23 May 24. UK Space Command’s first satellite set to launch by July. UK Space Command’s first satellite – Tyche – will be launched by July 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 21 May.
The spacecraft, built by Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), will launch onboard the SpaceX Transporter-11 Rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in the US.
Tyche is a 150 kg research and development (R&D) concept demonstrator spacecraft, based on the company’s Carbonite family of electro-optical (EO) satellites, which was initially scheduled to launch in 2023.
Maintaining a 500 km low Earth orbit (LEO), the satellite will use water to manoeuvre in space, the announcement detailed.
Tyche is one of the concept demonstrators being built under project Minerva, which aims to test and demonstrate the various technologies that will underpin the future GBP970 million (USD1.23 billion) ISTARI multisatellite intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) constellation. Commodore Dave Moody, head of Space Capability at UK Space Command, told Janes in 2023 (Source: Janes)
23 May 24. Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) SpaceLogistics LLC announced its agreement to extend, by four years, the revolutionary on-orbit life-extension services its Mission Extension Vehicles (MEVs) provide to satellite operator, Intelsat.
An artist rendering of the Mission Extension Vehicle docked to a client satellite. (Credit: Northrop Grumman SpaceLogistics)
- At the end of the current servicing period, MEV-1 will relocate and release the Intelsat 901 (IS-901) satellite into the Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) graveyard and provide service for another Intelsat satellite.
- MEV-2 will remain docked to Intelsat’s current vehicle, Intelsat 10-02 (IS-10-02), providing life-extension for an additional four years – nearly doubling service from the original contract.
Expert:
Rob Hauge, president, SpaceLogistics: “As technology pioneers for the in-space servicing industry, our two MEVs have provided a combined seven years of life extension to increase our customer’s satellite lifetime and support our joint commitment to making space sustainable.”
Details:
Northrop Grumman remains committed to its legacy of space sustainability beginning when MEV-1 performed the first-ever in-orbit commercial spacecraft docking with IS-901.
In 2021, the company achieved another milestone when MEV-2 docked with IS-10-02 while the satellite was in operation, with no reported disruption in service during the docking. The initial service period was for five years for both MEVs. With these new contract amendments, the lifespans of several commercial GEO satellites will be extended for an additional four years.
Northrop Grumman is the only provider of life-extension services for satellites in GEO. The MEVs extend the life of legacy satellites, allowing them to operate longer and generate more revenue.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
22 May 24. SpaceX launches first satellites for new US spy constellation. SpaceX on Wednesday launched an inaugural batch of operational spy satellites it built as part of a new U.S. intelligence network designed to significantly upgrade the country’s space-based surveillance powers, the first deployment of several more planned this year.
The spy network was revealed in a pair of Reuters reports earlier this year showing SpaceX is building hundreds of satellites for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office, an intelligence agency, for a vast system in orbit capable of rapidly spotting ground targets almost anywhere in the world.
Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), opens new tab, a longtime space and defense contractor, is also involved in the project.
SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in Southern California at 4 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, carrying into space what the NRO said was the “first launch of the NRO’s proliferated systems featuring responsive collection and rapid data delivery.”
“Approximately half a dozen launches supporting NRO’s proliferated architecture are planned for 2024, with additional launches expected through 2028,” the agency said, without naming the number of satellites deployed.
Militaries and intelligence agencies around the world have increasingly relied on satellites in Earth’s orbit to aid operations on Earth, a trend accelerated in part by reduced costs of putting things in space and evolving threats to traditional collection methods on land or in the air.
The satellite network for the NRO also shows the extent to which the U.S. government has come to rely on Elon Musk’s SpaceX for some of its most sensitive missions. The company has dominated the U.S. rocket launch market and has become the world’s largest satellite operator with its Starlink network, a commercial system of thousands of broadband internet satellites. (Source: Reuters)
21 May 24. Space Officials Outline Key Investments Needed to Ensure U.S. Maintains Edge. The Defense Department remains focused on maintaining its edge in space as competitors attempt to shift the balance in the domain, a top space official from the Pentagon said today.
