16 May 24. Inovor and ANU combine for higher data transfer to satellites. Inovor and ANU are set to collaborate to create a new type of communication tech that promises higher data transfers between satellites and Earth.
The two organisations, backed by the iLAuNCH partnership, believe its software-defined radio (SDR) will also be more resilient than traditional radio frequency technology.
The deal will see ANU conduct research and provide simulation models while Adelaide-based Inovor will develop the prototype hardware and software.
The $180m iLAuNCH trailblazer is a partnership between academic institutions and more than 20 industry partners that aims to accelerate the development of the space manufacturing sector.
“Satellites rely on radio systems to generate, transmit, receive and process signals,” said iLAuNCH.
“Satellites are akin to computers in the sky, and radio communication serves as their primary means of interaction with us on the ground.
“Naturally, when communicating with any type of computer, more data is advantageous, and satellites are no exception.
“Traditionally, this has been achieved using Radio Frequency (RF) technology due to its ability to travel long distances.
“However, these signals may be weakened due to interference, originating from both human-made sources and natural phenomena.
“To make SATCOMM more resilient, Inovor Technologies and The Australian National University (ANU) are co-developing a new software-defined radio (SDR) solution that is set to be onboard all of Inovor’s locally manufactured satellites.”
Associate Professor Nan Yang added that ANU would employ a postdoc fellow who would extend its R&D beyond simulation technologies for ground testing.
“We will also enhance the system’s ability to maintain resilient radio links, regardless of the interference encountered,” he said.
Inovor CEO and founder Matthew Tetlow said the SDRs are being designed to resist the extreme temperatures and radiation levels of space and will be able to position satellites more accurately post-launch.
“All these critical compoents, will be crafted within our facilties, to establish a sovereign edge, reinforcing our ability to maximise mission assurance.”
It comes after Space Connect reported last year how iLAuNCH would work with New Frontier Technologies to develop light, radiation-proof coatings for LEO satellites.
The organisation said it hoped the project would ultimately bring down the cost of launch, given payloads are usually billed per kilogram of weight by launch providers.
The coatings have to balance saving weight with being able to withstand a range of environmental hazards experienced in LEO, such as UV irradiation, atomic oxygen and space debris.
“These environmental hazards can cause surface erosion, cracking, and delamination of composite materials, which can lead to a reduction in the mechanical properties of the material and can compromise the structural integrity of the spacecraft,” said iLAuNCH.
(Source: Space Connect)
16 May 24. Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) (“Terran Orbital” or the “Company”), a global leader in satellite-based solutions primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, announced its membership in the Mobile Satellite Services Association (MSSA) – an industry effort to advance the development of direct-to-device (D2D) and IoT connectivity through an ecosystem of Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) providers that are committed to seamlessly extending mobile coverage globally.
MSSA – launched in February 2024 – seeks to develop a global ecosystem utilizing L- and S-band spectrum already allocated and licensed for mobile satellite services (MSS), which is well-suited for integration into a broad range of mobile devices. Through the coordinated deployment of technical standards and enhancement of regulatory frameworks, the MSSA drives new initiatives to foster support for MSS-based services leveraging the 3GPP mobile standards. The Association’s founding members, along with other ecosystem players, support integrating terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) to deliver scalable, sustainable, and affordable connectivity to any device, anytime, anywhere. Emerging D2D services can expand connectivity and enable competition across multiple large and diverse segments, including cellular, industrial, government, agriculture, automotive, and others.
“The D2D market holds immense potential to transform mobile connectivity,” said Marc Bell, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer at Terran Orbital. “However, achieving this vision requires overcoming hurdles in the business case for constellations. By joining forces through the MSSA, industry leaders like Terran Orbital can contribute our expertise in efficient satellite manufacturing to bring down production costs and enable the D2D market to flourish. Through collaboration, we can establish best practices and models that ensure the success of this exciting new frontier in mobile connectivity.”
“We are growing this open forum for collaborative development of recommended technical specifications and best practices to support an environment for the integration of terrestrial and satellite networks and allow for a seamless roaming experience,” said Mark Dankberg, Board Chairman of MSSA. “Attracting organizations like Terran Orbital strengthens our effort to support an emerging D2D ecosystem collectively.”
16 May 24. New roadmap for pro-growth regulation in UK space sector launched as Science Minister launches new National Space Operations Centre. New regulatory review for space sector has been published, and Science and Defence Ministers launch National Space Operations Centre.
