14 Jun 24. Ovzon 3 Satellite Reaches Geostationary Orbit.
- Successfully Concludes Initial Tests
Ovzon’s proprietary satellite Ovzon 3 has now, after a five-month journey in space, reached its orbital position in the geostationary arc. Initial tests have been conducted by the manufacturing partner Maxar, and the satellite, including the Ovzon On-Board-Processor, will soon be handed over to Ovzon for further in-orbit testing. The satellite is expected to enter commercial service mid-year 2024; all according to plan.
Earlier in the second quarter 2024, Ovzon announced two new SATCOM-as-a-Service offerings for the Ovzon 3 satellite, tailored to meet customers’ needs for performance, mobility, and resiliency. The new services, Ovzon Pegasus and Ovzon Orion, are based on the unique technology and capabilities of the Ovzon 3 satellite and the Ovzon On-Board-Processor.
“We are excited to announce that Ovzon 3 has now reached its orbital position in space. The initial tests show that the satellite is in excellent condition, and our timeline remains intact. We expect the satellite to enter service within a few short weeks. We continue to experience a rising interest from a broadening customer base in the unique features found only in the Ovzon Pegasus and Ovzon Orion services offered with Ovzon 3. Ovzon 3 based SATCOM-as-a-Service will bring unmatched performance, mobility and resiliency to the market when the world needs it the most”, says Per Norén, CEO of Ovzon. (Source: ASD Network)
14 Jun 24. Missile Defense Agency satellites track first hypersonic launch. The Defense Department’s advanced missile tracking satellites logged their first views of a hypersonic flight test this week, according to the Missile Defense Agency.
MDA didn’t disclose the date of the flight, which took off from Wallops Island in Virginia.
“Initial reports show the sensors successfully collected data after launch,” the agency said in a June 14 statement. “MDA will continue to assess flight data over the next several weeks.”
The two Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor satellites are part of the Space Development Agency’s constellation of spacecraft designed to detect and observe hypersonic weapons or vehicles, which can travel at speeds of Mach 5 or higher.
The agencies have 10 missile tracking satellites in orbit — eight from SDA and two from MDA. SDA did not immediately confirm whether its satellites also tracked the launch.
While the MDA and SDA sensors were developed through separate programs, future tranches of SDA spacecraft will combine the capabilities, incorporating the medium-field-of-view sensor featured on the HBTSS satellites. The HBTSS sensors are can track dimmer targets and send data to interceptors.
The constellation will eventually include 100 satellites providing global coverage of advanced missile launches. For now, the handful of spacecraft offers limited coverage. SDA Director Derek Tournear told reporters in April that coordinating tracking opportunities for the satellites is a challenge because they have to be positioned over the venue where missile tests are being performed.
He noted that along with tracking routine Defense Department test flights, the satellites are also scanning global hot spots for missile activity as they orbit the Earth.
The flight the satellites tracked was the first for MDA’s Hypersonic Testbed, or HTB-1. The vehicle serves as a platform for various hypersonic experiments and advanced components and joins a growing inventory of high-speed flight test systems. That includes the Test Resource Management Center’s Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed and the Defense Innovation Unit’s Hypersonic and High-Cadence Airborne Testing Capabilities program.
MDA hasn’t disclosed much detail about HTB, including what company or companies developed the system. In a statement, the agency’s director highlighted the capability the testbed will offer across the hypersonic enterprise.
“This test was a huge success for MDA and our partners, marking the beginning of an affordable test bed to conduct hypersonic experiments. HTB-1 represents a significant step forward in hypersonic testing capability,” Lt. Gen. Heath Collins said. “HTB will allow the U.S. to pursue a broad range of state of the art technologies able to operate reliably in hypersonic flight environments.” (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
17 Jun 24. Requtech AB, a leader in satellite communication technology, proudly announces the launch of the industry’s first Ka-band multi-orbit land mobility terminal, the RESA L Ka, at the Eurosatory show in Paris. The groundbreaking, highly innovative new terminal from Requtech, operates seamlessly across GEO and MEO networks and is prepared for the upcoming Ka-band LEO networks – showcasing Requtech’s relentless commitment to pioneering advancements in satellite communication. The RESA L Ka will be available in Q4 2024.
Unmatched Innovation and Performance
The RESA L Ka terminal is engineered for optimal performance in Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and is future-ready for LEO Ka constellations.
Leveraging its successful GEO/MEO reflector system, the PICO 120a, and the proven RESA M Ku multi-orbit GEO/LEO terminal, Requtech is now cementing its position as Europe’s leading supplier of multi-orbit connectivity solutions with the addition of the RESA L Ka terminal. The company’s mission is to revolutionize communication capabilities, enhancing global connectivity with cutting-edge innovations.
