13 Nov 24. Money ‘still there’ for JP 9102, says air commodore. One of the most senior figures involved in Defence space capability has said the money is “still there” for a JP 9102 replacement.
Speaking at the MilCIS industry event in Canberra, Air Commodore Peter Thompson insisted the project was “not dead” and argued that the threat from adversaries had simply evolved.
“The only thing that changed was our potential procurement activity with Lockheed Martin,” he said on stage.
Space Connect reported earlier this month how the government would axe the $3bn “JP 9102” project to deliver a new military satellite communications capability for Australia, led by prime Lockheed Martin Australia (LMA).
The Australian, which broke the story, claimed the decision was due to a lack of budget for the project.
However, Defence Minister Richard Marles argued days later it was instead because multiple low-Earth orbit satellites are more secure from attacks than a single, geostationary spacecraft, as planned by LMA.
AIRCDRE Thompson, Director General of Space Capability at the Joint Capabilities Division, said, “JP 9102 is not dead … that money is still there, we’re just working out the best way to use it in the current environment”.
He added he understood the “shock” of the announcement but said it was the “right decision for us”.
“The capabilities have changed immensely since first pass,” he said. “The threat is changing as well.
“Defence isn’t going to waste money on something that is no longer the best use of our money that we’ve got.”
JP 9102 was only signed off just 18 months ago, with prime contractor Lockheed Martin beating big hitters, including Boeing, Northrop Grumman Australia, and Optus to become the “preferred tenderer”.
However, it’s unknown whether Lockheed formally had the final contract signed after it entered the last stages of negotiation.
If approved, JP 9102 would have created more than 200 direct jobs, while Lockheed Martin itself pressed ahead with making key appointments for its staff to oversee it.
Speaking to the ABC after Defence released a 187-word statement confirming the changes to JP 9102, Marles said that since the tender was announced eight years ago, industry has created technology that can “literally shoot satellites out of the sky”.
“But we’ve also seen technologies develop where you have thousands of microsatellites in a much more distributed way providing the same effect,” he said.
Marles added that Australia needs to deliver communications capability that is more “distributed” and “resilient”.
“We believe we can do that in this way faster and more cost-effective. So, this is frankly moving with the times and making sure that we have the capability that we need which meets the threats and the opportunities that we have in the future.”
(Source: Space Connect)
12 Nov 24. UK modernise strategic SATCOM with land and sea terminals.
Strategic Command explore possibilities in industry to update the Armed Forces’ SKYNET communications terminals on land and at sea.
Signal Regiment Reacher Large creates a Large High-Capacity data stream, which can provide the main data feed site to site globally. Credit: Crown copyright/UK Ministry of Defence.
UK Strategic Command is beginning to update its terrestrial satellite communication (SATCOM) terminals on land and at sea.
A request for information (RFI) was released calling for industry offerings in the sphere of Maritime Military SATCOM Terminals at the end of October 2024.
Less than a week later, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed it is also looking to replace the current High Resilience Military Satellite Communication Land Terminals through what it calls the Next Generation Land Terminal (Strategic) project.
Crucially, these terminals act as a channel for the British military’s global communications via its most significant space asset to date: the SKYNET constellation. SKYNET 5 are the most recent generation of military satellites; although the first of the next generation SKYNET 6A satellites is scheduled for launch in 2026.
Two Airbus technicians work on a commercial GEO satellite in Portsmouth clean room. Credit: Airbus Defence and Space
Pursuing flexibility in the electromagnetic spectrum
The government believe that as SKYNET 6 advances so should the capability of the military’s terminals.
While these stations already operate in a congested electromagnetic environment (EM) amid high vibration and shock conditions, the RFI touches on certain areas for improving Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary communications:
- Increased performance in resilient X-band frequencies;
- adoption of dual band systems (X and Ka) simultaneously;
- and duplex operation (sending and receiving data between different systems simultaneously) in left and right hand circular polarisation.
These criteria explore ways for the services to operate flexibly across the EM spectrum. Services need to use more data in the battlespace than ever before, and this means they need to be able to manage the throughput with greater ease more quickly.
Electronic warfare (EW) in the EM spectrum is a decisive mode of operations as the Russians can attest. The use of EW capabilities by invading Russian forces against Ukraine have generated significant consternation among Western military officials, according to GlobalData intelligence. The comparative lack of investment and innovation has enabled the Russian state to gain a strategic advantage over its geopolitical rivals.
