Sponsored By Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
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07 Sep 23. Viasat UK Ltd., a subsidiary of global communications company Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), and Oxford Space Systems (OSS) announced a new collaboration to jointly explore the creation of new satellite communications technology and capability to better support dismounted soldiers or other users, such as disaster recovery and aid workers, that need fast access to high capacity communications networks. Specifically, the collaborative work will focus on the research and development of a new low size, weight, power and cost (SWaP-C) terminal that is both easy to use and rapidly deployable for users operating on the ground in austere environments. Research has shown carrying large and heavy equipment can impact mission effectiveness and user mobility, increase injury risks and even the ability to effectively perform other duties.
As part of the collaboration, the organizations will research the system requirements and design needed to deliver a terminal that can deliver Ka-band high speed satellite communications (SATCOM) while also reducing the physical transport burden on warfighters or other users with a low SWaP terminal solution compared to current military and commercial terminals. The work will build on current research being done by OSS and the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) on C-band deployable antennas, however, the new work will focus on developing a smaller and higher performance Ka-band antenna. Viasat is expected to provide the network, terminal certification, RF equipment, and system engineering support for the development of this innovative terminal that will appeal to customers in the UK and export markets.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Oxford Space Systems to examine how we can better deliver a high-speed and ruggedised SATCOM solution that also addresses the real operational need to reduce the weight of land terminals soldiers carry,” said Hisham Awad, managing director of Viasat UK. “We believe OSS expertise and innovation with deployable antennas will combine with Viasat’s experience in advanced networks and integration to develop a low cost, high-performance and highly portable SATCOM solution that can literally ease the burden on users’ shoulders.”
“This research and development collaboration will allow us to build our relationship with Viasat in the UK and expand how we bring our innovations in space antennas to directly support the creation of solutions on the ground. Our collective development experience will accelerate the understanding and delivery of technology that is more cost-effective and lightweight while still providing the high-speed performance users need,” said Sean Sutcliffe CEO of Oxford Space Systems.
Viasat and OSS are both part of the Harwell Space Cluster, located at Harwell Science and Innovation campus in the UK. The partnership will also explore other areas of mutual interest where the complimentary expertise and experience across both organizations can be used to address real-world obstacles through additional research and the development of new solutions.
07 Sep 23. Terran Orbital Launches Responsive Space Initiative. Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) announced today the launch of our Responsive Space Initiative. Under this initiative, we are committed to providing our customers with satellite buses within just 30 days and complete satellite systems with integrated payloads within 60 days. There are seven new satellite buses that will be participating in this program.
Our advanced production capabilities through the implementation of automation and robotics are a game changer for the industry. We are standardizing common components which can be stocked and are interchangeable depending on the bus configuration. We proudly design and manufacture 85% of all modules and components that go into a bus today.
The world is changing rapidly, and we need to change along with it. With our Responsive Space Initiative, Terran Orbital will be able to deliver small satellites that are flexible, high-quality, and reliable to military, civil, and commercial customers at a faster and more cost-effective rate. Satellites for critical missions will be delivered in days instead of taking years. We recently introduced a new product line comprising seven buses that are ready for quick delivery and can be immediately added to our inventory.
We will be partnering with best-of-breed payload suppliers to stock a wide range of payloads. This will allow us to fulfill any customer requirements, whether it’s Electro-Optical Imaging, Synthetic Aperture Radar, Communications, Hyperspectral, or any other payload with global demand.
There are currently more than 30 conflict zones worldwide, and the demand for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities to monitor these zones is increasing much faster than satellite manufacturers can currently meet. Our goal is to address this demand and improve the availability of ISR capabilities in critical regions.
“We recently announced our seven new stocking buses; today we are announcing how fast we can build them. These are exciting times not only for Terran Orbital but the industry as a whole,” said Marc Bell, Co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Terran Orbital.
Terran Orbital is building a new facility in Irvine, CA, dedicated to our Responsive Space Initiative. The facility is scheduled to be operational in the summer of 2024, and we plan to launch the program in the fourth quarter of the same year. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
06 Sep 23. Pentagon’s new plan to counter China includes swarms of smart satellites. Deputy Secretary Kathleen Hicks: DoD wants to “leverage platforms that are small, smart, cheap, and many”
Under a new strategy to counter China’s military buildup, the Pentagon is advocating the use of low-cost autonomous platforms that can be mass produced and deployed at sea, on land, in the air and in space.
“This is about driving culture change just as much as technology change — so we can gain military advantage faster,” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, said Sept. 6 at the DefenseNews annual conference.
