Sponsored By Viasat
www.viasat.com/gov-uk
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04 Apr 24. Mitsubishi Corporation Joins Starlab Space as Strategic Partner, Equity Owner in Joint Venture. Starlab Space LLC (Starlab Space), the joint venture between Voyager Space and Airbus, today welcomed Mitsubishi Corporation as a strategic partner and equity owner in Starlab Space. This partnership expands Starlab Space’s reach beyond a transatlantic partnership and transforms the joint venture into a global organization. Mitsubishi Corporation joins Starlab Space as strategic partner, equity owner in joint venture.
Mitsubishi Corporation, renowned for its innovative endeavors across diverse industries, brings extensive expertise and resources to this global partnership. Mitsubishi Corporation is expected to leverage its capabilities to significantly increase the value of Starlab, using space research to enhance and accelerate terrestrial product development in multiple industries and expand access to space-based technologies globally.
“We are excited to join forces with Starlab, a best-in-class team comprising Airbus and Voyager, to drive innovation and catalyze advancements in space exploration,” said Mikito Nakaniwa, Division COO, Infrastructure, Ship & Aerospace Division of Mitsubishi Corporation. “Together, Mitsubishi Corporation and Starlab aim to open the commercial Low Earth Orbit (LEO) marketplace and create lasting value for global companies and industries.”
Additionally, this partnership is expected to expand access for the Japanese space economy and industrial base into the LEO marketplace by harnessing Starlab’s cutting-edge technologies and capabilities.
“It’s an honor to welcome Mitsubishi Corporation as a partner in our joint venture,” said Dylan Taylor, Chairman and CEO at Voyager Space. “Mitsubishi Corporation’s customer-centric focus and commitment to innovation aligns perfectly with our vision for Starlab. Together, we’ll unlock space technology on a global scale and drive meaningful impact across several industries, from space to ground.”
“We are very pleased to welcome Mitsubishi Corporation as a strategic partner in our joint venture with Voyager Space. This brings Starlab Space to the next level on the way to a truly global endeavor,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. “Our next-generation space station relies on both innovation and experience. Hence Mitsubishi Corporation, a pioneer of space business in Japan since the 1960s with a strong drive for shaping the future, is a perfect addition to our team.”
With state-of-the-art research facilities and a global presence, Starlab Space is well-positioned to support advanced space research and serve end-use customers on a global scale. This partnership underscores Starlab Space’s dedication to innovation not only in technology but also in operating a space station as a business in LEO, setting the standard for success in this new market.
About Starlab Space
Starlab Space LLC is a global joint venture between Voyager Space, Airbus, and Mitsubishi Corporation that is designing, building, and will operate the Starlab commercial space station. Starlab will serve a global customer base of space agencies, researchers, and companies, ensuring a continued human presence in low-Earth orbit and a seamless transition of microgravity science and research from the International Space Station into the new commercial space station era. (Source: PR Newswire)
04 Apr 24. Muon Space Redefines LEO Satellite Constellations with the release of Muon Halo™ and over $60m in new contracts for 10 Muon Halo Spacecraft and Integrated Mission Services. Muon Space, an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates mission-tailored LEO satellite constellations, today announced Muon Halo™. Muon Halo’s revolutionary, integrated hardware and software stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior LEO smallsat constellation performance..
Muon Space also announced Muon Halo contract wins valued over $60M to design, build, and operate 10 satellites ranging in size from 150kg-500kg with cutting edge remote sensing payloads launching throughout 2025 and 2026. These customer wins validate the power of Muon Space’s Halo offering in meeting the most challenging mission requirements rapidly and confidently.
“Muon Halo represents a paradigm shift in satellite technology, providing customers with unparalleled reliability, performance, and mission fit,” said Jonny Dyer, CEO of Muon Space. “We are providing our customers with an alternative to the launch delays, cost overruns, mission failures, and insufficient operational performance typical in industry today. With Muon Halo’s cutting-edge space, ground, and cloud building blocks we support the highest performance, custom mission requirements with a standardized, highly qualified hardware and software platform.”
Muon Halo Full Stack Constellation IP
Muon Halo sits atop a vertically integrated technology platform incorporating the MuSim digital engineering and simulation platform, the MuOS data-centric middleware architecture, and MuSat and MuCore software-defined building blocks. Leveraging these standard, stocked hardware components and integrated software operating system, Muon Space’s state of the art production facility is optimized for high-mix satellite integration at volumes and throughput typically reserved for inflexible, one-size-fits-all “standard bus” lines.
MuSim
Muon Space’s scalable mission simulation engine, MuSim, unlocks rapid satellite constellation design, optimization, implementation, and operations. Muon Space develops a high fidelity MuSim digital twin for every constellation deployed to accelerate the entire lifecycle of a mission and deliver optimized operations maximizing value to customers. The MuSim virtual constellation gives confidence in a great outcome long before metal is cut.