- New review celebrates the successes of the UK’s growing space sector, marked by milestones such as the historic first launch from UK soil in Cornwall in January 2023
- Developed collaboratively with industry the Space Regulatory Review highlights seven key themes aimed at solidifying the UK’s leadership in safe, secure, and sustainable space operations on the global stage
- Science and Defence Ministers also launched the National Space Operations Centre, protect UK interests from space-related threats, risks and hazards
Science Minister Andrew Griffith, and Minister for defence Procurement James Cartlidge visited RAF High Wycombe today (Thursday 16 May), home to UK Space Command, to officially launch the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) and announce a new report published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT).
The Space Regulatory Review establishes the key regulatory priority areas for the UK’s space sector to maintain its innovative, attractive, and competitive regulatory environment, including the importance of fostering international partnerships with spacefaring nations and incentivising world-leading sustainable practices to protect the space environment.
Developed in collaboration with over 100 industry representatives, this new report offers a unified regulatory roadmap for the future of the UK space sector and our flourishing space economy.
The report comes as Science Minister Andrew Griffith and Defence Minister Cartlidge visited UK Space Command to launch National Space Operations Centre, which brings together almost 70 civilian and military personnel to safeguard the UK against space-related threats, risks and hazards, like satellite collisions.
The launch of the NSpOC marks a significant milestone, as it fulfils a key commitment outlined in the government’s National Space Strategy, Defence Strategy, and the recently announced Space Industrial Plan, published in March 2024.
The NSpOC – jointly funded by DSIT/UK Space Agency and MoD with £20 m funding and in partnership with the Met Office – will use a global network of sensors to support space operations, with those on-site overseeing and delivering critical missions, from tracking an average of 20 to 30 objects re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere a month, to protecting the UK licensed satellites from collisions with space debris.
Space Minister Andrew Griffith said:
As space technology advances, it becomes increasingly intertwined with our daily lives. From precise GPS navigation to highly localised weather forecasting, we rely upon space to underpin critical sectors of our economy.
The launch of the National Space Operations Centre today is a further advance in our space capabilities and our commitment to keep our nation safe and secure.
Space may be the ‘final frontier’, but we need to ensure sustainable access. The UK is one of the space faring nations whose pioneering efforts to track and remove hazardous space junk and well-designed space regulations have a key role to play.
Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said:
This government is working to develop and protect a robust domestic commercial space sector. Space offers incredible opportunities for our prosperity but there are also risks.
The National Space Operations Centre will help to protect our national interests, supported by military personnel working in close collaboration with colleagues across government.
The report provides clarity and certainty for the UK space sector, its investors, and the global space community by focusing on three core objectives: identifying regulatory gaps and opportunities; prioritising safety, security, and sustainability; and supporting government objectives to maintain UK leadership in modern space regulations.
The report has identified seven themes, that if fully implemented, would deliver the greatest impact for the UK’s space sector and wider economy:
- Agility – greater, responsive coordination across government departments and regulators.
- Innovation – a dynamic framework that supports novel and emerging missions and technologies.
- Growth – a progressive regulatory framework that encourages investment.
- International Partnership – spacefaring nation with aligned framework and international best practices.
- Safety and Sustainability – incentivising sustainable space activities, protecting the space environment and its celestial bodies.
- Accessibility – a coherent, suite of primary and secondary space legislations and clear published guidance.
- National Interest – a civil and commercial space regulatory framework that support UK national security.
Industry stakeholders in the UK space sector have strongly endorsed the review, emphasising the critical importance of regulatory confidence in driving growth, innovation, and sustainability. With this support and a unified regulatory roadmap in place, the UK is poised to lead the way in safe, secure, and sustainable space operations on the global stage.
Dr Paul Bate, CEO of the UK Space Agency, said:
The launch of the National Space Operations Centre is a flagship example of civil and military cooperation and demonstrates the UK commitment to keeping space safe and sustainable. Together with the publication of the government’s Space Regulations Review, this is a major milestone in the delivery of the National Space Strategy and a clear signal of the UK’s ambitions to be a leading space nation.
