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10 Aug 23. Russia successfully launches military satellite. Russia has successfully launched a military satellite onboard the Soyuz-2.1b launch vehicle on 7 August.
According to the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), the military satellite was successfully launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region and is “in the interests of the authority”.
The system is the first generation of the GLONASS-K2 (Global Navigation Satellite System) radio-based navigation satellites launched into space. A total of two GLONASS-K2 satellites are planned, which form part of the RUB484bn (USD4.9n) 10-year (2021–30) programme to replace the older generation satellites.GLONASS-K2, developed by ISS Reshetnev, weighs approximately 1,645 kg, almost 700 kg heavier than the previous GLONASS-K1 series. The satellites have an approximate 10-year service life; a clock stability of 5–1×10–14; transmit in the L1, L2, and L3 navigation frequency bands; and have 170% more power than the previous series. (Source: Janes)
10 Aug 23. Rocket Lab Inks New Deal to Launch HASTE Mission from Virginia.
- The new contract signed just days after Rocket Lab successfully launched the inaugural HASTE suborbital mission, marking a new era of rapid hypersonic technology development opportunities
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has signed a new launch services agreement with a confidential customer for a HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) mission from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in 2024. The contract signing with a new customer came just days after Rocket Lab successfully launched the first HASTE mission on 17 June 2023 for Leidos under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program. The mission was Rocket Lab’s third mission from Launch Complex 2 at Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport since the Company began launches form U.S. soil in January this year, demonstrating rapid and reliable launch capability for government and commercial programs.
“After delivering mission success with our HASTE launch in June, we’re delighted to be selected once again to deliver this crucial capability, enabling our customers to accelerate hypersonic innovation,” said Brian Rogers, Senior Director – Global Launch Services. “We’re immensely proud to be delivering a vital capability to the nation by increasing the cadence and availability of hypersonic and suborbital flight testing to enable technology maturation.”
Rocket Lab’s HASTE suborbital launch vehicle is derived from the Company’s workhorse Electron rocket – the world’s most frequently launched commercial small launch vehicle. Leveraging Electron’s deep flight heritage, HASTE offers true commercial testing capability on rapid schedules and at a fraction of the cost of current full-scale tests. Tailored specifically for suborbital and hypersonic test flight capability, HASTE has a modified Kick Stage, a larger payload capacity of up to 700 kg / 1,540 lbs, and options for tailored fairings to accommodate larger payloads. HASTE is operated under Rocket Lab National Security (RLNS), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary created to serve the unique needs of the U.S. defense and intelligence community and its allies. (Source: ASD Network)
09 Aug 23. RTX Introduces Largest Form Factor in CubeSat Product Line. RTX’s (NYSE: RTX) small satellite manufacturer and mission services provider, Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), continues to meet the demand for increased payload size, weight, and power (SWaP) by introducing the XB16 CubeSat, now the largest form factor in its CubeSat product line. The XB16 CubeSat offers 14U of payload volume with a cannister-dependent option for an additional 12,000 cubic centimeters of volume, all while maintaining BCT’s robust power systems, secure data handling, resilient performance, and ultra-precise attitude control systems. The larger payload volume capacity of the XB16 provides an ideal solution for remote sensing, earth observation, and in-space communications.
“Our flight-proven products are known for their fine-pointing and agility on orbit,” said John Carvo, executive director of CubeSats at Blue Canyon. “Now we are able to offer a larger payload volume with the same high level of accuracy and orbit lifetime.”
This addition to the BCT array of peak-performance and cost-effective spacecraft solutions continues the company’s ability to support all types of academic, commercial and government space missions. The new XB16 will be developed at BCT’s Spacecraft Manufacturing Center located in Boulder, CO. The office and laboratories are designed specifically for high-volume production of spacecraft systems and components, with the manufacturing capability to handle large constellations of small spacecraft. (Source: ASD Network)
09 Aug 23. Gilmour to work on Neumann’s electric propulsion system. Gilmour is set to work with Neumann Space to create a more powerful version of the latter’s electric propulsion system for spacecraft.
The pair hope the collaboration will result in an upgraded version of the “Neumann Drive” for use in the international smallsat market.
Gilmour Space Technologies is one of the most high-profile businesses in Australia’s space sector and is targeting the first test launch of its Eris rocket later this year.
Neumann, meanwhile, has won plaudits for its unique propulsion system that is simpler than traditional chemical methods, allowing for spacecraft to be potentially refuelled and deorbited easier. This includes harnessing space debris for fuel.
On Thursday, the pair said they believe the partnership will yield product compatibility for satellites up to 500 kilograms and superior mobility in space.
“As a member of the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN), we are very pleased to participate in a project that sees the private and public sectors come together to advance the development and commercialisation of leading sovereign space technologies with a global market,” said Neumann Space chief executive officer Herve Astier.
“Access to Gilmour Space Technologies’ satellite interfaces and their talented team are both integral to supporting the successful product design, integration, and testing of a more powerful Neumann Drive. This is an important milestone for Neumann Space in the commercialisation of our technology and the expansion of our business into new markets.”
Gilmour Space will provide satellite analogues for testing at the ASMN, which will allow Neumann Space to scale up their system and create a new Australian capability for manoeuvring smallsats on-orbit.
“Neumann Space is an Australian company that’s making inroads into the global small satellite market with their patented technology, and we’re excited to be working with them in the ASMN,” Gilmour CEO Adam Gilmour said.
“It’s commercial-focused collaborations like this that will help to boost Australia’s sovereign space capability.”
It comes after Space Connect reported how the Neumann Drive blasted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at approximately 7:05am on 13 June ACST on board a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket (Transporter 8).
The Adelaide-based company said the launch is the first of its in-orbit demonstrations planned for 2023 and 2024, which it hopes will provide details about the operatonal performance of the product.
It was the latest in a string of announcements from the company. In April, Space Connect reported how Neumann would collaborate with a US Space Force-funded project, which saw Colorado-based CisLunar acquire the Neumann Drive. (Source: Space Connect)
03 Aug 23. Permission granted for Koonibba Test Range upgrade. Authorities have granted permission for Southern Launch to upgrade the Koonibba Test Range to become a permanent suborbital launch facility.
The site, near Ceduna, South Australia, is also run by the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation and allows companies to recover their rockets and payloads for further testing before subsequently launching them into orbit.
It’s separate from Southern Launch’s more traditional Whalers Way Complex at the tip of the Eyre Peninsula, which specialises in orbital launches over the sea.
It follows the announcement earlier this year that the federal government would issue a $4.5m grant for the upgrade.
Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency, called the news that planning consent had been granted a “major milestone” for Southern Launch.
“Having a test range like this on our doorstep will make it easier for our local innovators to test and validate their technology, as well as providing a safe returns destination for international space missions,” said Palermo.
“It is a great example of the continuing growth and investment in the Australian space sector.
“The partnership between Southern Launch and Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation is delivering outcomes for the local Indigenous community, as we look to do space in a uniquely Australian way.”
Southern Launch said it already has a number of missions set to launch from the range, including the ReFEx mission in 2024 with the German Space Agency (DLR).
The company also recently signed an MoU with UK-based Space Forge to use the Koonibba Test Range as a re-entry point for their spacecraft.
“The development of permanent, world-class facilities at the Koonibba Test Range will put Australia on the map as a space-faring nation,” said the launch business’ chief executive officer, Lloyd Damp.
“What we have to offer at Koonibba is unique, highly sought after, and complements our orbital facility at Whalers Way.
