Sponsored By Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
————————————————————————
01 Feb 24. AST will provide end-to-end remote connectivity by joining Viasat’s ELEVATE Program. Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), provider of satellite communications, announced AST (Applied Satellite Technology), an innovator in satellite communication solutions, has joined its ELEVATE program.
ELEVATE is a growth program, ecosystem and marketplace for ambitious IoT solution providers, connectivity wholesalers, enablers and OEMs who want to work with Viasat to use its network and footprint to scale. As an ELEVATE partner, AST will provide global connectivity solutions that deliver value by enabling complete remote control to connect people, systems, and assets even in the remotest locations.
As part of the program, AST will benefit from Viasat’s global L-band network — amplifying its ability to provide Internet of Things (IoT) and satellite connectivity services. This aims to support customers to make data-driven decisions that enhance performance, improve efficiency, and reduce operating costs.
For customers, partnering with AST also means benefiting from its broad cross-industry knowledge, customer-centric mindset, 24/7 global technical support, dedicated account managers, and experienced engineers.
AST will also gain access to Viasat’s broader partner network, creating opportunities to collaborate on additional niche communications solutions for its customers.
ELEVATE’s marketplace will help the company attract new customers in locations without reliable connectivity, or those which have mission-critical connectivity needs. For customers, it gives access to a broad choice of satellite connectivity and IoT solutions developed by a range of providers to enhance the efficiency, safety and sustainability of their businesses.
Simon Hawkins, Vice President, Enterprise Commercial & Innovation at Viasat said, “ELEVATE is a one-stop-shop that helps our partners easily leverage the latest technology to meet some of the greatest challenges the planet faces today. By combining forces, we will accelerate the development of IoT solutions to meet our clients’ mission-critical requirements across diverse industries.”
“As a leading integrator, AST has over 30 years of experience meeting diverse industries’ complex communication needs, with high-profile projects in various sectors, including utility, energy, mining, maritime and government markets. That is highly exciting for ELEVATE because they can help other members and end users realize their digital connectivity ambitions.”
Gary White, Chief Executive Officer at Applied Satellite Technology, added, “I am thrilled to share the strategic decision behind our collaboration with Viasat’s ELEVATE program. This partnership unlocks a new era of connectivity for both our company and customers — granting access to cutting-edge technologies, ensuring our services remain at the forefront of the industry. Our goal is to innovate, expand globally, and enhance customer satisfaction, and ELEVATE provides the ideal platform for achieving these objectives.
“We are excited to leverage Viasat’s advanced connectivity solutions, a key component of ELEVATE, to provide our customers with reliability and performance. Already, opportunities within Viasat’s partner ecosystem have sparked collaborations that promise to redefine industry standards. This partnership reinforces our commitment to delivering top-tier connectivity solutions and positions us for sustained success in an ever-evolving market.”
Viasat’s ELEVATE program is open to new entrants, disruptors and established brands of any size who have developed an innovative digital product or service and want to access the power of satellite enabled IoT solutions. Viasat provides dedicated technical guidance on how to integrate and support its reliable satellite services, go-to-market strategy planning and exposure to its distribution channel to enable access to new markets.
Providers working across a diverse range of industries, including, but not limited to, agriculture, aid and NGOs, energy, exploration and leisure, media, mining, transport and utilities, as well as agnostic technology providers, will be considered for membership. (Source: Satnews)
08 Feb 24. Satellites could become more sustainable, thanks to new UK Space Agency funding. The UK Space Agency has announced funding for work which aims to prolong the life of satellites, as part of efforts to ensure space remains sustainable for future generations.
The package includes a £2m upgrade to the Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) facility at the Westcott Space Cluster in Aylesbury. The facility will provide unique capabilities in the UK where companies can verify, validate and demonstrate a range of in-orbit operations including manufacturing, servicing, inspection, repair and assembly.
In addition almost £1.5m is going into feasibility studies on refuelling satellites in space, to extend their life and reduce the amount of space debris.
There are now around 37,000 pieces of space debris in orbit measuring more than 10cm, and an estimated one million pieces sized 1-10cm. With increasing numbers of satellites being launched, the UK is taking leadership on this global issue.
Andrew Griffith MP, Minister for Space at the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “Tackling space debris and maintaining ease of navigation in space is vital to allowing future exploration and protecting the everyday services we all rely on, from location and financial services to weather forecasting and broadband. To ensure that long-term sustainability, we are funding new technologies for satellite refuelling, and upgrading this important national facility at Westcott to help bring innovations to market faster, in turn growing our economy.”
The UK’s IOSM facility at the Westcott Space Cluster will become the first in the UK capable of verification, validation and demonstration of in-orbit operations.
The upgrade will support the growing IOSM sector within the UK, providing access to the large-scale equipment needed to replicate orbital conditions and flight dynamics. This includes expanding the core capabilities to enable dynamic tracking, real-time positioning, a gravity off-load system, and enhancing the orbital simulation environment. The in-orbit simulation robots will benefit from increased digital twin capabilities, which act as a proxy for the space environment and enable testing in the virtual world.