Hicks discussed DoD’s plan to field thousands of autonomous systems across all domains within the next 18 to 24 months. China’s advantage is “mass,” said Hicks. DoD will continue to invest in its traditional platforms but will counter with “mass of our own,” or large numbers of autonomous systems.
DoD would field fleets of tiny drones and swarms of satellites that would be inexpensive to replace.
“Imagine constellations of autonomous, attritable systems on orbit, flung into space scores at a time, numbering so many that it becomes impossible to eliminate or degrade them all,” she said.
The strategy is to “leverage platforms that are small, smart, cheap, and many,” Hicks said.
Proliferated constellations
Smart satellites that use AI to navigate, track and image objects are not a new technology. Hicks noted that DoD has already embraced the concept of proliferated constellations of large numbers of low-cost satellites. But the next step would be producing them in larger numbers.
The same idea applies to aerial, maritime and ground autonomous systems, she said.
“We’ve already seen the adoption of systems that are small, smart, cheap, and many. And we’re seeing it in space, hundreds of miles above our heads,” Hicks said.
“For a long time, you could count our space capabilities by the handful. Satellites the size of school buses, that took decades to build and to buy, years to launch.
The U.S. military’s Space Development Agency is building a government-owned proliferated constellation. DoD is also a major customer of Starlink, SpaceX’s massive internet in space. Hicks said these new commercial systems are helping the United States maintain an edge over China in the space race.
“More and more, we’re also leveraging proliferated constellations of smaller, resilient, lower-cost satellites. Some are launched almost weekly, with dozens of payloads deployed each time,” she said.
Because of the growth of commercial space, Hicks said, “the space race is now a space chase. And as DoD invests even more, America’s lead will only grow.”
Attacking or disrupting a large network of satellites would be “a wasted effort, and a highly escalatory one at that. Not even worth contemplating, let alone trying,” she said. (Source: glstrade.com/Space News)
07 Sep 23. Terran Orbital Unveils New Product Line of Seven Satellite Buses. Terran Orbital (NYSE: LLAP) today announced a new lineup of seven standard satellite bus platforms. Over a decade ago, Terran Orbital pioneered the creation of CubeSat standards, and today, we are establishing new benchmarks for satellite technology for the coming decade. These standards are built upon Terran Orbital’s manufacturing capabilities, featuring components and modules that can be readily swapped out to accommodate different bus sizes and configurations.
The seven bus platforms span the nano, micro, mini, and small classes. This new lineup of satellite configurations is derived from Terran Orbital’s long history of nano satellites innovation and its micro satellite bus designed and built for the U.S. Space Development Agency’s recently launched Tranche 0 Transport Layer mission and the coming Tranche 1 mission. Our full product line of seven ITAR-compliant bus classes ranges from the largest, Enterprise, to the smallest, Triumph.
- The Enterprise is specifically targeted to those customers who want a flat packing design to allow up to 24 vehicles per launch. It comes standard with Optical Inter Satellite Link and has a large, flat deck optimized for communications and RF payloads.
- The Ambassador features the largest deck allowable by the ESPA-Grande standard for rideshare payloads. We expect it to be our top offering for the DoD/Intel community, allowing a large payload and optional Type 1 encryption.
- The Nebula is the commercialized version of the bus placed in orbit in last week’s SDA Transport Layer Tranche O launch in partnership with Lockheed Martin. It has an open deck plan to easily accommodate oddly shaped payloads with optional Type 1 encryption and can be configured for a 15-inch ESPA or 23-inch ESPA-Grande-capable launch vehicle.
- The Excelsior is the smallest microsatellite in the product line, having the advantage of delivering higher power to payload than any of the nano models while still having the budget-friendly ability to launch two per ESPA port.
- The Voyager is built with component redundancy to reduce risk and extend its lifetime in harsh environments beyond LEO. It has both GEO and Cislunar heritage and the radios are designed for compatibility with NASA’s Deep Space network.
- The Renegade is a nanosatellite that can be configured as 12U or 16U for exceptionally long payloads and can accommodate up to a 19cm diameter optical imager. It has the best payload volume-to-bus ratio of the platforms, making it an economical solution for larger research missions.
- The Triumph is the smallest platform in the Terran Orbital standard bus lineup. It has unparalleled spacecraft agility, and with the most flight heritage of all platforms, it exemplifies the smaller, cheaper, faster mentality.
These reference platforms feature flexible architecture using common building blocks, allowing for wet launch masses of 14 to 1000 kg. They are based on designs with extensive flight heritage for various civil, defense, and commercial customers. For more information, check the website at Terran Orbital’s New Product Line.
