SATELLITE SYSTEMS, SATCOM AND SPACE SYSTEMS UPDATE

Sponsored By Viasat

 

www.viasat.com/gov-uk

————————————————————————

20 May 21. DARPA ‘Likely’ To Demo Only 2 Blackjack Payloads.

“We really focused on payloads that had tactical utility, because they were an underserved market,” said Blackjack program manager Stephen Forbes.

While DARPA’s Blackjack program currently is exploring a handful of different payloads for small, cheap, low-flying satellites, only two are “likely” to be chosen to fly, says Stephen Forbes, program manager. Those are a radio-frequency package, and a missile warning sensor.

“I’m going to let the technical decisions drive that [choice], but I can say that, at the end of the day, we’ll probably end up with two different configurations … two different payloads,” Forbes explained in an interview.

While Forbes said nothing is set in stone under the multi-faceted effort, the Blackjack satellites will end up carrying a radio frequency (RF) system capable of both communications and geolocation, and an overhead persistent infrared (OPIR) missile warning payload. (Geolocation involves using radio signals to detect targets, and even track moving vehicles.)

“Those are actually our primary payloads that we intend to demonstrate,” he said, noting that each of those payloads would probably require a different bus design. This is because the requirements for satellite subcomponents such as antennas are different based on payload types.

The high-profile program is widely seen by the satellite industry as a boot-strap into a lucrative DoD market for smallsats in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). DoD sees LEO constellations as potentially providing a host of services to warfighters in highly-contested conflict zones — both as alternatives to today’s uber-expensive handful of milsats, and as a foundation for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2).

More than a dozen companies — from defense behemoths to tiny startups — are currently under Blackjack contracts.

Program goals

Blackjack is designed to redesign commercial technology and manufacturing practices for building small, cheap, low-orbiting satellites for military uses. The program’s specific goals are:

• Develop payload and mission-level autonomy software and demonstrate autonomous orbital operations including on-orbit distributed decision processors.
• Develop and implement advanced commercial manufacturing for military payloads and the spacecraft bus.
• Demonstrate payloads in LEO to augment [national security space] assets.

“We’re still not focused on a specific mission,” Forbes explained. “We’re not trying to solve specific capability gaps or technical gaps, related to a specific sensor payload, which is why you continue to see a broad swath of contracts and other activities ongoing with the program because of that architecture,” he said.

Thus, up to now, Blackjack has been exploring multiple types of payloads and multiple bus designs from multiple companies.

Further, he added: “If there’s opportunities to get more payloads on orbit by by putting two payloads on one bus, we may we may look at that,” he said. “But if it becomes where that starts to drive cost or schedule, we’ll go into separate configurations.”

Another, perhaps even more important, factor that could pique Blackjack to switch directions regarding payloads, he explained, is whether or not demand signals from military users changes.

“We’ve made the conscious effort to focus on tactical with this program,” Forbes said. “We really focused on payloads that had tactical utility, because they were an underserved market.”

The Army, in particular, has been pushing for years to get more fast access to satellite data to inform tactical decisions — with commanders begging for everything from more reliable communications in places like the mountains of Afghanistan, to assured positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) signals in conflict zones where GPS is unavailable or jammed, to ISR imagery and data currently provided by the NRO and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency.

The Army is one of the potential “transition partners” for Blackjack, along with the Space Development Agency (SDA) and the Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center, which will soon morph into the new Space Systems Command. Forbes wasn’t about to wade into that potential food fight, and to be fair, he really has no reason to do so.

“Space acquisition, especially when it comes to LEO, is going to be resolved at a pay grade much higher than mine,” he said with a laugh. “So, I’m in the fortunate situation where — since Blackjack is focused on the architecture — to me it doesn’t really matter who acquires the architecture.”

Indeed, when DARPA started Blackjack in 2017, the space environment was fundamentally different. Since then, DoD has formed Space Command and the Space Force, and concerns have grown about the vulnerability of US space assets to interference and/or attack by Russia, China and others. Meanwhile, the commercial space sector has exploded, especially with regard to the use of LEO sats for everything from high-speed comms to imagery to even signals intelligence-like capabilities (such as RF geolocation) once closely held by NRO.

So, Forbes explained, the original goal of Blackjack was to bring as many types of payloads, busses, propulsion systems, and constellation designs as possible into the proof of concept. Phase One of the program, now concluded, was aimed at bringing multiple ideas through design review, he explained, and allow DoD customers to check them out against needs.

Keeping DARPA’s options — and those of potential users — open remains a concern, he said. “We want to make sure we don’t cut off promising development efforts too early,” he said.

Program enters Phase 2

Now, as Blackjack moves into its second phase, DARPA is funding a more than a dozen contractors, each working on a different technology set. Not all those contracts will result in products that make it to orbit, Forbes stressed.

Nor do the contract face values represent real dollars, in that each individual contract includes options for equipping up to 20 satellites. Thus, he explained (to our dismay), it doesn’t work to simply add up the value of contract announcements to figure out the overall Blackjack budget, which currently is being kept secret. And while DARPA allows contractors to disclose certain contract parameters, not all companies choose to do disclose anything at all.

Primes

Lockheed Martin was chosen as the prime integrator of payloads and satellites for Phase 1 of Blackjack last April; this April it won a follow-on contract modification worth $27.3m for Phase II integration (for a total of $40.4m).

Two companies, SEAKR Engineering and Scientific Systems Co. Inc (SSCI), were jointly awarded a contract worth up to $60.4m in March for Phase 2 and Phase 3 development of (and integration of payloads into) the Pit Boss cloud-based, autonomous mission management system for the constellation.

Bus contracts

There are three contractors working on Phase 2 bus designs, according to a list provided to Breaking D by DARPA: Blue Canyon Technologies, Telesat and Airbus US.

In February, Blue Canyon (now a subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies) won a contract worth up to $26.5m to potentially build six more standardized satellite buses, as a second installment in a contract awarded last year for $14.1m to produce four. Telesat last October won $18.3m to produce two busses. Airbus announced in 2019 that it had won a bus contract for an unspecified amount of money to produce an unspecified number of busses.

Payload contracts

Three contractors have won awards to build different types of RF payloads: SEAKR; Systems & Technology Research, under a 2020 award worth up to $79.5m; and Augustus Aerospace Co., a tiny Colorado-based startup working on a payload designed to meet Army Space and Missile Defense Command needs under an undisclosed award.

Two contractors, Raytheon (under a contract worth up to $37.4m issued last June), and optical-system specialists Danbury Mission Technologies (contract undisclosed) have won awards for OPIR payloads designed to track missiles.

Northrop Grumman Mission Systems is working on an alternate PNT system, under a just announced $13.3m Phase 2 contract for development of two payloads.

L3Harris was contracted in May 2020 to develop an electro-optical/infrared payload for missile warning, again, with the parameters not disclosed. However, colleague Nathan Strout reported that the company lost out on a follow-on Blackjack contract to Raytheon (see above).

Finally, SA Photonics is developing optical inter-satellite links (OSILs) for the Mandrake 2 experimental satellites under a Blackjack contract — satellites that are specifically aimed at demonstrating capability for SDA’s National Defense Space Architecture.

Forbes explained that DARPA is continuing to fund development of the OSIL payloads, but that the rationale has changed — because the commercial industry isn’t as far along in development of the underlying technology as DARPA and SDA originally thought.

“They have really moved from less of a payload for a tactical user” to instead being seen as “a critical enabling technology for Leo constellations,” he said. DoD “realized that we couldn’t rely on the commercial folks to be there on our schedule, and it was a place where the DoD needed to make an investment to ensure that we had the communication links between the satellite to support the architecture.”