Whereas, the government has not expressly stated any specific guidelines for the new land terminals under the Next Generation Land Terminal (Strategic) project. However, the MoD have announced a market day on 3 December in Wiltshire, where it will relay its requirements.
Existing terminals
The Royal Signals is responsible for the provision of all of the British Army’s tactical satellite ground terminals, providing strategic and operational SATCOM for all land-based headquarters.
Reacher is the cornerstone of British Army SATCOM with mobile terminals delivering a range of services through robust, secure communciation links. There are three variants: Large, Medium and Royal Marine terminals. Large and Medium terminals are mounted on the Mowag Duro 3 vehicle. Likewise, there is also Talon, a lightweight deployable terminal.
Meanwhile the Navy uses the X-band SCOTPatrol 0.8m maritime satellite terminals. These are said to be deployed from the service’s minesweeper vessels. (Source: army-technology.com)
12 Nov 24. Sony Space Communications Corporation (SSCC) and Astro Digital US, Inc. (Astro Digital) today announced that they have signed a contract for the design, manufacture and launch of two micro-satellites. These satellites will each carry an SSCC optical terminal and will showcase SSCC’s optical communications technology by establishing high data-rate Lasercom links with each other, as well as with terminals on the Earth. These satellites are expected to be launched in 2026.
Sony started developing its space optical communication technology under the Small Optical Link for the International Space Station (SOLISS) mission. SOLISS was a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)/Sony joint project that was first successfully operated on orbit in March 2020, prior to the establishment of SSCC.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Astro Digital on this important project,” said Kyohei Iwamoto, President, SSCC. “As space exploration and travel continue to expand, the need for efficient and reliable communication becomes paramount. We firmly believe that lasers, with their compact size, increased speed, ability to transmit large amounts of data, and inherent high security (relative to radio frequency systems), will become the industry standard for communication in space. This collaboration with Astro Digital further solidifies SSCC’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of space communication.”
“Sony’s technology is poised to make a significant impact on the commercial space industry,” Chris Biddy, CEO of Astro Digital, noted in a statement. “Astro Digital is looking forward to leveraging the flight-proven Corvus satellite bus platform to host and demonstrate operation of Sony’s highly-capable Lasercom terminal on-orbit.”
SSCC’s Lasercom terminals are at the forefront of innovation. Leveraging Sony’s Blu-ray technology for laser alignment, these terminals offer state of the art performance and reliability. Furthermore, they have been optimized for small satellites, ensuring a low-cost solution without compromising efficiency.
About Astro Digital
From concept to constellation, Astro Digital US, Inc. – established in 2015 with offices in Colorado, California, and Australia – provides satellite systems and mission support services for applications such as earth observation, communications, science, and technology demonstrations. The company designs and manufactures spacecraft from 6U CubeSats to 400kg LEO/GEO MicroSats, and provides uninterrupted satellite operations from around the globe
About Sony Space Communications Corporation:
Sony Space Communications Corporation (SSCC), established in 2022 and headquartered in San Mateo, CA, operates under Sony Corporation of America. By providing easy-to-use inter-satellite communication solutions, SSCC aims to increase communications in space and realize a communications network covering the earth and space to support applications such as real-time services. (Source: PR Newswire)
14 Nov 24. NORR and Fire Arrow Partner to Lead the Charge in Sustainable Spaceport Development. In a landscape where collaboration, sustainability, cost and security are paramount, two global infrastructure firms are combining forces to address complex challenges and enhance global launch capabilities at a time where demand for access to space has never been higher.
The growing international demand for obtaining actionable insights from space to support multiple business sectors, the environment, security and wider society has created an increased interest from nations seeking to develop their own launch capabilities.
Fire Arrow, a firm focused on leveraging expertise gained across the UK spaceport projects to support the design and build on new licensed international launch sites around the world, has announced its latest in a series of high-profile associate relationships.
Based in Scotland but working globally, Fire Arrow is focused on addressing the growing demand for access to lucrative orbits from emerging space nations by providing extensive services to support clients to verify the technical and business case for spaceport developments before guiding them through feasibility, design and build towards licensed orbital launches. The company has initiated partnerships with ‘best in class’ associate organisations to develop a consortium-based proposition focused on enabling governments and commercial organisations to achieve safe, responsive and affordable access to space. The approach has already started to reap benefits, with the company signing an Expression of Interest with Malaysia’s Gading Group at Space-Comm Expo on 12 September in relation to the development of a horizontal spaceport in Asia, and taking part in multiple international engagements during last month’s International Astronautical Congress.