“With this announcement we are again setting the bar high with an industry leading product line,” said Marc Bell, Co-Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Terran Orbital. “While we still offer fully custom platforms to meet unique specifications, we are creating new industry standards, and these standard platforms bring forth our vision to meet mission requirements at scale, drive down the cost of the satellite, and increase their functionality using standard components that roll up into configurations that quickly and effectively satisfy the needs of the DoD and research customer alike.” (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
07 Sep 23. MAG Aerospace and SAS partner for Space Force data-analytics contract. MAG Aerospace is partnering with artificial intelligence specialist SAS to compete for U.S. Space Force data analytics contracts, the companies announced Sept. 6
Based in Fairfax, Virginia, MAG Aerospace is one of 18 vendors the Space Force selected in March for a five-year $900 m indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract overseen by the Space Systems Command.
The IDIQ contract seeks new ways to employ data analytics tools to turn data collected by tracking radars and other sensors into useful intelligence and distribute it to users around the world.
SAS, based in Cary, North Carolina, developed an AI platform called Viya that can be hosted in any cloud environment, said Grant Brooks, company vice president of public sector sales.
“The Space Force wants data analytics, software services, AI and machine learning capabilities that can help decision makers analyze information coming out of the space domain,” Brooks said.
With their cloud-based AI-based analytics, MAG Aerospace and SAS will seek to challenge Palantir, which has won a string of contracts for data-as-a-service.
“Space Force is looking for diverse capabilities,” said Brooks. “They don’t want to be locked in.”
Agencies are trying to be “as nimble as possible rather than tied to a proprietary capability and limited or restricted in how they can access or deploy their data assets,” he said.
Not task orders have been issued yet
MAG Aerospace’s senior vice president Vincent Mihalik said the company has previously partnered with SAS on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) data integration projects for the U.S. military.
Mihalik said companies expect the Space Systems Command to start issuing task orders under the IDIQ after Congress passes a 2024 budget.
“As we understand the intent of the contract, the Space Force seeks to procure an enterprise data storage and data management platform with a scalable open architecture,” he said. “While the types of data products on this contract will vary, we are expecting to ingest a range of datasets, from space domain awareness to personnel readiness.”
Brooks said the Space Force has a “tremendous need for internet-of-things analytics that can analyze massive amounts of sensor and other data in real-time.” (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Space News)
25 Aug 23. Viasat provides info regarding the Inmarsat-6 F2 anomaly. Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has confirmed that the company’s Inmarsat-6 F2 (I6 F2) satellite, which was launched on February 18, 2023, has suffered a power subsystem anomaly during the orbit raising phase.
At this stage, Viasat and Airbus, the satellite’s manufacturer, are working to determine the root cause of the anomaly and assess whether the satellite will be able to perform its mission. Airbus has advised that this anomaly is an unprecedented event; none of its geostationary telecommunication satellites have ever suffered a failure on-orbit.
According to the company, Tthe I6 F2 anomaly does not impact ongoing customer services and Viasat does not anticipate that it will materially affect the financial outlook for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth discussed in our letter to shareholders dated August 9, 2023. The manufacturing and launch costs of the I6 F2 satellite were insured and near-term cash positions are expected to improve. The twin Inmarat-6 F1 satellite (I6 F1), which was launched in December 2021, is operational and continues to perform as expected.
“I6 F2’s initial mission was essentially to provide spare L-band and four Gbps of additional Ka-band capacity, consistent with deploying and operating a resilient, redundant network. Our satellite fleet assets are key factors in the company’s resilience and in enabling sustained growth. The I6 satellites are intended to augment our fleet of geostationary L-band satellites, supplementing capacity and redundant coverage. In addition to our existing L-band fleet, Viasat has a further three L-band satellites (the recently announced Inmarsat-8 satellites) under construction to strengthen the company’s global safety services. I6 F2 also included four Gbps of additional Ka-band capacity, which was added to the satellite to provide further flexibility to the legacy Inmarsat Global Xpress (GX) Ka-band fleet. Now, in addition to the 11 existing Ka-band satellites in service for the combined company, and its access to additional partner’s satellites, Viasat has seven more Ka-band satellites under construction, which the company anticipates will sustain and enhance its leading and growing global mobility services.” — Mark Dankberg, Chairman and CEO, Viasat. (Source: Satnews)
05 Sep 23. iLAuNCH begins work on electron beam facility. The iLAuNCH research collaboration has begun work on a new facility that aims to manufacture spacecraft structures using an electron beam.
The proposed hub in Adelaide will pioneer “additive manufacturing”, a “cutting-edge” technique that builds an object one layer at a time rather than cutting it out from an existing block.
The $180m iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between the universities of South Australia (UniSA) and Southern Queensland (UniSQ), ANU, and more than 20 industry partners.
It’s aimed at accelerating the development of a space manufacturing sector.
