17 Dec 24. SES’s Seventh and Eighth O3b mPOWER Satellites Successfully Launched, Bolstering MEO Constellation. SES announced today that its latest pair of O3b mPOWER satellites was successfully launched into space by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States, at 5:26 pm local time. Both satellites will join the first six O3b mPOWER spacecraft already in operation at medium Earth orbit (MEO), adding incremental capacity to the initial O3b mPOWER constellation.
The seventh and eighth O3b mPOWER satellites feature redesigned payload power modules and will bolster SES’s second-generation MEO system to continue delivering high throughput and predictable low latency services at scale.
SES has been deploying O3b mPOWER services worldwide since April 2024 delivering high-performance network services to customer sites across Asia-Pacific, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas in multiple market segments. The system’s exceptional flexibility means it can provide services ranging from tens of Mbps to multiple gigabits per second of capacity to any site.
Key O3b mPOWER customers include Microsoft, Princess Cruises, Marlink, Jio Platforms,
Orange, Claro Brasil, Vodafone Cook Islands, CNT Ecuador, NATO Support and Procurement Agency, and the Governments of Luxembourg and the United States.
“O3b mPOWER is our most powerful, technically advanced, flexible satellite constellation in space. As we increase the number of satellites in our constellation, we also exponentially increase the capacity and efficiency of our network. Ever since the start of service of O3b mPOWER earlier this year, we have seen how it has become an integral part of the connectivity experience of our customers. We have also learned a lot and have put all of those insights to work as we progress in our innovation journey to scale up our services and meet even the most sophisticated requirements of our customers,” said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES.
The O3b mPOWER system comprises an initial constellation of 13 high-throughput and low latency satellites as well as extensive ground infrastructure. The remaining five O3b mPOWER satellites are currently being manufactured and are scheduled for launch over the next 18 months.
17 Dec 24. In Fifth Year, Space Force Commander Details Service’s Stellar Accomplishments. America’s newest military service, the U.S. Space Force, stood up five years ago this Friday. In advance of an out-of-this world birthday celebration, the service’s commander, Gen B. Chance Saltzman, reflected on half a decade of accomplishments.
“From … humble beginnings, we have laid the foundations of a space service that is dedicated and laser focused on achieving space superiority, a service that is unparalleled in its talent and capabilities in the domain, a service that every day is increasing our readiness to secure our nation’s interests in, from and to space,” Saltzman said today during an event at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
In the past five years, Saltzman said, the Space Force has increased its budget, largely through the absorbing of other space-related agencies, and has grown considerably since it stood up.
“Although still not where we need it, our budget has increased substantially with a number of mission aggregations and some new investments since activation,” he said. “On average, we have tripled in size every year for the last five years in personnel, an astounding growth rate for any government organization. We have reimagined operations, redefined policies [and] reworked processes from the ground up to forge a service purpose-built for great power competition. All of this in just five years.”
More than anything, Saltzman said, the Space Force can now apply a service-level focus to the space domain in the same way the Army focuses on land, the Air Force focuses on the air and the Navy focuses on the sea.
Space Force, like other services, has also fielded service components to combatant commands in the same way as other services. Already, there are Space Force components to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Central Command, European Command and Africa Command, with “more coming right behind it,” Saltzman said.
The Space Force has also redesigned its professional military education and officer training programs and is working to replicate that for its enlisted personnel as well, Saltzman said.
With the help of Congress, Saltzman said, the Space Force has also found new ways to attract and manage talent.
“We won the authority to create a part-time workforce inside our single active component,” he said. “This unprecedented approach will be crucial for retaining talent improving quality of life in a way never before seen in the Department of Defense.”
Right now, Saltzman said, the Space Force’s personnel staff is working to develop the administrative mechanisms needed to take advantage of those authorities.
“[It’s] tremendously exciting, though, because it gives us so much latitude, so much career flexibility,” he said. (Source: U.S. DoD)
17 Dec 24. SpaceX launches rapid response GPS mission. The Space Force and SpaceX launched a rapid response mission on a Falcon 9 rocket Dec. 16 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (Lockheed Martin) SpaceX on Monday night launched a secretive rapid response mission for the Space Force, flying a GPS III satellite aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The effort, dubbed Rapid Response Trailblazer, was meant to demonstrate the ability to quickly plan and launch a mission in around six months — a process that normally takes around two years.
“The mission successfully demonstrated a complex integration effort across multiple Space Force organizations to pull an existing GPS III satellite from storage, accelerate integration and launch vehicle readiness, and rapidly process for launch,” the Space Force said in a statement.
The launch lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida around 7:52 p.m., and the first-stage booster landed on a drone ship after releasing the GPS payload.