Compact and Powerful
Designed with market-leading SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) metrics of 81x45x11 cm and 25 kg, the RESA L Ka terminal delivers exceptional performance with a G/T of 13 dB/K and an EIRP of 49 dBW.
“At Requtech AB, our team’s dedication and expertise have been instrumental in achieving this significant milestone,” states Dr. Omid Sotoudeh, CEO. “We are leading the satellite technology revolution with our cutting-edge Multi-Orbit RESA L Ka terminal. This breakthrough product offers seamless operation across multiple constellations and orbits, positioning us as the go-to solution for next-generation satellite communications.”
The next phase for the RESA L Ka terminal includes rigorous certification processes with satellite operators. With initial pre-series production underway, the satellite communication technology provider anticipates general availability by Q1 2025.
About Requtech AB
Requtech AB, based in Linköping, Sweden, is at the forefront of satellite communication technology. We specialize in developing high-performance, reliable satellite communication systems. Our mission is to revolutionize communication capabilities, enhancing global connectivity through innovative solutions.
08 Jun 24. Boeing and Northrop Grumman competing for Space Force Program. Aerospace giants Boeing and Northrop Grumman have each been selected by the United States Space Force – the sixth and newest branch of the United States military – to develop prototypes for the space service’s Protected Tactical Satellite-Resilient (PTS-R) program. It would consist of a constellation of satellites designed to be resistant to cyber-attacks and jamming, which would ensure that U.S. military forces can maintain secure communications in contested environments.
That contract is expected to be awarded in December, and the service is currently seeking nearly $350 m for the PTS-R program in its fiscal year 2025 (FY25) budget request.
“The PTS-R System is the space segment of the Protected Anti-Jam Tactical SATCOM (PATS) enterprise, utilizing new, on-orbit payloads with onboard Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) processing. The resultant contract will provide for two (2) space vehicles, associated ground equipment, launch processing, on orbit testing, and contractor operations,” a U.S. government notification announced.
It will also include options for engineering, manufacturing, production, and operations of two satellites, according to the Space System Command notice published last month. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are the only two companies that were able to meet the program’s requirements.
“It is likely that award to any other sources would result in substantial duplication of cost to the government that is not expected to be recovered through further competition and unacceptable delays,” the notice added.
According to a report from SpaceNews, the selection of Boeing and Northrop Grumman will not preclude other companies from other PTS-related programs.
Protecting America’s Satellites
As Breaking Defense reported last spring, the Program Tactical SATCOM (PATS) family of systems was first initiated in 2018 to take over the tactical mission of the current Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) satellites, which provide highly encrypted communications for both strategic and tactical needs. PATS will involve hosted payloads on commercial and U.S. military satellites – and over time, it will include software and hardware for both ground- and space-based systems that will employ encrypted signal developed by the Department of Defense (DoD). PTW will be used to stave off enemy jamming.
Space Systems Command had previously called for the rapid deployment of the new satellite communications (SATCOM) constellation also beginning in FY25, with a goal of initial operations starting in orbit in 2028. It was reported in March that the U.S. Space Force had requested nearly $248 m for the research, development, test and evaluation funding for the Program Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) part of the effort.
“PTS-G is a moderate degree of assured access communications across military Ka-band and X-band using a disaggregated and proliferated sets of lower-complexity satellites. Space Systems Command (SSC) will develop the PTS-G space and ground systems to provide worldwide assured-access communications for tactical warfighters,” a Space Force budget document explained, adding, “Initially, PTS-G will provide capabilities in select regions. PTS-G will target a solution that can provide worldwide coverage.”
The Coming Space Wars
It was just last month that the United States claimed that Russia had launched a satellite it believes could be capable of attacking other objects in orbit, including by jamming.
“Russia launched a satellite into low Earth orbit that we assess is likely a counter space weapon,” said Pentagon spokesman Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, who further warned that Pentagon officials believed the satellite was in the same orbit as U.S. government satellites.
“Assessments further indicate characteristics resembling previously deployed counter space payloads, from 2019 and 2022,” Ryder added. “We have a responsibility to be ready to protect and defend, the domain, the space domain, and ensure continuous and uninterrupted support to the Joint and Combined Force.”
Boeing’s WGS Constellation
In March, Boeing was also awarded a a $439.6 m contract to build the 12th Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) communications satellite for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command. The WGS constellation delivers vital high-capacity, secure, and resilient communications capabilities to the U.S. military and its allies.