The additive manufacturing project is the first in development from iLAuNCH and is partnering with Adelaide-based VPG Innovation.
“This important project is well underway in one of our key focus areas – additive manufacturing,” said iLAuNCH Trailblazer executive director Darin Lovett.
“Increasing the availability of custom structures, which are space-ready, will support the growing space sector.
“The partnership will also support a world-class Australian sovereign manufacturing capability that will create new jobs alongside a highly trained workforce, leading to global exports within the space industry and other markets.”
The project already has two engineers in Sweden developing the practical skills to operate and maintain the systems.
“The technology behind this new endeavour will use additive manufacturing through electron beam melting (EBM) of metals,” said iLAuNCH.
“The EBM technique has the huge advantage that almost all of the energy put into creating the electron beam goes into melting the metallic dust.
“This is extremely important as the dust that we are talking about is high-temperature metals such as titanium and nickel which melt at very high temperatures or can become brittle.
“The EBM process takes place in a vacuum, allowing for a high temperature in a non-oxygenated environment, which relieves internal stresses and results in more resilient, flexible parts.
“The design freedoms allowed by additive manufacturing methods such as 3D printing provide designers of space objects with immense opportunities to optimise parts for performance by removing the limitations imposed by traditional manufacturing methods.”
iLAuNCH is among the most significant space research hubs in Australia. Formed last year through the federal government Trailblazer Universities Program, iLAuNCH features three universities and over 20 industry partners, with more expected.
In over four years, the $180-m program will invest in space industry research, commercialisation, and manufacturing.
It comes as Australia continues to invest in pioneering technologies to explore the moon.
Last month, Space Connect reported how iLAuNCH unveiled two new projects with a South Australian-based business that aims to power spacecraft to explore extreme environments such as the dark side of the moon.
Adelaide-based clean energy technology firm entX will work with UniSA and UniSQ on the schemes they hope will develop pioneering energy technology. (Source: Space Connect)
05 Sep 23. Umbra Partners with EUSI to Offer SAR Imagery to European Remote Sensing Projects. Umbra, a leader in advanced space radar technology, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with European Space Imaging (EUSI), a leading provider of Very High Resolution (VHR) optical satellite imagery. This partnership will allow customers to purchase Umbra’s industry-leading Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data directly through EUSI.
This collaboration offers a significant benefit to remote sensing data users across Europe and North Africa, as they can now acquire the world’s highest resolution space-based optical and SAR imagery – 30-cm and 25-cm resolutions respectively – from a single local source. EUSI now has the unique position on the market to coordinate SAR and optical tasking to guarantee acquisitions independently from the weather, and ensure the continuity of monitoring requests.
Under the partnership agreement, EUSI will gain the ability to oversee global tasking and delivery of SAR imagery for its customers using Umbra’s advanced satellite constellation and tasking platform. Umbra currently operates six satellites, with plans to launch more throughout 2023 and 2024. Renowned for their agility, the satellites can efficiently collect data in various modes and deliver single and multi-look SAR imagery with resolutions ranging from an industry-leading unrivaled 16-cm resolution in the ground plane up to 1-m for wider-area monitoring.
“Through our partnership with Umbra, EUSI solidifies its commitment to providing our customers with the most advanced and comprehensive geospatial solutions available,” said Adrian Zevenbergen, CEO of European Space Imaging. “The integration of SAR data into our offerings will enhance our ability to deliver unparalleled insights and empower organizations across Europe to make informed decisions with confidence.”
The introduction of SAR products into EUSI’s portfolio will unlock a myriad of opportunities across diverse sectors, including emergency response, maritime and defense & intelligence. SAR imagery is particularly valuable in these areas due to its ability to capture imagery at night and penetrate clouds, enabling users to gather critical information even in adverse weather conditions. Umbra’s highest resolution commercially available SAR data, flexible tasking, competitive pricing, and straightforward licensing further enhance the appeal to EUSI’s customers.
“EUSI is one of the most respected and trusted brands in Earth observation, and their choice to bring us into their portfolio speaks volumes,” said Joe Morrison, VP of Commercial Experience at Umbra. “EUSI are relentlessly focused on what’s best for their customers, which is how they’ve built decades-long relationships with the largest users of Earth observation data across the markets they serve. It’s an honor to be working closely with them, and another huge vote of confidence not only in our technology but in our whole service offering.”
(Source: PR Newswire)
05 Sep 23. Firefly Aerospace Awarded Multi-Launch Agreement with L3Harris. Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an end-to-end space transportation company, today announced it signed a multi-launch agreement with L3Harris Technologies [NYSE:LHX] for three dedicated launches on Firefly’s Alpha vehicle in 2026. The agreement further positions Firefly as the leader in small-lift launch services as the company ramps up production of its Alpha vehicle to support the growing needs of both government and commercial customers.
