“VSAT”) systems to a strategically significant allied Navy partner in the Asia Pacific (“APAC”) region. The initial deliveries of Comtech’s VSAT systems mark an important milestone for a comprehensive Navy fleet modernization program. To support the program, Comtech’s next generation VSAT systems are being installed on a wide range of Naval platforms including ships, submarines, and ground-based stations to provide access to advanced multi-orbit satellite communications (“SATCOM”) capabilities across air, land, and sea domains.

“With nearly 60 years of experience designing and developing some of the most trusted VSAT systems in the industry, we remain committed to supporting our partner’s urgent operational requirements,” said Daniel Gizinski, President of Comtech’s Satellite & Space Communications Segment. “This important milestone builds on the trust we have established with a key military ally in the APAC region and further illustrates Comtech’s global leadership in next generation VSAT systems.”

Following months of rigorous testing and performance validation by the end customer, Comtech’s next generation VSAT systems were selected for full-rate production with deliveries continuing over a two-year period. The next generation VSAT systems delivered to the APAC Navy partner are based on Comtech’s ELEVATE software-defined, multi-orbit VSAT technology. These systems include powerful IP traffic optimization technologies to mitigate delays inherent to SATCOM, mesh capabilities to allow shorter transmission latency with less bandwidth consumption, and spread spectrum techniques to reduce interference generated when transmitting from small antennas. Comtech designs, develops, and delivers scalable, software-defined, multi-orbit satellite solutions and ground systems for leading satellite service providers, enterprise customers, and government partners around the world. Built on nearly 60 years of experience deploying field-proven VSAT SATCOM systems, Comtech remains committed to accelerating innovation to connect people across the globe with the best available networks on all SATCOM orbits.

09 Apr 25. Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), which designs, manufactures and operates microsatellites, and conducts business to promote a society where space is accessible to people around the world, today announced plans to launch seven next-generation Earth observation microsatellites, “GRUS-3,” in 2026. This will expand the company’s microsatellite constellation to include more than ten satellites, enabling observation of broader areas with increased frequency. Axelspace aims to meet growing demand across a wide range of fields, including environmental protection, financial product development, and real estate management, in addition to precision agriculture, forest monitoring, and map creation, to promote use of Earth observation data. GRUS-3 will build upon Axelspace’s existing constellation of five microsatellites, “GRUS-1,” which provides services to government agencies and private companies in more than 30 countries worldwide. The seven GRUS-3 microsatellites will capture images of the Earth’s surface at the same location and nearly the same time every day for locations north of 25 degrees latitude, under stable sunlight conditions year-round from a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 585 km. Each satellite has an effective swath of 28.3 km and a maximum capture length of 1,356km. With a combined daily capture capacity of 2.3 m km² across seven satellites, and our unique tasking capabilities that enables targeted area imaging, Axelspace supports timely information gathering and decision-making. GRUS-3 satellites feature a spatial resolution (GSD) of 2.2 meters. In addition to capturing visible light, these are equipped with sensors capable of monitoring plant growth conditions, coastal seaweed beds and landscape.

Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace Corporation, said, “With the launch of seven GRUS-3 microsatellites, we will be able to observe a wider area more frequently than ever before. By adopting new observation equipment, the image quality will be improved compared to GRUS-1. We will provide enhanced services to our existing customers and continue developing solutions to meet emerging needs, further expanding the use of space.”

Axelspace also plans to launch a microsatellite “GRUS-3α” no earlier than June 2025 to verify the performance of the versatile satellite platform, a standardized platform for satellite function and structure across diverse missions, and the telescope used in GRUS-3.

About GRUS-3

Number of satellites: 7

Name: GRUS-3A/3B/3C/3D/3E/3F/3G

Satellite wet mass: Approximately 150kgSatellite envelope: 96cm x 78cm x 126cm

Spatial resolution: 2.2m

Effective swath: 28.3km

Maximum capture length: 1,356km

Band: Panchromatic, Coastal Blue, Blue, Green, Red, Red edge, Near infrared

Orbit altitude: 585km

Orbit type: Sun-synchronous

About GRUS-3α

Name: GRUS-3α

Satellite wet mass: Approximately 150kg

Satellite envelope: 96cm x 78cm x 126cm

Orbit altitude: 585km

Orbit type: Sun-synchronous

Launch details for GRUS-3α

Date: No earlier than June 2025

Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA

Vehicle: Falcon 9

Mission: Transporter-14

Launch Provider: SpaceX

To host the missions of GRUS-3 and GRUS-3α, Axelspace’s General-purpose (Versatile) satellite bus is based on results obtained from the following projects subsidized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

Development and Demonstration of General-Purpose CubeSat and Microsatellite Buses (FY2023- 2026)

*This project is implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry from FY2021 to FY2022

About GRUS

GRUS is a series of optical Earth observation microsatellites, each weighing 100 kg-class, developed for Axelspace’s Earth observation business, AxelGlobe. The first satellite of GRUS-1 was launched in December 2018, followed by 4 satellites in March 2021, bringing the current total to five satellites in orbit. The name “GRUS” comes from the constellation Grus to symbolize the way satellites orbit the Earth like a flock of cranes.

About Axelspace

With the vision of “Space within Your Reach,” we have been pioneering the development of microsatellites since our founding in 2008. We have two businesses: AxelLiner, where we develop and operate microsatellites for customers’ space missions, and AxelGlobe, where we provide Earth observation data through our proprietary optical satellite constellation. Leveraging our unique technology in microsatellite design, manufacturing, and in-orbit operations, we offer solutions to meet the needs in a variety of industries. Through these businesses, we aim to create a society where space is accessible to people around the world.

07 Apr 25. Space Network, one of the world’s fastest growing networks for space companies and professionals, has announced the launch of Space Network | Africa, coinciding with Space Symposium at Colorado Springs, 7-10 April. This initiative is set to drive space-based economic growth, innovation, and education across the African continent, positioning Africa as a significant player in the global space sector. With Africa’s rapidly growing, tech-savvy population, over 60% under the age of 25, the establishment of Space Network | Africa’s is timely. The initiative aims to support Africa’s untapped talent, resources, and innovation potential to drive economic growth, technological advancement, global competitiveness and ultimately benefit the population.

Ross Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of Space Network, stated, “Launching Space Network | Africa will be transformative for the continent. By uniting talent and resources from across the continent, we aim to cultivate a vibrant, sustainable, and impactful space economy. Africa is ready to become a global leader in space-driven initiatives from agriculture and telecommunications to climate monitoring and equatorial launch.”

Space Network | Africa aims to establish marketplaces facilitating global connections between space enterprises, universities, research institutions, innovators, African space agencies, and investors, creating vibrant regional clusters. A Pan-African Space Incubator and strategic commercial partnerships with international agencies aims to further underpin this vision. Space Network | Africa also aims to connect the Global North to help drive the innovation of the Global South.

Thabo Kupa, the newly appointed Hub Manager of Space Network | Africa, stated, “Our ambition is bold, but our approach is focused. By establishing Space Network | Africa, fostering regional clusters, collaborating on policy and regulatory frameworks, and attracting global investment, we’re dedicated to accelerating Africa’s commercial space capabilities.”

In addition, Space Network | Africa’s educational initiatives will span primary education to professional development, aiming to create a continuous pipeline of talent. Initial programmes include online education modules developed in strategic partnership with Nova Space alongside in-person pilot projects in Kenyan, Ghanaian, and South African schools, and embrace regional, cultural, and language needs to create an inclusive platform across Africa.

Allan Okoth, Educational Programmes Lead, remarked, “Our education initiatives aim to inspire Africans of all ages, from school children to aspiring space professionals. By connecting global expertise with local context, we’re equipping Africa’s youth for dynamic careers in the global space economy.”

Joseph Horvath, Co-founder and CEO of Nova Space Inc, said “Nova Space is thrilled to partner with Space Network | Africa to deliver high-quality space training and support the growth of Africa’s emerging space workforce. We believe that this collaboration represents a powerful step toward building a truly global space community. By working together, we can empower individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to shape the future of space.”

Space Network | Africa’s innovation-focused programmes aim to bridge education and industry, providing practical experience through satellite builds, innovation boot camps, and entrepreneurship competitions. Notable projects include collaborations with cube sat manufacturers for a multi-country satellite design programme, a regional Space Grant Consortium, and the upcoming “Space for Africa Challenge,” leading to pitches at the inaugural Pan-African Space Summit in 2026.

Kwaku Sumah, Innovation Lead and CEO of Spacehubs Africa, noted, “Our collaboration with Space Network | Africa will rapidly scale innovative opportunities continent-wide, driving commercial viability and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs in the space industry.”

The Space Network | Africa Secretariat, co-chaired by Ross Hamilton and Thabo Kupa, alongside Allan Okoth (Education), Kwaku Sumah (Innovation) and Joshua Kisiangani will steer strategic direction and program delivery. Founding Space Network | Africa Ambassadors include former Ambassador of Kenya to The Hague, Margaret W N Shava, and distinguished venture capitalist, Eric Osiakwan.

Andy Campbell, CEO & Founder of Space Network, expressed his enthusiasm for this landmark launch: “I am absolutely delighted to announce the creation of Space Network | Africa. This marks the first of many Space Network hubs planned around the globe as we strive to connect the sector, fostering collaboration and innovation for positive and impactful outcomes worldwide.”

01 Apr 25. Sierra Space demos resilient GPS satellite tech for USSF satellite program. Sierra Space has successfully demonstrated the company’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) technology for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). This major accomplishment, generating all GPS navigation signals required for the R-GPS mission, was achieved in collaboration with General Dynamics Mission Systems. This technology targets the increased need for more resilient GPS systems that protect the United States against adversarial threats like jamming and spoofing of the current GPS infrastructure. GPS technology plays a crucial role in daily life, supporting everything from civilian servicessuch as smartphone map applications to vital military and defense uses. However, as adversarial threats become more advanced, there is an increasing need for more resilient GPS infrastructure. To address this, the USSF’s Quick Start program is developing concepts for integrating a layer of smaller and more affordable satellites into the existing GPS framework. This R-GPS layer of smaller GPS satellites would be capable of rapid fielding to counter evolving threats. Sierra Space’s expertise in small satellite technology provides a competitive edge in achieving this goal. In September of 2024 Sierra Space announced a “Quick Start” R-GPS contract awarded by the USSF Space Systems Command (SSC) to develop design concepts for smaller, more affordable GPS satellites. Later In 2024, Sierra Space successfully passed an internal Systems Requirements Review. Now, a few short months after the program began, Sierra Space has passed this even larger milestone, providing a positive demonstration of the R-GPS program‘s technology. (Source: Satnews)

01 Apr 25. China’s Thousand Sails satellite plan at Phase 2. While the planet now has global low Earth orbiting coverage from Elon Musk’s Starlink, China is quietly getting on with its own rival scheme, in the shape of its Qianfan (Thousand Sails) satellite constellation project. Genesat (Gesi Aerospace), the project’s main contractor, has signed a contract for the second phase of its satellite manufacturing plant in Shanghai’s Songjiang district, which will be capable of producing 150 satellites of ~1,000 kgs in size per year, and 300 satellites below 500kgs, with a production cycle of one satellite per day. The announcement came during 2025 Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference. The company’s second factory project plans to invest 1.2 bn yuan. After the completion of the project, it will have a tonnage-level satellite pulsation production line, and the production capacity will be backward compatible with the batch production of satellites. The overall name for the scheme is G60 Spacesail. The project was started in 2024 as a rival to the Starlink satellite constellation installed by SpaceX, and plans to comprise more than 15,000 satellites by the project’s end. Based on Chinese state media China Central Television coverage, China has planned to launch and establish 648 satellites by the end of 2025 as part of the 1,296 satellites in the first phase of construction of the constellation, with the finished broadband multimedia satellite mega constellation in place by 2030. (Source: Satnews)

30 Mar 25. HawkEye 360 Joins Space Forces—Space (S4S) Commercial Integration Cell (CIC) to enhance SDA. HawkEye 360 is participating in the U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) Commercial Integration Cell (CIC)—this partnership reinforces HawkEye 360’s commitment to supporting the U.S. Space Force’s mission and national security through seamless and rapid operational collaboration. The CIC, operating under the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), facilitates the exchange of critical information between U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) and commercial partners. This collaboration enhances coordinated, time-sensitive responses to space events, bolstering the resilience of U.S. government satellite operations. Through the CIC, HawkEye 360 will contribute to mission-critical areas, including the detection of radio frequency interference (RFI), warning intelligence of threats, and other aspects of space situational awareness and space domain awareness. The CIC represents the first-ever initiative integrating commercial satellite owners/operators directly into the CSpOC. This partnership strengthens the synchronization of efforts between government and commercial mission partners, supporting resilient space operations in an increasingly complex domain. HawkEye 360’s participation in the CIC underscores our commitment to delivering valuable RF data and analytics that enhance situational awareness and support informed decision-making,” said Patrick Zeitouni, Chief Strategy Officer of HawkEye 360. “As commercial and government entities collaborate to advance the Space Force’s mission, we are honored to contribute our capabilities to this historic endeavor.” (Source: Satnews)

25 Mar 25. SWISSto12 releases HummingLink-SOTP user terminal for continuous GEO connectivity. SWISSto12 has debuted HummingLink-SOTP, a new type of terminal for GEO connectivity that combines a small form factor, high portability, quick deployment as well as high-throughput. HummingLink-SOTP leverages SWISSto12’s proprietary Additive Manufacturing processes to produce ultra-lightweight, high-gain antennas in X-, Ku-, and Ka-band. HummingLink-SOTP integrates these antennas together with state-of-the-art RF electronic circuits to enable the highest throughput out of highly portable and compact systems. These terminals focus on GEO SATCOM-On-The-Pause (SOTP) connectivity and target a sub-50 cm size. HummingLink-SOTP is a compact, highly portable yet highly performing SATCOM product that answers the requirements of operators for systems that can be rapidly deployed by a single person to establish robust, high throughput connectivity over GEO,” said Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12. “Despite the small size of the HummingLink-SOTP terminals, the antenna arrays that we integrate into our terminals are extremely efficient and highly differentiated when compared to traditional dish antennas, which require larger surface areas to reach similar performance. We combine this with an optimized system design and industrial approach to provide a cost-competitive solution.”

Mathieu Billod, Head of Terminals at SWISSto12 said, “HummingLink-SOTP is first released in Ka-band (HummingLink-SOTP-Ka), and in different gain, polarization, and frequency configurations. The terminal is designed for ultra-fast deployment. HummingLink-SOTP terminals can integrate a modem and can be equipped with auto-pointing systems. Terminals in X-band (HummingLink-SOTP-X) and Ku-band (HummingLink-SOTP-Ku) are available for pre-release demos and will be available for order later in 2025.” (Source: Satnews)

01 Apr 25. FireFly Alpha Message in a Booster on hold launch to be determined. The projection of a Sunday launch of FireFly Alpha’s Message in a Booster has come and gone with no statement issued as to a new date. There is a possibility that April may be the month. This will be the sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher as a demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus, which will carry a communications payload. (Source: Satnews)

30 Mar 25. Isar Aerospace’s maiden satellite mission failed ending in Spectrum’s fiery explosion. The Orbital Launch Pad at the Andøya Space Center in Norway was a beautiful setting for Germany’s Isar Aerospace’s first attempt to launch Spectrum. The launch took place on Saturday, March 29, at 11:30 UTC after earlier efforts this week were scrubbed due to high winds. Isar Aerospace was established in 2018 when it created the Spectrum to serve the small to medium-sized satellite market, and is marketing the launcher as a solution for orbiting constellations. However, in less than a minute the initial test revealed smoke from its sides and Spectrum crashed in a fiery explosion. The rocket was uncrewed and is part of an effort to have an orbital flight that was originated from Europe as others such as Sweden and Britain want to participate in the commercial space missions. Isar Aerospace had warned the initial launch could end prematurely, however the test provided important and helpful data that its team could learn from. The company is not discouraged and described the mission as a learning experience. Isar Aerospace scrubs Thursday and plans a Saturday first-ever launch of Spectrum Once again, due to “ongoing weather restrictions”, Germany’s Isar Aerospace now has scheduled their first attempt to launch Spectrum no earlier than on Saturday, March 29, at 11:30 UTC from the Orbital Launch Pad at the Andøya Space Center in Norway. Earlier efforts this week were scrubbed due to high winds. Isar Aerospace was established in 2018 when it created the Spectrum to serve the small to medium-sized satellite market, and is marketing the launcher as a solution for orbiting constellations. The forecast calls for a temperature of 36°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 24mph. (Source: Satnews)

04 Apr 25. SpaceX finally lifts off with Starlink Group 11-13 carrying 27 smallsats. On Thursday, April 3 at 6:02 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, and NROL-57. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, that is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX to launch 27 smallsats of Starlink Group 11-13 on Thursday

A launch delay yesterday, April 1, was never explained, but now SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 3 for a Falcon 9 launch of 27 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 3:54 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 7:54 p.m. PT. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Friday, April 4 starting at 3:32 p.m. PT. This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, and NROL-57. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean. There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other condition. (Source: Satnews)

04 Apr 25. Space Force issues $13.5bn in contracts to 3 launch firms. The U.S. Space Force announced more than $13.5bn in launch contracts Friday to SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for missions that will fly between fiscal years 2027 and 2032. The awards are part of the service’s National Security Space Launch program, or NSSL, which it uses to acquire nearly all military launch missions. Under the deal, SpaceX will receive $5.9 bn to fly 28 missions, ULA $5.3bn to launch 19 and Blue Origin $2.3bn to conduct seven. While ULA and SpaceX are both NSSL incumbents, Blue Origin is a new entrant to the program. Its New Glenn rocket has not yet completed the Space Force’s certification process, but following its first flight in January, it became eligible to compete.

“Today’s award culminates nearly three years of government and industry partnership to increase launch resiliency and capacity,” Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, program executive officer for assured access to space, said in a statement. “The result is assured access to space for our national security missions, which increases the military’s readiness.”

The Space Force expects to launch 84 missions between fiscal 2027 and 2032 — nearly double the number of missions it launched the previous five years. To meet that demand and create a path for more companies to compete, the service adopted a new strategy for this next batch of missions. Under that approach, the Space Force created two lanes in which companies can compete. Lane 1 is for commercial-like missions and is geared toward new providers, and Lane 2 — which was awarded Friday — is reserved for firms whose rockets meet more stringent security and performance requirements. SpaceX, ULA and Blue Origin were also selected to compete for Lane 1 missions, along with Stoke Space and Rocket Lab, which are both developing new rockets slated to fly this year. The service expects to release its first request for proposals for Lane 1 launches later this spring and companies will have a chance to compete for additional missions in fiscal 2026. (Source: Defense News)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

April 4, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

03 Apr 25. Rapid Deployable SATCOM Systems for USVs, Small Vessels and Special Operations Forces : Orbit Showcases MPT at Sea Air Space. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of ground, airborne, and maritime SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical communication systems, will highlight its MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka SATCOM Systems at Sea Air Space 2025. Specially designed for space-constrained platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and small naval craft and special forces operatrion, the MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka offer powerful, secure, and reliable satellite communication in a compact and lightweight form. Based on Orbit’s battle-proven Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT), the MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka deliver broadband SATCOM connectivity in minutes, thanks to their rapid roll-on/roll-off capability. With plug-and-play functionality and single-button activation, they are ideal for missions requiring rapid deployment and immediate operational readiness—even in GPS-denied or hostile environments. The systems support GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO satellite constellations, ensuring comprehensive global coverage. With high EIRP and G/T values and efficient EIRP Spectral Density (EIRPsd), they provide optimal performance with reduced bandwidth consumption—making them especially suitable for defense forces operating large SATCOM fleets. Their ruggedized, MIL-STD-compliant construction enables reliable operation in extreme maritime conditions, while their compact footprint makes them a perfect fit for small vessels, where every inch of space matters.

“Modern naval operations increasingly rely on unmanned and small platforms that still require robust connectivity,” said Daniel Eshchar, CEO of Orbit. “The MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka rapid deployable systems bring advanced SATCOM capabilities to even the most compact maritime systems, ensuring operational effectiveness and mission continuity.” (Source: ASD Network)

02 Apr 25. Paving the Way for Next-Generation Satellite Communications. Find out how our new ELEVATE partner RBC signals is empowering service integrators with cost-effective spectrum and ground station access. With demand for satellite-based Industrial IoT solutions continuing to rise – where satellites connect everything from Agriculture, Utilities, Energy, Environment, Mining, Maritime, and Transport – powerful, reliable satellite communication has never been more important. Enter our new ELEVATE partner RBC Signals, a company that’s helping companies stay connected with innovative solutions for satellite-based IoT networks. Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, RBC Signals specializes in Fractional & Dynamic Spectrum Leasing and Ground Stations as a Service (GSaaS) to offer cost-effective and flexible solutions for private IoT networks. Their mission? To make satellite communication for IoT more flexible, affordable, and reliable – and they’re doing just that, one device at a time.

How to Deploy Industrial Internet of Things

Deploying private Industrial IoT networks over satellite can be a significant investment. Many service integrators opt for reselling Managed Services from satellite operators, but this can limit flexibility and customization, often locking them into specific equipment, fixed service level agreements (SLAs), and preset data packages. In some countries, government regulations may even prohibit Managed Services if the gateway (teleport) is not in-country, making a private network with a sovereign in-country gateway the only viable solution. To help service integrators differentiate themselves by creating customized solutions with private IoT networks, RBC Signals offers Fractional & Dynamic Spectrum Leasing solutions with the required gateway (teleport) infrastructure. This capability enables service integrators offer reliable connectivity, including narrowband (NB-IoT), more efficiently, potentially accelerating market entry and reducing upfront investment.

What does RBC Signals provide?

The company offers a range of services, including:

Provides Service Integrators with the option to deploy private IoT networks for enhanced flexibility.
Proprietary STORM platform supports easy integration and testing for private IoT networks, with Fractional & Dynamic Spectrum Leasing solutions.
Supplies in-country gateway antennas for private IoT networks to support Sovereign Data and Regulatory compliance.
Provides Ground Stations as a Service, including procurement, installation, and management.
Offers integrators access to 90+ antennas across more than 60 locations.

Now, RBC Signals has partnered with the ELEVATE program – giving its solutions access to a growing partner ecosystem to provide even more robust satellite connectivity solutions. Joining ELEVATE aims to help RBC Signals boost their capabilities, enabling them to support some of the most advanced communications networks in space. (Source: ASD Network)

02 Apr 25. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of ground, airborne, and maritime SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical communication systems, will highlight its MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka SATCOM Systems at Sea Air Space 2025. Specially designed for space-constrained platforms such as Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and small naval craft and special forces operation, the MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka offer powerful, secure, and reliable satellite communication in a compact and lightweight form. Based on Orbit’s battle-proven Multi-Purpose Terminal (MPT), the MPT30Ka and MPT46Ka deliver broadband SATCOM connectivity in minutes, thanks to their rapid roll-on/roll-off capability. With plug-and-play functionality and single-button activation, they are ideal for missions requiring rapid deployment and immediate operational readiness—even in GPS-denied or hostile environments. The systems support GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO satellite constellations, ensuring comprehensive global coverage. With high EIRP and G/T values and efficient EIRP Spectral Density (EIRPsd), they provide optimal performance with reduced bandwidth consumption—making them especially suitable for defense forces operating large SATCOM fleets. Their ruggedized, MIL-STD-compliant construction enables reliable operation in extreme maritime conditions, while their compact footprint makes them a perfect fit for small vessels, where every inch of space matters.

28 Mar 25. ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, announced today that it will be providing satellite data to the Situation Center at NATO HQ (SITCEN). Through this collaboration, the SITCEN will be able to access the ICEYE capabilities, which will enhance its capacity to deliver better and faster data-driven assessments to decision-makers. This first partnership established between NATO HQ and ICEYE will broaden NATO’s access to valuable earth observation data through ICEYE’s cutting-edge technology. The commercial space industry’s role in national security and defense has become more important over the last decade. ICEYE works as a trusted partner with multiple governments and organizations, and has already supplied SAR data and satellites to a number of NATO allied and friendly nations. Today’s announcement deepens the collaboration with NATO.

“ICEYE provides high-accuracy SAR satellite imaging and data to support situational awareness and decision making in defence and security settings. We are proud of the opportunity to cooperate and support NATO users and decision-makers with data from the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, owned and operated by ICEYE,” said Pekka Laurila, Chief Strategy Officer and Co-Founder of ICEYE.

ICEYE owns and operates the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, delivering unlimited global access and the highest frequency revisits on the market. The latest ICEYE SAR satellites can provide 25 cm ground resolution, enabling accurate object detection and situational awareness in all weather and light conditions. To date, ICEYE has launched 48 SAR satellites into orbit for ICEYE’s and its customers’ use.

26 Mar 25. USSF certifies ULA Vulcan for NSSL missions. U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Assured Access to Space organization has announced the certification of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan launch system for National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions—ULA is now eligible to launch NSSL missions as one of two certified providers. NSSL certification is a rigorous process for launch service providers to demonstrate their ability to design, produce, and qualify a new launch system that will successfully deliver national security space satellites to orbit. Vulcan’s certification is the culmination of several years of effort by the Space Force and ULA, which encompassed 52 certification criteria, including more than 180 discrete tasks, 2 certification flight demonstrations, 60 payload interface requirement verifications, 18 subsystem design and test reviews, and 114 hardware and software audits, all to establish the technical baseline from which the Space Force will make future flight worthiness determinations for launch. Assured Access to Space executes the U.S. Space Force’s Core Competency of Space Mobility and Logistics. It secures reliable and responsive launch services to deploy the space-based capabilities needed by our Nation’s warfighters, intelligence professionals, decision makers, allies, and partners. Additionally, it operates and sustains resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to project on-orbit warfighting capability through all phases of conflict and to expand US economic, technological, and scientific leadership. Further, Assured Access to Space delivers servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities that operate in, from, and to the space domain. Assured access to space is a core function of the Space Force and a critical element of national security,” said Brig. Gen. Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space. “Vulcan certification adds launch capacity, resiliency, and flexibility needed by our nation’s most critical space-based systems. The SSC and ULA teams have worked together extremely closely, and certification of this launch system is a direct result of their focus, dedication, and teamwork.”

We are proud to have launched 100 national security space missions and honored to continue serving the nation with our new Vulcan rocket,” said Tory Bruno, president and CEO of United Launch Alliance. “We thank the Space Force for their collaboration and confidence, and we are honored to support our national security needs for many years to come.”

Space Systems Command

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient warfighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 bn space acquisition budget for the DoD and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, and academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow. (Source: Satnews)

29 Mar 25. SWISSto12 releases HummingLink-SOTP user terminal for continuous GEO connectivity. SWISSto12 has debuted HummingLink-SOTP, a new type of terminal for GEO connectivity that combines a small form factor, high portability, quick deployment as well as high-throughput. HummingLink-SOTP leverages SWISSto12’s proprietary Additive Manufacturing processes to produce ultra-lightweight, high-gain antennas in X-, Ku-, and Ka-band. HummingLink-SOTP integrates these antennas together with state-of-the-art RF electronic circuits to enable the highest throughput out of highly portable and compact systems. These terminals focus on GEO SATCOM-On-The-Pause (SOTP) connectivity and target a sub-50 cm size. HummingLink-SOTP is a compact, highly portable yet highly performing SATCOM product that answers the requirements of operators for systems that can be rapidly deployed by a single person to establish robust, high throughput connectivity over GEO,” said Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12. “Despite the small size of the HummingLink-SOTP terminals, the antenna arrays that we integrate into our terminals are extremely efficient and highly differentiated when compared to traditional dish antennas, which require larger surface areas to reach similar performance. We combine this with an optimized system design and industrial approach to provide a cost-competitive solution.”

About SWISSto1

SWISSto12 is a leading manufacturer of advanced satellite RF products, payloads and systems, including the HummingSat: a small yet powerful geostationary telecommunications satellite developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) through its public-private-partnership program. The company’s RF products benefit from unique and patented 3D-printing technologies and associated Radio Frequency (RF) product designs that deliver lightweight, compact, highly performing, and competitive RF functionality. In addition to the company’s space portfolio, Swissto12 is also active in telecommunications and aeronautic industry. The firm has developed commercially with success in Europe and in the USA, and is amongst the fastest growing aerospace companies in Europe. SWISSto12 spun off in 2011 from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), is privately owned and backed by prominent Swiss and European Investors. (Source: Satnews)

26 Mar 25. Czech Republic, Ukraine launch spy satellite project. The Czech Republic is moving forward with the creation of a joint satellite reconnaissance constellation with Ukraine designed to provide high-resolution optical surveillance capabilities in support of Ukraine’s defense needs. According to Militarnyi outlet, the project stems from an October 2022 agreement between the Czech and Ukrainian governments to establish a joint defense cluster. As part of that cooperation, Prague and Kyiv initiated a joint space monitoring effort focused on building an independent satellite-based intelligence network. At the core of this constellation is the TROLL satellite, developed by the Brno-based space company TRL Space.

TRL Space illustration

The system, which successfully entered orbit in January 2025, is capable of capturing images of Earth’s surface with a resolution of less than five meters per pixel, providing valuable data for battlefield assessment and infrastructure monitoring. The second key component of the constellation will be the Drak satellite, currently under development by companies within the Brno Space Cluster, with TRL Space serving as the primary integrator. The Drak satellite is being designed specifically for the Ukrainian Armed Forces in cooperation with Ukrainian technical specialists. It will offer enhanced image resolution—under one meter per pixel—providing greater detail for operational intelligence. The formation of this joint constellation comes amid recent concerns over the consistency of Western intelligence support for Ukraine. Earlier this year, U.S. authorities temporarily curtailed access to some government and commercial satellite imagery services, including data from companies such as Maxar. That access has since been fully restored, but the episode underscored Ukraine’s reliance on external sources of intelligence. By partnering with Czech industry on dedicated reconnaissance capabilities, Ukraine aims to reduce that dependence and increase its own operational autonomy in space-based intelligence gathering. (Source: Satnews)

24 Mar 25. SpaceX launches “never hibernate” NROL-69’s classified mission. On Monday, March 24 at 1:48 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-69 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos captured by Satnews. This was the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched a Starlink mission. The weather officials had projected a good day for a launch with a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. Officials had been monitoring weather conditions with concerns related to Thick Cloud Layers Rule. The forecast called for a temperature of 77°F, few clouds, 18% cloud cover and a wind speed of 9mph to ready, set, go NROL-69. The NRO has launched more than 150 satellites into Earth’s orbit in the last two years “creating the largest and most capable government constellation on orbit in our nation’s history,” the agency said. SpaceX plans Monday’s NROL-69 launch and the National Reconnaissance Office provides insight into the mission to “never hibernate” SpaceX is targeting Monday, March 24 for a Falcon 9 launch of the NROL-69 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 1:48 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Tuesday, March 25 at 1:34 p.m. ET. This is the second flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched a Starlink mission. Following stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. (Source: Satnews)

23 Mar 25. “US on high alert” – China’s satellites display unprecedented combat maneuvers in space. In an unprecedented development highlighting the escalating militarization of space, Chinese satellites have been observed conducting complex “dogfighting” maneuvers in low Earth orbit, a move that has prompted serious concerns from the United States Space Force about the potential implications for global security and stability.

The militarization of space has become a pressing issue, as evidenced by recent activities involving Chinese satellites engaging in tactical maneuvers in low Earth orbit. The concept of “dogfighting” in space, reminiscent of iconic science fiction narratives, is now a reality that the US Space Force is closely monitoring. These developments signal a shift from space being a peaceful domain to a potential battlefield among powerful nations. This article delves into the intricacies of these maneuvers, the technological advancements that enable them, and the broader implications for international space relations.

China’s Advanced Space Capabilities

In a recent gathering at the McAleese Defense Programs Conference in Washington, Gen. Michael Guetlein, Vice Chief of Space Operations, revealed that China is actively conducting military satellite maneuvers. These operations, observed by the US Space Force, involve synchronized movements of five different objects in space, showcasing a level of control and precision described as “dogfighting.” This term refers to the complex tactics, techniques, and procedures used in on-orbit operations from one satellite to another.

The key participants in these exercises include three Shiyan-24C experimental satellites, alongside the Shijian-605 A and B spacecraft. The ability to perform such advanced in-orbit maneuvers is a testament to China’s growing expertise in space technology. Notably, similar advancements are being pursued by global entities. For instance, Japan’s Astroscale has developed a satellite capable of matching the speed of space debris, an impressive feat considering debris travels at about 18,000 mph. Dr. Samantha Lawler, an astronomer, likens this technological prowess to “collecting bullets,” underscoring the sophistication required for such operations.

Establishing Space ‘Superiority’

The US Space Force’s pursuit of space superiority is driven by the narrowing technological gap between the US and its geopolitical rivals, particularly China and Russia. Gen. Guetlein highlighted past activities by Russia, such as the 2019 “nesting doll” demonstration, where a satellite released a smaller one to perform maneuvers near a US satellite, further emphasizing the need for the US to maintain its edge in space technology.

The US has long held a significant advantage in space capabilities, but this lead is under threat as other nations rapidly develop their technologies. Guetlein emphasized the necessity of re-evaluating the US approach to space operations to prevent the capability gap from reversing. The Space Force’s mission is to ensure that space operations support joint military efforts, aligning with the broader strategic goals of the US military. This shift in focus marks a departure from the principles of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which aimed to preserve space for peaceful exploration and scientific pursuits. (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 28, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

26 Mar 14. Spacecom Protecting Homeland From Growing Threats. The Defense Department must prepare for conflict in space to ensure deterrence. If that fails, the U.S. military is ready to fight and win, said Space Force Commander Gen. Stephen N. Whiting, who testified today at a Senate Armed Services subcommittee on strategic forces. He said threats continue to expand at a breathtaking pace and pose a risk to the joint force.