The Space Force has proved through its Tactically Responsive Space program that it can quickly launch small payloads on commercial rockets, but this mission was the first to involve a large National Security Space Launch-class payload.
For Rapid Response Trailblazer, Space Force acquirers at Space Systems Command worked closely with operators at Space Operations Command to prepare and integrate the payload for launch. Walt Lauderdale, mission director for Monday’s launch, said that alignment was key to the successful mission.
“This partnership is an example of new and faster ways we can deliver launch in support of future warfighter needs,” Lauderdale said in a statement. “The Space Force quickly energized multiple organizations, and the joint team delivered a specific, important mission to orbit in record time.”
The GPS III satellite that was launched was built by Lockheed Martin and had been in storage awaiting a ride from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, which has faced delays and is not yet certified to fly national security missions. Space News reported that the decision to redirect the satellite to a SpaceX Falcon came earlier this year. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
17 Dec 24. Crossroads for UK Skynet programme. Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Thales Alenia Space compete for key WSS satellite capability. The UK faces a critical decision in potentially adding a new element and industry partner to the existing military satellite communications (MILSATCOM) Skynet capability through its multi-bn-pound Wideband Satellite System (WSS) requirement. Skynet 6 is the next generation MILSATCOM constellation, and by far the UK’s largest space project. In 2022, £1.4bn ($1.78bn) was promised for a range of British space capabilities over the following ten years, while £5bn was allocated to the UK’s Skynet capability. Within Skynet, the WSS contract provides at least three tranches of wideband geosynchronous (GEO) satellite systems, ground equipment, and launch operations. The requirement includes high availability, military hardened satellite systems, incorporating X-Band and Mil-Ka payloads. This capability will operate for at least 15 years into the 2040s. WSS procurement alone will cost somewhere between £1.5bn and £2bn.
The UK first launched WSS on 31 May 2023 while an invitation to tender was issued on 14 November that same year. In 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence downselected three competitors: Airbus Defence and Space UK, Lockheed Martin UK, and Thales Alenia Space UK. However, the former two tenders are the only two companies left in the running.
It is anticipated the UK will move to select a single tender by Q4 2025.
Airbus is already contracted to build initial Skynet 6 satellites, which are based on the company’s Eurostar Neo platform. The 6A satellite is booked to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in 2025.
Crucially, Skynet 6 will adhere to the concept ‘allied by design’, which hinges on the continued engagement with Nato, Five Eyes and other mission partners. This will ensure that Skynet maintains and extends interoperability with allies, according to UK government information.
In the past, Skynet 5 has been used by other partners and allies too, including Estonia and the US.
Furthermore, UK defence procurement will tend to prioritise bids that can offer a significant domestic contribution. In this case, Airbus already builds spacecraft in Stevenage and Portsmouth while Thales Alenia Space own two industrial plants in Bristol and Harwell.
Past UK defence contracts similarly indicate the requirement of domestic manufacturing too, including the ongoing New Medium Helicopter (NMH) acquisition for which the government asserted:
“The NMH contract will secure the vital operational independence the UK requires, as well as investing in UK skills for the long-term.”
Lockheed Martin, the parent group of Sikorsky, a competitor that pulled out of the NMH competition, told Airforce Technology at the time that they “elected not to submit a response to the NMH [invitation to negotiate] as we could not meet its minimum requirements in today’s market conditions.”
What lessons for the UK from Australia?
As the UK looks to develop its WSS requirement, fellow Five Eyes member Australia cancelled its Joint Project (JP) 9102 end-to-end MILSATCOM network programme in November 2024 after just 18 months, a strategic and technical capability similar to that being sought by the UK.
Officially, Australia cited a shift in programme requirements as reasoning for the cancellation, which was thought to be valued in the bns of Australian dollars and part of the wider A$9-12bn space-based Integrated Investment Programme. Lockheed Martin was the contractor charged with delivering the programme.
An end-to-end MILSATCOM solution is a highly complex undertaking, including spacecraft, ground systems, and services.
Lockheed Martin has an expansive portfolio in space, having built more than 300 mission payloads for customers. This includes the LM 400 satellite bus, which provides a range of services both military and civil, including communications.
Although unconfirmed, the similarity between the Australian and UK programmes could see Lockheed Martin leverage much of its earlier Canberra offering, which was ultimately unsuccessful as Australia’s government changed its requirement from a single orbit (GEO) system to prioritise a multi-orbital capability.
Lockheed Martin won the Australia programme against competition from Airbus, Boeing, Northrup Grumman, and Optus in April 2023.
Australia typically leans towards a cautious approach to defence procurement, tending to avoid buying first-of-type and preferring to wait for proven capability. From the very start of the process, risk would indeed have been a factor under consideration.