“We have a long list of global customers ready to use the range and we’re excited about the incredible opportunities this presents for Koonibba and South Australia.”
The Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation will also use a portion of the government funds to develop an observatory on Koonibba lands.
“This observatory will combine our rich stargazing history as First Nations people with the groundbreaking space exploration happening from our lands,” said the corporation’s CEO, Corey McLennan.
“We hope the observatory will be a drawcard for every launch from the facility and must-see destination as people travel across Australia.” (Source: Space Connect)
08 Aug 23. BlackSky Signs Five-Launch Deal with Rocket Lab to Launch Next-Gen Capabilities and Meet Growing Demand for High-Frequency Monitoring. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) and Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) signed an agreement to buy a block of five launches that will increase capacity and introduce new capabilities into BlackSky’s rapid-revisit, high-res constellation.
“We continue to see strong, growing demand for our high-frequency, low latency offering from our current and next generation constellation especially for defense and intelligence customers who need real-time, on-demand intelligence in support of critical missions,” said Brian E. O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “With these launches BlackSky will replenish, replace, and expand on-orbit capacity, introduce Gen-3 capabilities, and further enable BlackSky to meet the demands of the most time-dominant missions. This commitment follows a series of accomplishments with Rocket Lab that have demonstrated agility in deploying capacity where and when our customers need it most.”
“After four years of launching for BlackSky, we’re delighted to continue our partnership with more dedicated launches on Electron,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Building and maintaining a constellation requires precision deployment to unique orbits and a dependable launch schedule. We’re proud to deliver this dependable and tailored capability launch after launch, year after year.”
BlackSky’s next-generation Gen-3 satellites are designed to produce images with up to 35-centimeter resolution. When coupled with BlackSky Spectra, our proprietary AI-driven tasking and analytics platform, the combination gives customers the ability to detect critical change with increased speed, on-demand.
Increased resolution and enhanced spectral diversity extend BlackSky’s ability to provide real-time insights to its customers in a broad set of conditions, including nighttime, low light and challenging weather. BlackSky’s unique ability to capture and quickly deliver large volumes of dawn-to-dusk, time-diverse imagery increases transparency into strategic defense and economic activities that could otherwise would have gone unnoticed. Rocket Lab has launched six successful Electron missions for BlackSky since 2019. The launches are expected to take place beginning in 2024 from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
08 Aug 23. Benchmark Unveils 1st Ever Autopilot for Satellites.
- Scaling constellations will use SmartAIM intelligent propulsion for autonomous space maneuvers that advance space sustainability, space traffic and debris management, and simplify spacecraft ops
With operational small satellite constellations scaling fast, and regulatory controls for sustainability quickly emerging, Benchmark Space Systems today announced the commercial launch of the first-ever driver assist control system capable of managing highly precise satellite maneuvers and travel through increasingly congested space.
The category-defining propulsion solution called SmartAIM™ (Smart Advanced In-Space Mobility) features an onboard software control solution embedded in Benchmark’s non-toxic chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Having a more intelligent and integrated mobility solution extends the guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) capability of any spacecraft to offer unprecedented tiers of autonomous flight – ranging from assisted ‘cruise control’ for station keeping and payload pointing to full-blown maneuver planning and execution for collision avoidance.
SmartAIM™ is now available in Benchmark’s common control system across product lines and will reduce operational costs and lead times associated with mission planning and system integration.
Benchmark also announced a strategic partnership with Kayhan Space to integrate the company’s Pathfinder spaceflight safety service with the SmartAIM™ platform. Pathfinder’s capabilities for optimized maneuver planning and autonomous space traffic coordination provide a unique and complementary offering when paired with Benchmark’s SmartAIM™ propulsion solution. This alliance will ultimately drive the full value of SmartAIM™ for collision avoidance and sustainable space operations. Benchmark plans to add Kayhan and other SSA companies to its extensive network of partners with complementary technology and services.
Benchmark has designed, developed, and thoroughly tested its SmartAIM™ intelligent propulsion offering, in part with funding and R&D support from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and expects the first SmartAIM™-assisted flights to launch in 2024. The cooperative effort among Benchmark’s commercial and government partners has focused on eliminating the laborious, iterative manual satellite control functions, which have become cost prohibitive and unmanageable for many operators as their constellations dramatically scale.
“The Low Earth Orbit ecosystem is not sustainable without driver assist technologies like SmartAIM™. Benchmark is in full production mode on propulsion systems for several government and commercial missions. Operators are not just looking to Benchmark to provide propulsion hardware, but a full life cycle partnership and innovative bundled mobility solutions to maneuver safely and confidently through space,” explained Chris Carella, Chief Commercial Officer for Benchmark Space Systems. “Large constellations aren’t technically or economically feasible in today’s busy orbits if they’re being controlled with traditional manual and multi-step procedures. SmartAIM™ makes watching over constellations of dozens to hundreds of satellites far more manageable and sustainable. The operational equivalent of falling asleep at the wheel could lead to a Kessler scenario that wipes out a trillion-dollar global infrastructure.”
Benchmark’s SmartAIM™ intelligent guidance, navigation and control solution runs on multiple streams of real-time data, from onboard sensors and data relays, that provide vivid situational awareness. The low-latency information feeds and onboard processing include the state of the propulsion system and satellite, where it’s been, where it’s headed, and efficient travel routes around potential issues or threats nearby or on the horizon.
“The game-changing benefits of having SmartAIM™ tightly integrated with Benchmark’s propulsion systems, the host spacecraft resources, and additional effectors, aids in scalability, performance efficiency and sustainability, and operator peace of mind,” outlined Jeff Gibson, Benchmark’s Head of Engineering and a member of its experienced GNC team, with lunar lander, EVTOL, and guided munitions development among its storied successes.
“Operators can lean on Benchmark’s unrivaled propulsion expertise and not get bogged down with the technical details needed for scalable mobility operations in space,” Gibson added. “The efficiency of the driver-assist and autopilot modes enable operators to get a lot more mileage out of their propulsion systems – driving up mission sustainability while reducing overhead.”
“The Kayhan Space mission is all about empowering satellite operators with the information and streamlined autonomous capabilities they need to safely and efficiently navigate through an increasingly congested space environment,” said Siamak Hesar, Co-Founder and CEO of Kayhan Space. “We are thrilled to partner with Benchmark Space Systems and integrate with their SmartAIM™ intelligent propulsion solution to maximize safe and sustainable space operations.”
The company expects the first SmartAIM™ systems to launch next year, beginning with collision avoidance and station keeping capabilities in space. The company’s technology roadmap includes next-generation features, which include advanced operator-assist and autopilot functions, in the late 2024 through 2025 timeframe.
Established propulsion providers are at an advantage when developing GNC capabilities. The integration goes beyond hypotheticals and is designed with the detailed specificities of existing avionics and propulsion systems for maximum optimization. By working in unison with additional effectors like momentum wheels, torque rods, and ACS thrusters – the GNC framework is designed for optimizing each maneuver, whether that be for power conditions, fuel preservation, or speed.
The company is laser focused on providing non-toxic chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems capable of enabling in-space mobility and the emerging space economy. Benchmark is currently fulfilling contracts for dozens of its new Xantus electric metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), with some on the verge of playing a key role in upcoming in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demonstration missions.
The company is also producing hundreds of its 2N Lynx bi-propellant (HTP + fuel) thrusters this year to meet increasing demand for low Earth orbit (LEO) and cislunar missions. The intelligent maneuver control enabled by SmartAIM™ is being considered by a growing number of missions and operators deploying Benchmark thrusters and propulsion systems.