(Source: Breaking Defense.com)

 

21 May 21. Gilmour Space mulling new launch site in Queensland. The Queensland government is working with the firm to explore the potential for a new launch site in the state.

Gilmour Space Technologies has reportedly expressed interest in opening a new launch site in Queensland, with the state government proposing Abbot Point, Mackay, as the potential home for the facility.

A technical and environmental investigation into the opportunity to launch space rockets from Abbot Point reportedly found that the site would be suitable for small-scale launch vehicles.

The Palaszczuk government confirmed it is working with Gilmour and local industry stakeholders to advance the project.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles noted the advantages of opening a new launch site in Queensland.

“Growing our space industry in Queensland will add billions to the economy and create thousands of local jobs,” the minister said.

“That’s why we are committed to the development of launch infrastructure.

“Our easterly facing position, proximity to the equator, and our leading launch and propulsion companies make Queensland the perfect place to invest in space.”

Gilmour Space co-founder and head of launch operations, James Gilmour, said the new launch site would enhance the company’s service offerings.

“A launch site at Abbot Point in North Queensland would give our customers a range of valuable orbits, inclinations, and altitudes that they will require,” he  said.

Minister Miles added that the Queensland government would also consider other potential launch sites.

“We also want to position the state to have the potential to meet longer-term, broader industry requirements,” he said.

“Having multiple launch facilities would be a huge drawcard for Queensland, which would undoubtedly bring more global players and jobs to the state.

“Investing in priority industries like space is a part of our economic recovery plan.”

Queensland’s strategic defence advisor for aerospace, Air Vice-Marshal (Ret’d) Neil Hart, said new launch sites would help advance Australia’s push to build sovereign space capability.

“There is considerable interest in leveraging the geographic advantage of an East coast launch from low latitudes,” Hart said.

“Identifying a site along the Queensland coast with the potential to launch multiple and large payloads to a range of nationally significant orbits would be a significant contribution to Australia’s growing space capabilities.”

Minister Miles said the government would also work with industry stakeholders to develop a rocket engine test site and an Earth observation data analytics hub.

“These projects align with Queensland’s strengths, will boost our economic recovery and will help ensure the growth of our space industry is all systems go,” he concluded.

Gilmour Space is also exploring a proposed launch site in South Australia for complementary polar orbits. (Source: Space Connect)

 

20 May 21. New government funding helps UK companies lead the way for future Moon missions. UK companies are developing new communication and navigation services needed for future missions to the Moon, thanks to funding from the UK Space Agency. In what will be the world’s first commercial servicing of its kind, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), Inmarsat and MDA UK are among those who won contracts with the European Space Agency (ESA), worth just over £2m in total, to shape the infrastructure for future lunar exploration.

NASA plans to return to the Moon by 2024 and, working with ESA and other partners, intends to put a Gateway with living quarters for astronauts in lunar orbit. Reliable navigation and telecommunication capabilities are essential for these missions, and others like it, to succeed.

Science Minister Amanda Solloway said, “People all over the world will be hugely excited by the upcoming missions to the Moon – and I’m proud that UK space companies are leading the way in making these a reality. Britain’s expertise in navigation and telecommunications is second to none and this first of its kind commercial service – spearheaded by some of the UK’s most innovative businesses – demonstrates our ambition for the UK to become a world-leading space nation.”

Under ESA’s Moonlight programme Guildford-based SSTL Lunar will lead a consortium, including Airbus in Portsmouth, Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall and Nottingham satellite navigation company GMV-NSL, to plan how they could provide data-relay services for communication and navigation around the Moon.

Guildford-based SSTL Lunar will lead a consortium to plan how they could provide data-relay services for communication and navigation around the Moon. Credit: SSTL-UK

The study will set out the infrastructure required for the consortiums to deliver a constellation of Lunar communication and navigation satellites which would enable surface missions operating on the far side of the Moon, without a line of sight direct to the Earth, to keep constant contact with Earth. It will also provide Lunar navigation signals to support the precision landing of scientific equipment and the operation of rovers.

Elodie Viau, ESA’s Director of Telecommunications and Integrated Applications, said:

A lasting link with the Moon enables sustainable space exploration for all our international partners, including commercial space companies. By using an ESA-backed telecommunications and navigation service for the Moon, explorers will be able to navigate smoothly and to relay to Earth all the knowledge gained from these lunar missions.

A robust, reliable and efficient telecommunications and navigation system will make the dozens of individual missions planned for the Moon more cost-efficient and enable smaller countries to become space-faring nations, inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Communications could be maintained between the Earth and Moon without a direct line of sight. Credit: ESA

SSTL’s Managing Director Phil Brownnett said, “Selection for the Moonlight Study is another step forward for our SSTL Lunar team and, together with our consortium partners, we will be bringing a wealth of both innovation and experience to our technical solution.”

Leading the consortium builds on our successful collaboration with ESA for our Lunar Pathfinder communications spacecraft which will provide the world’s first commercial Lunar data relay service after launch in 2022.

A shared communications and navigation service will also reduce the ticket price of Lunar exploration and reduce the design complexity of individual missions, potentially making them lighter and freeing up space for additional payloads.

Inmarsat, based in London, and MDA Space and Robotics Ltd (MDA UK), based in the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, are part of a consortium led by Telespazio in Italy investigating the development of a Lunar Communications and Navigation Service (LCNS) to support future science, exploration and commercial activities in orbit above, and on, the lunar surface.

Yasrine Ibnyahya, Senior Director, Advanced Concepts and Technologies at Inmarsat, said:

Providing communication and navigation capabilities around the Moon is a major challenge, both technically and commercially. But I strongly believe that the expertise and assets from Inmarsat and our partners can solve this challenge in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

Communications and navigation are both core capabilities of Inmarsat’s Earth operations in orbit and on the ground, so it is only natural that we expand our reach and leverage our know-how beyond our planet to the Moon.

“This lunar project is only the first step to unlock future opportunities. It can become the hub to facilitate human space exploration, further technology developments and perhaps access to new resources.”

David Kenyon, Managing Director of MDA Space and Robotics Ltd, said:

MDA UK has a long history of supporting commercial and government space missions having most recently successfully delivered the ColKa communication terminal for the International Space Station. We are delighted to contribute our expertise as part of this exciting consortium study on the communication and navigation needs of the future lunar economy and hope that our communications technologies, developed in the UK, will form the baseline for this new and innovative service.

The findings from the latest ‘Size and Health of the UK Space Industry’ report, commissioned by the UK Space Agency and published this week, show income from the UK space sector has risen from £14.8bn to £16.4bn, representing growth of 5.7% in real terms, while employment is up by 3,200 from 41,900 to 45,100. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

20 May 21. Virgin Galactic Confirms Upcoming Test Flight of VSS Unity in May. Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (“Virgin Galactic” or the “Company”), a vertically integrated aerospace and space travel company, today confirmed that the next rocket-powered test flight of SpaceShipTwo Unity will be conducted on May 22, pending weather and technical checks. This follows the completion of a maintenance review of VMS Eve, the mothership jet aircraft designed to carry SpaceShipTwo to an altitude of approximately 50,000 feet.

“Following a detailed inspection and thorough analysis of our mothership, Eve, we have cleared our Spaceflight System for our upcoming flight. I want to thank our incredibly talented team of engineers, maintenance crew, quality inspectors and support staff for their diligence and hard work, which is testament to our commitment to safety and the integrity of our flight test program,” said Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic.

Virgin Galactic regularly monitors its vehicles to verify their condition and inform timing of future upgrades and modifications that can improve performance or reduce future maintenance work. A post-flight inspection of VMS Eve in early May called for further engineering analysis to assess a known maintenance item in the tail of the vehicle, which was scheduled to be addressed during the next maintenance period. This analysis has been completed with the Company determining structures healthy, clearing Eve for flight.

