Sponsored By Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
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22 June 22. Viasat to test 5G networking for Marine Corps operations. Viasat, a California-based communications company, will experiment with 5G to support U.S. Marine Corps operations and broader command-and-control applications after securing a research award from the Department of Defense. Over four years, Viasat will explore how 5G networking and related technologies can come together to support what are known as expeditionary advanced base operations, or EABO, including needs for long-range precision fires, refueling, rearming, surveillance and reconnaissance, according to a June 15 announcement.
Viasat, which furnishes satellite and networking capabilities, among other goods, to the U.S. military, won the deal through the Information Warfare Research Project, a consortium that connects industry and academia to develop tech for Navy and Marine Corps missions. It’s the third such award the company won as part of the Pentagon’s $600 m 5G research initiative.
The “phase 1 awards” for Viasat’s 5G research are worth around $10 m with “subsequent phases for each project to be added on,” a Viasat spokesperson said June 16. No location for the research was disclosed.
The Marine Corps plans to conduct expeditionary advanced base operations in the near future, both for offensive and defensive reasons.
Offensively, small units dispersed widely across a vast area like the South China Sea could scatter a range of sensors throughout, allowing the larger joint force a look inside. They could also ferry weapons closer to an adversary and act on targeting data faster or in more innovative ways — immobilizing an enemy ship instead of sinking it, for example.
Defensively, small and scattered units blend in easier with local shipping traffic and topography, making it harder for an enemy to find, target and hit them.
The command and control side of EABO remains its biggest barrier to implementation; the operations would strain an already clogged bandwidth for Navy and Marine Corps forces operating forward.
Marines will accumulate tons of video, images, data tracks and more, and they will need to get that information to the right decision-makers. Similarly, one of the units may be the best-placed shooter, but targeting information may come from elsewhere, meaning they need to receive data in real time to be effective.
Viasat Government Systems President Craig Miller in a statement said he and his team “see the significant potential for 5G to enhance the warfighter’s ability to produce, consume and make sense of mission critical data” when and where it’s most needed.
“The ability to swiftly move information and data across the battlespace is essential to the multi-domain and joint-force operations needs of the future,” Miller said. “The addition of 5G bandwidth and network management capabilities will support C2 for specific missions and greater visibility across highly dispersed forces in EABO and littoral operations in contested environments.”
Michael Galbraith, the Navy’s chief digital innovation officer, in April called 5G a “great enabler” of future operations, whether that’s aboard a ship on the open ocean, sitting pier-side or inside a warehouse juggling logistics.
Fifth-generation, or 5G, wireless technology promises faster speeds, lower latency and other improvements compared with its predecessors. The Defense Department in a 2020 implementation plan hailed 5G as a critical technology, one that will afford long-term economic and military advantages to the nations that master it. The Pentagon received nearly $338m for 5G and microelectronics in fiscal 2022. The department requested $250m for fiscal 2023. (Source: Defense News)
23 June 22. South Korea’s Nuri rocket places satellites in orbit. South Korea’s domestically developed rocket has been able to place satellites in orbit in the second attempt.
“Nuri” or KSLV-II – launched from the Naro Space Center located in the southern province of Jeonnam – “successfully” separated and placed a “performance verification” satellite at the targeted orbit, Lee Jong-ho, South Korea’s Minister of Science and ICT (information and communications technology), said at a media briefing. The South Korean government “plans to enhance technical reliability and stability of Nuri through four rounds of additional launchings until 2027”, Jong-ho added. According to local media reports, the Ministry of Science and ICT confirmed on 22 June that the performance verification satellite has established communication with the state-run Korea Aerospace Research Institute’s (KARI’s) ground station located in the city of Daejeon. (Source: Janes)
23 June 22. Strong progress being made on the UK’s Geospatial Strategy.
Annual plan published shows the Geospatial Commission’s progress on delivering the UK’s Geospatial Strategy. Location data ethics policy paper also published.
Rolling out the National Underground Assets Register, piloting public sector access to commercial satellite data and publishing expert guidance on investing in location data are among the key priorities for the Geospatial Commission over the next year.
