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30 Jan 25. New Zealand launches second military satellite on Transporter-12. New Zealand last week launched its second military satellite onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 rideshare mission. The Tui CubeSat was a payload onboard the US National Reconnaissance Office’s Otter mission. Its aim is to test communication pathways that will help reduce communication delays in space operations. Tui will generate data over two years and will be used to inform New Zealand’s defence space policy considerations and potential future research work. It will also test communication pathways that will help reduce communication delays in space operations.
It comes after the New Zealand Defence Force’s first orbital research payload, Korimako, was successfully launched in March 2024.
“The Tui payload launch demonstrates a continuation of DST’s pathway into space operations research and development that began with the Korimako payload,” Defence Science and Technology (DST) director David Galligan said.
“We are delighted to be enabled in these endeavours through our strong international partnerships.”
New Zealand’s DST is a unit of the country’s military that employs scientists, technologists, technicians and business services professionals.
The payload was one of several high-profile local spacecraft launched on Transporter-12.
Space Connect reported last week how Fleet Space launched two new satellites on the SpaceX blast-off to improve its technology that can detect underground minerals from space.
Fleet’s “ExoSphere” product has led the company to be named one of Australia’s fastest-growing companies, boasting clients such as Rio Tinto, Barrick Gold and Core Lithium.
It effectively allows mining companies to both speed up the hunt for minerals and reduce costs by lowering the need for invasive land surveying.
The two new Centauri satellites are the ninth and 10th launched by the South Australian-based company and come nine months after it launched its last spacecraft, Centauri-6.
The Transporter-12 rideshare mission also included Varda’s W-2 capsule, which will soon touch down at South Australia’s Koonibba Test Range.
It comes three months after the space agency granted Southern Launch, which operates the site, Australia’s first authorisation to capture spacecraft that re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from orbit.
Varda, the company behind the W-2 capsule, believes in-space manufacturing could lead to the development of lifesaving treatments because of the natural advantages of being away from Earth, including microgravity and a vacuum.
Aside from pharmaceuticals, the spacecraft also contains payloads, including a heatshield developed with NASA’s Ames Research Center and a spectrometer created by the US Air Force’s research division.
The re-entry will allow the payloads to experience extreme hypersonic conditions that will exceed beyond Mach 15 – or 15 times the speed of sound.
“High hypersonic flow conditions are impossible to replicate on the ground, and flight testing is the only way to advance our understanding of the unique aerothermal chemistry experienced by spacecraft on their way back to Earth,” Varda said.
“Additionally, most test vehicles are not recoverable and are often limited to lower hypersonic conditions that do not provide a complete picture of the environment with adequate heat loads, pressures and plasma formation.” (Source: Space Connect)
29 Jan 25. York Space Systems (York), the Denver-based aerospace company dedicated to the rapid deployment of complete space mission solutions, today announced the latest addition to its satellite platform portfolio the M-CLASS. With a payload capacity of 1,000 kilograms and 8 kW of peak power, the M-CLASS addresses the growing demand for higher power and greater mission flexibility, enabling customers to tackle increasingly diverse and complex missions.
The M-CLASS builds on the success of York’s mission proven S-CLASS and LX-CLASS platforms, reusing over 75 percent of its flight-proven technology to deliver enhanced capabilities while maintaining record breaking production timelines with minimal schedule risk. The proprietary design and manufacturing approach further expands the range of solutions available to government and commercial partners with quantities from a single spacecraft to deploying large constellations. Ensuring reliability while supporting a wide variety of space missions, the M-CLASS continues York’s unbroken commitment to deliver adaptable, high-performance systems tailormade to meet customer needs.
“Customers are asking for more power and capability, and the M-CLASS is our response to that strong demand signal,” said Michael Lajczok, CTO of York. “This platform not only expands our product offerings, but also reinforces York’s role as a trusted partner in addressing complex mission needs. We remain committed to delivering on time solutions that empower our customers to achieve their objectives.”
York’s ability to produce bespoke satellites at unmatched scale and reliability continues to set the new standard for the space industry. York was the first to deliver T0 Transport satellites on orbit and remains proud to support the SDA throughout its demonstration phase of PWSA including: first-ever Link 16 from space, transport laser communication links, inter-layer laser communications, numerous military exercises participation, and in-orbit collision avoidance maneuverability. Its T0 mission has been operating successfully for over 20 months, with the second and third constellations set to launch later this year. York’s proven and mature supply chain and established production capabilities ensure rapid delivery timelines and mission-ready reliability, allowing customers to confidently meet critical deadlines in a dynamic operational environment.