“Firefly is honored to support the ongoing mission needs of L3Harris as they continue to deliver satellite systems that advance our national security,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Firefly’s team, facilities, and manufacturing capabilities are positioned to rapidly respond to industry demand for our small- and medium-lift launch services, ensuring mission success for each customer.”
Firefly will provide rapid launch capabilities for L3Harris to achieve direct access to low Earth orbit at a lower cost and support the responsive space needs of the U.S. government. The three missions will launch from Firefly’s SLC-2 launch site at the Vandenberg Space Force Base.
With the capability to launch more than 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit, Firefly’s Alpha vehicle provides affordable, responsive, and reliable launch services for small satellites and spacecraft. Firefly is ramping up Alpha production at its rocket manufacturing and test site in Briggs, Texas, to support multiple government and commercial launches, while also doubling the size of its facilities to support the ongoing development of its medium launch vehicle that will first launch in 2025. (Source: ASD Network)
04 Sep 23. Europe to decide within weeks on when to restart space launches. European space officials said on Monday they face crucial timing decisions in the coming weeks on the return to flight of Europe’s flagship space launchers following a series of delays.
The inaugural launch of Europe’s new Ariane 6 launcher has been delayed until next year, while the failure of a test on the smaller Vega C has hampered chances of a return to service in 2023 for that rocket after it was grounded in December 2022.
Europe’s third traditional path to space, the Russian Soyuz programme, was interrupted last year amid the breakdown in East-West relations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Those development have left Europe scrambling to close the gap in launch capability as competition heats up in the market for commercial launches, with the larger and modernised Ariane 6 designed to be more competitive against rivals led by Elon Musk’s SpaceX.
In a news conference, the European Space Agency said it plans to set a window for the first launch of the Ariane 6 in early October after completing a series of engine tests.
The next of these is due on Tuesday after efforts to light the engine of the main section, at the launch site in French Guiana, were postponed on Aug 29. A separate test of the complex upper stage was carried out successfully in Germany on Friday.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher declined to commit to a full launch in the first half of next year, but told reporters results so far pointed to a test debut “not too late” in 2024, followed by the first commercial mission about 6 months later.
Ariane 6 is being developed at a cost of 4 bn euros to succeed Ariane 5, which ended operations in July, leaving European nations with a vacuum in autonomous access to space for the first time in more than four decades.
Italy’s Vega C was grounded in December 2022 after its second mission went wrong. Investigators blamed the launch failure on a faulty engine part and a fresh probe was launched in June after the failure of a ground test.
Aschbacher said the timing of Vega C’s return to operation would be set after the commission reports later this month.
The previous generation Vega rocket is meanwhile due to carry out its first launch since the 2022 grounding of its larger new sister model on Oct. 4. (Source: glstrade.com/Reuters)
25 Aug 23. INEOS Oxide deploying Globalstar and Ovinto satIoT tech for safe delivery of highly explosive chemicals. Following the staged introduction of the system over several years, INEOS Oxide has expanded the deployment and now installs Ovinto Sat sensors across its entire fleet of tank containers and rail cars, a total of approximately 700 devices to date.
Ovinto Sat sensor on a rail car.
Globalstar satellite communication at the heart of Ovinto Sat enables INEOS Oxide to know the exact location and status of every tank and rail car, continuously and in real time as they traverse the continent, even when beyond the reach of GSM mobile networks. This regular, reliable dataflow empowers INEOS Oxide and its supply chain partners to make speedy, well-informed business decisions about each delivery and be alerted to any changes in container/car environmental conditions that might affect the shipment.
Ovinto Sat sensor positioned on a rail car.
In the event of an emergency, Ovinto Sat can provide stakeholders and public authorities with a detailed understanding of the tank’s or rail car’s location and conditions.
Critically, thanks to satellite technology, all stakeholders can be confident that IoT transmissions from the tanks and cars are reliable, ubiquitous and uninterrupted. This ensures the very highest level of safety, benefiting and protecting supply chain partners, infrastructure authorities, and rail and road users.
Ovinto Sat provides myriad operational benefits. This IoT-empowered solution gives INEOS Oxide instant updates about whether a rail tank car has been loaded or unloaded or is ready to be redeployed. This helps INEOS Oxide enhance return on investment and optimization of assets.
The company uses the system to set up geofences around customer locations. INEOS Oxide can provide granular detail on car or tank temperature alongside delivery logistics as the shipment nears its destination.