Lucy Edge, Chief Operating Officer at Satellite Applications Catapult, which owns the IOSM facility, said:
IOSM is predicted to be worth £11bin globally by 2031, and the UK has the expertise to capture at least 25% of this market. To achieve that, it’s critical that the UK’s IOSM companies have access to infrastructure to test their technologies and operations under mission conditions. Our new upgraded facility offers exceptional IOSM testing capabilities and supports the Catapult’s goals to grow the entire space industry in the UK.
It will help to meet goals within the National Space Strategy for in-orbit servicing, and help with UK Space Agency-funded work developing space sustainability standards, including exploring the design and operation of sustainable spacecraft.
Satellite life extension through refuelling
Three new refuelling feasibility studies will support the UK’s efforts to lead on space sustainability by demonstrating the ability to refuel the UK national debris removal mission and explore opportunities for refuelling a commercial satellite.
Ray Fielding, Head of Space Sustainability at the UK Space Agency, said: “Until recently, satellites have been designed as one-shot items: non-refuellable with mission lifespans coming to an end when the satellite can no longer manoeuvre effectively. This package of funding shows the UK Space Agency is leading work to develop UK capabilities in performing in-orbit tasks, such as refuelling, and demonstrating leadership in more sustainable space operations. Facilities like the IOSM centre at Westcott will support the UK’s ambition to become a leading nation in IOSM within the next decade.”
Contracts have been awarded to Astroscale, ClearSpace and Orbit Fab for refuelling research:
- Astroscale will adapt their existing ‘COSMIC’ debris removal spacecraft to a new refuelling servicer product, partnering with TAS, Airbus Defence & Space, Orbit Fab and GMV
- ClearSpace’s ‘REFUEL.ME’ mission extension will draw on their existing ‘CLEAR’ debris removal mission, partnering with Orbit Fab, Satellite Applications Catapult and Know.space
- Orbit Fab will leverage their unique Rapidly Attachable Fuel Transfer Interface (RAFTI™) and the Grappling and Resupply Active Solution for Propellants (GRASP) to develop the ‘RAFTEA’ mission, partnering with MDA, ClearSpace, D-Orbit, and BryceTech
- (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
07 Feb 24. Finnish hyperspectral satellite firm Kuva moves into US market. While Kuva Space’s while full constellation of 100 satellites won’t be ready until 2030, the firm can “start providing reliable service to commercial and government customers in the US and our partner nations” once the first two are up, said Jerry Welsh, board member of Kuva’s new US arm.
Finnish hyperspectral satellite startup Kuva Space is expanding operations to the US with a new office in Fairfax, Va. in hopes of breaking into the Defense Department and Intelligence Community market, a senior company official tells Breaking Defense.
Jerry Welsh, a Kuva board member who today was announced as leading the firm’s US marketing efforts, said in an email that the award by the National Reconnaissance Office last year to study the capabilities of commercial hyperspectral imaging providers “validates US government interest” in the technology.
“It also signaled NRO’s commitment to continue to explore similar technologies, recognizing that each might offer unique capabilities and collectively provide greater persistent monitoring,” he said, meaning that there is plenty of time for Kuva to get in on the game. (The six firms tapped by NRO for the hyperspectral study contracts, each worth about $300,000, are BlackSky Technology, HyperSat, Orbital Sidekick, Pixxel, Planet, and Xplore.)
Further, said Welsh — former CEO of Finnish synthetic aperture radar (SAR) firm ICEYE’s American arm that won an NRO study contract back in in 2022 — there continues to be “a huge gap between what commercial providers are promising to deliver and the actual amount of hyperspectral imagery provided today.
“Drawing from past experience, being an early entrant to the U.S. market is not required. It’s more important to introduce innovative capabilities tailored to the specific requirements of the U.S. Government, wrapped within a persistent and reliable service,” he added.
The firm plans to launch its first microsatellite, Hyperfield-1, in June, with a second to follow in the fall — both of which Welsh said are already manifested on SpaceX flights. He noted that while the full planned constellation of 100 satellites won’t be ready until 2030, Kuva can “start providing reliable service to commercial and government customers in the US and our partner nations” once the first two are up.
Kuva Space previously had three successful missions launched between 2018 and 2021, including two for the European Space Agengy, that carried various demonstration and scientific payloads. It also has launched a demonstration version of its hyperspectral camera.
Hyperspectral cameras break down pixels into hundreds of frequency bands and thus can detect minute differences in colors that cannot be seen by the human eye, or detected by other types of imagery cameras such as infrared. Thus, hyperspectral sensors can “see” what materials a surface is made of and identify individual elements in the surrounding atmosphere — for example, identifying a chemical weapons production facility.
According to the company’s press release, Kuva’s cameras are “unique” in the way they can be “tuned in orbit to optimize for a specific use case across a wide range of application requirements.”