“These novel and unprecedented developments include China’s robust counter-space weapons and space-enabled kill chains, Russia’s reported pursuit of an on-orbit nuclear anti-satellite weapon and wide-ranging ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile threats,” Whiting said.

Despite the growing threats, the United States maintains advantages in space. The general said these advantages include an unmatched commercial space sector, and U.S. allies and partners.

Whiting said no other country can match the United States’ understanding of the complexities of space and the requirements to operate effectively in the most challenging areas of responsibility.

“Our military has the best trained, most capable space warfighting force in the world, and they stand dedicated to for America,” he added.

The general said Operation Olympic Defender is an example of working with allies and partners. He noted that Germany, France and New Zealand recently joined the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia as participating nations. The operation’s mission optimizes space operations, improves mission assurance, enhances resilience and synchronizes efforts, according to a Spacecom news release. This growth further strengthens partnerships and enables our allies to share the burden of collective space security, Whiting said.

“These advantages and our ability to deter potential adversaries cannot be taken for granted,” he said. “Deterrence in space is consistent with other domains. It requires a keen understanding and clear communication of what we are deterring against, credible, acknowledged capabilities to impose costs on those who attack us, and resilient architectures to dissuade attack by making any effort futile.”

Whiting said Spacecom is fully integrated into and contributing to the department’s efforts to establish a Golden Dome for American missile defense shield, adding that Space Command requires stable funding, as well as effective and efficient acquisition programs that deliver advanced space capabilities. He identified the most pressing issues as the delivery of integrated space fires, enhanced battlespace awareness, and integrated command and control capabilities to achieve space superiority, which enhances homeland defense while protecting and enabling the joint force.

“Although many challenges lie ahead, the future of space holds tremendous promise for America if we actively and thoughtfully protect it,” he said.

In Whiting’s prepared testimony submitted to lawmakers, he wrote: “Spacecom is partnering with U.S. Northern Command and other stakeholders to write an initial capabilities document aimed at defining capability-based requirements for the Golden Dome architecture, based on forecasted threat scenarios. As these capabilities develop and deliver, we stand ready to take an active role in the operation of a next-generation space architecture which will be resident in our in support of protecting American citizens from attack.” In his prepared testimony, he also addressed China’s views on space technology and its goal of becoming the dominant power in East Asia and a global superpower.

” seeks to rival the United States in nearly all areas of space technology by 2030 and establish itself as the world’s preeminent space power by 2045. Since 2015, China’s on-orbit presence has grown by 1,000%, with 1,094 active satellites as of January 2025. Its sophisticated space and counter-space systems enhance its ability to secure territorial claims, project power, and challenge U.S. advantages.” (Source: U.S. DoD)

27 Mar 25. Boeing-Lockheed’s Vulcan cleared to launch US national security satellites. The U.S. Space Force said on Wednesday it has cleared Boeing and Lockheed Martin’s Vulcan rocket to launch national security satellites for the United States. SpaceX was the first company to handle such missions. “Vulcan certification adds launch capacity, resiliency, and flexibility needed by our nation’s most critical space-based systems,” said Brigadier General Kristin Panzenhagen, the program executive officer for assured access to space. Vulcan was developed to replace the Boeing LMT joint venture ULA’s workhorse Atlas V rocket and rival the reusable Falcon 9 from Elon Musk’s SpaceX. (Source: Reuters)

25 Mar 14. Maxar Launches Raptor, a First-of-its-Kind Software that Unlocks Next-Gen GPS Resilience for Autonomous Systems. Raptor vision-based software products use Maxar’s unique global 3D data to deliver a breakthrough terrain-based positioning system for drone navigation and sensemaking in GPS-denied environments. Introducing Raptor, a first-of-its-kind software suite unlocking next-gen GPS resilience for autonomous systems. Raptor vision-based software products use Maxar’s unique global 3D data to deliver a breakthrough terrain-based positioning system for drone navigation and sensemaking in GPS-denied environments. Maxar Intelligence, the leading provider of secure, precise geospatial insights, today launched Raptor, a powerful software suite that enables autonomous drones to navigate and extract accurate ground coordinates in the absence of GPS. This technology transforms the resilience and reliability of unmanned systems, enabling autonomy at scale across warfighting, humanitarian and commercial operations for customers across the world. Designed for lightweight integration with any autonomous platform, Raptor products use only a drone’s native camera and Maxar’s 90 m-plus sq km of global 3D terrain data to help the platform navigate with extreme precision and extract accurate ground coordinates in real-time without GPS. Raptor can also operate at night and in low-terrain environments. No additional hardware required.

“By eliminating reliance on GPS, Raptor software unlocks the full potential of autonomous systems—from powering truly joint multi-domain operations as part of a digital battlefield to large-scale delivery systems in urban areas where knowing the precise coordinates of your drop-off location is critical to getting the job done,” said Peter Wilczynski, Chief Product Officer at Maxar Intelligence. “Raptor will change the game for customers across the defense and commercial sectors. This software uses Maxar’s unique 3D global terrain data to ensure that autonomous systems get the job done no matter how much GPS interference they face.”

The Raptor suite of software solutions includes:

* Raptor Guide: Vision-based positioning software loaded directly onto an autonomous platform, enabling it to determine its aerial position with a demonstrated absolute accuracy of <10 m RMSE.

* Raptor Sync: Software that georegisters the full motion video feed from the drone’s on-board camera with Maxar’s 3D terrain data in real-time, enabling intelligence fusion, multi-domain interoperability across different sensors and accurate ground coordinate extraction at a demonstrated absolute accuracy of <3 m.

* Raptor Ace: Software solution installed on commodity laptop equipment that works alongside drone controllers, enabling operators to extract real-time target ground coordinates from full-motion aerial video feeds with a demonstrated absolute accuracy of <3 m.

Raptor represents a fundamentally new solution on the market, providing significant advantages over most visual-based navigation alternatives:

* Cost- and power-efficient: Raptor software products are deployable on off-the-shelf hardware and require minimal initial integration. Alternative navigation solutions typically require additional hardware.

* Delivers against complex mission profiles: Built on a true 3D representation of the operational terrain, Raptor products operate at night, in any season, and at altitudes as low as 50 m. Maxar’s 3D global terrain data is regularly updated.

* Enables autonomy at scale: Because Raptor software anchors sensor data against a common geospatial foundation and works with existing drone cameras, the technology makes it possible for different unmanned systems to work together for joint operations regardless of the software or hardware platform.

* Works on existing cameras: A dedicated downward-facing camera consumes precious payload space and adds to the platform’s weight and power consumption. Raptor software works with the drone’s existing optics, including both forward and side-looking cameras. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

25 Mar 25. Gilmour now targets April for first launch. Gilmour says it’s now likely to blast off its Eris rocket in April, following disruption from Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The launch firm had set a two-week launch window opening in mid-March after clearing the final regulatory hurdle with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. The weather event all but shut down large parts of south-east Queensland and north NSW for days when it touched down on Friday, 7 March. Previously, Gilmour said it planned to have 50 staff based at its Bowen spaceport to help conduct the blast-off, which will be arguably the most significant moment in the sector’s history. Eris is a three-stage orbital vehicle and the first to be almost entirely Australian-designed and manufactured. Gilmour has been developing it for over eight years and believes it could address a gap in the global market for small satellite launches. It had planned for an inaugural blast-off in April 2024 but faced a lengthy delay in obtaining its final permit from the Australian Space Agency. The news comes weeks after the federal government relaxed the laws around launches to better consider the high likelihood of failure. The changes to the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 include an amendment that means that if no property is destroyed, a longer investigation can now be avoided in the event of an explosion. Gilmour has repeatedly stressed that the initial blast-off of Eris is likely to end in failure, while SpaceX engineers in 2023 famously celebrated when the first launch of Starship ended in failure.

“This is the second round of reforms over the past 18 months to the act, which will support our fast-moving and highly commercialised space sector,” said Enrico Palermo, the head of the Australian Space Agency.

“These changes will remove inefficiency and improve flexibility without compromising safety.”

Australia is currently home to four spaceports: Equatorial Launch Australia’s Arnhem Space Centre in the Northern Territory, Gilmour Space Technologies’ Orbital Spaceport in North Queensland and Southern Launch’s orbital Whalers Way facility and suborbital Koonibba Test Range in SA. A fifth, by Space Centre Australia, is planned for Far North Queensland, while ELA also hopes to move its spaceport to a similar location. (Source: Space Connect)

25 Mar 25. Toulouse-based Atheras Analytics SAS has successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) for its DESIRISS Ground Segment Dimensioning Tool. Funded by the European Space Agency (ESA), under the ESA Programme Related to EU Secure Connectivity, the development of the software will be utilised to support ESA in its role of IRIS² Qualification and Validation Authority. DESIRISS features the capability to provide ground segment trade-off analyses, performance evaluation and different concepts of operation for a wide range of multi-orbit satellite constellations, taking into account the impact of weather on the proposed Ka-band and Q/V-band links. Daniel Arapoglou, ESA Telecommunication and System Engineer responsible for this activity, said: “We have been impressed by the quality of the work performed and the timely delivery of the tool by the Atheras Analytics SAS team. Through the utilization of AI-techniques, the team managed to effectively blend the work of satcom engineers not only with that of software coders, but also of the user interface designer. I look forward to the results this test bed will deliver to the space ecosystem.”

James Youdale, President of Atheras Analytics SAS, said: “We were honoured when ESA selected us for this key activity, and it is very rewarding that ESA has recognized the quality of our work through a successful CDR. Our technology will enable ESA to determine the viability of different network designs and ensure that the most suitable selections are made and result in the highest performing and most reliable ground segment.”

The view expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Space Agency.

About Atheras Analytics

Atheras Analytics SAS has developed a suite of AI-based, SaaS-delivered software tools that enable satellite operators to optimise the design and operation of their next-generation Ka-band and Q/V-band satellite networks for maximum network availability. The core of these tools is he AI-based Outage Prediction Algorithm (OPA) which employs advanced machine learning techniques, including neural networks, to train the Outage Prediction Algorithm (OPA) for multiple different operational scenarios.

22 Mar 25. Italy’s deal with Starlink has stalled, defence minister says. Negotiations on a potential contract between Elon Musk’s satellite internet operator Starlink and the Italian government have stalled, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions, Italy’s defence minister said on Saturday. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is aiming to guarantee encrypted communications between the government, diplomats and defence officials operating in risky areas and Starlink is among the contenders to provide the system.

“It seems to me that everything has come to a standstill,” Guido Crosetto was quoted as saying by newspaper La Repubblica.

He said it was partly due to the fact that discussions moved from technical aspects to “statements” by and about Elon Musk. Starlink is a dominant force in the sector with 6,700 active low-orbit satellites. Sources have told Reuters Rome was considering a five-year deal worth a total of 1.5bn euros ($1.62bn) with the company that is part of Musk’s SpaceX group. But talks between the government and Starlink have sparked outrage among opposition politicians who question the wisdom of handing a national security contract to a foreign businessman and close ally of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Source: Reuters)

21 Mar 25. Ready for Orbit: BlueHalo Announces Breakthrough in Long-Haul Laser. BlueHalo, the company transforming the future of global defense through mission-critical innovation in the space domain, today announced the successful milestone demonstration of its two-terminal long-haul, multi-orbit laser communication system. The achievement marks a significant breakthrough in the development of space-based laser communication technology with far-reaching implications for national security and commercial sectors. During the demonstration, two laser communication optical terminals completed pointing, acquisition, and tracking sequences at transmit power levels supporting multi-orbit, space-to-space satellite crosslink amidst simulated challenges experienced in space environments, including jitter, extreme temperatures, and lack of atmosphere. The demonstration’s success highlights new capabilities for transferring high bandwidth data in space – enabling the secure exchange of more data at a faster rate across further distances, including LEO, MEO, GEO orbits and beyond. With the successful prototype demonstration in an operational environment, BlueHalo has matured its optical communication terminals to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team, whose dedication to the mission has led to this milestone – developing a space-based laser communication capability that is orders of magnitude greater than existing technology on orbit today,” said Mary Clum, President of the Product & Space Systems Portfolio. “With the technology validated, BlueHalo is ready to begin quickly producing these advanced optical terminals for deployment on satellites across all echelons of space. It’s an urgent need to enhance our nation’s security posture – in space and on the ground – and support the rapidly accelerating demand for rapid transport of high-bandwidth, mission-critical data. We’re ready.”

BlueHalo’s laser communication terminals are suitable for both national security operations and commercial satellite bus providers, offering a longer range, greater accuracy, and higher reliability for free-space optical communications. The capability builds upon and advances systems previously developed and deployed by BlueHalo, many of which remain on orbit today. (Source: ASD Network)

23 Mar 25. PLD Space expands global launch capacity with their 2nd spaceport—Etlaq in Oman. PLD Space recently announced that the Etlaq spaceport in Oman will be its second global launch base for the MIURA launch vehicle family—this infrastructure joins the company’s Launch Complex at the CSG (Kourou, French Guiana), owned by CNES and ESA, thereby expanding vehicle service deployment capabilities and increasing commercial launch opportunities to meet the flight demand, especially for the Middle East market. The company plans to incorporate a third spaceport in the coming year to address proximity needs in a third region of the world and ensure the MIURA 5 flight manifest. As a global ‘multi-spaceport’ company, PLD Space is committed to offering its customers greater proximity to launch bases and maximum flight availability, thus fulfilling the MIURA 5 roadmap, which includes 30 flights by 2030. To meet this manifest, the company needs to have operational launch capacity for three spaceports located in three different regions of the globe. With its Launch Complex at the European CSG spaceport, PLD Space covers the Western market, primarily America and Europe. Now, the company has signed a strategic agreement with Oman’s Etlaq spaceport, enabling it to meet the needs of its customers in the Eastern market, such as the Middle East. In this way, PLD Space becomes the first major operator to launch from this spaceport. Due to its strategic geographic location, this launch infrastructure is an excellent solution for PLD Space’s customer service. Located in Duqm (southeastern coast of Oman), it is a highly flexible spaceport with access to all commercially relevant orbits. Its proximity to the equator provides higher efficiency for low-inclination orbits like GEO, as well as for medium inclinations such as the orbit of the current International Space Station (ISS). Additionally, it allows direct access to high-inclination orbits such as Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) and Polar. Etlaq offers other differential advantages, such as its excellent logistical connections with PLD Space’s headquarters in Elche (Spain), drying stable weather conditions, and ample ocean downrange for safety. Additionally, this infrastructure is suitable for launching the entire MIURA rocket family, including crewed missions of its LINCE capsule, making this collaboration a short- and long-term endeavor. PLD Space is also committed to generating local value, following the same approach as in other regions where it maintains infrastructure. The company plans to create high-skilled jobs in the area, as well as establish a high value-added supply chain, which will help strengthen the efforts Oman has been making in the space industry for several years. The announcement was made at the first annual Etlaq Launch Conference (ELC 2025), held in Muscat (Oman), with the agreement being signed by the Founder & CEO of Etlaq, His Highness Sayyid Azzan bin Qais Al Said. (Source: Satnews)

20 Mar 25. Teledyne delivers 100th infrared detector for the SDA’s Tracking Layer. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY) earlier this month announced the company’s on-time and early deliveries for the Space Development Agency‘s (SDA) proliferated constellation with the delivery of the 100th large format focal plane module, counting deliveries from the Tranche 0, Tranche 1, and now Tranche 2 tracking layers. Mission Sensors: The global tracking layer relies on infrared payloads to analyze threats from orbit. Teledyne’s configurable manufacturing line delivers radiation-hardened, high-sensitivity sensors to meet threat detection requirements. These multi-megapixel resolution arrays significantly improve threat detection accuracy, and form part of the fire control countermeasures system against hypersonic weapons. Proven Expertise: Teledyne’s track record includes delivering space-grade focal plane arrays for prestigious instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, The European Space Agency’s Euclid dark matter telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope. Defense related deliveries, though often classified, encompass over a dozen successful missions. In addition to focal plane arrays, Teledyne will supply electronics and other components for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) campaign. Meeting space imaging needs across the spectrum: Counting infrared as well as visible CMOS and CCD sensors sourced from Teledyne’s DALSA and e2v businesses, the corporation has supported more than 260 total space missions, while close coordination across the global enterprise enables Teledyne to service emerging space imaging needs worldwide. (Source: Satnews)

21 Mar 25. SpaceX sends off NROL-57 on secret mission and another NROL-69 launch on Monday. On a very foggy Thursday night beside the ocean on March 20 at 11:49 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-57 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos captured by Satnews. The SpaceX mission description indicated that the first stage of this rocket also launched the SPHEREx space telescope and PUNCH solar probes for NASA on March 11 making NROL-57 the second launch of the launch vehicle in a period of just over nine days. This accomplishment broke the previous Falcon 9 record of 14 days. Although this is a secret mission typically such satellites are usually used for intelligence gathering and surveillance. A safe return to land on a foggy California beach night this was the fourth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, and SPHEREx. (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 21, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
20 Mar 14. Space Force Delivers Warfighting Effects, Protects Homeland. Since the U.S. Space Force stood up five years ago, it has delivered warfighting effects to the point that the U.S. can now contest the space domain, Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman said today during Defense One’s “State of Defense 2025: Air Force and Space Force” digital event.
He said those warfighting capabilities include proliferated warfighting, space architecture and proliferated low-Earth orbit satellite communications.
“We’re developing missile tracking capabilities. We’re still providing all the GPS functions that enable the internet online banking. It’s a pretty good deal for the American taxpayer if you think about what all we provide,” Saltzman said, noting his service has over 15,000 people and is just 3.3% of the Defense Department’s budget.
He said the service’s top three priorities are space domain awareness to provide accurate real-time information to decision-makers, resilient satellite architecture to better defend space capabilities and counter-space capabilities to hold at-risk adversaries’ use of space against the joint force. Saltzman said space requires six categories of counter-space weapons — three ground-based and three space-based — jammers, directed energy and kinetic capabilities, like missiles. Homeland defense has always been a central part of the National Defense Strategy, he added, noting the Space Force will play a significant role in making the Golden Dome a reality. The Golden Dome, which will be similar to Israel’s Iron Dome air defense system, will be designed to defend the U.S. against aerial attacks. The general said industry would play a big part in space domain transformative technology and praised the work done by companies in delivering those capabilities to the Space Force. (Source: U.S. DoD)

18 Mar 25. ALL.SPACE delivers satellite terminals to US Army and Navy. The Hydra 2 and Hydra 4 terminals are expected to provide enhanced resilience, connectivity, and security for mission-critical operations. ALL.SPACE has announced the initial operational deployment of its Hydra 2 and Hydra 4 satellite communications terminals to the US Army and Navy. This development signifies a step forward in defence satellite communications (SATCOM), providing enhanced resilience, connectivity, and security for mission-critical operations, stated the multi-orbit, multi-link SATCOM solutions provider. The Hydra 2 terminal, also known as the Dual-link Ka Terminal, is specifically designed for maritime and land operations. It offers simultaneous dual-link connectivity that operates at full performance across geostationary equatorial orbit (GEO), medium earth orbit (MEO), and future low earth orbit (LEO) Ka-band networks. This is expected to ensure continuous data transfer even in the most challenging environments. The terminal is fully ruggedised for field conditions and integrates seamlessly with existing defence systems to deliver high-throughput, interference-resistant communications. On the other hand, the Hydra 4 terminal, known as the Quad-link Multi-band Terminal, is tailored for battlefield operations. With four active transmission links, it enables real-time, high-bandwidth data exchange across multiple frequency bands, including Military Ka, Commercial Ka, Ku, and L-band networks. The Hydra 4’s offers secure communication channels that are resistant to interference and jamming, which are considered critical in contested operational zones.
This technology has been field-tested and is already in use by military forces for land and sea operations.
ALL.SPACE CEO Paul McCarter said: “The deployment of the Hydra 2 and Hydra 4 terminals marks a transformative moment for military SATCOM. By providing resilient, multi-orbit connectivity in real-world defence scenarios, we are ensuring that military forces can operate with uninterrupted, secure communications. Our technology is designed to withstand the toughest conditions while offering seamless integration across existing defence networks.” (Source: army-technology.com)

20 Mar 25. Andoya Spaceport, in collaboration with Exolaunch, aims to elevate launch capabilities at a new integration facility. Andøya Spaceport, strategically located in northern Norway at 69°N and 16°E, with orbital launch pads offering direct injection into Polar and sun-synchronous orbits (SSO), today announced a strategic collaboration with Exolaunch, a global leader integration, rideshare missions, and deployment services. This partnership will leverage Exolaunch’s satellite processing expertise for Andøya Spaceport’s planned integration facility in the Spaceport Village at Nordmela to become a hub for the small-satellite market in Europe.
“We welcome the partnership with Exolaunch to ensure our new facilities are designed efficiently and with our end-users in mind. Exolaunch’s experience with over 30 missions will provide valuable input during design and construction to best meet user needs,” said Andøya Spaceport President, Ingun Berget.
“Supporting Andøya Spaceport while they scale their facilities and product offerings for orbital-class small launch vehicles is an exciting step for Exolaunch as we continue expanding our work in Scandinavia,” commented Robert W. Sproles, chief executive officer at Exolaunch. “Andøya Spaceport’ world-class infrastructure and prime location at the edge of the Arctic Circle make it a standout launch site for small satellite missions. Their capabilities complement our expertise in enabling ambitious small satellite missions, from precise orbit deployment to mission flexibility and costefficiency. At Exolaunch, we’ve built a track record of deploying hundreds of satellites with reliability, empowering operators to achieve their goals in science, technology, and connectivity. We look forward to working with the team at Andøya Spaceport and their customers to shape a dynamic future for small satellite launches in Europe and support the region’s emergence as a global leader in space innovation.” (Source: ASD Network)

19 Mar 25. Multi-million-pound investment gives rocket boost to South West space sector. Minister Jones has announced a multi-million-pound investment in Bristol’s space sector from leading German space company OHB.
* New multim-pound investment from leading German space company OHB to support Plan for Change by creating specialist jobs in Bristol.
* OHB’s UK expansion sees job-boosting new subsidiary at Bristol & Bath Science Park to develop cutting-edge satellite and spacecraft tech.
* Industry Minister Sarah Jones announces investment in keynote speech at opening of Farnborough International Space Show.
The South West will benefit from a multi-million-pound investment from leading German space company OHB, creating up to 50 specialist jobs in Bristol working on satellites and exploration spacecraft, and supporting the government’s Plan for Change in delivering more skilled jobs, higher living standards, and productivity growth in every part of the United Kingdom.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones will announce the investment in a speech to the Farnborough International Space Show today [19 March], welcoming the news as a major win for the South West’s world-leading aerospace cluster, and the latest vote of confidence in the UK’s investment environment.
The Farnborough International Space Show, supported by ADS – the trade association for the UK’s aerospace, defence, security and space sectors – will be a significant event for the space industry, with 50 different countries exhibiting and many high-value commercial deals expected to be signed.
OHB’s initial multi-million-pound investment will create a new UK subsidiary based at Bristol and Bath Science Park to develop cutting-edge tech for satellites and spacecraft, and was secured by the Department for Business and Trade working together with the Space West cluster, Invest Bristol & Bath and the UK Space Agency.
Industry Minister Sarah Jones is expected to say: “The UK is open for business, and today’s investment from OHB is a major win for Bristol’s world-leading aerospace and tech industry which will create high-skilled local jobs and ensure the UK remains a partner of choice for space agencies around the world. This is the latest vote of confidence in our Industrial Strategy, which will give our space sector the certainty it needs to stay at the cutting edge of global innovation, driving growth and good jobs across the UK and showing our Plan for Change is working.”
The British space sector generates £18.9 bn each year, supporting over 50,000 jobs, and will be a top priority in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, which has identified advanced manufacturing and digital & technologies as key growth-driving sectors.
The UK’s space workforce is also highly qualified and more than twice as productive (2.3x) as the average UK worker, while the global space market is expected to be worth over £1 trillion by 2035, according to the latest figures from global management consultancy McKinsey.
OHB CEO Marco Fuchs said: “I am truly glad that we have finally established a presence in one of Europe’s key space markets. The Bristol region, with its high-tech cluster, provides a great environment for OHB to develop innovative and competitive space products and systems from the UK for the national and European markets.”
West of England Mayor Dan Norris said: “Today’s announcement means more high skilled jobs for local people – and that’s fantastic news. OHB SE setting up shop in the West of England is a big win for our region and a real rocket boost for our space industry.
I’m really proud that they’ve chosen the Bristol & Bath Science Park as their UK base. We’re proving once again that this is the place to be for world-class innovation, job creation, and serious economic growth.
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS welcomed the announcement:
The UK space sector – a jewel in the UK’s advanced manufacturing crown – has seen impressive growth in recent years. The space economy in the UK spans a wide range of capabilities employing around 50,000 people, with strengths in small satellite technology, sustainability, and emerging areas such as in-space manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing.”
Representing more than 500 businesses operating in space, ADS wholeheartedly welcomes the ongoing commitment to developing our sector throughout the country. Space will secure the UK’s domestic, future and technological advantage! (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

18 Mar 14. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) recently completed a critical design review (CDR) with a major international defense customer. “Completing the CDR is a monumental achievement validating BlackSky’s space-based tactical ISR services meet our customer’s long-term mission needs,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “BlackSky’s Spectra® tasking and analytics data-fusion platform architecture is being optimized in parallel to the development of the company’s advanced Gen-3 constellation to deliver very high-resolution imagery and AI-powered analytics at unprecedented speed.”
This important milestone confirms that BlackSky’s image quality, time-diverse revisit, order and delivery timelines and precision AI-enabled analytics standards are technically aligned with the customer’s real-time space-based intelligence mission requirements.
“BlackSky’s next-generation services will feature fully automated multi-sensor tip-and-cue capabilities that give customers the ability to securely task and receive very-high resolution imagery and precision AI-derived analytics that support minute-by-minute situational awareness during time-sensitive mission operations,” said O’Toole.
BlackSky’s first Gen-3 satellite launched on February 18 and delivered first light images just five days afterward. BlackSky’s proprietary, advanced detection and identification algorithms delivered AI-enabled analytics derived from new, very high-resolution Gen-3 imagery three weeks following launch. With BlackSky’s first Gen-3 satellite now on orbit, the company plans to expand the constellation at a regular cadence over the next 12 months. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

18 Mar 25. UK Space Command trials “buddy system” to improve induction. The buddy system provides people with a knowledge of space to support civil servants joining UK Space Command. UK Space Command introduced a “buddy system” designed to facilitate the training of new workers with little to no experience or knowledge of the new military domain. A senior officer referenced the new system during the Space-Comm Expo in London on 12 March 2025, where they observed that “we can help people navigate that new, demanding role much more quickly than [we] potentially would [have] do[ne].” The aim of the initiative – which was first introduced in February 2025 – is to offer companions with sufficient knowledge of space to support new civil servants joining Space Command to help improve their induction.
Feedback will be collected so that the system can be continuously developed.
Becoming space-literate
The ‘buddy system’ is the first of many ways the fledgling command, established in April 2021, is cultivating a space-conscious workforce, not just within Space Command itself, but across the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the armed forces.
One significant source of space education will be the UK Space Academy, which is scheduled to open in 2027. Courses from foundation through to practitioner and expert levels can be accessed by those working in Space Command, or those across defence who are interested in a career in space. Other British services, such as the Royal Air Force, are promoting space among its Air Cadets from the age of 14-years-old, all of whom can now undertake qualifications in the field.
Constitution of UK Space Command
For most positions in UK Space Command, both military and civilian, a space background is desirable but not essential.
The joint command is run by nearly 600 staff; more than half of them are military personnel, drawn from across the armed forces. Space Command also includes more than 100 contractors, and a contingent of MoD civil servants.
More broadly, the MoD approaches space in the same way as it does with the sea, land, air, and cyber domains. Therefore, it can draw personnel from across all services.
The UK is pursuing integration across the single armed services wherein space becomes a key consideration, the senior officer acknowledged. However, they added that this must be balanced with allowing Space Command to grow as an authority in its own right, which requires a space-conscious workforce.
To derive from experience in the future, the Joint Personnel Administration, a human resources intranet-based personnel database, records information of all those who have gained space operator experience within the MoD, “which means,” the senior officer noted, “in the future… we have an ability to recall people, and make sure we are closely aligned with our reserves as well.”
Run up to the SDR
“I think the demand signals on us have never been so much as they are now” they added. “It gives me more confidence that space really is at the front and centre.”
This fresh mentality for space as a domain in its own right is one that has still yet to be fully realised as the MoD continues to cultivate a space mentality in the modern battlespace. There is vulnerability that comes with operating space-based infrastructure, from communications, intelligence, surveillance to navigation; the ability to protect these enablers is important as space becomes more contested.
Naturally, protective measures in space will become a pivotal focus area for the MoD’s strategic procurement plans going forward. Even industry is making this pivot towards space, a reality that Éric Béranger, CEO of Europe’s foremost missile manufacturer MBDA, addressed in a speech in Paris on 17 March.
The space revelation seeps in ahead of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review, a document that will outline the principles guiding the British armed forces amid a fractured security climate, due to be released before the middle of 2025. (Source: army-technology.com)

17 Mar 25. Lockheed Martin spent $300m on axed JP 9102 project. Lockheed Martin spent more than $300m on the JP 9102 military SATCOM project before the deal was surprisingly withdrawn last year by Labor. The revelation was contained within previously unreleased documents compiled for senators that confirmed the federal government has “no liability” to compensate any of the businesses involved. In total, it states Defence spent $102m to consult industry and down-select potential solutions for the project, which was arguably the biggest in the local space sector. First announced in 2017, JP9102 was the project name of the $3 bn plan to create a sovereign SATCOM capability that would have reduced Australia’s reliance on other countries’ satellites Lockheed Martin was named “preferred tender” in April 2023 – all but guaranteeing the deal – before it was abruptly dropped, along with scores of smaller firms, in November 2024. Four months on, new briefing documents released under Freedom of Information laws have provided more background to the decision.
It states Lockheed Martin spent in excess of US $200m (AU$316m) on JP 9102 and that its proposal would generate 200 space jobs in Victoria alone. However, the federal government insisted that “no final contract had been negotiated” with the business and argued that workforce and supply chains were actually only in “the early stages of development”.
“The termination of the tender process is within the Commonwealth rights under the conditions of tender, and the conditions of tender provide to the extent permitted by law,” it read.
“The Commonwealth has no liability to compensate tenderers for participating in the tender activity.”
The rebuttal comes despite a swathe of senior industry figures previously hitting out at the decision and the lost time wasted on the project. Av-Comm, which was working with Lockheed, revealed it had spent $3 m upgrading its organisation to be ready to deliver the contract, alongside overhauling its processes and workflows.
“It’s clear that the government see defence spending as a cost and not an opportunity to invest in Australian capability, Australian businesses and the Australian people,” CEO Michael Cratt said.
Meanwhile, the Space Industry Association of Australia went further, with chairman Jeremy Hallett arguing the decision would make companies think twice about working with Defence in the future.
“While other OECD nations see sovereign space capability as critical to creating high-tech, high-value jobs and a military advantage, in our own backyard, we seem to be doing the exact opposite,” he said.
While Lockheed didn’t criticise the decision, it previously announced it had leased office space in Melbourne’s CBD and appointed a senior executive to be the deputy director. Other firms involved included Inovor Technologies, EM Solutions, Linfox, Shoal Group and Ronson Gears.
The Australian, which broke the story last year, claimed the decision to effectively cancel JP 9102 was due to a lack of budget. The federal government, though, insisted it was because multiple low-Earth orbit satellites are more secure from attacks than a single geostationary spacecraft, as planned by Lockheed.
Later, the Minister for Defence Industry, Pat Conroy, told Space Connect’s sister brand, Defence Connect, that the “money still resides” in JP 9102 and would be invested elsewhere.
“We were putting all our eggs in one basket, and that basket was exposed,” he said. “We’ve ceased the procurement activity, and we have focused on looking at other technology solutions, and that is, to be quite frank, because of the growing counter space threats.
“I’ve been frustrated and annoyed by some of the commentary out there, by people who just don’t have access to the classified briefings, who profess to be greater experts on this area than the ADF, who might be trying to sell their particular commercial technology or have a view.
“And some journalists have accepted that hook, line and sinker, and I find that frustrating.” (Source: Space Connect)

17 Mar 25. Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) has successfully launched the first of three initial microsatellites for Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace’s N3X constellation. The launch is part of a five-year contract awarded in 2024 by the Norwegian Armed Forces to KONGSBERG for providing maritime surveillance data. The ARVAKER I satellite was launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-13 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on 15 March. Shortly after deployment, NanoAvionics’ mission control established two-way communication with the spacecraft, maintaining the company’s 100% first-contact success rate across more than 45 missions to date. The N3X constellation, based on NanoAvionics’ flight-proven MP42H microsatellite bus, will provide crucial maritime surveillance data to multiple Norwegian government agencies, including the Armed Forces, the Coastal Administration, the Directorate of Fisheries, and Norwegian Customs. Enabled by the performance capabilities of the NanoAvionics MP42H microsatellite bus, it will also offer excess data collection capability outside Norwegian Areas of Interest which will be available for international users. ARVAKER I and its following counterparts will enhance maritime security by detecting vessels involved in illegal fishing, smuggling, environmental crimes, and other unlawful activities.
The satellite is equipped with surveillance instruments, including AIS receivers and navigation radar detectors, developed by the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment and delivered by Kongsberg Discovery. They will also assist in search and rescue operations for ships in distress.
“The need for advanced maritime surveillance has never been greater, as shown by recent global events,” said Atle Wøllo, CEO of Kongsberg NanoAvionics. “It is a great achievement that our proven microsatellite platforms keep helping governmental customers meet these growing challenges in national security applications. Our NewSpace 3.0 philosophy brings commercical space agility to the governmental domain without sacrificing the reliability required by these applications.”
ARVAKER I is the first step in the deployment of the N3X constellation. The following two satellites, ARVAKER II and III, will launch on the upcoming Transporter mission later this year. Once operational, the constellation will significantly expand Norway’s ability to monitor its areas of interest, reinforcing national security and maritime domain awareness.
Eirik Lie, President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, said: “KONGSBERG has been active in the space segment for decades, delivering high-end technology and solutions, but this successful launch marks a milestone for us as we will own and operate the satellites for the first time.”

