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28 Sep 18. Airbus to help grow Australia’s space industry capability. The Australian Space Agency has signed a statement of strategic intent with European manufacturing giant Airbus Defence and Space SAS, representing another step in growing the capability and competitiveness of Australia’s space sector. Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews welcomed the signing, the first by Australia’s new agency with an industry partner, sending a strong signal for further investment opportunities. Airbus has been committed to growing Australia’s space industry and in June 2018 selected Wyndham airfield in Western Australia as the first flight base for its pioneering Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aircraft. Along with military operations, Zephyrs can be used for precision farming guidance, environmental and security monitoring, and to provide internet coverage to regions of poor or zero connectivity.
“The statement is confirmation of Airbus’ support for Australia’s space discovery, technology development and connectivity, and science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) education. Airbus has a major presence in Australia, supplying Earth observation satellite imagery to the Australian market over 25 years,” Minister Andrews said.
In 2016, Airbus opened a new purpose-built ground station in Adelaide to land communications traffic from the Skynet 5 satellite.
Australian Space Agency head Dr Megan Clark AC said the statement of intent by Airbus highlighted the role Australia could play in the growing global space economy.
“We welcome Airbus’ choice of Australia for the world’s first operations of the Zephyr and Skynet 5 platforms. Wyndham is the world’s first operational site for the launch and recovery of Zephyr, which will be home to Airbus employees during operations. The Zephyr can fly for days or weeks at a time, providing surveillance over land or sea, and hosting communications links,” Dr Clark said.
Nicolas Chamussy, executive vice president space systems at Airbus Defence and Space, said Airbus aimed to support projects and partnerships that contribute to growth and jobs in Australia, with a special focus on innovation and skills.
“We look forward to working with the Australian Space Agency, as well as the country’s academia, SMEs and start-ups, to develop Australia’s space sovereign capability. This includes nurturing and developing areas of strategic priority and technologies identified by an expert reference group panel,” he said. “Today’s statement of strategic intent adds to the existing strong presence that Airbus has in Australia in commercial and military aircraft and helicopters. With more than 1,500 employees at 10 sites in the country, Airbus is proud to be a partner in the aviation industry and will continue our journey in the new space ecosystem in Australia,” Pierre Jaffre, president Asia-Pacific at Airbus ,explained.
Zephyr is a high altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS), stratospheric, solar-electric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and is the first aircraft of its kind to fly in the stratosphere. Zephyr harnesses the sun’s rays, running exclusively on solar power, above the weather and conventional air traffic. It is able to fly for months at a time, combining the persistence of a satellite with the flexibility of a UAV.
The Zephyr platforms provide continuous surveillance, communications and monitoring services across areas of tens of thousands of square kilometres. Airbus has developed proven high-resolution imaging and high bandwidth communication services and is developing ever more capable payloads to further improve the range and value of services available.
Skynet 5 is currently the world’s only commercially owned military satellite communications system. It provides secure satellite communication services on X-band, a frequency band resilient to rain-fade (signal interference by precipitation) and primarily reserved for military and government users.
The Skynet 5 system also provides UHF services that are ideal for users who are on the tactical edge and need mobile, simple to use voice and data connectivity.
The world’s space economy is already estimated to be worth around US$345 billion — and it’s growing rapidly. These statements by industry partners, large and small, are designed to highlight areas of investment and growth for Australia’s unique potential in space research and development and commercial applications.
Airbus and the Australian Space Agency have a shared interest in enhancing the competitiveness and capability of the Australian space industry. This includes the growing importance of commercialisation at every point along the space value-added chain, from research and development to high-tech manufacturing, transportation, satellite operations and consumer services based on satellite signals and data.
Airbus Defence and Space has a major presence in Australia. In 2011, the Royal Australian Air Force became the launch operator of the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) which it designates locally as the KC-30A. Airbus has also been supplying earth observation satellite imagery to the Australian market for over 25 years, and the company’s fully integrated optical and radar satellite constellation enables daily acquisitions at high resolutions.
In 2016, a brand new purpose built satellite ground station was established in Adelaide to land Airbus Defence and Space’s Skynet secure military satellite communications. In June 2018, Airbus selected Wyndham airfield in Western Australia as the first flight base for its pioneering Zephyr solar-powered unmanned aircraft.