In testimony before a Senate Armed Services subcommittee, John D. Hill, deputy assistant secretary of defense for space and missile defense, outlined key investments in DOD’s budget request for fiscal year 2025 needed to keep pace with challengers to the U.S. in the space-warfare domain.
“We are clearly in a time of rapid change in the space strategic environment,” Hill told the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. “One that does not favor the slow or those resistant to change.”
He noted efforts by China and Russia to rapidly field space and counterspace capabilities meant to degrade and challenge the joint forces’ use of space-based services that provide warfighters with key advantages on the battlefield.
“The scale and scope of the threats in space present significant risks to the American people, to our national interests, to allies and partners,” Hill said.
Hill was joined by Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for space acquisition and integration, and Gen. Michael A. Guetlein, the Space Force’s vice chief of space operations, in testifying before the subcommittee. They further underscored the need for urgent action to maintain U.S. leadership in space.
“Space has never been more critical to the security of our nation, and the success or failure of the joint force depends heavily upon the capabilities that we present,” Guetlein said. “Repeated actions by both the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China underscore the urgency for action.
“Although we still maintain control of space over our competitors, they are still working hard to close the gap and assert their dominance in space,” he added. “We cannot let this happen.”
Hill highlighted key programs included in DOD’s budget request that are aimed at ensuring the U.S. is postured to maintain its dominance in space.
The budget request includes $33.7bn dollars for space programs in fiscal year 2025. Those investments include $2.4bn for space launch capabilities; $1.5bn for more resilient position, navigation and timing; and $4.2bn for more resilient and protected satellite communications.
The request also includes $4.7bn to develop new missile warning and tracking architectures and $12.3bn for a range of other capabilities aimed at increasing the resiliency of DOD’s existing space architectures.
Hill also highlighted key initiatives the department has undertaken recently to ensure warfighters maintain the space advantage.
Those include efforts to expand U.S. cooperation with allies to chart a path toward interoperability in space and strengthening collective deterrence. The department has also worked to remove obstacles that have impeded information sharing among the services and with allies.
Hill also highlighted this year’s release of DOD’s commercial space integration strategy, which outlines the department’s approach to harnessing private sector space technology innovation.
The strategy highlights four priorities to achieve integration with the commercial partners.
First, it calls for outlining DOD’s requirements in contracts and other agreements to ensure commercial solutions are available when needed.
Second, the strategy calls for the integration of commercial solutions into defense architecture during peace time — including planning, training and day-to-day operations — to ensure warfighters can seamlessly utilize those solutions during crisis or conflict.
Third, the strategy calls for protecting and defending against threats to U.S. national security space assets — including those in space and on the ground — and commercial space capabilities, where appropriate.
Finally, the strategy emphasizes that DOD will use its full range of financial, contractual and policy tools to support the development of new, commercial space solutions that have the potential to support the joint force.
During his testimony, Hill said DOD will continue to advance on key policy objectives to ensure the U.S. maintains its edge in space.
“I believe the progress we’ve already made together will pay dividends for years to come,” he said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
21 May 24. Pentagon edges closer to embracing commercial space tech. The Pentagon is edging closer to launching a landmark initiative that will allow commercial space technology to be integrated within US military units for the first time. The long-muted Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) program is now aiming to sign its first contracts before the end of the year, with an industry session planned for August.
It comes with commercial space companies globally increasingly creating technologies and innovations far more advanced than those commissioned via traditional government deals.
Speaking at a business roundtable in Washington, Colonel Richard Kniseley said he is determined to release the first CASR contracts before the end of the year.
Colonel Kniseley leads a 90-personnel office that monitors and assesses space capabilities for the US Department of Defense.
“We will be building out our strategies for threat sharing, incentives to join CASR and working with the operational community to develop concepts in order to make this a success,” he said.
“We will continue to have conversations with industry, release documents for comment and build more partnerships with government entities. This is a voluntary partnership.”
Companies eligible to participate in CASR have to provide products deemed essential to operations and prove they have the potential to scale up in times of war.