Welsh elaborated that this means “in addition to measuring the whole spectrum, we can tune the camera to collect a specific set of spectral bands that are most critical for the application in question for improved image quality and very high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).”
The company also is touting its artificial intelligence (AI) system for processing data.
“[P]roduct development has been slower than anticipated, and the projected date to decommission SPADOC continues to extend further to late FY24, a delay of more than two years from the original timeline,” according to the 2023 Annual Report of the Pentagon’s Director of Operational Test & Evaluation.
“Kuva Space’s advanced AI-powered analytics platform automatically transforms proprietary hyperspectral data and combines third-party data where needed to create analytics insights within 15 minutes. This enables customers to cost-effectively monitor, identify, and forecast changes and their impact in near real-time,” the press release said.
The company already has representatives in Finland, Japan, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, and has raised $24 m in funding from various venture capitol providers as well as from government investors ESA Philab and Business Finland, the release added.
“The next funding round is expected to commence in the first half of 2025. With our U.S. office and early market traction, we are also looking forward to engaging VCs in the U.S.,” Welsh said.
(Source: Defense News Early Bird/Breaking Defense.com)
07 Feb 24. SmartSat to lead $2m ‘roadside assistance in space’ research.
SmartSat CRC is to lead a $2.3m project to research technologies that will allow spacecraft to repair and service other satellites while in orbit. In particular, the initiative will focus on improving the robotic arms that carry out the repairs and applying AI to aid performance in variable lighting conditions. So-called ‘roadside assistance in space’ is becoming an increasing focus for space companies globally as businesses try to find new ways to increase the often-limited lifespan of satellites. The new project will be led by the University of Sydney, and supported by NSW-based industry partners Abyss Solutions, ANT61, Space Machines Company, Sperospace and Spiral Blue.
“Servicing satellites in orbit is challenging due to harsh space conditions, potential risk of damaging expensive assets through collision during docking, and difficulties maintaining stability during maintenance,” said SmartSat.
“This project will address the gaps between autonomous robotic systems and the requirements of real-time, reliable close proximity operations.”
Funded by the federal government, SmartSat CRC is a collaboration between universities and research organisations that partner with industry.
Its CEO, Professor Andy Koronios, said research into ISAM technologies – In-orbit Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing – is critical for Australia to help its local industry join the emerging global supply chain.
“With the number of satellites and spacecraft in orbit increasing rapidly, there’s a greater likelihood of malfunctions and collisions,” he said.
“Being able to service and upgrade satellites in situ, thereby extending their lifespans, will be a crucial capability for governments and the private sector alike.
“This project will develop key autonomy technologies needed by the Australian space industry to be competitive in the global ISAM business.”
It comes after Space Connect reported last month how SmartSat agreed a deal to work with the New Zealand Space Agency.
It will now expand its scope to work with Kiwi organisations on projects including Earth observation, situational awareness, and optical communications to support space exploration.
The deal – signed in Wellington by the acting head of the New Zealand Space Agency (NZSA) – comes alongside a commitment from the New Zealand government to support projects with NZ$6m.
Enrico Palermo, head of Australia’s space agency, said the news reaffirms the two countries’ strong partnership.
“Space is a global endeavour, and by sharing knowledge and resources, we can create outcomes that benefit both our nations,” he said. (Source: Space Connect)
06 Feb 24. Sidus Space Announces Publication of New U.S. Patent Application for LizzieSat™ Platform. Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) (the “Company” or “Sidus”), a multi-faceted Space and Data-as-a-Service company, today announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has published U.S. Patent Application No. 2023/0406548-A1 (the ‘548 patent application). The ‘548 patent application enhances the robust IP portfolio of Sidus by seeking additional patent protection on even more functionality of the LizzieSat™ Modular Satellite Platform System. We believe this patent application further strengthens our intellectual property position and marks a significant advancement for on-orbit technology integration addressing critical industry needs with unparalleled efficiency.
The newly published ‘548 patent application is pending examination and seeks protection to cover the many different capabilities of the LizzieSat platform, which is expected to be launched on SpaceX Transporter 10. Boasting a modular design, LizzieSat offers unparalleled flexibility for seamless integration of both customer technologies and the Company’s proprietary suite of sensors, enabling coincident data collection for enhanced mission capabilities.
With a robust patent portfolio comprised of 11 granted patents and 10 pending applications, Sidus Space continues to assert its leadership in cutting-edge satellite manufacturing with a focus on expanding the earth observation/remote sensing constellation.
“The LizzieSat Satellite Platform is a testament to our commitment to advancing satellite technology and keeping pace with the evolving space ecosystem. This innovation represents a significant leap forward by offering the ability to rapidly integrate multiple new technologies into a single satellite platform,” said Carol Craig, CEO of Sidus Space.
The filing and publication of the ‘548 patent application reaffirms the Company’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation. It plays a crucial role in steering the course of satellite data-as-a-service and charting a path for the future.