Airbus’ Space Systems business line designs, develops and operates major space systems around the world. Globally, commercial and institutional customers rely on the company’s leading space and technology solutions. This covers everything from the smallest electronic parts to the full in-orbit delivery of satellites, from very-high-resolution Earth observation instruments to unprecedented deep-space exploration missions, and from today’s most reliable telecommunication satellites to unfailing International Space Station operations. (Source: Defence Connect)
21 Sep 18. Toward a robust space economy. Ian Fichtenbaum writes about the need to examine how to build a robust space economy and infrastructure, one built to accommodate future growth. As an adviser and director of space companies, including several system manufacturers and logistics providers, I’ve had the opportunity to see a bit of how the space economy works, both good and bad. There’s technical brilliance on one hand, but a fragile supply and transport chain on the other. I have seen businesses that are vulnerable to the limited scale of today’s space component suppliers and the limited availability of space transportation. It is evident we need to examine how to build a robust space economy and infrastructure, one built to accommodate future growth.
A stronger supply chain
In manufacturing, processes are driven by expected volumes. The manufacturing for thousands or millions of units is vastly different from the manufacturing of dozens. In the space industry, we are seeing a shift as an industry that is designed around building to 20-25 GEO satellites plus an assortment of maybe a hundred assorted smaller spacecraft per year faces the possibility that thousands will need to be built in the coming years. This will make it more kin to the aircraft supply chain, which already supplies to 1,300-plus large commercial aircraft per year, plus thousands of other aircraft per year.
Already in the space industry we are seeing the shift to higher unit volumes (in the hundreds or thousands), lower lead times (down to months, not years) and increasing use of defense specification or even industrial-specification electronics and components to meet the demand. We need to have new entrants who are introducing lower cost or higher performance components using new or long-disused technologies. We also need to break down artificial barriers for suppliers, like the ones that keep European suppliers from serving U.S. markets and vice versa. In this new market, there will be enough for everyone. More suppliers will be good for the industry, as it will bring a broader diversity and more robust supply chains to everyone.
Cadence matters
The launch and landings of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy were certainly awe-inspiring, but it was probably the 18 successful launches in 2017 that brought more joy and ease to SpaceX’s customers. A robust space infrastructure is one where rides to space are plentiful, regular and predictable. Where customers can reasonably expect to get transport for themselves or their payloads at an assigned time, much as they would get a train or a plane. And when the customers involve multi-hundred-million-dollar spacecraft, cadence really matters. That’s why 18 was SpaceX’s magic number last year; it surpassed the Russian Proton rocket’s personal best of 14 launches in a single year and the 16 missions that rival United Launch Alliance conducted in 2009 with a mix of Atlas 5, Delta 2 and Delta 4 rockets.
I expect that learning effects, supply chain maturity and the elimination of long-lead procurements (enabled by launcher reusability) will keep driving SpaceX’s launch cadence higher. Improving the time and cost of pre-launch ground operations, fully commercializing control of launch ranges and greater vehicle reusability will drive further improvement. But to maintain a robust market, SpaceX’s competitors must step up, offering a similarly predictable and reliable transportation. Low cost or not, anyone planning large constellations or regular commercial human spaceflight will want transportation diversity and assured access to space to ensure service. This means regular, frequent and perhaps on-demand service from existing launch providers as well as new entrants.
Streamlining ground ops
Extreme environments drive much of the cost of new spacecraft. But what happens on the ground can be a major driver of cost, time and overhead when it comes to preparing a spacecraft for orbit. The cost and duration of pre-launch campaigns can be high and draining for even simple payloads. This is not just a drain on the operator or the manufacturer, but also the launch provider who has to allocate space at the launch pad for these campaigns, which often stretch many weeks. And while the reasons for this are complex, a lot of the cost and time have to do with the toxicity and volatility of the propellants and other energetic materials involved in any spacecraft. If we want to make prelaunch operations simpler, we must find ways to reduce or eliminate these materials, including a total shift to non-toxic or electric propellants (full disclosure, I am a director of ECAPS, a builder of nontoxic space propulsion systems). Doing so will not only reduce time, but reduce the demands on critical space infrastructure, such as payload processing facilities.