The upcoming VSS Unity test flight will be crewed by two pilots and will carry research payloads as part of the NASA Flight Opportunities program. A key objective of the upcoming flight will be to test the remedial work that has been completed on VSS Unity to lower the EMI levels experienced on the December 12, 2020 flight when the onboard computer halted ignition of the rocket motor. The flight will also incorporate all original test objectives, including assessment of the upgraded horizontal stabilizers and flight controls during the boost phase of the flight, evaluating elements of the customer cabin, and testing the live stream capability from the spaceship to the ground.

Following this May flight, and in line with normal procedures, the team will complete an extensive data review, which will inform the next steps in the test flight program.

 

18 May 21. York Space Systems Will Open New Mega Manufacturing Facility to Meet Accelerating Worldwide Customer Demand. Space Mission Solutions Manufacturer Will Deliver Spacecraft in Just Days After Contract is Awarded, at Four Times the Scale Previously Possible. York Space Systems (York), a Denver-based aerospace company specializing in complete space mission solutions and the manufacture of a family of spacecraft platforms, announced today that it will be opening a new, mega manufacturing facility in Denver to meet the growing demand from government and commercial customers for the company’s flight proven spacecraft products and numerous critical subsystem technologies in the supply chain.

York Space System’s new Mega Facility will deliver spacecraft in just days after a contract is awarded, at four times the scale previously possible.

York’s Manufacturing Technology Center will be the hub of the company’s next phase to expand the company’s current production capacity by four times. York currently manufactures up to 20 spacecraft simultaneously in its existing production center. The new mega-facility will further accelerate York’s speed to space for commercial and government customers, enabling mission launches as fast as 30 days after contract award.

“Our next generation mega-center ensures our ability to deliver our proven solutions at a rate and scale that is unprecedented in the space industry,” said Dirk Wallinger, CEO of York. “We haven’t stopped listening closely to our government and commercial customers. What’s important to them – speed and affordability – remain our foundational values.  Our culture of innovation and scale allows us to further accelerate our aggressive growth of our products and services while ensuring our supply chain capabilities as we move forward.”

York Space Systems has achieved full operational capacity of its first production facility, which was originally announced in May, 2020. The new three-story mega-facility will be the company’s third building and will support the manufacture of both the S-CLASS and LX-CLASS spacecraft platforms, providing mission capabilities including ISR, remote proximity operations, weather, global communications, and commercial earth observation.

The entire first floor will operate as a system integration bay, the second floor will feature component subsystem manufacturing, and the top floor will be dedicated to engineering excellence. The facility will also include classified design and integration features enabling York to continue expanding classified capabilities as a mission-level provider of solutions.

“The space economy is continuing its march towards a commercial marketplace and becoming more competitive than ever on the global stage,” said Charles Beames, Executive Chairman of York. “Meanwhile the military’s tactical ISR needs will increasingly be met with low-cost satellites to ensure the same global reach without violating sovereign airspace. Our capital investments here in Denver are made to meet the strong demand we see worldwide. York is now positioned to supply our customers and the larger market with commercially competitive, high-value solutions at laser speed.”

The news of the new mega-facility is the second major announcement from York this quarter. The company shared just last month that it has begun production of a new, larger spacecraft platform, the LX-CLASS. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

18 May 21. More than 3,000 jobs created as space sector grows across the UK. Findings from the latest ‘Size and Health of the UK Space Industry’ report reveal a growth in jobs and income. The UK’s space sector has seen growth in jobs and income while investing more in research and development, leaving it well-placed to grow strongly as we recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, Science Minister Amanda Solloway announced today.

Findings from the latest ‘Size and Health of the UK Space Industry’ report, commissioned by the UK Space Agency, show the sector supports a highly skilled and productive workforce that’s growing across the country. The statistics show that in 2018/19, compared to the previous survey from 2016/17:

• Income has risen from £15.6bn to £16.4bn, representing growth of 5.7% (or 2.8% per annum) in real terms
• Employment is up by 3,200 from 41,900 to 45,100
• R&D investment now sits at £702m, up 18% and 5 times the national average intensity
• Scotland’s thriving sector sees 31% increase in space companies, up from 132 to 173
• Gross Value Added is up from £6bn to £6.6bn, representing growth of 10.1% (or 5.0% per annum)
• Over £360bn worth of wider UK economic activity is now supported by satellites, up from £300bn

The number of organisations engaged in space-related activity in the UK has increased from 948 to 1,218, which includes 95 new space-related companies established in the UK during the two year period.

Scotland has increased its number of space companies from 132 employing 7,555 to 173 employing 7,703. Other parts of the UK to see a growth in the number of companies and jobs in the space sector are the South East, South West, East of England, East Midlands, West Midlands, North West, North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)

 

19 May 21. Australia formally establishes new Space Division. Plans for the establishment of a new Space Division have been unveiled following the appointment of an inaugural domain lead. Defence has confirmed that a Space Division headquarters will be established within the Royal Australian Air Force in early 2022.

Earlier this month, Defence revealed that the division would be led by Vice Air Marshal Catherine Roberts AM, CSC, who will take the reins in January.

Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Mel Hupfeld AO, DSC, said the new domain would play a critical role in supporting Defence’s multi-domain operations.

“We use Space daily for understanding the weather, navigating, access to geospatial information and sharing information across Australia or across the world,” Air Marshal Hupfeld said.

“Defence is delivering capabilities including Space domain awareness, sovereign controlled satellite communications and Space-based Earth observation, and navigation.”

AM Hupfeld noted the government’s commitment to invest approximately $7bn in Space capabilities over the next 10 years, helping to facilitate access to Space, Space services and geospatial information.

“Defence will need capabilities that directly contribute to outcomes in Space as a contested domain, however this does not mean that Defence encourages the militarisation of Space,” he continued.

“All Space operations are conducted consistent with international and domestic legal obligations.”

As the interim domain lead, AM Hupfeld is currently conducting a Space Domain Review aimed at improving Space capability management, acquisition and operation.

The Chief of Air Force welcomed incoming Head of the Space Division, AVM Roberts, stating “there is no person better suited for the job”.

AVM Roberts said her appointment was a “dream come true”.

“To reach for the stars and actually get there is a phenomenal feeling,” she said.

“As an aero-space engineer I have always been fascinated by space – the ultimate high-ground.”

AVM Roberts currently serves as Head of Air Force Capability, responsible for conceptualising and shaping the future requirements of the RAAF.

The new Head of the Space Division’s over 30-year career in the RAAF has included stints as Head Aerospace Systems Division – responsible for acquiring and sustaining fixed wing assets – and a period overseeing the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. (Source: Space Connect)

 

18 May 21. Lockheed Martin’s First Modernized SBIRS Missile Warning Satellite Now Under U.S. Space Force Control. Following a successful launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida earlier today, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Delta 4 operations team is now “talking” with the fifth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO-5) satellite.

As planned, SBIRS GEO-5—built by Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)—is responding to the Delta’s commands. Signal acquisition was confirmed approximately ~36 minutes after the satellite’s 1:37 p.m. EDT launch aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. Now separated from the rocket, the satellite is continuing on to orbit under its own propulsion.

SBIRS GEO-5 is the latest satellite to join the Space Force’s orbiting Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) missile warning constellation equipped with powerful scanning and staring surveillance sensors. These 24-7, always-on, orbital guardians detect missile launches, support ballistic missile defense, expand technical intelligence gathering and bolster situational awareness on the battlefield.

“The world is a more threatening place now with more than 1,000 ballistic missile launches occurring globally every year,” said Tom McCormick, vice president of Lockheed Martin Space’s OPIR Mission Area. “SBIRS is the tip of the missile defense spear, seeing all those missiles and providing our military the ability to ensure our national security and the safety of our armed forces.”