“York continues to demonstrate how leveraging commercial innovation can effectively support critical government operations,” said Melanie Preisser, GM and Executive VP of York. “As the space industry evolves, the intersection of government mission needs and the commercial sector’s ability to innovate and scale has never been more necessary. The M-CLASS is a direct result of this growing synergy, enabling all customers the ability to access powerful, flexible, and efficient solutions for a wide range of applications. York is helping to ensure mission success for both government and commercial customers while strengthening the broader space ecosystem.”
With the introduction of the M-CLASS, York continues to solidify its position as a trusted partner for customers seeking scalable satellite solutions. From national security to environmental monitoring, the M-CLASS delivers the performance and adaptability required for today’s most demanding missions.
About York Space Systems
York Space Systems was founded on the principle of transforming spacecraft affordability and reliability. The Denver-based aerospace company is a beacon in the industry, enabling and spearheading next-generation space mission operations globally. Specializing in the swift production of mission-ready spacecraft platforms, York integrates commercial methodologies across a spectrum of government and commercial assignments. Their comprehensive solutions encompass spacecraft production, payload and system integration, launch and ground segment services, and mission operations. Harnessing York’s technology suite ensures customers achieve rapid orbit deployments, providing them with a competitive edge. Their S-CLASS, LX-CLASS, and largest, M-CLASS platforms cater to a diverse set of missions ranging from ISR, remote proximity, weather, to communications. York’s platforms are compatible with a broad spectrum of launch vehicles and ground segment providers. Their cloud-based mission tasking paired with an autonomous operations center provides an unparalleled, cost-effective solution for real-time data acquisition and analysis. Learn more at http://www.YorkSpaceSystems.com. (Source: PR Newswire)
29 Jan 25. U.S. Space Force Rapid Capabilities Office selects companies for tech accelerator.
The Space RCO tapped 10 companies for its inaugural Prime Fusion Pilot Accelerator.
The U.S. Space Force’s Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) announced Jan. 29 it selected 10 companies to participate in its inaugural Prime Fusion Pilot Accelerator Program, an initiative aimed at fast-tracking technologies to protect military satellites from orbital threats.
The program, run in partnership with defense contractor FedTech, is designed to identify emerging space technologies that could enhance the safety of satellites in orbit. Space RCO, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, focuses on the rapid acquisition and delivery of critical space systems.
The accelerator will focus on satellite defense technologies, including onboard satellite sensors, anomaly detection software, and ground-based tracking systems to monitor and report potential threats such as space debris and adversarial activity.
“The goal is to seamlessly integrate new and innovative technologies into satellites offered by prime integrators, creating adaptable space assets with built-in awareness,” the Space RCO said in a statement on Jan. 29.
The Space RCO, established by Congress in 2018, serves as a specialized unit within the Space Force dedicated to the expedited development and deployment of space capabilities.
Companies team up
The accelerator’s first cohort consists of five two-company teams, each bringing specialized expertise in satellite technology and situational awareness:
Active Vigilance – Turion Space: Active Vigilance specializes in automated onboard anomaly detection. Turion Space develops spacecraft capable of docking and maneuvering.
Digantara – Anduril: India-based Digantara is focused on space situational awareness, using a network of nanosatellites and a cloud-based analytics platform to track and assess space debris. Anduril Industries, a U.S. defense technology firm, is known for integrating artificial intelligence into defense systems.
Geost – Impulse Space: Geost manufactures space domain awareness payloads that track and identify objects in space. Impulse Space specializes in in-space transportation.
Raptor Dynamix – True Anomaly: Raptor Dynamix, a defense contractor leveraging AI for geospatial intelligence, teams up with True Anomaly, which develops spacecraft designed for military orbital operations and space domain awareness.
TRL11 – BlackVe: TRL11 is working to bring full-motion video capabilities to space for applications like satellite docking and debris removal. BlackVe focuses on developing spacecraft technologies for military applications.
The accelerator will culminate in a March 2025 pitch event in Albuquerque, where teams will present their solutions to Space RCO leadership and industry representatives. (Source: glstrade.com/Space News)
30 Jan 25. The first of the two Airbus-built new generation SpainSat satellites, SpainSat NG-I, has been successfully launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, in the U.S. Operated by Hisdesat for the Spanish Armed Forces, Europe’s most advanced secure communications satellite operating in UHF, Ka and X band, will enter into service in geostationary orbit from the second half of 2025, following initial testing and commissioning.