Better transport links, logistics
Until recently, there have been few common ways to transport space systems in a quick, turnkey manner, like modern transport networks. Space systems have their own special needs and standards and it would be a step forward if the large global logistics services were to start offering robust, low-cost services for space — services that consider the thermal, vibration and handling needs of these components. FedEx has made some strides in providing these through its Space Solutions services, but competitors such as UPS and DHL need to join them and make fully international services available to satellite systems.
Turnkey satellite tracking
For today’s spacecraft operator, using and procuring ground networks to operate their craft is an exercise in patchwork networking. The current tracking and telemetry operators designed their systems with GEO operations in mind, or built out their networks to cover only part of the world. What the industry needs instead is either a seamless global network of ground stations or something tantamount to a commercial version of NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay System — a global network of GEO or MEO comsats providing always-on tracking and communications with other, low-orbit spacecraft. A few startups are trying to provide this network and I wish them luck. Such a system will be able to provide turnkey tracking, telemetry and control and remove yet another complication from the busy life of a satellite operator.
Maximize value to orbit
In the last several years, launch providers have begun taking seriously the demand for secondary or piggyback payloads, maximizing the value of extra space on the launch vehicle to accommodate more paying customers. But while there are now new low-cost and versatile launch adapters and dispensers, the industry can go further. Eventually, we must consider how to use each launch to its fullest economic extent and, where possible, integrate spacecraft payloads alongside human payloads, including cargo and supplies to space stations.
Low-cost regular flights of cargo and crew craft, such as SpaceX Dragon, Boeing Starliner or Northrop Grumman Cygnus, are the key to making this very interesting. If a new market for commercial human spaceflight emerges, a steady stream of paying passengers will drive the need for regular flights to the ISS or even a commercial space station. With a great new avenue for regular access to space established, with steady cadence, this will be an opportunity for carrying satellites, too. Co-manifested satellites to be deployed will be a great source of additional income to the operators of these cargo and crew ships.
Something like this is already done on flights to ISS. Small satellite payloads are frequently manifested alongside supplies inside cargo vehicles. They are later deployed from the station’s airlocks. The service is so convenient that if not for the fact that ISS is in a relatively undesirable orbit for many satellites. I dare say that if ISS was in polar orbit, hundreds of satellites would already be using the service and swamping the cargo capacity of the Cygnus and Dragon. Perhaps there’s a business case for a new commercial space station in polar orbit.
Maximize use of LEO
As the late Robert Heinlein said, once you are in low Earth orbit, you are halfway to anywhere in the solar system. So why not optimize the heck out of LEO transportation and let more efficient in-space tugs and space stations do the rest? Optimizing here doesn’t just mean sending low-cost, heavy-lift rockets to LEO but also seeing if forms of launch, such as high-power railguns, can work for pushing bulk cargo to space in quantity. There are interesting new concepts emerging in this area worth exploring technically. The provision of cheap bulk materials to LEO from the ground is what may give a nascent in-space economy the development boosts it needs.
With the sudden surge of activity, we are seeing the limits of the current infrastructure. But with the ideas above and others, we will begin to see a robust space economy in full flourish. We are eager to see that day soon.
Ian Fichtenbaum is a senior vice president and space specialist at the American Industrial Acquisition Corp. and director of Bradford and Bradford ECAPS. (Source: Space News)
25 Sep 18. Satcom Direct, the business aviation connectivity solutions provider, has broken ground on phase two of SD Data Center expansion plans. The Bravo phase will double the existing Alpha phase’s 5,000 square feet at the Melbourne, Florida headquarters. On completion, at the end of December this year, the Bravo project will add capacity for a further 120+ server cabinets providing secure data storage for aviation and terrestrial clients of all sizes. As with the Alpha construction, which saw the first and only data center purpose built for the international business aviation community, the Bravo phase will match the category five hurricane proof construction and adhere to the same high compliance standards already in place. The $3m investment is being made in response to the sector’s growing recognition of the need to mitigate the risk of cyber-attack during flight. SD currently has over four hundred business aviation customers subscribing to its cyber security services which deliver tailored solutions built upon years of experience working with very demanding customers, including those representing the military and government sectors. The SD Data Center enables the creation of private networks for clients when connected to SD hardware, software and satellite connectivity. Through the infrastructure available via the SD Data Center existing compliance and security protocols can be applied to the aircraft network like any other corporate location. Phase three, Charlie, which is currently in the planning stage, will support further customized solutions for aviation clients.