(Source: ASD Network)
08 Aug 23. LeoStella Debuts Advanced Small Satellite Bus Platform, the LS-300. LeoStella, a U.S.-based satellite design and manufacturing company, today announced its third-generation small satellite bus product line, the LS-300. The LS-300 introduces significant payload accommodation and other enhanced capabilities. The LS-300 builds upon LeoStella’s successful reputation and accounts for the evolving expectations of government and commercial satellite customers.
To date, LeoStella has 19 satellites in orbit, from its established product lines. These satellites have over 37 years of on-orbit heritage and boast 99% mission availability, delivering high performance and remarkable reliability.
“The LS-300 satellite bus is well-positioned to meet the varied needs of customers seeking access to space,” stated Pierre-Damien Vaujour, CEO of Loft Orbital. “Loft Orbital has had great success with LeoStella’s established bus platforms. I’m confident the updated LS-300 bus platform will enhance the company’s already established reputation.”
With a focus on delivering exceptional performance and enabling customers to achieve their varied mission goals, the LS-300 bus platform boasts several impressive features. Notably, it can accommodate heavier and larger payloads, up to 250 kilograms. The platform incorporates a space-qualified propulsion system capable of achieving a velocity change of over 200 meters per second. This propulsion capability enhances the satellite’s reaction control, precision pointing, and orbital maneuvering, ensuring optimal performance in space. Additionally, the LS-300 platform provides up to one kilowatt of power to enable the spacecraft to perform more demanding missions.
“We’ve already secured our first LS-300 customer, which is a testament that our updated bus platform meets the evolving needs of the satellite market,” said Tim Kienberger, CEO of LeoStella. “LeoStella offers co-engineering services which enable us to efficiently provide satellites that are optimized to specific customer requirements.”
From large, interconnected constellations to single-unit prototypes, LeoStella is dedicated to providing customers with critical space infrastructure developed, launched and operating efficiently and effectively. With the introduction of the new LS-300 bus platform, LeoStella will continue to uphold its successful track record of proven on-orbit performance. (Source: ASD Network)
08 Aug 23. Pioneering worldwide space partnerships to boost UK innovation. British space experts will join forces with organisations around the world to develop cutting-edge technologies that will advance global space capabilities. International Bilateral Fund. 32 pioneering partnerships with worldwide space organisations to boost UK innovation.
The UK Space Agency announced the recipients to receive the first phase of its £20m International Bilateral Fund investments, which will help UK organisations link up with the US, Canada, Australia, Japan, India, Singapore, South Africa and more to form collaborations that will progress space research and catalyse investment in new technologies.
The International Bilateral Fund is the Agency’s first fund dedicated to building and strengthening international relationships to help advance the UK’s goals in space.
While some projects will focus on enhancing those relationships to unlock future economic opportunities for the UK, others will focus directly on science missions and technologies with strong commercial potential. From using superconductors for spacecraft control to space traffic management and satellite launch vehicles, the portfolio of projects represents the full breadth of the sector.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “Working with other space agencies and organisations across the globe through our International Bilateral Fund allows us to draw on skills that enhance our homegrown expertise and capabilities, drive up investment in the UK, and support world-class science and discovery.”
Projects such as these highlight the many ways in which we can collaborate with the global space community to help humanity push the boundaries of space innovation and unlock commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy now and in the future.
One project led by UK-based Vertical Future will partner with Axiom Space, Saber Astronautics, Cambridge University and the University of Adelaide to kick-start the development of a state-of-the-art autonomous controlled environment for plant growth to support space missions.
Meanwhile, satellite manufacturer In-Space Missions will work with a dedicated regional Asia-Pacific Government collaboration (incorporating Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia) to develop Faraday Dragon, a multi-agency accelerator programme that will ease the export of novel space technologies and access to space via rideshare missions.
These bilateral partnerships will not only strengthen UK space sector capabilities by drawing on expertise from around the world, but they will ensure the UK, and its world-leading scientists, remain a driving force behind generating a diverse and collaborative global space sector that benefits the world for generations to come.
Lizzie Kerr, Director of UKspace, said: “UKspace welcomes the announcement of the first projects funded under the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund. International collaboration underpins the success of the UK’s space sector – and this new programme is an important new route to unlock new international partnerships, benefitting companies overseas and here in the UK.”
The full list of projects, which will each receive up to £75,000 of the initial £2.1m pot, includes the following:
University of Glasgow x Australian Remote Operations for Space and Earth Consortium (Australia)
Development of a novel approach to lunar regolith sampling.
Rolls-Royce x BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC (USA)
International collaboration on industrial research into novel space nuclear technology development.
University College London x University of Bordeaux x University of New Hampshire
Enhancing firmware code and providing an updated prototype for use in HelioSwarm/iESA.
University of Leicester and National Nuclear Laboratory x ispace Inc (Japan), Aerojet Rocketdyne, NASA Glenn Research Center, John Hopkins University (USA)
Co-operation around radioisotopes for use in space technologies to develop a commercial pipeline.
Satellite Applications Catapult x Obruta Space Solutions Corp (Canada)
Developing a low-Earth orbit (LEO) regulatory and technology testbed for in-orbit servicing and manufacturing.
University of Exeter and University of Leicester x an international coalition across the USA, Japan, Canada and Australia
Development of fluorescent deep space petri pods.
Frontier Space Technologies Ltd x The Exploration Company (Germany)
In-orbit biopharma research and development.
Seraphim Space Camp Accelerator Ltd x Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd, Temasek Holdings, OSTIn, Enterprise Singapore and SG Innovate (Singapore)
Seraphim Space Accelerator’s expansion into Asia.
Deimos Space Ltd and SJE Space Ltd x Silentium Defence Trading (Australia), Exa Research (USA)
Complementary use of different sensing technologies to increase coverage.
Telespazio UK x Symbios Communications, National Physical Laboratory (Australia)
Developing a new quality assurance platform for Earth Observation data.
Earth-I Ltd x Planet Labs PBC (USA)
Novel approach to achieving high-revisit surveillance of sites of interest to the defence, security and intelligence community.
Vertical Future Ltd and University of Cambridge x University of Adelaide (Australia), Axiom Space (USA), Saber Astronautics (Australia and USA)
Autonomous agriculture to support space exploration.
University of Bradford and Satellite Applications Catapult x Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency [JAXA] and Fujitsu Services (Japan)
Developing next generation space-grade AI devices for data analytics and operational efficiencies for satellite constellations.
Astroscale Ltd and OrbitFab x Astroscale Japan Inc.
Strengthening relations with Japan to unlock in-orbit servicing investment.
The Open University, XCAM Ltd and Teledyne UK Ltd x Indian Space Research Organisation (India)
Development of next generation X-ray instrumentation for space and planetary science.
Iota Technology Ltd and RAL Space (UK) x Twinleaf LLC (USA)
Development of a nanosatellite with capability to map Earth’s magnetic field.
University of Surrey, University of Southampton, University of Portsmouth, Surrey Satellite Technology and Twin Paradox Labs x Office for Space Technology and Industry [OSTIn] (Singapore)
Understanding satellite collaborations on monitoring air pollution and atmospheric weather forecasting.
AstroMagnetic Systems Ltd x New Space Systems (South Africa)
Spacecraft control using liquid metal and superconductors.
Strathclyde University x University of Arizona and MIT (USA), University of Waterloo and Columbiad Launch Services Inc (Canada)
AI for space safety and sustainability.