Nick Shave, UKspace IOSM Committee Chair said:
The government has performed a detailed space regulatory consultation with many stakeholders in the space sector including industry and academia. This open approach has been very much welcomed by the sector. Leading on from the consultation, this Space Regulatory Review Report provides a clear, actionable way forward across 7 priority areas that, when implemented, promise to create the enabling regulatory environment that we need to unleash the industrial capability in fast growing areas of the global space sector such as In-Orbit Servicing and Manufacturing (IOSM) where the UK is poised to become a world leader.
Imogen Oremerod, Energy & Infrastructure Associate, Linklaters LLP said:
We welcome the findings of the UK space regulatory review and its alignment with the national space sector vision, including its focus on innovation, growth, and sustainability. In particular, we expect the emphasis on regulatory agility and coordination across regulators and government to support our clients’ growth ambitions, enhancing the competitiveness of the UK space industry and attracting further investment into the sector. We look forward to helping our clients to continue to capitalise on this opportunity.
John Hanley, Chair of UK Space (CGI) said: “If the UK is to achieve our shared objectives for a growing and globally competitive space sector, we must have a forward-leaning, proportionate and agile approach to regulation. The Space Regulatory Review, which was conducted with close engagement between the government and stakeholders in industry and academia, sets out a series of welcome outcomes and actions that will help to deliver this goal.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
15 May 24. Terran Orbital’s GEOStare SV2 Captures 3 Years of Success in High-Resolution Imaging. Today, Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) (“Terran Orbital” or the “Company”), a global leader in satellite-based solutions primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, celebrates the 3rd anniversary of its successful GEOStare SV2 mission. Launched on May 15, 2021, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, GEOStare SV2 has surpassed expectations, delivering exceptional results for commercial satellite imagery.
Pioneering Technology for Compact, High-Resolution Imaging
GEOStare SV2 represents a groundbreaking collaboration between Terran Orbital and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The space vehicle integrates LLNL’s Monolithic Telescope (MonoTele) technology with Terran Orbital’s proven expertise producing high-reliability space vehicles. Developed through a four-year, $6 m cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA), this mission demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing compact satellites for commercial applications.
“GEOStare SV2’s MonoTele technology is producing exceptional high-resolution images in a small, cost-effective package,” said Marc Bell, Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer at Terran Orbital. “We are incredibly proud to partner with Lawrence Livermore to accomplish this feat.”
GEOStare SV2: A Platform for Innovation
Beyond capturing over 60,000 Earth images and 94,000 deep space images, GEOStare SV2 has served as a valuable testbed for Terran Orbital. The space vehicle has facilitated critical software updates, including new capabilities like Resident Space Object (RSO) tracking capabilities, and advanced ground imaging modes. This ongoing mission has also fostered collaboration within the industry, paving the way for future partnerships.
“The data collected by GEOStare SV2 has surpassed our expectations,” said Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Space Program Leader Benjamin Bahney. “This mission is a testament to the potential of MonoTele technology and paves the way for a new generation of high-performance, small satellite imaging systems.”
Terran Orbital: Committed to the Future of Space Exploration
GEOStare SV2’s success underscores Terran Orbital’s commitment to developing cutting-edge small satellite technologies that fuel space exploration advancements. The space vehicle’s achievements have been documented in two industry publications within the past 2 years. Terran Orbital’s reliable and high-performing space vehicles serve a broad spectrum of missions, from Earth observation to deep space exploration, continuously setting new standards. To learn more about the mission, click here: Terran Orbital GEOStare SV2 Mission. To learn more about Terran Orbital’s new SmallSat GEO™ space vehicle, click here: Terran Orbital SmallSat GEO™
07 May 24. Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) + Perigee to launch satellites from Esrange. SSC and South Korean rocket company Perigee Aerospace Inc. have signed a collaborative agreement to launch satellites jointly from the Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, starting in 2025 — Perigee’s Blue Whale 1 microlauncher will be the first orbital rocket launched from Esrange.
The two-stage launch vehicle has the capacity to place up to 200 kg into a 500 km SSO. Together, SSC and Perigee will develop a service concept with a shared payload space onboard the rocket to make room for both companies’ customer bases.
Enforced by SSC’s global satellite ground station network, this service could also be supplemented by additional space-to-ground services.
“I’m very pleased to announce this historic collaboration, our first orbital launch partnership. The market demand for this service is huge and it’s needed now, by both European and international satellite owners. Perigee’s Blue Whale 1 rocket is an ideal match for our orbital launch complex at Esrange. With this partnership, SSC will be able to offer a competitive commercial European orbital launch service at our spaceport in Sweden. This is exciting news for us, and for the global space market,” said Charlotta Sund, CEO of SSC.