MuOS
MuOS is Muon Space’s modern software middleware that connects space, ground, and cloud components through common, transparent interfaces and API. MuOS simplifies the process of implementing missions and reduces the burden of software integration across payload, satellite, ground, and cloud for transformative agility and scalability.
MuCore
MuCore is Muon Space’s software-defined instrument core designed to provide a universal solution for advanced remote sensing missions. MuCore interfaces with a wide variety of sensor types and provides tremendous space-qualified radio frequency (RF) front ends, compute, storage, and networking performance– setting a new standard for data-intensive missions.
MuSat
MuSat is Muon Space’s versatile and configurable spacecraft platform designed for scalability and adaptability. MuSats are deployed in configurations spanning 100-500kg+ mass, 50W to over 1kW in power, multi-Gbps communications bandwidth, high precision/agile pointing and more. MuSat offers the best price for performance for constellations powered by Muon Space’s deep vertical integration across core spacecraft hardware, software, and operational components.
MuDash
MuDash is Muon Space’s cloud-based command, control, and communications (C3) environment for mission tasking, management, and monitoring. MuDash integrates mission operations, customer tasking, and instrument/payload operations in simple web-based dashboards and RESTful API’s.
“Muon Space is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation in the space industry,” said Pascal Stang, CTO of Muon Space. “Our holistic approach, exemplified by Muon Halo, ensures optimal mission outcomes while driving efficiency and performance to unprecedented levels.”
The introduction of Muon Halo comes on the heels of Muon Space’s successful second satellite launch of MuSat2 following less than nine months after the launch of MuSat1. The company continues to accelerate its launch cadence of customer missions supporting next-generation LEO constellations that will provide transformative, actionable insights into Earth’s key systems and human footprint.
About Muon Space
Founded in 2021, Muon Space is an end-to-end Space Systems Provider that designs, builds, and operates LEO satellite constellations delivering mission-critical data. Our revolutionary, integrated technology stack enables customers to optimize every dimension of their missions for faster time-to-orbit and superior constellation remote sensing performance. Our state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and rapid, flexible payload integration at scale. From climate monitoring to national security, Muon Space is dedicated to delivering Earth Intelligence for a safer and more resilient world. (Source: PR Newswire)
05 Apr 24. Skykraft Satellite Filings Published for 2976-Satellite Air Traffic Management Constellation. Skykraft has moved one step closer to providing global space-enabled ADS-B and VHF communications services in 2026 with acceptance by the International Telecommunications Union of its spectrum filing for a constellation of 2976 satellites. The constellation will provide the world’s first full-service space-enabled air traffic management service and will make aviation safer and more sustainable, efficient, and resilient. Building on the 10 prototype satellites launched and tested in 2023, Skykraft will launch further pre-production satellites in 2024. In 2025, the rollout of the operational constellation will begin with the launch of 50 more satellites, leading to an operational service in 2026. The number of satellites will continue to grow in following years. Skykraft has been working with air navigation service providers for three years to ensure that space-enabled air traffic management services meet their requirements. Skykraft demonstrated the use of space-enabled VHF during 2023 in a joint trial with Airservices Australia. This trial leveraged Australia’s unique remote location and Skykraft’s a VHF payload in Skykraft’s satellites, demonstrating for the first time the feasibility of direct communication between satellites and aircraft using their currently installed radios. Skykraft is supporting the work of the International Civil Aviation Organization to adapt existing international standards to allow access to space-enabled services. The ITU spectrum filing process builds on the recent approval by the World Radio Congress for the use of VHF aeronautical frequencies from space. Voice and data radio communications in the VHF band are used for communications between pilots and air traffic controllers. VHF radios are standard aircraft equipment around the world and are vital in ensuring the safety of air travel. The use of satellites to complement ground-based radio systems will enable seamless global real-time communications between pilots and air traffic controllers for the first time. Skykraft’s VHF communications service is complemented by a surveillance service that uses position broadcasts from aircraft to provide timely data on aircraft positions to air traffic controllers.
The use of space-enabled services supporting pilots and air traffic controllers:
- Improves safety by providing real-time communications between pilots and air traffic controllers to maintain correct separations between aircraft.
- Supports the air transport industry’s goal of net-zero emissions through reducing environmental emissions by allowing the most efficient routes to be flown by aircraft.
- Increases efficiency of the aviation industry by reducing fuel consumption and reducing flight delays. The cost of flight delays in the United States, Europe and Australia has been estimated at US$67.5 billion per year.
