Sponsored by MatrixSpace
http://matrixspace.com
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23 Jan 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) ships its first Gen-3 satellite to launch provider Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) today. The satellite is planned for launch in February from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The Gen-3 constellation will offer customers new mission critical insights with the addition of very high-resolution, rapid-revisit 35-centimeter imagery and AI-enabled analytics delivered at industry-leading speed and scale.
“When combined with BlackSky Spectra®, the Gen-3 constellation is designed to deliver data at sub-hourly, mission-relevant speeds. We look forward to the inaugural launch and introducing the advanced features of our Gen-3 satellites to our customers.”
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“Gen-3 represents a transformative leap forward for space-based intelligence, combining very high- resolution imagery with high frequency monitoring,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO. “When combined with BlackSky Spectra®, the Gen-3 constellation is designed to deliver data at sub-hourly, mission-relevant speeds. We look forward to the inaugural launch and introducing the advanced features of our Gen-3 satellites to our customers.”
“BlackSky has developed Gen-3 to address significant demand from key defense and intelligence customers around the world as evidenced by the significant contracted backlog we have secured for Gen-3 services,” said O’Toole. “Once we commission this first satellite, we expect to move forward with a regular cadence of additional launches throughout the year as more Gen-3 satellites come off the production line.”
The evolution of BlackSky’s constellation will continue to optimize for increased capacity and flexibility with the regular addition of Gen-3 satellites. Gen-3 customers will be able to conduct the automated detection, identification and classification of a wide library of vehicles, aircraft, vessels and other objects of tactical interest. Low-latency intersatellite communications will give customers the flexibility to conduct high-priority, last-minute tasking, while agile onboard attitude control systems allow for maximum on-orbit operational efficiency. These new capabilities will further enable BlackSky’s space-based intelligence applications for tactical ISR missions and strategic intelligence operations.
About BlackSky
BlackSky is a real-time, space-based intelligence company that delivers on-demand, high frequency imagery, analytics, and high-frequency monitoring of the most critical and strategic locations, economic assets, and events in the world. BlackSky owns and operates one of the industry’s most advanced, purpose-built commercial, real-time intelligence systems that combines the power of the BlackSky Spectra® tasking and analytics software platform and our proprietary low earth orbit satellite constellation.
With BlackSky, customers can see, understand and anticipate changes for a decisive strategic advantage at the tactical edge, and act not just fast, but first. BlackSky is trusted by some of the most demanding U.S. and international government agencies, commercial businesses, and organizations around the world. BlackSky is headquartered in Herndon, VA, and is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange as BKSY. To learn more, visit www.blacksky.com and follow us on X.
22 Jan 25. Skykraft unveils partners for GPS alternative. Skykraft has unveiled the list of partners it will collaborate with on its government-backed plan to create an alternative to GPS. The Canberra-based firm, which hopes to launch a space-based air traffic control system, will collaborate with institutions such as RMIT, Curtin and UNSW on the positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) system. It comes after the federal government announced last year the project would be one of three to share an $18m grant intended to foster collaboration between the Australian and Indian space sectors.
“The global reliance on GPS makes entire regions vulnerable to losing positioning, navigation and timing data if the system fails,” RMIT’s Professor Suelynn Choy said.
“Australia and India have some very specific challenges and opportunities – particularly our large land mass, vast borders and primary industries relying on positioning, navigation and timing data – GPS may not be the right technology for all of these needs.
“These satellites are easier and less expensive to launch, and they allow for more flexibility by being deployed where coverage is needed most, providing a back-up to other global navigation satellite systems.”
RMIT said its researchers are leading the world in the development of microcomb technology, which would make the system possible.
Microcombs are based on photonic microchips, which can be rapidly adapted to any application that uses light, including PNT capabilities.
“This portability opens up opportunities for more accessible and deployable satellite networks,” said Arnan Mitchell, a distinguished professor at RMIT.
“This project presents an exciting opportunity for forming closer ties between Australia and India, where we collaborate to develop our microcombs technology and find innovative solutions for global positioning, navigation and timing challenges.”
The grant is through the Australian Space Agency’s International Space Investment India Projects, which supports strategic space projects that build valuable commercial links with the Indian Space Research Organisation and the broader Indian space sector.
It’s the latest in a series of collaborations with India, which has become one of Australia’s biggest partners in space.