The Geospatial Commission today (22 June) published its plan for 2022/23, which sets out priorities for the coming year and reflects on the growing use of location data as a strategic national asset to support levelling up, help meet net zero targets and drive science and technology innovation.
The Geospatial Commission’s priorities for the coming year are:
- Continuing to rollout the National Underground Assets Register (NUAR) to build a shared, national underground utilities data asset to improve safe digging and UK-wide infrastructure delivery, realising at least £345m of economic value each year
- Piloting public sector access to commercial satellite data, to better understand whether collective access will help overcome barriers to the wider public sector adoption of Earth Observation data
- Publishing guidance about how to make an effective case for investing in location data, ensuring that its full value is well understood, assessed, and articulated
The publication also highlights the progress made towards the 2020 UK Geospatial Strategy over the last year, including:
- Core public sector data: We undertook the first coordinated assessment of the UK’s geospatial data assets against FAIR data principles, alongside our Partner Bodies
- Transport location data: We published Positioning the UK in the Fast Lane, supported innovative businesses to meet key public sector transport data challenges and launched a project to explore how location data can support delivery of electric vehicle chargepoints
- Land use data: We initiated a National Land Data Programme to demonstrate the value of enhancing the UK’s spatial modelling capability to inform land use scenario planning
- Property data: We announced an intention to legislate to expand access to property attribute data held by the Valuation Office Agency
Minister of State for the Cabinet Office, Lord True CBE said: “Location data is a powerful strategic national asset, underpinning decisions about how we invest to level up, how we distribute resources to improve public health and how we speed up our journey to decarbonisation. Understanding how this data can be used and deployed will be integral to driving scientific innovation, sustainability and economic growth across the UK.”
The Geospatial Commission also published a location data ethics policy paper, as promised in the UK’s Geospatial Strategy. This proposes an ABC – Accountability, Bias and Clarity – as the building blocks for good governance of location data use, to maximise public trust and confidence in the use, sharing and reuse of location data.
Independent Commissioner of the Geospatial Commission and Interim Chair of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation, Edwina Dunn OBE said:
Location data is a rich and powerful source of insight and input to AI and data-led decision making. As geographic data fuels innovation and improves our everyday lives, we must not forget that these significant economic, social and environmental benefits are only made possible with the trust and understanding of the UK public.
The Geospatial Commission’s policy paper is the culmination of months of engagement across the geospatial landscape. It proposes three shared values – Accountability, Bias and Clarity – all designed to optimise the benefits but safeguard public trust and confidence. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
23 June 22. Government announces package of new measures to drive space sustainability. The new measures will demonstrate the UK’s commitment, ambition and drive to improve the UK’s sustainable use of space.
- Science Minister George Freeman announces new Plan for Space Sustainability to demonstrate UK leadership in sustainable space, in line with ambitions set out in the National Space Strategy
- UK industry will work in partnership with government to develop a new Space Sustainability Standard, which will incentivise companies to adopt best practice
- government will also review the regulatory framework, including exploring ways of lowering insurance costs for sustainable missions
Science Minister George Freeman has today (Thursday 23 June) launched a new Plan for Space Sustainability, a raft of measures which will demonstrate the UK’s commitment, ambition and drive to improve the UK’s sustainable use of space.
He announced the plan in a speech to the 4th Summit for Space Sustainability in London, as part of a package which aims to make the UK a world leader in driving sustainability in space, just as the country is here on Earth. The minister announced that the government will work with industry to establish a new Space Sustainability Standard, which will aim to incentivise companies to adopt best practice in space sustainability and officially recognise those who take steps to minimise their footprint on the Earth’s orbit.
The Standard will help to make the UK a more attractive place to operate and invest and help unlock sustainable private investment, helping to further drive the growth of the space sector. The Standard will be developed and tested by industry and academia, in partnership with government and the Civil Aviation Authority – the UK spaceflight regulator.
Minister Freeman also confirmed that the UK will undertake a regulatory review to incentivise sustainable practises, investment and growth, allowing today’s latest innovations in technologies such as Active Debris Removal (ADR), In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) and sustainable development to become tomorrow’s norms in space operation. Doing so will ensure that the UK’s regulatory regime will evolve in line with advances in technology, and lead the way on protecting the space operating environment.