“SSC has an impressive 50 years of launch heritage and the new orbital launch infrastructure at Esrange is laying the foundation for the years to come. By bringing our Blue Whale 1 rocket, soon ready for orbital missions, we will partner with SSC to create a state-of-the-art orbital launch service, including further delivery through SSC’s ground service offering. After a successful orbital launch from South Korea next year, we look forward to beginning this historic journey at Esrange,” said Yoon Shin, CEO and Founder of Perigee. (Source: Satnews)
05 May 24. HyImpulse launches their 1st commercially viable launch vehicle. HyImpulse, a German manufacturer and system provider of commercial launch vehicles for satellite transport, successfully test-launched their 12 meter long and 2.5 ton single-stage rocket “SR75” that can transport smallsats weighing up to 250 kg to an altitude of around 250 km.
The hybrid rocket propulsion system of the launch vehicle operated as planned. After the successful lift-off, the SR75 will be retrieved for further examination and analysis of the data.
HyImpulse introduces a groundbreaking propulsion concept with its rockets, using solid paraffin (commonly known as candle wax) and liquid oxygen as fuel. Paraffin, being both cost-effective and inherently safe as a fuel, serves as an alternative to conventional liquid or solid fuels and does not have the risk to explode. This innovative design significantly simplifies the construction of launch vehicles, cutting costs by a remarkable 40 percent compared to traditional propulsion systems. As a result, satellite transportation expenses are reduced by an impressive 50 percent, demonstrating HyImpulse’s commitment to affordable access to space.
The SL1 multi-stage orbital launch vehicle, scheduled for its inaugural lift-off by the end of 2025, stands at a height of 32 meters and weighs 50 tons. Depending on the weight of the payload, it can ascend to an altitude exceeding 500 km, i.e., reaching low Earth orbits. Designed for cost-effective transportation of smallsats into space, it can carry payloads of up to 600 kilograms to LEO.
Dr. Mario Kobald, co-founder and co-CEO of HyImpulse, said, “ Setting up a commercial launch vehicle equipped with entirely new propulsion technology up for launch and lift-off with such an efficient team and a relatively small budget is quite a feat. We’re signaling Germany’s prowess as a spacefaring nation and expanding Europe’s access to space. Already, we’re planning the launch of a larger, multi-stage transport launch vehicle capable of deploying satellites weighing up to 600 kilograms into low Earth orbits by the end of next year.”
Dr. Christian Schmierer, co-founder and co-CEO of HyImpulse, said, “With this successful launch, which also provides us with valuable data for further development, we have validated our technical concept and demonstrated our market readiness. Our utilization concept is designed for the cost-effective transport of small satellites into space. This enables the implementation of privately funded environmental and climate projects, research projects, as well as navigation, telecommunications, and more. The demand for commercial launch vehicles for the transportation of satellites in Europe is substantial. Accordingly, with a volume well exceeding 100m Euro, our order book is already substantial and continues to grow monthly.” (Source: Satnews)
05 May 24. OQ Technology + Transatel collaborate for global satellite 5G IoT connectivity. In collaboration with OQ Technology (the world’s fastest-growing 5G NTN IoT LEO satellite operator), Transatel will offer a converged mobile satellite connectivity service, providing global IoT network coverage.
Transatel offers global 5G roaming, enabling Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) solutions deployment worldwide. This collaboration empowers businesses with reliable IoT services, even in previously inaccessible ar
This partnership to develop a hybrid terrestrial plus non-terrestrial network (NTN) combined solution for customers, on compatible devices using common roaming capability and also to discover common business opportunities and use cases by both parties.
“Since our inception, Transatel has always pushed the boundaries of cellular connectivity. Adding OQ Technology’s non-terrestrial network to our platform is a logical evolution to offer our clients true worldwide coverage to support their global IoT and IoV deployments,” said Jacques Bonifay, CEO of Transatel.
Omar Qaise, Founder and CEO of OQ Technology, said, “With our 10 satellites in orbit and more to be launched we will extend Transatel IoT’s offering of low latency and large capacity communication using our 3GPP-standard based Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation. Satellite connectivity unlocks IoT applications in areas where terrestrial networks face limitations. This includes connecting stationary IoT devices like agriculture sensors in remote areas and facilitating IoT applications across the world’s oceans.”