15 Mar 25. ICEYE, the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite imaging for high-fidelity Earth Observation, persistent monitoring, and natural catastrophe solutions, has successfully launched four new 25 cm resolution satellites, strengthening the company’s SAR satellite constellation, the largest in the world. Among the satellites was ICEYE’s Generation 4 satellite (“Gen4”), marking another leap in the company’s rapid innovation in SAR technology. These satellites will extend ICEYE’s leadership in imaging for the most challenging applications in natural catastrophe response and national security. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and successfully lifted off on March 15, 2025, aboard the Transporter-13 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Each spacecraft has established communication, and routine commissioning operations are underway. ICEYE’s Gen4 satellite provides the best SAR image quality available and marks a significant breakthrough in SAR satellite technology and in the industry. This groundbreaking technology advancement builds on ICEYE’s space heritage and doubles both the size of the SAR antenna and radiated SAR power. This enables Gen4 satellites to more than double the imaging area, ranging from 150 km to 400 km swath width. The images contain 30% greater information density. The improvements also include advanced orbit control for target imaging, and more imaging capacity for congested areas in a single satellite pass. This new generation will empower customers with enhanced situational awareness, faster decision-making capabilities, and improved mission outcomes. Detection and classification of vessels, vehicles, or aircraft will be much easier, which is key in demanding defence and intelligence environments. ICEYE will release further details about the full suite of Generation 4 technology improvements and customer applications in the coming weeks.
“With the launch of the Generation 4 satellite, ICEYE continues to lead the innovation in the SAR satellite industry. As we aim to be the primary provider of critical infrastructure for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to allied nations, our SAR development serves the growing demand for space-based technology in the global defence markets”, said Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE.
With today’s launch, ICEYE has launched 48 SAR satellites into orbit for the company and its customers since 2018 and plans to launch more than 20 new satellites annually in 2025, 2026, and beyond. ICEYE’s first launch of the year in January 2025 successfully deployed four new satellites.

09 Mar 25. Rocket Lab’s details about ocean platform for Neutron rocket return landings at sea. The sea-based landing platform for Neutron rockets returning to Earth will support greater space access for national security missions, civil space exploration, and commercial satellite constellation deployments. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global provider in launch services and space systems, shared details about ‘Return On Investment’, the ocean landing platform for Neutron missions returning to Earth.
Rocket Lab’s Neutron rocket is a reusable carbon composite medium-lift launch vehicle being developed to meet the demand for single and multi-satellite constellation deployment, high assurance national security missions, and cargo to various Earth orbits, as well as lunar and interplanetary exploration. Capable of deploying payloads up to 33,000 pounds (15,000 kg), Neutron is being brought to the market at a rapid development pace on the foundation of Rocket Lab’s industry leadership as one of the world’s most frequent and reliable launch providers.
Neutron can perform two reusable mission profiles depending on mission requirements. This includes Return To Launch Site (RTLS) missions for Neutron first stage propulsive landings at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 3 in Virginia. The second reusable mission profile, a Down Range Landing (DRL) maneuver, is intended to maximize Neutron’s performance and will result in Neutron’s precise propulsive landing at sea on the landing platform.vb
Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “We’re working hard to bring Neutron online with one of the fastest development schedules in history for a new rocket, because we know medium-lift launch opportunities are limited and space access is being stifled. Neutron’s debut launch planned for later this year will help to ease that bottleneck, and our new landing platform will open space access even further by enabling even more mission opportunities that require maximum Neutron performance.”
Rocket Lab currently expects Neutron to make its debut launch from Virginia in the second half of 2025.
‘Return On Investment’ is Rocket Lab’s sea-based landing platform for Neutron, the Company’s new reusable 141 ft (43 m) medium-lift rocket currently in development. Operated out of the U.S. East Coast, the landing platform is built upon a modified barge – the ‘Oceanus’ supplied by Canal Barge Inc., a New Orleans-based, private marine transportation company – and named after the Greek Titan Oceanus, the personification of the Oceanus River that the Greeks believed encircled the entire world. ‘Return On Investment’ will be customized with propulsion systems to maintain the platform’s target position and thermal protection systems to conserve electrical and other support equipment installed on the deck. ‘Return On Investment is expected to enter service in 2026. (Source: Satnews)

10 Mar 25. SKY Perfect JSAT selects Thales Alenia Space to build “JSAT-32” communications satellite. SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation and Thales Alenia Space have signed a contract to build the GEO communications satellite, “JSAT-32.”
Operating in the Ku and Ka frequency bands, JSAT-32 will provide coverage over Japan and its surrounding seas, with newly added spot beams for mobility applications. JSAT-32 will serve as a future replacement for existing SKY Perfect JSAT satellites that provide communication and distribution services in Japan. As prime contractor, Thales Alenia Space will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, testing and delivery of the satellite to the designated launch pad. The company will also provide the associated ground segment. With a launch mass of 3.7 tons, JSAT-32 will be built on Thales Alenia Space’s Spacebus 4000B2 platform, renowned for its robustness, reliability and time-to-market efficiency. The satellite is scheduled for launch in 2027, and will be designed to have an in-orbit lifetime of over 15 years.
“The procurement of JSAT-32 is part of our strategic investment, aligning with our long-term satellite fleet refresh plan,” said SKY Perfect JSAT President and CEO Eiichi Yonekura. “With its additional Ka-band payload, JSAT-32 will enhance our ability to meet growing mobility demands, including national security needs. As we continue the procurement of JSAT-31, we look forward to leveraging Thales Alenia Space’s proven technology and expertise.”
“I would like to sincerely thank SKY Perfect JSAT for renewing its trust in our company,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “JSAT-32 is the second satellite we will deliver to SKY Perfect JSAT, after JSAT-31 ordered in 2024. This new contract further underscores the success of our robust and proven Spacebus 4000 product line, which has represented a total of 42 satellite programs, including 16 based on Spacebus 4000B2 product.” (Source: Satnews)

11 Mar 25. Astrum Mobile selects SWISSto12 to manufacture NEASTAR-1 GEO satellite. Asia Pacific’s only Satellite-to-Device (S2D) company, Astrum Mobile will operate the very first Satellite-to-Device (S2D) platform delivering 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) service.
Astrum Mobile’s vision for a ubiquitous S2D service directly to end-user smartphones and smart devices is advancing with the selection of SWISSto12 as the manufacturer of the NEASTAR-1 satellite, based on the small geostationary HummingSat platform, to be operated from GEO position 105E over Asia Pacific covering the APAC region. As the industry shifts towards direct-to-end-user device services, Astrum Mobile’s S2D service will leverage 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) NTN to deliver rich media, data casting, IoT, mass notification, and in addition, emergency notification services throughout Asia Pacific. Operating as a high-power S2D service in L-band and resistant to severe weather-related radio frequency service fade, Astrum Mobile will provide enhanced Service Level Assurances (SLA) and avoid natural service disruptions caused by events such as typhoons, floods, and earthquake. End users will access the service using standard smartphones and smart devices. Astrum Mobile aims to offer ubiquitous services and will partner with local innovators to provide compelling services in each country. NEASTAR-1 will be equipped with on-board reconfigurable beams to address market changes and dynamics over time.
“Astrum believes that in today’s connected world, everyone should have affordable access to various rich media services, including broadcast services, news, information, social media, and emergency services, especially in areas where life is at risk due to the lack of terrestrial services. Leveraging the always-available smartphone or smart device is the most compelling value proposition, and the time is right with the recent industry shift to 3GPP 5G NTN features on smartphones and devices. SWISSto12 was selected for its commercial approach, experienced satellite telecommunications team, as well as its small and agile spacecraft platform. NEASTAR-1 is the fifth satellite in the HummingSat product line, benefiting from extensive manufacturing experience, heritage and synergies to meet Astrum Mobile’s business plan,” said Michael Do, Chief Operating Officer of Astrum Mobile.
“We have received significantly positive assurance from customers and partners that such a service will address the need to provide ubiquitous service access that meets national and commercial interests for enabling communications anywhere, everywhere. NEASTAR-1 is generating tremendous interest and excitement, and we look forward to launching Asia Pacific’s first S2D services,”” said Sean Wallace, Chief Executive Officer of Astrum Mobile.
“SWISSto12 is delighted to partner with Astrum Mobile to deliver NEASTAR-1 on its first S2D mission. We will demonstrate the performance of a powerful S2D payload packed into the compact form factor of HummingSat. This adds another validation to our mission to better connect and protect users worldwide by providing agile geostationary satellite communications,” said Emile de Rijk, CEO and Founder of SWISSto12. (Source: Satnews)

06 Mar 25. SpaceX Starship 8 test results — some good, some not so good. SpaceX’s eighth flight test proved to be similar to the seventh with Starship’s engine trouble, however, unlike the seventh test flight the eighth test flight was able to return the Starship’s huge first-stage booster.
“Obviously a lot to go through, a lot to dig through, and we’re going to go right at it,” SpaceX’s Dan Huot said during live launch commentary today after Ship was lost. “We have some more to learn about this vehicle.”
The booster known as Super Heavy, returned to Starbase seven minutes after launch and was caught by the launch tower’s arms making this the third successful capture for SpaceX. The launch took place on Thursday, March 6, after the company stood down from a Monday launch attempt due to “too many question marks,” according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, that led to a scrub. Thursday’s successful launch from its Starbase site in South Texas at 6:30 p.m. EST 2330 GMT; 5:30 p.m. local Texas time, sent the 403-foot-tall (123 meters) vehicle skyward. The Starship spacecraft, also referred to as the upper stage, rode atop the 232-foot-tall (71-meter-tall) Super Heavy rocket booster. Several of Starhip’s six Raptor engines shut down when only approximately 20 seconds from the end of its ascent burn, and the vehicle began to tumble causing SpaceX to lose contact with Ship about nine minutes into the flight, and it is assumed that the Ship detonated in the sky.
“Once you lose enough of those center engines, you’re going to lose attitude control,” said Dan Huot, SpaceX communications manager. “And so we did see the ship start to go into a spin, and at this point, we have lost contact with the ship.” (Source: Satnews)
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.
The company combines novel artificial intelligence and radar technologies to identify movement and provide context in real-time. MatrixSpace sensors are the smallest, lightest and most portable high-performance systems on the market powered by AI. They deliver actionable insights that empower a broad range of public and private enterprises to protect assets and maintain safety with superior situational awareness.
For the modern, mobile battlespace, MatrixSpace provides both high performance 4D radar and jam-resistant mesh networked communications engineered to perform in the harshest conditions—day or night, in any weather, and in remote, rugged locations. Designed for flexibility, our radar systems can be integrated with tactical vehicles or mounted on structures like buildings, TOCs, or stanchions. Offering 360° coverage, they provide unmatched field-of-view advantages, while low energy consumption allows for solar/battery-powered operation in off-grid environments at twice the duration and a fraction the cost of alternatives. The MatrixSpace AI platform removes clutter and classifies objects, so operators can act confidently without specialized radar expertise.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 14, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

13 Mar 25. Space Force teaming with Air Force on Joint Simulation Environment. For the past year, the Space Force has been working closely with the Air Force and Navy to learn from their experience developing an advanced, realistic training and testing environment for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter — with an eye on one day creating a similar capability for the space domain.

Col. Corey Klopstein, program executive officer for Operational Test and Training Infrastructure at Space Systems Command, said his team started discussions last year with the Air Force’s Advanced Training Capabilities Division about how the Space Force could be involved with the effort, known as the Joint Simulation Environment. The Space Force has since joined the JSE user group and is working with the program office to find ways to bring space capabilities into the simulation environment and eventually develop an advanced test and training capability of its own.

“The Space Force needs to provide space effects to the joint warfighter to ensure the joint warfighter can validate in their training events and their exercises, whether or not they’re going to be effective,” Klopstein said March 5 at the Air Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado. “The Space Force also needs a high-fidelity environment to be able to validate not just our system performance in the threat environment that we anticipate, but also our tactics, and validate our tactics.”

The JSE is typically associated with the F-35 because the Navy and Air Force developed it as a high-end test capability for the advanced fighter jet. Though there’s currently just one JSE system located at Patuxent Naval Air Station in Maryland, the program is weeks away from flipping the switch at a second site at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and plans to eventually host the capability at all of its F-35 bases. As the services expand their JSE footprint, the goal is for the system to become the premier combat training environment for U.S. and coalition partners. As part of that process, they’re working with the Space Force to integrate simulated space capabilities and scenarios into the environment to help make training more representative. That could include things like space-enabled electronic warfare, navigation or communications.

Klopstein described that work as “ongoing,” noting that the Space Force is funding an effort to develop standards and specifications to bring those capabilities to the JSE.

Longer term, the Space Force is crafting a plan for an advanced simulation capability of its own. The service has training devices, but for the most part they’re not interconnected, meaning that guardians assigned to different missions can’t train together.

Klopstein said the Space Force is in the process of creating distributed — or cross-mission — and high-end training systems. On the distributed side, it has been using a system called Swarm for large, tactical training exercises like Space Flag.

Realistic simulation is also key for the Space Force’s testing enterprise, which relies heavily on virtual systems to validate that satellites and other space capabilities work as envisioned. Unlike the other services that can test their ships on the water or their aircraft in flight, the Space Force can’t validate most of its systems in the space environment, which makes the quality of its ground-based testing infrastructure even more important.

Klopstein stressed that as space becomes more congested and adversaries increase their threats against U.S. systems, the service needs an advanced simulation capability that factors in a changing space environment.

“We’ve got to make sure that our systems can survive in a threat environment that we haven’t had to consider in the past,” he said. “Gathering quantitative data that is representative of our systems that gives us the confidence level that the systems can perform in this threat environment is something that we’ve got to do going forward.”

The service hasn’t decided what a JSE for space could look like and hasn’t announced any specific timeline in that regard, but Klopstein said the service wants to learn from the Air Force’s work on the program and carry those learnings into a future system.

“The partnership that we’ve started … is only going to continue to broaden going forward,” he said. “We are looking to be able to prototype and partner with [the Air Force] to leverage that work that’s been done and potentially build out the Space Force synthetic and high-fidelity training environment that we need.” (Source: Defense News)

13 Mar 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has delivered its first AI-enabled analytics derived from new, very high-resolution imagery captured by the company’s first Gen-3 satellite three weeks after its successful February 18 launch. The significant milestone demonstrates how BlackSky’s AI-automated detection and identification algorithms accurately transform Gen-3’s fine-detailed imagery into actionable, precision insights at machine speed and scale over tactical objects of interest.

“BlackSky’s first Gen-3 satellite has continued to exceed on-orbit performance expectations, accelerating a path toward fine-tuning our advanced, propriety AI-enabled analytics capabilities within just weeks of launch,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “Gen-3 imagery will enable the delivery of extraordinarily detailed and accurate real-time automated analytics seamlessly into our customers’ workflow.”

“This powerful combination coupled with our high-frequency, time-diverse, low-latency monitoring constellation will help decision makers see an expansive, diverse set of mission-relevant details more clearly and reduce the speed of analyses over large volumes of imagery from days to minutes,” said O’Toole.

BlackSky’s AI is designed to enable the automatic detection, identification and classification of a wide library of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of tactical interest with industry-leading precision. The model is designed to recognize and discern differences, for example, between box trucks and tractor-trailers, and smaller vehicles such as pickups, jeeps, vans or cars. In addition to larger vessels like warships, merchant or container ships, the model is designed to detect and classify smaller vessels such as tugboats, patrol or commercial boats.

“BlackSky’s adaptable in-house AI model works with a very high degree of transferability across Gen-2, Gen-3 and external commercial imagery sources supporting multi-intelligence data fusion activities,” said O’Toole. “BlackSky’s AI-enabled analytics enhance operational efficiency and give analysts the ability to quickly and efficiently extract a new level of valuable insights from vast amounts of imagery, detecting patterns, anomalies, and changes without requiring extensive manual review.”

With BlackSky’s first Gen-3 satellite now on orbit, the company expects to expand the constellation to eight satellites within 12 months. These new satellites will generate 35-centimeter imagery and integrate seamlessly into our existing constellation, global ground network and BlackSky Spectra® software platform, enhancing the value of our current Gen-2 dawn-to-dusk dynamic monitoring services. Adding additional Gen-3 satellites is expected to increase our revisit rates, reduce delivery latency, enhance our image quality and capacity, and unlock new customer applications.

12 Mar 12. Military-Crewed SpaceX Flight Set to Bring Back Astronauts. The SpaceX Crew-10 mission, which includes two active-duty U.S. military officers, is scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, today on a quest to bring back a pair of NASA astronauts who have been on the International Space Station since June 2024. Dubbed Crew Dragon Endurance, the SpaceX Dragon 2 reusable spacecraft is set to dock at the ISS Thursday. The mission comes after President Donald J. Trump called for the safe return from the ISS of NASA astronauts Barry “Butch” Wilmore and Suni Williams — both retired U.S. Navy captains — whose return to Earth was delayed after Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft hit technical snags.

“These are our people, and we’re not leaving them up there,” Trump said in a February 2025 speech at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.

The mission marks the 10th crew rotation for NASA’s Commercial Crew Program and SpaceX’s 17th crewed orbital flight. The team effort has a goal of bringing Wilmore and Williams home by March 16. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth saluted the mission by releasing a video message earlier today.

“The Department of Defense is proud to have multiple branches, and two active-duty U.S. military officers represented in this mission,” Hegseth said.

Army Col. Anne McClain and Air Force Maj. Nichole Ayers made up the active-duty portion of the SpaceX crew.

Picked by NASA in 2013 and serving as Crew-10’s commander, McClain spent 204 days on the ISS from 2018-2019 during Expeditions 58/59, leading two spacewalks. Ayers, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2011 and earned her wings in 2014, flying T-38 Talons at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. Following that she piloted the F-22 Raptor fighter jet, where she flew over 200 combat hours supporting missions like Operation Inherent Resolve. NASA brought her on board in 2021. An additional astronaut — and former Navy SEAL and physician who joined NASA in 2017 — Lt. Cmdr. Jonny Kim, is also scheduled to launch no earlier than April 8, 2025, to participate in Expeditions 72/73.

“We’re praying for you, we wish you Godspeed, and we look forward to welcoming you all home soon,” Hegseth told the astronauts via the video.

The trouble for Wilmore and Williams started what was supposed to be a week spent on the ISS. Upon arrival, NASA and Boeing identified a number of helium leaks and thruster issues on the Starliner, forcing the astronauts to stay on the ISS. By September, issues with the spacecraft led to NASA opting to send the vessel back to earth unmanned and leaving Wilmore and Williams. Once aboard the ISS, some of the Crew Dragon Endurance team will remain for a scheduled six months. While aboard, the team is set to conduct over 200 experiments, including organoid studies for disease treatments and plant growth tests in microgravity. They’ll also try out leg pressure cuffs to help with fluid shifts in space — work that supports NASA’s Artemis program and benefits life on Earth. (Source: U.S. DoD)

12 Mar 25. Cobham Satcom’s TACTICAL TRACKER 2600 undergoes WGS certification. The development positions the satellite antenna as the sole X/Y antenna system authorised for use within the WGS network. Cobham Satcom has revealed its enhanced TACTICAL TRACKER 2600 satellite antenna is currently in the process of obtaining certification for the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS). The TACTICAL TRACKER 2600, part of a range known for its multi-orbit and multi-band capabilities, is designed for easy transport and quick setup. This development positions the product as the sole X/Y antenna system authorised for use within the WGS network, managed by the US Space Force. Cobham Satcom tacticals and flat panels product management vice-president Henrik Fyhn said: “With WGS certification, our TACTICAL TRACKER systems will be ready to provide military forces with dependable connectivity on post.

“Further, we have focused on simplifying set-up and improving user-friendliness, which minimises training and ensures communications are always ready fast.”

In line with this advancement, Cobham Satcom has introduced improvements across its TACTICAL TRACKER series. The number of ports has been reduced from 14 to four, streamlining the setup process and decreasing the likelihood of failures. The company noted that these satellite antennas can be assembled in under 30 minutes, a task made even more user-friendly with the aid of a new application and graphical user interface, as well as interchangeable reflector panels. The updated drive motor design and software enable the 1.3m and 1.5m series to retrace positions, facilitating a “Break Before Make” topology with a single antenna and modem on mPower MEO networks without compromising encryption. This innovation simplifies SATCOM systems by minimising the number of terminals required for mission-critical operations. Cobham Satcom is set to demonstrate the capabilities of the TACTICAL TRACKER at Satellite 2025, which is currently taking place until 13 March at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in the US. (Source: naval-technology.com)

12 Mar 25. Quantum Space, a leader in advanced space operations, is launching its life extension services to enhance satellite mission longevity and operational efficiency. Leveraging its highly maneuverable Ranger spacecraft, these services include mission extension, orbital adjustment, and refueling—addressing the growing demand for sustainable and cost-effective satellite operations. This initiative aligns with Quantum Space’s commitment to maximizing the value and lifespan of orbital assets for commercial and government clients. The Ranger’s rapid maneuverability and repositioning capabilities enable seamless transitions between orbits to meet diverse mission requirements.

“At Quantum Space, we are dedicated to transforming space operations by providing life extension solutions that empower our clients to realize the Freedom to Maneuver for achieving their mission objectives more effectively,” said Ben Reed, Cofounder and Chief Innovation Officer of Quantum Space. “Our advanced technologies and strategic partnerships position us to deliver unparalleled service in the evolving space economy.”

The Ranger spacecraft features high delta-velocity maneuvers, substantial payload capacity, and precision operations, making it an ideal solution across various orbital regimes. Designed for persistent operations exceeding 15 years, Ranger reduces the need for frequent satellite replacements, lowering overall mission costs while supporting national security and commercial needs. As part of its expansion, Quantum Space secured investment from Sporos Capital Partners in its Series A round, accelerating the deployment of its in-space mobility and mission extension solutions.

“Quantum Space is at the forefront of transforming how assets operate in orbit, and we believe their life extension services will be critical to the future of space logistics,” said Nishant Machado, Managing Partner at Sporos Capital. “Our investment reflects our confidence in their leadership, technology, and vision for sustained space operations.”

With these life extension services, Quantum Space is reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of space operations, offering greater maneuverability and longevity for national security initiatives, commercial ventures, and scientific research. (Source: PR Newswire)

11 Mar 25. Amentum (NYSE: AMTM), a global leader in advanced engineering and innovative technology solutions, is partnering with Rivada Space Networks to offer a unique, ultra-secure low earth orbit connectivity network to support mission-critical U.S. government communications around the globe. As the first unified global communications network, Rivada’s Outernet is transformative. A global low-latency point-to-point network of 600 low earth orbit (LEO) satellites, it is a unique next-generation constellation combining inter-satellite laser links with advanced onboard processing and routing to create a ubiquitous optical mesh network in space. This “orbital network,” in which data stays in space from origin to destination, creates an ultra-secure satellite network with pole-to-pole coverage, offering end-to-end latencies much lower than terrestrial fiber over long distances. And by routing traffic on a physically separated network in space, it provides a layer of defense for any organization that needs to share data securely between widely distributed sites.

Declan Ganley, CEO, Rivada Space Networks, said: “We are delighted to be working with Amentum to enhance their portfolio of services for national security, intelligence and commercial customers. Global geopolitical dynamics continue to highlight concerns about national security and the state of civil and defense infrastructure particularly in the area of cybersecurity and resilient information systems. The space domain now plays a critical role in securing network infrastructure and addressing rising data sovereignty and security demands.”

Ganley added, “Unlike traditional LEO systems, which bridge the last mile between the satellite and the nearest gateway, Rivada’s game-changing Outernet is a fully independent and inter-connected, MEF compliant private space network that re-defines connectivity in terms of security, latency, capacity, efficiency, and coverage. It is fast becoming the system of choice for secure data communications.”

“Our goal is to ensure our customers have access to the latest innovation in secure space architecture as part of their national security solutions,” said Dave Marlowe, Vice President, Intelligence & Cyber at Amentum. “Rivada is building a uniquely capable LEO constellation focused on zero trust networking and by establishing a highly secure global communications backbone in space, the Outernet not only strengthens digital infrastructure on a global scale, but it also provides an innovative platform for our US government customers to expand their capabilities to meet new challenging mission needs. By tapping into a truly independent global network, we can offer a new level of resilience, security, performance and global reach.” (Source: PR Newswire)

12 Mar 25. Military Satellite SKYNET 6A passes initial phase of testing. The SKYNET 6 programme is working closely with industry to exploit technological advancements to deliver the next generation of military communication satellites. SKYNET is the UK Ministry of Defence’s satellite communication (SATCOM) capability. It supports operations to deliver information to UK and allied forces around the world, enabling battlefield information advantage anywhere, anytime. Representing the single largest government investment in the UK space industry, SKYNET 6 highlights the nation’s commitment to developing its space capabilities and is a programme co-sponsored by Strategic Command and UK Space Command. The first of the SKYNET 6 assets, 6A, has reached a milestone with the completion of the initial phase of testing at the new UK-government funded National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The satellite will leverage the latest developments in digital processing and radio frequency spectrum utilisation, offering greater capacity and versatility than previous generations of SKYNET satellites. Further testing of the completed SKYNET 6A satellite will be conducted at the facility this year, with Airbus Defence, Space UK and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space working closely together to guarantee the satellite’s long-term functionality and reliability once it’s launched into orbit.

Jason Gnaneswaran, Senior Responsible Owner for SKYNET 6, said: “The SKYNET 6 programme will ensure our deployed forces have world-leading communications abilities on demand, whether on the battlefield, onboard a ship, or in the air. This milestone in testing is a huge achievement for the Ministry of Defence and RAL Space and is a crucial step in guaranteeing the delivery and long-term functionality of SKYNET 6A. It also highlights the success of the broader SKYNET enterprise and the value of close collaboration with our industry and cross-government partners.”

Scheduled for launch in 2026, this cutting-edge satellite will be the first SKYNET military communications satellite to be entirely designed, built, and tested in the UK, marking a significant advancement for the nation’s space industry. It will be a critical asset for the UK’s armed forces and allies, providing secure and reliable communications for at least 15 years and supporting a wide range of military activities across all operational domains. This project directly sustains 550 highly skilled jobs throughout the country, including in Stevenage, Corsham, and Portsmouth. Whilst the Harwell Campus is already home to over 100 local and international space organisations, the NSTF itself is expected to attract new businesses and investment to the UK space sector, further solidifying the country’s position as a leader in space technology.

SKYNET 6A’s testing campaign is a testament to the UK’s growing expertise in the space sector enabled by direct investment from the programme.

Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director for the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Innovation Clusters and for the Harwell Campus, said: “By supporting pioneering projects like SKYNET 6A, the facility is helping to accelerate the UK’s journey towards the commercialisation of space and further strengthening our clusters as global hubs for innovation. Our unique combination of facilities and expertise supports businesses across the UK, and we are excited to enable more dual-use application of our capabilities through programmes like SKYNET 6 and the Regional Defence and Security Clusters.”

Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, said: “Airbus is proud to have been a partner to the MOD on Skynet for the past 40 years, guaranteeing UK sovereign capability. Skynet 6A provides end-to-end UK design, development and manufacture capability to support our Armed Forces, and the completion of this initial testing phase is a great accomplishment. SKYNET continues to play a critical role in the UK’s military satellite communication infrastructure, supporting whole force integration which ensures the armed forces remain connected and informed wherever they operate. ” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

11 Mar 25. US Space Force’s X-37B Spaceplane Returns After 434-Day Secret Mission. The U.S. Space Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle (OTV-7) has returned to Earth after a 434-day classified mission, the U.S. Space Force said on Friday. According to the U.S. Space Force, the uncrewed spaceplane completed its seventh mission and landed at California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base at 2:22 a.m. ET (11:22 p.m. local time) on Friday. The spacecraft was launched on December 28, 2023, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. While the exact details of the mission remain largely classified, U.S. Space Force in a news release, said X-37B had “accomplished a range of test and experimentation objectives intended to demonstrate the X-37B’s robust maneuver capability while helping characterize the space domain through the testing of space domain awareness technology experiments” while in orbit. One of the most notable aspects of the mission was its successful execution of an aerobraking maneuver, allowing the vehicle to alter its orbit and slow down by using atmospheric drag. This technique conserves fuel and represents a significant advancement in orbital maneuvering.

Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman praised the maneuver, stating that it “underscores the U.S. Space Force’s commitment to pushing the bounds of novel space operations in a safe and responsible manner.”

Lt. Col. Blaine Stewart, the X-37B program director, described the mission as an “exciting new chapter” in the program, emphasizing the spacecraft’s ability to perform complex maneuvers and gather valuable data on space domain awareness.

The Space Force remains tight-lipped on specific experiments conducted, but officials indicated that the spacecraft’s activities contributed to understanding an “increasingly congested and contested environment” in space. Analysts suggest this could involve scanning for space debris, monitoring satellite activity, or testing new surveillance technologies. The X-37B program, originally developed by NASA, conducted its first flight in 2010. With each mission, the spacecraft has demonstrated new capabilities, including testing energy beaming technology and thermal protection systems. Despite its 434-day duration, the latest mission was one of the shortest for the X-37B, with previous flights lasting up to 908 days. Its next mission is yet to be announced. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)

11 Mar 25. Intellian Technologies Inc., a global technology solutions provider of resilient multi-constellation, feature-rich satellite user terminals and Eutelsat Group, the only GEO-LEO operator in satellite communications, announced today that the new Enterprise Flat Panels are now available exclusively on Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO network. Featuring the OW11FL (Land Fixed), OW11FV (Land Mobility) and OW11FM (Maritime) – the new series uses Intellian’s innovative antenna technology to deliver enterprise-grade connectivity, enabling end users to receive fast, dependable connectivity anywhere in the world for business-critical communications. The Enterprise Flat Panels are designed and engineered to deliver the maximum throughput currently offered on the OneWeb LEO network and are available for purchase through Eutelsat’s network of distribution partners worldwide targeting the land fixed, land mobility, maritime, and government sectors. Featuring advanced tracking technology, performance is guaranteed over wide scan and at the lowest elevation angles, ensuring seamless and undisrupted connectivity for end users. The Enterprise Flat Panels have a huge amount of technology packed into such a sleek form factor and come with support for optional Resilient Global Navigation Satellite System (R-GNSS). Global availability of the Enterprise Flat Panels follows on the heels of Intellian’s Compact Flat Panels, which were launched with Eutelsat at the end of 2024. This marks the latest development in what Intellian considers will become the fastest growing range of flat panel solutions for critical environments where performance, reliability and connectivity are key.

Ben Swallow, Chief Commercial Officer, Intellian Technologies Inc, said: “We are excited that our new Enterprise Flat Panels are now fully available and live on Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO network, providing customers even greater choice for their operational requirements. The truly innovative Enterprise Flat Panels have been designed, engineered and manufactured to deliver exceptional operational benefits and performance for end users. Together with the Compact Flat Panels, they form our Flat Panel Series which extends across hundreds of use cases with our six variants for Maritime, Land Fixed and Land Mobility markets.”

Filipe De Oliveira, Vice President for Commercial, Eutelsat OneWeb commented: “The addition of the new Enterprise Flat Panels strengthens our partnership with Intellian and enriches Eutelsat’s user terminal portfolio to our distribution partners. These terminals are designed to offer flexibility, addressing a broad spectrum of customer needs while delivering high performance connectivity across land for fixed and mobility applications and at sea. We look forward to the seamless integration of the flat panels into our end-to-end solutions.”

11 Mar 25. Record UK contract wins through European Space Agency. A dramatic increase in the money flowing to the UK from European Space Agency (ESA) programmes has been announced today, with an additional £112 m (€134 m) in contracts secured for the UK space sector between June 2022 and December 2024. These contracts are expected to deliver £1 bn in wider UK economic benefits. The UK is a founding member of ESA and one of its leading funders. A fundamental principle of ESA is that money from each country’s taxpayers returns to that country, after ESA overheads, through industrial contracts, a process known as geographical return (geo-return). However, for too long, the value of these contracts has fallen short of the UK’s total investment – after overheads, in 2022 UK space organisations were receiving 93p back in contracts for every £1 invested. Determined to address this issue, the UK Space Agency committed to reducing the deficit, with the full support of ESA. New figures, released on the opening day of Space-Comm Expo in London, demonstrate the positive impact of these efforts. In the fourth quarter of 2024 alone, the work helped secure £80 m (€96 m) in additional contracts – the highest single quarter return ever recorded by an ESA member state.

Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: “These figures show not only the incredible results of a government working hand-in-glove with industry to get even more bang for our buck, but also send a clear message to the private sector across the globe: when it comes to space, science and tech, the UK is a powerhouse for innovation and investment. We are on a mission to deliver sustained economic growth, and it is fantastic to see such a vital industry helping us turbocharge our Plan for Change, ultimately raising living standards for everyone.”

In total, between June 2022 and the end of 2024, the UK secured £844m (€1.01bn) in ESA contracts, from an expected return of £732m.

The additional £112m will have a large, positive impact on the competitiveness of the UK’s space sector, supporting businesses to attract further private investment, develop cutting edge technologies and expand internationally. It means the UK now receives 99p back in contracts for every £1 invested, after overheads.

Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “While the value to the UK economy of our membership of ESA is many times greater than the sums invested, it is important for us to demonstrate the UK’s competitiveness in securing industrial contracts. First and foremost, the record figures announced today are down to the efforts of the UK space sector, so I would like to congratulate all those working on the new contracts. I would also like to thank the teams in ESA and the UK Space Agency for their hard work in delivering this exceptional result.”

In 2022, the UK Space Agency identified several reasons for the historic deficit. These include the relatively high resource requirements for applying for ESA funding, limited awareness of UK contributions and deficits in certain programmes, and some gaps in understanding how smaller companies can engage effectively with ESA and put forward the strongest funding proposals. To address the issues, a joint UK Space Agency-ESA Industrial Policy Task Force was established. This identified and secured additional contracts, and improved access to specialist expertise for UK space companies.

Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency, said: “ESA and the UK Space Agency are working hand in hand to empower the UK’s space sector, including its adjacent industries and vibrant startup scene. The results of our collaboration stand for economic growth, technological and scientific autonomy, high-value jobs for Europe and the UK, but also for a shared European vision of space that is both ethical and sustainable. The new figures announced today reflect ESA’s longstanding commitment to help the UK in building one of the most attractive and innovative space economies in the world, whilst developing new scientific and industrial capacity and capabilities with partners across Europe.”

The UK Space Agency delivered 21 training courses across the UK (Bid Writing and ESA 101 Workshops), increased promotion of existing ESA resources and rolled out a new internal data tool to enable a more comprehensive, strategic overview of the UK’s entire ESA portfolio.

A boost in direct engagement with industry led to the UK having the most registered entities on ESA’s procurement platform and the largest number of smaller companies (SMEs) in the ESA ecosystem.

Colin Baldwin, UKspace Executive Director, said: “The increasing number of ESA contracts being won by UK space companies reflects the work done by the UK Space Agency, ourselves and other stakeholders to give our members the tools and knowledge required to showcase their capabilities and expertise, and convert this into business-winning activities.

I hope our 200+ members – from start-ups to corporations – along with the wider UK space sector, will continue to demonstrate their quality, win more contracts, and deliver continued value for ESA and the UK economy.” The UK space sector employs 52,000 people and generates an income of £18.9bn each year. Satellite services support wider industrial activity worth around £364bn, – 16% of UK GDP – and play a vital role in national security. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

10 Mar 25. Thales and SES demonstrate compatibility of secure anti-jamming waveforms with MEO satellites.

Thales’s Modem21 system typically equips sovereign, ultra-resilient geostationary satellites offering secure, high-data-rate military satellite communications services with high levels of jamming protection.
With the deployment of new satellite constellations, the armed forces are now taking steps to extend their coverage and develop hybrid satcom capabilities that will complement the services provided by geostationary satellites.
Feasibility studies conducted under a defence technology project (PTD) for the French defence procurement agency (DGA) have demonstrated the compatibility of the Modem21 system with the Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation operated by SES.
This demonstration of Modem21’s capacity to operate with non-geostationary MEO satellites opens up new opportunities for the deployment of hybrid solutions combining ultra-secure communications based on sovereign military satellites in geostationary orbit with commercial MEO constellations in equatorial or polar orbit offering enhanced security and anti-jamming performance.

In October 2024, Thales and SES for the first time demonstrated the compatibility of Thales’s Modem21 system with SES’s O3b mPOWER satellites, establishing the system’s capacity to operate with commercial MEO constellations.

“Multi-orbit compatibility of Modem21 with the SES constellation underscores the feasibility of future hybrid satellite solutions for the armed forces that will continue to meet the security and jamming protection requirements of military operations,” said Alexandre Bottero, Vice President, Networks and Infrastructure Systems, Thales.

“As governments address the growing need for multi-orbit capabilities to guarantee the resilience, security and sovereignty of their communications, we are delighted to be aligning our efforts with those of our technology partners to help achieve these objectives. The combination of Thales’s Modem21 with SES’s innovative second-generation O3b mPOWER MEO system promises to deliver the high levels of technical performance and security required while ensuring that government customers preserve full control of their networks,” said Roy Sielaff, Vice President, Space & Defence Europe, SES.

Hybridisation of sovereign and commercial satellite communications is a major opportunity for the armed forces to assert their connectivity superiority. With the demonstration of Modem21 operating with the O3b mPOWER satellites in SES’s MEO constellation, Thales is paving the way to the development of new capabilities in hybrid, multi-band, multi-operator environments to meet the needs of the armed forces. Modem21 has already been deployed in various theatres of operations to provide command posts with secure communications capabilities. The system was selected by NATO about ten years ago and is fully compliant with STANAG 4606, NATO’s Electronic Protective Measures (EPM) standard. The disruptive technology behind its communications protocol has been selected by about a dozen governments around the world.

10 Mar 25. Intellian Technologies USA, Inc., a leading provider of global satellite communication (SATCOM) antennas and ground gateway solutions, announced today that its ARC-M4 Block 1 (AN/USC-75) is now being manufactured at Intellian’s U.S. headquarters, in Irvine, California. Intellian is intensifying its commitment to the U.S. Government’s mission-critical objectives and supply chain resiliency, by manufacturing the ARC-M4 Block 1 SATCOM terminal in the U.S. Intellian has implemented a meticulous component-level supply chain control system to ensure that no components are used from vulnerable nation states, which enhances national security and protects against supply chain disruptions. Together, these actions drastically add manufacturing capacity, increases supply chain resiliency, and demonstrates our commitment to the needs of our U.S. Government partners. The maritime ARC-M4 Block 1 (AN/USC-75) terminal gives its users rugged, high Sea State, high-performance operations with enhanced resiliency through automated switching between MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM assets, such as WGS, and SES’s mPOWER constellations, leveraging our shipboard mediation system for terminals and waveforms. The ARC-M4 Block 1 is the first WGS-certified Hybrid terminal in the warfighter’s arsenal. The ARC-M4 family of terminals were engineered to deliver the concepts of Agile Resilient Communications – Multi-Role, Multi-Mission, Multi-Band, Multi-Orbit (ARC-M4). Enhanced resiliency comes from the agility and options to choose frequency bands, services, and orbits to mitigate adversarial actions. Intellian’s ARC-M4 Block 1 terminal is certified for simultaneous X-band and Military Ka-Band operations on the WGS constellation (AN/USC-75) without any caveats or restrictions. The terminal is also certified for use on SES O3b mPOWER, and Viasat’s I5 high-capacity Military Ka-Band payloads (Cat IV). Frequency bands are electronically switched eliminating the need for manual hardware modifications by a signal’s technician. The ARC-M4 Block 1 terminal is designed for LEO, MEO, GEO, and HEO multi-orbit services, and is engineered to anticipate new constellations launching across all orbits. Within the U.S. Department of Defense, the message is clear: single-use and siloed technologies are not viable; dual-use technology is mandatory. The ARC-M4 Block 1 breaks innovative boundaries by harmonizing MILSATCOM and COMSATCOM assets.

Eric Sung, CEO, Intellian Technologies, said: “Intellian remains at the forefront of technological innovation, bringing forward both practical and innovative solutions that are trusted to the highest degree. Our new ARC-M4 Block 1 line at our U.S. headquarters is Intellian’s first international production line, marking phase one of our expanding global capabilities. These enhanced facilities meet the needs of our U.S. Government customers while also reducing operational risk. Our on-going component-level supply chain system ensures that all components and parts are compliant with U.S. Government sourcing requirements and restrictions. We are committed to enhancing satellite communication performance and mission readiness with the agility, flexibility and quality necessary to succeed in any operational environment.”

For more information about the ARC-M4 Block 1

The ARC-M4 Block 1 enables agile resilient communications (ARC) multi-role, multi-mission, multi-band and multi-arc (M4). By delivering dual, simultaneous links in both X-band and Ka-band, the terminal provides communication path redundancy and fallback options. This pathway diversity coupled with intelligent mediation and link bonding delivers unparalleled resiliency in a single user terminal.ARC-M4 Block 1 promotes interoperability between major satellite operators, namely WGS, Inmarsat I5 and SES mPOWER.

About Intellian Technologies, Inc.

Intellian is driven by a passion for innovation and an agile responsiveness to customer needs. As the crucial link between satellite networks and ms of people on Earth, Intellian’s leading technology and antennas empower global connectivity across oceans and continents, organizations and communities. Strategic thinking, an obsession with quality and a proven ability to deliver enables Intellian to invent for the future, creating mutual success for partners and customers as the world’s connectivity needs evolve. For more information, follow @Intellian and visit intelliantech.com. Intellian Technologies Inc. is listed on the Korean Stock Exchange, KOSDAQ (189300:KS).

10 Mar 25. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd., a leading global provider of maritime, land and airborne SATCOM solutions, tracking ground stations, and mission-critical communication systems, is set to unveil its new OrBeam MIL Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) at Satellite DC 2025. This cutting-edge phased array antenna is designed to meet the growing demand for continuous, reliable satellite communications across LEO, MEO, and GEO orbits. With the rapid increase in satellite constellations and the evolving needs of defense, commercial, and enterprise users, Orbit’s OrBeam MIL ESA delivers an agile, multi-orbit solution that requires no user intervention. The system’s electronically controlled beam steering allows seamless connectivity with multiple satellites, enhancing operational efficiency and uninterrupted communication across the most challenging environments. The new antenna supports Ka or Ku frequencies and is designed for seamless connectivity with GEO, MEO, and LEO satellites. Its flat-panel design with no moving parts ensures lower power consumption and high reliability, while its compact and lightweight structure enables fast deployment across aerial, maritime, and land-based platforms. The system is capable of Make-Before-Break (MBB) satellite handovers, providing solutions for high-speed, uninterrupted low-latency satellite communications.

“As the satellite communication landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, Orbit continues to push the boundaries of innovation,” said Daniel Eshchar, CEO of Orbit. “Our new OrBeam MIL ESA system represents a breakthrough in multi-orbit connectivity, providing defense and commercial customers with a highly reliable, low power consumption, and future-ready SATCOM solutions.”

08 Mar 25. Global Konet first company to achieve Dualsat ESA Antenna APP debuts at Satellite Show 2025. Global Konet will participate in the Satellite Show 2025, the world’s largest satellite exhibition, held in Washington, D.C., revealing new technology that enables simultaneous service of two satellites through a single ESA antenna — making them the first global company to achieve this feat. The exhibition takes place from March 11 to 13 at the Washington Convention Center, where Global Konet will showcase cutting-edge satellite antenna technology to the world.

Dualsat ESA Antenna APP

the Satellite IoT GU24 terminal
the Satellite IoT GA24 terminal
the Dualsat ESA Antenna APP
real-time Satellite Tracking Software technologies and products.

The Satellite IoT GU24 and GA24 terminals have been designed with panel dimensions of 250×220 cm and a weight of 700g, making them suitable for small drones. They have successfully completed ground trials for 1 Mbps video transmission from KA-band satellites in the Middle East, showcasing their miniaturized panel design technology. These terminals are expected to become essential panel boards for future long-range satellite drone services and counter-drone equipment. Testing of simultaneous services from two satellites is being carried out using the Dualsat ESA Antenna APP technology. The Dualsat ESA Antenna APP provides a full-duplex solution for offering or monitoring services from multiple satellites through a single antenna. The exhibition will feature the demonstration of television feeds from two satellites streamed through a single antenna to a set-top box, allowing for seamless TV viewing with cutting-edge video and APP technology. Global Konet will also introduce its real-time Satellite Tracking Software technology capable of tracking both GEO satellites and LEO satellites such as Starlink. The live satellite tracking feature being unveiled relies on satellite information stored in a database to analyze location data, allowing the KONET ESA antenna to perform signal analysis and satellite monitoring.

Executive Vice President Jong-Chul Yoon stated, “Through the Satellite Show 2025, we aim to secure leadership in ESA satellite antennas.” He added, “We aspire to become the leading technology company in the flat panel antenna market with our world-class cutting-edge technology.” (Source: Satnews)

02 Mar 25. SpaceX’s successful Sunday Starlink Group 12-20 launch of 21 smallsats incuding 13 Direct to Cell. On Sunday, March 2 at 9:24 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos by Satnews. This was the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GOES-U, Maxar 3, and now three Starlink missions. This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GOES-U, Maxar 3, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, stationed in the Atlantic Ocean SpaceX plans Sunday launch of 21 Starlink Group 12-20 smallsats including 13 Direct to Cell SpaceX is targeting Sunday, March 2 for a Falcon 9 launch of 21 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 9:24 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 12:21 a.m. ET on Monday, March 3. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Monday, March 3 starting at 10:04 p.m. ET at a cost of $69.75 m. (Source: Satnews)

06 Mar 25. Arianespace’s successful top secret launch for French military. The CSO-3 military observation satellite has been successfully launched by Arianespace atop an Ariane 6 from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. Carrying a very-high-resolution optical instrument built by Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), the satellite was developed by prime contractor Airbus Defence & Space for the French defense procurement agency DGA on behalf of the French Air and Space Force’s Space Command, with delegated oversight from the French space agency CNES. The third and last component in the CSO system for France’s MUSIS* military program, CSO-3 will provide increased coverage and revisit capabilities to enable more effective conduct of military operations and faster crisis response. Designed to the most stringent intelligence and defense requirements, CSO-3 is equipped with a cutting-edge instrument developed by Thales Alenia Space. This instrument is the core of the mission, affording exceptional resolution and detail of Earth’s surface. Its unrivaled performance enables it to acquire imagery at extremely high resolution, even in low-light conditions and at night thanks to its infrared capabilities. Its advanced technologies include latest-generation optical systems and ultra-sensitive sensors. Like for the previous Helios 1, Helios 2 and Pleiades satellites, Thales Alenia Space designed strategic equipment for the CSO system, including the solar arrays, very-high-throughput image telemetry systems, and encryption/decryption modules to ensure data security and confidentiality. The company also supplied the system’s telemetry, tracking and control transponders. (Source: Satnews)

10 Mar 25. Kymeta, a world leader in flat-panel satellite antenna technology, announces today it is accepting orders for its Goshawk u8 user terminal, designed specifically for government and global ministry of defense. With the growing need for satellite network flexibility and open network architecture that ensure secure, sovereign defense operations, the Goshawk u8 offers a critical solution at a time when allied nations are prioritizing secure, resilient, and rapidly deployable communications on the move. The Kymeta Goshawk u8 delivers resilient and flexible, multi-orbit, multi-network satellite communications in a single terminal. Combining Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite technologies alongside cellular connectivity, it allows for improved responsiveness to enable maneuver warfare tactics, such as rapid, focused and unexpected actions that can shatter an enemy’s cohesion. As sovereign nations look to prioritize greater control over critical satcom infrastructure to stay ahead of emerging threats, the Goshawk u8, which has been designed to support data-centric, cloud-enabled operations, will ensure defense and government users remain connected whenever and wherever they need it most.

Rick Bergman, CEO and President of Kymeta stated: “At Kymeta, we are relentless in our mission to empower those who protect and serve nations and communities. In a world where secure and independent communications are non-negotiable, the Goshawk u8 will provide government and defense users the freedom to operate with confidence. The Goshawk u8 comes at a time of heightened global demand for trusted, sovereign communications solutions, as governments, including the DoD and defense organizations, look to strengthen operational resilience amid an increasingly complex security landscape.”

Partner Testing

The Goshawk has been in partner trials, receiving highly positive feedback. Customers are experiencing firsthand the innovation and value our solution delivers. This momentum is further fueled by surging demand from the DoD and global militaries. As a result, demand for its cutting-edge Intelligent Communication Platforms (ICPs) continues to grow. These ICPs are setting a new standard for secure, reliable connectivity in mission-critical environments.

About the Goshawk u8 terminal

The Goshawk u8, which is easy to install and engineered for seamless mobility, is a fully customizable, compact and lightweight solution that integrates effortlessly across diverse vehicles and vessels. It provides reliable, network-redundant connectivity on the move to meet mission-critical demands and real-time operations for multinational defense operations.

The new antenna provides jamming mitigation for GNSS-denied operations, effortlessly integrating with existing networks. It supports high-bandwidth applications, enabling global defense units to access video streaming, data transmission and voice communication with minimal interruptions, even in remote or mobile scenarios.

The electronically steered antenna (ESA) has a user-friendly interface making connectivity quick and easy and its metamaterial casing and compact, lightweight profile enhances durability and reliability in harsh conditions.

As Kymeta accelerates its global expansion, it is set to push the boundaries of its product portfolio – and the Goshawk u8 is the latest drive for the company to do this. Delivering next-generation solutions that redefine satellite and hybrid communications for defense, government and commercial markets, Kymeta ensures that customers stay ahead in an increasingly volatile and connected world.

09 Mar 25. Elon Musk has asked to meet Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella, amid growing doubts in Rome about a potential $1.5bn deal with Starlink, the multi-billionaire’s internet satellite provider. Musk wrote on X late on Saturday that it “would be an honour to speak with President Matterella”, in a bid to salvage a deal that has faced opposition as geopolitical turbulence between the US and Europe intensifies. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government has been in talks with Starlink over a potential five-year deal for secure military communications for diplomats, troops and other Italian civil servants working abroad. Meloni, who has forged a strong personal bond with Musk, said in early January that talks were still at the “preliminary stage,” but defended the necessity of a potential deal saying there was “no public alternative” to meet Italy’s secure communication needs. Yet the deal now looks increasingly likely to be a casualty of a transatlantic rift over defence, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Musk has also repeatedly said on X that the US should leave the Nato security alliance. Musk’s remarks followed a claim by a right-wing social media influencer allied with the multi-bnaire that Mattarella was personally obstructing the deal. The Italian president, who wields strong moral authority as head of state, has not made any public comment on the Starlink deal or the choices facing Italy as it seeks to enlist a satellite-based internet provider. But he rebuked Musk last year for intervening in Italy’s internal politics, after the multi-bnaire demanded the removal of Italian judges that had ruled against one of Meloni’s flagship initiatives to deter illegal migrants. A spokesman for Mattarella said on Sunday said that the president, currently en route to Italy after an official visit to Japan, had no immediate comment. Rome has begun to more actively consider alternatives to Starlink for critical services as fierce domestic political controversy to the deal has mounted. Industry minister Adolfo Urso said last month that the government was working to develop a domestic provider. Last week, Eva Berneke, chief executive of Eutelsat, confirmed the Franco-British owner of Starlink rival OneWeb, has also begun talks with Rome. News of the government’s exploratory talks with Eutelsat prompted an attack from the far-right League led by deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini, who is an admirer of both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. “In the Italian national interest it would be strange to choose a French entity . . . instead of a more technically developed and cutting edge system like the American one,” the League said in a statement late last week. “In a delicate phase like this, every choice must be made in the name of the Italian national interest without ideological prejudices, considering the USA an essential partner for the security and growth of our country,” the statement added. Musk last week separately thanked Salvini’s League for its support. While Meloni has made no public comment on the debate since January, her office has said that any decision would be made “in full compliance with institutional procedures and with the utmost transparency”. Italy’s left-wing opposition parties also tried last week to amend a pending space bill to restrict Rome to procuring satellite communication services exclusively from EU-based companies. The amendments were rejected by a vote in parliament, where Meloni’s right-wing party enjoys a comfortable majority, but highlighted the growing furore around the already controversial Starlink talks, which has also drawn criticism from members of the European parliament. (Source: FT.com)

09 Mar 25. USSF, BAE Systems reach deal on second phase of FORGE programme. US Space Force (USSF) programme officials developing the Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) platform have teamed up with BAE Systems, to continue maturation of the system’s command-and-control (C2) architecture. USSF’s Space Systems Command (SSC) inked the USD151 m deal with BAE Systems, which will cover phase two of FORGE C2 prototype development, according to a 3 March command statement. This work will “build upon the critical milestones achieved in Phase 1 … to deliver a prototype” system for eventual integration onto the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) system. BAE Systems was one of several companies that was selected by SSC to participate in the first phase of FORGE C2 prototype development. Other companies awarded phase one prototype deals included Ball Aerospace, Parsons, General Dynamics, and Omni Federal. The funding for phase two of the FORGE C2 prototype development deal was a joint other transaction authority (OTA) contract between the command’s Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) programme and the National Security Technology Accelerator (NXTL), command officials said in the 3 March statement. Designed to meet the ground station requirement for Next-Gen OPIR, the FORGE platform will provide “a modular, extensible, and cyber-hardened ground system” to support downlinked data from Next-Gen OPIR satellites, according to Pentagon budget documents. Next‐Gen OPIR is designed to augment and eventually replace the air force’s legacy, satellite-based early warning missile defence system, the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) constellation. Next-Gen OPIR satellites will operate at geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and will be equipped with advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensor capabilities to address “adversary advances in missile technology and counter-space systems with added resiliency features”, budget documents stated. (Source: Janes)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

March 7, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

07 Mar 25. New UK-made space system to help protect military satellites. Innovative UK-made tech will help the military monitor space following a new £65m deal agreed today, in British Science Week. The Borealis command, control and data processing system will help the UK military the UK Space Agency to better monitor and protect satellites, through new software which compiles and processes data from multiple sources, more quickly, to monitor space. The £65m deal with CGI UK, an IT systems integration specialist, will support around 100 skilled jobs in Leatherhead, Reading and Bristol, boosting the UK’s space capabilities and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change. The new technology will provide UK military with a better understanding of the Space Domain, improving military commanders decision-making process and supporting operations, both at home and overseas. Under the five-year contract, Borealis will provide software for the National Space Operations Centre, which develops and operates the UK’s space surveillance and protection capabilities. It will be a unique, UK-made system which support military operations around the world.

Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “This new deal delivers for our national security by enhancing protection for our satellite technology that millions rely on, while boosting jobs and growth at home.

This Government continues to work swiftly to develop the new Defence Industrial Strategy. This announcement will support hundreds of highly skilled jobs, unlocking defence as an engine for growth and driving forward this government’s Plan for Change.”

Borealis will enhance the UK’s ability to monitor and protect crucial space assets, which underpin the UK’s security and prosperity, enabling us to navigate the oceans, keep our military personnel safe, monitor the climate, and forecast the weather. Other key benefits which Borealis provides includes:

* Space Domain Awareness: The ability to understand and analyse what is happening in space around the Earth. This includes space weather – the environmental conditions in space around Earth – and monitoring objects in space, including space debris and active satellites.

* Protection of UK space assets: Borealis will provide a single, bespoke system, which will compile all data related to UK satellites. This enhanced awareness of what is happening in space will enable UK Space Command to better protect critical UK space systems.

* Integrated C2 System: Borealis will provide timely decision-quality information to government and military commanders through an interoperable system, across different tiers of security classification.

Maj Gen Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command, said: “The use of space is crucial for our economy, prosperity, security, and defence, but assured access to space is becoming increasingly contested by adversaries and congested by users and debris. Therefore, it is imperative that we know what is happening in space.

Borealis is an innovative system that draws together multiple inputs to enhance the UK government’s understanding of the wide-ranging activity on orbit, allowing the UK to protect not just our own space assets, but those of our allies and partners as well.” CGI is one of the world’s leading providers of independent IT services to international defence customers including the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA. CGI will work alongside a network of partner organisations hand-picked for their expertise to deliver the programme. Neil Timms, Senior Vice President of Space, Defence & Intelligence UK & Australia at CGI said: “We’re proud to support UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency through delivery of BOREALIS. We believe this is a strategic step towards establishing a more holistic approach to the UK’s national space data architecture, with BOREALIS and the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) at its heart.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

07 Mar 25. Military Satellite SKYNET 6A passes initial phase of testing. The SKYNET 6 programme is working closely with industry to exploit technological advancements to deliver the next generation of military communication satellites. SKYNET is the UK Ministry of Defence’s satellite communication (SATCOM) capability. It supports operations to deliver information to UK and allied forces around the world, enabling battlefield information advantage anywhere, anytime. Representing the single largest government investment in the UK space industry, SKYNET 6 highlights the nation’s commitment to developing its space capabilities and is a programme co-sponsored by Strategic Command and UK Space Command. The first of the SKYNET 6 assets, 6A, has reached a milestone with the completion of the initial phase of testing at the new UK-government funded National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The satellite will leverage the latest developments in digital processing and radio frequency spectrum utilisation, offering greater capacity and versatility than previous generations of SKYNET satellites. The initial testing at the state-of-the-art UK facility ensured the satellite can withstand the harsh conditions of launch and space, including electromagnetic compatibility, extreme temperatures and vibrations. Further testing of the completed SKYNET 6A satellite will be conducted at the facility this year, with Airbus Defence, Space UK and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space working closely together to guarantee the satellite’s long-term functionality and reliability once it’s launched into orbit.

Jason Gnaneswaran, Senior Responsible Owner for SKYNET 6, said: “The SKYNET 6 programme will ensure our deployed forces have world-leading communications abilities on demand, whether on the battlefield, onboard a ship, or in the air. This milestone in testing is a huge achievement for the Ministry of Defence and RAL Space and is a crucial step in guaranteeing the delivery and long-term functionality of SKYNET 6a. It also highlights the success of the broader SKYNET enterprise and the value of close collaboration with our industry and cross-government partners.”

SKYNET continues to play a critical role in the UK’s military satellite communication infrastructure, supporting whole force integration which ensures the armed forces remain connected and informed wherever they operate. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

06 Mar 25. The Airbus-built CSO-3 (Composante Spatiale Optique) Earth observation satellite for the French Armed Forces, has been successfully launched by Arianespace on Ariane 6’s first commercial flight from the European Spaceport in Kourou.

Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus said: “With each CSO satellite, there may be a new team but the same goal of serving our government customers remains: to provide the best resolution with an agile and secure network. All this, for the intelligence, autonomy and security of our nation. CSO-3 is a perfect illustration of what Airbus and the French space industry can do for France and Europe. It is also a great example of what Europe can do when teaming up!”

CSO-3 is the third of the three-satellite CSO fleet, which will provide extremely high resolution geo-information intelligence to the French Armed Forces and its partners as part of the MUSIS programme (Multinational Space-based Imaging System for surveillance, reconnaissance and observation). As prime contractor for the CSO satellite programme, Airbus has provided the agile platform and avionics, and was also responsible for integration and testing, and final delivery of the satellite to the French Space Agency, CNES. Thales Alenia Space provided Airbus with the very-high resolution optical instrument. Airbus teams also developed directly for the DGA, the customised and dynamic User Ground Segment on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to the benefit of the French Space Command (CDE), which enables confidential distribution and sharing of information for France and its partners from several European states.

Lionel Suchet, CEO of CNES said: “I am delighted with the successful launch of CSO-3, a satellite serving French defense on behalf of CNES and DGA, built by Airbus Defence and Space in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space. The success of this launch, on Ariane 6’s first commercial mission, is excellent news on several counts, and testifies to European and French excellence in the space sector, in the service of our citizens. With the launch of this third CSO satellite, CNES is providing operational support to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in its drive to renew its space capabilities. I’d like to congratulate all the teams who helped make this launch a success, whether they were involved in preparing the satellite or in bringing this first Ariane 6 commercial mission to a successful conclusion”.

The CSO satellites are equipped with a very agile pointing system for highly effective image acquisition and are controlled via a secure ground control operations centre. The fleet offers 3D and very high resolution imaging capability, in visible and infrared bandwidths, enabling acquisition during night and day and maximizing operational use.

The CSO-3 satellite, identical to CSO-1 and 2, will complement the reconnaissance operations of CSO-1 with amplified coverage and revisit capability over large zones at an altitude of 800km. Flying at a lower altitude, CSO-2’s focus is on identification, delivering much higher resolution image quality and precision analytics. The satellite’s tremendous agility and stability enable it to quickly provide users with extremely high-quality images from the Thales Alenia Space instrument, even for the most complex acquisition schedules Airbus was awarded the CSO contract at the end of 2010, by CNES, acting on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency, DGA. The contract included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015. The success of this Ariane 6 launch has also been made possible thanks to Airbus employees in Spain and the Netherlands, who contribute to each Ariane 6 launcher, including from Spain large carbon fibre structures (interstage structures, launch vehicle adapter and top of the solid boosters) as well as the electronics and 90% of the wiring. From the Netherlands, the engine thrust frames for the Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci engines are provided.

The MUSIS programme

In 2010, in the absence of an agreement on the European MUSIS initiative to replace existing systems (the French Hélios and Pléiades optical systems, and the German and Italian SAR-Lupe and Cosmo-SkyMed radar systems) and in order to reduce the risk of capability gap at the end of Hélios II’s life, France launched a national programme also called MUSIS, led by the DGA. Since then, eight countries have joined the CSO community through bilateral cooperation agreements: Germany (2015), Sweden (2015), Belgium (2017), Italy (2019), Spain (2021), Switzerland (2023), Poland (2024) and Greece (2024). This programme includes three optical space components (CSO) satellites, a Mission Ground Segment, and an User Ground Segment allowing access to German SARah satellites and the realization of the CIL allowing access to Italian CSG satellites. These resources provide situational awareness and strategic intelligence capabilities, as well as support for crisis prevention and anticipation, and for the planning and conduct of operations.

06 Mar 25. 1st CubeSat Joins ESA’s Ramses Mission to Asteroid Apophis.

* The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected the first of two CubeSats to fly onboard its proposed Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses)

* If approved, Ramses will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis before it passes exceptionally close to Earth on 13 April 2029, exactly 1500 days from today

* The Ramses spacecraft will deploy two smaller CubeSats at the asteroid to maximise the scientific return of this rare natural phenomenon

* Tyvak International will lead the development of Ramses’ first CubeSat, drawing on their experience developing the Milani CubeSat for Ramses’ predecessor mission, Hera

* The project has been awarded 4.7m euros of the funding allocated to Ramses mission preparations in July 2024

Building on Hera’s legacy

ESA’s first planetary defence mission, Hera, launched in October 2024 on a journey to the binary asteroid system Didymos, where it and its two CubeSat passengers, Milani and Juventas, will study the aftermath of humankind’s first attempt at asteroid deflection. To facilitate its rapid development, ESA’s Ramses mission will leverage much of the technology developed for Hera. The mission’s first CubeSat will be a hybrid that combines the platform and dust analyser of Milani with the low-frequency radar instrument of Juventas. The dust analyser will examine the material that could be released from the surface of Apophis by phenomena such as landslides, while the radar instrument will enable a detailed investigation of Apophis’ internal structure. While Apophis poses no danger, these investigations would allow us to practice techniques that humankind could use to determine the structure of a hazardous asteroid and assess how best to knock it off a collision course with Earth. Tyvak International will draw on their experience overseeing the development of Hera’s Milani CubeSat to lead a consortium of companies from a number of ESA Member States. The project has been awarded 4.7 m euros of the funding allocated to Ramses mission preparations in July 2024.

“By utilising existing technologies, this CubeSat will bring onboard the Ramses mission trusted European industrial and research partners that have demonstrated their ability to deliver high-quality mission elements under a tight deadline,” says Fabio Nichele, CEO at Tyvak International.

“Our commitment to undertake and exceed advanced space mission challenges, and flawlessly deliver miniaturised space system technologies, is pushing the boundaries of the European planetary defence to unrivalled excellence. We are thrilled to honour the trust of the Agency in such complex and historical journey.”

1500 days until Apophis – Ramses mission on track

Meanwhile, preparations for the main Ramses spacecraft are making good progress and demonstrating the maturity of the overall mission concept prior to the critical funding decision at ESA’s Ministerial Council in November.

“The recent discovery of asteroid 2024 YR4 has highlighted the fact that an asteroid reconnaissance mission could be required at short notice if we were to detect a significant impact hazard,” says Richard Moissl, Head of Planetary Defence at ESA.

“With Ramses, we are not only capitalising on a unique scientific opportunity, we are also demonstrating ESA’s ability to develop an asteroid mission on a strict deadline that realistically reflects the time we may have to respond to a hazard in the future.”

Ramses project manager, Paolo Martino, adds: “When Apophis passes Earth in April 2029, it will capture the attention of the entire world.”

“With Ramses, we could put Europe in a front row seat: we could be the ones delivering the close-up images of Apophis and leading global efforts to harness this truly historic opportunity for space exploration, asteroid science and planetary defence.”

“Thanks to the hard work of our industrial and institutional partners in Europe and Japan, Ramses continues to pass each milestone on its tight schedule, which would require a launch in 2028 in order to rendezvous with Apophis before it passes Earth.”

Could we land on Apophis?