- Increases the resilience of air traffic management systems by providing very high levels of redundancy not previously seen in aviation. Skykraft’s services will enable continued high-performance management of air traffic even when current satellite navigation systems are degraded or unavailable.
“Skykraft looks forward to using this filing to contribute to global goals to improve safety, sustainability, efficiency and capacity in aviation” said Dr Michael Frater, CEO of Skykraft. “Skykraft’s space-enabled air traffic management services will be available for testing in 2025 and operational service in 2026. This service will bring significant benefits to oceanic and remote regions will improve performance in the world’s most congested airspace.”
Skykraft’s Air Traffic Management Constellation
Skykraft is in the process of building a large (dense) constellation of satellites in low-earth orbit to provide global air traffic management services from space, providing:
- VHF voice communications.
- VHF data communications.
- Surveillance services using ADS-B and UAT.
- Multi-lateration services for:
o validation of ADS-B and UAT messages received from aircraft, and
o independent aircraft position data in the event of GNSS failure.
Skykraft’s initial constellation will enter service in 2025.
About Skykraft
Skykraft delivers Air Traffic Management (ATM) services from space to serve the global market for air traffic surveillance and communications, especially over remote and oceanic regions. Headquartered in Australia, Skykraft uses a small satellite approach and dedicated ATM infrastructure to deliver services to Air Navigation Service Providers (ANPSs) worldwide.
Our ATM Service introduces competition into a monopoly market and will reset the performance expectations globally for space-enabled ATM.
28 Mar 24. Just one month after raising €15m in funding, Greenerwave, the deeptech start-up specialising in the control of electromagnetic waves, unveils its first satellite communications (SATCOM) user terminal designed to revolutionize the SATCOM landscape. Leveraging unique design and AI-driven technology, the terminal maintains high-speed connectivity between any type of GEO and LEO satellites, even when on the move. Agnostic, easy to integrate and transport, competitive, low-consumption, agile and universal, this Ku-band terminal can adapt its configuration in real time to meet all SATCOM needs, taking full advantage of its potential and making it accessible to a wider audience. Finally, a solution directly addressing new and future civilian and military challenges like on-the-move connectivity and the end of white zones!
This first terminal in Greenerwave’s lineup is available for pre-order.
LEO satellites represent the future of telecom infrastructure, but their potential remains underutilized due to the lack of appropriate terminals. Traditional antennas (satellite dishes) do not fully meet the needs of a market seeking solutions that are easier to integrate. However, alternative solutions relying on intelligent electronic antennas are often energy-intensive, limiting their ability to satisfy the mass market demand targeted by mega-constellation operators.
With its competitive and energy-efficient technology, Greenerwave aims to support operators entering new markets with connectivity solutions that align with current demands.
A design unique in the world…
This is the challenge that Greenerwave addresses with its terminal designed and engineered to be compatible with all satellite communication use cases. The French deeptech company unveils a terminal with unparalleled performance and SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power), weighing less than 7kg, capable of directing waves towards a specific device – such as a geostationary satellite or a satellite in motion (LEO) – by adapting to its position in real-time. Designed entirely in-house, the terminal relies on a minimally complex hardware architecture and control software based on highly advanced algorithms that combine the worlds of physics and artificial intelligence. Configured by the software and optimized by AI, the terminal can seamlessly transition between beams and adjust its frequency range to establish a connection with any satellite according to the user’s needs.
Greenerwave’s Satcom terminal uses a unique technology based on the company’s reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RIS), and paves the way for democratizing communications for new constellations through its more cost-effective, lighter, and energy-efficient approach. This is a crucial issue at a time when companies, governments, and organizations – whether military or non-governmental – require stable satellite connections to maintain the continuity of their services.
Including when on the move
This innovative flat user terminal also optimally meets the civilian and military needs for satellite communication both on the pause and on the move. It enables continuous communication between various vehicles/ships/aircraft/personnel regardless of terrain and elongation, and allows for seamless transition from LEO to GEO satellites if necessary. This is essential for ensuring the continuity of the link between units and command posts. For civilian applications, it effectively addresses challenges related to maritime and aeronautical transport where business continuity is essential.
The release of a user terminal operating in the Ka-band is scheduled for 2025.
Technical Specifications
Ku-Band Terminal
K – Less than 7 kg / very low power consumption
/ – Easy transportation (dimensions compatible with “checked baggage”)
E – Seamless handover between satellites
S – Applications: fixed, mobility, maritime, COTP, COTM.
How it works
Greenerwave designs metasurfaces comprising elements that “shape” electromagnetic waves, enabling directional beams to be generated and controlled. These metasurfaces consist of a group of centimetric-sized elements called pixels that act as micromirrors. Each pixel can modify the sign of the reflected wave. The interactions between pixels and microwaves are controlled by algorithms derived from the world of physics that direct waves after their reflection on the surface. Passive, low-cost and easy to manufacture, this technology aims to optimize the use of electromagnetic waves while drastically reducing the antenna energy consumption and production costs.