Today’s announcement sees Fire Arrow team up with NORR, an architectural and engineering firm delivering design services across 12 market sectors including Space, Transportation, Defence, Science and Research, and Education. Having previously worked with the Fire Arrow team on vertical and horizontal launch spaceport developments in the UK, the decision to collaborate with Fire Arrow comes as part of NORR’s vision to deliver future-proof, carbon-conscious infrastructure spaceport projects. NORR has a global reach with offices located in Canada, the United States, UK and the UAE.
As part of the partnership, NORR will focus on providing architectural and design services for Fire Arrow clients by leveraging Fire Arrow’s network and expertise. Kevin Stephen, Director at NORR stated, “NORR aims to further establish ourselves as an industry leader in spaceport projects. As architect and lead designer for two spaceports in Scotland, we have significant experience and knowledge of both vertical and horizontal launch facilities, including the integration of horizontal launch spaceports into operational airports.”
He added “NORR has more than 60 years’ experience working in the airport sector, so we have a detailed knowledge of airport design and the physical and security constraints associated with the design of buildings for the live airport environment. We have significant experience delivering complex projects, involving multiple stakeholders and complying with all regulatory requirements. We are also committed to low carbon design and incorporate sustainable building practices into all projects”.
He added, “The Fire Arrow team is aligned with our aim to become a pioneer in sustainable spaceport developments and we look forward to working with them in the future.”
NORR’s experience was demonstrated in two spaceport projects in Scotland, where they were able to successfully navigate challenges such as the proximity to population and the presence of propellant on site. Those projects empowered the company with significant experience in managing both vertical and horizontal spaceport operations.
Dr Mick O’Connor, Fire Arrow Managing Director, commented, “We are delighted to further our relationship with NORR. We have worked together on previous projects and formed a relationship based on mutual trust and respect. We are currently pursuing several global spaceport opportunities; the addition of NORR to the consortium brings expert design capability.”
The partnership between NORR and Fire Arrow illustrates the growing interest in space launch and the increasing collaboration between diverse industries to drive innovation and growth in the sector. With sustainability at the core of their vision, both organisations are committed to delivering exceptional results and contributing to the advancement of the space industry.
About Fire Arrow
Fire Arrow is a spaceport development company leveraging expertise from a broad consortium of specialist spaceflight associates to develop government and commercial launch site programmes from aspiration to reality, idea to orbit. With proven expertise to seamlessly transition projects from feasibility to first launch, Fire Arrow oversees the complexities of affordable spaceport scoping, feasibility, design, construction, and delivery using a breadth of practical experience. With the foresight required to achieve success, Fire Arrow plans ahead identifying the knowns and unknowns early on in the project to facilitate its development. The company adopts a concierge approach aligned with a ‘commercial space’ ethos that is both flexible and affordable, tailored to the client’s vertical or horizontal launch needs across all programme requirements, including management, human factors, regulatory assurance, safety, risk and infrastructure build, and sustainability.
12 Nov 24. Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company and defense-tech prime that is Building a Platform in Space to Benefit Life on Earth® and protect economic freedom in the Orbital Age®, announced today the successful completion of Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the missile warning and tracking satellites the company is developing for the Space Development Agency (SDA) under a prime contract valued at $740 m.
“In response to the evolving threat environment, we are retooling our commercial capacity to focus on revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base through innovative satellite and spacecraft systems technology”
The satellites are part of the SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture, specifically the Tranche 2 Tracking Layer, which is a segment of the Defense Department’s Low Earth Orbit constellation. The agency awarded the contract to Sierra Space through an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) in January 2024 for the design, production, delivery, operations and sustainment of 16 missile warning and tracking satellites, as well as two (2) satellites for missile defense with fire control fidelity. Additionally, the agreement includes two operational ground segments.
“In response to the evolving threat environment, we are retooling our commercial capacity to focus on revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base through innovative satellite and spacecraft systems technology,” said Tom Vice, CEO of Sierra Space. “Our company is focused on innovation at speed to support an entirely new era in National Security Space – at Sierra Space we care deeply for this planet and have the responsibility to protect it.”
Sierra Space’s solution aims to enhance the capability to provide global, persistent indications, detection, warning, and tracking of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. The company’s solution also offers preliminary missile defense capability by incorporating fire control quality sensors into the constellation. These sensors will generate fire control quality tracks that enable missile defense kill chains, a critical defense capability, to the warfighter.