About Sidus Space
Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) is a Space and Data-as-a-Service satellite company focused on mission-critical hardware manufacturing; multi-disciplinary engineering services; satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations; and in-orbit support. The Company is located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, where it operates from a 35,000-square-foot manufacturing, assembly, integration, and testing facility focused on vertically integrated Space-as-a-Service solutions including end-to-end satellite support.
Sidus Space has a mission of Bringing Space Down to Earth™ and a vision of enabling space flight heritage status for new technologies while delivering data and predictive analytics to domestic and global customers. Any corporation, industry, or vertical can start their journey off-planet with Sidus Space’s rapidly scalable, low-cost satellite services, space-based solutions, and testing alternatives. More than just a “Satellite-as-a-Service” provider, Sidus Space is a trusted Mission Partner–from concept to Low Earth Orbit and beyond. Sidus Space is ISO 9001:2015, AS9100 Rev. D certified, and ITAR registered. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
06 Feb 24. The Global Satellite Operators Association (GSOA) and the European Space Agency (ESA) proudly announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) that marks a significant milestone in their collaborative efforts to cooperate in the areas of space-based 5G & 6G ecosystem, innovation of 5G & 6G networks, and the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks and technologies
The MOI, signed by Isabelle Mauro, Director General at GSOA, and Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, Acting Director of Connectivity & Secure Communications at ESA, solidifies the commitment of both organizations to work closely together in the pursuit of their shared goals in this area.
This strategic partnership between GSOA and ESA aims to bring the mobile and the satellite communities closer together, to accelerate the innovation in the integration of satellites in 5G & 6G networks, leveraging the unique strengths and expertise each entity brings to the table. The MOI establishes a framework for cooperation to fostering innovation, knowledge exchange, and mutual support.
“GSOA actively engages in the dynamic ecosystem of non-terrestrial and terrestrial integration. This powerful synergy, by unlocking the full potential of both satellite and terrestrial telecommunications, not only enables to advance technology, but also ensures that it connects everyone, everywhere, shaping the future of connectivity, and working towards resolving the digital divide. By fostering collaboration and embracing innovation, we envision a future where every individual, regardless of location, enjoys the benefits of a connected world”, said Isabelle Mauro, Director General at GSOA.
“We are looking forward to working closer with GSOA on a series of joint initiatives and use our collective expertise to unlock the full potential of 5G and 6G technology towards a future where space-born connectivity is seamlessly integrated with terrestrial 5G/6G networks for the benefit of billions of users worldwide,” concluded Francisco-Javier Benedicto Ruiz, Acting Director of Connectivity & Secure Communications at ESA.
Following on many years of successful cooperation, this MOI symbolises the start of an exciting journey towards the integration of satellite and terrestrial networks and technologies, reflecting a united effort to shape the future of increased inclusive and sustainable connectivity and telecommunications on a global scale.
GSOA is the only global non-profit association of the entire satellite ecosystem that brings members together and serves as the premier platform for worldwide collaboration. As the only CEO-driven satellite association in the world, GSOA takes the lead in addressing global challenges, seizing opportunities, and providing a unified voice for the satellite industry.
GSOA is widely recognised as the representative body for satellite operators by international, regional, and national entities, including regulators, policymakers, standards-setting organizations like 3GPP, as well as international organizations such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and the World Economic Forum (WEF).
For more details contact GSOA.
The European Space Agency (ESA) provides Europe’s gateway to space.
ESA is an intergovernmental organisation, created in 1975, with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA has 22 Member States: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Latvia, Lithuania, Slovakia and Slovenia are Associate Members.
ESA has established formal cooperation with four Member States of the EU. Canada takes part in some ESA programmes under a Cooperation Agreement.
By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, ESA can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country. It is working in particular with the EU on implementing the Galileo and Copernicus programmes as well as with Eumetsat for the development of meteorological missions.
Learn more about ESA at www.esa.int.
01 Feb 24. Rocket Lab successfully launches 1st Electron mission of busy 2024 launch. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) launched the company’s first Electron mission for 2024, a space-junk focused mission for Spire Global, Inc. (“Spire”) and NorthStar Earth & Space (“NorthStar”).
The ‘Four Of A Kind’ mission for Spire’s customer NorthStar successfully launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 19:34 NZDT / 06:34 UTC. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket deployed four Space Situational Awareness (SSA) satellites to a 530km circular Earth orbit where the satellites, built and operated by Spire, will monitor near-Earth objects from space to provide timely and precise information for space object detection, tracking, orbit determination, collision avoidance, navigation, and proximity alerts.
This mission was Rocket Lab’s 43rd Electron launch overall, bringing the Company’s record of successfully deployed satellites to 176. The mission was the first of a busy launch year for Rocket Lab, with the Company scheduled to launch more in 2024 than any previous year since the Company began missions in 2017.