In November, for example, Australia formalised its agreement with India to help recover the crew and capsule from the country’s first crewed space mission. The deal to support Gaganyaan will also mean the crew module could potentially land in the Southern Ocean when it finally blasts off in 2026, while Australian satellites will also be on board. (Source: Space Connect)
21 Jan 25. Thales Alenia Space and Hispasat Start the Development of the World’s 1st Quantum Key Distribution System Capacity from Geostationary Orbit.
- The QKD-GEO mission is the most advanced civil project in the world in this area. It will produce unhackable ground-orbit keys that not even the most advanced quantum computers will be able to break.
- Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a disruptive technology that goes beyond current optical communication models to offer a completely new paradigm in the field of information and communication security, based on the quantum properties of photons, a first step towards a future quantum internet.
- With funding from EU recovery funds through PERTE Aeroespacial, the project is an initiative of Spanish Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures, whose contracting is managed by the Spain’s Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), that will allow Spain to position itself in the European Commission’s European Quantum Communication Infrastructure (EuroQCI) initiative.
- Thales Alenia Space in Spain is leading a large industrial consortium of Spanish and other European companies, with Hispasat in charge of the design of the geostationary mission and the definition of the business plan.
Thales Alenia Space, the joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%), and Hispasat, Redeia’s satellite services operator, have announced the start of the development, manufacturing, verification, and validation phase of the QKD-GEO prototype, Spain’s quantum key distribution system from geostationary orbit. With a budget of 103.5 m euros, the QKD-GEO mission is a project initiated by the Spanish Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructures and funded by European funds from the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan (PERTE Aeroespacial), for which contracting is managed by CDTI.
A paradigm shift in secure communications
The advent of quantum computers is providing much greater computational power than traditional computers for specific problems, including prime factor decomposition, which is the basis for current non-symmetric cryptography. This will lead to a paradigm shift in secure communications, as it will be possible for hackers with quantum computers to decrypt current encryptions in a matter of seconds. As such, it is essential to develop a system that allows information to be sent with the necessary safeguards in governmental communications (both civil and military), critical infrastructure management and economically, environmentally and technologically relevant services, as well as in large corporations. This technology also represents a first step towards a future quantum internet, which will represent a radical leap in global communications.
Quantum key distribution through an optical communications system makes it possible to confirm with certainty if the keys have been intercepted, as the integrity of communications is verified continuously thanks to the quantum properties of photons. Today, technology does not allow the use of fiber-optic-based connections for quantum communications for distances over hundreds of kilometers. However, the use of satellites for quantum key distribution is capable of covering large distances, as signal attenuation is lower in free space. Specifically, geostationary coverage at an altitude of 36,786 km, unlike other orbits, makes it possible to establish communications between entire continents with a single satellite, continuously and without the need for complex signal-tracking systems. (Source: ASD Network)
22 Jan 25. New Cluster Set to Propel Denmark’s Space Industry to New Heights. The satellite and space industry is experiencing rapid growth—not just in Northern Denmark but worldwide. To accelerate this growth and drive job creation, Space Connect North has been established. The cluster’s members include Aalborg University, Gatehouse Satcom, Sternula, Necas, Rohde & Schwarz Technology Center, Satlab, Spacecom, GOMspace, Danphone, Invest in Aalborg, Keysight Technologies, Trusted, Hytek, PRI-DANA Elektronik, Cobham Satcom, and Quadsat. Together, they aim to collaborate and expand their reach to attract more international customers and technology partnerships. Most of these companies already have advanced technologies orbiting Earth, demonstrating their capabilities as “space-proven” industry leaders. For Gatehouse Satcom, a founding member based in Nørresundby, Denmark, the cluster is vital to amplifying the commercial momentum that the region’s space companies are already experiencing.
“To my knowledge, there’s no other place in Europe where so many established space and satellite companies are located in such a concentrated area. This makes Northern Denmark a natural destination for global companies seeking products, technology, or research collaborations,” says Kenney Schmidt Christiansen, CEO of Gatehouse Satcom.
Academic Collaboration for Innovation
Aalborg University, another founding partner, sees the cluster as an opportunity to link academia and industry. Professor Petar Popovski, a global authority in communication technology, emphasizes the benefits:
“Aalborg University educates a significant number of students with competencies relevant to the space and satellite industry. Through this cluster, we can align research and education with industry demands and involve businesses in shaping our research agenda. Additionally, the cluster will attract more space-focused students to the region,” says Popovski. Earlier this year, he received DKK 60 m from the Danish National Research Foundation to establish a Center of Excellence in quantum communication technology.