“The launch of SpainSat NG-I with cutting-edge secure communications technology enabled by our industry-leading Eurostar Neo platform is a major step for Spanish and European sovereignty. Its innovative payload, which represents more than 45% of the satellite, has been developed thanks to a joint effort of the Spanish space industry, led by Airbus,” said Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus Defence and Space.
Airbus Defence and Space, as prime contractor, designed, integrated and tested the satellite at the Airbus facilities in Toulouse. Airbus in Spain also developed the innovative X-band transmit and receive active antenna system, providing the functionality equivalent to 16 traditional antennas. These active antennas provide the satellite with exceptional flexibility and resilience. Their software enables them to adapt and change the coverage up to 1,000 times per second and can detect, geolocate and mitigate multiple and simultaneous interference with high precision. The satellite is also radiation hardened to protect against a potential nuclear blast.
SpainSat NG satellites will deliver a tenfold increase in communications capacity over the previous generation, allowing the transmission of more data more quickly with coverage over two thirds of the Earth’s surface.
The twin satellite SpainSat NG-II, which is currently under construction and testing at Airbus Defence and Space facilities, will be completed at the end of 2025.
29 Jan 25. Scottish rocket launch boost to get Britain back into space race. A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector.
£20m to launch the first UK made orbital rocket from Saxavord.
- Landmark Scottish rocket launch set to boost UK’s launching power and make Britain a European space leader
- £20m government investment will help to fund the construction and launch of the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket
- Orbex’s rocket Prime will encourage economic investment and support high-skilled jobs, as part of the Plan for Change
A landmark Scottish rocket launch is set to solidify the UK as a European leader in the space sector, following a £20m government investment in UK launch company Orbex to build and launch a rocket from the shores of Scotland.
Tech Secretary Peter Kyle announced the investment today (29th January) at Brussels’ European Space Conference, positioning Britain as a leading international partner and cooperator in Europe’s access to space. The investment will help to fund Orbex’s rocket Prime, the first UK-manufactured and UK-launched orbital rocket.
Prime is set to take off from late 2025 at Scottish spaceport SaxaVord, one of two licensed vertical launch spaceports in Europe. It will catalyse the UK’s position as a leading small satellite manufacturer and global space leader, and support 140 highly paid jobs in the region as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
The investment will contribute to this government’s mission to grow the economy, boosting the UK’s ability to regularly launch rockets into orbit from its shores and attracting launch investment into the UK.
With European demand for satellites up to 2033 forecasted to be worth $50bn, even 2% of this would bring around $1bn in revenues for the UK economy alone.
Developing Britain’s launch capabilities is already helping to bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities and organisations across the UK. So far, the Prime project has created more than 140 highly skilled jobs in Forres, with many more anticipated as the company continues to grow.
The launch of Prime will also help to inspire a new generation of British space professionals. By showcasing the pivotal role of Britain in the space age, government is investing now to ensure a sector that is vibrant, innovative, and above all, successful in achieving our goal for the UK to become a leading European provider of small satellite launch.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “Britain’s impressive toolkit of scientific talent, world class facilities, and unique geography means we stand ready to lead the charge and to work together with our international partners as a key part of the new space revolution in Europe. By investing £20m in this rocket launch, we are not only helping the country to become a leading destination for small satellite launches in Europe but bringing highly skilled jobs and investment to communities and organisations across the UK, as part of our Plan for Change.
Supporting Orbex’s launch will also turbocharge the country’s position in the space sector and inspire our next generation of space professionals, who will be able to design, test, build and launch British rockets, carrying British satellites, from British soil.”
Designed to launch satellites into orbit, Prime will benefit from the UK’s latitude, with Scotland’s geographical positioning providing easy access to valuable polar orbits.
The British-built Prime is also Europe-leading in its pioneering approach to sustainability. It is poised to become the first in a new generation of ultra green launch systems, powered by renewable bio-propane fuel, which cuts carbon emissions significantly compared to other similarly sized rockets being developed elsewhere around the world.
The rocket is also designed to be re-useable. Upon returning to Earth, what does not burn up harmlessly in the atmosphere will be recovered and components will be refurbished and reused in future projects.
Britain is already a key player in the satellite industry, with Glasgow building more satellites than any other city in Europe.