When asked for comment on the Australian JP9102 contract and its offering to the UK through WSS, the company stated: “Lockheed Martin will continue to support the Australian government to meet its strategic needs and is proud to be partnering with the Australian Defence Force on many ongoing programmes.
“We are committed to our global customer community and will continue partnering with international customers and suppliers to support their missions and boost their national space economy.” (Source: airforce-technology.com)
17 Dec 24. Momentus to Deploy Defense Department and Commercial Payloads on Rideshare Mission with SpaceX in 2026. Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) (“Momentus” or the “Company”), a U.S. commercial space company offering satellite buses, technologies, transportation, and other in-space infrastructure services, today announced it has signed a contract with SpaceX to join an upcoming Transporter rideshare mission launching as soon as early 2026.
Momentus plans to use this port for the launch of its flight-proven Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV) to transport a mix of payloads from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial customers to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
For this mission, Momentus has additional capacity to support customers planning LEO deployment and hosted payload missions in early 2026. Government and commercial customers interested in utilizing the ability of the Vigoride vehicle to cost-effectively launch and deliver microsatellites up to 200 kg and cubesats, provide average power up to 1kW, and deploy or operate hosted payloads in orbits above 500 km and below the International Space Station are encouraged to contact Momentus while booking opportunities remain open.
“We’re thrilled to be under contract supporting DoD programs, including for our upcoming launch and look forward to also deploying commercial payloads in orbit on this upcoming launch of our Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle,” said Momentus Chief Executive Officer John Rood. “These exciting collaborations position Momentus at the forefront of the future in-space economy.”
This mission marks Momentus’ fourth Vigoride mission. Customers interested in participating in this mission can contact the Momentus Commercial team at . (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Dec 24. Two more Boeing [NYSE:BA]-built O3b mPOWER satellites are sending and receiving signals in space after launching from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida at 5:26 p.m. The satellites separated from the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket about two hours after launch and will join the first six O3b mPOWER to further enhance SES’s ability to deliver high-speed, reliable connectivity to global users.
“These satellites are the most advanced commercial communications satellites we’ve built to-date,” said Michelle Parker, Boeing Space Mission Systems vice president. “It’s exciting to work with SES to get these satellites into service.”
The O3b mPOWER system, SES’s second-generation medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellation, is designed to transform industries with terabit-level capacity, roundtrip latency of less than 150 milliseconds, and unmatched service availability.
“O3b mPOWER is our most powerful, technically advanced, flexible satellite constellation in space,” said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. “As we increase the number of satellites in our constellation, we also exponentially increase the capacity and efficiency of our network. Ever since the start of service of O3b mPOWER earlier this year, we have seen how it has become an integral part of the connectivity experience of our customers. We have also learned a lot and have put all of those insights to work as we progress in our innovation journey to scale up our services and meet even the most sophisticated requirements of our customers.”
Boeing will oversee the satellites through in-orbit testing before a handover to SES in approximately four months.
“From concept to reality, designing and delivering this first-of-its-kind technology to SES has been remarkable,” said Parker.
Equipped with more than 5,000 digitally formed beams, each of the O3b mPOWER satellites are able to fulfill dynamic, high-density demand in the air, sea, or land, opening new use cases for SES users. Coupled with an extensive ground infrastructure, the software-driven system enables SES to address current and future connectivity needs for governments and enterprises across the globe.
16 Dec 24. IRIS2 lifts off as European Commission and SpaceRISE sign contract in Brussels.
- Backed by €6.5bn of public funds and over €4 bn of private funds, the multi-orbit satellite network project will enable Europe’s strategic communications autonomy
- Designed, delivered and operated by the SpaceRISE consortium, the EU’s 3rd flagship project to be launched into service by early 2030
SpaceRISE, the consortium comprising Eutelsat, Hispasat and SES, has signed the agreement with the European Commission (EC) and the European Space Agency (ESA) that will see the consortium design, deliver and operate the Infrastructure for Resilience, Interconnectivity and Security by Satellite (IRIS²) for a period of 12 years. The contract was signed today in a ceremony at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels.
With the network of 290 new Low Earth Orbit and Medium Earth Orbit satellites expected to provide services by the beginning of 2030, the IRIS² constellation of satellites for a resilient, interconnected and secure Europe is an EU flagship initiative. IRIS² will be the preferred and trusted network for Europe in delivering secure and reliable high-performance communication solutions to the EU and its Member States as well as high-speed broadband connectivity for European citizens, governmental authorities and businesses, playing a transformative role in reinforcing Europe’s digital sovereignty, and low-latency connectivity.