Two of the main products which INEOS Oxide transports are Ethylene Oxide and Propylene Oxide, primarily used to manufacture products for the following industries and applications: Agrochemicals, Construction, Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care, Solvents and Inks, Surfactants and detergents. Both chemicals are highly explosive, flammable and carcinogenic to humans and animals.
Ovinto Sat is built around Globalstar’s low power STX3 chipset, the smallest satellite transmitter of its kind on the market. (Source: Satnews)
02 Sep 23. Space Development Agency launches 13 satellites on SpaceX rocket. The Space Development Agency launched its second batch of data transport and missile tracking satellites Sept. 2, laying the foundation for a constellation that will serve as the backbone of the Pentagon’s vision for all-domain operations.
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carried the 13 satellites to low Earth orbit, about 1,200 miles above the planet’s surface. The mission lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and featured 10 transport spacecraft built by Lockheed Martin, one from Colorado-based York Space Systems and two tracking satellites from SpaceX.
Four L3Harris-built tracking satellites previously slated to be on this mission will instead fly on a separate Missile Defense Agency launch later this year due to production delays.
The satellites are part of SDA’s Tranche 0 capability, which will ultimately include 28 spacecraft — eight of which are designed to detect and track ballistic and hypersonic missiles and 20 that will use optical links to transfer data from space-based sensors to users on the ground. The total cost to develop, launch and operate Tranche 0 through fiscal 2025 is $980m.
SDA considers the first 28 satellites its “warfighter immersion” tranche, helping to demonstrate the feasibility of its plan to launch a constellation comprised of hundreds of small satellites, dubbed the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture. Future tranches will build on this capability, bringing new technology and performance enhancements.
The agency launched its first 10 Tranche 0 satellites in April, and program Director Mike Eppolito told reporters during an Aug. 30 pre-launch briefing the satellites are performing well in orbit.
“I’m incredibly happy with the progress we’ve made with the satellites that we have on orbit at this point,” he said.
He noted, however, that SDA is still awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate its transport satellites that are equipped with Link 16 terminals that will allow them to push data gathered through satellite sensors to fighter aircraft and other weapon systems. The certification delay meant SDA wasn’t able to participate in U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s joint training exercise called Northern Edge.
Eppolito said he expects the agency to receive waivers “in the near term” to allow it to demonstrate that capability.
“Whenever you’re demonstrating new technology, there’s always going to be policy hurdles,” he said. “Part of SDA demonstrating this new way of doing business is going to be dragging some of that policy along and making sure that we get policy changes on a timely basis that satisfies the pace at which we’re building these satellites.”
Eppolito said overcoming policy hurdles is just one of the lessons SDA has learned from launching its first tranche of satellites. Another challenge the agency has faced is building the industrial base needed to support its low Earth orbit constellation. Tranche 0, he said, helped strengthen the supplier base for future capability layers and signaled to industry that the agency’s demand for key components isn’t temporary.
“I think we’ve shown industry that they can count on SDA to continue procuring these satellites,” Eppolito said. “They’re able to invest in our commodities and we’ll get that fully commoditized satellite that we want.” (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
28 Aug 23. OSK’s first Hyperspectral Insights from GHOSt Constellation. Orbital Sidekick (OSK) unveiled the first set of insights from its GHOSt™ (Global Hyperspectral Observation Satellite) constellation. GHOSt 1, 2 and 3 launched aboard the Transporter 7 and 8 ride-share missions earlier this year and incorporated advanced hyperspectral commercial satellites in orbit with a ground sampling distance of eight meters.
The satellites capture 472 bands of light across the electromagnetic spectrum, which is 100X more spectral information than traditional satellites. Onboard AI processing draws insights from the hyperspectral data near-instantly, with the ability to chemically fingerprint any object on Earth. This empowers partners across industries to act on the findings in enough time to make an impact.
The initial insights from these images demonstrate the power and possibilities of OSK’s intelligence, including the ability to monitor Earth with the highest hyperspectral resolution that exists. This level of hyperspectral monitoring provides unprecedented insights that will aid the global energy transition – starting with monitoring oil and gas pipeline infrastructure. By 2024, OSK will add three more satellites to its GHOSt constellation and increase monitoring capabilities significantly.
The energy sector accounts for 40% of methane leaks from human activity, but catching and preventing these leaks is a major logistical challenge for industry stakeholders. Current methods of monitoring energy infrastructure – such as aerial scans, low resolution satellites and pressure sensors – are expensive, inefficient and difficult to scale.