Relying on proven technology for the first Ramses CubeSat has enabled the team to explore exciting new possibilities for the second. The Ramses team is currently considering whether the mission’s second CubeSat could instead be a lander that would touch down on Apophis. The lander’s surface instruments could open up a new valuable dimension to the mission’s scientific capabilities. (Source: ASD Network)

05 Mar 25. The latest self-funded technology demonstration from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is ready to launch no earlier than March 15. In the weeks ahead, the LM 400 technology demonstration is planned to launch on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket, which successfully passed its static fire test today. The technology demonstration arrived in California on March 1, and is now undergoing pre-launch payload processing at Astrotech Space Operations. The satellite was specifically designed to showcase the investment in risk-reduction efforts and pathfinding Lockheed Martin has done for its mid-sized, LM 400 multi-mission satellite bus, and to demonstrate the spacecraft’s operational capabilities on orbit for customers. This launch will also be providing a valuable training opportunity for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Safari Responsive Space program and the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) construct.

“As the need for greater resiliency and proliferated architectures grow, we’ve made a critical investment in this LM 400 technology demonstration to design and illustrate timely and relevant capabilities on-orbit for our customers,” explained Jeff Schrader, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin Space. “We look forward to our ride with Firefly, and ultimately enhancing the technical and manufacturing readiness of the multi-orbit, multi-mission LM 400 platform.”

As a platform, Lockheed Martin’s LM 400 is the company’s most flexible satellite bus, capable of carrying out military, commercial or civil customers’ missions. It can be customized to host a variety of missions and high-power payloads – including remote sensing, communications, imaging and radar – and operates in any orbit. The LM 400 is already under contract.

05 Mar 05. Space Force’s Fundamental Role: Space Superiority. The U.S. Space Force’s primary function is to ensure control in, from and to the space domain. Speaking March 3, 2025, at the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, didn’t mince words about what the force is meant to do.

“Domain control is the special province of warfighters, a unique responsibility that only military services hold,” he said. “It is the thing that distinguishes the Navy from the merchant marine and the Air Force from Southwest Airlines. It is the purpose of the Space Force to achieve space superiority.”

The Space Force will achieve that through “space control,” what Saltzman called the service’s newest core function.

“Put simply, space control encapsulates the mission areas required to contest, to control the space domain, employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities by disruption and degradation, even destruction, if necessary,” he said.

Space control, Saltzman said, includes things like orbital warfare, electromagnetic warfare, and counterspace operations that can be employed for offensive and defensive purposes.

Saltzman said the force has not always discussed space control openly, but now is the time to do that.

“Why would you have a military space service if not to execute space control?” he asked. “If we’re going to truly embrace our status as space warfighters, then we need to also embrace our fundamental responsibility for space control.”

There’s not yet been a war in space, Saltzman said, which means there are no guardians with space combat experience. However, readiness for a future fight is still the top priority for space warfighters.

“We need to sharpen every one of the components of readiness: personnel, training, equipment and sustainment. If any one of these elements is lacking, then our readiness as a whole is impacted,” Saltzman said.

While Space Force leadership is responsible for setting policy and advocating for more people and resources, guardians at the lowest levels must ready themselves for the next fight.

“We know space superiority is an end goal it’s the headquarters’ job to provide the means to achieve it, to create the environment, set the conditions for victory, but it’s the job of the warfighters in the field to define the way to connect the two,” Saltzman said.

He added that the Space Force doesn’t yet have all the best training tools available to those who need them. The service is still in the process of acquiring all the simulators and training capabilities it needs.

“So, we have a disconnect between the plan and the operational reality, between the end and our means,” he said. “That’s where I need your help. I would love to wave a wand and give every crew advanced virtual reality trainer that incorporates the latest and greatest threat data, but I can’t. So, does that mean the solution is to shrug, mark it red, and move on? Absolutely not.”

Instead, Saltzman said, guardians must figure out the best way to give themselves the readiness they need until leaders can provide them with better tools.

“You’re going to have to figure it out because that’s what you do; because that’s what the nation needs you to do,” he said. “If advanced training is nothing more than a whiteboard, whiteboard sessions, talking about tactics and threats, it’s fine. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.”

While headquarters works to get the best training tools available to guardians, Saltzman said, those service members will need to find other ways to make themselves ready.

When it comes to equipment, he said, every squadron must be accurate and forthcoming with documenting what it needs.

“Every squadron has an equipment table that lists the critical tools it needs to accomplish its mission,” he said. “Are we confident that every table is accurate and complete? Does it include things like infrastructure, the power, the cooling we need to actually employ our weapons systems? If not, why not?”

Without having a complete picture of what units across the force need, Saltzman said, Space Force budgets will never be complete or accurate.

“The headquarters can’t fix problems it doesn’t know about, and as much as I would like to, I’m not on the floor anymore to find out,” he said.

Saltzman said every guardian is a warfighter, no matter what they do.

“Every guardian contributes to Space Force readiness,” he said. “Whether you built the gun, pointed the gun, pulled the trigger, you are a part of a combat capability. That’s what it means to put on the uniform in a military organization, and we all need to take pride in our roles.”

While headquarters leaders advocate for more people, money and policy support, he said guardians across the Space Force must also do their part.

“I need guardians in the field to find a way. This is a partnership. The headquarters will drive everything it can from the top down, but I need you to meet us from the bottom up,” he said. “And I’m confident there will come a day we finally put the institutions processes in place to take the heroics out of our daily activities. But until then, I need your ideas. I need your effort.” (Source: U.S. DoD)

05 Mar 25. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of ground, airborne and maritime SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical communication management systems, is launching the MPT30Ka Deployable SATCOM System, a cutting-edge Multi-Porpuse satellite communication terminal (MPT) designed for rapid deployment in the field. Based on the battle-proven MPT30 platform, this innovative system ensures uninterrupted and secure connectivity for military forces operating in dynamic and complex environments. The MPT30Ka Deployable system is designed as man-portable for an easy field deployment of a SATCOM terminal featuring a roll-on/roll-off capability. This capability provides military forces with the flexibility to establish a high-performance SATCOM link in minutes, ensuring real-time data transmission, secure voice communications, and live video streaming even in GPS-denied environments. The MPT30Ka Deployable delivers seamless connectivity across diverse terrains, supporting GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO satellites for global coverage. With high EIRP and G/T values, it enables efficient broadband communication even at low elevation angles. Its high EIRP Spectral Density (EIRPsd) characteristics allows for reduced bandwidth allocation and makes it a perfect choice for military customers with large fleet of SATCOM systems. Optimized for military operations, the system meets MIL-STD compliance and is ruggedized to operate in extreme conditions. Its plug-and-play functionality ensures rapid activation with a single-button setup, allowing forces to establish a stable SATCOM link within minutes. Designed for mission-critical reliability, the terminal operates even under GPS jamming and spoofing conditions. Additionally, its compact, lightweight, and power-efficient design enhances availability while reducing operational costs and satellite resources. The MPT30Ka system variants can be mounted on mobile platforms such as vehicles or and vessels making it an ideal solution for modern mobile defense forces.

Daniel Eshchar, Orbit’s CEO commented: “In today’s battlefield, satellite communication is not just an advantage—it is a necessity. Forces require resilient, high-performance connectivity to ensure mission success. The MPT30Ka Deployable SATCOM system delivers precisely that: a robust, continuous, and high-quality communication link that keeps troops connected under any conditions. This system plays a critical role in modern warfare, providing the reliability and flexibility essential for operational superiority”.

04 Mar 04. Digital Global Systems Uses AI to Help Satellite Operators Navigate a Shifting Space Market. After being in stealth mode, Digital Global Systems (DGS) today revealed how it leverages patented AI technology in its RF Awareness platform to help satellite operators and their partners to effectively manage increasing network complexity and create new revenue-generating opportunities in a changing space market. With the impending growth of direct-to-device satellite activity and increasing numbers of consumer, enterprise, and military devices and applications, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite environment is rapidly becoming a more crowded one in which to operate. Advanced RF awareness and spectrum management are key to ensuring unimpeded scalability and reliability for all applications.

The direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services market is expected to take off in 2025. As the air interface portion of the network becomes more filled with D2D users, satellite operators with DGS’ RF Awareness technology will be able to leverage patented AI techniques to monitor and help mitigate interference, while striving toward more autonomous and self-optimized network operations. In addition, DGS has demonstrated that its AI techniques can be used to reduce the computational processing required to establish D2D links by 25% to 40%. This efficiency improvement translates to lower power consumption and related costs. The basis for these benefits lies in 107 patents, out of 305 total, that DGS holds on the use of autonomous machine-to-machine inference model reasoning and pattern recognition methods to streamline the overall training set for AI applications and directly enable these advantages. Also, as more service providers begin to look to AI for autonomous service creation and network operations, these patented capabilities can be the basis for creating new revenue-generating applications.

“Satellite operators face enormous opportunities to create new services with the imminent growth of D2D, but as space becomes more congested, these operators must effectively manage the RF spectrum, as well as the increasing on-board computing requirements posed by establishing D2D links,” said Fernando Murias, Chairman and CEO of DGS. “Using AI to analyze data on spectrum usage, signal quality, coverage, and capacity puts providers in the best position to support new services, achieve the highest levels of network reliability, and scale D2D communications to the maximum number of users.”

RF Awareness provides these benefits for satellite operators:

* Increased awareness of congested spectrum environments, along with detailed information on signal quality, coverage, and capacity as well as 52 other signal characteristics that satellite operators can use to mitigate interference.

* Higher reliability for user applications, including military and defense applications.

* The ability to fine-tune network parameters based on customer needs and to create a foundation for new, revenue-generating services for satellite operators.

* Improved on-board computing efficiency, derived from patented AI techniques, that significantly reduces the amount of processing required to establish a D2D link.

* Enhanced ability to scale D2D communications to support more users without compromising service quality.

DGS has a history of supporting dynamic spectrum sharing for mobile operators, private wireless networks, IoT networks, and others through use of AI to autonomously analyze wireless spectrum usage and extract actionable data to improve service quality. Now, with its RF Awareness platform, DGS can provide real-time, AI-driven spectrum analysis and network optimization for the satellite market that other non-AI spectrum analysis platforms struggle to match. RF Awareness uses its AI techniques to intelligently provide a real-time view of shared spectrum, along with ongoing on-orbit RF analysis of the electromagnetic environment to help operators mitigate interference. These capabilities have positive implications not only for communications applications operating in increasingly congested spectrum, but also for satellite-based military applications. Effective RF analysis and optimization is key to maintaining and improving the situational awareness and communications for warfighters, particularly in the event of targeted interference by an opposing force.

About DGS

Headquartered in northern Virginia, DGS helps network operators, hyperscalers, infrastructure providers, private wireless customers, and other industry players address the global industry challenge of wireless spectrum scarcity. Since 2013, DGS has been issued more than 305 patents, with more than 100 patents pending, setting the standard for its leadership in advancing the detection, identification, classification, and geolocation of radio frequency (RF) signals. AI and machine learning allow industry stakeholders access, awareness, and real-time usage of crucial RF data to diminish interference and enable new wireless services. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

04 Mar 25. Teledyne Delivers 100th Infrared Detector for the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), a leading provider of advanced imaging solutions, is proud to announce its continuing pattern of on-time and early deliveries for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) proliferated constellation. This week marks the delivery of the 100th large format focal plane module, counting deliveries from the Tranche 0, Tranche 1, and now Tranche 2 tracking layers.

“Five years ago, no one thought the focal plane technology could keep up with SDA’s aggressive schedule, but our team innovated ways to meet the new paradigm”

Mission Sensors: The global tracking layer relies on infrared payloads to analyze threats from orbit. Teledyne’s configurable manufacturing line delivers radiation-hardened, high-sensitivity sensors to meet threat detection requirements. These multi-megapixel resolution arrays significantly improve threat detection accuracy, and form part of the fire control countermeasures system against hypersonic weapons.

Proven Expertise: Teledyne’s track record includes delivering space-grade focal plane arrays for prestigious instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, The European Space Agency’s Euclid dark matter telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope. Defense related deliveries, though often classified, encompass over a dozen successful missions. In addition to focal plane arrays, Teledyne will supply electronics and other components for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) campaign.

A new paradigm for the space focal plane industry: “Five years ago, no one thought the focal plane technology could keep up with SDA’s aggressive schedule, but our team innovated ways to meet the new paradigm,” says Megan Tremer, President of the Space Imaging business. As more proliferated constellations enter the planning and acquisition phases, Teledyne remains focused on scaling operations to maximize capacity, yield, and performance. Our proven track record and dedication to performance position us as the ideal partner for these critical missions.

Meeting space imaging needs across the spectrum: Counting infrared as well as visible CMOS and CCD sensors sourced from Teledyne’s DALSA and e2v businesses, the corporation has supported more than 260 total space missions, while close coordination across the global enterprise enables Teledyne to service emerging space imaging needs worldwide. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

04 Mar 25. Thales warns governments over reliance on Starlink-type systems.

* Summary

* Companies

* Head of French satellite maker says governments need reliability

* Thales CEO says most European nations prefer assets they control

* Starlink aims to be resilient due to size of its constellation

The head of one of Europe’s largest satellite manufacturers, France-based Thales (TCFP.PA), opens new tab, has highlighted the risks to governments of relying too heavily on private satellite constellations in an apparent warning over Elon Musk’s Starlink.

Speaking at a results briefing on Tuesday, Thales CEO Patrice Caine questioned the business model of Starlink, which he said involved frequent renewal of satellites and question marks over profitability.

Without further naming Starlink, he went on to describe risks of relying on outside services for government links.

“Government actors need reliability, visibility and stability,” Caine told reporters.

“A player that – as we have seen from time to time – mixes up economic rationale and political motivation is not the kind that would reassure certain clients.”

SpaceX, Musk’s space launch company that also owns Starlink, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Starlink, with ms of customers globally and more than 7,000 satellites, has been sold as a secure means of accessing the internet, resilient to space-based attacks by the sheer number of replaceable satellites that make up the constellation. (Source: Reuters)

04 Mar 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has delivered the first very high-resolution images from the company’s inaugural Gen-3 satellite just five days following its successful launch on February 18.

“Initial Gen-3 image quality is exceeding customer expectations with minimal calibration. Our first Gen-3 satellite is delivering remarkable initial image clarity at insertion altitude, and we expect image quality to get better as we complete calibration and move the satellite into its operational altitude,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO.

After capturing imagery and validating the satellite’s performance, the vehicle was moved into automated operations which allows for additional testing and the efficient completion of commissioning operations. The company expects to begin providing sample imagery to customers within the next 30 days, ahead of the planned schedule.

“Adding very high-resolution imagery to our high-frequency, low-latency monitoring constellation gives customers the ability to unlock the transformative power of dawn-to-dusk time-diversity and exceptional image quality at disruptive economics,” said O’Toole.

With this milestone the company is on track to launch its next satellite in Q2 and expects to enter into a regular cadence of Gen-3 launches throughout the year.

05 Mar 25. Saab and ICEYE, a leading provider of Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) data and analytics, today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development and integration of advanced space-based radar data in Saab’s command and control systems. This strategic cooperation aims to integrate ICEYE’s cutting-edge SAR technology solutions into Saab’s command and control systems, enhancing tactical decision-making and situational awareness in defence. Space-based sensor capabilities are becoming crucial for modern militaries, providing access to critical information in challenging environments. This cooperation intends to deliver tangible value to customers by integrating ICEYE’s enhanced situational awareness, long-range targeting, and improved tactical decision-making capabilities with Saab’s command and control systems.

“Saab’s integration with ICEYE data will provide real-time, high-resolution imagery through clouds and darkness, enabling comprehensive surveillance and reconnaissance for faster, even more informed decisions, in complex operational environments,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.

The MoU lays the foundations with the initial focus on investigating and demonstrating integration for multi-domain operations. The benefits would enable advanced space situational awareness and critical infrastructure protection capabilities, providing valuable insights for both civilian and military authorities in times of peace, the grey zone or conflict.

04 Mar 25. Gatehouse Satcom, a Danish-based satellite software company renowned for its innovative, mission-critical satellite communications software, today announced it was chosen by Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, to help deploy its Iridium NTN Direct® service Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure. Iridium NTN Direct will be the first 3GPP standards-based satellite direct-to-device (D2D) and narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) service delivering truly global coverage. As the satellite industry moves toward standardized NTN IoT solutions, this collaboration positions Iridium and Gatehouse Satcom at the forefront of the shift. Gatehouse Satcom has been chosen to deliver the NodeB for the Iridium NTN Direct service’s Radio Access Network – a key component facilitating uplink and downlink transmissions, modulation, encoding, and scheduling of transmissions.

Making satellite-based IoT available to everyone – everywhere

A unique aspect of the Iridium NTN Direct service is its pairing of Iridium’s truly global LEO constellation with IoT capabilities based on 3GPP standards, a framework that both partners have actively advocated for within the 3GPP organization.

“Iridium NTN Direct is ambitious and brilliant – both in its vision and execution. Iridium is using an already proven satellite constellation, and through our NodeB and other contributions, expanding that same constellation to also support NTN IoT services based on 3GPP standards. This will not only unlock a myriad of commercial opportunities – it will also give everyday people access to the incredible power of satellite technology in ways never seen before” – says Jesper Noer, VP Commercial of Gatehouse Satcom.

Once fully deployed, Iridium NTN Direct will make standardized devices more accessible and affordable in remote locations – including sensors in the Arctic region, pump stations in isolated areas, or even everyday consumer devices. These devices will transfer data via the Iridium® satellite network to ground stations, where Gatehouse Satcom’s 5G NB-IoT NodeB – together with other components – will manage and facilitate the data flow.

“Iridium NTN Direct is a strategic program to develop a standards-based service that will open new markets to our highly reliable satellite network,” says Tim Last, Executive Vice President, Iridium. “As we built a team of top companies to support its development, Gatehouse Satcom’s experience pioneering NTN in 3GPP specifications stood out, as well as their track record of success. We’re excited to see the continued progress they are making as we prepare for on-air testing around mid-year.”

Study, Test, Deploy

Besides providing the NodeB, Gatehouse Satcom has collaborated with Iridium since the early phases of the project, conducting a feasibility study that helped validate the technical concept. As with many satellite projects, Gatehouse Satcom has also provided test and verification software for in-lab validation and test with other system parts. Gatehouse Satcom CEO Kenney Schmidt Christiansen elaborates: “Having an industry leader like Iridium recognize the potential of our 5G NB-IoT NodeB is a true validation of us and our technology. Five years ago, we took a bold stance – channeling our expertise into developing satellite software based on 5G NTN standards – and we are thrilled that Iridium is championing this standardized approach. I firmly believe that the growth of the satellite industry – and its broader adoption by the public – will be driven by 3GPP standards.”

The status of Iridium NTN Direct

Development of the service is well underway, and it is expected to launch in 2026. The Iridium constellation – a network of 66 LEO satellites – will receive a software upgrade to enable NB-IoT capabilities, allowing Iridium to operate both its traditional satellite communication services and the NB-IoT Iridium NTN Direct service on the same network. This strategic move provides a competitive edge by leveraging proven satellite assets for next-generation connectivity.

03 Mar 25. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, successfully established a two-way optical link between two satellites in orbit. This achievement marks a major step toward enhancing the speed, reliability, and security of data transmissions for future missions. The satellites, which launched in June 2023, are equipped with optical inter-satellite link (OISL) payloads. The payloads create lasers that send information back and forth between satellites, securely and almost instantaneously, while up to 5,000 kilometers apart. This technology has the ability to enhance applications such as weather forecasting, global communications, and remote sensing for navigation and environmental monitoring by increasing data speeds, enhancing security and reducing data latency.

“Precisely pointing two satellites, across distances equivalent of New York to London, and establishing an inter-satellite optical link is a significant milestone for Spire,” said John E. Ward, Senior Director of Research & Development at Spire. “This achievement places us among a select group of organizations capable of developing and deploying this advanced technology and overcoming the complexities of aligning satellites separated by thousands of kilometers in Low Earth Orbit. Integrating this technology into our future fleet will enhance resilience, improve security, and reduce latency for critical applications.”

“We have shrunk what is typically a large optical system—the size of a microwave—down to the size of a tissue box,” added Thomas Carroll, Applied Optics Team Lead at Spire. “Our OISL payload is the smallest on the market, allowing us to deploy this technology on our small satellites while delivering performance previously achievable only with much larger systems. This breakthrough has the potential to enhance our data and Space Services solutions, especially for applications that require continuous coverage with fast and secure data relay.”

The development of the OISL technology was supported by a European Space Agency (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services (ARTES) Pioneer Partnership Project, within ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate, with funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA).

“Through our ARTES Pioneer Partnership Project, we have supported Spire in the development of a new OISL capability for their space data service network,” said Clive Edwards, ESA Pioneer Implementation Manager. “This OISL system is set to transform satellite communications, offering enhanced security and efficiency for space-based data transmission.”

Following the successful demonstration, Spire will launch three additional LEMUR satellites with OISL technology in 2025, two of which are set to launch via Exolaunch on the Transporter-13 rideshare mission with SpaceX. During the mission, Spire will also launch four additional LEMUR satellites to replenish its fully deployed constellation and enable missions for its Space Services customers. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than March 2025. For updates on the launch, follow Spire on LinkedIn, X or Bluesky. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)

03 Mar 25. Rocket Lab Signs 2nd Multi-Launch Deal, Secures 8 Electron Missions with iQPS. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has signed one of its largest Electron launch agreements to date in a second multi-launch deal with Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company. This newly-signed deal follows an earlier multi-launch contract signed with iQPS in 2024 and brings the total number of booked dedicated Electron launches for iQPS to eight. Across both bulk orders, six missions are scheduled for launch in 2025 and two in 2026. These follow on from Rocket Lab’s first launch for iQPS in December 2023 which successfully deployed the QPS-SAR-5 satellite “TSUKUYOMI-I” to orbit. The new deal is one of the largest Electron launch agreements to date, second only to Rocket Lab’s ten launch deal with another Japanese constellation operator, Synspective, signed last year. Each Electron launch supports the build out of iQPS’ planned constellation of 36 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites capable of imaging the Earth, day and night and through any weather, to provide near real-time observation data for almost any location in the world. By launching as the sole customer on each Electron mission, iQPS has greater control over launch schedule, orbit, and other mission parameters compared with rideshare launch options, enabling iQPS to maximize the full capacity of iQPS’ constellation through tailored and precise orbits.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Precise constellation build out on a tailored timeline is Electron’s strength. We know precise orbital positioning is critical to every Earth imaging mission, making it highly sought after by constellation operators. This demand is reflected in the many multi-launch contracts that we continue to sign with return constellation operators like iQPS. We are honored to be partnering with iQPS once again to deliver this capability.”

iQPS CEO Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: “We are delighted and grateful to announce an additional launch contract for four more satellite on Electron, following our previous announcement. Electron’s high launch frequency and reliability make it an ideal choice for our mission, and securing this opportunity at such an early stage is truly exciting. This contract brings us one step closer to building our satellite constellation over the next two years, and we remain fully committed to making this vision a reality.”

The next Electron mission for iQPS is scheduled to launch as soon as March 2025. Full details about the launch will be made available closer to launch day. (Source: ASD Network)

02 Mar 25. US firm Firefly scores its first moon landing with Blue Ghost spacecraft.

Summary
Companies
Firefly Aerospace scores lunar touchdown with Blue Ghost lander
Moon landing marks company’s first, second for a private firm
Firefly one of many companies in modern moon race led by US, China

Firefly Aerospace succeeded in its first attempt to land on the moon with its uncrewed Blue Ghost spacecraft on Sunday, kicking off a two-week research mission as a handful of private firms compete to reach the frontlines of a global moon race.

The size of a compact car, the four-legged Blue Ghost carried 10 scientific payloads as it touched down at around 3:35am ET (0835 GMT) near an ancient volcanic vent on Mare Crisium, a large basin in the northeast corner of the moon’s Earth-facing side.

Suspense and silence fell over a mission control room full of company staff inside Firefly’s Austin, Texas headquarters as Blue Ghost descended toward the moon’s surface at a gentle two miles per hour. Will Coogan, Firefly’s Blue Ghost Chief Engineer, confirmed on a mission control live feed the spacecraft had entered lunar gravity.

“We’re on the moon,” Coogan declared moments later, prompting cheers in mission control.

Firefly becomes the second private firm to score a moon landing, though it declared itself the first company to make a “fully successful” soft landing. Houston-based Intuitive Machines’ (LUNR.O), Odysseus lander made a lopsided touchdown last year, landing mostly intact but dooming many of its onboard instruments.(Source: Reuters)

21 Feb 25. Arianespace ‘postpones’ Ariane 6 launch of French CSO-3 with operations underway. Due to further operations needed on a ground means, the launch initially planned on February 26 from Kourou, French Guiana, is postponed. The new launch date will be announced following the completion of these operations. Ariane 6 and its passenger, the CSO-3 satellite, are in stable and safe conditions. CSO-3 is the third satellite in the DGA-led MUSIS program (Multinational Space-based Imaging System), a constellation of three satellites dedicated to Earth observation for defense and security purposes. CSO-1 and CSO-2 were both successfully launched by Arianespace, respectively in 2018 and 2020. Arianespace’s Ariane 6 to launch the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency’s CSO-3 satellite On February 26, 2025 at 1:24 p.m. local time (4:24 p.m. UTC, 5:24 p.m. CET), Arianespace will launch the CSO-3 satellite with Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The mission, called VA263, will be the first commercial flight for Ariane 6, the new European heavy-lift launcher. It will place its passenger, the CSO-3 satellite, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of around 800 km. Spacecraft separation will occur 1 hour and 6 minutes after lift-off.

David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, said: “I am very pleased to announce the date of Ariane 6’s first commercial flight as I take up office. This marks the start of the Ariane 6 operating phase, and it’s an honor to open this new era for Arianespace. With this launch in support of French defense and the capability requirements of several partner nations, Arianespace will guarantee independent access to space for France and Europe, for the benefit of all our fellow citizens.”

CSO-3 is the third satellite in the DGA-led MUSIS program (Multinational Space-based Imaging System), a constellation of three satellites dedicated to Earth observation for defense and security purposes. CSO-1 and CSO-2 were both successfully launched by Arianespace, respectively in 2018 and 2020.(Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 28, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

27 Feb 25. Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT), one of the world’s largest and most innovative satellite operators, and Intellian, a global leading provider of satellite communication antennas and ground gateway solutions, today announced a contract award for Intellian to design and manufacture Ka-band flat panel User Terminals for the Telesat Lightspeed Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation. Under this agreement, fully optimized Ka-band LEO flat panels for the Telesat Lightspeed network are being designed and manufactured to deliver high-speed throughput for markets including fixed enterprise applications, wireless backhaul, government, land mobility and maritime connectivity. Intellian is trusted by customers worldwide, recognized for its exceptional reliability and quality. Their technical innovation and proprietary advancements in Active Electronically Scanning Arrays (AESA) flat panel User Terminals has driven the expansion of Intellian’s portfolio, now featuring the latest groundbreaking Ka-band AESA technology. Telesat Lightspeed customers will benefit from Intellian’s fully integrated approach to satellite connectivity User Terminal manufacturing. Produced in their state-of-the-art campus, these small form factor flat panels leverage specialized manufacturing techniques to deliver exceptional performance with minimal weight and power consumption.

Edward Joannides, VP of Strategy & Business Development for Intellian commented: “We’re thrilled to partner with Telesat to develop flat panel antennas for the Telesat Lightspeed network, enabling reliable, high performing satellite connectivity for their customers across land, mobile, maritime, and government markets. This new AESA collaboration follows previously announced contract awards for parabolic reference terminals and the Gateway Antenna System program.”

Aneesh Dalvi, Vice President of Telesat Lightspeed Systems Development added “Our expanded collaboration with Intellian demonstrates our confidence in their ability to deliver cutting-edge technology that meets the mission-critical requirements that our customers trust Telesat to deliver. We’re committed to offering flexible solutions and the Intellian AESA will be an attractive option, enabling customers to connect to our global network with ease and confidence.”

26 Feb 25. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., introduces the Sat Companion, a next-gen device that enables direct-to-mobile satellite communications on any smartphone, anywhere. With its easy snap-on feature, patent-pending high-gain antenna and powered by the Qualcomm® 9205S Modem, the Sat Companion ensures seamless connectivity, providing users with uninterrupted SMS, chat, voice, and email services even in the most remote areas. Through Terrestar’s leadership and the collaborative efforts of its trusted partners—Bittium, TTP, and Qualcomm Technologies—a new generation of high-performance devices is emerging. Together, these telecom leaders bring critical expertise and groundbreaking innovation to bridge cellular gaps and redefine connectivity, ensuring true and dependable mobile satellite communications across Canada and around the world.

“The Sat Companion and its innovative design mark a new era in mobile communications,” said Serge Legris, Eng., Chief Technology Officer of Terrestar Solutions. “Today, we’re leveraging our 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies and MSS spectrum to ensure seamless direct-to-mobile satellite communications for everyone, everywhere. By integrating into the cellular ecosystem—where innovation and development move faster and more cost-effectively—we can deliver even more powerful solutions. This partnership and these advancements are a testament to that. The future of telecom is truly at hand ».

“We are proud to have played a key role in developing this innovative 5G NTN device alongside Terrestar Solutions, “Juha Lyijynen, Sales Director of Bittium Engineering Services. “This collaboration highlights our commitment to cutting-edge solutions and our ability to bring visionary ideas to life. Together, we have created something truly impactful, and we look forward to continuing our strong collaboration in the future.”

“The Sat Companion leverages innovative antenna technology developed by TTP plc, enabling direct-to-mobile 5G NTN services via GEO satellites. Built on patent pending metamaterial advancements, this solution delivers outstanding performance by combining low Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) with high gain to close the link budget and enhances the user experience. This breakthrough enables seamless and reliable connectivity, expanding the reach of mobile satellite communications.” Dr. Nima Razavi-Ghods, Senior Consultant at TTP plc.

“The Sat Companion represents a significant leap forward in mobile satellite communications, and we are excited to be part of this groundbreaking collaboration. By integrating the 9205S Modem, we are delivering a superior connectivity, even in the most remote and challenging environments,” stated Simon Issakov, Senior Director, Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This collaboration with Terrestar Solutions, Bittium, and TTP plc underscores our commitment to innovation and our dedication to bridging the connectivity gap, making seamless communication a reality for users everywhere.”

About Terrestar Solutions

Terrestar Solutions Inc. is the only Canadian mobile satellite operator engaged in the race to bring direct-to-device satellite services to smartphones and IoT devices and make anywhere-in-Canada communication a reality. Terrestar is committed to nurturing the ever-evolving, standards-based and open network ecosystem, enabling Mobile Network Operators to deliver ubiquitous communication services. Thanks to the Echostar T1 satellite, its ground network infrastructure and 40MHz of S-band mobile-satellite spectrum, Terrestar connects Canadians from almost anywhere in the country, even in Canada’s most remote regions, through its Strigo Mobile-Satellite Service (MSS). The Strigo service also supports non-profit and First Nations organizations, a testament to the Company’s powerful sense of responsibility towards the welfare and progress of the communities it serves. For more information, visit www.terrestarsolutions.ca or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Bittium – Engineering Services

With over 40 years of experience in secure wireless technology, Bittium provides innovative, high-quality product development services for secure wireless devices. Our comprehensive expertise covers all areas in hardware and software development, ensuring reliability and performance. Supported by state-of-the-art testing services and laboratories, we deliver turnkey projects covering the full product lifecycle. Bittium also provides reliable and secure solutions for tactical and secure communications and biosignal measuring and monitoring. Bittium Corporation is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Exchange (BITTI). For more information, visit www.bittium.com/engineering-services or follow us on LinkedIn.

About TTP plc

TTP plc (ttp.com) a leading technology and product development services company based in the Cambridge (UK) technology cluster, has delivered cutting-edge innovations for over 35 years. Drawing on deep cross-sector expertise, including extensive work in aerospace, TTP partners with global industry leaders to accelerate science and technology-driven breakthroughs. In the space sector, the company specializes in 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs), user terminals and antennas for satellite connectivity (including UAVs), satellite payload systems, aviation communications, and government and defence solutions. TTP’s broad experience spans terrestrial and satellite communication technologies, ranging from system-level architecture to device design, across frequencies from VHF to V-band, and extending to land-based, aeronautical, and space-based platforms.

About Qualcomm

Qualcomm relentlessly innovates to deliver intelligent computing everywhere, helping the world tackle some of its most important challenges. Our proven solutions drive transformation across major industries, and our Snapdragon® branded platforms power extraordinary consumer experiences. Building on our nearly 40-year leadership in setting industry standards and creating era-defining technology breakthroughs, we deliver leading edge AI, high-performance, low-power computing, and unrivaled connectivity. Together with our ecosystem partners, we enable next-generation digital transformation to enrich lives, improve businesses, and advance societies. At Qualcomm, we are engineering human progress.

Qualcomm Incorporated includes our licensing business, QTL, and the vast majority of our patent portfolio. Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated, operates, along with its subsidiaries, substantially all of our engineering and research and development functions and substantially all of our products and services businesses, including our QCT semiconductor business. Snapdragon and Qualcomm branded products are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. Qualcomm patents are licensed by Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm is a trademark or registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. (Source: PR Newswire)

26 Feb 25. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“Comtech” or the “Company”), a global communications technology leader, today announced the launch of the Company’s new ELEVATE 2.0 multi-orbit satellite communications (“SATCOM”) platform. Built on the Company’s field-proven, multi-orbit Very Small Aperture Terminal (“VSAT”) products and nearly 60 years of experience developing innovative SATCOM ground systems for global customers, Comtech’s ELEVATE 2.0 is designed to connect people across the globe with the best available networks on all SATCOM orbits in a single low Size Weight and Power (“SWaP”) platform.