The mission also resulted in the successful return of the rocket’s first stage after launch as part of Rocket Lab’s plan to evolve Electron into a reusable rocket. After launch and stage separation, Electron’s booster made its way back to Earth under a parachute and splashed down in the Pacific Ocean at approximately 17 minutes post lift-off.
‘Four Of A Kind’ is Rocket Lab’s first Electron launch in a sold-out 2024 mission manifest that includes multiple upcoming launches for NASA; hypersonic technology tests on suborbital HASTE missions from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia; the beginning or continuation of block launches for satellite operators BlackSky, Synspective, and Kinéis; and several other launches for commercial and defense sector mission partners.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, said, “The success of today’s mission to deliver Spire & NorthStar to orbit, and the completion of our secondary mission to return Electron to Earth after launch, has been a fantastic start of what is set to be Rocket Lab’s busiest year ever. We have more missions booked in 2024 than we’ve ever scheduled before, and it is a real privilege to continue to deliver small launch reliability for our satellite customers on advanced missions like these and for all the missions to come in 2024.” (Source: Satnews)
05 Feb 24. China’s Smart Dragon-3 rocket launches 9 satellites from sea. China on Saturday launched a Smart Dragon-3 (SD-3) carrier rocket from the sea, sending nine satellites into planned orbit.
The rocket blasted off at 11:06 a.m. (Beijing Time) from waters off the coast of Yangjiang, a city in south China’s Guangdong Province. The Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center conducted the offshore launch.
It was the third flight mission to use an SD-3 rocket, said the center.
The SD-3 is a solid-fueled carrier rocket that was developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology and specifically designed for the commercial space market. It is capable of both land and sea lift-offs.
Liu Wei, deputy chief designer of the SD-3 rocket, said that the launch point for this mission was adjusted to a location closer to shore, resulting in reduced wind and wave conditions compared to earlier missions.
The rocket’s two previous flights used 63 sensors per launch. As sufficient data had already been acquired, this launch used just 31 sensors, lowering costs further, Liu added.
Liu said the NEXSAT-1 satellite, one of the nine satellites aboard the rocket, was designed for international clients. (Source: Satnews)
04 Feb 24. Geespace expands “Geely Future Mobility Constellation” launching 11 LEO Satellites. Geespace, the satellite technology and commercial services company invested by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, completed its second successful satellite launch from China’s Xichang Satellite Launch Center on February 3rd, sending 11 satellites into low Earth orbit as the second orbital plane of “Geely Future Mobility Constellation” satellite network. This successful launch marks a significant step in the company’s ambitious project to develop the Constellation.
Geely Future Mobility Constellation is the world’s first commercial initiative to integrate communication, navigation, and remote sensing within a single satellite network. The the first orbital plane, consisting of nine satellites, was successfully deployed in June 2022. To date, Geespace has not only started mass production of satellites but also accomplished orbital plane level deployment and achieved constellation-level telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C). The company is actively engaged in developing and testing new applications of low-orbit satellite networks.
With the initial deployment of its satellites and expansion of the Constellation with this second orbital plane satellites, Geespace joins a global league of enterprises including in showcasing its capability to independently construct and manage a commercial satellite constellation. Geespace also stands as the sole private entity in China to have established such a comprehensive satellite business model that includes satellite development, production, TT&C, and application. In addition, Geespace stands as the world’s pioneer in developing satellite communications for the automotive sector. Models among Geely Holding Group portfolio brands currently equipped with satellite communication functionality include the new Zeekr 001 FR, Zeekr 007 and Geely Galaxy E8.
By 2025, Geespace aims to establish satellite-based global real-time data communication services following the full deployment of 72 satellites in the “Geely Future Mobility Constellation”. The second phase of the “Geely Future Mobility Constellation” will expand the network to 168 satellites, delivering global centimeter-level high-precision positioning services. This expansion is set to provide highly reliable and cost-effective satellite services to various sectors, from the mobility sector focusing on autonomous drive, smart connectivity to the consumer electronics sector and beyond. Geespace satellites also come equipped with AI remote sensing functions, providing 1-5 meter clear high-resolution remote sensing imaging. This technology is poised to revolutionize ecological environment monitoring and provide versatile imaging solutions across diverse industries. (Source: Satnews)
04 Feb 24. Eutelsat Group confirms end of operations on EUTELSAT 113 West A satellite. Launched in 2006 and operating in inclined orbit at the 113° West position, EUTELSAT 113 West A (ex-Satmex 6) provided coverage of the Americas in C- and Ku-bands serving customers in video, data, and Government services on 18 operational transponders.
Mitigation actions are underway to minimize the disruption to customers impacted, including accelerated transfer to alternative capacity on our satellites located at the 115° and 117° West positions.
Eutelsat teams are deploying all possible efforts to mitigate the potential adverse consequences on orbital safety. Eutelsat reaffirms its commitment to a safe and sustainable space environment.