Faster, More Resilient Missile Warning

Built in about five years, SBIRS GEO-5 is the first military space satellite built on an LM 2100 Combat Bus™, a version of Lockheed Martin’s modernized, modular LM 2100™ space vehicle with greatly enhanced resiliency.

The LM 2100 bus is the result of a Lockheed Martin internally-funded, multi-year modernization initiative. Features include:

• Greater resiliency and cyber-hardening
• Enhanced spacecraft power, propulsion and electronics
• Common components and procedures to streamline manufacturing
• Flexible design that reduces the cost to incorporate future, modernized sensor suites

“We designed our modernized LM2100 bus with our military customers’ changing, more-contested environment, in mind,” said McCormick. “By adding enhanced resiliency features to the LM 2100 we created an initial ‘combat bus’ for the Space Force for even greater capability.”

SBIRS GEO-5 is a step toward achieving the resilient missile warning to be provided by SBIRS’ follow on, the Next Gen OPIR Block 0 System. SBIRS GEO-6, launching in 2022, and the first three Next Gen OPIR Block 0 GEO satellites, as well as the future GPS III Follow On (GPS IIIF) satellites, are also based on the LM 2100 Combat Bus.

 

19 May 21. Boeing-built deployable SATCOM passes T&E process. The prime’s deployable battlespace communications system is set to be delivered to Army after passing the test and evaluation process.

Boeing Defence Australia’s (BDA) trailer-mounted Medium SATCOM Terminals (MST) have achieved ‘acceptance’ by Defence after meeting test and evaluation (T&E) requirements.

The T&E process involved demonstrating that the deployable platform cold be towed by the Thales-built Hawkei Protected Mobility Vehicle in harsh environments.

Army Combat Signal Regiments, Defence Force School of Signals, and Royal Australian Air Force will now receive 24 MST units, designed to deliver enhanced combat communications capability to warfighters.

The platform, developed as part of the LAND 2072 Phase 2B program (Project Currawong), comprises of a 2.5-metre satellite dish with dual band certification for the military’s Wideband Global SATCOM X and Ka Bands, along with the civilian Ku Band.

“The MST is versatile, flexible and robust, and takes communications in the field to the next level,” BDA’s Project Currawong director Ian Vett said.

“Its ability to go anywhere a Hawkei vehicle can go and seamlessly connect to both military and civilian satellites far exceeds any SATCOM capability currently available to the warfighter.

“When combined with the other components of the Currawong battlespace communications system, our deployed troops are better equipped than ever to securely exchange voice, data and video communications with each other and back to headquarters regardless of their location and environmental conditions.”

The MST leverages the Currawong system’s enhanced multi-security bearer and networking services, control and management capabilities, managed via the Currawong Mission System Manager (MSM).

The MSM is designed to automate network planning, configuration and control of all communications components within the system.

“This optimises connectivity and enables network managers to focus on higher-level tasks in support of the mission,” Vett added.

The MSTs was developed over a five-year period, which involved over 100 modifications to the original design, and included 198 subsystems and modules. (Source: Space Connect)

 

18 May 21. Euroconsult releases quarterly Chinese space report. The technological consulting firm is expected to release quarterly updates on the Chinese space market across innovation, research and business changes.

Earlier this month, technological consulting firm Euroconsult confirmed its intention to publish a new quarterly publication, the China Space Industry report, to provide enhanced analysis of China’s growing space industry market.

The report outlines that China’s space industry has grown rapidly over the last seven years, with over 100 commercial entities in the nation generating some US$6.5bn.

Blaine Curcio, senior affiliate consultant and China specialist at Euroconsult, outlined that the new quarterly report would allow the company to conduct more in depth analyses of the Chinese space market. It is hoped that the report will examine China’s technological innovation, scientific research and mergers and acquisitions within the Chinese space market.

“In recent years, not a week goes by without significant updates in the Chinese space sector. The industry is developing incredibly quickly, with new companies emerging on a regular basis. The new report format is ideally suited to the fast-paced Chinese space ecosystem. As well as key market updates, the report includes enhanced coverage of the investment conditions, such as regulatory environment, and the roles of provincial and national government and the big tech industry,” Curcio noted.

“Critically, we look closely at the impact of market developments on the space industry in the West, including satellite manufacturing value chain opportunities and the latest market trends. Indeed, while the most advanced commercial space companies clearly remain Western companies, China is now leading the world in terms of number of commercial space companies being established.”

According to Euroconsult’s findings, China alone is home to over 15 commercial launching entities as well as a rapidly growing satellite manufacturing sector. The company confirmed that China’s satellite manufacturing industry has benefitted from the Chinese government adding satellite internet into the ‘new infrastructures’ priority list.

The report was released following a tumultuous few weeks for China’s space industry, with the Long March 5B rocket having landed near the Maldives after the operators had lost control of the rocket and China becoming the third spacefaring nation to land hardware on Mars.

Euroconsult is expected to host a webinar on the future of China’s satellite market on 27 May. (Source: Space Connect)

 

17 May 21. Rocket Lab flags ‘anomaly’ following failed mission. The aerospace company is investigating the cause of a malfunction during its latest Electron mission, which led to the loss of a customer’s payload.

Rocket Lab has issued an update following the failed launch of its 20th Electron vehicle on Saturday, 15 May.

Following a successful lift-off, first stage burn, and stage separation, the rocket reportedly experienced an “anomaly” during the second stage ignition, resulting in the loss of its customer BlackSky’s payload.

According to Rocket Lab, the launch vehicle’s second stage remained within the predicted launch corridor and caused no harm to the public, launch or recovery crews, or the launch site.

Electron’s first stage safely successfully splashed down under parachute, with Rocket Lab’s recovery team working to retrieve the stage from the ocean.

Rocket Lab noted it is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to investigate the anomaly and identify the cause of the malfunction.

“We are deeply sorry to our customer BlackSky for the loss of their payloads. We understand the monumental effort that goes into every spacecraft and we feel their loss and disappointment,” Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and chief executive, said.

“Our team is working hard to identify the issue, rectify it, and be safely back on the pad as soon as possible.

“On one of our toughest days, our team operated with professionalism and worked swiftly to ensure the anomaly was managed safely.”

He added: “Our team is resilient, and our top priority remains to safely and reliably return to flight for our customers. We will learn from this, and we’ll be back on the pad again.”

Rocket Lab has committed to preparing for a “rapid return to flight” upon the conclusion of the investigation. (Source: Space Connect)

 

15 May 21. Royal Air Force invests in space capabilities. The United Kingdom’s recent guiding plan for its military included both cuts to existing systems and investments in new technologies, with a special emphasis on increasing the U.K.’s capabilities in space.

During an April visit to Washington, Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, the head of the Royal Air Force, sat down with C4ISRNET to discuss some of those investments outlined in the Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

One item listed in the integrated review was a new intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance satellite constellation. Can you elaborate on what the thinking is there?

Our aim for that program is a [constellation of] responsive launched small satellites, low Earth orbit constellation, where we have the option of selecting the payloads, selecting the role and selecting the position of the satellites, and then launching them and getting them into operation in a very, very short decision action cycle. This is something that is attractive to me as an operational commander. And I think it will have direct utility for the war fighter, that ability to respond to a crisis in a particular part of the world, or perhaps a requirement to add some resilience to another part of the space network. [This design] means we can respond, launch and get something into service very rapidly. And that’s the work that we will be continuing over the next couple of years, for that particular aspect of our space program.

The U.K. government has invested in the company OneWeb. Is that something you think might be a fit for this system?