Since 2023, Sierra Space has secured $1.5 bn in national security and defense contracts for the production of 30 satellites, including the SDA’s Tranche 2 Tracking Layer deliverables. In addition, Sierra Space continues to make strides in its spacecraft systems business, boasting more than 20 active contracts for solar arrays and other components. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
12 Nov 24. Axing JP 9102 was right call, says Gilmour founder. The founder of rocket manufacturer Gilmour Space Technologies has argued the federal government was right to axe the JP 9102 project.
Adam Gilmour, one of the sector’s most high-profile figures, said that using the planned geostationary satellite was “dangerous” and agreed adversaries could potentially destroy them.
“Low-Earth orbit and medium Earth orbit with a lot of sats are harder to knock out all at once, and tactically responsive space launch can replenish quickly,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
“I hope my company will be part of the solution for my country. Richard Marles made the right decision.”
Space Connect reported last week how the government would sensationally axe the “JP 9102” project to deliver a new military satellite communications capability for Australia.
In a statement released shortly after the news broke, the federal government said the planned single-orbit GEO-based system would not “meet strategic priorities”.
It added Defence would instead prioritise “a multi-orbit capability” and that its current SATCOM capabilities already supported Australia’s immediate needs.
Explaining the decision, Defence Secretary Richard Marles said Australia needs to deliver communications capability that is more “distributed” and “resilient”.
“We believe we can do that in this way faster and more cost-effective. So, this is frankly moving with the times and making sure that we have the capability that we need which meets the threats and the opportunities that we have in the future.”
Responding to Adam Gilmour’s comments, former LeoLab managing director Terry van Haren appeared to criticise the late timing of the decision.
“It would have been a great call about 3–4 years ago when the US formed the Space Development Agency and started the proliferated LEO program,” he wrote.
“We should have joined straight away and sought Australian industry involvement. Now that the program is well formed and US companies are fully engaged, it is going to be very difficult for the Australian industry to get involved. Reality bites hard.”
JP 9102 was only signed off just 18 months ago, with prime contractor Lockheed Martin beating big hitters, including Boeing, Northrop Grumman Australia, and Optus to become the “preferred tenderer”.
However, it’s unknown whether Lockheed formally had the final contract signed after it entered the last stages of negotiation.
If approved, JP 9102 would have created more than 200 direct jobs, while Lockheed Martin itself pressed ahead with making key appointments for its staff to oversee it.
Space Industry Association chairman Jeremy Hallett said days after the decision was made that companies would likely think twice about working with Defence.
He said he believes companies will now think twice about working with Defence after the cancellation of the $3bn JP9102 project was confirmed.
Hallett predicted there would be job losses as a result and lamented the time lost by companies who worked on the proposals since 2017.
“While other OECD nations see sovereign space capability as critical to creating high-tech, high-value jobs and a military advantage, in our own backyard we seem to be doing the exact opposite,” he said. (Source: Space Connect)
10 Nov 24. North Korea Jams GPS Signals, Disrupting South Korean Ships and Aircraft. A Republic of Korea Marine, right, assigned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st ROK Marine Division, kneels during a tactical pause while training with ROK Navy SEALs, U.S. Marines assigned to Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and U.K. Royal Marine Commandos assigned to 40 Commando. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)
North Korea recently launched Global Positioning System (GPS) jamming attacks that disrupted navigation for several South Korean civilian ships and planes in areas near Haeju and Kaesong, according to South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
These jamming attacks reportedly began on Friday and continued on Saturday. In response, South Korea fired a Hyunmoo surface-to-surface missile into the sea on Friday to signal its readiness to counter further provocations. It has also called on North Korea to immediately stop the jamming, warning that Pyongyang will be held responsible for any incidents caused by these actions.
GPS jamming disrupts the navigation systems that ships and planes rely on for safe travel. While no accidents have been reported, South Korean officials warned that such interference could lead to serious incidents. Experts say North Korea may use jamming to protect its own military operations or to intimidate South Korea.
The incident follows North Korea’s recent test of a powerful solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile on November 2. It echoes a similar incident in May, when hundreds of South Korean planes and ships experienced GPS problems due to North Korean jamming.
Tensions between North and South Korea have escalated in recent weeks due to North Korea’s military support for Russia in Ukraine, including alleged shipments of weapons and the deployment of around 10,000 troops to assist Russian forces. In response to Pyongyang’s growing ties with Moscow, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol recently suggested that Seoul may consider sending weapons to Ukraine, marking a shift in South Korea’s stance on providing arms to nations in active conflict. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
05 Nov 24. The Australian Government’s JP9102 decision — response by Michael Cratt on behalf of Av-Comm. On the 4th of November, reports that the defense-industry project ‘JP9102’ had been cancelled were confirmed by numerous sources — JP9102 was a $7 bn joint project, designed to usher in a new age of sovereign controlled, high capacity, geostationary satellite communications network.