Approaching its end-of-life, the satellite is no longer part of the In Orbit Insurance policy. Before mitigation, the mechanical impact on revenues of the non-availability of the satellite is circa €3m in FY24 and €5 to 6m per annum for the period FY25-28. This event does not alter the company’s financial objectives for FY 2024. (Source: Satnews)
04 Feb 24. Korea’s KASS satellite navigation system certified by national authorities + enters service. Thales Alenia Space’s contract with KARI calls for the delivery of ground infrastructure, which the company began rolling out in 2020. The KASS system is initially operating via the MEASAT-3d geostationary satellite, launched in 2022, and will soon be supplemented by KOREASAT 6A, which is under development by Thales Alenia Space for KT SAT Corporation Ltd. KOREASAT 6A will carry a satellite-based augmentation system (SBAS) payload designed also by Thales Alenia Space to improve service continuity and operational availability.
Developed in accordance with the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Korean regional system will initially focus on aircraft applications, especially Safety of Life services used in flight phases, including landing, to enhance flight safety and efficiency, while reducing the environmental impact of aviation. It will be interoperable with the world’s other SBAS satellite navigation systems to guarantee flight safety as planes transition between different zones.
KASS, the second SBAS system developed by Thales Alenia Space, is derived from EGNOS, the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System. It is designed to optimize the positioning and navigation performance of the existing GPS constellation and includes upgrades compatible with the Galileo and KPS (Korean Positioning System) constellations. It adds value by guaranteeing the integrity, availability and continuity of services and improving positioning accuracy. KASS will reduce GPS positioning errors to about 1 meter from the current 15 to 33 meters to ensure geolocation accuracy throughout the country. The Republic of Korea will later extend its services to other applications such as public safety, road transport, shipping and science.
“Implementation of the KASS satellite navigation system marks a significant milestone in our close collaboration with KARI,” said Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space. “Together, we’ve charted an innovative course for optimizing satellite navigation in the Republic of Korea, perfectly illustrating the synergy of our expertise. With the KASS system, we’re enabling Korean government bodies to develop applications aimed at improving safety and travel efficiencies for people in various areas of transport. We’re proud to be playing a central role in the delivery of this system, reflecting our commitment to innovation and security in satellite navigation.” (Source: Satnews)
03 Feb 24. NOAA + SpaceX enter cooperative agreement for automated collision avoidance R&D.and Development Agreement (CRADA) for R&D activities related to automated collision
Under the terms of this CRADA, OSC will perform an astrodynamics evaluation of SpaceX software.
As the Federal agency responsible for providing civil space situational awareness (SSA), OSC is standing up a modern SSA system – the Traffic Coordination System for Space (TraCSS) – and engaging satellite owners and operators on best practices, standards, and processes for long-term space safety and sustainability. This CRADA’s research efforts will assist OSC in developing capabilities to deconflict and manage the increasingly crowded orbital environment.
OSC is moving out on a variety of commercial partnerships to accelerate development of TraCSS. In addition to working with SpaceX under the CRADA, the office recently placed orders with three commercial SSA companies to support a Consolidated Pathfinder for TraCSS. The office plans to announce additional partnering opportunities in the near future. (Source: Satnews)
04 Feb 24. Carbice collaborates with RTX’s Blue Canyon Technologies for CNT spacecraft solutions. This collaboration ensures that Carbice’s aligned CNT material – Carbice Space Pad™ – will continue to be integrated into nearly all satellite solutions from RTX’s Blue Canyon Technologies. It has demonstrated on-orbit success for critical government missions and customers, and is scheduled to launch in early 2024 on MethaneSAT, an advanced methane-tracking satellite in space that will offer high-resolution quantification and tracking of total global emissions to find and fix leaks faster and document the progress.
Spacecrafts face the harshest environments for thermal management, with intense radiation, large temperature variations, and limited ways for heat to move. Carbice Space Pad is a proven and reliable thermal solution that combines high-power dissipation performance with ease of use. Traditional thermal interface materials (TIMs) such as grease and liquid silicone rubber can damage parts during assembly integration and test (AI&T) and cause delays in production.
Carbice Space Pad negates this damage and delay by saving existing material from being discarded and avoiding an increased schedule risk. By reducing and eliminating scraps due to rework and destruction, Carbice Space Pad is a more sustainable TIM that enables longer-term performance in orbit. The material is also the first fully predictable interface solution: the company’s digital tool, Carbice SIM, predicts Space Pad performance with accuracy, offering exact pressure distribution analysis and saving thermal vacuum testing time.
Aligned carbon nanotubes have recently been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as a “technology of special interest” for mission critical applications in U.S. security systems. On July 14, 2023, the U.S. House Armed Services Committee passed the 2024 NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) in a 58-1 bipartisan committee vote that elevated aligned CNTs as a special interest technology, leading to further exploration in its use for aerospace & defense, as well as industrial power and data applications which are critical to national security.