Under the agreement with SpaceRISE, the project will be backed by €6.5 bn of public funds representing nearly 60% of the total project costs – comprising funding from the European Commission, EU Member States, the European Space Agency and private financing from the consortium members. The SpaceRISE consortium will lead the wider European space industry to accelerate innovation throughout the supply chain, enhancing Europe’s leadership and competitiveness in the space sector.
Additionally, the Public-private Partnership (PPP) model in the form of Concession will unite public and commercial interests in an unprecedented way, paving the way for continuous implementation of innovative solutions and platforms for the future.
Andrius Kubilius, Commissioner for Defence and Space: “Today we are not just launching a satellite project. We are launching a vision – a vision of a stronger, more connected, and more resilient Europe. IRIS² demonstrates the Union’s resolve and commitment to strengthening Europe’s space global posture both in terms of security and competitiveness to the benefit of our governments, businesses and citizens.”
“In an increasingly complex geopolitical world, ensuring resilient, secure and fast governmental communications is essential. ESA will play a crucial role in the technical implementation of the IRIS2 programme. ESA’s excellence will foster innovation in the European space industry, boost European competitiveness, create high-skill jobs and attract talents to Europe. The Commission’s trust in ESA to oversee the development of the constellation and its ground infrastructure speaks volumes of ESA’s successful track record in the delivery of European flagship programmes. ESA is ready to deliver again, for Europe and its citizens,” said Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General.
Adel Al-Saleh, Chief Executive Officer of SES, said, “We are honoured to lead the SpaceRISE consortium to work with the European Commission and the European Space Agency on the IRIS² project. IRIS² is integral to Europe’s space strategy and is already fostering enhanced collaboration and innovation between the industry and public sectors. By strategically coming together, we will be able to ensure architecture resiliency and security from Day 1 of the system launch. With EC as an anchor customer of the constellation, our investment into IRIS² will see us augment our MEO capabilities while executing our required rate of return, maintaining investment grade balance sheet metrics, and returning cash to our shareholders.”
Eva Berneke, Chief Executive Officer of Eutelsat commented, “IRIS² programme is a landmark initiative that embodies Europe’s commitment to digital sovereignty, resilience, and strategic autonomy. At Eutelsat, we are uniquely positioned to bring unparalleled expertise to this mission, leveraging our pioneering capabilities, including our cutting-edge LEO constellation. By combining this advanced infrastructure with the collective strengths of the SpaceRISE consortium, we will deliver a transformative communications backbone that addresses Europe’s most critical connectivity needs of our governments, reinforces its leadership in space innovation, and bridges the digital divide for ms of citizens and businesses across the continent. This project is a testament to Eutelsat’s vision of driving secure and sustainable connectivity for a resilient Europe.”
Miguel Ángel Panduro, Chief Executive Officer of Hispasat added, “The signing of IRIS2 is a historical milestone for European space. Hispasat was born out of public-private collaboration to provide government and commercial communications in geographical areas of interest to our country. We are therefore convinced that, through SpaceRISE, we will not only guarantee the secure communications of the Member States, but also contribute to generating a more innovative and competitive ecosystem at a time of special relevance for the European space industry.”
About SpaceRISE
SpaceRISE which stands for Space Consortium for a Resilient, Interconnected and Secure Europe is dedicated to fostering a resilient, interconnected, and secure Europe through space innovation. Comprising Europe’s key space and telecom companies including Airbus Defence and Space, Deutsche Telekom, Eutelsat, Hisdesat, Hispasat, OHB, Orange, SES, Telespazio, Thales Alenia Space, and Thales, SpaceRISE aims to bring SMEs and New Space players together in a multi-national footprint throughout the EU27 Member States to expand its collaboration. By harnessing the strengths of established industry leaders and emerging innovators, SpaceRISE is set to drive Europe’s secure and sustainable future in space. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
16 Dec 24. At 7:52 p.m. ET, on Dec 16 the seventh Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT]-designed and -built Global Positioning System (GPS) III space vehicle, GPS III SV07, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, into orbit 12,550 miles above earth.
GPS III SV07 was launched on an accelerated timeline and joins the Space Force’s ongoing modernization of the GPS constellation, following GPS III SV06 that launched in 2023.
The team has now completed signal acquisition of GPS III SV07, and the spacecraft is now under operational control at Lockheed Martin’s Denver Launch & Checkout Operations Center until its official acceptance into the current operational GPS 31-satellite constellation.
The Road to a Rapid Launch
The spacecraft, assembled at Lockheed Martin’s Littleton, Colorado, facility, traveled across the country via ground transport to its launch site in Florida. This is different than the typical air transport for these missions, since its standard military aircraft ride was engaged in hurricane tracking and relief efforts.
The team seamlessly changed gears to a road shipment on short notice, which helped the mission maintain its rapid launch schedule in the face of shifting aircraft availability. The Space Force time from call-up to launch for SV07 was reduced to about three months to demonstrate operational agility for launch of critical national security missions.