“Business aviation customers expect robust, reliable, secure connectivity to be available throughout flight. Our mission is to deliver the best user experience possible and maintain data integrity. As cyber-attacks on business aviation increase, we are responding by enhancing our ability to monitor and manage these threats by keeping data transfer safe through the SD Data Center. Our next phase of expansion increases our capacity to support more customers recognising the need to implement the correct protocols to stay safe at altitude,” says Chris Moore, SD CCO, about the expansion.
25 Sep 18. Federal government surging towards unlocking Australia’s space economy. Deep space exploration, Earth observation and debris tracking have been identified as key growth opportunities for Australia’s space sector in a CSIRO report launched at the 18th Australian Space Research Conference yesterday. Following extensive consultations with industry, the Space: A Roadmap for unlocking future growth opportunities for Australia report outlines how some of Australia’s strengths and geographic advantages are key to enhancing the nation’s share of the international space sector, and growing the size of Australia’s domestic space industry to $12bn by 2030. The space roadmap presents three key areas for potential development, including:
- By harnessing diverse industrial and research strengths across astronomy, mining, manufacturing, medicine, agriculture and robotics for Earth-based industry, Australia can support space exploration and deep space gateway habitats to safely conduct robotic and human missions;
- By building capabilities in observing Earth from space, satellite communications, and positioning, navigation and timing data, Australia can grow new businesses that address issues such as disaster and water management; and
- By taking advantage of Australia’s geographic position in the southern hemisphere, the nation can further its work with international programs that track objects in space, manage space debris, and enable deep space communication.
Additionally, the new roadmap identifies an ambitious plan to support international partners by developing and providing technological expertise to help establish a human base on the moon. Meeting the challenge would involve building capabilities in:
- Autonomous robotic systems: Deep space exploration missions are hostile environments for humans, so developments in machine learning, AI and robotics are essential to gather data and supporting analytics;
- In situ resource utilisation: Using local resources at the exploration destination could require mapping and prospecting, processing of new minerals and materials and additive manufacturing capabilities;
- Habitat and life support: Deep space exploration missions require innovative systems for all aspects of habitat and life support including food, medicine, shelter and waste management; and
- Power and propulsion: Technology solutions suitable for in situ power generation, energy harvesting and storage, engine and fuel options for rockets and in-space propulsion.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said in launching the report, the government is focused on growing the domestic space industry.
“Australia is ready to take bold new steps to grow its space sector, providing jobs now and into the future. CSIRO’s report is a key component in planning the future pathway for the Australian space industry,” Minister Andrews said.
CSIRO chief executive Dr Larry Marshall said the space roadmap charts a course for economic growth using space, and champions a new era of space exploration to inspire our children with the power of science to make the ‘impossible’ possible.
Dr Marshall explained, “CSIRO’s unique position creates a bridge between research and industry to deliver breakthrough innovation to Australian SMEs and start-ups across the space value chain.”
Dr Megan Clark, head of the new Australian Space Agency, said, “This roadmap introduces some key scientific opportunities which Australia can utilise to drive engagement and growth across the space value chain. Together, the Australian Space Agency, CSIRO and other key partners will drive the full potential of our nation’s capabilities and competitive advantages, optimising our R&D opportunities and targeting growth across the space value chain to build a space sector of which all Australians can be proud.”
The Australian Space Agency was announced earlier this year with a focus on maximising space data and technologies that enable the modern economy to function. The Australian Space Agency is working to transform and grow a globally respected Australian space industry, with key priorities, including:
- Communications technologies, services and ground stations;
- Space situational awareness and debris monitoring;
- Positioning, navigation and timing infrastructure;
- Earth observation services;
- Research and development;
- Remote asset management; and
- Developing a strategy to position Australia as an international leader in specialised space capabilities.