This is expected to include work alongside industry, academia and insurers to explore ways of lowering insurance premiums for sustainable missions, helping to drive greater space sustainability.
Speaking at the Space Sustainability Summit at the Science Museum in London today, Science Minister George Freeman said: The huge increase in commercial satellite launches will see tens of thousands of small satellites launched in the next 10 years.
A ‘Wild West’ space race without effective regulation risks a growing crisis of debris in space, adding to the existing threat from 400 redundant satellites and a m pieces of debris.
To harness space for sustainability, we need an agreed framework of standards for measuring and managing debris, improving satellite repair and retrieval and kite-marking genuinely sustainable supply chains.
As it was with shipping in the 17th century and cars in the 20th, the key will be regulation which enforces good industry standards and reduces the cost of insurance and finance for a satellite launch which can show it is compliant. With London as a global capital of insurance and venture financing, we have an opportunity to use our historic role in space science to now harness responsible finance for sustainable space.
That is why today I am announcing our Plan for Space Sustainability, a package of announcements which demonstrates the UK’s commitment to using our regulatory leadership. This plan will ensure a safe and sustainable commercial space sector which rewards responsible satellite programs by lowering the costs of launch licenses and insurance for sustainable satellites and space missions.
Outlining the UK’s global ambitions, the minister announced further government investment to support Phase 3 of the implementation of the UN Office for Outer Space Activities (UNOOSA) guidelines for the long-term sustainability of outer space. To achieve a safe and sustainable space environment, the UK is playing a leading role alongside UNOOSA in the adoption of these guidelines, which set out how countries and companies can help preserve the outer space environment for future generations. Phase 3 of the project will help to build on the successful work of earlier phases in building awareness of the guidelines among UN member states and identifying barriers to their adoption.
The UK government firmly believes that the growing volume of debris in space is both environmentally and commercially unsustainable, requiring swift action to clean up the Earth’s orbit as well as to ensure future projects minimise their footprint through recyclable manufacturing, retrieving satellites and mitigating any debris.
Active Debris Removal (ADR) is a key tool in cleaning up space junk in Earth’s orbit, and the minister confirmed today that the government’s existing ADR programme will receive £5m funding for its latest phase. The programme will now move at pace to select 2 consortia projects for grant awards this summer. It was also announced that the National Space Surveillance and Tracking Programme, which recently received an additional £5m funding, will include a new ‘monitor your satellites’ collision assessment service, which has now opened for registration for all UK licensed satellite operators following successful trials with a number of companies.
Today’s announcements, led by industry and government in partnership with UK Space Agency, demonstrate the UK’s aim to lead a global regulatory framework that both expects and requires the very best standards, driving down the cost of licensing for supply chains which meet these requirements.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Space sustainability is a complex challenge requiring a variety of solutions, but it also presents a significant opportunity for the UK to demonstrate global leadership. We’re developing new missions and capabilities to improve how we track objects in orbit and accelerate technologies such as active debris removal, while setting new standards and working closely with international partners to keep space open for future generations.”
The UK space sector employs around 47,000 people directly around the UK and supports around 190,000 jobs in the supply chain, contributing almost £7bn to the UK economy each year. By building on the commitments of the National Space Strategy and ensuring the space industry can continue to operate safely and sustainably well into the future, to help to protect and grow these high-quality jobs across the country for generations to come. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
22 June 22. SA space companies sign MoU to launch defence tech from Whalers Way. Southern Launch, ATSpace Australia, Asension and Inovor Technologies have signed an MoU to launch electronic warfare equipment from Whalers Way.
Four of South Australia’s leading space and technology companies entered a memorandum of understanding during the South Australian Aerospace and Information Warfare Forum in Adelaide this week, hoping to launch local military technology into space from the Whalers Way launch site.
Under the agreement, the companies will explore launching ATSpace’s “Kestrel I” launch vehicle into sub-orbit from Southern Launch’s Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex, carrying Inovor’s spacecraft that will interface with Asension’s electronic warfare payload.