Lockheed Martin’s spacecraft team carefully mapped out the approximately 2,337-mile route, and carefully monitored weather models, as Hurricane Milton was on track to pass through Florida around the time of the spacecraft’s arrival.
After an epic, six-day road trip, SV07 arrived at its final destination, avoiding severe weather and undergoing final checks and preparation for launch.
“We supported our customer’s vision for an accelerated launch of this GPS satellite, ultimately helping them achieve quick-turn operational readiness,” said Malik Musawwir, vice president of Navigation Systems at Lockheed Martin. “Time is of the essence for national security missions, and we quickly delivered this critical capability for the Space Force to support rapid demand for secure, advanced positioning, navigation, and timing signals.”
An Additional Satellite with Secure Military Code
All GPS III space vehicles, including SV07, are equipped with M-code. M-Code is an advanced, new signal designed to improve anti-jamming and anti-spoofing, as well as increase secure access to military GPS signals for U.S. and allied armed forces. GPS III space vehicles provide up to eight times more anti-jamming power than GPS II space vehicles, and M-code has been in operational acceptance since 2020.
GPS satellites provide essential navigation for U.S. military assets, operational troops, and field supply deliveries while powering global financial markets, transportation, utilities, agriculture, construction and ride-share services.
16 Dec 24. DNV and NASA are inviting experts to solve a mathematical challenge that seeks to optimize decision-making under uncertainty. The practice of Uncertainty Quantification (UQ) is often used when operating in harsh and uncertain environments. For example, UQ is used when assessing how offshore structures will cope with variable weather and ocean conditions or calculating the stresses on a spacecraft during launch.
UQ is the science of quantifying, characterizing, and mitigating uncertainties in computational models, including both data-driven and physics-based simulations. This is an important aspect of risk management in projects that are pushing the limits of engineering. DNV and NASA have teamed up to advance methodologies in UQ that are broadly applicable, enhancing safety and reliability in critical systems across various industries.
“Both NASA and DNV deal with high consequence and safety-critical systems for which quantitative data is either very sparse or prohibitively expensive to collect. Limited heritage data may exist, but is also usually sparse and may not be directly applicable to the system of interest, making UQ extremely challenging,” said Luis G. Crespo, Senior Research Engineer at NASA Langley Research Center.
Participants entering the challenge will gain access to a simulation model of a physical system to optimize. The specific physical system will remain unknown to ensure the challenge is truly discipline independent. Teams can generate synthetic data using an online solution running on DNV’s simulation platform, the Simulation Trust Center (STC), to represent real-world data.
The challenge will run from January 6th to March 31st, 2025, and accepted responses will be part of a special session ESREL 2025 conference in Stavanger, Norway, from June 15th to 19th.
“With this initiative we aim to unite a global community of researchers towards a shared goal. And given the close relationship between Uncertainty Quantification and Machine Learning, it will be interesting to see whether the recent breakthroughs in AI can be leveraged in this space where we target high-risk and safety-critical applications.” said Christian Agrell, Lead AI Scientist and Head of Risk and Modelling Technologies at DNV
13 Dec 24. ULA eyes annual mods to turn rocket stage into space interceptor. The United Launch Alliance, a longtime government spacelift provider, has an incremental plan to upgrade its Centaur V upper stage to fly long-duration space missions.
The Centaur V powers the company’s new Vulcan rocket, which is on the verge of being certified to fly national security missions. The upper stage of a rocket is used to propel a payload further into space after the initial booster has separated. The Centaur V was designed to be more than twice as powerful as its predecessor and to remain in orbit for as long as 12 hours.
ULA CEO Tory Bruno told reporters Thursday the company’s longer-term vision is for the Centaur V to eventually be able to remain in space for days or longer. The fast-moving vehicle would be highly maneuverable and could be used to relocate satellites or for counterspace missions.
In a Dec. 4 Medium post, Bruno fleshed out his concept for the Centaur V to function as an in-space mobility platform, or a “Greyhound.” In one scenario, he described the system loitering in orbit, ready to thwart an adversary’s attempts to target a Space Force asset.
“That becomes a very powerful deterrent,” he said Thursday on the sidelines of the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Fla.
The company has an incremental plan to get to this “lightning fast, long range, lethal if necessary” Centaur V through regular upgrades to the existing system. The modifications would happen annually, or perhaps on a more frequent cadence, and then validated on flights of its Vulcan rocket.
“There are several things that, as you put them all there, they incrementally extend that life and capability,” Bruno said. “And at the end of all of that you have the ultimate objective for duration that we intend to have.”