About Transatel (an NTT company)
Transatel is a global provider of cellular connectivity solutions and a leading enabler of Mobile Virtual Network Operators, managing over 120 MVNOs on its own full core network. As a pioneer in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) connectivity, Transatel simplifies worldwide IoT deployments by offering a single integration to its connectivity management platform. Leveraging agreements with over 250 international mobile carriers and regional infrastructures, Transatel provides access to LTE-M, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Today, Transatel’s global (e)SIM securely connects ms of vehicles, industrial, and consumer devices to public and private cellular networks worldwide. Our clients include industry leaders such as Airbus, BMW Group, Worldline, Stellantis, and Jaguar Land Rover. Additionally, Transatel offers global cellular data connectivity for international travelers and distributed workforces through its Ubigi eSIM solution.
About OQ Technology
OQ Technology is the world’s first and fastest-growing 5G NTN IoT LEO satellite operator. The company has deployed NB-IoT connectivity via LEO satellites and is establishing a global constellation catering to mobile operators and clients in sectors like energy, mining, logistics, maritime, and agriculture. The company’s patented technology leverages the use of standardized 3GPP technology, connecting bns of users globally and using both terrestrial and satellite networks. (Source: Satnews)
03 May 24. ATLAS Space Operations to support Blue Origin’s Blue Ring DarkSky-1 mission. Blue Origin has selected ATLAS Space Operations to provide ground segment support for their upcoming Blue Ring mission, DarkSky-1.
Announced in October of 2023, Blue Ring provides end-to-end services that span hosting, transportation, refueling, data relay, and logistics in MEO, GEO, lunar orbits, and beyond.
Blue Origin and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) recently announced DarkSky-1, a mission that will demonstrate flight systems, including space-based processing capabilities, telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) hardware, and ground-based radiometric tracking.
To meet the radio frequency (RF) requirements of this and future cislunar and lunar Blue Ring missions, ATLAS will leverage a number of its highly capable seven-meter antennas across a strategic global footprint.
AIB (ATLAS-in-a-box) testing is the culmination of ATLAS’ integration process which involves
establishing RF communication with their customer’s satellite or high-fidelity emulator on the ground. The result of this testing is proven communication compatibility between the spacecraft and the ground station weeks to months before the spacecraft launches.
Blue Ring is part of Blue Origin’s mission to build a road to space and enable ms of people to live and work in space for the benefit of Earth.
ATLAS Director of Commercial Solutions Paige Cooley said, “There is no margin for error when supporting a mission such as DarkSky-1. In addition to meeting link budget requirements and offering broad geographic coverage, we emphasize extensive mission assurance measures in our solution through ATLAS-in-a-box testing during the integration process. We’re honored that Blue Origin has entrusted us with such a vital role in the success of this endeavor.”
“Blue Ring’s collaboration with ATLAS’ hybrid space architecture will demonstrate enhanced space mobility and operations for commercial, civil, and national security customers,” said Paul Ebertz, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems. “Together, these advanced systems represent a leap forward in ensuring reliable, adaptable, and efficient access to space for a broad range of missions.”
“Blue Origin is a great company whose ambitions for space are truly matched by their ingenuity and expertise. Adding value to missions like Blue Ring is why ATLAS was founded. It’s exciting to contribute to initiatives that will someday be remembered as having altered the course of humanity,” said John Williams, CEO of ATLAS. (Source: Satnews)
10 May 24. iDirect Government partners with Tampa Microwave for MILSATCOM readiness solution. iDirect Government (iDirectGov) has engaged in a partnership with Tampa Microwave that combines iDirect Government’s Tactical Hub and Tampa Microwave’s Quad Band Satellite Simulator (QBSS) to deliver an easy to use, transportable and cost-effective solution to support all-encompassing mission-readiness scenarios, branded TerraNet.
A turnkey solution, TerraNet can be used to perform end-to-end system validation, radio frequency (RF) equipment testing, training, maintenance and pre-deployment exercises of hub and remote terminals in a simulated satellite network of as many as 1,000 remotes within a range of 300 feet.
TerraNet enables MILSATCOM users to deploy a cost-effective training and testing platform with benefits that include:
- Simulated satellite link for mission readiness activities, saving bandwidth costs from using a live network.