About Greenerwave
Greenerwave is an industrial deeptech founded in 2016 by researchers Geoffroy Lerosey and Mathias Fink, spin-off from the Langevin Institute, dependent on CNRS and ESPCI-PSL (École supérieure de physique et de chimie industrielles de Paris). Specializing in the control and orientation of electromagnetic waves, Greenerwave designs and develops, in France, a revolutionary technology that drastically improves the energy efficiency of equipment, making it more economical, more environmentally friendly and less dependent on semi-conductors. This disruptive technology is finds application across various sectors, ranging from the automotive industry to satellite communications and the Internet of Things. To learn more, please visit www.greenerwave.com
03 Apr 24. Astrobotic and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards Air Force Base have entered into a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA) to enhance both organizations’ capabilities and collaborate in the development of advanced liquid rocket engine, rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) technologies, and on-base rocket flight testing capabilities using Astrobotic reusable rockets.
“This agreement between Astrobotic and AFRL will enable joint work on new rocket engine technologies, including their applications to in-space propulsion, along with their early flight demonstrations. For Astrobotic, working with AFRL, this rocket-engine flight testbed will demonstrate future capabilities in rocket propulsion such as RDREs and novel additively manufactured materials for high-temperature, high-pressure, chemically-reacting gas environments,” said Dr. Javier Urzay, Chief of the Combustion Devices Branch at AFRL, “These technologies are still at a relatively early development stage but have potential game-changing impacts for liquid and solid rocket propulsion systems relevant for Air and Space Force’s missions.”
The collaboration will help Astrobotic design, develop, test, and demonstrate emerging commercial capabilities with critical applications to air and space military operations, including tactically responsive space access, hypersonic propulsion and testing, and tactical point-to-point rocket transport of cargo. Under the CRADA, AFRL and Astrobotic plan to use Astrobotic’s Xodiac and Xogdor-class vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing (VTVL) rockets to flight test new liquid rocket engines, integrated systems, payloads, and concepts of operation to mature these types of capabilities.
“The drive behind this cooperative agreement was to work the fastest and least-expensive transition pathway of revolutionary technology, which always come out of AFRL,” said Dr. Shawn Phillips, Chief of the Rocket Propulsion Division at AFRL, “AFRL Rocket Propulsion experts are the best in the world with industry being the pathway for transition, and we believe that such public-private partnerships will be the gold standard for cradle-to-grave innovation.”
“This CRADA between Astrobotic and AFRL will leverage the parties’ complementary skillsets to achieve mutually beneficial goals,” said Sean Bedford, Astrobotic’s Director of Business Development. “Astrobotic is an industry leader in reusable rocket design, VTVL rocket operations with small teams in austere environments, and innovative testing. This agreement represents a unique partnership that will combine our strengths with AFRL’s subject matter expertise to accelerate development of key capabilities through collaborative design, cutting edge analysis, high-cadence ground experimentation, and relevant environment flight testing.”
To optimize this collaboration, Astrobotic will co-locate parts of its Propulsion & Test department with AFRL subject matter experts at Edwards Air Force Base. The CRADA also provides Astrobotic access to facilities on AFRL’s storied “Rocket Ridge” at Edwards AFB, which has hosted development and testing of engines for numerous high profile launch vehicles, including the Space Shuttle and Saturn, Titan, Atlas, Delta, Thor, and Minuteman families of rockets. Working together on base will allow the teams to more closely collaborate on the development of emerging liquid rocket and RDRE technologies.
02 Apr 24. DoD Releases 2024 DoD Commercial Space Integration Strategy. Today, the Department of Defense released the 2024 DoD Commercial Space Integration Strategy. In line with the National Security Strategy and the 2022 National Defense Strategy, this strategy seeks to align the Department’s efforts and drive more effective integration of commercial space solutions into national security space architectures.
This strategy identifies four top-level priorities that the Department will pursue to maximize the benefits of integrating commercial space solutions:
- Ensure access to commercial solutions across the spectrum of conflict;
- Achieve integration prior to crisis;
- Establish the security conditions to integrate commercial space solutions; and
- Support the development of new commercial space solutions for use by the joint force.
The Department will adhere to four foundational principles in its strategy, balance, interoperability, resilience, and responsible conduct, to ensure that commercial solutions are integrated into national security space architecture.
To integrate commercial space solutions, the Department will work with commercial entities to mitigate risk as necessary and accept risk where appropriate. Such integration will help deny adversaries the benefits of attacks against national security space systems and contribute to a safe, secure, stable, and sustainable space domain.