These products would be designed to seamlessly integrate with military infrastructure rather than simply being a backup.
In return, companies would also gain access to valuable threat intelligence.
“I expect it to be some really good learning because we’ve never done this before,” Kniseley said.
“But I hope it to be a repeatable process across the other mission areas, knowing that each mission area is going to be different.
“The H-clauses [special terms] for SATCOM [satellite communications] will not be the same H-clauses for space domain awareness or [surveillance, reconnaissance and tracking], or any of those other ones.”
The news comes with both the commander overseeing the US Space Force’s Indo-Pacific team and the Under Secretary of the US Air Force set to headline Space Connect’s upcoming Australian Space Summit & Exhibition.
Kristyn E. Jones is one of the most senior figures involved in the US Space Force and oversees the entire US Air Force’s annual budget of more than $205 bn.
As part of her role, she also directs the US Air Force’s strategy and policy development, weapons acquisition and technology investments while being the principal adviser to the Secretary of the Air Force, Frank Kendall.
Jones joins our line-up of headliners, including Virgin Galactic, the new head of Australia’s Space Command and the head of the Australian Space Agency. (Source: Space Connect)
22 May 24. Aldoria alerts satellite operators on a Russian satellite’s unusual close approach on April 12, 2024. In a recent operation, Aldoria detected a sudden close approach by the Russian Luch Olymp K-2 (Luch-2) to a satellite positioned in geostationary orbit (GEO). This manoeuvre occurred on April 12, around 35,780 km in altitude, highlighting the increasing complexity of space activities. Luch Olymp 2, known for its unusual manoeuvres was predicted, by Aldoria, to closely approach the satellite prior to the observed manoeuvre.
The original Luch-1, launched in 2014, was known for similar abnormal behaviour, creating a heightened sense of vigilance within the space community. Luch-2, like its predecessor, has a history of unusual manoeuvring near other satellites in geostationary orbit, which has also generated suspicions regarding its mission.
Aldoria offers a range of monitoring solutions designed to meet the needs of satellite operators. Aldoria’s manoeuvre detection and threat assessment services provide comprehensive analysis and timely warnings of potential risks to space assets. Today, this capability is fundamental to securing critical space infrastructures and enabling informed decision-making. Thanks to its exclusive network of six observation stations, Aldoria detects around 10 manoeuvres per object per month for 25,000 objects, enabling operators to proactively deal with threats and approaches, guaranteeing mission longevity and continuity.
The stakes are high: protecting public and private assets in orbit that service fundamental economies is a necessity. As satellite constellations proliferate, so does the risk of collisions, amplifying the demand for Space Situational Awareness (SSA) services. The SSA market is expected to generate $600 m in revenue by 2030 (NSR 2024) driven by the need to manage the growing number of satellites, mitigate collision risks and protect satellites from intentional threats.
20 May 24. Space Force to demonstrate satellite maneuvering in 2026 mission. The Space Force’s acquisition command is planning a first-of-its-kind logistics mission in 2026 aimed at demonstrating the ability to maneuver and service spacecraft in orbit. Space Systems Command, in partnership with SpaceWERX — Air Force Research Lab’s space innovation arm — awarded Washington-based Starfish Space $37.5m for the effort. The company builds and operates a line of satellites, dubbed Otter, that can service other spacecraft. Depending on a customer’s needs, Otter can dispose of defunct satellites or provide additional propulsion or thrust to enhance its mission.
Under the SSC contract, Starfish will dock one of its Otter vehicles with Space Force satellites to perform a range of functions — from extending their service life to moving them to a new orbit. The service hasn’t identified which satellites Otter will support.
“The Otter spacecraft will be capable of performing autonomous rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking (RPOD), compatible with a wide range of clients, including those that were never designed or configured for docking,” SSC said in a May 20 statement. “This capability gives the U.S. Space Force a range of options to support existing assets and allow future assets to be supported without imposing additional configuration requirements.”
Starfish launched its first Otter in 2023, but the mission suffered an anomaly hours after launch. The company plans to spacecraft launch another spacecraft in 2025.