“Our ELEVATE 2.0 platform provides users with a new software-defined, scalable, and adaptable ground infrastructure needed to meet the always-on connectivity demands of governments, communities, and businesses around the world,” said Daniel Gizinski, President of Comtech’s Space and Satellite Communications Segment. “We are already seeing strong customer demand for ELEVATE 2.0 and recently secured a strategically significant contract for the new platform from a commercial customer in the Asia Pacific region.”

Designed from the ground up as a software-defined network architecture, ELEVATE 2.0 leverages the best of the Company’s existing VSAT platforms and integrates new capabilities to meet customer demands for a solution that can deliver global connectivity by easily roaming across the best available networks, whether over Very High Throughput Satellites (“V-HTS”), Low Earth Orbit (“LEO”) constellations, Geostationary Earth Orbit (“GEO”) networks, or any other constellation with a single low SWaP platform. Other operational advantages for customers include:

Disaggregated Architecture: ELEVATE 2.0 provides a disaggregated architecture which comprises very low-cost wideband hardware processor at the teleport and centralized packet processing in software at a data center-offering extensive scalability and unique flexibility options for new and existing SATCOM constellations across all orbital regimes.
Increased Bandwidth and Processing Power: ELEVATE 2.0 offers customers up to a three-fold increase in bandwidth and up to eight times greater processing density compared to the Company’s existing VSAT model.
Enhanced Cybersecurity Features: ELEVATE 2.0 implements zero trust architecture with state-of-the-art authentication and encryption.
Real-time Upgrades: The software-defined nature of Comtech’s ELEVATE 2.0 platform enables the system to keep pace with the upgrade cycles necessary in today’s rapidly evolving SATCOM market.
Low SWaP: ELEVATE 2.0 provides ultra compact terminals and portable gateways, reducing the SWaP of the Company’s existing VSAT platforms by a factor ranging from 2 to 8 depending on the configuration.

For more information Comtech’s ELEVATE 2.0 platform, please visit our webpage: https://comtech.com/capability/comtech-elevate-2-0/.

25 Feb 25. HawkEye 360 Inc., the global leader in signals intelligence data and data analytics, is pleased to announce that Cluster 11 has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) just over one month after its successful launch. This milestone advances the company’s constellation’s capabilities, reinforcing proven track record of delivering expanded coverage and reliable RF data collection to support critical intelligence missions. By increasing global collections and providing timely, actionable insights, HawkEye 360 empowers defense, intelligence, and government customers with greater operational awareness and decision-making confidence. Cluster 11 builds on the technological advancements of Clusters 9 and 10, featuring upgraded payloads that enhance data collection capacity. These improvements include expanded bandwidth and the ability to capture multi-band signals, setting a new standard for commercially available signals intelligence. Additionally, high-speed downlink transmitters have quadrupled data delivery speed, enabling HawkEye 360 to provide rapid, actionable insights that support critical decisions in defense, government, and commercial sectors.

“The successful deployment and operationalization of Cluster 11 underscores our unwavering commitment to supporting defense and intelligence customers as a leading signals intelligence provider,” said John Serafini, CEO of HawkEye 360. “This new cluster extends our global coverage while representing the continuous refinement of our technology to meet the evolving needs of intelligence-driven operations. By enhancing our infrastructure and leveraging machine learning algorithms, we empower our customers with efficient, reliable, and timely insights that strengthen situational awareness and decision-making.”

Cluster 11’s capabilities support various applications, from national security to environmental monitoring. This milestone highlights HawkEye 360’s commitment to advancing signals intelligence capabilities and delivering innovative solutions to address evolving global challenges. (Source: PR Newswire)

25 Feb 25. EDGE Group entity, KATIM and Nokia’s partnership aims to secure communications for mission-critical defence applications. EDGE entity KATIM, a provider of ultra-secure communications and data protection solutions, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nokia. The partnership aims to develop secure telecommunications networks for mission-critical and defence applications in the UAE. The MoU was signed by Didier Pagnoux, CEO of KATIM, and Mohamed Samir, VP of Middle East Mobile Networks, Nokia, during the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX). Under this agreement, KATIM and Nokia will collaborate to develop and implement secure telecommunications networks, including Military 5G and 5G in-a-box applications. These networks will be designed to meet the highest standards of security, reliability and compliance, ensuring robust communication infrastructure for national security and critical sectors.

Didier Pagnoux said: “This collaboration brings together KATIM’s expertise in ultra-secure communications with Nokia’s technological leadership to create solutions that directly address the evolving security needs in the tactical network sector.”

Mohamed Samir added: “At Nokia, we are dedicated to developing secure and resilient communication solutions. Partnering with KATIM allows us to leverage our combined strengths to deliver world-class secure networks that enhance national security and operational effectiveness.” (Source: Google)

25 Feb 25. Spain’s MoD Selects Skydio X10D Autonomous Drones in EUR18m Initial Tender. Skydio, in partnership with Paukner Group, will supply Skydio X10D drones to the Spanish Armed Forces for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. Skydio, the leading U.S. drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight, has been awarded a contract by Spain’s Ministry of Defence (MINISDEF) to supply autonomous small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS) technology to the Spanish Armed Forces. In partnership with Paukner Group, a Spanish defense and security product distributor, Skydio will deliver Skydio X10D drones in a contract worth up to €18 m ($18.7m USD).

“We’re honored to support the Spanish Armed Forces with Skydio’s most advanced drone platform. This win is a reflection of the growing importance of small drones on the modern battlefield,” said Adam Bry, CEO and co-founder at Skydio. “X10D – with onboard AI, autonomy, and powerful sensors – is resilient in contested environments, making it the ideal choice for Spain’s Armed Forces human-machine teaming missions.”

Over the past five years, Skydio drones have been chosen by every branch of the U.S. Department of Defense, plus those of 25 allied nations. Skydio X10D, which began shipping to customers in 2024, is ideal for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) applications critical to defense and government agencies and delivers the best of human-machine teaming with capabilities including:

Unparalleled sensor technology, advanced autonomous navigation, and a modular, open architecture that is critical for the dynamic nature of military needs.
Resiliency in the face of electronic warfare with onboard AI.
Rapid deployment at scale drawing on Skydio’s proven record of shipping more than 45,000 drones.
Dual-use benefits with Skydio X10 serving the demands of over 2,500 commercial and public organizations every day.

The Spanish Army will deploy X10D for a wide range of missions, including force protection, reconnaissance, facility security, crowd control, target acquisition, and command post support. (Source: ASD Network)

25 Feb 25. Airbus to build the communication network for the French air and naval force, stage 3. The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded the contract for the IP Network of the Naval Force (RIFAN) stage 3 to an industrial consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space and also comprising Naval Group. With a maximum value of 480m euros and a maximum duration of 10 years, the contract covers the development of RIFAN upgrades, their deployment and operational maintenance.

“Airbus Defence and Space has been involved in the development and deployment of the network and communication systems of French Navy ships for almost 15 years,” said Eric Even, Head of Space Digital at Airbus Defence and Space. “With RIFAN 3, we are preparing for the next stage, that of collaborative naval combat, networked combat of all assets and platforms involved in naval operations.”

The developments will be carried out incrementally between 2026 and 2030 and deployed on ships between 2028 and 2032. More than 80 vessels will be equipped with the RIFAN 3 network: aircraft carriers, amphibious helicopter carriers, frigates, command and supply vessels, patrol vessels, minesweepers, submarines and support vessels. This new RIFAN 3 contract aims, in particular, to increase inter-ship connectivity to progressively meet the needs of collaborative combat, thanks to new high-speed, low-latency transmission means that will be deployed on front-line vessels. The resilience of the network will also be strengthened by the development of rapid reconfiguration mechanisms to adapt to the available means of communication in different tactical and operational scenarios. In the face of growing cyber threats, the network will also rely on enhanced cybersecurity to preserve the integrity and continuity of operations. The RIFAN 2 system was commissioned by the French Navy and Airbus Defence and Space and its partners between 2012 and 2016. It brings together and operates all the communication resources available on board, such as Syracuse IV, Comcept, commercial satellite constellations (LEO, MEO and GEO) and radio resources. It allows the vessels to communicate on an IP network guaranteeing a very high level of security, and to exchange data with classification levels ranging from ‘unprotected’ to ‘secret’.

21 Feb 25. Space Force bumps Astrion from Resilient GPS program. The Space Force has canceled its contract with one of the four companies developing designs for its Resilient GPS program following an initial design review, Defense News has learned. Last September, the service’s acquisition arm, Space Systems Command, awarded L3Harris, Sierra Space, Astranis and Axient — which has since been acquired by Astrion — each $10 m contracts to draft early concepts for a constellation of small, low-cost, resilient GPS satellites. In December and January, after early design reviews with each firm, SSC opted to “discontinue” Astrion’s contract, according to Cordell DeLaPena, program executive officer for military communications and positioning, navigation and timing.

“There was one vendor that wasn’t quite at the level of maturity, so we discontinued that vendor and we’re going to harvest the remaining dollars and invest those in the three remaining vendors,” DeLaPena told Defense News in an interview Thursday.

Astrion declined to comment on the Space Force’s decision.

SSC is still negotiating the terms of the contract cancellation, so it’s not clear how much funding will be redistributed among the remaining vendors, DeLaPena said. With four companies, the service was able to fund the first six months of the effort, known as R-GPS. The hope is that the additional money will be enough to get the remaining three firms through the program’s first phase, he said, which will culminate this spring with a final design review and demonstration. After the demonstration, the service plans to choose at least two companies to finalize their designs and build prototypes over the program’s next phase. It will then pick one or more firms to build the first eight satellites, which it wants ready for launch by 2028. R-GPS is expected to cost $1 bn over the next five years. At around $50 to $80m each, the satellites are projected to cost a fraction of the $250m the service is spending for just one Lockheed Martin-built GPS IIIF satellite. The lower unit cost and smaller size means the individual spacecraft have less capability than the legacy alternative. But when flying together as a constellation of dozens of satellites, they’ll augment those more exquisite spacecraft with a backup capability that, in theory, is harder for enemies to target. R-GPS satellites will have a range of civil signals as well as M-code, a more secure military signal with anti-jam capabilities. The program was funded with a new Pentagon budget authority called quick start, provided in the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act and championed by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall. The authority — created out of a recognition that it can take more than two years for a new program to get funded through the Defense Department’s budget process — allows the DOD to shift a total of $100m annually from the services’ budgets to begin development on new programs. R-GPS received $40m through quick start and requested Congress realign another $77m in fiscal 2025 for the program. Lawmakers pushed back on the request, citing concerns about whether the effort would have a real impact on GPS resiliency and questioning the Space Force’s plans for fielding ground terminals. DeLaPena said SSC has made some progress in those discussions, and he’s hopeful Congress will approve its fiscal 2025 request.

“From my perspective, we’ve answered all the questions, all the requests for information, that have come down on the space side,” he said. “As of right now, we’re just waiting to see what the final decision is.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

19 Feb 25. Kratos successfully launches 2nd Erinyes™ Hypersonic Test Bed in MDA’s HTB-2 mission. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) announced that Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services (DRSS) supported the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) in a successful flight of Kratos’ Erinyes™ Hypersonic Test Bed last month from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) in Virginia—this successful flight of Erinyes™ expanded the vehicle’s performance envelope and demonstrated the utility of the platform as a low-cost, rapidly configurable test bed for hypersonic experimentation in support of U.S. Department of Defense initiatives. The exercise, designated Hypersonic Test Bed-2 (HTB-2), demonstrated new onboard technologies and enabled valuable data collection that will be used for design validation and evaluation of current and future technologies.

“Kratos is leading the way in U.S. hypersonic research by affordably and repeatably providing real flight test opportunities to researchers, allowing them to gain valuable experience in relevant conditions and push the Technology Readiness Levels of their products higher. Our low-cost ErinyesTM hypersonic vehicle enables incremental high-speed testing of advanced technologies for next generation weapon systems and interceptors without adding unnecessary risk to programs of record,” said Dave Carter, President of Kratos DRSS. “The Kratos team is proud to continue lending our expertise to providing innovative hypersonic products and flight-testing to advance technologies in support of our nation and our warfighters.”

Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said, “The Kratos ErinyesTM low-cost hypersonic vehicle had another successful flight with our long-time MDA and Navy partners. Our successes have proven the thesis that hypersonic capabilities can be affordable and rapidly developed and deployed, advancing U.S. readiness. The MDA and United States Navy truly lean forward with ready to fly today systems, technologies and relevant capabilities, and Kratos sincerely values our relationship and the focus on affordability and moving fast for the benefit of our country’s National Security.” (Source: Satnews)

20 Feb 25. Rocket Lab’s Electron beating Musk’s Falcon 9. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) a global leader in launch services and space systems, today successfully launched its 60th Electron to deploy the next satellite in the Earth-imaging satellite constellation of real-time space-based intelligence company BlackSky. Satnews February 19th saw the New Zealand-based Rocket Lab, founded by Sir Peter Beck, launch its 60th Electron mission. The company specializes in launching smaller satellites, and its record to date is extraordinarily impressive. Electron is already the world’s most frequently launched small rocket annually. “Now we’re making it the world’s first reusable orbital small rocket too,” said Rocket Lab. Electron is now the fastest commercially developed rocket to reach 60 successful missions, surpassing SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

“By reusing Electron’s first stage, the largest part of the launch vehicle, we aim to increase our already industry-leading launch cadence and further drive down launch costs,” said the company. However, Rocket Lab also has ‘Neutron’ under development which will be capable of returning the first stage to its launch site and handle up to 13 tonnes of cargo.

This 60th mission did not attempt to recover the rocket’s powerful first stage, but the plan is to equip Electron’s first stage with parachutes to slow its descent from space back to Earth, where it splashes down in the ocean for collection by marine vessels and transport back to its production complex for refurbishment, ready for the next flight. Founded in 2006, the company has enjoyed considerable success from its New Zealand base (near Auckland on the Māhia Peninsula) but it also has a launch site at Wallops Island, Virginia. It has enjoyed orders from NASA including one mission to bring samples back from the surface of Mars. Its bouquet of statistics show that it has launched 210 satellites, although some of its satellite-based components including its Reaction Wheels, are present on more than 1,700 satellites. (Source: Satnews)

21 Feb 25. SpaceX sends 23 Starlink smallsats soaring including 13 Direct to Cell. On a clear blue Florida Friday, February 21 at 10:19 a.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Photos by Satnews. This was the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, Ovzon 3, Eutelsat 36D, Turksat 6A, Maxar 2, SXM-9, and now 12 Starlink missions. SpaceX is targeting Friday, February 21 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 10:19 a.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:25 a.m. ET. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Saturday, February 22 starting at 6:17 a.m. ET. The forecast calls for a temperature of 60°F, scattered clouds, 34% cloud cover and a wind speed of 17mph. A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff, which you can watch on X @SpaceX. You can also watch the webcast on the new X TV app. This is the 21st flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched CRS-26, OneWeb Launch 16, Intelsat IS-40e, O3b mPOWER, Ovzon 3, Eutelsat 36D, Turksat 6A, Maxar 2, SXM-9, and 11 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. (Source: Satnews)

14 Feb 25. BlackSky and Rocket Lab establish launch window for first Gen-3 satellite. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) have established a launch window opening February 18 for the first Gen-3 satellite. The launch, named “Fasten Your Space Belts,” will add very high-resolution 35-centimeter imaging capability to BlackSky’s high-cadence, low-latency data and AI-enabled analytics offerings.

“This launch represents a major inflection point for our global defense and intelligence customer base as BlackSky introduces very high-resolution Gen-3 capabilities to our high-frequency, low-latency monitoring constellation,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “As more Gen-3 satellites complete production, we expect a regular cadence of additional launches over the coming year.”

“Electron is a trusted and reliable constellation builder for companies like BlackSky, allowing them to be in control of how, when, and where to deploy their constellation. BlackSky is one of our earliest and longest-standing commercial satellite customers, and it’s great to be heading back to the pad with them once again to continue to advance and expand their constellation,” said Sir Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO.

As BlackSky’s constellation evolves with the regular addition of Gen-3 satellites, BlackSky will continue to optimize for increased constellation capacity and flexibility giving customers confidence in reliable access to services. Gen-3 customers will be able to conduct the automated detection, identification and classification of a wide library of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of tactical interest. These new capabilities will further enable BlackSky’s space-based intelligence applications for tactical ISR missions and strategic intelligence operations. (Source: Satnews)

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 21, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

20 Feb 25. Etlaq Spaceport, the first commercial spaceport in the Middle East and North Africa, has announced plans for five test launches in 2025 during the highly anticipated Etlaq Launch Conference 2025. These missions will serve as critical technology demonstrations, focusing on controlled ascent and descent, landing systems, stage separation, and fuel efficiency. As a globally accessible launch facility, Etlaq is collaborating with international launch partners from Kuwait, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand to execute these missions. This marks a major milestone in positioning Oman as a key player in the global space industry and reinforces Etlaq’s commitment to fostering international cooperation in space exploration.

The Genesis Program: Building Oman’s Spacefaring Future

At the heart of Etlaq’s mission is the Genesis Program, a pioneering initiative launched in 2024 to establish Oman’s national space launch heritage. Inspired by Oman’s history of seafaring excellence, the Genesis Program is the natural next step in transitioning the nation into a spacefaring future.

Initially conceptualized as a proof of concept for the National Space Services Company’s (NASCOM) experimental Duqm-1 mission, the Genesis Program aims to host as many launches as safely feasible from 2025 to 2027. By working with multiple companies operating suborbital and experimental launch vehicles, Etlaq is laying the groundwork for full-scale orbital launch operations. The program is structured to be rapidly deployable, ensuring flexibility in launch scheduling while maintaining the highest safety and sustainability standards.

A Commitment to Safety and Sustainable Space Access

Etlaq reinforced that it remains steadfast in its commitment to safety, ensuring that all five planned launches will be conducted under strict safety protocols and environmental considerations. The spaceport’s location in Wilayat Al Duqm provides a secure controlled exclusion zone, minimizing risks and optimizing launch efficiency.

“Safety is our top priority. Every mission will be conducted with rigorous risk assessments to ensure operational integrity without compromising mission success,” said an Etlaq spokesperson at the conference.

Strategic Agreements and Industry Partnerships

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT) and National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM): As part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to achieve the vision of the National Space Sector Policy and its Executive Program 2023-2033, to establish the Sultanate as the regional gateway for space services and applications, the ministry signed today a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Aerospace Services Company (NASCOM) to grant the company the status of a “Qualified Entity” for building and operating spaceports, reinforcing the Sultanate’s ambitions to become a leading space hub.

This agreement aims to develop the capabilities of the Omani private sector, enabling partnerships in the implementation of strategic projects, attracting foreign investments, and facilitating the transfer and localization of advanced technologies.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the ministry by His Excellency Dr. Ali Al Shidhani and on behalf of the company by His Highness Sayyid Azzan Al Said.

Etlaq’s Strategic Agreement with PLD Space

– In a groundbreaking partnership, Etlaq has signed a strategic agreement with Spanish launch service provider PLD Space to facilitate the launch of MIURA 5 from Oman, marking a significant step in European collaboration with Oman.

MoU with SatMENA for Ground Station Services

– Etlaq also signed an MoU with SatMENA, a leading satellite communication service provider, to collaborate on ground station services and operational support for upcoming launches.

New Brand Identities for Etlaq and the Oman Society for Astronomy and Space

– To reflect its growing ambitions and global vision, Etlaq unveiled a refreshed brand identity, signaling a new era for Oman’s space industry. Additionally, the Oman Society for Astronomy and Space also introduced its new brand identity, aligning with the nation’s expanding space endeavors.

19 Feb 25. Gilmour targets late March for first launch. Gilmour has set a date of late March to blast off its Eris rocket after passing the final regulatory hurdle. The green light from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority follows the company being granted a launch licence in November and approval to use its North Queensland spaceport almost a year ago. Gilmour said it plans to have 50 staff based at its Bowen spaceport to help conduct the blast-off, with a two-week launch window now pencilled in. The lift-off will be a hugely significant moment for the local space industry, with its three-stage vehicle being the first Australian-designed and manufactured orbital rocket.

Speaking at a conference in Canberra, founder Adam Gilmour said, “It’s the first time we have formally set a launch date, both with the regulators and internally in the company. There’s a buzz that it’s all getting real.

“People have to be on their toes and get everything ready and overcome issues that come up very quickly.”

The company has been developing Eris for eight years and hopes to address a gap in the global market for small satellite launches. It had planned for an inaugural blast-off in April 2024 but faced a lengthy delay in obtaining its final permit from the Australian Space Agency, which came to an end two months ago. Previously, a date of late mid-January had been muted. The news comes weeks after the federal government relaxed the laws around launches to better consider the high likelihood of failure. The changes to the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018 include an amendment that means that if no property is destroyed, a longer investigation can now be avoided in the event of an explosion.

Gilmour has repeatedly stressed that the initial blast-off of Eris is likely to end in failure, while SpaceX engineers in 2023 famously celebrated when the first launch of Starship ended in failure.

“These changes will remove inefficiency and improve flexibility without compromising safety.”

In a LinkedIn post, Gilmour called the amendments “positive news” and said they would bring Australia’s regulations closer to the US and those of other nations. (Source: Space Connect)

17 Feb 25. Firefly Aerospace Awarded Launch Agreement for the USSF VICTUS SOL Tactically Responsive Space Mission. VICTUS SOL will be the third U.S. Space Force TacRS mission launched aboard Firefly’s Alpha rocket. Firefly Aerospace, Inc., the leader in responsive space launch services, today announced the company was awarded a $21.81 m contract to launch the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) VICTUS SOL Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission. VICTUS SOL is an early operational capability to enable the United States to rapidly respond to on-orbit needs and provide flexibility to Combatant Commanders. The VICTUS SOL launch service contract was competed on the Orbital Services Program (OSP)-4 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract managed by the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) within SSC’s Assured Access to Space Program Executive Office (PEO). The Space Safari Office, within SSC’s PEO for Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power, is the lead organization for the USSF’s TacRS initiatives and is the end-to-end mission lead for VICTUS SOL.

“With VICTUS SOL, Firefly is humbled and proud to continue serving the Space Force on tactically responsive space with two follow-on missions after VICTUS NOX,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “As our country’s deterrence and responsive space needs grow exponentially, Firefly has ramped up our Alpha production line to meet that demand and provide flexibility to support the Space Force’s urgent needs that keep us ahead of the game.”

VICTUS SOL builds on the lessons learned from the VICTUS NOX and VICTUS HAZE missions. Firefly will continue to launch other government and commercial missions while maintaining an Alpha rocket on standby for the Space Force. Then at an unknown time, the Space Force will give Firefly a notice to launch for space vehicle deployment.

“The VICTUS SOL launch will provide the operational capability to have a launch vehicle and space vehicle on standby while we continue to launch other commercial and government missions until we’re called up by the Space Force,” said Kim. “We’re further improving our readiness to provide a rapid response capability.”

VICTUS SOL is the third U.S. Space Force mission Firefly will support with its responsive Alpha launch service. In September 2023, Firefly successfully launched the U.S. Space Force’s VICTUS NOX mission following a 24-hour notice, becoming the first and only company to achieve this milestone. Later this year, Firefly will also support the U.S. Space Force VICTUS HAZE mission as part of a contract with True Anomaly to be ready to launch their space vehicle for a TacRS launch. Firefly’s on-demand launch and on-orbit capabilities are enabled by the company’s co-located manufacturing and test facilities, vertical integration of its four vehicle lines, and streamlined launch operations. As the only operational one metric ton rocket, Alpha’s high mass-to-orbit performance further allows Firefly to meet customer demand for rapid, affordable launch solutions when and where customers need their spacecraft deployed. (Source: ASD Network)

11 Feb 25. SES and Eutelsat possibly in line for C-band $bn bonus. The FCC is kickstarting the process to auction new C-band spectrum for use by US cellular operators and 5G expansion. The auction will wrap by mid-2026, according to FCC’s new Chairman Brendon Carr. Analysts at investment bank BNP Paribas say the news is “positive” for satellite operators SES and Eutelsat.

The FCC’s plan covers 3.98-4.2 GHz of spectrum for auction.

Media analyst Sami Kassab at the bank, in a note to clients, reminds investors that the FCC’s 2020 spectrum auction benefited by some $21 bn, split between SES, Intelsat, Eutelsat and a couple of smaller North American satellite operators.

The question now, says Kassab, is how much more C-band spectrum can satellite operators clear and how much will they earn from the FCC’s process. “We note that only a fraction of C-band transponders onboard SES 18 and SES 19 are currently in use. Satellite operators still use C-band for broadcasting distribution to 120 m homes in the US. We assume a further 100 Mhz [of satellite spectrum] could be cleared.”

“In the 2020 clearing phase, satellite operators received a net incentive payment of $32.3 m (in addition to the reimbursement of all clearing costs). Assuming the same conditions would bring a total of USD3.23bn. In 2020, Intelsat got 50 per cent, SES received 41 per cent and Eutelsat 5 per cent. Assuming a similar breakdown would bring SES (which is in the process of acquiring Intelsat) $2.94 bn and Eutelsat $169 m or respectively 82 per cent and 17 per cent of their current market capitalisation (assuming former Intelsat shareholders are entitled to 42.5 per cent of total C band proceeds earned by SES),” continued Kassab

That 2020 auction sold off 280 MHz of C-band spectrum and raised

However, there are some key areas of uncertainty: “It remains unclear whether under the new administration European satellite operators will be handed a similar incentive payment. However, we note that the same argument remains in favour of satellite operators, ie speed of delivery vs. long lasting legal battles. Secondly, it remains unclear to us to what extent former Intelsat shareholders are entitled to 42.5 per cent on the combined C-band spectrum rights or just on the former Intelsat share of C band spectrum rights,” added Kassab’s note.

“C-band had been a key driver of SES and Eutelsat share price a few years ago. We are likely to enter a similar phase witness the strong bounce in SES share price yesterday. Relative C-band exposure, as well as operating trends, is one of the key reasons we reaffirm our stock ratings of Outperform on SES and Underperform on Eutelsat,” said the bank’s note.

The stock market reacted favorably to the news, with SES shares jumping from €3.11 to €3.77 last week. SES has not commented on the speculation but more news should emerge at its results presentation on February 26th. (Source: Satnews)

11 Feb 25. Eutelsat America Corp. + OneWeb Technologies partner with Hughes to deliver LEO capability to the L3Harris multi-mission RASOR ecosystem. Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc (EACOWT), operating in combination as a wholly owned independent U.S. proxy company and subsidiary of Eutelsat Group, have announced a contract with Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), to develop an enterprise-grade OneWeb capable LEO modem transceiver Circuit Card Assembly (CCA) that will support EACOWT’s contract with L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) Call 003 program.

RASOR

This hybrid SATCOM technology will deliver resilient Eutelsat OneWeb LEO broadband connectivity to the L3Harris RASOR Ecosystem, a scalable and configurable waveform solution that unifies multiple line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight capabilities into a single unit. It will provide military users with flexible software-defined multi-orbit connectivity for critical Comms on the Pause (COTP), Comms on the Move (COTM) and Aero applications through the AFRL’s DEUCSI Call 003 program. The partners will deliver this future-proof Eutelsat OneWeb LEO capability, helping to augment military communications by leveraging agile, commercial satellite innovation, beginning in 2025.

As a Eutelsat OneWeb and EACOWT distribution partner, Hughes has delivered and developed the OneWeb gateway electronics and core modules that enable military users to access OneWeb LEO broadband connectivity.

EACOWT is a leading provider of satellite services for the U.S. government and its allies, committed to ensuring customers’ access to the most reliable SATCOM capabilities available. Together, EACOWT and Hughes have delivered OneWeb LEO capabilities in the Arctic region for AFRL since 2021.

“Hughes is developing this solution leveraging its deep expertise in the OneWeb gateway electronics, Satellite Subscriber Module (SSM) and systems architecture,” said Ian Canning, CEO of EACOWT. “In addition to its engineering capabilities, Hughes is a long-standing distribution and technology partner. They are well placed to support EACOWT to deliver seamless and innovative connectivity solutions to address military users’ multi-orbit mobility needs.”

“Hughes looks forward to developing this critical, multi-orbit solution, which will integrate Eutelsat OneWeb’s resilient LEO broadband connectivity into L3Harris’ innovative RASOR Ecosystem,” said Raghunandan Janardhan, vice president at Hughes Defense and Government Systems. “By collaborating with EACOWT, we are meeting military requirements for innovative, resilient satellite communications worldwide.” (Source: Satnews)

11 Feb 25. Amazon’s Kuiper-1 launch brought forward. The USA’s United Launch Alliance (ULA) is bringing forward the launch of its debut Kuiper-1 mission (officially its KA-01 launch). This will be the first operational launch for Amazon’s giant Project Kuiper mega-constellation, and it is expected to launch in the next two months aboard an Atlas V 551 rocket. This will be the first launch for the ULA rocket this year. ULA had expected the launch slot to handle to be the USSF-106 mission onboard a Vulcan rocket and it began preparing the rocket in October 2024, following its second certification mission, dubbed Cert-2. Gary Wentz, vice president of Government and Commercial Programs at ULA said the government identified that payload as “their highest priority mission,” so they worked to get quickly ready for that. However, the USSF-106 mission is not yet ready. “And so, we elected to go ahead and LVOS (Launch Vehicle on Stand) pause that booster to get that work off the critical path so that we’re prepared to launch, whether it was 106 or Kuiper,” added Wentz. It seems Kuiper has won the race, and the rocket will handle a large number of satellites, possibly around 27 although the precise number has yet to be confirmed. Amazon hasn’t said how many satellites it plans to launch on the Kuiper-1 mission although it has announced on social media that “another batch” of its Kuiper broadband production satellites was “on its way to Cape Canaveral.” Amazon’s Kuiper fleet is planned to have a total of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit. Kuiper has 46 launches booked with ULA. Amazon has also purchased 18 launches on Arianespace’s Ariane 6 rocket, plus 12 launches on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, with options to add another 15 on top of that; and three launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. ULA has confirmed that it plans on launching “quite a few” Kuiper missions this year, using both the Atlas rocket as well as the more powerful Vulcan craft. Wentz said the first Vulcan rocket planned to launch Kuiper satellites is currently in production. (Source: Satnews)

10 Feb 25. Rocket Lab schedules the launch for 1st of multiple missions for BlackSky. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) will soon launch a satellite on a dedicated Electron mission, the first of a bulk order of multiple new missions for real-time space-based intelligence company BlackSky (NYSE: BSKY). The mission, named “Fasten Your Space Belts”, will launch from Rocket Lab’s private orbital launch site, Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on February 18th UTC. The mission will launch the first Gen-3 satellite in BlackSky’s mid-inclination, Earth-imaging constellation to a circular 470 km orbit. The mission is the ninth launch for BlackSky since 2019, making Rocket Lab the most prolific launch provider for BlackSky’s constellation to date. The mission will bring the total number of satellites delivered to space by Rocket Lab to 210 and follows a record year of 16 successful launches 2024. Each mission for BlackSky includes a Rocket Lab Motorized Lightband separation system for BlackSky’s satellites, demonstrating Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy and ability to provide commercial launch, satellite, and spacecraft components solutions across the mission spectrum.

“Fasten Your Space Belts” will be Rocket Lab’s second mission of 2025 and its 60th Electron launch overall. Rocket Lab’s 2025 launch manifest includes Electron missions for commercial and government customers, as well as HASTE missions from Launch Complex 2. Launch windows for each will be announced in due course.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, said, “Electron is a trusted and reliable constellation builder for companies like BlackSky, allowing them to be in control of how, when, and where to deploy their constellation. BlackSky is one of our earliest and longest-standing commercial satellite customers, and it’s great to be heading back to the pad with them once again to continue to advance and expand their constellation.”

“This launch represents a major inflection point for our global defense and intelligence customer base as BlackSky introduces low-latency, very high-resolution Gen-3 satellite to our dynamic, high-frequency monitoring constellation,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “As more Gen-3 satellites complete production, we expect a regular cadence of additional launches over the coming year. (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 14, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

12 Feb 25. Space Development Agency launches study on Trump’s Iron Dome order. The Space Development Agency is launching a study to look at how its proliferated satellite constellation could support the Trump administration’s proposal for a homeland missile defense shield. In late January, President Donald Trump issued an executive order calling on the Defense Department to establish an “Iron Dome for America.” Though its name is a reference to Israel’s Iron Dome, the system would be designed to counter a range of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic weapons, cruise missile and drones. The multilayered architecture would feature several space-based elements that build on existing capabilities like the Missile Defense Agency’s Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor program and the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, or PWSA. It also calls for the development of space-based interceptors, reviving a controversial discussion about the technically complex and politically loaded capability. SDA’s proliferated architecture includes hundreds of missile-warning satellites designed to detect and track threats in orbit. In a notice Wednesday, the agency said it is conducting a study that looks at how its architecture could be expanded as part of the Iron Dome proposal and asks companies to submit technology concept proposals.

“SDA is interested in industry’s perspective on implementing the Iron Dome for America architecture, and is particularly interested in building on and integrating PWSA’s current contributions to global kill chains and missile defense,” SDA said.