Previously in use on the International Space Station, Carbice Space Pad has also shown demonstrated success on satellites in LEO, GEO orbits, and constellations, such as those that share critical images from Ukraine. Beyond space, the Carbice ® Pads are used in compute and power applications on Earth, a fast-growing application area.
“This is a natural collaboration for us: as innovators in aerospace manufacturing, collaborating with the deep tech trailblazers at Carbice strengthens our ability to launch quickly, launch well, and expand the limits of what’s possible in space,” said Jennifer Cech Young, Director of Thermal Systems Engineering at Blue Canyon Technologies. “Dr. Baratunde Cola and his team of pioneers have helped enable that speed and mission with Carbice Space Pad and Carbice SIM. The Carbice team have been true collaborators from the start, and critical satellite programs have launched successfully in part due to our integration of Space Pad. In our experience, aligned CNTs from Carbice are the most reliable advanced material for managing thermal systems, and we are thrilled to continue using it on nearly all Blue Canyon satellites moving forward.”
“The team at Blue Canyon Technologies have been at the forefront of spacecraft innovation from the start – and we are always proud to collaborate with fellow pioneers,” said Dr. Baratunde Cola, Carbice CEO and Founder. “As deep tech innovators with a proven critical material for aerospace and defense applications, this is a natural collaboration that will allow both our companies to continue to innovate and build stronger spacecraft solutions. To have Carbice Space Pad on MethaneSAT and nearly all Blue Canyon satellites moving forward is an immensely exciting achievement for our own team of pioneers and the larger community that supports us.”
The Carbice Corporation provides the world’s first, predictable, thermal interface solution that is always consistent and simple to apply in small and large-volume manufacturing environments. Carbice solutions enable superior user experience in Design, Manufacturing, Product Use, and Sustainable Recycling. Carbice delivers the power of aligned carbon nanotubes in Carbice ® Pads, which are tunable in their thermal, electrical, mechanical, and electromagnetic properties for numerous application needs and eliminate pump-out, delamination, and compression set failure modes from interfaces. Carbice solutions are designed to provide predictable interface performance for Space Systems, Airborne, Terrestrial, Battery, Power Modules and Data Center high heat dissipating systems. Carbice technology has set the new standard of performance for interface materials while enabling customers to achieve more cost-effective and faster-to-market solutions for critical system design. (Source: Satnews)
02 Feb 24. Reticulate Micro intros Reticulate Space. Reticulate Space will initially focus on defense and selective commercial opportunities, including first responders, broadcasters, and in-flight connectivity and mobility providers. Reticulate Space’s product platform shares Reticulate Micro’s open-source architecture approach and incorporates its VAST™ video compression technology.
The company also announced the senior leadership team of Reticulate Space. David Horton, who joined Reticulate Micro in October of 2023 as Chief Operating Officer, will assume the role of President of Reticulate Space. Horton, an industry and U.S. Air Force veteran, brings three decades of experience in executive, product strategy and technology leadership at companies such as EMS Technologies Defense & Space (Honeywell), Panasonic Avionics Corp., TECOM Industries (Smiths PLC) and Lockheed Martin to Reticulate Space.
Mark Steel will hold the dual title of Executive Vice President, Product & Services for Reticulate Micro and Chief Technology Officer of Reticulate Space. Steel is a 35-year veteran of the communications and satellite industry, who spent over a decade at Inmarsat, now part of Viasat, where he was VP of Product Development and Strategy and established the type approval function for Inmarsat’s Global Xpress broadband network. This compliance process ensured that equipment was built with consistency in performance and quality to mitigate the potential for interference on Inmarsat and adjacent satellite fleets.
Rounding out the team is Paul Scardino, assuming the positions of Executive Vice President, Sales for Reticulate Micro and Chief Strategy Officer for Reticulate Space. Scardino has held senior leadership roles at Comtech, L3Harris Technologies, Speedcast and Globecomm Systems and brings 35 years of broad expertise across sales, business and product development, program management and business strategy to the company.
Photo, from left to right, David Horton, Paul Scardino and Mark Steel to lead the company’s new business segment, Reticulate Space. Photo credit: Reticulate Micro
“Launching Reticulate Space greatly expands the addressable market for our products. This was a strategic decision for our company to move up the value chain in our core market of resilient communications,” said Joshua Cryer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reticulate Micro. “Critically, we have recruited a world-class management team of industry insiders with extensive customer relationships and deep insight into their needs.”
“I’m excited to lead Reticulate Space at such a transformative time in the satellite industry,” said David Horton. “By combining content and transport technologies in revolutionary ways, we will redefine what always-on network resiliency means for the warfighter and enterprise users.” (Source: Satnews)
28 Jan 24. Another set of doubles, two launches on weekend from both coasts. On the left, a long exposure of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch with 23 Starlink satellites from Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024.