According to Matt Tetlow, founder and chief executive officer of Inovor Technologies, the partnership marks a turning point in the Australian space industry.
“The teamwork on display by the companies signing this MoU has been incredible,” Dr Tetlow said.
“This collaboration is providing multiple opportunities that are crucial to continue the upward trajectory of the Australian commercial space sector including gaining flight heritage and giving our talented engineers and staff the chance to be hands-on with and learn from a real local mission.”
The companies are currently awaiting approvals from the Australian Space Agency.
It is hoped that the collaboration will prove a turning point for Australia’s domestic space industry, providing an opportunity for Inovor Technologies’ spacecraft to integrate with Asension’s electronic warfare payload.
The sub-orbital flight will also allow Inovor Technologies to test its communications protocols.
Meanwhile, the agreement hopes to mature the launch capabilities of ATSpace’s “Kestrel I” from Southern Launch’s Whalers Way site ahead of future launches.
According to Asension’s chief executive officer Ian Spencer, collaboration between leading Australian companies is essential to develop Australia’s sovereign space industry.
“In South Australia, we are very fortunate to not only be home to the Australian Space Agency but to also have a growing ecosystem of space companies dedicated to the establishment and operation of a world class and sovereign space industry capability,” said Spencer.
“The space industry community within South Australia is vibrant, strong and collaborative in nature – this launch will demonstrate the power of this ability to collaborate and rapidly deploy Australian payload to space in Australian spacecraft from Australian soil.” (Source: Space Connect)
20 Jun 22. Penten joins Airbus’s Team Maier. Canberra-based cyber security specialist Penten has joined Airbus’s Team Maier which is bidding for the ADF’s JP9102 sovereign SATCOM project.
Asia Pacific Defence Reporter (APDR) says Penten will provide ground segment sovereign encryption for the JP9102 program.
Working in tandem with other Team Maier partners, says APDR, Penten will design and build the transmission security module to ensure that Australia’s military SATCOM capability cannot be jammed or intercepted. The solution will leverage Penten’s AltoCrypt Stik technology, which enables the safe exchange of sensitive information using modern devices and is Approved for Use by the Australian Signals Directorate.
Penten will apply its encryption technology to Airbus Defence and Space’s proprietary Proteus software defined radio (SDR) modem to deliver a battle-proven, high bandwidth, and resilient anti-jamming solution capable of mitigating interference from even the most sophisticated foreign entities. With Team Maier going further than any other bid in its commitment to Australian Industry Capability (AIC), Penten will be offered the opportunity to evolve the Proteus modem into a domestic solution suitable to addressing Australia’s future needs.
Last month Penten was selected by Lockheed Martin Australia to investigate and design a cyber security framework that supports the prime contractor’s bid for the RAAF’s Joint Air Battle Management System project, AIR 6500 Phase 1. Lockheed Martin Australia is also a bidder for JP9102. (Source: Rumour Control)
12 June 22. SEAKR Engineering successfully demos optical communications on DARPA’s Mandrake 2 satellites. SEAKR Engineering, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, announced a successful demonstration of optical inter-satellite links between two Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Mandrake 2 satellites. During the first test, more than 280 gigabits of data were transferred at a range of 114 kilometers during a period of more than 40 minutes.
“This was a demonstration not only of optical communications in space but also a closer look at some of the foundational building blocks needed for a networked space architecture,” said Jeff Schrader, president of SEAKR Engineering and Blue Canyon Technologies.
Under DARPA’s Blackjack project, two Mandrake 2 spacecraft were launched last year to demonstrate advanced laser communications. The satellites, called Able and Baker, were outfitted with SA Photonics optical links onboard an Astro Digital bus. ASI provided the satellite software needed to operate the vehicles. SEAKR, the prime contractor, led the system integration of both satellites.
Originally scheduled for a January 2021 launch, a pre-launch incident damaged both Able and Baker satellites. SEAKR was able to repair and rebuild the satellites, and then deliver them for launch in less than six months.
“This recent on-orbit demonstration was the culmination of several organizations working in tandem to solve a number of challenges,” said Scott Lowery, SEAKR Mandrake program manager.