You can read a copy of the strategy here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://media.defense.gov/2024/Apr/02/2003427610/-1/-1/1/2024-DOD-COMMERCIAL-SPACE-INTEGRATION-STRATEGY.PDF (Source: U.S. DoD)
02 Apr 24. UK Space Agency announces new office in Wales. The UK Space Agency is opening an office in Wales for the first time as it works to support the space sector across the UK. Aligned with the government’s Levelling Up strategy, the expansion will enable the Agency to collaborate more closely with the UK’s thriving space sector, while promoting regional skills and job opportunities to deliver increasingly ambitious missions and capabilities.
The most recent figures show the Welsh space sector generates £79 m in income a year and employs over 600 people.
The new office at William Morgan House in Cardiff, is part of a number of changes for the UK Space Agency, which will also open offices in Edinburgh and Leicester and new headquarters at the Harwell Space Cluster in Oxfordshire.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said: “This is a transformational moment for the UK Space Agency, responding directly to the feedback that the Agency should be embedded in the sector. Our new headquarters, located at the UK’s biggest space cluster in Harwell, will connect to regional offices in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Leicester, helping us recruit space talent from across the nation and deliver the National Space Strategy. Wales has a long-established heritage in aerospace and manufacturing, and in recent years we have supported Welsh space companies to develop new and innovative technologies, including Space Forge who built Wales’s first satellite. We have seen a significant rise in space organisations across the Welsh space ecosystem and it’s crucial we nurture their skills and expertise, and connect them with the wider sector, to ensure we continue this journey.”
The UK Space Agency is supporting Space Wales to build the Welsh Space Cluster, which includes recently appointing a Welsh Cluster Development Manager.
Last year space research, manufacturing and testing facilities in Wales received a boost thanks to the UK Space Agency’ funding.
Almost £8 m went to Cardiff-based Space Forge for a National Microgravity Research Centre, for advanced material research and production. Snowdonia LLP received £800,000 to develop the Space Technology Test Centre (STTC) at the Snowdonia Space Centre, Llanbedr, Gwynedd, in partnership with Newton Launch Systems Ltd.
In addition, £10.7m of UK Space Agency funding went to a team, led by the University of Aberystwyth, to replace a Russian-made instrument on the Rosalind Franklin rover, with the aim of launching to Mars in 2028.
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “I’m delighted that the UK Space Agency is opening an office in Cardiff to support the fast-growing space sector in Wales. The UK Government has made significant investments in companies like Space Forge in Cardiff, and in research programmes at Welsh universities. We have built talent and expertise and it’s great to see support coming to Wales to help the sector grow and develop.”
John Whalley, CEO of Space Wales, said: “The opening of the UK Space Agency’s office in Cardiff marks a transformative opportunity for the Welsh space sector. With over 85 space-related organisations across the nation, this not only acts as an opportunity to amplify our successes but also ignite further partnerships with the UK Space Agency to launch the Welsh space sector to new heights. The UK Space Agency’s new structure will create significant opportunities to build on high-growth areas, such as Earth observation and satellite broadband. It will also help the UK establish early leadership in emerging markets such as in‑orbit spacecraft servicing, active space debris removal, and the new lunar economy, enabling us to help forge a greener, smarter and more inclusive sector.”
As set out in the Space Industrial Plan, the government is committed to continuing its support for space clusters across the UK and providing the tools needed to drive collaboration between them and catalyse further investment. The Agency will retain offices in London and Swindon. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
02 Apr 24. Eutelsat 36D Airbus-built Satellite Successfully Launched. The Airbus-built EUTELSAT 36D telecommunications satellite was successfully launched on Saturday 30 March at 17:52 EST aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. EUTELSAT, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, selected Airbus in March 2021 to build EUTELSAT 36D, a new generation multi-mission geostationary telecommunications satellite.
EUTELSAT 36D is based on the latest generation Eurostar Neo geostationary telecommunications satellite and will provide TV broadcasting (DTH) and government services over Africa, Europe and eastern countries and has a planned lifetime of more than 15 years.
Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “EUTELSAT 36D is the fourth Eurostar Neo satellite in orbit demonstrating our commitment to continually pioneering new technologies which better serve our customers’ needs. Our relationship with Eutelsat spans more than 30 years, working hand in hand with them to provide broadcast and data connectivity across the world, including to remote regions where it’s needed most.”
The all-electric EUTELSAT 36D, with its new enhancements in coverage and performance equipped with 78 physical Ku-band transponders, will ensure a seamless service continuation with EUTELSAT 36B.
Eurostar Neo satellites combine increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems with reduced production time and optimised costs as part of a fully digitalised production process. EUTELSAT 36D combines 18 kW of electric power with a reduced launch mass of approximately five metric tonnes, enabled by Airbus’ electric orbit raising capability, reinforcing Airbus’ position as the world leader in electric propulsion.