The U.K.’s investment with OneWeb was a another part of government, so that’s separate from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. But there are elements of OneWeb — and all of the similar systems that are being launched into space at the moment — around the command and control, the level of autonomy and autonomous control in those satellite constellations, where there’s huge numbers of small and very small satellites working together. So there are elements of what OneWeb is doing, which are of interest to me, in a similar way to some of the other similar systems that have been launched at the moment. But that’s not something that I’m directly involved with.

The U.K. was involved in the European navigation system known as Galileo but was forced out following Brexit. British official discussed doing a U.K.-only system, but that has been delayed and is seen by some analysts as too expensive. What is the current status of these discussions?

So again, the primary responsibility for that is in another part of government, but of course, the Ministry of Defence is involved because of our interest in, and the importance of, GPS and global positioning. And we’re still analyzing and assessing what the options are, because nobody needs us to build a direct duplication of a system that’s already in place like GPS. But what would be really helpful, as we look at a more challenged, a more competitive [space] and potentially a need for greater resilience in space, is a system that’s complimentary, that might be made in a different model, with a mix of nodes on the network, some of them on the surface of the Earth, some of them in space. There are some options there, and an opportunity to do something different, which is complimentary to GPS, but that adds resilience in a different way. So I’m very keen that we continue to explore that. And it’s certainly something that the U.K. has some world-leading technologies, and we’ve got a lot to offer. And so that will be something that we will continue to work on over the next few years.

The U.S. stood up both a Space Command and a Space Force in the last couple of years. The U.K. is now spinning up its own Space Command. Can you walk us through what that’s going to look like, and what the interaction with its U.S. counterpart might be going forward?

The U.K. Space Command is an opportunity for us to bring together some quite disparate elements — of largely Royal Air Force units — that are operating in space and are closely linked in with U.S. Space Command and the U.S. Space Force already, but we haven’t had a unifying command and control and a unifying organization for them. I think this, at the very outset of the U.K. Space Command, it’s an opportunity for us to bring together everything that we’re doing in space, in the Royal Air Force and in the U.K. Ministry of Defence, bring it all under one organization to make sure that we’re channeling the investment that we’re going to make, that we’re giving the people in that organization the skills and the equipment they need to make sure that we are living up to our ambition and our prime minister’s ambition for the U.K. to take a leading role in Europe in space. And so the Space Command will be that nodal point where we engage with allies, like the United States, that we share information, that we develop new systems, and that we continue to benefit from all of the opportunities that space offers.

Across the board, the commercial sector outspends governments on technology investment, but it’s particularly true with space. You have billions earmarked in the integrated review for space, which is real money, but the reality is that you will need to rely on private sector investment going forward. How do you make that work?

Space is already an enterprise where some of the leading progress that’s being made at the moment is in the commercial sector and private companies making enormous leaps in space technology and what we are doing in space. And so working closely with those will be a key part of the U.K.’s space plan and the U.K.’s role in space. The figures for commercial investment in space, of course they dwarf what we are doing from a military perspective, but our role is significantly different. Because whilst those commercial organizations are investing in space to provide services, to enable things to go faster and further on Earth to enable people’s day-to-day lives, the role of the Royal Air Force, the role of armed forces in space, is fundamentally different. We’re there to understand what some of our potential adversaries, some malign actors, are doing, to understand and to protect what’s our critical national infrastructure in space, and to be ready to defend it. That’s about information sharing, that’s about understanding and having a clear picture of what’s going on in space. And that’s about working with allies so that we’re ready to act when we see something which, you know, crosses the line of unacceptability. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

 

15 May 21. United Launch Alliance to Launch SBIRS GEO Flight 5 Mission in Support of National Security. ULA continues to launch critical capabilities for the U.S. Space Force. A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket is in final preparations to launch the Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (SBIRS GEO) Flight 5 mission for the U.S. Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC). The launch is on track for May 17 from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Launch is planned for 1:35 p.m. EDT. The live launch broadcast begins at 1:15 p.m. EDT on May 17 at www.ulalaunch.com.

“We take our role in national security very seriously and pride ourselves in being partners in space with the U.S. Space Force. We are launching critical capabilities for the warfighter and understand the need for reliability and consistency,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “This mission marks our 91st launch in support of national security space.  As we prepare to launch the fifth SBIRS mission, we thank our partners for their outstanding teamwork and collaboration.”

ULA has launched all SBIRS GEO satellites to date and will launch this fifth and the sixth satellite to complete the constellation. The SBIRS constellation, built by Lockheed Martin, consists of a network of GEO satellites and HEO payloads that provide persistent, infrared surveillance – as well as sophisticated ground control systems that manage the data – to support missile warning, missile defense, battlespace awareness and technical intelligence. Additionally, SMC’s Mission Manifest Office, in partnership with the United States Air Force Academy, will be flying the EZ-3 and EZ-4 flight systems on this mission.

The mission will launch on an Atlas V 421 configuration rocket, that includes a 13.7-ft (4-m) Extra Extended Payload Fairing (XEPF) and stands 194 ft. (59 meters) tall. The Atlas booster for this mission is powered by the RD AMROSS RD-180 engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne provided the RL10C-1-1 engine for the Centaur upper stage and the two AJ-60A solid rocket boosters.

This will be the 87th launch of the Atlas V rocket and the 72nd Atlas V to launch from Space Launch Complex-41 in Florida. To date ULA has launched 143 times with 100 percent mission success.

With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

12 May 21. European GNSS Agency Morphs Into European Union Agency For The Space Program (EUSPA). The European GNSS Agency has officially become the European Union Agency for the Space Program, EUSPA, marking the start of a new era for this program. Building on the legacy of the European GNSS Agency, EUSPA will take on more responsibilities to create even more opportunities for EU citizens and the economy.

What has changed? Under the new Space Regulation, EUSPA’s mandate will now include: increased responsibilities in Galileo and EGNOS, including enhanced management responsibilities for the operations and service provision; the security accreditation of all the components of the EU Space Program, the operation of the Galileo Security Monitoring Centre, together with operational security; the coordination of the user-related aspects of European Union Governmental Satellite Communications (GOVSATCOM), in close collaboration with the Member States and other involved entities; the development of downstream markets and fostering of innovation based on Galileo and EGNOS, and now including also Copernicus, leveraging funding mechanisms such as Fundamental Elements and Horizon Europe. The European Commission (EC) may also decide to entrust the Agency with other tasks in the future.

With the key contribution of EUSPA, the new EU Space Program provides for a streamlined approach toward the development and use of EU space assets. This will guarantee continuity of service and security of infrastructure and systems while ensuring the means to develop the EU´s role in Space. This consolidates the flagship programs Galileo/EGNOS and Copernicus, supports the implementation of the EU priorities, notably the Green Deal, digital transition and enhances Europe’s resilience and contribute to the safety and security of its citizens, open also the door to further initiatives such as secured connectivity.

“More and more, our economies, our society and our safety depend on Space. Europe has incredible opportunities ahead that cannot be missed. By creating EUSPA, the European Union will further increase the return on investment made by the EU citizen in the EU Space Programme by strengthening its contribution to the EU´s priorities. This will be achieved primarily by leveraging synergies between the various Programme components, particularly navigation, Earth observation and secure communications, to drive innovation across a broad range of sectors. EUSPA will play a key role to implement the EU Space Programme and turn the EU space ambitions into a realit,,” said EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.

“The new Agency has a core role in the security accreditation of all the components of the EU Space Programme. Ensuring an acceptable risk appetite for the different components is critical for the security, safety and autonomy of the Union and its Member States. The Member States, gathering in their capacity as Security Accreditation Authority of the EU Space Programme collectively exercise this responsibility to meet the security requirements for all the space components,” said Bruno Vermeire, Security Accreditation Board Chair of EUSPA.