- Reduced training lead times due to other satellite bandwidth and priorities, allowing training to take place when it is needed.
- Eliminating cancellations of planned training testing because of higher priority uses.
- Effectively conduct training and testing on multiple interference scenarios without compromising live networks.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and field new capabilities without necessitating live mission networks.
- Complete network system eliminates reliance upon gateway personnel and resources: Personnel can “train as they fight” in a realistic end-to-end environment.
“Intricate engineering, advanced technology, testing, launch expenses, ongoing maintenance, ground control operations and other factors contribute to the high costs of satellite communications,” said Tim Winter, president of iDirect Government. “Although the bandwidth costs are well worth it to protect citizens and U.S. infrastructure, assets and interests, there is now a way to prepare for mission readiness and save on bandwidth costs with TerraNet. This solution represents another way that iDirect Government is at the forefront of innovation, with Tampa Microwave as our partner.”
About iDirect Government
iDirect Government, LLC, delivers secure satellite-based voice, video and data applications with anytime and anywhere connectivity in the air, at sea and on land. iDirect Government’s advanced satellite IP solutions are used for critical ISR, airborne, maritime and COTM communications to support force protection, logistics, situational awareness, disaster recovery and emergency response. From its beginnings in 2007, iDirect Government has supported the Department of Defense and other agencies, solving communications challenges with effective and exceptional delivery, in some of the most extreme environments worldwide. (Source: Satnews)
09 May 24. Rocket Lab selects CesiumAstro’s multi-beam Ka-Band communications payloads for Space Development Agency Tranche 2 Transport Layer Constellation. CesiumAstro, a provider of active phased array communications technology for space and airborne systems, announces the company was selected by Rocket Lab (Nasdaq: RKLB) to provide its Vireo active electronically scanned array (AESA) radio frequency (RF) communications payload for integration on 18 space vehicles (SVs) supporting the Space Development Agency’s (SDA’s) Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL).
Launching in mid-2027, the payload will be the first multi-beam-capable Ka-band communications system operating in SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a layered low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation designed to deliver secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
CesiumAstro’s Vireo payload is the culmination of more than seven years of the company’s AESA research, development, testing, and manufacturing. A receive antenna, transmit antenna, and SpaceVPX form-factor reconfigurable processor enable powerful single- and multi-beam operation.
“Our Vireo system’s multi-beam capability doesn’t just meet the needs of the warfighter butexceeds them. This cutting-edge technology will be a force multiplier for every branch of the Department of Defense,” said Shey Sabripour, Founder and CEO of CesiumAstro. “We are honored to be selected by Rocket Lab to deploy CesiumAstro’s active phased array technology and help to defend America’s national security interests.
”Rocket Lab’s 18 satellites are part of the T2TL Beta Program, which features multiple SV and mission configuration variants fielded to provide global communications access and deliver persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of warfighter missions. When fully operational, the Transport Layer constellation will include hundreds of SVs operating in low-Earth orbit, including 90 total Beta Program configurations.”
“We’re pleased to be flying the CesiumAstro Vireo communications payload,” said Rocket Lab’s Vice President of Space Systems, Brad Clevenger. “This mission will be a significant demonstration our spacecraft’s ability to support diverse applications in low-Earth orbit. The Vireo system’s advanced single- and multi-beam capabilities perfectly align with our Pioneer bus, showcasing the technological advancements we’re enabling.”
Compatible with many different defense and commercial missions, the Vireo payload’s mass-manufacturable design and configurable architecture allow for rapid deployment with maximum flexibility
Launching in mid-2027, the payload will be the first multi-beam-capable Ka-band communications system operating in SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a layered low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation designed to deliver secure, low-latency communications and missile tracking capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.
CesiumAstro’s Vireo payload is the culmination of more than seven years of the company’s AESA research, development, testing, and manufacturing. A receive antenna, transmit antenna, and SpaceVPX form-factor reconfigurable processor enable powerful single- and multi-beam operation.
“Our Vireo system’s multi-beam capability doesn’t just meet the needs of the warfighter but exceeds them. This cutting-edge technology will be a force multiplier for every branch of the Department of Defense,” said Shey Sabripour, Founder and CEO of CesiumAstro. “We are honored to be selected by Rocket Lab to deploy CesiumAstro’s active phased array technology and help to defend America’s national security interests.