The Eurostar Neo family of Airbus telecommunications satellites is based on a next-generation platform and technologies, developed with the support of the European Space Agency (ESA), and others, including the Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (CNES) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA).
The EUTELSAT 36D geostationary telecommunications satellite was shipped from Toulouse, France to Sanford, Florida, USA, on board an Airbus BelugaST (A300-600ST) on 11 March, a true example of pan-Airbus synergies. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Mar 24. New Zealand launches experimental military communications payload into space. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has launched an experimental communications payload into orbit with the help of a research satellite developed by the US Navy’s (USN’s) Naval Postgraduate School (NPS). This communications payload, named ‘Korimako’, will “allow defence scientists to conduct space communications research”, the NZDF said on 28 March. Korimako is the first payload to be launched into space by the NZDF.
“A team of scientists from the NZDF’s Defence Science & Technology (DST) will monitor and interact with Korimako via our Whangaparaoa Ground Station, north of Auckland,” the NZDF added.
The NZDF said initial tests conducted by the DST indicate that Korimako is “operating as expected”.
“[Korimako will facilitate DST to conduct research that] aims to build practical experience in space science and technology, test processes for New Zealand government space operations, and generate knowledge to enable future NZDF and wider government space development,” David Galligan, DST director, said. (Source: Janes)
28 Mar 24. ULA Delta IV Heavy scrubbed at T-00:03:58 update to ‘issue,’ The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed due to an issue with the gaseous nitrogen pipeline which provides pneumatic pressure to the launch vehicle systems.
The team continues to troubleshoot the pipeline and more time is needed to instill confidence in the system. We will continue to work with our customer to confirm our next launch attempt and a new launch date will be provided upon resolution.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon: The launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office was scrubbed today due to an issue with a liquid pump failure on the gaseous nitrogen pipeline which provides pneumatic pressure to the launch vehicle systems.
Seconds after the launch teams were coming out the final planned hold and into the final four minutes of the countdown, a hold was called and teams prepared to unload the propellant from the vehicle. The team continues to troubleshoot the pipeline and more time is needed to instill confidence in the system.
We will continue to work with our customer to confirm our next launch attempt from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, and a new date will be provided upon resolution.
This is the 16th and final launch of a Delta IV Heavy rocket.
In a statement on social media, ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno explained the situation was a bit of a one, two punch.
“We exceeded the limit for winds and had to call a hold with a four-minute recycle,” Bruno said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “During the hold a Cape GN2 (gaseous nitrogen) pipeline ground pump failed causing a scrub. See you tomorrow.”
ULA then said they would do a 24-hour turnaround, and the launch was planned for 1:37 p.m. Friday.
But Bruno later posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the “pump failed again … Stand by.”
Just before 8 p.m., ULA said they’d be standing down to continue to work on the pipeline.
“The team continues to troubleshoot the pipeline and more time is needed to instill confidence in the system,” the company said in a statement. “We will continue to work with our customer to confirm our next launch attempt and a new date will be provided upon resolution.”
According to the Federal Aviation Administration there is launch attempt availability on Monday at 1:25 p.m., but it’s unknown whether ULA will be ready for that launch window. Launch Date and Time: TBD (Source: Satnews)
25 Mar 24. South Korea to launch second spy satellite in early April. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying South Korea’s first indigenous spy satellite waits at U.S. Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, U.S. in this Dec. 1, 2023 photo provided by SpaceX. Yonhap
South Korea plans to launch its second military satellite in early April, the defense ministry said Monday, under a project to launch five satellites to better monitor North Korea.
South Korea launched the first surveillance satellite using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from a U.S. military base in California last December.
It is set to launch the second one from a U.S. military base in Florida as part of a project to acquire five spy satellites by 2025.
“Final consultations are under way with the satellite’s contractors for the launch, which is expected to be in early April,” ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said in a press briefing, without disclosing a specific launch date.
While the first satellite was equipped with an electro-optical and infrared sensor satellite that can capture detailed images of the Earth’s surface, the upcoming ones are synthetic aperture radar satellites capable of collecting data regardless of the weather using remote sensing systems.
The planned launch comes as Pyongyang is also making efforts to acquire space-based reconnaissance capabilities.
The North successfully launched its first military spy satellite last November and has vowed to launch three more spy satellites this year.
Defense Minister Shin Won-sik said last week North Korea appears to be preparing for the second launch of a spy satellite possibly in late March. (Source: Satnews/The Korean Times/YONHAP)
24 Mar 24. SES Space & Defense: Something new for MILSATCOM Users – gateway options. SES Space & Defense notes that, when service providers in the commercial satellite communications (COMSATCOM) industry talk about their service offerings and solutions for the government and the military, they tend to focus on their satellite constellations. They lead with the number of satellites that they have on-orbit, the amount of capacity available on those satellites, where they can provide coverage, and the amount of latency users will experience.