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, Assimilia, RALSpace x CSIRO Space and Astronomy and Smartsat CRC (Australia)
Creation of an integrated ground-to-space national water quality monitoring system.
Frontier Space Technologies Ltd x Sierra Space Corporation (USA)
Development of a commercial biotech platform for industrial microgravity application.
University of Southampton x University of Michigan, Pulsar Fusion and Starlight Engines (USA)
US-UK collaboration on the development of Hall thruster spacecraft propulsion.
Assimila Biosecurity Ltd x Cervantes Agritech Pty Ltd and CABI (Australia)
Using Earth Observation, climate and weather data to predict and manage biosecurity risks.
LENA Space x Taiwan Space Agency [TASA]
Developing a concept for a satellite launch vehicle cryogenic turbopump.
AstroAgency Ltd x AzurX Tech Ltd and Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (UAE), National Space Science Agency (Bahrain)
Collaboration on Earth observation and data analytics, and developing the UK-UAE/Bahrain space relationship.
University College London x NASA JPL (USA)
Growing the UCL/JPL partnership: non-gravitational force modelling for precise orbit determination and space traffic management.
Reaction Engines x Virgin Galactic (USA)
Combining innovative UK air-breathing propulsion with US airframe capability for space access.
In-Space Missions x Singapore Space and Technology Ltd, OSTin and A*STAR Research Entities (Singapore), Geo-Informatics, Space Technology Development Agency and Philippines Space Agency, TASA, National Research and Innovation Agency (Indonesia)
Development of a multi-agency technology and business accelerator programme via regular in-orbit payload rideshare missions (Faraday Dragon).
The Open University x Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona and Ball Aerospace and Technologies (USA)
UK detector technology for future NASA high-resolution imaging of the Moon and Mars.
University of Leicester, Geospatial Insight Ltd, CGI IT x Bahrain National Space Science Agency, Kanoo (Bahrain)
Miniaturised rapid deployment high resolution carbon mapping sensors for monitoring GHG emission management programmes in the Gulf region.
D-Orbit x High Earth Orbit Robotics Pty Ltd (Australia)
Responsive in-orbit inspection service. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
07 Aug 23. Australian Cuts have had ‘chilling’ effect on industry, says Duffy. Swinburne University professor Alan Duffy has said government cuts to the space industry have had a “chilling factor” on the sector.
Speaking to the ABC 7:30 program, the astronomer argued the industry is “currently in limbo” and admitted some of his own university’s projects are being postponed.
His intervention follows the federal government announcing this year it would scrap the $1.2bn National Space Mission for Earth Observation alongside cutting a promise to invest millions into Australia’s spaceports and launch sites.
Duffy is one of the most high-profile figures in Australia’s space sector, regularly appearing on TV and radio. He’s also the current host of Space Connect’s Australian Space Summit.
“We have been awaiting large investment decisions, postponing our own investment as a result,” he said.
“And now it’s become clear that certain projects aren’t going to happen. Industry is having to decide whether there’s a future sector that they want to invest to grow within.”
Adam Gilmour, founder of Gilmour Space, also told the program the sector was “very disappointed” with the cuts.
“I remember when the National Space Mission was cut,” he said. “I had a very busy phone that day. A lot of people from the industry were calling me up to say, ‘What do you think’s gonna happen? What does the future look like?’
“And there were a lot of distraught people in the industry, so that was a pretty dark couple of days.”
However, Science and Industry Minister Ed Husic defended the decision, pointing out the Earth observation investment was announced in the “dying days” of the Morrison government and adding that no tenders or contracts were entered into.
“I understand that people won’t be fans of cutting a billion dollars of funding that was going to be directed towards their sector … But I’ve got to make calls as a minister and as part of a broader government that is trying to rein in a budget deficit.”
Space Connect has previously reported on the mixed reaction to the cuts to space.
Enrico Palermo, head of the Australian Space Agency, called on the sector to “take perspective” and argued the federal government had, in fact, reaffirmed the role of the ASA.
In his keynote address to the Australian Space Summit, he said, “As a sector, we’re all familiar with the overview effect, or at least I hope we are – the perspective astronauts get when they look down on Earth from space. And in some respects, I think we need to take the same sense of perspective with regards to this year’s budget.
“Yes, it’s not the budget we may have hoped for. But the government is still committed to space, and we must use this moment as an opportunity to continue our growth we’ve seen in recent years and transition.
“Other industries have long navigated the ebbs and flows of budgets, and now it’s time for our sector to demonstrate our maturity. We must lift our gaze and seize all the opportunities that are out there.”
In contrast, the chief executive officer of spaceport business Equatorial Launch Australia, Michael Jones, suggested that space is now a low priority for the new government.
“Call it what it is: the lack of federal government support with the change in government makes me nervous, and it makes the job really hard,” said Jones.
He hinted he believes space is now an afterthought for the Department of Industry, Science and Resources and quipped you had to “look hard” on its website to even spot the Australian Space Agency.
“Poor Enrico [Palermo, head of the ASA] is three or four levels down in that organisation, and that really worries me. As an industry, we had claims last year that we’re looking for 20,000 jobs and $20bn of economic stimulus in the future. We’re not going to get there if we don’t support the industry.
“Because as we travel around the world trying to get rocket companies to come to Australia, there are a number of impediments for them that we have to design strategies to overcome.
“We’re also competing against sovereign entities almost everywhere, who are supporting the industry in very, very financial and demonstrable ways, which make it hard for us to compete.” (Source: Space Connect)
07 Aug 23. Exotrail, a global leader in end-to-end space mobility, announced the establishment of its new subsidiaries in the United States: Exotrail U.S. Inc., and Exotrail U.S. Federal Inc. The subsidiaries will focus on pioneering innovative solutions and driving advancements in space logistics to support current and future U.S. Defense, Civil, and Commercial space requirements.
As an industry leader in Space Logistics, Exotrail will continue to focus on its core mission: enhancing the mobility of space assets, so that small satellites can optimize their deployment, increase their service performance, and reduce space pollution.
Exotrail U.S. will commit significant resources to develop engineering and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. to support government and commercial customers. A nationwide search is underway to select the best location to establish a spaceware™ factory and spacedrop™ integration facility. Exotrail U.S. has already begun the effort of deploying spacestudio™ and spacetower™ to U.S.-based cloud infrastructure.
As part of the company’s strategic growth in the United States., Exotrail U.S. is excited to introduce its first two employees, who bring decades of experience working with commercial and defense satellite organizations:
Tyler BrowderChief Executive Officer (CEO)
Tyler was the CEO and co-founder of the space software company Kubos, which was acquired in 2022. He has ten years of experience developing software products in the space industry and building distribution channels through strategic partnerships. Tyler is located in Portland, Oregon.
Brian Holt – Director, U.S. Gov Business Development and Partnerships
Brian Holt is a space mobility pioneer, leader, and aerospace veteran, having supported numerous innovation activities across the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force over the last 20 years. Brian is located in New England outside of Boston, Massachusetts.
“Exotrail’s investment in the U.S. represents a significant milestone for us,” said Jean-Luc Maria, CEO of Exotrail. “We already have more than five customers in North America, with commercial partners ranging from traditional prime to new space operators like Astro Digital, Starfish Space, and NASA on the civil space side. Accelerating our growth in both institutional and commercial markets is instrumental to Exotrail’s future.” added Tyler Browder, CEO of Exotrail U.S.