Critically, the satellite network would provide the Australian Defence Force with the ability to operate the combined force throughout the Indo-Pacific region to assured and resilient access to satellite communication, deemed critical to operating in a likely future conflict.
Av-Comm was selected as the sole ground station terminal supplier after a lengthy and rigorous tender process put forth by Lockheed Martin in delivering this project for the Commonwealth. Monday’s news comes as both a shock and a disappointment to us all.
Av-Comm was first approached by multiple Prime Defence contractors in 2021, to provide integral support for the ground segment piece of this program. Since Av-Comm was first approached, the team have spent the proceeding months and years tirelessly preparing the business to participate in the program.
This transformation included the purchasing of a new office space to accommodate the planned addition of an estimated 50 new staff, which had to be fitted out in accordance with stringent specifications set forth by Defence. Av-Comm spent months overhauling internal processes, refining workflows, and funneling internal resources to focus on facilitating this upcoming project. Av-Comm spent over $3m preparing the organization to an acceptable level for Defence. This included investing in a DISP membership, ISO accreditations, implementing new security protocols, and more.
As a result, Av-Comm is now a more mature and defense-capable organization, ready and waiting to participate in these large-scale defence projects. The space industry should be a unique and prized asset for the Australian Government. A high value industry, poised for huge growth globally, requiring skilled and unskilled workers alike, with the potential to improve the lives and well being of ms worldwide.
The Australian Government has a chequered history with funding scientific research and development, particularly within the space industry. There needs to be open and transparent engagement with industry by the Government before making consequential decisions that impact the livelihood of Australian companies.
Av-Comm is, by no means, the only company or organization to feel the shockwaves that have reverberated through our industry thanks to this news. Estimates of around a 30% decline in jobs at SMEs involved in Defence contracts during the past few years. It’s clear that the Government see Defence spending as a cost and not an opportunity to invest in Australian Capability, Australian Businesses, and the Australian People.
Despite the Government’s lack of support for Australian SME involvement in Defence programs, some large Primes, such as Lockheed Martin Australia, continue to see value in local industry. Av-Comm has maintained strong relationships with several Primes during the lead up to this project, completing work on more than 25 projects across the globe.
We would like to recognize the time, effort, and energy put into JP9102 by other SMEs and industry partners, and the individual cost on Australian businesses and people. Despite Lockheed Martin making headlines as a result of this, this decision from the Government has impacted countless people behind the scenes.
Our SME colleagues, including, but not limited to, EM Solutions, Blacktree Technologies, Clearbox, Shoal Group, and Conscia, have all invested countless time and effort in preparing to deliver this project for Lockheed Martin, and will all be feeling the impact of this decision. The tireless work and dedication of our colleagues at Lockheed Martin should also be recognised, and those who have had to uproot their lives in the U.S. to come to Australia in support of this project will also be feeling disappointment in the Government’s decision.
Av-Comm aligns with the Space Industry Association of Australia’s advocacy for a more proactive role in the global space sector. Australia should not merely be a passive consumer of foreign space products and services; we have the potential to contribute significantly to space-based technology and capabilities. It is imperative that Australia is recognised as an active participant, rather than a convenient market for international primes to deploy their personnel, bypassing local industry collaboration.
The current governmental approach lacks the strategic foresight necessary to foster and leverage strengthened domestic industry partnerships. Despite this latest setback faced by our industry, we are determined to not give up. Av-Comm will continue to strive for fair and responsible inclusion of our domestic industry in the global space landscape.
Av-Comm’s multi-orbit Cassowary SATCOM terminals showcase our exceptional capabilities, and we are dedicated to ensuring our warfighters have access to our outstanding Australian satcom technology. It is clear through the fighting spirit exuded by these industry players that we will not let this setback put us down.
The Australian space and defence landscape will go from strength to strength by supporting each other and continuing to champion our sovereign capabilities as we embrace Defence’s move towards a multi-orbit SATCOM architecture. Our Cassowary ground station, ideally positioned for this new phase of Defence architecture, will continue to demonstrate our ability to develop and deploy complex world-leading technology, right here in Australia. (Source: Satnews)