”Rocket Lab’s 18 satellites are part of the T2TL Beta Program, which features multiple SV and mission configuration variants fielded to provide global communications access and deliver persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of warfighter missions. When fully operational, the Transport Layer constellation will include hundreds of SVs operating in low-Earth orbit, including 90 total Beta Program configurations.
“We’re pleased to be flying the CesiumAstro Vireo communications payload,” said Rocket Lab’s Vice President of Space Systems, Brad Clevenger. “This mission will be a significant demonstration our spacecraft’s ability to support diverse applications in low-Earth orbit. The Vireo system’s advanced single- and multi-beam capabilities perfectly align with our Pioneer bus, showcasing the technological advancements we’re enabling.”
Compatible with many different defense and commercial missions, the Vireo payload’s mass-manufacturable design and configurable architecture allow for rapid deployment with maximum flexibility. (Source: Satnews)
10 May 24. Sierra Space Reinvents Space Transportation with Dream Chaser.
- Successful Pre-Flight Testing Completed at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility
- Dream Chaser Tenacity Prepares for Transfer to Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and emerging defense tech prime building a platform in space to benefit and protect life on Earth, announced today the successful completion of a rigorous environmental test suite on the revolutionary Dream Chaser® spaceplane, Tenacity®, at NASA’s Neil Armstrong Test Facility in Sandusky, Ohio.
As the first Dream Chaser moves toward orbital operations, Sierra Space and NASA test team members are preparing the vehicle, along with its Shooting Star® cargo companion, for shipment to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida for final testing and integration ahead of its inaugural launch later this year.
“Successful completion of an incredibly rigorous environmental testing campaign in close partnership with NASA is a significant milestone and puts Dream Chaser on track for operations later this year,” said Sierra Space CEO, Tom Vice. “This is the year that we transition from rigorous research and development to regular orbital operations and – in doing so – transform the way we connect space and Earth.”
Over the past several months, Dream Chaser and Shooting Star have undergone intense shock, vibration, and thermal vacuum testing at the sprawling Armstrong Test Facility. In December, the test teams conducted shock tests with Sierra Space’s launch partner United Launch Alliance (ULA), using the flight separation system that will deploy the spacecraft from the upper stage of ULA’s second Vulcan Centaur rocket.
The two vehicles were then stacked in launch configuration on the world’s most powerful spacecraft shaker table inside the test center’s Mechanical Vibration Facility. Sine vibration testing – conducted over a five-week period – simulated the intense conditions and environment of a launch on a Vulcan Centaur rocket. See video here. After vibe testing concluded, the teams conducted another shock test – this time with the flight separation system between Dream Chaser and Shooting Star – to simulate the dynamic environment during separation of the two vehicles prior to de-orbit and re-entry.
Next, the Sierra Space and NASA test teams transported the vehicles to the In-Space Propulsion Facility at Armstrong for thermal vacuum or “T-VAC” testing. Temperatures in space can range from the extremely cold – hundreds of degrees below freezing – to several hundred degrees Fahrenheit due to radiation from the sun. TVAC testing is a realistic thermal simulation of the flight environment and critical to ensuring mission success. For more than five weeks, Dream Chaser and Shooting Star were subjected to multiple cold-hot cycles in a vacuum environment, between -150F to +250F, with teams conducting functional tests at temperature plateaus to verify system performance. Sierra Space is releasing some stunning new imagery with this announcement, and you can download it here.
Dream Chaser and Shooting Star will soon be transported to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and staged inside the storied Space Systems Processing Facility (SSPF) – originally built to be the last stop for components of the International Space Station – for final integration and testing. The final environmental tests – acoustic testing and electromagnetic interference and compatibility testing – will be performed onsite inside the SSPF. Remaining work on the thermal protection system will also be completed there.
Dream Chaser Tenacity, the first in a fleet of spaceplanes, remains on track for a 2024 launch on the first of seven missions to resupply the International Space Station for NASA under a Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract. A second spaceplane, named Reverence™, is in production in Sierra Space’s Louisville, Colo., factory.
Armstrong Test Facility is part of NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. Located on 6,400 acres in Sandusky, Ohio, it is home to some of the world’s largest and most capable space simulation test facilities, where ground tests are conducted for the U.S. and international space and aeronautics communities. (Source: ASD Network)