SEAKR also led the Mandrake 1 program that completed its mission, establishing Technical Readiness Level 9 for some of the highest performing CPUs to ever fly. These processing elements are the building blocks for DARPA’s Pitboss and future Battle Management Command Control and Communication systems. Like Mandrake 2, the schedule for Mandrake 1 was nine months from program award to launch integration. (Source: Satnews)
13 June 22. Collins Aerospace brings next-gen SDR to Five Eye and NATO nations. Collins Aerospace’s next generation, software-defined, airborne communication system – ARC 210 Gen6 – is now authorized for delivery to Five Eye and NATO nations.
This advanced airborne radio features the latest satellite capability (MUOS), anti-jam technology, embedded high-power output as well as the latest modernized cryptology for enhanced situational awareness (SSA) and seamless communications in challenging/contested environments.
The ARC-210 Gen6 integrates a next-generation networking capability and variants can be reprogrammed and customized as needed, without sacrificing performance or security. It also expands its frequency range from 30 MHz (Tactical VHF) to 1850 MHz (L-band). Variants of ARC-210 are the most widely fielded airborne military V/UHF radio in the world, with more than 50,000 delivered units operating on more than 200 platforms in over 50 countries. The ARC-210 Gen6 is now available through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) to authorized countries.
Collins’ international variant of this architecture — the AR-1500 — is deployed across the globe with customers in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Fully software defined, the AR-1500 provides the same frequency range and RF performance as the ARC-210 Gen6, but with a selection of waveforms and capabilities unique to the direct commercial sale (DCS) market, including electronic protection and embedded cryptography. It also features AES256 embedded encryption.
“The ARC-210 family of radios has enabled ms of critical messages to be exchanged for more than 25 years, providing U.S. and allied military forces with reliable and secure communications when it’s most essential,” said Ryan Bunge, vice president and general manager, Communication, Navigation and Guidance Solutions for Collins Aerospace. “It is fully software-defined to bring tomorrow’s technologies to the battlespace today and deliver the latest in SATCOM, encryption and anti-jam technologies, ensuring customers’ mission success now and as requirements advance in the future.”
Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business, is a leader in technologically advanced and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Collins Aerospace has the extensive capabilities, comprehensive portfolio and broad expertise to solve customers’ toughest challenges and to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global market. For more information, visit CollinsAerospace.com.(Source: Satnews)
14 June 22. Raytheon Intelligence & Space’s success with machine-to-machine communications exercise before Valiant Shield 2022. JADC2 is the Department of Defense’s vision for a future command and control operating construct that connects the battlespace across every domain — sea, air, land, space, cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum.
Raytheon Intelligence & Space, (RI&S) a Raytheon Technologies business, successfully demonstrated machine-to-machine communications across multiple assets during a communications exercise.
“This successful communications exercise sets up our team — spanning our military and industry partners — for success in advance of Valiant Shield” said Conn Doherty, vice president of Future Assured Systems Technologies at RI&S. “During the exercise we will collaborate in a truly, experimental environment to strengthen that partnership and demonstrate the critical capabilities required to enable elements of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) for the joint force.”
During the exercise, RI&S relayed data securely in seconds between the Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed (RMT-727), an airborne KC-135, a ground station located at Beale Air Force Base, California, and a satellite to address a set of joint warfighting mission requirements in the multi-domain battlespace. This exercise served as risk-reduction preparation ahead of the company’s participation in the Valiant Shield 2022 exercise currently in Guam.
Valiant Shield is a U.S. only, biennial field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. This training enables real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.
At Valiant Shield, RI&S will demonstrate multi-domain, multi-intelligence, edge-based processing in an operationally representative and contested environment, emphasizing capabilities in advanced analytics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and machine-to-machine operations. Valiant Shield takes place June 1 – 17 at Andersen Air Force Base.
JADC2 is the Department of Defense’s vision for a future command and control operating construct that connects the battlespace across every domain — sea, air, land, space, cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum. RI&S is contributing its multi-domain capabilities in space systems, resilient communications, sensors, AI/ML, and mission software to the DOD JADC2 architecture. (Source: Satnews)
14 June 22. AST SpaceMobile reveals their BlueWalker 3 test satellite will launch in mid-August. AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS), the company building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, has confirmed plans to launch their BlueWalker 3 test satellite from Cape Canaveral, Florida, during the week of August 15, 2022.