Strengthening Denmark’s Space Ecosystem
For global players like Rohde & Schwarz, the world’s second-largest satellite testing company, the cluster presents an excellent opportunity to deepen collaboration and enhance the industry’s strengths.
“Northern Denmark’s space companies are already significant players in the global market. However, the industry is evolving rapidly, and the cluster will facilitate knowledge-sharing, cross-industry collaboration, and further strengthen the region’s leadership in space technology,” says Kristian Sørensen, Technical Director at Rohde & Schwarz Technology Center in Aalborg.
Talent Attraction and Job Creation
A key benefit of Space Connect North is the establishment of a centralized job portal for member companies.
“While Aalborg University produces excellent talent, we also need to attract highly skilled professionals from across Denmark and the world. Our shared job portal will give potential employees confidence that they are joining not just one company but an entire ecosystem of exciting opportunities,” explains Claus Svendsen, HR Director at Gatehouse Satcom.
About Space Connect North
Space Connect North is a neutral facilitator fostering collaboration between businesses, universities, and research institutions to drive innovation and economic growth in digital space technologies. The cluster focuses on developing critical technologies for space applications, including Arctic and maritime operations. It also aims to enhance the region’s visibility, attract talent, and influence the creation of new educational programs tailored to the space industry. Learn more at www.spaceconnectnorth.com.
21 Jan 25. General Atomics Successfully Tests Nuclear Thermal Propulsion Reactor Fuel at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has successfully executed several significant high-impact tests at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) to advance the development of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) reactor technology for rapid, agile cislunar transportation and deep space missions, including human missions to Mars. Tests were conducted in collaboration with NASA to verify the ability of the GA-EMS design-specific nuclear fuel to meet the high-performance specifications required to withstand the extreme operational conditions expected in space.
“The recent testing results represent a critical milestone in the successful demonstration of fuel design for NTP reactors,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “Fuel must survive extremely high temperatures and the hot hydrogen gas environment that an NTP reactor operating in space would typically encounter. We’re very encouraged by the positive test results proving the fuel can survive these operational conditions, moving us closer to realizing the potential of safe, reliable nuclear thermal propulsion for cislunar and deep space missions.”
GA-EMS executed several high-impact tests at NASA’s MSFC in Huntsville, AL. The nuclear fuel was tested with hot hydrogen flow through the samples and subjected to six thermal cycles that rapidly ramped-up to a peak temperature of 2600 K (Kelvin) or 4220° Fahrenheit. Each cycle included a 20-minute hold at peak performance to demonstrate the effectiveness of shielding the fuel material from erosion and degradation by the hot hydrogen. Additional tests were performed with varying protective features to provide further data on how different material enhancements improve performance under reactor-like conditions.
“To the best of our knowledge, we are the first company to use the compact fuel element environmental test (CFEET) facility at NASA MSFC to successfully test and demonstrate the survivability of fuel after thermal cycling in hydrogen representative temperatures and ramp rates,” said Dr. Christina Back, vice president of GA-EMS Nuclear Technologies and Materials. “We’ve also conducted tests in a non-hydrogen environment at our GA-EMS laboratory, which confirmed the fuel performed exceptionally well at temperatures up to 3000 K, which would enable the NTP system to be two-to-three times more efficient than conventional chemical rocket engines. We are excited to continue our collaboration with NASA as we mature and test the fuel to meet the performance requirements for future cislunar and Mars mission architectures.”