OSK’s GHOSt constellation presents an emerging solution. The constellation persistently monitors the globe and observes energy infrastructure from space. OSK then analyzes this data to detect leaks, contaminations, and other intrusive events and alerts partners of suspected leaks in real time via the Spectral Intelligence Global Monitoring Application (SIGMA™) platform. This enables energy partners to take immediate action to minimize emissions by detecting leaks as early as possible and preventing them from happening in the first place. (Source: Satnews)
29 Aug 23. Globalstar appoints CEO + agrees to license XCOM Labs tech. Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE American: GSAT) has appointed Paul E. Jacobs, Ph.D., founder and CEO of XCOM Labs and former CEO and Executive Chairman of Qualcomm, to be the CEO of Globalstar, effective immediately — he has also been appointed to Globalstar’s Board of Directors. Dr. Jacobs succeeds David Kagan, who will retire as Globalstar’s CEO.
Dr. Jacobs is an accomplished leader and innovator who brings to Globalstar deep wireless industry experience and a track record of driving innovation-led growth, including growing Qualcomm’s revenues from $5.7 bn to $25.7 bn as CEO from 2005 to 2014 while adding approximately $50 bn to its market capitalization. As Globalstar’s CEO, he will drive the Company’s ongoing strategic initiatives to develop and deploy innovative solutions across terrestrial and satellite for customers around the world.
In conjunction with Dr. Jacobs’ appointment, Globalstar has also entered into a strategic, perpetual licensing agreement for exclusive access to certain key XCOM technologies and personnel. The license covers a number of XCOM’s novel technologies for wireless spectrum innovations, including XCOMP, XCOM’s commercially available coordinated multi-point radio system. XCOMP delivers substantial capacity gains and other benefits in dense, complex, challenging wireless environments in sub 7 GHz spectrum. Globalstar also gains exclusive access to XCOM’s peer-to-peer connectivity technologies that could have applications across cellular and satellite devices.
In addition to Dr. Jacobs, XCOM senior executives Matt Grob, Chief Technology Officer, and Peter Black, Chief Scientist, have joined Globalstar. Also, Tamer Kadous, Vice President of Wireless, and Daaman Hejmadi, Vice President of Engineering, have accepted Globalstar’s offers of employment and are expected to join Globalstar after completing a transition period with XCOM. Collectively, these leading engineers are expected to help accelerate the Company’s ongoing commercialization work across both the satellite and terrestrial spectrum areas of the business, as well as develop capabilities and applications that leverage Globalstar’s assets in new ways.
“I have devoted my career to advancing and commercializing innovation in wireless technology and am thrilled to continue this journey as CEO of Globalstar. The teams I’ve led have demonstrated the value creation that is possible by applying new technology to enhance capacity of underappreciated spectrum, and that is one of the many opportunities I see at Globalstar. Bringing together Globalstar’s terrestrial spectrum and relationships with leading partners around the world with XCOM’s differentiated technology, which is well suited for high-performance applications, creates a significant opportunity to deliver for private network customers with mission-critical needs. At the same time, Globalstar’s continued innovations in satellite connectivity are just as exciting, particularly in small form-factor devices. Through the combination of Globalstar’s resources and XCOM’s technology, we can bring even more innovation to market. I look forward to working with the talented Globalstar team and its many commercial partners to advance growth across the Company’s four well-articulated strategic pillars and create long-term shareholder value.” — Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO, Globalstar
“We have deep respect and familiarity developed from a close working relationship with the XCOM team over the last 20 years. Some of XCOM’s leaders contributed to the original Globalstar system while at Qualcomm, and we believe we will continue to break new ground with this team. Paul is a technology pioneer and proven leader who is well suited to drive Globalstar’s next phase of growth across our satellite and terrestrial assets and cement our position as a market disruptor. The engineering prowess extends throughout the XCOM organization, including to Matt Grob, Peter Black, Tamer Kadous and Daaman Hejmadi, among many others. Our partnerships with world-class customers, including our pioneering work in direct to device connectivity from our satellites, as well as our collaborations with Qualcomm, Nokia and others with Band n53, demonstrate the strength of Globalstar’s momentum and growing commercial solutions. We expect that Paul’s leadership, combined with this licensing agreement, will boost Globalstar’s ability to unlock the value of our global satellite and terrestrial assets and accelerate the introduction of new and innovative solutions for our customers, with the continued goal of driving long-term shareholder value. I also want to thank David Kagan for leading Globalstar so capably since 2017, helping build the foundation for the Company’s future growth and supporting a seamless transition of his duties to Dr. Jacobs and the new team.” — Jay Monroe, Executive Chairman, Globalst. (Source: Satnews)
28 Aug 23. Space Systems Command’s statement before the scrub of National Reconnaissance Office’s SILENTBARKER/NROL-107. Previous to this Space Systems Command statement United Launch Alliance announced a scrub on the launch slated for the 29th due to possible weather conditions.