This makes sense. That information is critically important for the government and military decision-makers looking to lease space on satellites or looking to purchase managed satellite services. But what often gets ignored or swept under the rug in discussions between COMSATCOM providers and their government customers is the other part of the satellite equation – the satellite gateways. These unsung heroes of satellite communications are essential components of a functioning satellite network, but they’re infrequently discussed in the marketing materials and sales slicks of COMSATCOM providers.
That needs to change.
Recent satellite technology advancements and some new satellite services that are about to come online are poised to give government and military users more gateway options than ever. The result will be government and military users having choices in how they want to transmit their data, and how they want to secure it.
However, before a deeper dive is taken into the future of the satellite gateway, better understand their essential role in the larger satellite network.
Gateways 101
The gateway has a function that its rather descriptive name implies – it is the gateway for the satellite signal. The data that is in that satellite signal needs an entry point in which to enter the ground terrestrial infrastructure, which will then deliver that data to the various end users that need it. The gateway serves as that essential entry point.
Whether the data that is being transmitted via that signal is an email, a voice call, or vital satellite or ISR imagery that’s imperative to the mission, it needs to be fed back into a terrestrial network somewhere. The gateway is the connection between the users on Earth and the satellites, helping move the data around the globe.
Historically, when a government or military user has leased satellite capacity from a COMSATCOM provider or leveraged a managed satellite service, they’ve only had one viable gateway option. In that scenario, they’ve been limited to using the gateways owned and operated by that COMSATCOM provider. But this is where things are starting to change and where the government and military are starting to have more options.
One size does not fit all
There are a number of reasons why using a COMSATCOM provider’s gateway and terrestrial network infrastructure is a perfectly acceptable option for government and military users. This infrastructure has already been purchased and deployed. It can be leveraged immediately with no additional upfront cost to the customer, and there are often service level agreements (SLAs) that ensure a certain level of uptime and resiliency.
This makes using the COMSATCOM provider’s gateways and networks more rapid, economical, and hassle-free. That could be incredibly enticing to individuals who don’t really care about the network that they use, the equipment that is in the gateway, or the security of the data – they just want to get up and working quickly and at a more reasonable cost.
However, there are also valid reasons why a government or military customer might not want to use their COMSATCOM provider’s equipment and infrastructure.
For a large global military with a large amount of resources, building out a gateway might not seem that expensive or difficult. And that added cost and effort could be considered well worth it for added flexibility, mobility, control, and security. In some cases, that need for control of the equipment and the security of the data could be a roadblock that keeps some military customers from adopting COMSATCOM services altogether.
Thankfully, the advanced technologies inherent in a new generation of satellite services – including the O3b mPOWER satellite service – give military and government users incredible flexibility in their gateway options.
Upon launch of O3b mPOWER, four different gateway types or configurations will be available to users. These include:
- Commercial managed service gateways: These gateways are the previously discussed gateways owned and operated by the COMSATCOM service provider. In this arrangement, the user simply purchases the satellite service and the provider – in this case, SES – provides all of the requisite satellite capacity, gateway services, and even the terminal if the customer requires. In this scenario, the gateway, equipment, and network belong to the satellite provider – the end users simply get the service.
- Sovereign gateways: These gateways are at the opposite end of the spectrum from managed service gateways. In this arrangement, the customer is the owner and operator of the network – including the gateway, equipment, and terminals. They’re responsible for the purchase, installation, management, maintenance, and security of that hardware. The COMSATCOM provider owns and operates the satellites, transmitting the signal and providing the customer with bandwidth.
- Hybrid sovereign gateways: As the name implies these gateways are a hybrid of both commercial and sovereign methodologies. In this arrangement, the customer places their hub equipment within a commercial gateway, leveraging the use of the COMSATCOM fleet owners commercial terminal to link with the satellite, but using their own equipment to connect to their network. The COMSATCOM provider provides space within their gateway for customers to put their equipment so they don’t have to build their own gateway.
- Transportable government gateways: These gateways, often abbreviated TGG, are smaller, more mobile versions of the large 5.5-meter permanent gateways, and are designed to be transported to where they’re needed. They can be used as a temporary gateway in cases where a customer may not need a permanent version, or as a back up to a permanent gateway. They can also be used when a customer wants to be able to move their gateway to a variety of locations for mission reasons. The TGG is transportable on both military and commercial aircraft, and comes with its own power source and a climate controlled unit to hold hub and other rack equipment. The TGG is a essentially a sovereign gateway, smaller in size for transportability, but capable of performing full gateway functions on a customers network.