The European Union Agency for the Space Program (EUSPA) provides safe and secure European satellite navigation services, promotes the commercialization of Galileo, EGNOS, and Copernicus data and services and coordinates the EU’s forthcoming governmental satellite communications program GOVSATCOM. EUSPA is responsible for the security accreditation of all the EU Space Program components. By fostering the development of an innovative and competitive space sector and engaging with the entire EU Space community, EUSPA contributes to the European Green Deal and digital transition, the safety and security of the Union and its citizens, while reinforcing its autonomy and resilience. (Source: Satnews)

 

09 May 21. KVH’s Second Record Breaking Number of VSAT Units Shipped. KVH Industries, Inc., (Nasdaq: KVHI) is no doubt celebrating after learning that they have shipped more than 500 VSAT satellite communications systems during the first three months of 2021, marking the second consecutive record quarter for VSAT shipments.

The company also announced that it had shipped more than 12,500 aggregate VSAT units since first introducing its mini-VSAT BroadbandSM network and TracPhone® VSAT communications antenna systems in 2007.

KVH’s recent record VSAT shipments come as the maritime industry is adopting digitalization as a way to optimize operations, with many fleets and commercial vessels migrating from slower legacy L-band satellite communications systems to faster VSAT systems operating on new high-throughput satellites (HTS).

The newly released “Prospects for Maritime Satellite Communications, 2021,” by Euroconsult notes that KVH is the market share leader by units in maritime VSAT as of the end of 2020.

Describing KVH’s recent success, KVH CEO Martin Kits van Heyningen, says, “The increasing reliance on VSAT connectivity throughout the maritime industry has increased the demand for our TracPhone VSAT systems and connectivity and our commitment to providing affordable airtime, fast data speeds, network security, IoT proactive monitoring, and value-added services.”

KVH manufactures a complete line of advanced HTS antenna systems designed for a wide range of yacht and vessel types. The 37 cm diameter TracPhone V3-HTS and TracPhone V30 are fast, ultra-compact Ku-band maritime VSAT antennas designed to deliver data speeds as fast as 6 Mbps up/2 Mbps down; the TracPhone V7-HTS is a 60 cm diameter Ku-band antenna designed to deliver data speeds as fast as 10 Mbps down/3 Mbps up; and the TracPhone V11-HTS is a 1 meter Ku/C-band maritime VSAT antenna, designed to deliver worldwide data speeds as fast as 20 Mbps down/3 Mbps up.

KVH is a mobile tech innovator that provides connectivity solutions for commercial maritime, leisure marine, and land mobile applications on vessels and vehicles, including the award-winning TracPhone and TracVision® product lines, the global mini-VSAT Broadband network, and AgilePlans® Connectivity as a Service (CaaS). The company’s KVH Media Group provides news, sports, and entertainment content with such brands as NEWSlink™ and SPORTSlink™. (Source: Satnews)

 

11 May 21. China’s New Bid To Take On Elon Musk’s Starlink: A State-Owned Satellite Enterprise. China Satellite Network Group was launched in late April in Xiongan, the area south of Beijing designated as home to a future smart city Satellite internet is one of the ‘new infrastructure’ technologies that China wants to accelerate with government support…

In late April, a day before SpaceX launched its 10th batch of satellites this year, Chinese Vice-Premier Han Zheng attended a ceremony in Xiongan, a megacity that is about a two hours’ drive south of Beijing, celebrating the creation of a new state-owned enterprise set up to operate China’s answer to Starlink, run by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Known as China Satellite Network Group, the young company is tasked with launching low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites into space, beaming internet services to anywhere on the planet. It reports to the Assets Supervision and Administration Commission, which controls the Chinese government’s stakes in state-owned companies.

Other details about the new firm remain shrouded in mystery.

The company has no official website at the moment, and the government has yet to release any information about the firm’s organisational structure – except that Zhang Dongchen, former general manager at state-owned China Electronics Corporation, was appointed to oversee its establishment.

Yet the company’s strategic importance to Beijing has not gone unnoticed by industry insiders.

Despite its youth, China Satellite Network Group ranks 26th on Beijing’s official list of 98 state-owned firms – right behind the country’s “big three” telecoms operators: China Mobile, China Unicom and China Telecom.

The company is also China’s first state-owned enterprise at the state level to set up its head office in Xiongan, a formerly sleepy rural region hand-picked by President Xi Jinping four years ago to be rebuilt into a futuristic smart city.

“It shows that the state has officially joined the competition,” said Lan Tianyi, chief executive of Beijing-based space consulting firm Ultimate Blue Nebula. “State-owned enterprises have done some work in this area in the past … but now the country is considering the plan as a whole.”

The creation of China Satellite Network Group represents Beijing’s latest push in its ambitious bid to provide worldwide internet connection with satellites circling the globe – a technology currently dominated by US players such as SpaceX.

Before the birth of China Satellite Network Group, the country’s two major state-run aerospace companies – China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) – already had their own satellite internet programs.

CASIC, under its Hongyun and Xingyun programs, is planning to launch 156 and 80 satellites, respectively, to achieve global coverage, while CASC announced plans in 2016 to set up more than 300 satellites under its Hongyan project.

In April 2020, China added satellite internet, along with 5G and artificial intelligence, to a list of “new infrastructure development” that it aims to accelerate with government support. Earlier this year, Beijing rolled out a series of policy measures, including financing, to further the cause.

The government issued documents related to China Satellite Network Group early last year, Chinese media outlet Caixin reported in April, citing unnamed sources, with the country’s national space agency reportedly taking part in the project as well.

While China Satellite Network Group has yet to launch a single satellite, China submitted fillings to the UN’s International Telecommunication Union (ITU) last September, signalling the country’s intention to construct two LEO constellations totaling 12,992 satellites.

That number is still a fraction of the 42,000 planned satellites that Starlink registered with the ITU, and analysts say these filings are merely a preliminary requirement that does not always translate to actual launches.

“It’s kind of like when you grab a number ticket at a restaurant,” said Lan. “You have to have a number to get a seat. If you don’t have it, it’s impossible for you to get in.”

In a venture as resource-intensive as building a global satellite internet network, ambition does not always guarantee success.

London-based OneWeb, one of the industry’s most prominent players, filed for bankruptcy in March last year having only launched 74 LEO satellites. It has since received a second chance after getting a US$1bn investment from a consortium led by the British government and India’s Bharti Enterprises.

Meanwhile Starlink, which rolled out its early access program to consumers last year, is continuing to bulk up its constellation. It delivered its latest batch of 60 satellites into orbit on Tuesday, and has more launches scheduled for this month.

Experts say China has a lot of catching up to do.

“If you are talking about just the internet, China is doing well, but in terms of satellite internet, there is objectively a gap [with the US],” said Lan.

“China is five to 10 years behind in most technologies,” in this field, said Blaine Curcio, founder of Hong Kong-based Orbital Gateway Consulting.

Still, the country has a few strengths that might help it pull ahead.

“China’s advantages would be the speed that its whole start-up ecosystem moves at, the level of government investment into the sector, and the low costs for certain things in the supply chain,” said Curcio. (Source: Satnews)

 

12 May 21. SpaceLink + Mynaric Join Forces For Satellite Relay Network Laser Comms Development. Mynaric and SpaceLink have agreed on the framework of a partnership to expand Mynaric’s laser communication product portfolio for use in SpaceLink’s data relay network. The strategic relationship will help drive forward the SpaceLink satellite relay service, which provides secure, continuous, high-capacity communications between LEO spacecraft and the ground.

The companies will work together to expand Mynaric’s product portfolio with an optical inter-satellite link (OISL) terminal for satellites in MEO, where the SpaceLink constellation will operate. The new terminal will also be compatible with the Space Development Agency (SDA) Transport Layer.