ULA’s plan for its Centaur V is shaped by several variables. The company’s largest competitor, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has the highest annual launch rate and has embraced new concepts for reusability and rocket cargo transport via its behemoth Starship rocket. Concepts like upper stage mobility could expand ULA’s portfolio.
It’s also informed by a changing threat environment in space — one that Space Force officials have said requires mobile satellites and spacecraft that bring more thrust and can potentially be refueled in orbit. These maneuvering vehicles could be used to observe potential adversary activity and respond if needed.
The head of U.S. Space Command, Gen. Stephen Whiting, reiterated that message Wednesday, telling reporters the service needs a system that can maneuver through space without fuel constraints.
“We need some kind of capability to be maneuverable in the space domain and not be confined to only operating with the fuel, the propellant we were launched with,” he said on the sidelines of the Space Force Association’s Spacepower Conference in Orlando, Fla. “We want to operate until the mission is finished, not until the fuel we were launched with runs out.”
Bruno said on Medium that he views a capability like what ULA is mapping out for Centaur V as key to the Space Force’s strategy for defending against aggression from China and Russia. While much of the service’s focus has been on making sure its architecture — the satellites and ground systems it relies on to provide space capabilities to other military users — is resilient against adversary attacks, he suggested that only addresses one piece of the problem.
“The ability to take a few punches and keep on communicating and watching is necessary, but insufficient,” Bruno said. “Resiliency alone will not stop or limit an attack.”
Mobility, he said, needs to be part of the equation.
“I don’t mean the ability to move the assets we are trying to protect,” he wrote. “That is useful and a part of resiliency. I mean a squadron of lightning fast, long range, lethal interceptors.” (Source: Defense New
13 Dec 24. Viasat to deliver C5ISR capabilities for US warfighters
The contract facilitates the transition of C5ISR capabilities from Special Operations Forces to General Purpose Forces. ViaSat has been awarded a five-year, sole-source indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract by the US General Services Administration (GSA), with a maximum value of $568m.
It is aimed at facilitating the transition of command, control, communications, computers, combat systems, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C5ISR) capabilities from Special Operations Forces (SOF) to General Purpose Forces (GPF).
Under this agreement, Viasat will also continue to provide an array of technologies and services to enhance communications, security, intelligence, and operational capabilities for both SOF and GPF personnel.
This contract is a continuation of a previous IDIQ award from 2019.
The company’s offerings include tactical gateways, advanced networking solutions, airborne Satcom terminals and hubs, beyond-line-of-sight satellite services, ground terminals and modems, and cybersecurity and encryption tools.
Following its acquisition of Inmarsat in 2023, Viasat has expanded its technology and service capabilities, providing a broad range of flexible and resilient communication solutions to meet the Department of Defense’s (DoD) evolving operational needs.
This contract structure allows the DoD to focus on priorities such as enhanced mobility, resilient networking, cybersecurity, and broadband Satcom services.
It also facilitates the rapid acquisition and integration of new products and systems required by the DoD.
Viasat will continue to assist in identifying and integrating new technologies to meet the DoD’s enterprise C5ISR mission requirements.
Viasat Government president Susan Miller said: “Viasat is proud to be a trusted partner for the entire Joint Force, providing the DoD with a wide range of capabilities and services including advanced tactical networking, ground system and mobile satellite communications (satcom) solutions, information assurance and cybersecurity products, and satellite services.
“We look forward to continuing our close partnership with the DoD to solve complex problems and support military forces across domains with flexible, resilient and secure capabilities that enable enhanced operations and improved situational awareness across the battlespace.”
In 2023, Viasat received $80m in awards in August to develop Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) systems for defence applications across land, maritime, and space domains. (Source: army-technology.com)
10 Dec 24. Astranis to launch next four satellites on Tuesday, December 17th, via SpaceX Falcon. The next four Astranis satellites are complete and ready for launch. They are currently at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and on track for their scheduled launch date of December 17th — Astranis is ready to go from one to many satellites on-orbit. The launch will be on a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Only the four Astranis satellites will be on board and they will launch into a supersync Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) orbit. These four satellites are comprised of the Astranis MicroGEO communications satellites and are headed to three customers across three countries.
- Two are bound for CONUS, to support in-flight connectivity for our customer Anuvu. These satellites will be named NuView Alpha and NuView Bravo.
- One satellite, AGILA, is the first communications satellite ever dedicated to the Philippines and was named by Philippines President BongBong Marcos Jr. last year.
- The final satellite, UtilitySat, is the world’s first multi-mission GEO satellite and will serve a number of customers, beginning with an Astranis Block 3 customer, APCO, for a communications mission over Mexico.
This launch will mark many firsts…
- This is the first time a single satellite manufacturer has flown four of its own satellites on a single launch to GEO.