The actual launch date remains subject to change and is contingent on a number of factors including, but not limited to, final testing, final integration, ground transport, timely readiness of the launch vehicle and other unknowns including, but not limited to, weather conditions or technical problems.
BlueWalker 3 carries a 693-square-foot phased array (see image above) that is designed to test cellular broadband communications directly with standard mobile phones, from space, for the first time. AST SpaceMobile has invested approximately $85 m in the satellite’s development and the company’s engineers have successfully conducted more than 800 ground tests with BlueWalker 3.
To date, the company has more than 2,300 patent and patent-pending claims in support of its technology. The BlueWalker 3 mission is expected to complete the company’s initial research and development program and facilitate integration testing with mobile network operators around the world.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) granted AST SpaceMobile an experimental license that allows the company to test BlueWalker 3 satellite-to-phone connectivity in the United States at sites in Texas and Hawaii. Once BlueWalker 3 is operational, the company plans to conduct testing on five different continents, in coordination with leading mobile network operators (MNOs) such as Vodafone, Rakuten Mobile, Orange and others.
AST SpaceMobile’s investors and strategic partners in support of the company and its mission are leaders in cellular technology and infrastructure, digital services and the internet, including Vodafone, Rakuten Mobile and American Tower.
“The launch of BlueWalker 3 is the culmination of years of effort by our engineers to let us test connecting the phone in your pocket, with no modifications to the phone, directly with one of our satellites in space,” said Abel Avellan, Chairman and CEO of AST SpaceMobile. “This revolutionary technology supports our mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by more than 5 bn mobile subscribers today moving in and out of coverage, and bring cellular broadband to approximately half of the world’s population who remain unconnected. We want to close the gap between the digital ‘haves’ and ‘have nots’.”
AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five bn mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the bns who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission. (Source: Satnews)
14 June 22. ST Engineering iDirect Achieves ESA certification for aerospace manufacturing capabilities. The spaceflight industry planted a new flag in Belgium as ST Engineering iDirect announced that the company will be manufacturing components used in flight systems for spacecraft to European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) standards at their Manufacturing Competence Center (MCC) in Erpe-Mere, Belgium.
Following the stringent certification process by the European Space Agency (ESA), ST Engineering iDirect will help to make components for QinetiQ, the British, multi-national defense and space technology company. This makes ST Engineering iDirect the sole subcontracting company offering these services in Belgium.
ST Engineering iDirect’s MCC will provide their specialist manual and automated soldering services to QinetiQ for its ADPMS-3 satellite board computer systems and for the International Berthing and Docking Mechanism (IBDM) currently in development with ESA, enabling vehicles carrying cargo or passengers to dock softly, with less force. Furthermore, it will also assist in building components for payload projects.
ST Engineering iDirect’s MCC has Factory of the Future status, the highest possible recognition for the manufacturing industry in Belgium. It provides manufacturing and repair services and specializes in electronic assembly, testing and repair for a range of customers in the satellite and aerospace sectors including OHB and Panasonic.
“The process of becoming ESA-certified has been incredibly thorough in assuring the quality, the education and capabilities of the MCC and its workforce. This accreditation and the additional commencement of our automated soldering activity will open doors for our company to broaden our footprint in the industry, as well as strengthen the Belgian spaceflight ecosystem,” said ST Engineering iDirect’s MCC Sales and Marketing Manager, Danny De Smet. “We’re very appreciative of the support from QinetiQ and their recognition of our capabilities in providing larger scale component soldering.”