Mynaric will supply more than 40 OISL terminals as part of the plan outlined in a term sheet that includes units of the new, advanced product for satellites in MEO as well as units of Mynaric’s CONDOR terminals for SpaceLink LEO customers. SpaceLink and Mynaric have also agreed to an option that would increase the number of terminals delivered upon SpaceLink’s expansion of its MEO constellation.

Laser communication technology is critical for SpaceLink to build the communications superhighway for the new space economy. Mynaric’s product portfolio is a natural choice as it meets SpaceLink’s programmatic requirements, provides high performance, and is fully compliant with the OISL Standard driven by the SDA. This is a major benefit that allows SpaceLink to serve the largest possible range of commercial and government customers.

SpaceLink’s Always in Sight™ constellation igraphic.

SpaceLink is building its high-capacity data relay network to meet pent-up demand for continuous, fast, and secure access to the growing amount of data available from space. The Always in Sight™ constellation helps satellite operators maximize the value of on-orbit assets with near real time transmission of user data to the ground for immediate access via the Internet, private cloud, or other secure delivery. Mynaric was selected as a supplier to support SpaceLink’s mission given its industrialized approach towards the production of advanced laser communication products.

“Our work with Mynaric to implement advanced OISL capability into the SpaceLink constellation will ensure performance and interoperability. Mynaric has exceptional expertise to advance a new generation of OISLs that address our requirements and our mission to speed massive amounts of data to users no matter where they are located on Earth. Together with Mynaric, SpaceLink will enable our customers to take a quantum leap in delivering data that saves lives and advances humanity to a new age of space commerce, exploration, environmental awareness, and security,” said David Bettinger, the CEO of SpaceLink

“This partnership closes on the largest direct acquisition of laser communication products by a commercial entity to date to our knowledge and touches multiple aspects that are at the core of our strategy of industrializing laser communications: Signing a lead customer to expand our product portfolio with a product suitable for MEO satellites while gaining a channel partner for our LEO terminals compliant with the SDA Standard. We are excited to partner with SpaceLink to supply products to and support their mission to enable secure, high-capacity data access in space,” said Bulent Altan, the CEO of Mynaric. (Source: Satnews)

 

14 May 21. Comtech Xicom’s Q/V-Band TWT As Deliver Millions With High-Speed Net Order. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) announced that, during the company’s Q3 of fiscal 2021, their Santa Clara, California-based subsidiary, Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc., was awarded a contract valued at more than $3.0m for Q/V-Band traveling wave tube amplifiers (“TWTAs”) to support a new high-speed satellite network.

“We believe we are the market leader in deployed Q/V-Band TWTAs, and this order further extends our market lead for this new frequency band, which delivers 4 GHz of bandwidth for High Throughput Satellite (“HTS”) applications,” said Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. “Q/V-Band is the next frontier for satcom frequency bands because it enables new products and services at a lower cost per bit. Our strong technical leadership position fuels our optimism for future growth opportunities.”

Comtech Xicom Technology, Inc. manufactures a wide variety of tube-based and solid-state power amplifiers for military and commercial satellite uplink applications. The product range encompasses power levels from 8 W to 3 kW, with frequency coverage in sub-bands within the 2 GHz to 52 GHz spectrum. Amplifiers are available for fixed and ground-based, shipboard and airborne mobile applications.

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, produces and markets advanced secure wireless solutions to more than 1,000 customers in more than 100 countries. (Source: Satnews)

 

14 May 21. Chandigarh University launches North India’s First Satellite Designing Program ‘CUSAT.’

– “India amongst the elite group of nations in the arena of Space Technology,” says Moon Man of India, Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai

– Chandigarh University to design and launch its own multipurpose satellite in 10 months

Chandigarh University has launched Student Satellite Designing and Training program ‘CUSAT’ and it has become North India’s first University to launch the advanced training program for the students in the field of Aerospace Engineering. The virtual inauguration session of CUSAT was held today which was attended by distinguished Aerospace Engineering Scientists and Professionals which included Padma Shri Dr. YS Rajan, Scientist and Honorary Professor, ISRO; Padmashri Prof. R.M.Vasagam, Veteran Space Scientist and ISRO’s former Director, Geostationary Satellite Apple’s Project Director; Padma Shri Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, Program Director of Chandrayaan-1 & Mangalyaan, also known as Moon Man of India.

Former ISRO Scientist Dr. YS Rajan, Veteran Space Scientist Prof. R.M. Vasagam, and Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai, Program Director of Chandrayaan-1 & Mangalyaan also known as Moon Man of India launching North India’s first Satellite Designing program for the students at Chandigarh University

While giving details about the newly launched satellite designing program for the students, Chancellor Chandigarh University, Satnam Singh Sandhu said, “The first-of-its-kind training program in Satellite Designing and Testing would have a duration of 4-months and it would be open for the students of Computer Science Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Mechatronics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Geo-Informatics.” The training program would include study of Satellite Designing, Integration of Components, Testing and Simulation of launch process, collection & analysis of data from the satellite. “The students would undergo training under the guidance of former Indian and International Space Scientists including scientists from ISRO,” added Sandhu. Chandigarh University has planned to design and launch a multipurpose Nano-satellite within a period of 10-12 months which will be launched in space by ISRO.

While giving his inaugural address Dr. YS Rajan said, “Scientists from North India like Kalpana Chawla, Dr. Satish Dhawan have made big time contribution in the field of Space Technology and Exploration and therefore it is important to educate the young & budding engineers from this part of India about the rich legacy that they have in this field.” Dr. Rajan added, “It is not important that you design the whole satellite or mission. Designing and assembly of a small component plays an equal and important role in the success of a Space Mission. The first-of-its-kind training program introduced by Chandigarh University will play an important foundation in taking the interest of students of North India especially from Punjab towards the rewarding career in the field of Space Technology.”

While giving the keynote address, Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai also known as Moon Man of India said, “Russia and USA have maintained a lead for the past many decades in space exploration and space research and although India entered into the field much later yet India has carved out a special identity for itself in the International space program”. He further added, “The success of Chandrayan 1 and Mangalyaan missions have significantly positioned India amongst the top countries that have a great success rate in launching satellites and carried out experimental projects. The foundation of Indian space is so strong which can be verified by the fact that many missions of Russia and other nations took 5 or 6 attempts, but India has been successful in just one attempt in the Mangalyaan mission without any International help.” The success of Indian Space Research Program and ISRO has also opened new economic opportunities that can significantly contribute in the GDP of the country, added Dr. Annadurai. India has already helped countries like U.A.E, Singapore, Thailand, France, Spain, and others countries to launch their satellite which will help them in communication, navigation, and in other programs also.

“The training of young students should focus on apprising them with the real time problems that can be solved with the help of space technology. Satellite to be designed by Chandigarh University should focus on providing and collecting data which can be useful to tackle problems like Floods, Landslides, Draught Situation, and Underground Water Conservation. Addressing such real time situation through scientific approach should be the main objective of the satellite designing and training program launched by Chandigarh University,” said veteran space scientist, Prof. R.M.Vasagam.

“Chandigarh University has always focused on providing real-time industry exposure for its students where they can attain hands-on practical experience under the guidance of industry experts,” said Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University. He further said, “Chandigarh University would be spending Rs. 1 crore for designing of Nano-satellite for which the training of students has already began. The establishment of ground control station for the satellite project is already underway and we are sure to design and launch our own multipurpose satellite within a time frame of 10-12 months.”

About Chandigarh University

Chandigarh University is a NAAC A+ Grade University and an autonomous educational institution approved by UGC and is located near Chandigarh in the state of Punjab. It is the youngest university in India and the only private university in Punjab to be honored with A+ Grade by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council). CU offers more than 109 UG and PG programs in the field of engineering, management, pharmacy, law, architecture, journalism, animation, hotel management, commerce and others. It has been awarded as The University with Best Placements by WCRC. Website: https://cucet.cuchd.in/ (Source: PR Newswire)

 

13 May 21. After more than a decade, agency to retire experimental missile warning satellites. Missile Defense Agency will deorbit two experimental missile warning satellites in the next couple years, the director announced this week.