CSIRO has deep expertise and a strong record of engagement across the space sector – developed over 75 years – that includes working with small-to-medium enterprises as well as with international space agencies and multinational corporations. The new roadmap was developed by CSIRO Futures, the strategic advisory arm of CSIRO, following extensive industry consultation with nearly 150 business, government and technology representatives. The full roadmap is available here. (Source: Defence Connect)
24 Sep 18. The World Teleport Association (WTA) today announced that COMSAT has achieved Tier 4 full certification of its Santa Paula (California) and Southbury (Connecticut) teleports under WTA’s Teleport Certification Program. Tier 4 is the highest quality level in the WTA standard. Since its introduction at IBC 2015, the Certification program has quickly grown in popularity. Starting with one certified facility in 2015, the program has added 40 in 3 years, and currently has 12 teleports engaged in the quality evaluation process. Certifications have been issued to teleports operated by Eutelsat, du, Signalhorn, Optus, Globecomm, Horizon, Media Broadcast, Elara Comunicaciones, GlobalSat, Talia, Telenor, Vivacom, Cyta, Batelco, SingTel, CETel, Etisalat, Hawaii Pacific Teleport, Intelsat, Speedcast, Telstra and Arqiva. The industry has quickly adopted the transparent, independently verified standards as a means for teleports to differentiate themselves and for customers to choose the price-performance level suitable for their applications. Full Certification under the WTA program is the result of a comprehensive data-collection and inspection process. A teleport operator completes a +170-item questionnaire and submits it to WTA. The Association analyzes the data based on standards established by its Certification Committee and issues the Provisional Certification based on the self-reported information. The teleport then has six months to achieve Full Certification. To achieve Full Certification under WTA’s program, an auditor is dispatched to visit the teleport, provide independent validation of the data submitted in the questionnaire, and identify additional factors that may positively or negatively affect the score. Full Certification is issued at a Tier number from 1 through 4, of which 4 represents the highest degree of excellence, and remains in effect for 3 years.
“WTA Tier 4 Teleport Certification has been COMSAT’s goal since the beginning of the Teleport Certification Program and we are proud to be the first two in North America,” said president of COMSAT David Greenhill. “COMSAT continues to be a best in class service provider with a focus on premium customer service and operational flexibility. Our teleport staff has the technical capability to support a wide variety of network services as well as the personal skills to work with customers to meet a specific need.”
“Santa Paula and Southbury have become the 19th and 20th teleports to be fully certified by WTA and the first teleports in North America to gain full certification,” said executive director Robert Bell. “Satellite operators and end-customers are now including certification as a question in their RFPs, which increases the value of the program to teleport operators.”
WTA’s Teleport Certification Program serves both teleport operators and their customers by creating an objective, transparent, and internationally accepted method for teleport operators to document the quality of their operations for customers and strategic partners. It also provides a means for customers to select teleport vendors delivering the price-performance level that is appropriate for their applications. Click here for a list of certified teleports.
22 Sep 18. Russia throws doubt on joint lunar space station with U.S. – RIA. Moscow may abandon a project to build a space station in lunar orbit in partnership with U.S. space agency NASA because it does not want a “second fiddle role,” a Russian official said on Saturday.
Russia agreed last year to work with the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on plans for the moon-orbiting Deep Space Gateway, which will serve as a staging post for future missions.
But the head of Russian space agency Roscosmos, Dmitry Rogozin, said Russia might exit the joint programme and instead propose its own lunar orbit space station project.
“The Russian Federation cannot afford to play the second fiddle role in it,” he was quoted as saying by the RIA news agency, without much further elaboration.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have soured since 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine and was accused of meddling into the U.S. 2016 presidential election. (Source: Reuters)
18 Sep 18. Acoustic Testing of the SBIRS WFOV Optical Payload Completed by L3 Space & Sensors. L3 Space & Sensors has announced that the company has successfully completed acoustic testing on the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Wide Field of View (WFOV) program optical payload built by L3. This test was a joint venture of the Space and Missile Systems Center Remote Sensing Systems Directorate (SMC/RS) and its partners, L3 Technologies and Millennium Space Systems. A new and innovative testing method was used to recreate the sound and vibrational pressures that an actual payload is subject to during launch, verifying the WFOV payload will survive such launch pressures.