With the emergence of advanced satellite services, such as O3b mPOWER, government, and military customers are no longer stuck with a single gateway option. So, when choosing a satellite provider, they need to look at more than just the constellations in orbit – they need to look at and evaluate the gateways and terrestrial network options back on Earth to ensure they meet their requirements.
A commercial managed service would be the best choice if a government customer wants to get up and running with their satellite service quickly and at a lower upfront cost..However, if security and control are essential, sacrificing that control for ease of deployment is simply not an option, a sovereign gateway or hybrid sovereign gateway would be the best choice. (Source: Satnews)
24 Mar 24. Globalsat Group + Myriota sign a collaboration agreement. Myriota, a developer of satellite IoT communication, operates a global data messaging service that is designed for efficiency in long-term asset tracking and telemetry, making a perfect fit for applications in agriculture, transport / logistics, utilities, mining and environmental sensing.
Sensing in the field at scale requires easy field deployment (intelligent install assist), long field life (low energy communication), robust data security (privacy centric security), and a cost point that supports massive scale deployment. Myriota has pioneered IoT connectivity technology that delivers against these uniquely challenging requirements, innovation that is protected by more than 160 patents.
Globalsat Group is a leader in mobile (MSS) and other satellite services, providing specialized voice, data, M2M/IoT, software, and hardware throughout the Americas since 1999. Most customers use these services in mission-critical applications where life or infrastructure are at stake or exceptional circumstances when or where other connectivity networks cannot operate reliably or at all.
The agreement will make Myriota’s services and enabling hardware offerings available in all countries and territories where Globalsat Group currently provides market access and value-added relationships with local business and government.
In tandem with a worldwide distribution agreement, Myriota will be providing Globalsat with advanced pre-release access to hardware kits, which will allow the multi-country consortium to run internal testing and design timely implementation and migration strategies to be made available in 2024.
Globalsat CEO, J. Alberto Palacios, said, “We are delighted to be adding the innovative Myriota platform to our roster of solutions. Their IoT service and products are especially interesting in growing economies throughout the region, where connectivity is increasingly needed to drive efficiency and safety at cost-of-ownership points which are not achievable with other providers. Robust encryption, authentication and privacy are essential parts of the protocols Myriota has developed – they are of important value in markets which have become increasingly conscious of security risks and will be of particular interest to our current and future government customers.”
Ben Cade, CEO of Myriota, said, “We’re thrilled to partner with an industry leader like Globalsat Group to address a crucial gap in their market that current technology cannot fill. Myriota’s technology offers unparalleled global coverage, battery life, security, and a total cost of ownership that revolutionises IoT for critical industries such as agriculture, environment, and logistics. We’re excited to see how our technology enhances the livelihoods and experiences of Globalsat’s customers.“
About Myriota
Myriota is transforming the IoT industry with efficient, reliable solutions that enable sensing of anything, anywhere. Serving 90% of the globe without proper communication infrastructure, its space-based network delivers scalable, affordable IoT data services and energy-efficient hardware, essential for sectors like agriculture, logistics, water management, and environmental conservation. With a 300% yearly increase in device deployments, trust from global Solution Providers and OEMs, and over 160 patents, Myriota is a leading innovator in remote communication and monitoring technologies
About Globalsat Group:
Globalsat Group is the industry leader in mobile (MSS) and other satellite services, providing specialized voice, data, M2M/IoT, software, and hardware throughout the Americas since 1999. The multi-country organization delivers satellite telecommunications solutions for thousands of clients, through a flexible organizational structure, driven by broad and specific experience in multiple vertical markets such as energy, government, defense, media, mining, banking, agriculture, NGOs, and tourism. Most customers use these services in mission-critical applications where life or infrastructure are at stake, under extreme conditions or exceptional circumstances when or where other connectivity cannot operate reliably or at all. Globalsat is committed to leveraging satellite technology to address social and environmental challenges and promote sustainable development, as demonstrated by its recent MSUA Satellite Mobility Innovation Award in the Environment, Social, Governance (ESG), and Impact Innovation category. (Source: Satnews)
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At Viasat, we’re driven to connect every warfighter, platform, and node on the battlefield. As a global communications company, we power ms of fast, resilient connections for military forces around the world – connections that have the capacity to revolutionize the mission – in the air, on the ground, and at sea. Our customers depend on us for connectivity that brings greater operational capabilities, whether we’re securing the U.S. Government’s networks, delivering satellite and wireless communications to the remote edges of the battlefield, or providing senior leaders with the ability to perform mission-critical communications while in flight. We’re a team of fearless innovators, driven to redefine what’s possible. And we’re not done – we’re just beginning.
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