“At the historical peak of space cooperation between France and the U.S., launching Exotrail’s U. S. offices allows us to directly respond to the U.S. Space Force’s Line of Effort #3, Partner to Win.” said Brian Holt, Director of Exotrail U.S. Business Development and Partnerships. “I am really excited to bring my 20 years of experience in the Air Force and Space Force to Exotrail and help them solve U.S. Government requirements with their pioneering of end-to-end space mobility solutions.”
07 Aug 23. LM Opens Facility for Rapid Development of Small Satellites.
- The 20,000-square-foot dedicated space is outfitted for the delivery of up to 180 spacecraft per year
Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has opened a facility that streamlines small satellite (smallsat) processing to enable high-rate delivery. The multi-million dollar facility will house the company’s Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer satellites, among other smallsat programs and technology demonstrators.
The 20,000-square-foot low bay clean room, located on the company’s Waterton campus, will feature six scalable parallel assembly lines and is configurable to host different classifications of missions concurrently. Built with flow and throughput in mind, the center is tailored to accommodate all stages of smallsat development, including spacecraft-level functional and performance testing.
“Lockheed Martin is committed to providing advanced satellites of different sizes and capabilities to meet our customers’ needs and support their strategy to achieve greater orbital diversity,” said Johnathon Caldwell, vice president and general manager for Military Space at Lockheed Martin. “This new facility is one of many investments our company has made to lower costs and to deliver scalable solutions with increased speed and agility, to provide 21st Century Security solutions for our customers.”
The facility hosts dedicated testing capabilities, including thermal cycle and electromagnetic chambers, scaled to efficiently build and test satellites ranging in size from CubeSats to smallsats. The tailored fit reduces waste and optimizes energy and space, supporting the delivery of 180 satellites or more per year.
Lockheed Martin is currently developing more than 50 satellites for the SDA’s Transport Layer, which will provide military users with low-latency communication links through a resilient network of integrated capabilities from low-Earth orbit. Lockheed Martin’s 10 Tranche 0 Transport Layer satellites are expected to launch this year, while its 42 Tranche 1 satellites will soon move into processing in the new factory to support a 2024 launch.
Lockheed Martin continues to invest in strengthening advanced capabilities, infrastructure and industry partnerships for our customers and will continue to transform our business operations to enhance quality, efficiency, and affordability.
Lockheed Martin plans to continue leveraging its longstanding strategic partnerships, including its diverse supplier base, and will utilize its new facility for assembly, integration and testing to optimize these relationships. (Source: ASD Network)
07 Aug 23. A Franco-German Success for the Final Ariane 5 Mission.
- The 117th and final Ariane 5 launch, operated by Arianespace, placed two telecommunications satellites in orbit: Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit for the German government and SYRACUSE 4B for the French Armament General Directorate (DGA).
- Europe’s Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher, for which ArianeGroup is the lead contractor, is taking its place in the annals of history and leaves an exceptional heritage of expertise and reliability to its successor Ariane 6.
- Ariane 6 will now take over from Ariane 5, in carrying out Europe’s institutional space missions and responding to the growing demands of the commercial market.
On July 5, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. local time, Ariane 5, operated by Arianespace, lifted off flawlessly from Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, carrying Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit for the German government and SYRACUSE 4B for the French Ministry of Defence..
The Heinrich-Hertz-Mission is the first dedicated German telecommunications satellite-based mission that will be used to conduct research and to test new technologies and telecommunications scenarios. The technologies on board are meant to respond smartly and flexibly to future challenges, to support future telecommunications scenarios and to be adapted from Earth to address new technical requirements and market needs. The mission is managed by the German Space Agency on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and with the participation of the German Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg). The Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit was mainly developed and built by OHB System.
The SYRACUSE 4B satellite is part of the SYRACUSE IV program carried out under the leadership of the DGA in collaboration with the French Air and Space Force, and for the Space Command (CdE). Together with SYRACUSE 4A, it will enable French armed forces to remain permanently connected when they are deployed on operations. At sea, in the air, or on land, the armed forces need powerful and secure communications systems to be able to exchange information with theIr command center. Thanks to state-of-the-art equipment including an anti-jamming antenna and a digital onboard processor, SYRACUSE 4B will be fully protected against the most severe military threats. It will help guarantee French national sovereignty while also supporting NATO operations. Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space joined forces to develop the SYRACUSE 4A and SYRACUSE 4B satellites so that the program could benefit fully from their combined expertise. .
“This 117th and last Ariane 5 mission is emblematic in several respects. Ariane 5 has just deployed two telecommunications satellites, SYRACUSE 4B and Heinrich-Hertz-Satellit, for France and Germany, the first two contributors to the Ariane program,” said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace. “This mission is also emblematic of Ariane 5’s ability to perform dual launches, which constitutes the very core of its success, with 197 satellites placed in geostationary orbit out of a total of 239 satellites deployed. Over its career, Ariane 5 has served 65 institutional and commercial customers from 30 countries. Ariane 5’s success heralds a promising career for Ariane 6.”
This launch also marks the end of the remarkable career of the HM7 upper stage engine, which flew on the first Ariane 1 and on the final Ariane 5. It helped power Ariane launchers 228 times, without ever failing. This veteran of spaceflight has been a crucial element in the European space adventure. It will be replaced on Ariane 6 by the re-ignitable Vinci engine.
“Ariane 5 is now taking its place in the annals of global space history. This final successful mission demonstrates once again its supreme reliability in the service of European autonomy and rounds off an exceptional career distinguished by a succession of technological and industrial achievements. I share the emotion of all the employees at ArianeGroup, Arianespace, the French and European space agencies CNES and ESA, and all our European partners, who have contributed to its success over the course of these 27 years,” said Martin Sion, CEO of ArianeGroup. “Together we are now taking up the challenge of Ariane 6, the beneficiary of the experience acquired with Ariane 5. It will be able to evolve and play a full role in guaranteeing independent, sustainable access to space for Europe, in a context of major strategic, economic and environmental challenges, to meet the needs of its institutional and commercial customers.”
Leading up to its inaugural flight, Ariane 6 is currently passing a series of key milestones in Europe and in French Guiana. Even more versatile and competitive, Ariane 6 will carry out its first missions with a rapid production ramp-up, supporting Europe’s institutional missions and meeting the swiftly growing demands of the commercial market.
The Ariane 5 heavy-lift launcher is an ESA program carried out in cooperation between public institutions and industry across 12 European partner states.
ArianeGroup is the lead contractor for the development and production of the Ariane family of launchers. It is responsible for Ariane 5 and Ariane 6 preparation operations up to lift-off. ArianeGroup is at the head of a vast industrial network of more than 600 companies, including 350 small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). ArianeGroup delivers a flight-ready launcher on the launch pad to its subsidiary Arianespace, which markets and operates Ariane 5 from Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. During Ariane 5 launch campaigns, Arianespace works closely with the French space agency (CNES), the design authority for the launcher and responsible for the satellite preparation facilities and the launch base.
THE LAUNCH AT A GLANCE
- 347th Launch operated by Arianespace
- More than 1,150 satellites launched by Arianespace
- 2nd launch operated by Arianespace in 2023
- This launch was carried out on July 5, 2023 from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, at 7:00 p.m. local time (10:00 pm UTC)
- 117th and last Ariane 5 launch from the European Spaceport
- 7,680 kg is the total payload carried by the launcher for this mission
- 91st and final consecutive launch with nominal operation of the Vulcain 2 main-stage engine
- 117th and final consecutive launch with nominal operation of the solid boosters
- 157th and final consecutive launch with nominal operation of the HM7B upper-stage engine (Source: ASD Network)
07 Aug 23. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has delivered two major components of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) and has started the next phase of pre-launch preparations. This two-satellite constellation will deliver protected satellite communications to the Northern polar region – one of the most difficult locations on earth to deliver communications.