Initially launched in 2009 with an expected lifespan of just two years, the two satellites that make up the Space Tracking and Surveillance System have served as risk reduction experiments for MDA’s missile warning enterprise for more than a decade now. The Northrop Grumman-built satellites were designed to track ballistic missiles from birth-to-death with its Raytheon-built infrared sensors from 1,350 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. Sensing data could then be downlinked to the Ballistic Missile Defense System for missile interception.

The workhorse of the U.S. military’s missile warning satellites is the Space Force’s Space-Based Infrared System, detecting and tracking ballistic missiles all over the globe, 24/7. The experimental STSS, meanwhile, has advanced the concept of space-based missile warning by demonstrating that it’s possible to intercept a ballistic missile using orbital sensor data. In 2013, STSS fed tracking data to a U.S. Navy cruiser, which then launched an interceptor that successfully destroyed a ballistic missile.

MDA requested $34.1m to maintain the program in its fiscal 2021 budget request, noting that the satellites continued to provide risk reduction for future missile-tracking and surveillance satellite systems and support integrated BMDS testing.

However, depleted fuel reserves, outdated control systems and the launch of a new, ambitious missile warning satellite constellation on the horizon convinced the agency to sunset the program, MDA Director Vice Adm. Jon Hill said May 11 at the 12th annual McAleese Conference. The director didn’t give a timeline for when exactly it would deorbit the satellites, simply stating that they would come down in the next couple years.

While the end is nigh for STSS, the concept of tracking and intercepting missiles with space-based sensors lives on. In partnership with the Space Development Agency, MDA is just beginning to build out the Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor, which will serve as the Pentagon’s answer to the potential threat posed by hypersonic missiles.

“The combination of high speed, maneuverability and relatively low altitude of some of the emerging advanced missile threats makes them challenging targets for our current missile defense systems,” the agency said in a statement back in January. “HBTSS is needed, since we cannot populate the Earth and the oceans with terrestrial radars to meet this need. The ‘birth-to-death’ tracking that HBTSS can provide when integrated with terrestrial sensors will make it possible to maintain custody of missile threats from launch through intercept regardless of location.”

MDA contracted with two companies in January to develop HBTSS prototypes, with L3Harris awarded $133m and Northrop Grumman awarded $155m.

HBTSS will work in conjunction with SDA’s tracking layer, a proliferated constellation of infrared sensors in low Earth orbit that can track hypersonic and ballistic threats. The tracking layer will pass custody of missiles from satellite to satellite via a planned on orbit mesh network as they traverse the globe. Ultimately, custody will be passed to the HBTSS satellites, which have more advanced sensors that can provide targeting data to interceptors.

SDA’s first satellites will begin launching in 2022, while HBTSS prototypes are expected to launch in 2023. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)

 

13 May 21. Google Cloud and SpaceX’s Starlink to Deliver Secure, Global Connectivity. SpaceX will locate Starlink ground stations within Google data center properties, providing businesses with seamless, secure access to the cloud and Internet with Google Cloud infrastructure

Google Cloud and SpaceX today announced a new partnership to deliver data, cloud services, and applications to customers at the network edge, leveraging Starlink’s ability to provide high-speed broadband internet around the world and Google Cloud’s infrastructure.

Under this partnership, SpaceX will begin to locate Starlink ground stations within Google data center properties, enabling the secure, low-latency, and reliable delivery of data from more than 1,500 Starlink satellites launched to orbit to-date to locations at the network edge via Google Cloud. Google Cloud’s high-capacity private network will support the delivery of Starlink’s global satellite internet service, bringing businesses and consumers seamless connectivity to the cloud and Internet, and enabling the delivery of critical enterprise applications to virtually any location.

Organizations with broad footprints, like public sector agencies, businesses with presences at the network edge, or those operating in rural or remote areas, often require access to applications running in the cloud, or to cloud services like analytics, artificial intelligence, or machine learning. Connectivity from Starlink’s constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites provides a path for these organizations to deliver data and applications to teams distributed across countries and continents, quickly and securely.

“Applications and services running in the cloud can be transformative for organizations, whether they’re operating in a highly networked or remote environment,” said Urs Hölzle, Senior Vice President, Infrastructure at Google Cloud. “We are delighted to partner with SpaceX to ensure that organizations with distributed footprints have seamless, secure, and fast access to the critical applications and services they need to keep their teams up and running.”

“Combining Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency broadband with Google’s infrastructure and capabilities provides global organizations with the secure and fast connection that modern organizations expect,” said SpaceX President and Chief Operating Officer Gwynne Shotwell. “We are proud to work with Google to deliver this access to businesses, public sector organizations, and many other groups operating around the world.”

This new capability, delivered by Google Cloud and Starlink to enterprise customers, is expected to be available in the second half of 2021.

Additional resources

• Keep up with the latest Google Cloud news on our newsroom and blog
• What’s in a name? Understanding the Google Cloud network “edge”
• Build security into Google Cloud deployments with our updated security foundations blueprint
• Partnering with NSF to advance networking innovation
• Google named a leader in Gartner Magic Quadrant for Cloud Infrastructure and Platform Services

About Google Cloud

Google Cloud accelerates organizations’ ability to digitally transform their business with the best infrastructure, platform, industry solutions and expertise. We deliver enterprise-grade cloud solutions that leverage Google’s cutting-edge technology to help companies operate more efficiently and adapt to changing needs, giving customers a foundation for the future. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to solve their most critical business problems. (Source: PR Newswire)

 

12 May 21. Aerojet’s RL10C-X prototype engine passes altitude hot fire test. Aerojet Rocketdyne has completed an altitude hot fire test series of its 3D printed RL10C-X next-generation engine. Aerojet Rocketdyne is an American rocket and missile propulsion manufacturer. Credit: NASA Orion Spacecraft.

The Aerojet Rocketdyne 3D printed RL10C-X next-generation engine has completed an altitude hot fire test series at the company’s facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, US.

The propulsion systems manufacturer said that the prototype engine went through the ‘rigors of a typical spaceflight mission’ throughout the testing.

Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president Eileen P Drake said: “Successfully completing this test series validates our approach to incorporating 3D-printing technology into the RL10 programme in order to reduce cost while maintaining the engine’s unmatched performance.”

During the recent test series, the engine showed both long-duration operation and engine ignition capabilities at extreme in-flight conditions.

The RL10C-X was tested in a flight-like configuration to prove the engine’s capability to complete a typical mission profile and several restarts.

This was done using a test chamber that simulates the vacuum of outer space. The RL10C-X produces nearly 24,000lb of thrust.

It is the company’s RL10 upper-stage engine and comprises major components such as the injector and combustion chamber, produced with the company’s advanced 3D printing technology.

Aerojet Rocketdyne Space Business Unit senior vice-president Jim Maser said: “The outstanding progress we’ve made on this programme demonstrates the maturity of the entire RL10C-X engine system for operational use.

“This test series, the first for this full configuration, completed more than 600 seconds of run time in only two test runs.

“This accomplishment not only demonstrates the capability and robustness of the RL10 design, but also the tremendous depth of experience this team has with hydrogen engine development and evolution.”

Aerojet Rocketdyne is developing the RL10C-X in association with the US Air Force and United Launch Alliance (ULA).

Last December, Lockheed Martin signed a definitive agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings for $4.4bn. (Source: airforce-technology.com)

————————————————————————-

At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield.  As a global communications company, we power millions of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea.  Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight.  We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible.  And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.

————————————————————————