The WGS will utilize steerable, high-capacity beams that can provide connectivity via the Protected Tactical Enterprise Service (PTES) ground system and enhanced anti-jam communications by combining the U.S. military’s jam-resistant Protected Tactical Waveform with antenna nulling in the Ka- band.
According to Boeing, the anti-jam capability of its new Protected Tactical Satcom Prototype payload will be integrated on WGS-12, providing a second Protected Wideband Satellite to the U.S. military, while further expanding anti-jam tactical communications capacity for U.S. warfighters and allies to operate in multiple contested theaters.
(Source: Satnews)
08 Jun 24. Ubotica awarded European Defence Fund grant for space defence. Ubotica’s SPACE:AI technology brings AI processing directly to EO satellites and will play a central role in the project. By analyzing data on-orbit, SPACE:AI enables faster threat detection, classification, and response times for defence applications. This eliminates the need to transmit massive amounts of data to Earth, improving efficiency and mission effectiveness.
Funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF), ARCHYTAS aims to revolutionize AI for defence by developing faster, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective AI solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of defence applications. By harnessing novel technologies, ARCHYTAS will enhance the capabilities of AI accelerators, enabling more effective defence operations.
The EDF, a key initiative of the European Union, bolsters Europe’s defence capabilities by funding collaborative research and development projects. It fosters innovation and cooperation across member states, companies, and research institutions to develop cutting-edge defence technologies. By supporting projects from research to final products, the EDF aims to strengthen the EU’s strategic autonomy and resilience in an increasingly complex security landscape.
The ARCHYTAS project aims to revolutionize AI for defence through:
- Novel Technologies: Exploring cutting-edge device and package-level advancements, such as optoelectronic-based accelerators and neuromorphic devices.
- Energy Efficiency: Prioritizing solutions that minimise energy consumption, a critical factor in defence operations.
- Speed and Performance: Developing accelerators capable of significantly faster processing for rapid decision-making in critical situations.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Delivering high-performance AI solutions that are affordable and accessible.
“We are delighted to receive our first grant from the European Defence Fund,” said Fintan Buckley, Ubotica CEO. “SPACE:AI can be a critical tool in defence, identifying risks in real-time and ensuring rapid response capabilities. This support from the EDF enables us to push the boundaries of AI technology and contribute significantly to Europe’s defence capabilities.” (Source: Satnews)
10 Jun 24. Scout Space signs LSA for SDA satellite with ABL Space Systems.
Scout Space Inc. has signed a Launch Services Agreement (LSA) with ABL Space Systems, an aerospace and launch service provider based in El Segundo, California.
This agreement secures the launch of Scout’s “Owlet-01,” a dedicated 16U Space Domain Awareness (SDA) satellite, as the primary customer payload on ABL’s third flight of its RS1 launch vehicle scheduled for later this year.
The Owlet-01 launch represents a significant milestone for Scout Space, as this is the first standalone operational SDA satellite to be launched by the company, featuring the firm’s Owl, long-range, optical telescope and payload system. The mission aims to substantially de-risk critical elements of the Owl family of payloads, including its core optical design, while also demonstrating fundamental segments of Scout’s software stack, including on orbit demonstration of key algorithms and autonomy functionality.
The partnership between Scout Space and ABL Space Systems signifies a notable advancement in space security and domain awareness. With this launch, both companies are set to make substantial contributions to the evolving landscape of space operations and safety. (Source: Satnews)
08 Jun 24. ST Engineering iDirect next generation hub selected for Indonesia’s 1st multifunction satellite.
The implementation is part of the country’s initiative to enable connectivity to thousands of public facilities including schools, regional government offices and health facilities across remote areas of the Indonesian Archipelago.
Indonesia, the largest archipelago in the world to form a single state, comprises five main islands and some 30 smaller archipelagos. As of October 2023, 22 percent of Indonesians still do not have internet access. Faced with the challenging task of providing seamless and reliable connection to so many islands, the new government subsidized program will enable significant progress. Satria-1 is the first ‘multifunction satellite’ owned by the Indonesian government and is equipped with a 150-Gbps capacity, which is the largest satellite in Asia and the fifth largest in the world within its class.
ST Engineering iDirect has been selected to supply Satria-1 with its next-generation iDirect Hub Infrastructure DCR/DBR, deployed on its Dialog ground system. The iDirect Hub Infrastructure provides a highly scalable and flexible solution for Dialog-based gateway deployments. It also lays the groundwork for future migration to Intuition, ST Engineering iDirect’s standards-based, cloud-native next-generation ground system. (Source: Satnews)
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