Space Systems Command (SSC), in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United Launch Alliance (ULA) are preparing to launch the 99th National Security Space Launch (NSSL) mission aboard an Atlas V “551” (a five-meter fairing, five GEM-63 solid rocket motors, and one RL-10 upper stage engine) rocket.
The SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission is scheduled to launch August 29 at 8:34 a.m. EDT (5:34 a.m. PDT) from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida. The launch will be livestreamed at www.ulalaunch.com and other media websites.
“We’re on track to launch another important capability into space as our 99th national security space launch mission. We’ve worked alongside ULA to prepare the Atlas V 551, and in just a few days, we will see the fruits of our labor,” said Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, SSC’s program executive officer for Assured Access to Space (AATS). “These launches place critical capabilities into orbit for our nation and our allies in a time of increasing risks and threats. Every member of our launch team understands what’s at stake and works with both care and efficiency to prepare for what’s going to be a tremendous launch.”
To date, the NSSL program, formerly known as the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) program, has launched a total of 51 Atlas Vs, comprised of many configurations, beginning with the Space Test Program (STP)-1 launch on March 9, 2007. Seventeen of the 51 NSSL Atlas V launches have carried payloads to orbit for the National Reconnaissance Office.
Following SILENTBARKER/NRO-107, there is one remaining NSSL Atlas V launch, which will also lift off from SLC-41 on Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Preparations for SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 are proceeding well for the first NSSL Atlas V launch and the fourth NSSL of any type this year. As a true workhorse for the NSSL program, this will be the 52nd NSSL Atlas V launch.
The launch of SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 builds upon this long and proud tradition as the 99th NSSL launch. Though this family of launch vehicles is nearing retirement, the contributions made by the Atlas family, and those team members that made it possible, will benefit generations to come.
“The combined Atlas V / Delta IV Engineering team has worked tirelessly to assure the success of this launch; we are proud to have certified this launch vehicle as ready to perform its critical mission of delivering SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 to its intended orbit so it can enhance our Nation’s space capabilities,” said Lt. Col. Alex Jehle, SSC’s launch vehicle materiel leader.
Assured Access to Space (AATS) is the program executive office within Space Systems Command responsible for delivering next-generation launch and on-orbit capabilities in support of the warfighter, combatant commands, intelligence agencies, civil services, allied nations and the commercial space industry. AATS is also responsible for range sustainment programs supporting launch and test customers. Innovation focus areas include sub-orbital rapid strategic mobility, on-orbit servicing and maneuvering, mission lifecycle management and tactically responsive launch.
Space Systems Command (SSC) is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in and from space. SSC manages a $15 bn space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow. (Source: Satnews)
02 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin’s Transport Layer Satellites Launch as Part of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 Mission. Ten Lockheed Martin-built (NYSE: LMT) satellites have successfully been deployed into low-Earth orbit in support of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 0 Transport Layer (T0TL) mission. SDA’s T0TL is a proliferated low-Earth orbit (LEO) constellation that will demonstrate low-latency communication and provide a resilient network of integrated capabilities.
The small satellites launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 7:26 a.m. PDT today. Soon after liftoff, SDA confirmed separation of all 10 of the Lockheed Martin-built satellites from the launch vehicle.
“Lockheed Martin is proud to be part of SDA’s mission to rapidly bring a threat-driven, resilient set of integrated space capabilities to life,” said Joe Rickers, Lockheed Martin’s vice president for Protected Communications. “We look forward to contributing more of our expertise to this mission to strengthening deterrence and deliver advanced military capabilities in space.”
Each satellite incorporates a Terran Orbital bus and payload processors and is equipped with SmartSat™, Lockheed Martin’s software platform that makes it easier to dynamically add and quickly change missions in orbit through simple app uploads. The satellites also host Link 16 radios to introduce a terrestrial-proven network in space. Link-16 will enable sensor-to-shooter targeting by connecting systems that include fighter aircraft and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) networks.
Lockheed Martin is currently building 42 satellites for SDA’s Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) and was recently awarded an agreement to build 36 of SDA’s 72 Beta variant satellites for its Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) constellation. The T1TL and T2TL Beta satellites will be assembled, integrated, and tested in Lockheed Martin’s new small satellite (smallsat) processing facility that is designed for the high-volume delivery of complete satellites.
Lockheed Martin is partnering with the best minds in the industry to support SDA’s mission to provide resilient national security space capabilities through a revolutionary approach of proliferation and spiral development. A diverse supplier base and small business partnerships, in addition to streamlined smallsat processing methods, enable the company to accelerate technology innovation and delivery.
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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield. As a global communications company, we power ms of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight. We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible. And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.
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