- By our estimation, Astranis will also become the fourth company ever to launch 4 or more satellites to GEO in a single calendar year — joining SES, Intelsat, and Eutelsat.
- Astranis will have launched more satellites to GEO over the last two years than any other operator.
Astranis CEO, John Gedmark, said, “This is a huge milestone for Astranis. We’re going from one to many satellites. And this is the first time anyone has ever launched 4 satellites together like this. These are our most advanced satellites yet. With a number of improvements that will generate increased capacity and affordability. We couldn’t be more excited to deliver for our customers, providing dedicated broadband networks in a way they can’t get anywhere else. With this launch we will prove that Astranis can ship and operate multiple satellites at once. We are well on our way to the increased manufacturing cadence we need to hit to meet all of customer demand, including both commercial and government.” (Source: Satnews)
09 Dec 24. Latest suborbital hypersonic launch. This mission provided hypersonic test launch capabilities under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) project, which aims to increase hypersonic flight testing for the United States in support of technology maturation. The project was awarded by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane through the Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) vehicle on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center (TRMC).
Rocket Lab’s test platform showcased a new suite of cutting-edge technologies optimized for hypersonic technology tests with vastly increased payloads. Rocket Lab also designed, manufactured, assembled, and integrated the experimental hypersonic instrumentation which was launched on this mission, but on a highly accelerated timeline.
Rocket Lab has been launching missions to space for commercial and government customers since 2017, with more than 200 payloads deployed from its United States and New Zealand launch sites.
George Rumford, Director of the TRMC, said, “Leveraging commercial launch services allows our Nation to affordably test components early and frequently, accelerating hypersonic development.”
Rocket Lab’s Vice President Global Launch Services, Brian Rogers, said, “Hypersonic technology testing is a critical need for the nation and one that we’re proud to be serving with our test launches. Again, we broke new ground with this launch, and our ability to deliver successful tests demonstrates our commitment to working with our government and industry partners in pushing the boundaries of hypersonic innovation.” (Source: Satnews)
11 Dec 24. EchoStar Mobile expanding services by adding LoRaWAN satellite relay + associated capabilities. EchoStar Mobile, an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), has now made available the first and only S-band LoRaWAN® Satellite Relay (EM-SR) device with associated network functions to help businesses fill terrestrial coverage gaps.
The EM-SR Relay is specifically designed to solve key challenges with traditional LoRaWAN® sensors in distribution and monitoring networks such as smart metering, distributed sensors, and remote connectivity. This solution provides cost effective LoRaWAN connectivity to sparsely deployed or hard to penetrate building locations without the need for extensive and expensive operational infrastructure.
IoT sensors may be located deep indoors in hard-to-reach places, such as underground, in basements, in metal cabinets, or other remote areas making conventional LoRaWAN implementation challenging. The EM-SR LoRaWAN® Satellite Relay device eliminates the need to deploy terrestrial LoRaWAN gateways to fill connectivity gaps.
The EchoStar Mobile S-band satellite network implements the LoRa Alliance’s LoRaWAN Relay Specification enabling multiple terrestrial LoRaWAN sensors to send and receive LoRaWAN packets via a single satellite enabled “Relay.” It is possible to connect multiple sensors using standard terrestrial LoRaWAN radios—better serving locations where there is no direct view of the sky.
The EM-SR is a self-contained unit that can connect 16 terrestrial LoRaWAN sensors and transfer data through the satellite network. It features a battery-powered satellite backhaul using energy-harvesting solutions and supports Firmware Updates Over the Air (FUOTA), which enables long-term, scalable, and economical deployment.
Offered as key component of a managed solution, the EM-SR device includes a management platform and associated APIs for integration with third party management platforms.
“We are committed to fueling innovation that enhances the accessibility and reliability of connectivity in remote regions and those without connectivity infrastructure. This network provides new economics for connecting sensors located at the edge of terrestrial radio frequency coverage—providing essential connectivity for hard-to-reach locations, where adding conventional LoRaWAN gateways may not be economically attractive,” said Telemaco Melia, Vice President and General Manager, EchoStar Mobile. “European businesses now have access to a low cost, scalable, and reliable solution that solves difficult remote connectivity problems and enables all points of their network to be connected economically.”
“Seamless connectivity, both terrestrial and satellite-based, is essential for unlocking the full potential of IoT,” said Olivier Beaujard, Chair of the Board of the LoRa Alliance, and LoRa ecosystem Senior Director for Semtech. “With a simple firmware update, the LoRaWAN ecosystem’s broad portfolio of terrestrial sensors can now easily benefit from satellite IoT services. This is a game changing innovation that will extend low-cost satellite coverage to difficult to reach areas, such as underground and indoors.”