The contract comes as the Space Force considers the utility of using commercial satellites to service military spacecraft, a mission it calls Space Access, Mobility and Logistics, or SAML. The service’s fiscal 2025 budget request includes $14m for demonstrations to help inform future plans.
Col. Richard Kniseley, senior materiel leader in the Commercial Space Office, said May 17 that while the service sees military value to some degree, it needs to better understand the private sector market for SAML to determine how to move forward.
“Because SAML is still kind of in its infancy, we need to make sure that before the Space Force goes all in, that there’s a business case for a commercial company to survive if the government’s not there,” he said.
(Source: Defense News)
18 May 24. SpaceX’s Friday launch sends Starlink smallsats soaring and a breaks a record of 21 recoveries of this Falcon 9’s booster. 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the company’s 36th dedicated Starlink launch of the year and a record was broken. For the first time in SpaceX’s rocket fleet, booster tail number B1062, was launched and recovered on its 21st flight. This rocket previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and now 14 Starlink missions. The launch of Starlink 6-59 mission added 23 more satellites to the low Earth orbit internet constellation. According to the most recent statistics published by expert orbital tracker and astronomer Jonathan McDowell, as of the morning of May 17, there were 6,017 total Starlink satellites on orbit and 5,941 in operation. (Source: Satnews)
09 May 24. Hiltron intros field-upgradable motorization kit for CPI 2385 SATCOM antenna. Hiltron Communications has added to the firm’s range of SATCOM products and systems: a field-upgradable motorization kit that is specifically designed for existing fixed installations of the CPI 2385 Series 3.8 metre Rx/Tx antennas in current deployment for tracking applications, or for new installations requiring tracking functionality.
A new addition to Hiltron’s HMAM product family, the motorization kit enables significant cost savings compared to new installations. It offers a wide range of tracking capabilities including manual positioning to known satellites, automatic positioning and active step tracking. Norad TLE, inclined orbit tracking and Intelsat 11 tracking are also supported.
The first three systems recently completed successful factory acceptance tests and are now being installed at various locations around the world. Hiltron has the design and development capability to provide motorization kits for any type of reflector on customer request.
Developed and produced by Hiltron, HMAM is a high-precision motorized satellite antenna mount designed for broadcast applications, two-way satellite telecommunication links or receive-only downlinks. An optional motorized feed changer allows the HMAM head to be moved quickly to a new position for switching between frequency bands.
HMAM comes complete with professional-grade drives for azimuth and elevation plus a high-accuracy polarization drive. The combined head and drive form a three-axis motorized mount with 180 degrees of azimuth adjustment, 90 degrees of elevation adjustment range and fully adjustable polarization. (Source: Satnews)
10 May 24. Silicon Sensing accelerometer to equip on-orbit manufacturing demo satellite. Following a program of testing and development within satellite vehicles, Space Forge is to launch their on-orbit manufacturing demonstration satellite, ForgeStar-1, equipped with Silicon Sensing’s CAS291 accelerometer.
ForgeStar™ satellites will be used to produce advanced materials such as alloys, proteins and semiconductors in the ultra-vacuum and microgravity conditions of space. These are the first satellites designed and built in Wales, United Kingdom.
Silicon Sensing’s CAS291 high-performance accelerometer will be installed in the electrical subsystem of the avionics bay on ForgeStar-1 where it will measure the level of microgravity inside the satellite, to link to the quality of space-produced materials.
CAS291 is a miniature accelerometer capable of operating from -40°C to +125°C, with an acceleration range of up to ±0.85g. Its small size and weight, with its exterior – measuring 10.4 x 6 x 2.7mm and weighing only 0.6g – are critical in applications such as this where available space and weight are at a premium.
David Somerville, General Manager, Silicon Sensing, said, “We are delighted Space Forge has chosen our CAS accelerometers for their manufacturing satellites. Space Forge’s achievements in this area clearly indicate the high level of innovation that the United Kingdom has to offer – and their ForgeStar satellites will represent a new era for commercial nanosatellites.”