The most recent accomplishments include:
- Successful delivery of the Control and Planning Segment (CAPS) ground system to the U.S. Space Force
- On-time delivery of both Enhanced Polar System Recapitalization (EPS-R) payloads to the Space Force
- Integration of the EPS-R payload and successful completion of thermal-vacuum environmental testing on the first space vehicle
ASBM is a combined effort between the U.S. Space Force, Space Norway and Northrop Grumman. ASBM uses the Northrop Grumman GEOStar-3 platform, which includes the main satellite structure and systems required to maintain operation, such as power, propulsion, communications, command and data handling, thermal control and guidance and navigational control. Northrop Grumman also provides the payload and ground system for this critical capability.
“Northrop Grumman’s end-to-end space technology capabilities represent a powerful model for government and commercial partnerships in space, marked by greater agility and affordability,” said Tom Wilson, corporate vice president and president, Northrop Grumman Space Systems. “Our work to deliver protected polar satellite communications will fill a critical need for our customers.”
The CAPS ground system was delivered to the Space Force in March following successful completion of the site acceptance test, functional configuration audit/physical configuration audit and DD-250 sell-off. CAPS is currently transitioning to the operations phase which opens the door for using the ground system for early operations with the two on-orbit operational EPS payloads along with the capability to support the two EPS-R payloads after the ASBM launch.
The satellites also carry multiple hosted payloads, including an X-Band payload for the Norwegian Ministry of Defense, a Ka-Band payload for Inmarsat and the Norwegian Radiation Monitor payload commissioned by the European Commission.
07 Aug 23. Hanwha Phasor Welcomes Lucy Frazer, MP to Officially Open Cutting-Edge Facility in Cambridge. Hanwha Phasor welcomed local MP, Lucy Frazer to officially open its new facility in Cambridge Science Park.
Hanwha Phasor develops enterprise-grade antennas for satellite communications on the move – in flight, on land or at sea. Opening a second site in Cambridge, Hanwha Phasor is poised to contribute to the region’s thriving innovation ecosystem, bringing exciting opportunities for local professionals and industry.
On her visit to the site, Ms Frazer was able to see the team responsible for the design and development of custom ASIC chips for Hanwha Phasor’s satellite communications capabilities. The custom-designed ASIC chips from Cambridge, allow Hanwha Phasor to tackle power consumption issues that have previously created significant barriers in the satcom industry.
Since Hanwha Phasor’s move into the UK market three years ago the company has grown significantly, seeing its number of employees rise from 9 to 90. The advanced manufacturing capabilities provided by the dedicated team in Cambridge will allow Hanwha Phasor to continue this growth trajectory.
Ms Frazer’s visit highlighted not only the importance of Hanwha Phasor’s role going forward for the UK space industry, but also the benefits of the company’s move for generating high-skilled jobs and prosperity in Cambridge. Hanwha Phasor is committed to driving local long-term growth and has to date invested considerably in the area.
Lucy Frazer, MP said: “I want to thank Hanwha Phasor for inviting me to formally open their impressive new facility at Cambridge Science Park in my constituency. It is great to see innovative businesses like Hanwha Phasor choosing Cambridgeshire for their future operations. Not only will they add to the wealth of scientific excellence in our region, but they will offer more employment opportunities to local people and investment to our local economy”.
Dominic Philpott, COO of Hanwha Phasor said: “It was a privilege to host Lucy Frazer at our Cambridge site. The Cambridge branch of the Hanwha team is a crucial component of our overall mission with the development of our custom ASIC chips. We look forward to expanding our partnerships in the Cambridge area further, expanding the team and creating new job opportunities for the region”.
04 Aug 23. Space Plays Larger Role in U.S. Southern Command’s Mission.
An increasing interest in space by partner nations in South America may prove beneficial to the U.S. Southern Command mission there, said its commander.
Recently, Army Gen. Laura Richardson, Southcom’s commander, spent time with Bill Nelson, NASA’s administrator, during his trip though South America. According to NASA, Nelson visited Brazil, Argentina and Colombia.
Four nations in Southcom are part of the NASA-led Artemis Accords — Argentina, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador. Globally, nearly 30 nations are now involved in the program, which, in part, aims to again put humans on the moon and, later, on Mars.
Argentina signed on to the Artemis Accords during Nelson’s most-recent visit, Richardson said, and Colombia signed on last year. She said those nations have robust space programs, and the U.S. is glad to partner with them on their efforts.
“All of these countries have huge space programs,” Richardson said during a discussion Friday with the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. “And having our NASA administrator be able to come there and talk about more collaboration, what NASA is doing, what they are doing, how can we collaborate better together … we are only limited by the ideas that we come up with of how we can collaborate better together.”
China already has space capabilities in South America. The Defense Department describes China as a “pacing challenge” and strategic competitor. China’s presence so close to the U.S. is a risk to U.S. security, and it’s something Richardson said new partnerships like those forged through Artemis can push back on.
“That’s how we out-compete our adversaries … like-minded democracies working together on collaborative ideas to make things happen,” Richardson said.
In Colombia, Richardson said, one of the top priorities of President Gustavo Petro is climate change. Partnerships in space can help that nation and others advance efforts related to climate, she said.
“Space has a number of different things that are going on to help countries identify problems from space — with agriculture, for example,” she said. “And, so, as you think of the drought corridor in this region — a 1,000-mile drought corridor — you’re talking about food insecurity. How can we change that? How can we change disease in crops identify it?”
Deforestation is also impacting the Amazon rainforest, which she called “the lungs of the world.” Those problems and others that present security challenges in Southcom — including illegal mining and illegal logging operations — can be identified from space, she said. And that information can be shared among partner nations in the region.
Richardson also said that while in Colombia, Nelson offered to train a Colombian astronaut as part of NASA’s international program, and, then, to put that astronaut into space.
She said similar opportunities might also be available to other nations in Southcom that are part of the Artemis Accords program. (Source: U.S. DoD)
30 Jul 23. Maxar’s largest ever satellite, Hughes JUPITER 3, performs well after launch. Maxar Technologies announced that the largest commercial communications satellite ever built, the JUPITER™ 3 satellite for Hughes, an EchoStar company, is performing as expected after launch yesterday. The spacecraft was manufactured by Maxar in Palo Alto, California, and launched on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Maxar Technologies provides comprehensive space solutions and secure, precise, geospatial intelligence.
Shortly after liftoff, the satellite, which is also called EchoStar XXIV, deployed its solar arrays and began receiving and sending signals. The 14 solar panels on board when fully deployed could span a 10-story building.
Maxar 1300™
“JUPITER 3 shows the scalability of our versatile Maxar 1300™ platform, whose most powerful variants serve high-bandwidth communications missions and will drive deep space missions like NASA’s Gateway,” said Chris Johnson, Maxar’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of Space. “Maxar continues to serve the GEO communications market and push the boundaries for what is possible, and JUPITER 3 shows that thinking in action.”
JUPITER 3 is an ultra high-density, high-capacity and high-throughput satellite that will join the Hughes JUPITER fleet, which includes four other Maxar-built spacecraft. The new satellite features customized architecture based on a broad range of technology advances, including industry-first Q- and V-band gateway feeder links, the miniaturization of electronics, solid state amplifiers and highly efficient spot beam antenna designs. (Source: Satnews)
01 Aug 23. SpaceX and Intelsat are ready for Falcon 9’s launch of Intelsat G-37. SpaceX is targeting Thursday, August 3 for Falcon 9’s launch of the Intelsat G-37 mission to a geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour launch window opens at 12:15 a.m. ET (04:15 UTC). If needed, a backup opportunity is available Friday, August 4 with the same window.