“Advancements in connectivity technology continue to create greater opportunity—filling gaps that previously made service unavailable or unreliable. As the first of its kind, this network underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering superior connectivity to European Businesses,” said Chris Britton, Managing Director, Hughes Europe. “We are proud to make available this innovative and unique solution to European organizations, helping them optimize operations and boost the bottom line.” (Source: Satnews)
09 Dec 24. Blue Ring Pathfinder payload ready for launch — Blue Origin’s New Glenn on track for this year. Blue Origin’s payload for New Glenn’s first mission, NG-1, is ready for launch this year — NG-1 will carry the company’s Blue Ring Pathfinder and mark the rocket’s first National Security Space Launch certification flight.
The Blue Ring Pathfinder for New Glenn’s first mission, NG-1.
The encapsulated payload will be integrated onto the launch vehicle following the hotfire. New Glenn will lift off from Blue Origin’s Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Blue Origin received a contract to demonstrate a heavy utility-OLV system
using their ‘Blue Ring’ platform.
The pathfinder was developed by Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems business unit and will test Blue Ring’s core flight, ground systems, and operational capabilities. NG-1 will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload as part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort. DIU funding is helping to enable future Department of Defense missions.
The demonstrator includes a communications array, power systems, and a flight computer affixed to a secondary payload adapter ring. The pathfinder will validate Blue Ring’s communications capabilities from orbit to ground. The mission will also test its in-space telemetry, tracking and command hardware, and ground-based radiometric tracking that will be used on the future Blue Ring production space vehicle. The pathfinder will remain onboard New Glenn’s second stage for the duration of an expected six-hour mission.
Blue Ring addresses two of the most difficult challenges in spaceflight today: Growing space infrastructure and the need for increased mobility in space. The spacecraft’s ability to maneuver to multiple orbits and locations, deploy and host payloads, and perform onboard computing and communications will enable groundbreaking missions for a variety of customers.
The multi-mission space mobility platform can deliver and host 3,000 kilograms of payloads across 13 ports to destinations in GEO, cislunar, and interplanetary space. Blue Ring’s ports can accommodate ESPA and ESPA Grande class satellites and up to a 2.5 metric ton payload on its top deck.
New Glenn stands more than 320 feet (98 meters) tall and features a seven-meter payload fairing, enabling twice the volume of standard five-meter class commercial launch systems. Its reusable first stage is designed for 25 missions and powered by seven of Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines, the most powerful liquid oxygen (LOX) / liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled oxygen-rich staged combustion engines ever flown. Each BE-4 engine generates 550,000 lbf (2,450 kN) thrust at sea level with deep-throttle capability. The vehicle’s second stage is powered by two BE-3Us, liquid oxygen (LOX)/liquid hydrogen (LH2) engines designed to yield over 320,000 lbf of vacuum thrust together.
“We’re excited to demonstrate Blue Ring’s advanced in-space operations on New Glenn’s inaugural mission,” said Paul Ebertz, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems. “Blue Ring plays a critical role in building a road to space, and this mission is an important first step for Blue Ring and enabling dynamic and responsive operations that will greatly benefit our nation.” (Source: Satnews)
11 Dec 24. C-COM Flyaway antennas are demonstrated to the President of Peru and deployed by the Peruvian Airforce. C-COM 1.2m Flyaway and Vehicle Mount antennas were sold to the Peruvian Airforce by SES and exhibited on a military base in Peru to the President of Peru and to the Peruvian media. The event was organized by the Peruvian Airforce, and broadcast by TVPerú Noticias which is available for viewing on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSgh4ky2Y3sFLY-1202 – Flyaway
(Credit to TVPerú Noticias and SES for sharing this video event).
The iNetVu ® 1.2m Flyaway Antenna System is a portable, self-pointing, auto-acquire unit that is configurable with the iNetVu® 7715 Controller and can be assembled in less than 15 minutes by one person. The antenna features a 2-piece segmented glass Carbon iNetVu with compact pedestal and is cost-effective while providing exceptional performance in a light weight package. Field Upgradable to Ka-band.
The assets of the C-COM 1.2m Flayaway and Vehicle Mount antennas include:
- One button auto-pointing controller
- 3 Axis motion (Ku-band), 2 axis (X-band)
- Airline transportable
- Supports manual control when required
- Designed to work with the iNetVu® 7715 Controller
- Captive hardware / fasteners
- 1.2m off set, prime focus, 2-piece Carbon reflector
- No tools required for assembly / disassembly
- Less than 15 minutes assembly time, one person job
- Elevation-over-azimuth pedestal provides excellent stiffness characteristics and convenience for the user
- Eutelsat / Intelsat compliant
- Compact packaging, ruggedized shipping cases
- Minimal maintenance required
- Standard 2 year warranty
(Source: Satnews)