About Silicon Sensing Systems
Silicon Sensing Systems Ltd. is a gyroscope and inertial systems engineering development company, jointly owned by Collins Aerospace and Sumitomo Precision Products. The company was formed in 1999 and is, today, a market leader in silicon, micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based navigation and stabilization technology. Many ms of MEMS gyroscopes and accelerometers have been supplied to thousands of customers since the company’s formation. (Source: Satnews)
14 May 24. HyImpulse launches the SR75 rocket from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range. HyImpulse successfully launched their SR75 rocket from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range, Australia, in a milestone achievement for commercial launch capabilities in Australia. The SR75 rocket is one of the largest commercially launched rockets in Australian history.
A crowd of locals and VIPs who traveled to Koonibba from across Australia and Europe were on hand to witness the historic achievement on South Australia’s Far West Coast.
The SR75 mission lifted off from the launch pad at 2:40 p.m. The rocket was recovered from the Koonibba Test Range for post flight analysis. The launch was the first from the new permanent facilities at the Koonibba Test Range that was developed by Southern Launch in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.
The SR75-1 ‘Light this Candle!’ mission was the inaugural launch attempt of HyImpulse’s SR75 rocket and marks an incredible step forward for HyImpulse as they continue to develop their innovative hybrid rocket engines.
Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp said, “We are incredibly proud to have been a part of this historic mission. The Koonibba Test Range is world-class and hosting this mission has demonstrated the outstanding expertise and experience of the Southern Launch and HyImpulse teams.”
HyImpulse CEO Mario Kobald said, “This launch at the Koonibba Test Range was incredible and we could feel the support from everyone here in Koonibba as well as our team back home in Germany.”
HyImpulse Co-CEO Christian Schmierer said, “Our team at HyImpulse has been developing our unique hybrid rocket technology for many years. This successful launch proves that our technology is viable and is a great step forward as we move toward developing our SL1 orbital launch vehicle.”
Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation Chairperson Geraldine Ware said, “This launch was an incredible achievement for our community and shining light for First Nations people. We had more than 30 people from the community working throughout the campaign and to come together and see it launch was amazing. We look forward to the next launch from our launch pad.“ (Source: Satnews)
14 May 24. NASA’s Starliner Launch Facing ‘Disaster,’ Contractor Warns. After the initial launch for Boeing’s Starliner was scrapped last week due to a leaky valve, NASA could be looking to give it another go later this week. But one contractor is surprisingly and publicly asking the agency to reconsider the launch, which it warned could end in catastrophe.
ValveTech, a company that designs and manufactures valves and other components for aerospace and military applications, issued a press release stating that a second attempt could result in a disaster occurring on the launchpad. ValveTech President Erin Faville urged NASA to re-double safety checks and re-examine safety protocols to make sure the Starliner is safe before something catastrophic happens to the astronauts and to the people on the ground.
The Starliner was scheduled for liftoff last week in what would have been Boeing’s first human space flight. But the launch was scrubbed at the last minute when a fluttering oxygen pressure-relief valve was discovered on United Launch Alliance’s Atlas rocket, the vehicle picked to carry the Starliner into space. The valve, which the Associated Press said may have exceeded its 200,000 lifetime cycles, was buzzing loudly.
NASA and its partners on the launch voiced their disappointment with the latest setback but sounded determined to fix the problem and proceed with the launch at a later date. ValveTech clearly doesn’t feel as confident but the company’s motives for publicly calling out NASA are not as clear.
ValveTech originally worked with Aerojet Rocketdyne on valve designs for the Starliner’s propulsion system, but disputes led the two companies to part ways in 2017. According to Payload, ValveTech later sued Rocketdyne, accusing the company of misappropriating its trade secrets. ValveTech was awarded $850,000 in damages but its attempts to get further restrictions imposed on Rocketdyne died in court.
Now ValveTech is questioning NASA, Boeing and Aerojet on how they could have “qualified this valve for the mission without proper supporting data or previous history or legacy information, which in its experience, goes against aerospace-industry qualification protocols established by NASA.” (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)
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