The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-5, GPS III-6, Inmarsat I6-F2, CRS-28, and one Starlink mission. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
A live webcast of this mission will begin about 15 minutes prior to liftoff.
The launch of Galaxy 37/Horizons-4 (G-37/H-4) advances Intelsat’s comprehensive Galaxy fleet refresh plan. The G-37 C-band payload will provide North American capacity for television media and telecommunication network customers. The H-4 Ku-band payload will provide continuity for our mobility, network and U.S. government customers and will be owned jointly by Intelsat and JSAT International, the U.S.-owned subsidiary of SKY Perfect JSAT Corp. (Source: Satnews)
30 Jul 23. NASA reaches its Tipping Point for Key Moon + Exploration Tech. NASA has selected 11 U.S. companies to develop technologies that could support long-term exploration on the Moon and in space for the benefit of all — the technologies range from lunar surface power systems to tools for in-space 3D printing, which will expand industry capabilities for a sustained human presence on the Moon through Artemis, as well as other NASA, government, and commercial missions.
The Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator, or LOFTID, spacecraft is pictured after its atmospheric re-entry test in November of 2022. Through a new Tipping Point partnership, United Launch Alliance will continue development of the inflatable heat shield technology demonstrated by LOFTID. Photo is courtesy of NASA/Greg Swanson.
The projects, selected under the agency’s sixth Tipping Point opportunity, will be funded jointly by NASA and industry partners. The total expected NASA contribution to the partnerships is $150m.
Each company will contribute a minimum percentage – at least 10-25%, based on company size – of the total project cost. NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) will issue milestone-based funded Space Act Agreements lasting for up to four years.
The selected technologies support infrastructure and capabilities in space and at the Moon. Six of the selected companies are small businesses. The awarded companies, their projects, and the approximate value of NASA’s contribution are:
- Astrobotic Technology of Pittsburgh, $34.6m – LunaGrid-Lite: Demonstration of Tethered, Scalable Lunar Power Transmission
- Big Metal Additive of Denver, $5.4m – Improving Cost and Availability of Space Habitat Structures with Additive Manufacturing
- Blue Origin of Kent, Washington, $34.7m – In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU)-Based Power on the Moon
- Freedom Photonics of Santa Barbara, California, $1.6m – Highly Efficient Watt-Class Direct Diode Lidar for Remote Sensing
- Lockheed Martin of Littleton, Colorado, $9.1m – Joining Demonstrations In-Space
- Redwire of Jacksonville, Florida, $12.9m – Infrastructure Manufacturing with Lunar Regolith – Mason
- Protoinnovations of Pittsburgh, $6.2m – The Mobility Coordinator: An Onboard COTS (Commercial-Off-the-Shelf) Software Architecture for Sustainable, Safe, Efficient, and Effective Lunar Surface Mobility Operations
- Psionic of Hampton, Virginia, $3.2m – Validating No-Light Lunar Landing Technology that Reduces Risk, SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power), and Cost
- United Launch Alliance (ULA) of Centennial, Colorado, $25m – ULA Vulcan Engine Reuse Scale Hypersonic Inflatable Aerodynamic Decelerator Technology Demonstration
- Varda Space Industries of El Segundo, California, $1.9m – Conformal Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator Tech Transfer and Commercial Production
- Zeno Power Systems of Washington, $15m – A Universal Americium-241 Radioisotope Power Supply for Artemis
Five of the technologies will help humanity explore the Moon. For astronauts to spend extended periods of time on the lunar surface, they will need habitats, power, transportation, and other infrastructure. Two of the selected projects will use the Moon’s own surface material to create such infrastructure – a practice called in-situ resource use, or ISRU. Redwire will develop technologies that would allow use of lunar regolith to build infrastructure like roads, foundations for habitats, and landing pads.
Blue Origin’s technology could also make use of local resources by extracting elements from lunar regolith to produce solar cells and wire that could then be used to power work on the Moon.
Astrobotic’s selected proposal will advance technology to distribute power on the Moon’s surface, planned to be tested on a future lunar mission. The company’s CubeRover would unreel more than half a mile (one kilometer) of high-voltage power line that could be used to transfer power from a production system to a habitat or work area on the Moon.
The remaining seven projects will help create new capabilities in other areas of space exploration and Earth observation. Freedom Photonics will develop a novel laser source that could enable a more efficient lidar system – a technology similar to radar that uses light instead of radio waves to make measurements. This system could better detect methane in Earth’s atmosphere and improve scientists’ understanding of climate change.
United Launch Alliance will continue development of inflatable heat shield technology, building on the success of LOFTID (Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator). ULA will further develop the technology for possible use to return large rocket components from LEO for reuse. Such technology could also be used to land heavier payloads – such as the infrastructure required for crewed missions – on destinations like Mars.
“Partnering with the commercial space industry lets us at NASA harness the strength of American innovation and ingenuity. The technologies that NASA is investing in today have the potential to be the foundation of future exploration.” — Bill Nelson, Administrator, NASA
“Our partnerships with industry could be a cornerstone of humanity’s return to the Moon under Artemis. By creating new opportunities for streamlined awards, we hope to push crucial technologies over the finish line so they can be used in future missions. These innovative partnerships will help advance capabilities that will enable sustainable exploration on the Moon.” — Dr. Prasun Desai, acting associate administrator for STMD at NASA Headquarters. (Source: Satnews)
05 Aug 23. The Satellite Applications Catapult’s new CEO brings his expertise in geospatial technologies. The Satellite Applications Catapult announced that John Abbott has been appointed as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Abbott will take up the post at the end of October, replacing Stuart Martin who announced his intention to step down earlier this year. The announcement follows the completion of a formal recruitment process, led by the Chair of the Satellite Applications Catapult Board, Sanjay Bhandari.
Mr. Abbott joins the Catapult from the Real Estate Registry in Saudi Arabia, where he is Chief Digital Officer. Abbott was instrumental in the delivery of the Kingdom’s first ever registry of land ownership as part of a public-private partnership supported by the Public Investment Fund.
Abbott was previously Director of Digital Data and Technology and a member of the Executive Board at HM Land Registry, where he led a successful £200m digital transformation program and the organization’s pioneering open innovation program, Digital Street. Prior to this he was Head of Digital Products at Ordnance Survey where he was responsible for digitizing and publishing the organization’s geospatial data as well as the Innovations Lab and Geovation, a successful start-up incubator, which has supported more than 150 early-stage businesses that together have raised £130m. Earlier roles included Product Director at Mimecast, the UK tech company acquired by Permira for $5.8Bn. He has an MBA from Imperial College London and is married with three children.
Sanjay Bhandari, Chair of the Satellite Applications Catapult Board said, “We are delighted to welcome John to lead the Satellite Applications Catapult as we start our next phase of development. The board was hugely impressed by John’s experience, particularly his work in geospatial technologies, in guiding large organizations through major digital transformation projects and in his demonstrable commitment to supporting the start-up community. This experience will be a valuable asset as our Catapult continues to support the rapidly growing UK Space Sector.”