The successful acoustic testing is a significant milestone that will keep WFOV on track for launch. As part of the SMC’s Space Modernization Initiative (SMI) for the Air Force’s Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR) mission, the WFOV demonstrator will test advanced designs to continuously monitor up to one-third of the Earth’s surface in view of the Geosynchronous Earth Orbiting satellite. It will enhance capabilities to detect threats to the U.S. and our allies and will provide mission risk reduction for the next-generation OPIR program. As part of the test, the spacecraft assembly was blasted for a full minute from all sides with sound pressure simulating a rocket launch, which is approximately six times louder than a large rock concert. This was accomplished by assembling a 17-foot-high circular wall of speakers and placing the payload on top of a simulated spacecraft bus. The outcome of the test confirms WFOV is ready for launch and adds a rapid, reduced risk testing method for future payloads. Once launched, the WFOV will gather on orbit phenomenology and background scene information that is critical to maturing OPIR ground system algorithms and staring sensor technologies. Helping to steer and inform the next generation of Missile Warning, WFOV has already provided sensor design, production and performance lessons to the Air Force and Industry.
Work on this milestone test was performed at L3’s SSG division in Wilmington, Massachusetts. SSG, a part of L3’s Space & Sensors sector, provides space payloads and optical systems for next-generation Earth imaging, missile defense, space situational awareness, science, weather and laser communications. L3 SSG has 250 employees at its Wilmington, Mass. facility and is a division of L3 Technologies.
Executive Comment
Bob Kline, President of L3 Space & Sensors, said that this type of innovation is part of the rapid transformation going on at L3 Technologies. The company is strengthening the teams and working collaboratively to effectively build upon the firm’s competitive advantages. This innovative test for the USAF customer is a perfect example of the way the firm is accelerating its ability to address the company’s customers’ increasingly complex needs. (Source: Satnews)
17 Sep 18. Eight to Ten Maritime Satellites to Form a Constellation Being Planned by CNES and ISRO. India and France have planned eight to ten satellites as part of a constellation for maritime surveillance, French space agency CNES chief Jean-Yves Le Gall has said.
This will be India’s largest space cooperation with any country, officials said. Additional information revealed that the launch of these maritime surveillance satellites will focus on the Indian Ocean, a region that has been witnessing increasing Chinese presence. France will also share its expertise with the Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO) on inter-planetary missions to Mars and Venus, the Indian space agency’s two major missions, Gall said, who stated talks regarding this constellation of new satellites for maritime awareness will take time. The purpose of the constellation is monitoring sea traffic management, a CNES official said, adding that it would take less than five years to launch the satellites. In March of this year, India and France unveiled a joint vision for space, resolving to strengthen cooperation between ISRO and CNES. In a joint statement, ISRO and CNES stated they would work together for design and development of joint products and techniques, including those involving Automatic Identification System (AIS), to monitor and protect assets in land and sea. In particular, both sides will pursue the study of a constellation of satellites for maritime surveillance.
Several crucial sea lanes of communications pass through the Indian Ocean, a region critical to the strategic interests of India and France. While the Indian Ocean region is the prime focus for New Delhi, Paris has territories spread across the Indian Ocean, the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, officials said. The robust space cooperation between India and France goes back six decades. Last week, the two countries signed an agreement to share expertise on ISRO’s human mission program Gaganyaan. The space agencies of the two countries have also been working on climate monitoring on the joint missions Megha-Tropiques (launched in 2011) and Saral-Altika (launched in 2013).
The two nations are also working on the Trishna satellite for land Infrared monitoring and the Oceansat3-Argos mission. Discussing collaboration for the mission to Venus and Mars and France’s expertise on the matter, Mathieu Weiss, the managing director of CNES’ India liaison office, explained that the eyes and scientific heart of Curiosity Rover (NASA) on Mars were developed by CNES. France and Russia have jointly worked for the Venus mission in the past. In both the inter-planetary missions, the French scientific community is strong and among best in the world. Gall also said last Friday that CNES is currently working with Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and German space agency DLR on Hayabusa 2/MASCOT, a mission to asteroid Ryugu. CNES has also scheduled Mission BepiColombo to Mercury. (Source: Satnews)
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