GA-EMS conducted testing for NASA under a contract managed by Battelle Energy Alliance (BEA) – Idaho National Lab (INL). (Source: ASD Network)
21 Jan 25. Trump likely to axe space council after SpaceX lobbying, sources say.. President Donald Trump’s new administration is likely to do away with the White House’s National Space Council, a cabinet policy panel that lobbyists at Elon Musk’s SpaceX have been pushing to axe, according to three people familiar with the plans. Trump’s aides and SpaceX’s top lobbyist Mat Dunn in recent months have told associates they see the space council as a “waste of time”, according to the sources, stirring doubts about its fate and whether Vice President JD Vance would have an interest in chairing it as required by law. Following Trump’s election victory, his team did not contact the space council, chaired by Kamala Harris, as it did with NASA and other agencies over transition plans, one of the sources said. The council’s staff offices near the White House have mostly been emptied, the source said. Dunn, SpaceX and the heads of former President Joe Biden’s space council did not respond to requests for comment. (Source: Reuters)
17 Jan 25. SpaceX faces US regulatory probe after Starship rocket explodes. SpaceX has been ordered to pause launches of its Starship rocket while the company and the Federal Aviation Administration probe the cause of an explosion shortly after lift-off in Texas on Thursday. “The FAA is requiring SpaceX to perform a mishap investigation into the loss of the Starship vehicle,” the regulator said on Friday. “There are no reports of public injury, and the FAA is working with SpaceX and appropriate authorities to confirm reports of public property damage on Turks and Caicos.” Dozens of flights were slowed, diverted or delayed by the FAA as the debris fell from the explosion in space above the northern Caribbean region. Videos posted on social media showed it spectacularly disintegrating in a shower of flames. SpaceX described the incident as “a rapid unscheduled disassembly”, with initial data indicating a fire developed in the aft, or back, section. The debris had fallen “into the Atlantic Ocean within the predefined hazard areas”. The failure “served as a reminder that development testing by definition is unpredictable”, SpaceX added. Elon Musk said “success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed” in reply to videos of the incident. The incident was a setback for Musk’s $350bn space technology company just hours after a successful launch by rival Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin. However, SpaceX did manage to execute another successful “catch” of the flight’s reusable rocket booster stage in its giant “Mechazilla” robotic arms on its return to Earth. In a post on his social media platform X, Musk said the main rocket’s failure might have been due to an oxygen or fuel leak in the firewall of the ship’s engine, adding: “Nothing so far suggests pushing next launch past next month.” Debris from the SpaceX rocket is spotted over the Turks and Caicos Islands © Marcus Haworth via Reuters The FAA said that it “will be involved in every step of the SpaceX-led mishap investigation process and must approve [the] final report, including any corrective actions”. (Source: FT.com)
14 Jan 25. WISeKey’s WISeSat satellite powered by SEALSQ post-quantum security successfully launched. WISeKey International Holding (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), alongside its subsidiaries WISeSat.Space (“WISeSat”) and SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), have successfully launched their next-generation WISeSat satellite, equipped with post-quantum-ready security and SEALSQ semiconductors. The satellite was launched by SpaceX aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The Two-Line Element set (TLE), a data format used to describe the orbit of Earth-orbiting objects such as satellites, for this satellite is:
1 99918U 24001F 25014.82552859 .00000000 00000-0 -12617-3 0 9990
2 99918 97.4388 92.5046 0003489 26.8233 333.4162 15.17165894 1001
This historic event marks a significant milestone in the advancement of quantum-resilient technologies. The satellite is part of WISeSat’s initiative to provide real-time, secure IoT connectivity via a constellation of post-quantum-ready satellites, further demonstrating the viability of post-quantum cybersecurity in space environments.
WISeSat has announced it plans to launch an additional five, next-generation satellites in 2025. Each satellite will feature incremental advancements by SEALSQ in post-quantum cryptography and secure communication technologies, further solidifying the Company’s leadership in satellite-based IoT solutions.
Additionally, the satellites feature WISeKey’s WISeID identity management system, a platform for authenticating connected devices, and Hedera distributed ledger technology to provide a decentralized framework for maintaining data integrity and transparency across the network.
The WISeSat satellite leverages WISeKey’s Root of Trust and SEALSQ’s Post-Quantum Cryptographic Chips, ensuring state-of-the-art protection against the rising threats posed by quantum computing. This integration solidifies WISeSat as a leader in the secure satellite communication domain, delivering unmatched cybersecurity for IoT networks worldwide.
Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, said, “This launch signifies a groundbreaking leap in our efforts to secure the future of digital communications against quantum threats. By embedding SEALSQ’s post-quantum chips into our WISeSat satellite, we are reinforcing the trustworthiness of digital communications from Earth to space.”
WISeSat is WISeKey’s satellite subsidiary, addressing the growing demand for secure, real-time connectivity across industries such as government, finance, logistics, agriculture, energy, and critical infrastructure management. By leveraging nanosatellite technology, WISeSat provides low-cost, scalable solutions that ensure global coverage and end-to-end security.
Innovative Features of WISeSat
- Post-Quantum Readiness: Equipped with SEALSQ’s cryptographic chips to protect against quantum computing advances.
- Global IoT Connectivity: Enables seamless IoT communication, even in remote regions.
- End-to-End Security: Uses WISeKey’s Root of Trust for robust data encryption and authentication.
- Cost-Effective and Scalable: Nanosatellite design reduces costs while providing scalability for industries.
WISeSat Outlook
WISeKey aims to expand the WISeSat satellite constellation and enhance its capabilities by:
- Increasing satellite coverage for higher bandwidth and redundancy.