The document lists a number of topics the agency plans to study related to Trump’s executive order, including: high-fidelity modeling, simulation and analysis of PWSA’s ability to counter current and emerging threats; accelerating the process to integrate the Missile Defense Agency’s space-sensor technology into the PWSA; bringing on new missile tracking and custody layer technologies; securing SDA’s supply chain; and improving on-orbit sensor data processing and fusion capabilities. SDA wants proposals submitted by Feb. 28, and notes that its study will directly inform the Defense Department’s plans. Meanwhile, Senate lawmakers have proposed legislation that would add $10.4bn to the Missile Defense Agency’s fiscal 2026 budget to fund the new missile shield and another $19.5bn in fiscal 2025. The bill, introduced by Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, builds on Trump’s proposal and draws on findings from the Pentagon’s 2022 Missile Defense Review, which was signed out by the Biden administration. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)

12 Feb 25. SATIM, the global leader in AI-based object detection and classification on SAR imagery, is pleased to announce an exciting new partnership with Thales, global leader in advanced technologies specializing in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital. Together, the companies aim to transform the future of SAR image-based intelligence solutions, providing unparalleled capabilities tailored to the unique needs of Thales’ diverse customer base.

“This partnership with Thales marks a significant milestone for SATIM. Combining our powerful AI-powered SAR image analytics with Thales’s advanced intelligence solutions, we’re unlocking a new era of possibilities for global security, defense, and commercial sectors.” Jacek Strzelczyk, CEO and Co-founder of SATIM

Under this groundbreaking collaboration SATIM’s state-of-the-art AI algorithms will seamlessly integrate into Thales’s cutting-edge image intelligence system MINDS (Multi-sensor image INformation and Distribution System), enhancing precision and efficiency in Synthetic Aperture Radar imagery analysis. From detecting and classification vessels in complex maritime environments to detecting and classifying critical objects in different scenarios, the combined expertise of SATIM and Thales will redefine the standards for image intelligence.

“We are thrilled with our partnership with SATIM, which aligns with our global AI strategy to deliver top-tier AI solutions to our customers. The open architecture of our MINDS all-in-one IMINT system enables seamless integration of AI-based solutions from partners or customers. Incorporating SATIM’s expertise in AI-driven SAR detectors into MINDS is essential for providing our customers with the most accurate and actionable image intelligence.” Eric Aubineau, Director of Image & Intelligence Systems at THALES

Through this collaboration, SATIM and Thales are able to deliver solutions that not only meet but even exceed the evolving customer requirements, ensuring faster, more accurate, and actionable intelligence in even the most challenging conditions. As the demand for high-performance AI and SAR imagery analysis continues to grow, this partnership is an example of the commitment of both companies to pushing technological boundaries and delivering excellence in intelligence solutions for industries worldwide.

About SATIM

SATIM revolutionizes the analysis of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery with AI-based solutions. With over a decade of experience, proprietary solutions, and strong partnerships, the company delivers exceptional precision—automatically detecting and classifying objects with up to 90% accuracy. SATIM’s technology is powered by OREC, an advanced AI-based software solution designed for strategic monitoring of open ocean, coastal areas, ports, and land areas.

11 Feb 25. Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc (EACOWT), operating in combination as a wholly owned independent U.S. proxy company and subsidiary of Eutelsat Group, today announced a contract with Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes), an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), to develop an enterprise-grade OneWeb capable Low Earth Orbit (LEO) modem transceiver Circuit Card Assembly (CCA). The CCA will support EACOWT’s contract with L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) Call 003 program. This hybrid satellite communications (SATCOM) technology will deliver resilient Eutelsat OneWeb LEO broadband connectivity to the L3Harris RASOR Ecosystem, a scalable and configurable waveform solution that unifies multiple line-of-sight and beyond line-of-sight capabilities into a single unit. It will provide military users with flexible software-defined multi-orbit connectivity for critical Comms on the Pause (COTP), Comms on the Move (COTM) and Aero applications through the AFRL’s DEUCSI Call 003 program. The partners will deliver this future-proof Eutelsat OneWeb LEO capability, helping to augment military communications by leveraging agile, commercial satellite innovation, beginning in 2025.

About Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies

Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc are a commercial satellite communications (SATCOM) services provider, offering resilient fixed and mobile solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. Operating in combination as a wholly owned independent U.S. proxy company and subsidiary of Eutelsat Group, Eutelsat America Corp. and OneWeb Technologies Inc provide consultative and customer-first solutions with access to a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation of 600+ satellites and a global fleet of 36 geostationary (GEO) satellites. The company has a long-standing record of meeting the mission requirements of U.S. government customers through our technical achievement, operational excellence and service commitment. Learn more at https://eacowt.comand follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).

About Hughes

Hughes Network Systems, LLC, an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), provides broadband equipment and services; managed services featuring smart, software-defined networking; and end-to-end network operation for ms of consumers, businesses, governments, airlines, and communities worldwide. The Hughes flagship internet service, Hughesnet®, connects ms of people across the Americas, and the Hughes JUPITER™ System powers internet access for tens of ms more worldwide. Hughes supplies more than half the global satellite terminal market to leading satellite operators, mobile network operators and military customers. Hughes products and services have helped bring in-flight video and broadband to thousands of aircraft for over twenty years. A managed network services provider, Hughes supports approximately half a m enterprise sites with its portfolio of wired and wireless solutions including 5G Open RAN and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

10 Feb 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) have established a launch window opening February 18 for the first Gen-3 satellite. The launch, named “Fasten Your Space Belts,” will add very high-resolution 35-centimeter imaging capability to BlackSky’s high-cadence, low-latency data and AI-enabled analytics offerings.

11 Feb 25. Viasat unveils Flipper-based manpack L-TAC system. The Viasat manpack L-TAC beyond line-of-sight system seen on display in London on 28 January 2025. Viasat showcased the latest version of its dismounted soldier beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) solution using its L-band tactical (L-TAC) satellite service at SAE Media Group’s Mobile Deployable Communications conference held in London on 28 and 29 January. The company aims to broaden its customer base for dismounted communications with the L-TAC system converting a conventional very-high-frequency (VHF) or ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tactical radio to use L-band satellite communications (satcom). Originally launched in 2023 as the Inmarsat BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) Patrol, prior to the acquisition of Inmarsat by Viasat, using a BGAN, Inmarsat’s satellite network, class 3 and a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) omnidirectional satcom antenna, the system has since evolved. It now uses a Commcrete Flipper L-TAC frequency converter with its associated antenna. The Flipper used in the latest manpack solution is the handheld HTS-100, which weighs 230 g including the antenna, although other versions for vehicle, headquarters, maritime, or aeronautical use are also available. The HTS-100 Flipper is integrated with a Glenair Star-Pan power and data hub, which also integrates the radio, an end-user device (a data terminal), and a separate power supply.

Daan Ruhe, Viasat global product specialist for L-TAC, told Janes that with a two-channel radio such as the Harris AN/PRC-163 it is possible to cross-band the channels, with one on the terrestrial net and the other on the L-band. He added that the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) battle management application has been integrated into the system. TAK is generally the application of choice for dismounted personnel. (Source: Janes)

10 Feb 25. New satellite deal to boost military operations, jobs and growth. Armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite system, named Oberon.

New satellite system to enhance military operations, named ‘Oberon’, will be designed and built in the UK.
The £127m contract with Airbus will support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space sector and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
Oberon will strengthen the UK’s intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.

Armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite system, named Oberon.

The £127m deal with Airbus will support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space capabilities and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Oberon satellite system, made up of two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, will be able to capture day and night-time images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Expected to launch in 2027, Oberon will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August last year.

The deal comes as UK Space Command has published the first images captured by Tyche. The images of Heathrow Airport, Sydney, Washington DC, and the California wildfires, demonstrate Tyche’s ability to capture imagery from anywhere on earth when Defence needs it. Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance programme, known as ISTARI, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031. These satellites will support military operations, for example by monitoring adversary activities, and contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:   “WThrough UK Space Command, defence is partnering with industry and continuing to invest in advanced and innovative space technologies. Oberon, alongside Tyche and other satellites in our ISTARI constellation, will allow us to observe what’s happening on Earth from space at any time and through any weather. This will enable and enhance UK and allied military operations around the world.”

The contract for Oberon was awarded via competitive procurement to Airbus, which worked with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises across the UK to leverage innovative new technologies for the 400kg satellites. The antennas for the spacecraft will be supplied by Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon fibre structures that stow away in very small volumes for launch but spring into shape once in orbit. Oberon will play a key part in securing critical UK skills in the growing global space sector. The aerospace sector added almost £40 bn to the economy last year, a growth of 50% in the last 10 years, and employs tens of thousands of people. The project will also help inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements. Space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance offers unparalleled earth observation, operating over any part of the globe. Constellations of ISR satellites can use different sensors and cameras, allowing focus to move quickly from one area of the world to another. In contrast to conventional cameras, Oberon will use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to capture imagery in all-weather conditions.

Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, said: “£Oberon’s satellites will give the UK a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance autonomy. Airbus in the UK has more than 45 years’ experience in the design and build of high-resolution radar satellites and, once in orbit, these spacecraft will play a vital role in keeping our Armed Forces safe around the world.”

Paul Russell, Space team leader at DE&S said: “This has been a superb team effort by members of DE&S, Space Command, DSTL and industry. With the award of the Oberon contract, we will deliver the next in a series game changing capabilities to UK Space Command providing the UK military with leading Space Based Synthetic Aperture Radar whilst helping to keep our nation safe and prosperous. We are looking forwards to working with Airbus as our Mission Partner to deliver this important capability together.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

10 Feb 25. ICEYE, the global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for high-fidelity Earth Observation, and SATIM, a world-leading provider of AI-based solutions for Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) on SAR imagery, have today announced the signing of partnership agreement for joint product development.

The companies will combine ICEYE’s industry-leading satellite imagery with SATIM’s cutting-edge AI-powered imagery analytics solutions into new products enabling prompt, high-confidence detection and classification of vessels, aircraft, and land vehicles. After an initial pilot phase, the partners plan to release a series of generally-available products in 2025.

ICEYE owns and operates the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation, providing customers unprecedented access to 25 cm high-resolution imagery of any location on Earth, regardless of the weather conditions or day/night conditions. ICEYE’s unique, innovative satellites provide imagery with the industry’s highest resolution and scene sizes up to 840 km2, and hourly revisit rates for points around the globe. ICEYE has launched 44 satellites for its own and its customers’ use since 2018 and plans to launch more than 20 new satellites annually in 2025, 2026, and beyond.

SATIM is a world-leading AI technology company specializing in Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) using Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Harnessing the power of AI and SAR imagery, SATIM offers three highly accurate AI-based solutions that enable fast, highly accurate detection, classification, and identification of targets —anywhere, anytime. These advanced solutions are data-agnostic, near real-time, and cover a wide catalogue of objects.

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE said: “Our partnership with SATIM is an important step on our journey towards becoming the global source of truth. By combining our world-leading SAR imagery and capabilities with SATIM’s powerful AI-driven SAR image analytics, we will be able to serve our customers with easy, direct access to actionable intelligence and insights. Improving situational awareness with satellite-based intelligence will enable informed and rapid decision-making where it is needed the most”.

Jacek Strzelczyk, CEO and Co-founder of SATIM, said: ”At SATIM, we continue to set the standards in AI-powered SAR analytics, and our collaboration with ICEYE, a leading SAR imagery provider, is an important milestone in our pursuit of excellence. This partnership marks a significant step in our commitment to advancing space-based solutions that provide critical insights for those on Earth. As we continue to explore new ways to advance the field, this partnership represents an exciting step ahead, and we look forward to what lies ahead in this evolving landscape”.

10 Feb 25. LM Matures Next Secure Communications Satellite Solution for USSF with Major Design Milestone. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has now proven the readiness of its satellite design in support of the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s upcoming Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Service Life Extension (SLE) program through successful execution of an Early Design Review (EDR). Future MUOS satellites planned as part of the program will be critical in continuing to provide crystal-clear, secure communications to military forces on the move.

Lockheed Martin is one of two companies selected to develop future MUOS satellite concepts under Phase 1 of the program, centered on early design activities and risk reduction.

“In less than the initial one-year base period of performance, our team went above and beyond to deliver not only a successful early design review – but one so robust that it passed the rigorous standards of a more advanced design assessment,” said Maria Hartin-Swart, program management director for Lockheed Martin’s MUOS SLE development efforts.

The company’s expertise derived from building and sustaining the existing MUOS constellation uniquely enables it to reduce risk by engineering for established complexities of the mission. Lockheed Martin’s commitment to leveraging digital technology and innovation also helps ensure MUOS can operate smoothly for years to come.

Future-Proof Technology that Can be Reconfigured in Space

For its proposed MUOS satellites under the extension program, Lockheed Martin has called upon SEAKR Engineering, an industry leader in advanced electronics for space applications. Together the company and Lockheed Martin have designed a new MUOS payload processor – a centrally important electronics box on the spacecraft. This new component uses state-of-the-art space technology to achieve an optimal balance of processing performance, resilience and resource utilization aboard the satellite.

Lockheed Martin’s next-generation MUOS payload processor also introduces a modern feature: it can be re-programmed once in space. The ability to reconfigure aspects of this critical payload will enable future MUOS satellites to evolve and meet emerging mission needs throughout their lives on orbit. Here on Earth, this processor recently completed a successful customer demonstration and achieved a Technology Readiness Level-6 designation – signifying it is ready to advance to production.

Integration of this proven electronics technology ensures future MUOS satellites can remain secure and act with agility in the face of an ever-changing threat environment.

MUOS Makes a Difference in Secure Military Communications

MUOS is a network of orbiting satellites and relay ground stations that revolutionize secure communications for mobile military forces.

The unique Wideband Code Division Multiple Access waveform introduced by the current MUOS constellation enables it to act more like a conventional cellphone network, spreading multiple users out over a spectrum. Currently, MUOS satellites provide more than 67,000 terminal and radio users with:

Secure, beyond-line-of-sight Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) communications
Simultaneous, crystal-clear voice, video and mission data
Reliable communications where needed most, even in the far corners of the globe

After Phase 1 concludes, the USSF has said it will select a provider for Phase 2, encompassing production, testing and delivery of two new MUOS satellites for launch by 2030. (Source: ASD Network)

08 Feb 25. Rocket Lab launches next batch of satellites for Kinéis Constellation. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB), a global leader in launch services and space systems, successfully launched, its 59th Electron mission, deploying five satellites to Low Earth Orbit for French Internet-of-Things (IoT) constellation operator Kinéis.

The “IOT 4 You and Me” mission lifted-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand at 9:43 am NZDT on 9 February (20:43 UTC), successfully deploying five satellites to a 647 km low Earth orbit. The mission was Rocket Lab’s first Electron launch of 2025, fourth launch for Kinéis to date, and 59th Electron launch overall.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO Sir Peter Beck said: “That’s four launches done and one still to go for Kinéis, then we’ll have deployed their entire constellation in less than a year. It’s not uncommon for constellation operators to wait longer than that for their first launch, let alone have a full constellation deployed and operating. Once again Electron has shown its strength as a pinpoint accurate constellation launcher that lets customers tailor missions and schedules to their needs.”

Kinéis CTO Michel Sarthou said: “Producing 25 nanosatellites and launching them into orbit in just eight months is an unprecedented feat—and above all, a remarkable challenge! With this fourth and penultimate launch, Kinéis moves one step closer to its ambitious goal: delivering global IoT coverage through a complete constellation of 25 nanosatellites. This milestone showcases the expertise and determination of our teams and partners like Rocket Lab. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support and commitment we have received since Kinéis was founded.”

The Kinéis constellation is designed to make it possible to connect and locate any connected object anywhere in the world, enabling data transmission to users in near-real time, at low bit rates and with very low energy consumption. By enabling internet connection to the Earth’s most remote locations, Kinéis constellation can support forest fire detection, water resource management, infrastructure and energy network monitoring, transport and logistics tracking, and much more. The launch date for the fifth Kinéis launch in this series of missions will be announced in the coming weeks. The next Electron launch is scheduled for lift-off in February, with the specific launch window and customer details to be announced in the coming days. (Source: Satnews)

02 Feb 25. SpaceX’s successful Saturday launch of Starlink Group 11-4 smallsats. 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. All photos by Satnews. The mission was the 111th orbital launch for SpaceX from its pad at Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) and the 200th orbital launch in total from that site. Liftoff happened at 3:02 p.m. PST (6:02 p.m. EST, 2302 UTC). This was the 17th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and now 14 Starlink missions.

“Starlink has revolutionized [our] ability to deliver essential network services to vessel crew, addressing their desperate need for connectivity.

SpaceX is now targeting Saturday, February 1 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 3:02 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 6:47 p.m. PT. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available Sunday, February 2 starting at 2:29 p.m. PT. This is the 17th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and 13 Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean. There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other conditions. (Source: Satnews)

30 Jan 25. Arianespace’s Ariane 6 to launch the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency’s CSO-3 satellite. On February 26, 2025 at 1:24 p.m. local time (4:24 p.m. UTC, 5:24 p.m. CET), Arianespace will launch the CSO-3 satellite with Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The mission, called VA263, will be the first commercial flight for Ariane 6, the new European heavy-lift launcher. It will place its passenger, the CSO-3 satellite, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of around 800 km. Spacecraft separation will occur 1 hour and 6 minutes after lift-off.

05 Feb 25. The new US Administration is opening up space funding. The Space Race for Capital session was a crowded and well attended panel at the SmallSat Symposium on February 5 at Mountain View. Brought together by the huge business advice consultancy Moss Adams, and moderated by partner Corey Preugschat, delegates wanted to know what the trends were in terms of fundraising and financing.

Meagan Crawford, Founder & Managing Partner, SpaceFund (and owner of spacefund.com site), explained that valuations came back into line in 2024 and more realistic than the crazy period – over-valued – of 2021-2022. Greater realism sometimes means a lower valuation, and trust the Venture Capitalist to give you hopefully realistic advice. Cash flow, in my experience is crucially important. It can be difficult and very damaging when a contract is held up meaning the cash doesn’t flow, despite an order being in place. I’d hope that the new Administration addresses this. It is also worth stressing that the world’s biggest funder in space is the U.S. government.

She suggested that the biggest opportunities were not in the launch industry. It is no longer ideal.

Noel Rimalovski, MD, GH Partners explained that some Venture Capital funds were often focussed just on the next ‘Facebook’ and not necessarily looking at Space. Space is capital intensive and investors prefer not to have to mark values down when a project comes back looking for more funding. Rimalovski also endorsed the view that the new Administration would be helpful with cash supporting U.S.-based activity. Defense and intelligence are also in favour and attractive to government. But always remember that you have to have your financial house in order. Start getting audits regularly, and be prepared for quarterly announcements.

Greg Smirin, President, Muon Space. They raised $56 m in a Series B round. The challenges, he said, were in explaining to potential investors what space and for Muon Space what it was all about. “We were helped by signing just over $100m in fresh contracts. What we have found subsequently is that valuations have improved and there’s a greater understanding (of Space).”

Christopher Thein, CEO, EOI Space said he was in the middle of a Round B funding. “It is fair to say that sometimes you have to kiss a lot of frogs before finding your prince. If I was an investor, I would be very wary of any proposal that was pitched against SpaceX. By and large there’s a 30-50% premium for AI-focused companies.”

Ari Juster, COO, Starfish Space, managed to raise almost $30m in 2024 to take the total to $50 m raised. It was the 4th ‘real round’ of cash-raising but he said he found that lead times had expanded and applicants needed to take this on board when embarking on discussions. There were also many factors in the decision making that might be well outside the influence of investor and recipient. (Source: Satnews)

06 Feb 25. U.S. Space System Command + Japan launch first bilateral space effort. A U.S. space domain awareness payload hosted on Japan’s Quasi-Zenith Satellite 6 successfully launched on a Japanese H-3 launch vehicle from the Yoshinobu Launch Complex at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s Tanegashima Space Center in Japan on February 2—this is the first bilateral, U.S. Japan cooperative space effort focused on national security, and the first of two launches as part of the JAXA Quasi-Zenith Satellite System Hosted Payload program. The satellite will be operated by Space Operations Command’s Mission Delta 2, which conducts Space Domain Awareness operations to identify, characterize, and exploit opportunities and mitigate vulnerabilities in the national security space terrain on behalf of the U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command. The satellite will deliver near real time data to the Space Surveillance Network bolstering the U.S. Department of Defense understanding of the Geosynchronous Orbit regime above the Indo-Pacific region. The QZSS-HP program encompasses the integration, launch and operations of two U.S. payloads hosted on Japanese satellites. In preparation for launch, USSF and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory teams have worked side-by-side with the NSPS and Mitsubishi Electric Corporation teams in Japan over the past two years to integrate and test the first hosted payload alongside its Japanese QZS-6 host. Both U.S. payloads for this mission were designed and built by MIT/LL in Lexington, Mass. The Japanese host Quasi-Zenith Satellites were designed and built by MELCO in Kamakura, Japan, to augment the U.S. GPS capabilities in the region. QZSS-HP utilizes the Multi-Mission Space Operations Center/Enterprise Command and Control – Schriever enclave located in Colorado. The strategic partnership between the USSF and Japan’s National Space Policy Secretariat originated through a December 2020 international agreement to jointly execute the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System-Hosted Payload program. The mission’s second payload aboard QZS-7 is on track for launch in early FY2026.

“This launch is a historic milestone for the U.S. – Japan alliance,” said USSF Col. Bryon McClain, program executive officer for Space Systems Command’s Space Domain Awareness and Combat Power. “In an increasingly contested space domain, Japan’s contribution to the U.S. DoD’s deterrence strategy has been, and will continue to be, key to INDOPACOM awareness and operations. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Japan on space modernization, data sharing, satellite communications and more.”

“Congratulations to both nations on this achievement. Mission Delta 2 is honored to operate these payloads as they get on orbit on behalf of the USSF. These sensors will support the fusion of space- and ground-based Space Domain Awareness to further reinforce all-domain collective defense with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific,” explained USSF Col. Raj Agrawal, commander of SpOC’s Mission Delta 2.

“I’m proud of the team for this achievement as the first launch in this first-ever bilateral collaboration,” said CMSgt. Jacqueline Sauve, SSC’s senior enlisted leader, who was on-site at TNSC for the launch. “This mission is just the beginning of what we can accomplish together with allies and partners.”

“A key component to ensuring the success of the QZSS-HP mission is the ground infrastructure,” said USSF Col. Joe Roth, director of SSC’s Innovation and Prototyping Acquisition Delta. “Ensuring the ground piece exceeds expectation paves the way for continued successful partnership opportunities with our Asia-Pacific allies.” (Source: Satnews)

07 Feb 25. Trump Air Force nominee arranged satellite contract in manner that favored Musk’s SpaceX, sources say. President Donald Trump’s nominee as Air Force Secretary, currently a top official at the national spy satellite agency, arranged a multibn-dollar contract solicitation in a way that favored Elon Musk’s SpaceX, according to seven people familiar with the contract. Changes to the requirements for the classified contract led the inspector general of the agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, to investigate whether the official, Troy Meink, had improperly directed the transaction toward SpaceX, two of the people told Reuters. Musk’s space venture ultimately won the contract in 2021. It isn’t clear whether the inspector general concluded a report or if any investigation remains underway. Neither the allegations related to the contract, nor the inspector general’s probe, have previously been reported. A spokesperson for the NRO said by email the agency “does not have any knowledge of any allegations, protests or wrongdoing related to the procurement” referred to by Reuters. It declined to comment on “details related to contractual relationships with industry partners or specific activities.” (Source: Reuters)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

February 7, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

05 Feb 25. CSIRO speeds up hunt for fast radio bursts. CSIRO has developed a faster and more accurate technique for detecting fast radio bursts. The national science agency compared its new CRACO method to sifting through sand on a beach and said the instrument was made up of a cluster of computers connected to the ASKAP radio telescope in WA. Fast radio bursts are intense bursts of radio emission that can last just milliseconds and were only first detected in 2007. The exact processes that cause them have long been shrouded in mystery.

Researchers using CRACO at Curtin have discovered 20 bursts alongside two sporadically-emitting neutron stars. The results were published in the Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia.

Dr Andy Wang, from ICRAR, who led the research group, said the team had found more astronomical objects than expected.

“We were focused on finding fast radio bursts, a mysterious phenomenon that has opened up a new field of research in astronomy,” he said. CRACO is enabling us to find these bursts better than ever before. We have been searching for bursts 100 times per second and in the future we expect this will increase to 1,000 times per second. Once at full capacity, CRACO will be a game changer for international astronomy.”

CSIRO astronomer and engineer Dr Keith Bannister, who, along with his team, developed the instrument, said the scale of observation enabled by the new technology is enormous. CRACO taps into ASKAP’s ‘live’ view of the sky in search of fast radio bursts,” he said. “To do this, it scans through huge volumes of data – processing 100 billion pixels per second – to detect and identify the location of bursts. That’s the equivalent of sifting through a whole beach of sand to look for a single five-cent coin every minute.”

CSIRO said CRACO had been engineered to sift through the trillions of pixels received by the telescope to find anomalies, alerting researchers the moment it spots something out of the ordinary.

Dr Wang added that his team had increasingly expanded CRACO’s research targets to find more exotic sources.

“We’re also detecting long-period transients, which remain mysterious objects within our galaxy. Both fast radio bursts and these transients were first discovered in Australia, so it is great that we’re continuing the path of discovery with this impressive technology.”

The ASKAP telescope — or Australian SKA Pathfinder Telescope — opened in Western Australia in 2012 and is intended to provide a “big picture” view of the universe. It means that instead of studying a few objects in detail, it can catalogue millions of new galaxies and other astronomical sources. ASKAP has 36 dish antennas that work together as one telescope and each antennas stand three storeys tall. CRACO will soon be made available to astronomers all over the world as part of CSIRO’s Australia Telescope National Facility, a suite of national research infrastructure which includes Murriyang, CSIRO’s Parkes radio telescope. (Source: Space Connect)

05 Feb 25. Japan’s SKY Perfect JSAT (9412.T) will invest about $230m to build a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites using U.S. company Planet Labs’ (PL.N) Pelican satellite, the company said on Wednesday. JSAT will enter the Earth observation satellite business through the investment that will be carried out by its American subsidiary, the company said. Shares in JSAT, the biggest broadcast and communication satellite operator in Asia, rose as much as 9% after the announcement. (Source: FT.com)

04 Feb 25. Maxar Intelligence, a provider of secure, precise geospatial insights, today confirmed that its fifth and sixth WorldView Legion satellites are performing well after being launched into mid-inclination orbit from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket earlier today.

“Maxar Space Systems is committed to our Maxar Intelligence customer, delivering on our legacy of quality and reliability. The WorldView Legion spacecraft are built to be the most advanced commercial Earth observation systems, reflecting our team’s dedication and hard work”

With this successful launch, Maxar now has seven satellites on orbit capable of collecting 30 cm-class imagery—representing a significant increase in very-high resolution imagery capacity and marking a new era for the geospatial industry. Once all six WorldView Legion satellites are fully operational, the Maxar constellation will be able to collect more than 6 m sq km of Earth imagery per day, including up to 3.6 m sq km of 30 cm-class imagery.

These capabilities offer:

More capacity for mission planning.
The ability to collect more real-time imagery to support site monitoring, emergency response, maritime surveillance and civil government use cases.
Foundational imagery to create fresher basemaps and 3D maps for commercial and operational mapmaking and telecommunications planning.
Enhanced insights extracted on the global scale for informed decision-making.

“This incredible achievement puts Maxar in a category of its own within the geospatial industry, and it’s been made possible thanks to the hard work, dedication and talent of the many people who have supported this program over the years,” said Dan Smoot, Maxar Intelligence CEO. “This is the just the beginning. This additional capacity enables us to collect more timely data over more locations, and it will further fuel the industry’s most advanced 2D and 3D geospatial content products.”

“Combining this capacity with our AI-powered technologies and software platform puts Maxar in a unique position to deliver the ground truth in near real-time, empowering our government and commercial users to make mission-critical, time-sensitive decisions with confidence,” Smoot said.

In addition to increasing collection capacity, the WorldView Legion satellites enhance the capabilities of Maxar’s industry-leading constellation by:

Powering dawn-to-dusk image collection, with satellites in mid-inclination orbit and sun-synchronous orbit.
Enabling up to 15 revisits per day of some locations on Earth, which is critical for use cases like site and change monitoring.

The first two WorldView Legion launched in May 2024 and are currently supporting customer missions. The second pair launched in August 2024 and delivered first images late last year.

Built by Maxar Space Systems, these six WorldView Legion satellites are the first Maxar 500™ series platforms to reach space, following the successful launches of the four last year.

03 Feb 25. £16m for new projects to boost UK benefits of satellite constellations. Two innovative projects are awarded a share of £16m from the UK Space Agency today (3 February) to position the UK at the forefront of the latest advancements in satellite communications.

The funding will enable UK industry to capture a greater portion of the satellite mega-constellation market by developing technology that improves their efficiency and capability. It comes from the UK Space Agency’s Connectivity in Low Earth Orbit (C-LEO) programme, which will invest up to £160m in UK expertise in this area over the next four years.

Satellite constellations are enhancing global connectivity by providing high-speed internet access to remote and underserved areas, bridging the digital divide. These constellations are set to transform markets in maritime and aviation connectivity, changing how people communicate as they live and work in some of the remotest places on Earth.

Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:

The UK has all the cutting edge expertise and technology to spearhead the latest advancements in satellite communications and become a leader in this high-tech industry.

These Government backed projects will not only provide significant advancements in mobile communication, but help to bridge the digital divide, connecting communities in the most hard-to-reach areas.

Companies benefitting from this round of funding include Oxfordshire’s EnSilica plc, which will receive £10 m to develop novel silicon chips and software for a user terminal. This will be compatible with UK and European constellations like OneWeb Next Generation.

In Cardiff, Excelerate Technology Ltd will receive £6m to develop the small and flexible Mobility and Autonomy Market User Terminal (MAMUT) which will allow users to choose the operator and orbit via an app, reducing costs and enhancing global configurability.

The UK has a growing space sector, with a rich heritage in satellite design and the operation of large constellations. This new government funding is crucial to maintaining the UK’s competitive edge during a period of rapid change and growth in the global space sector.

In 2023, a new record was achieved with the successful launch of more than 2,900 satellites into space. The majority of these satellites are part of commercial constellations, which are expected to expand rapidly. A further 18,000 satellites are likely to be launched between 2021 and 2031, with mega-constellations comprising 75% of this total.

This is a significant opportunity for UK industry to secure high-value contracts within the global supply chain for satellite constellations, and to assume a leading role in the long-term growth of the satellite communication sector.

The UK is also a founding member of the European Space Agency (ESA) and hosts the European Centre for Space Applications and Telecommunications (ECSAT) in the Harwell Space Cluster. The C-LEO programme awards funding through two different routes. The projects announced today are grants awarded directly by the UK Space Agency, with further contracts from ESA set to follow in the coming months.

The announcement was made ahead of the UK Space Agency’s Ignite Space Conference, to be held this week at the National Space Centre in Leicester. This event highlights opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to connect with new customers, collaborators, and investors within the UK’s space industry and its supply chain. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

03 Feb 25. iPhone update adds Starlink compatibility. iPhones will soon be able to send and receive texts via Starlink after a new update quietly enabled the service. The ‘straight-to-mobile’ upgrade was revealed by news agency Bloomberg late last week but seemingly confirmed by SpaceX founder Elon Musk on X shortly afterwards.

“Medium resolution images, music & audio podcasts should work with the current generation Starlink direct-to-phone constellation,” wrote Musk. “Next generation constellation will do medium resolution video.”

Previously, iPhones could only send satellite texts via rival Globalstar satellites and the device had to be physically pointed at the sky. The service was also designed to be used only in an emergency if the user was lost or in danger.

Reports suggest that selected T-Mobile users in the US will be offered the chance to enrol in a Beta test before satellite texts are eventually rolled out to the entire customer base.

The news significantly comes after Telstra followed Optus in signing a “straight-to-mobile” deal with Starlink last month. The agreement is unique because it does not require customers to obtain specific hardware and will work on all compatible handsets.

The telco revealed that while the service would initially focus on testing texts, it could eventually evolve to support voice, data and IoT services.

SpaceX, meanwhile, only completed the first constellation of the special satellites needed to make the technology work in December.

“Currently, satellite-to-mobile technology allows users to send a message only,” said Shailin Sehgal, a Telstra group executive.

“This is really a just-in-case connectivity layer that allows a person to make contact for help or let someone know they are OK when they are outside their own carrier’s mobile coverage footprint.”

Starlink aims to launch data and IoT this year, while it says voice calls are coming soon. Other global telcos to sign up include T-Mobile in the US, One NZ in New Zealand and KDDI in Japan.

Starlink only launched in Australia in 2021 but was only available via a permanent, fixed connection. There are currently thought to be more than 6,000 Starlink satellites in orbit, though the company eventually hopes it can support more than 40,000. (Source: Space Connect)

03 Feb 25. Gilmour and Advanced Navigation to collaborate. Advance Navigation and Gilmour will work together to create a new navigation system capable of withstanding the massive shocks and vibrations encountered in space. The plan to create a new Inertial Navigation System is being backed by a $855,000 grant from the Australian Space Agency, as part of its NASA’s Moon to Mars initiative. Inertial navigation systems use motion and rotation sensors, such as gyroscopes, to deduce a spacecraft’s position, and are designed to operate when traditional satellite navigation systems fail. The new technology will initially be tested via simulations but could ultimately be used to support Gilmour’s Eris rockets and Elara satellite platforms in LEO.