In accepting the new role, Mr Abbott, “I am very excited to be taking on the role as Satellite Applications Catapult CEO at this important time for the space industry. The role of a Catapult CEO offers an unrivaled opportunity to shape the success of an entire sector. I look forward to building on the exceptional work done by Stuart Martin and the team over the last 10 years, and capitalizing on the well-respected position in the industry that the Catapult occupies. With our strong team and clear mission, I am excited about what we can achieve.” (Source: Satnews)
31 Jul 23. Forrester’s Digest: China wanted to buy OneWeb + is Viasat is going to alter Inmarsat’s LEO plans? There was reportedly once an attempted takeover of OneWeb by Chinese interests. An article in the Sunday Telegraph stated that the UK’s MI5 security service investigated the China involvement, and this prompted the UK government to step in and buy a major stake in OneWeb.
There was also a further complication in that OneWeb is being merged with Paris-based Eutelsat, which already has a major Chinese shareholder. OneWeb operates 600 LEO satellites providing broadband connectivity around the planet. The UK government purchased a £400m stake in OneWeb as the company emerged from bankruptcy. The purchase in OneWeb also gives the UK a ‘golden share’ and thus a strong influence in what happens to the business.
The newspaper claims that a report from the UK’s GCHQ (the UK government’s intelligence, security and cyber agency) as well as the UK’s parliamentary Intelligence & Security Committee, investigated the Chinese interests.
Chinese bidders, including the state-owned China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, were considering investment in OneWeb.
However, OneWeb is now on the verge of being acquired and merged into Eutelsat. The acquisition is expected to formally close by the end of September.
China is already a shareholder in Eutelsat with China Investment Corporation (CIC), described as a sovereign wealth fund that manages part of the People’s Republic of China’s foreign exchange reserves. CIC is frequently said to be a “passive” investor in Eutelsat and does not influence board decisions.
The Chinese stake in Eutelsat was engineered when Michel Rosen was CEO at Eutelsat in 2012. CIC obtained a 7 percent stake from Spanish infrastructure company Abertis.
Is Viasat changing Inmarsat’s plan for LEOs?
Inmarsat, prior to its acquisition by US-based Viasat, had planned to launch a fleet of LEO satellites (Orchestra) and now it seems that Viasat is re-thinking the scheme that would save millions in terms of investment.
Viasat has written to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) withdrawing its applications for V-band satellite spectrum. The letter from Viasat to the FCC said, “Viasat’s wholly owned subsidiary, Inmarsat Inc., is today withdrawing its application for authority to access the US market with a planned NGSO system using portions of the V band.”
Inmarsat itself has not helped clear any confusion, given that it Tweeted a statement on July 26th stating, “Communication lies at the heart of everything we do and being in touch no matter where you are is an expectation. Orchestra will combine multiple orbits & 5G into a single seamless solution so you don’t have to worry about getting connected – you just are.”
Inmarsat already has a test satellite on-orbit that is testing new concepts and system configurations for Orchestra’s proposed LEO constellation, “which will seamlessly integrate with geosynchronous orbit (GEO) and highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellites, and a terrestrial 5G network, to deliver a uniquely powerful global communications solution for mobility and government customers,” said Inmarsat as long ago as December of 2021.
Inmarsat claimed, “Orchestra the first global network of its kind; creating a global, multi-dimensional, dynamic mesh network that will redefine connectivity at scale with the highest capacity for mobility worldwide and at hot spots across the world. It will deliver the fastest average speeds and the lowest average latency of any network, planned or in existence.”
Rajeev Suri, CEO of Inmarsat and now a Viasat board member, speaking in 2021, said, “Our vision for Orchestra is a network that uses the right technology for the right purpose. We are not beholden to a single approach and believe that the best way to meet customer needs is a multidimensional approach that includes GEO, LEO and terrestrial 5G in a dynamic mesh that brings capacity to where it is needed in the most efficient way possible. [The] announcement is yet another testament to the fact that Inmarsat is a company with commercial momentum and technology leadership.” (Source: Satnews)
29 Jul 23. NASA selects company to develop lunar night technology.
Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) has been awarded by NASA’s Space Technology and Mission Directorate (STMD) a $15m Tipping Point initiative award to the Zeno Power-led team, including Intuitive Machines.
The award is for the development of a Radioisotope Power System (RPS) that may enable lunar assets to survive and operate during the lunar night and in permanently shadowed regions of the Moon. Intuitive Machines has been designated approximately $2.4m of the award to assist Zeno Power in developing an interoperable americium-241 (Am-241) radioisotope Sterling generator that may be integrated into lunar landers to enable it to survive the lunar night cycle.
The lunar night cycle refers to the period of darkness on the Moon that lasts approximately 14 Earth days. During this time, temperatures on the lunar surface drop drastically, reaching as low as -279 degrees Fahrenheit. By surviving the lunar night, missions on the surface of the Moon could extend from two Earth weeks to several years.
“The ability to survive the lunar night is paramount to Intuitive Machines and the space exploration community. NASA investing in mission longevity and the endurance of spacecraft paves the way for uninterrupted scientific exploration, enabling future robotic and human missions to unlock the mysteries of the lunar surface and propel humanity’s presence in space to new frontiers.” — Trent Martin, Vice President of Space Systems, Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is a diversified space company that is focused on space exploration and supplies space products and services to support sustained robotic and human exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Intuitive Machines’ products and services are offered through its four business units: Lunar Access Services, Orbital Services, Lunar Data Services, and Space Products and Infrastructure. (Source: Satnews)
31 Jul 23. ISRO: The PSLV-C56 / DS-SAR mission successfully accomplished.
First launch pad SDSC-SHAR, Sriharikota. Photo is courtesy of ISRO.
PSLV-C56 was configured in its core-alone mode, similar to that of C55. The DS-SAR, a 360 kg. satellite, was launched into a Near Equatorial Orbit (NEO) at 5 degrees inclination and at an altitude of 535 km.
The DS-SAR satellite was developed under a partnership between DSTA (representing the Government of Singapore) and ST Engineering. Once deployed and operational, it will be used to support the satellite imagery requirements of various agencies within the Government of Singapore. ST Engineering will use the satellite for multi-modal and higher responsiveness imagery and geospatial services for their commercial customers.
DS-SAR carries a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payload developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). This allows the DS-SAR to provide for all-weather day and night coverage, and capable of imaging at 1 meter resolution at full polarimetry.
The co-passengers for this mission were…
- VELOX-AM, a 23 kg. technology demonstration smallsat.
- ARCADE Atmospheric Coupling and Dynamics Explorer (ARCADE), an experimental satellite
- SCOOB-II, a 3U smallsat flying a technology demonstrator payload
- NuLIoN by NuSpace, an advanced 3U smallsat enabling seamless IoT connectivity in urban and remote locations.
- Galassia-2, a 3U nanosatellite that will be orbiting at LEO.
- ORB-12 STRIDER, satellite developed under an International collaboration
Tests have begun on the IAI DS-SAR satellite built for Singapore’s military and commercial use which entered orbit on July 30th. and transmitted the first data to the ground station. The satellite will be handed over to its Singaporean customers at the end of testing.
The DS-SAR satellite builds on IAI’s experience in developing observation satellites such as OptSat and TecSAR, which have been developed in new generations for 35 years. The synthetic aperture radar sensor payload is designed to enable the collection of a wide range of data, in terms of both coverage and resolution, day and night, and under all weather conditions.
The satellite will be used for maritime surveillance with the Singapore Ministry of Defence’s Defence Science and Technology Agency and provide commercial services through ST Electronics alongside TELEOS 1 Earth Observation. (Source: Satnews)
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