- Integrating AI-driven analytics for real-time data processing.
- Developing hybrid terrestrial-satellite solutions for seamless, secure connectivity.
Satellite location: wisesat.wisekey.com/?tags=WISeSat (Source: Satnews)
16 Jan 25. Exolaunch delivers 34 satellites to orbit during the Transporter-12 Rideshare Mission with SpaceX. Exolaunch has successfully delivered 34 satellites into orbit during the Transporter-12 rideshare mission with SpaceX which launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on January 14, 2025 at 11:09 am PT. This event marks Exolaunch’s first launch of 2025 and the company’s 32nd mission overall, continuing the company’s track record of providing reliable and precise satellite integration and deployment services. Exolaunch’s satellites on the mission included 20 cubesats and 14 microsats for its customers across 17 countries. These satellites represent a wide range of missions, including Earth observation, climate monitoring, connectivity, and scientific research. Using its flight-proven CarboNIX separation rings and EXOpod Nova deployers, Exolaunch successfully deployed over 1,500 kg of satellite mass into orbit, each on a mission to improve life on Earth. Additionally, multiple other deployments are planned in the weeks following launch.
“Our first mission of 2025 sets the stage for another active year at Exolaunch,” said Jeanne Allarie, chief commercial officer at Exolaunch.
“Transporter-12 is a testament to the trust our customers place in us and the strength of our partnership with SpaceX. We are proud to support the success of such a diverse group of missions.”
Exolaunch provided its end-to-end services in launch procurement, mission management, global shipping and logistics, integration, and hardware to the following customers:
- AlainSat-1 (United Arab Emirates University)
- Balkan-1 (EnduroSat)
- BRO-16 (Unseenlabs)
- BUZZZER-1 (Unseenlabs)
- constellr SkyBee 1 (Constellr)
- EDISON-1 (Space Inventor)
- Firefly-1, Firefly-2, Firefly-3 (Pixxel)
- Fledgling Veery “Barb” (Care Weather)
- GARAI-A (Satlantis)
- GESat GEN1 (Kongsberg NanoAvionics, Absolut Sensing)
- HCT-SAT1 (Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre)
- ICEYE 2 (ICEYE)
- ICEYE 3 (ICEYE)
- ICEYE 4 (ICEYE)
- InnoCube (TU Berlin)
- IRIS-F2, IRIS-F3 (Satoro)
- LEMUR 2 WILSON, LEMUR 2 ALISIA, LEMUR 2 ROUNDTRIPPER, LEMUR 2 MYNAMEISJEFF (Spire)
- OroraTech FOREST-3 (Ororatech)
- SCOT (OrbAstro)
- TROLL (TRL Space)
In addition, Exolaunch provided hardware and integration services for the following satellites:
- FGN-100-d1 (Fergani)
- HEO-01 (Argotec)
- NewSat-45 (Satellogic)
- Pelican-1.5 (Planet)
- SIGI (Reflex Aerospace)
- TATO, BlueBon (via Impulse Space’s Orbital Transfer Vehicle)
(Source: Satnews)
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Founded in 2017, MatrixSpace is creating the next generation of artificial intelligence enabled sensing solutions to digitize the outdoors beyond the limits of human perception.
The company combines novel artificial intelligence and radar technologies to identify movement and provide context in real-time. MatrixSpace sensors are the smallest, lightest and most portable high-performance systems on the market powered by AI. They deliver actionable insights that empower a broad range of public and private enterprises to protect assets and maintain safety with superior situational awareness.
For the modern, mobile battlespace, MatrixSpace provides both high performance 4D radar and jam-resistant mesh networked communications engineered to perform in the harshest conditions—day or night, in any weather, and in remote, rugged locations. Designed for flexibility, our radar systems can be integrated with tactical vehicles or mounted on structures like buildings, TOCs, or stanchions. Offering 360° coverage, they provide unmatched field-of-view advantages, while low energy consumption allows for solar/battery-powered operation in off-grid environments at twice the duration and a fraction the cost of alternatives. The MatrixSpace AI platform removes clutter and classifies objects, so operators can act confidently without specialized radar expertise.
The MatrixSpace expeditionary radar kit fits in a standard daypack and contains everything needed to deliver actionable detections to an ATAK mobile device in less than 5 mins.
MatrixSpace solutions are designed and developed in the United States, without ITAR export restrictions, manufactured under the highest ISO and IATF standards and rigorously tested for quality, reliability and compliance.
Visit maxtrixspace.com
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