“From lift-off to payload deployment, each stage of the rocket’s journey demands precision engineering and coordination,” said Advanced Navigation.

“All electronic and fibre-optic hardware must be able to withstand massive shock, vibration, shifting gravity, payload impact and extreme temperature change.

“They must be flawlessly integrated into the entire system, as a slight misalignment or miscommunication at any stage could be hazardous and result in a mission failure.

“The onboard INS consists of a plethora of high-end sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, sensitive enough to detect the smallest change in noise and vibration.

“To ensure accurate and reliable performance, these delicate components must be shielded from the extreme forces experienced during launch. One innovative solution is the integration of a high-shock enclosure—a protective barrier encircling the INS housing.

“This enclosure acts as a cushion between the system and the surrounding structure, absorbing and redistributing intense g-forces from engine ignitions and launch vibrations.

“By dampening these shocks, the enclosure prevents disruptive forces from reaching the sensors, preserving their precision in the harshest conditions.”

Advanced Navigation said the technology would be tested by simulating a rocket launch, including seeing how the technology stands up to sudden shocks, extreme temperatures and rapid pressure changes.

“The simulations create the perfect storm for system failure, in which the INS must survive being repeatedly shaken, frozen, heated, smashed, crushed and pulled—a series of critical milestones to overcome before it is truly ready for blast-off,” it said.

The funding that will enable the collaboration has come through the Supply Chain Capability Improvement Grants program, which is part of the wider Moon to Mars initiative that aims to invest $150 m over five years to grow Australia’s space sector.

Gilmour, meanwhile, has still yet to reveal when it will open the launch window for its Eris rocket after securing its licence to blast off late last year.

In its latest LinkedIn post, Gilmour advised the public against attempting to watch the inaugural launch in person, given the “high likelihood of delays or scrubs”.

“We will not be providing a live stream as our priority is ensuring mission safety and success,” it said. “A video of the launch will be shared soon after.”

Gilmour Space Technologies has been developing its three-stage launch vehicle for eight years and hopes to address a gap in the global market for small satellite launch providers.

It was granted the launch licence, an Australian first, by Science Minister Ed Husic in November under the Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018. (Source: Space Connect)

31 Jan 25. ESA and European Commission to Build Quantum-secure Space Communications Network. Today in Brussels, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the European Commission consolidated their cooperation on the European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI), marking the successful conclusion of negotiations and clearing the way for development to begin. EuroQCI is an advanced network that aims to protect everything from personal data to Europe’s critical infrastructure, using proven principles of quantum physics. EuroQCI will enhance the security of critical government data by leveraging quantum key distribution (QKD), a technology that uses the principles of quantum physics to detect any attempt at interception. The system will also protect Europe’s vital infrastructure – from power grids that supply our electricity to emergency services that protect our communities in times of crises. This marks a significant step toward meeting the EU’s Digital Decade target of being at the forefront of quantum capabilities by 2030. The technology works through two complementary systems. On Earth, it leverages existing fibre-optic internet cables enhanced with quantum security features. In space, ESA is leading the development of a satellite constellation through its Optical and Quantum Communications – Scylight programme to expand the reach of the QKD secure network across Europe and beyond. This effort is being advanced through ESA’s Security And cryptoGrAphic mission (SAGA), which will demonstrate and validate space-based quantum technologies in orbit. In partnership with an industrial consortium led by SES Techcom and the European Commission, ESA is also supporting the development of Eagle-1, the first satellite for this space-based QKD system, scheduled for launch in 2026. The project has received strong backing from all 27 EU Member States, demonstrating its importance for Europe’s future. The European Commission launched its first implementation phase for EuroQCI in 2023, with the next milestone focused on its gradual integration into IRIS², Europe’s new secure satellite constellation.

“Today, we celebrate the successful conclusion of negotiations and the signing of this Agreement, a pivotal step forward that highlights the power of partnership in achieving ambitious goals,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General. “Through our collaboration with the European Commission and Member States, we will ensure EuroQCI sets the global standard for secure and innovative quantum communication. ESA will lead the Contracting, Design, and Qualification authority, developing EuroQCI to protect critical information and assets, and spearheading R&D activities in space-based quantum technologies.”

Laurent Jaffart, ESA’s Director of Connectivity and Secure Communications, said: “By integrating quantum-based systems into existing infrastructures, EuroQCI will create a secure communication layer resistant to emerging cyber threats, advancing Europe’s cybersecurity strategy and strengthening our leadership in quantum technologies.”

Roberto Viola, the European Commission’s Director-General of Communications Networks, Content and Technology, said: “Yesterday, the Commission had announced the Competitiveness Compass, the key policy agenda for the coming years, which includes maintaining a leading position in quantum technologies. I therefore welcome the agreement with ESA under the EuroQCI, which brings us one step closer to realising our vision in quantum and more specifically of a quantum safe communication network for Europe based on terrestrial and satellite technologies. This agreement builds on our long-standing partnership with ESA in key space technologies and applications such as Copernicus, Galileo and IRIS² initiative.” (Source: ASD Network)

31 Jan 25. Sweden successfully launched military satellite in August. Sweden launched its first military communications satellite in August last year, the government said on Friday, the first of more planned military surveillance satellites. The GNA-3 test satellite was launched from California in the U.S. and is operated by the Swedish Armed Forces. A more advanced surveillance satellite is expected to be launched in the coming months and another one in coming years.

“This is just the first step on our space journey and we look forward to seeing the defence’s space capabilities continue to develop,” Defence Minister Pal Jonson said in a statement.

Jonson said Sweden, which joined NATO in March 2024 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine forced a rethink in national security policy, was well placed to develop its space programme, citing its large manufacturing industry and its space base in Kiruna, northern Sweden. (Source: Reuters)

31 Jan 25. Russia condemns Trump missile defence shield plan, accuses US of plotting to militarise space. Russia on Friday condemned an executive order by U.S. President Donald Trump to build a new missile defence shield, accusing the United States of trying to upset the global nuclear balance and pave the wave for military confrontation in space. Trump on Monday signed an order that “mandated a process to develop an ‘American Iron Dome,’” a next-generation U.S. missile defence shield against ballistic, hypersonic, cruise missile and other forms of aerial attack. The White House said the intention was to modernise an outdated system and address a “catastrophic threat” that had become more complex as U.S. adversaries developed new delivery systems. But Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the plan was aimed at undermining the ability of both Russia and China to exercise nuclear deterrence. In the sharpest Russian criticism so far of a policy announced by Trump’s new administration, she said that the planned U.S. move would hinder the prospects for talks on nuclear arms control – something that both Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have said they favour. (Source: Reuters)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

January 31, 2025 by

Sponsored by MatrixSpace

http://matrixspace.com

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

30 Jan 25. New Zealand launches second military satellite on Transporter-12. New Zealand last week launched its second military satellite onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission. The Tui CubeSat was a payload onboard the US National Reconnaissance Office’s Otter mission. Its aim is to test communication pathways that will help reduce communication delays in space operations. Tui will generate data over two years and will be used to inform New Zealand’s defence space policy considerations and potential future research work. It will also test communication pathways that will help reduce communication delays in space operations.

It comes after the New Zealand Defence Force’s first orbital research payload, Korimako, was successfully launched in March 2024.

“The Tui payload launch demonstrates a continuation of DST’s pathway into space operations research and development that began with the Korimako payload,” Defence Science and Technology (DST) director David Galligan said.

“We are delighted to be enabled in these endeavours through our strong international partnerships.”

New Zealand’s DST is a unit of the country’s military that employs scientists, technologists, technicians and business services professionals.

The payload was one of several high-profile local spacecraft launched on Transporter-12.

Space Connect reported last week how Fleet Space launched two new satellites on the SpaceX blast-off to improve its technology that can detect underground minerals from space.

Fleet’s “ExoSphere” product has led the company to be named one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies, boasting clients such as Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold and Core Lithium.

It effectively allows mining companies to both speed up the hunt for minerals and reduce costs by lowering the need for invasive land surveying.

The two new Centauri satellites are the ninth and 10th launched by the South Australian-based company and come nine months after it launched its last spacecraft, Centauri-6.

The Transporter-12 rideshare mission also included Varda’s W-2 capsule, which will soon touch down at South Australia’s Koonibba Test Range.

It comes three months after the space agency granted Southern Launch, which operates the site, Australia’s first authorisation to capture spacecraft that re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from orbit.

Varda, the company behind the W-2 capsule, believes in-space manufacturing could lead to the development of lifesaving treatments because of the natural advantages of being away from Earth, including microgravity and a vacuum.

Aside from pharmaceuticals, the spacecraft also contains payloads, including a heatshield developed with NASA’s Ames Research Center and a spectrometer created by the US Air Force’s research division.

The re-entry will allow the payloads to experience extreme hypersonic conditions that will exceed beyond Mach 15 – or 15 times the speed of sound.

“High hypersonic flow conditions are impossible to replicate on the ground, and flight testing is the only way to advance our understanding of the unique aerothermal chemistry experienced by spacecraft on their way back to Earth,” Varda said.

“Additionally, most test vehicles are not recoverable and are often limited to lower hypersonic conditions that do not provide a complete picture of the environment with adequate heat loads, pressures and plasma formation.” (Source: Space Connect)

29 Jan 25. York Space Systems (York), the Denver-based aerospace company dedicated to the rapid deployment of complete space mission solutions, today announced the latest addition to its satellite platform portfolio the M-CLASS. With a payload capacity of 1,000 kilograms and 8 kW of peak power, the M-CLASS addresses the growing demand for higher power and greater mission flexibility, enabling customers to tackle increasingly diverse and complex missions.

The M-CLASS builds on the success of York’s mission proven S-CLASS and LX-CLASS platforms, reusing over 75 percent of its flight-proven technology to deliver enhanced capabilities while maintaining record breaking production timelines with minimal schedule risk. The proprietary design and manufacturing approach further expands the range of solutions available to government and commercial partners with quantities from a single spacecraft to deploying large constellations. Ensuring reliability while supporting a wide variety of space missions, the M-CLASS continues York’s unbroken commitment to deliver adaptable, high-performance systems tailormade to meet customer needs.

“Customers are asking for more power and capability, and the M-CLASS is our response to that strong demand signal,” said Michael Lajczok, CTO of York. “This platform not only expands our product offerings, but also reinforces York’s role as a trusted partner in addressing complex mission needs. We remain committed to delivering on time solutions that empower our customers to achieve their objectives.”

York’s ability to produce bespoke satellites at unmatched scale and reliability continues to set the new standard for the space industry. York was the first to deliver T0 Transport satellites on orbit and remains proud to support the SDA throughout its demonstration phase of PWSA including: first-ever Link 16 from space, transport laser communication links, inter-layer laser communications, numerous military exercises participation, and in-orbit collision avoidance maneuverability. Its T0 mission has been operating successfully for over 20 months, with the second and third constellations set to launch later this year. York’s proven and mature supply chain and established production capabilities ensure rapid delivery timelines and mission-ready reliability, allowing customers to confidently meet critical deadlines in a dynamic operational environment.

“York continues to demonstrate how leveraging commercial innovation can effectively support critical government operations,” said Melanie Preisser, GM and Executive VP of York. “As the space industry evolves, the intersection of government mission needs and the commercial sector’s ability to innovate and scale has never been more necessary. The M-CLASS is a direct result of this growing synergy, enabling all customers the ability to access powerful, flexible, and efficient solutions for a wide range of applications. York is helping to ensure mission success for both government and commercial customers while strengthening the broader space ecosystem.”

With the introduction of the M-CLASS, York continues to solidify its position as a trusted partner for customers seeking scalable satellite solutions. From national security to environmental monitoring, the M-CLASS delivers the performance and adaptability required for today’s most demanding missions.

About York Space Systems

York Space Systems was founded on the principle of transforming spacecraft affordability and reliability. The Denver-based aerospace company is a beacon in the industry, enabling and spearheading next-generation space mission operations globally. Specializing in the swift production of mission-ready spacecraft platforms, York integrates commercial methodologies across a spectrum of government and commercial assignments. Their comprehensive solutions encompass spacecraft production, payload and system integration, launch and ground segment services, and mission operations. Harnessing York’s technology suite ensures customers achieve rapid orbit deployments, providing them with a competitive edge. Their S-CLASS, LX-CLASS, and largest, M-CLASS platforms cater to a diverse set of missions ranging from ISR, remote proximity, weather, to communications. York’s platforms are compatible with a broad spectrum of launch vehicles and ground segment providers. Their cloud-based mission tasking paired with an autonomous operations center provides an unparalleled, cost-effective solution for real-time data acquisition and analysis. Learn more at http://www.YorkSpaceSystems.com. (Source: PR Newswire)

29 Jan 25. U.S. Space Force Rapid Capabilities Office selects companies for tech accelerator.

The Space RCO tapped 10 companies for its inaugural Prime Fusion Pilot Accelerator.

The U.S. Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) announced Jan. 29 it selected 10 companies to participate in its inaugural Prime Fusion Pilot Accelerator Program, an initiative aimed at fast-tracking technologies to protect military satellites from orbital threats.

The program, run in partnership with defense contractor FedTech, is designed to identify emerging space technologies that could enhance the safety of satellites in orbit. Space RCO, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, focuses on the rapid acquisition and delivery of critical space systems.

The accelerator will focus on satellite defense technologies, including onboard satellite sensors, anomaly detection software, and ground-based tracking systems to monitor and report potential threats such as space debris and adversarial activity.

“The goal is to seamlessly integrate new and innovative technologies into satellites offered by prime integrators, creating adaptable space assets with built-in awareness,” the Space RCO said in a statement on Jan. 29.

The Space RCO, established by Congress in 2018, serves as a specialized unit within the Space Force dedicated to the expedited development and deployment of space capabilities.

Companies team up

The accelerator’s first cohort consists of five two-company teams, each bringing specialized expertise in satellite technology and situational awareness:

Active Vigilance – Turion Space: Active Vigilance specializes in automated onboard anomaly detection. Turion Space develops spacecraft capable of docking and maneuvering.

Digantara – Anduril: India-based Digantara is focused on space situational awareness, using a network of nanosatellites and a cloud-based analytics platform to track and assess space debris. Anduril Industries, a U.S. defense technology firm, is known for integrating artificial intelligence into defense systems.

Geost – Impulse Space: Geost manufactures space domain awareness payloads that track and identify objects in space. Impulse Space specializes in in-space transportation.

Raptor Dynamix – True Anomaly: Raptor Dynamix, a defense contractor leveraging AI for geospatial intelligence, teams up with True Anomaly, which develops spacecraft designed for military orbital operations and space domain awareness.

TRL11 – BlackVe: TRL11 is working to bring full-motion video capabilities to space for applications like satellite docking and debris removal. BlackVe focuses on developing spacecraft technologies for military applications.

The accelerator will culminate in a March 2025 pitch event in Albuquerque, where teams will present their solutions to Space RCO leadership and industry representatives. (Source: glstrade.com/Space News)

30 Jan 25. The first of the two Airbus-built new generation SpainSat satellites, SpainSat NG-I, has been successfully launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, in the U.S. Operated by Hisdesat for the Spanish Armed Forces, Europe’s most advanced secure communications satellite operating in UHF, Ka and X band, will enter into service in geostationary orbit from the second half of 2025, following initial testing and commissioning.

“The launch of SpainSat NG-I with cutting-edge secure communications technology enabled by our industry-leading Eurostar Neo platform is a major step for Spanish and European sovereignty. Its innovative payload, which represents more than 45% of the satellite, has been developed thanks to a joint effort of the Spanish space industry, led by Airbus,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.

Airbus Defence and Space, as prime contractor, designed, integrated and tested the satellite at the Airbus facilities in Toulouse. Airbus in Spain also developed the innovative X-band transmit and receive active antenna system, providing the functionality equivalent to 16 traditional antennas. These active antennas provide the satellite with exceptional flexibility and resilience. Their software enables them to adapt and change the coverage up to 1,000 times per second and can detect, geolocate and mitigate multiple and simultaneous interference with high precision. The satellite is also radiation hardened to protect against a potential nuclear blast.

SpainSat NG satellites will deliver a tenfold increase in communications capacity over the previous generation, allowing the transmission of more data more quickly with coverage over two thirds of the Earth’s surface.

The twin satellite SpainSat NG-II, which is currently under construction and testing at Airbus Defence and Space facilities, will be completed at the end of 2025.

29 Jan 25. Scottish rocket launch boost to get Britain back into space race. A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector.

£20m to launch the first UK made orbital rocket from Saxavord.

Landmark Scottish rocket launch set to boost UK’s launching power and make Britain a European space leader
£20m government investment will help to fund the construction and launch of the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket
Orbex’s rocket Prime will encourage economic investment and support high-skilled jobs, as part of the Plan for Change

A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector, following a £20m government investment in UK launch company Orbex to build and launch a rocket from the shores of Scotland.

Tech Secretary Peter Kyle announced the investment today (29th January) at Brussels’ European Space Conference, positioning Britain as a leading international partner and cooperator in Europe’s access to space. The investment will help to fund Orbex’s rocket Prime, the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket.

Prime is set to take off from late 2025 at Scottish spaceport SaxaVord, one of two licensed vertical launch spaceports in Europe. It will catalyse the UK’s position as a leading small satellite manufacturer and global space leader, and support 140 highly paid jobs in the region as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

The investment will contribute to this government’s mission to grow the economy, boosting the UK’s ability to regularly launch rockets into orbit from its shores and attracting launch investment into the UK.

With European demand for satellites up to 2033 forecasted to be worth $50bn, even 2% of this would bring around $1bn in revenues for the UK economy alone.

Developing Britain’s launch capabilities is already helping to bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and organisations across the UK. So far, the Prime project has created more than 140 highly skilled jobs in Forres, with many more anticipated as the company continues to grow.

The launch of Prime will also help to inspire a new generation of British space professionals. By showcasing the pivotal role of Britain in the space age, government is investing now to ensure a sector that is vibrant, innovative, and above all, successful in achieving our goal for the UK to become a leading European provider of small satellite launch.

Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Britain’s impressive toolkit of scientific talent, world class facilities, and unique geography means we stand ready to lead the charge and to work together with our international partners as a key part of the new space revolution in Europe. By investing £20m in this rocket launch, we are not only helping the country to become a leading destination for small satellite launches in Europe but bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to communities and organisations across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change.

Supporting Orbex’s launch will also turbocharge the country’s position in the space sector and inspire our next generation of space professionals, who will be able to design, test, build and launch British rockets, carrying British satellites, from British soil.”

Designed to launch satellites into orbit, Prime will benefit from the UK’s latitude, with Scotland’s geographical positioning providing easy access to valuable polar orbits.

The British-built Prime is also Europe-leading in its pioneering approach to sustainability. It is poised to become the first in a new generation of ultra green launch systems, powered by renewable bio-propane fuel, which cuts carbon emissions significantly compared to other similarly sized rockets being developed elsewhere around the world.

The rocket is also designed to be re-useable. Upon returning to Earth, what does not burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere will be recovered and components will be refurbished and reused in future projects.

Britain is already a key player in the satellite industry, with Glasgow building more satellites than any other city in Europe.

Dr Paul Bate CEO UK Space Agency said: “Space is a fast-growing global industry and there is a real opportunity for the UK to play a greater role now than ever before. This new government investment is not just about launching a rocket, but building a more prosperous future for all, powered by space technology. Orbex is a highly innovative company that can serve customers in the UK, Europe and beyond with its Prime launch vehicle, create hundreds of high skilled jobs in Scotland and inspire a new generation to reach for the stars. We will work closely with them as we countdown to launch, continue to develop our national space capabilities, and strengthen our international partnerships.”

Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said: “It’s an exciting time for the Scottish space sector and this £20m investment from the UK government in Orbex will help Scotland maintain our position as a leader as we look forward to the first satellite launch later this year. This important industry is playing a vital role in our Plan for Change, helping economic growth and employing thousands of people in good quality jobs, often in small towns and rural communities, across the country.2

Phillip Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: “This first of a kind investment by the UK government demonstrates its confidence in the UK’s space rocket manufacturing and launch sector and is an exciting start to the opening of our Series D fundraising. We are entering the final preparations to deliver the most flexible and environmentally sustainable launch services to the global satellite industry. This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

27 Jan 25. Summit Ridge Group, LLC and TMF Associates, Inc., leading financial and industry consulting boutiques focused on the telecom, media, and satellite industries, are pleased to announce the release of their joint white paper, “Spectrum for Emerging Direct-to-Device Satellite Operators.” This detailed analysis examines the technological, regulatory, and economic challenges to finding appropriate spectrum for direct-to-device services. The full report is available at: https://summitridgegroup.com/insights-blog/

Direct-To-Device: A Paradigm Shift in Connectivity

Direct-to-device (D2D) services are revolutionizing satellite communications by enabling seamless connectivity between satellites and standard consumer devices such as smartphones and IoT sensors. This technology promises to extend connectivity to even the most remote corners of the globe, bridging critical coverage gaps. However, the vision of near-universal connectivity is not without challenges. Spectrum scarcity and competing demands from terrestrial and satellite services make efficient spectrum allocation a critical hurdle for both new entrants and incumbent players.

Key Insights From The White Paper

Spectrum Allocation: The Pivotal Challenge

Existing Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) bands—L-band, Big LEO, and 2 GHz—offer viable options for D2D deployment. Among these, the underutilized 2 GHz band presents the most flexibility and potential for supporting high-capacity D2D applications.
Co-channel frequency sharing with incumbent MSS users poses significant challenges, particularly in safety-critical bands like L-band and Big LEO.
Innovative approaches, including commercial partnerships, are emerging as pragmatic solutions to balance the needs of MSS incumbents and D2D entrants.

Market Dynamics and Strategic Positioning

Market leaders such as Apple, Globalstar, AST SpaceMobile, and SpaceX are investing heavily in D2D, showcasing the market’s transformative potential. Apple’s partnership with Globalstar and AST’s agreement with Ligado underscore the growing importance of MSS spectrum for D2D services.
While text-based and emergency services are leading initial deployments, future iterations promise voice and higher-speed data capabilities. However, these future capabilities will require significant spectrum resources and technological optimization while facing uncertain consumer willingness to pay.

Regulatory and Technical Realities

Current regulatory frameworks, including the FCC’s Supplementary Coverage from Space (SCS) rules, provide a foundation for D2D operations, but global spectrum harmonization of terrestrial bands remains an elusive goal.
Technological constraints, including the limitations of omnidirectional antennas in consumer devices, underscore the need for tailored solutions in spectrum coordination and system design.

The Road Ahead

We identify the 2 GHz MSS band as a promising frontier for next-generation D2D networks due to the significant challenges associated with the Big LEO and L-band MSS spectrum. The Big LEO MSS band is already fully utilized, leaving no additional spectrum available for new entrants. Moreover, co-channel sharing in this band is fraught with risks:

Safety and Mission-Critical Communications: Sharing spectrum in the Big LEO and L-band MSS frequencies could compromise emergency and mission-critical services, making these bands unsuitable for further allocations.
Technological Constraints: Current technological limitations, such as the inability of consumer devices with omnidirectional antennas to effectively manage spectrum sharing, further hinder the feasibility of co-channel use in the Big LEO band.

In contrast, the 2 GHz MSS band offers much-needed flexibility and capacity, with fewer regulatory and technical hurdles and minimal incumbent use. Leveraging this spectrum will enable high-power D2D applications while addressing the growing demand for seamless global connectivity.

Commercial agreements between D2D providers and MSS incumbents are emerging as the most viable path forward, accelerating D2D deployments without compromising critical communication systems. By focusing on the 2 GHz MSS band, the D2D proponents can unlock the full potential of D2D services, ensuring a robust and reliable framework for future advances.

About Summit Ridge Group

Summit Ridge Group LLC (“Summit Ridge Group,” “SRG,” or the “firm”) is a globally recognized consulting firm specializing in complex business valuation, financial advisory, and strategic consulting for the telecommunications, satellite, media, and technology (TMT) sectors. Founded in 2008, the firm is renowned for its expertise in valuing hard-to-value assets such as wireless spectrum licenses and satellite orbital slot authorizations. Summit Ridge Group delivers objective insights to support high-stakes transactions, litigation, and financial restructuring, serving institutional investors, leading law firms, U.S. government agencies, and other key industry participants. The firm’s comprehensive services include transaction advisory, due diligence, and strategic consulting for telecom operators, satellite communications providers, and technology companies driving advancements in 5G, IoT, Private Networks. Leveraging deep industry expertise and understanding of financial, legal, and industry complexities, Summit Ridge Group empowers clients to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the rapidly evolving global TMT market. For additional information, please visit https://summitridgegroup.com/.

About Telecom, Media & Finance (TMF) Associates

TMF Associates, headquartered in Woodside, California, is a leading consulting and research firm providing business and technical analysis in

satellite, wireless, and broadband telecommunications. The firm specializes in Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) and LEO broadband systems, and works with operators, investors, and equipment manufacturers to analyze complex market and technical issues. For additional information, please visit www.tmfassociates.com. (Source: PR Newswire)

24 Jan 25. SpaceX sends off 23 smallsats from Starlink Group 11-6. Early morning fog was not a problem this time when on Friday, January 24 at 6:07 a.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission marked a turnaround record for SLC-4E at 2 days, 22 hours, 21 minutes, and 10 seconds, just over 17 hours faster then the previous record set by SpaceX. This was the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6, DART, SDA-0B, Iridium OneWeb, Transporter-7, NROL-113, NROL-167, NROL-149, and now 15 Starlink missions. (Source: Satnews)

27 Jan 25. CybExer Technologies, a NATO-awarded deep tech cyber range company, has today announced that it has been named as a Key Technology Partner of the European Space Agency (ESA). In collaboration with Spaceit, CGI Estonia, Foundation CR14, and Tartu University, CybExer will be bringing its expertise in cyber range platforms to develop a new Space Cyber Range (SCR) for the ESA. This groundbreaking initiative falls under the ARTES 4.0 (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program line Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S).

As the world becomes increasingly dependent on satellites and space-based assets for communication, navigation, and critical infrastructure, securing these systems against evolving cyber threats has become an urgent priority.

The SCR provides a realistic, controlled and highly advanced simulation environment where space operators, cybersecurity professionals, and technology developers can train, test, and validate solutions before cyber threats impact live space missions.

By consolidating cybersecurity capabilities into a single integrated platform, the SCR establishes a new benchmark for cybersecurity readiness, ensuring that emerging technologies and critical space systems meet the highest security and regulatory standards.

“This marks a major breakthrough in securing the future of space operations,” said Andrus Kivisaar, CEO of CybExer Technologies. “With the increasing digitisation of space assets, cyber threats are no longer a theoretical risk – they are a real and immediate challenge. The Space Cyber Range ensures that we stay ahead of threats by providing an environment where space organisations can strengthen their cybersecurity defences with confidence.”

The Space Cyber Range marks a major step forward in how cybersecurity is approached for space operations. It enables organisations to replicate the complexity of satellite communications, ground control interactions, and cyberattack scenarios while providing a secure testing ground where space agencies and companies can assess vulnerabilities without putting live systems at risk.

CybExer will play a central role in powering the cybersecurity framework of the SCR. With a strong track record of delivering cyber training and testing solutions in over 60 countries, CybExer brings its expertise in highly adaptable and scalable cyber ranges to the project.

20 Jan 25. Pixxel has launched Firefly hyperspectral satellite. Pixxel has successfully launched the first three satellites of its Firefly constellation. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission via SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This marks a significant milestone for Pixxel as it begins commercial operations, delivering critical climate and Earth insights to industries worldwide and solidifying its position as a global leader in Earth Observation.

The Fireflies, currently the world’s highest-resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites, bring unprecedented precision to monitoring the planet and setting a new benchmark for hyperspectral imaging capabilities. With an 5-meter resolution attained for the first time in a hyperspectral spacecraft, Fireflies are six times sharper than the 30-meter standard of most existing hyperspectral satellites, capturing fine details previously invisible to conventional systems.

This cutting-edge resolution is paired with the ability to capture data across 150+ spectral bands, enabling Fireflies to detect subtle changes in chemical compositions, vegetation health, water quality, and even atmospheric conditions with unmatched accuracy. Unlike traditional Earth observation satellites that rely on broader spectral bands, Firefly’s narrowband sensors uncover hidden patterns and anomalies critical for applications ranging from agriculture to climate action.

Pixxel’s satellites also feature a 40-kilometer swath width and a daily revisit capability, enabling consistent monitoring of vast areas without compromising on detail and ensuring that no critical event goes unnoticed. This combination of high spatial resolution, spectral richness, and frequent global coverage positions Firefly as the world’s most advanced commercial hyperspectral imaging system.

Orbiting in a sun-synchronous orbit at roughly 550km, the Fireflies will form the cornerstone of Pixxel’s mission to build a health monitor for the planet.

“The future of our planet depends on how deeply we understand it today. The successful deployment of our first commercial satellites is a defining moment for Pixxel and a giant leap toward redefining how we use space technology to address the planet’s challenges,” said Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel. “By investing in the health of our planet now, Pixxel hopes not just to shape the trajectory of Earth observation but also to help write the next chapter in the story of our shared future.”

“The Fireflies represent years of rigorous research, engineering, and innovation aimed at unlocking critical insights about our planet and are a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of our team and the transformative potential of hyperspectral imaging,” said Kshitij Khandelwal, Founder and CTO of Pixxel. “Their ability to detect subtle changes in Earth’s ecosystems will provide industries and governments with the precise information needed to address critical global challenges confidently.”

This launch marks the first phase of Pixxel’s commercial constellation, with three additional Firefly satellites scheduled to launch in Q2 2025. Together, these satellites will deliver comprehensive, real-time data collection and analysis, equipping industries and governments with insights to address global concerns, manage resources responsibly, and drive climate action.

The Firefly constellation’s advanced hyperspectral imaging capabilities open new possibilities across sectors. From empowering environmental agencies to monitor deforestation and ocean pollution in near real-time to helping industries like mining, oil, and gas enhance resource management and infrastructure safety, the applications are vast and transformative. By detecting subtle changes in soil composition, water quality, or atmospheric conditions, Firefly will change how humanity interacts with and protects our planet’s resources.

As part of its larger mission, Pixxel plans to integrate hyperspectral data with machine learning and artificial intelligence tools, further amplifying the impact of Earth Observation technology. This fusion of advanced satellite imagery and predictive analytics will enable businesses to anticipate disruptions and governments to implement proactive policies, paving the way for a new era of precision decision-making.

Pixxel has already launched three successful demo hyperspectral satellites before this launch and raised $95 m in funding, making it the most well-funded hyperspectral imaging space startup globally. With this commercial launch, Pixxel takes a decisive step toward operationalizing its vision of a hyperspectral-powered future where advanced Earth Observation drives solutions. (Source: Satnews)

23 Jan 25. Almagest Space successful launch + deployment of their ELEVATION-1 E-Band satellite. Almagest Space Corporation has announced the successful launch and deployment of ELEVATION-1, a demonstration satellite carrying the world’s first E-band communications payload with the foundational technology for Almagest to develop innovative, high performance, bulk data solutions.

ELEVATION-1 was launched, with support from Almagest’s launch partner D-Orbit S.p.A., on January 14th as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Base. The spacecraft was manufactured by XDLINX Space Labs in India, is powered by Antaris’ Cloud Platform and SatOS™, and was assembled, integrated, and tested by Ananth Technologies. The E-band payload was built by XDLINX using key components and subsystems from Filtronic, Flann, and IQ Wireless. ELEVATION-1 was delivered within 9 months of kick-off, an extraordinary achievement for such a challenging mission.

ELEVATION-1 represents a major advancement in satellite communication capabilities. The spacecraft will test the world’s first miniaturized space-grade E-band communication payload, and measurement and other transmission data will be used to develop advanced propagation models for Almagest’s global high-speed and ultra-high throughput (UHTS) LEO constellation. Almagest plans to deploy its constellation in phases, commencing in 2026- 2027 with its TWINSTAR Mission, consisting of two, FSO-connected satellites providing two- way high-throughput point-to-point services for latency tolerant applications, and gradually expanding to a network of more than 100 satellites by 2030 as demand for these services increases.

The untapped lower (71-76 GHz) and upper (81-86 GHz) E-Band spectrum can be harnessed to meet the ever-growing data traffic requirements of commercial UHTS and other SATCOM systems for secured high-capacity channels. The 10 GHz of available E-band spectrum is far greater than available spectrum in congested legacy lower frequencies like S-, Ku-, and Ka-band. E-band solutions will greatly enhance space-based communication capabilities by delivering unprecedented fiber optic-like speeds of up to 100 Gbps, enabling secure high-system capacity networks and high data throughput applications. Almagest has a senior multi-orbital global ITU filing in E-band.

Raghu Das, Almagest’s CEO and Co-Founder, said, “Almagest is thrilled to announce the successful launch of ELEVATION-1 on the Transporter-12 mission. Our focus now is on demonstrating the E-band payload’s space-to-earth transmission capabilities, which will form the foundation for our quantum key distribution (QKD)-enabled ‘zero trust’ high- capacity UHTS network. This network will deliver speeds complementing fiber-optic systems. We are committed to working with technology and strategic partners— including terrestrial wireless carriers and independent global satellite network operators— to provide cutting-edge, global space/earth and in-space bulk data relay services. These services will cater to government and commercial applications requiring ultra-high capacity and speed.” (Source: Satnews)

Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.

The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.

Visit maxtrixspace.com

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

Protek Selected By Dutch Armed Forces

PARLIAMENTARY QUESTIONS

MANAGEMENT ON THE MOVE