At right, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with 22 Starlink satellites from Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California early Monday morning. (Image credit: SpaceX / SpaceX via X)
UPDATE: SpaceX launched two more batches of its Starlink internet satellites overnight (Jan. 28-29), on doubleheader liftoffs from both U.S. coasts.
A Falcon 9 rocket topped with 23 Starlink spacecraft launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on Sunday (January 28) at 6:15 p.m. EST (2315 GMT) five hours earlier than the Starlink 7-12 mission with 22 Starlinks from from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) Vandenberg SFB on Sunday, January 28, at 9:57 p.m. PST (12:57 a.m. EST, 0557 UTC).
The constellation now has more than 5,300 satellites on orbit.
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, January 28 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 9:57 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 10:03 p.m. PT. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, January 29 starting at 5:49 p.m. PT.
A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.
This is the ninth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, and six Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean. (Source: Satnews)
29 Jan 24. Kinéis smallsat IoT launches via Rocket Lab to occur this summer. Kinéis has announced the launch window for the first of five launches of the company’s smallsats that are dedicated to the Internet of Things (IoT). Scheduled to occur between June 10 and July 9, 2024, this event marks a crucial milestone in the development of the Kinéis system.
Kinéis is marking a new era in the French space sector with the deployment of this constellation of 25 nanosatellites, the first of its kind in Europe dedicated to IoT.
Artistic rendition of the Kinéis constellation, courtesy of the company.
With almost 90% of the Earth’s surface not covered by terrestrial networks, Kinéis provides a direct response to connectivity needs. The mission of Kinéis’ Space IoT is to connect and locate any object, anywhere on the Earth’s surface, guaranteeing data transmission in near-real time, at low bit rates, with minimal energy consumption.
Kinéis operates on a global scale, responding to major challenges such as agriculture, water resource management, early detection of forest fires, logistics, maritime activities, and so on. The aim is to “keep in touch with what matters” by providing concrete solutions to improve everyday life.
The space IoT revolution is being driven by Kinéis, with its 25 “made in France” nanosatellites. The Toulouse-based French space ecosystem, including renowned players such as Hemeria, Thales Alenia Space, Syrlinks, Comat, and CNES, actively supporting Kinéis in this technological revolution. Major financial partners, such as Bpifrance, CLS, BNP Paribas Développement, CELAD, Maison Julien et Kelly Dassault, and Ethics Group, are also contributing to the project’s success. Mission patch,symbol of Kinéis’ vision
As a symbolic signature of this historic mission, Kinéis unveils its patch representing the essential pillars of the project: global connectivity, a network of ground stations, various applications, and the end user.
Alexandre Tisserant, CEO of Kinéis, said, “I’m delighted to announce the launch window for the Kinéis constellation, the first European constellation dedicated to the Internet of Things. With 5 launches scheduled in the upcoming months, Kinéis is in the final stage of bringing this unique project to a reality, four years after its historic fund-raising. All our teams are mobilized to make this event a technical, operational and commercial success.” (Source: Satnews)
01 Feb 24. Phantom Space + Vaya Space plan a new approach for commercial space launches. Two launch service providers have agreed to simultaneously operate from a single launch complex. Phantom Space COO Mark Lester and Vaya Space COO Rob Fabian signed a memorandum of agreement (MoU) that outlines how the two companies will work concurrently at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 13 (LC-13). Commercial companies sharing a Launch Complex is a novel approach to maximize limited launch site availability at the Cape. Historically, one company would exclusively occupy a Launch Complex and populate it with unique and proprietary infrastructure dedicated to their use. While this approach was satisfactory when available launch sites were plentiful and few launch vehicles existed, it is not sustainable in the rapidly growing and diverse commercial space launch environment.
In addition to maximizing available land use, Phantom and Vaya’s approach provides significant national security advantages through responsive and resilient launch. The ability for multiple companies to share infrastructure and launch support systems in a nimble manner dramatically increases launch pad throughput and launch resilience to provide assured access to space. This approach leverages proven airport models where runways, taxiways, gates, and operational infrastructure are company agnostic shared resources.
“Vaya Space and Phantom value the importance of collaboration to create new responsive launch capability in a safe and efficient manner for long-term growth and sustainability. We have worked diligently together over the last several months on the agreement to underscore our commitment to safety and best address and balance government, spaceport, and company needs,” said Phantom COO, Mark Lester.
Vaya Space is a privately owned company based on the Space Coast and leveraging patented Vortex Hybrid engine technology to disrupt the Space and Defense Markets.
Founded by inventors and entrepreneurs Jim Cantrell and Michael D’Angelo, Phantom Space Corporation is a space transportation company democratizing space access by mass manufacturing launch vehicles, satellites, and space propulsion systems. Phantom’s vision is to become the “Henry Ford of Space Transportation” through the opportunity to mass manufacture and launch 100s of rockets—a 100% US-controlled and operated enterprise headquartered in Tucson, Arizona, with multiple launch operations centers. (Source: Satnews)
————————————————————————-
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.
————————————————————————