Erik Masure, QinetiQ’s Managing Director in Belgium, said, “We’ve been consistently impressed by ST Engineering iDirect’s – and specifically the MCC team – ability to rise to the challenge of becoming ESA-accredited over the past few years. Working with a partner in close proximity to our space facilities in Kruibeke, Belgium, is incredibly beneficial for the success of our relationship. We look forward to deepening our partnership and working together in the future.” (Source: Satnews)
12 June 22. ATLAS Space Operations receives a Defense Innovation Unit award for federated network demo. ATLAS Space Operations has announced that the Defense Innovation Unit awarded the company the Hybrid Space Architecture (HSA) contract to demonstrate a federated network. Leveraging its operational experience and prior development activity, the HSA capability represents a major advancement in network management, which is particularly meaningful for aging communications infrastructure. Building on ATLAS’ proprietary technology to easily integrate complex disparate systems, the federated network invites new possibilities that meet the evolving needs of DoD and commercial clients.
Whereas ATLAS’ prior work with disparate networks enabled easy intra-network communications, its HSA initiative introduces capabilities that are fully federated — allowing communication to flow across disparate government and commercial networks. Now, spacecraft and antenna operators have the opportunity to make use of any participating network regardless of the site owner or hardware.
Leveraging its cloud-hosted Freedom™ Network Management Platform, ATLAS enables the seamless transfer of data streams across DoD, Civil, and commercial platforms. The inter-network operability provided by Freedom™ allows each of these operators to conduct their communications across a newly available slew of infrastructure, enabling easy offloading of expiring infrastructure.
The future of sustainable space communications includes a mix of existing and new infrastructure. ATLAS’ Hybrid Space Architecture offers a solution that enables new and old technologies to operate across the same platform, creating new opportunities for the entire domain of ground-space data transfer. To address the hardware constraints of varied clients, growing satellite counts, and expanding applications, ATLAS is applying its innovative Freedom™ software at a crucial point for the industry.
“The progress ATLAS has made in the HSA realm is a testament to the resilience and flexibility of our Freedom™ Software Platform. For DoD and commercial clients alike, federated networks are truly the rising tide that is lifting all ships,” said Ed McCarty, ATLAS Vice President of Global Sales. “ATLAS is proud to offer this innovative capability to our clients while maintaining the same secure and cost-effective solution that they are used to. Without changing the client experience, we are opening up a whole new world of communications avenues. It’s another example of our dedication to connecting humanity through space.” (Source: Satnews)
15 June 22. Satellite megafactory unveiled by Aerospacelab — 500 satellites capacity per year. Aerospacelab has unveiled their satellite megafactory commitment, with a yearly production capacity of 500 satellites — this makes this site the largest satellite manufacturing plant in Europe. This groundbreaking new site, which will be built by Sambrinvest in Charleroi, follows the launch of the company’s Monnet Center facility, located in Ottignies-Louvain-La-Neuve that can produce as many as 24 satellites a year.
Dedicated to generating positive impact globally by making geospatial intelligence actionable and affordable, Aerospacelab has taken a fully, vertically integrated approach. The team is closely involved in satellite design, prototyping, and hardware testing, producing satellites and constellations for a broad range of applications. With these wide-ranging capabilities, Aerospacelab supports decision-making through satellite intelligence in environment protection, sustainable commodity production, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, security, and more.
Since its inception in 2018, Aerospacelab has been striving to meet the accelerating demand for satellites in the decade ahead. Propelled by its 40 m euro Series B fundraise in February of 2022, the company is already ramping up satellite production capacity, deploying multiple constellations to establish same-day monitoring of the Earth’s surface, and implementing Aerospacelab’s unique geospatial data fusion analytics capabilities. The first satellites will roll off the assembly line at Aerospacelab’s new megafactory by the start of 2025.
According to Euroconsult, by 2030, more than 1,700 satellites every year worldwide are expected to be launched.
Benoît Deper, CEO and founder of Aerospacelab, said, “We’ve been inspired by the automotive industry where standardized products still have the possibility to be customized for specific needs. We are establishing satellite manufacturing plants, complete with production lines using ‘off-the-shelf’ components. Both at the factory in Ottignies-Louvain-la-Neuve and at the megafactory in Charleroi, we own and operate all the testing facilities relevant for satellite manufacturing, which promotes the vertical integration that gives us the edge in agility. Ultimately, we are striving to make the ‘Henry Ford moment’ in satellite manufacturing happen.” (Source: Satnews)
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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield. As a global communications company, we power ms 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.
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