Dr Paul Bate CEO UK Space Agency said: “Space is a fast-growing global industry and there is a real opportunity for the UK to play a greater role now than ever before. This new government investment is not just about launching a rocket, but building a more prosperous future for all, powered by space technology. Orbex is a highly innovative company that can serve customers in the UK, Europe and beyond with its Prime launch vehicle, create hundreds of high skilled jobs in Scotland and inspire a new generation to reach for the stars. We will work closely with them as we countdown to launch, continue to develop our national space capabilities, and strengthen our international partnerships.”
Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said: “It’s an exciting time for the Scottish space sector and this £20m investment from the UK government in Orbex will help Scotland maintain our position as a leader as we look forward to the first satellite launch later this year. This important industry is playing a vital role in our Plan for Change, helping economic growth and employing thousands of people in good quality jobs, often in small towns and rural communities, across the country.2
Phillip Chambers, CEO of Orbex, said: “This first of a kind investment by the UK government demonstrates its confidence in the UK’s space rocket manufacturing and launch sector and is an exciting start to the opening of our Series D fundraising. We are entering the final preparations to deliver the most flexible and environmentally sustainable launch services to the global satellite industry. This investment paves the way not only for us to launch our first rocket this year but also to develop a larger rocket to enable us to compete in the European Launcher Challenge. These development goals are crucial to our longer-term development.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
27 Jan 25. Summit Ridge Group, LLC and TMF Associates, Inc., leading financial and industry consulting boutiques focused on the telecom, media, and satellite industries, are pleased to announce the release of their joint white paper, “Spectrum for Emerging Direct-to-Device Satellite Operators.” This detailed analysis examines the technological, regulatory, and economic challenges to finding appropriate spectrum for direct-to-device services. The full report is available at: https://summitridgegroup.com/insights-blog/
Direct-To-Device: A Paradigm Shift in Connectivity
Direct-to-device (D2D) services are revolutionizing satellite communications by enabling seamless connectivity between satellites and standard consumer devices such as smartphones and IoT sensors. This technology promises to extend connectivity to even the most remote corners of the globe, bridging critical coverage gaps. However, the vision of near-universal connectivity is not without challenges. Spectrum scarcity and competing demands from terrestrial and satellite services make efficient spectrum allocation a critical hurdle for both new entrants and incumbent players.
Key Insights From The White Paper
- Spectrum Allocation: The Pivotal Challenge
- Existing Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) bands—L-band, Big LEO, and 2 GHz—offer viable options for D2D deployment. Among these, the underutilized 2 GHz band presents the most flexibility and potential for supporting high-capacity D2D applications.
- Co-channel frequency sharing with incumbent MSS users poses significant challenges, particularly in safety-critical bands like L-band and Big LEO.
- Innovative approaches, including commercial partnerships, are emerging as pragmatic solutions to balance the needs of MSS incumbents and D2D entrants.
- Market Dynamics and Strategic Positioning
- Market leaders such as Apple, Globalstar, AST SpaceMobile, and SpaceX are investing heavily in D2D, showcasing the market’s transformative potential. Apple’s partnership with Globalstar and AST’s agreement with Ligado underscore the growing importance of MSS spectrum for D2D services.
- While text-based and emergency services are leading initial deployments, future iterations promise voice and higher-speed data capabilities. However, these future capabilities will require significant spectrum resources and technological optimization while facing uncertain consumer willingness to pay.
- Regulatory and Technical Realities
- Current regulatory frameworks, including the FCC’s Supplementary Coverage from Space (SCS) rules, provide a foundation for D2D operations, but global spectrum harmonization of terrestrial bands remains an elusive goal.
- Technological constraints, including the limitations of omnidirectional antennas in consumer devices, underscore the need for tailored solutions in spectrum coordination and system design.
The Road Ahead
We identify the 2 GHz MSS band as a promising frontier for next-generation D2D networks due to the significant challenges associated with the Big LEO and L-band MSS spectrum. The Big LEO MSS band is already fully utilized, leaving no additional spectrum available for new entrants. Moreover, co-channel sharing in this band is fraught with risks:
- Safety and Mission-Critical Communications: Sharing spectrum in the Big LEO and L-band MSS frequencies could compromise emergency and mission-critical services, making these bands unsuitable for further allocations.
- Technological Constraints: Current technological limitations, such as the inability of consumer devices with omnidirectional antennas to effectively manage spectrum sharing, further hinder the feasibility of co-channel use in the Big LEO band.
In contrast, the 2 GHz MSS band offers much-needed flexibility and capacity, with fewer regulatory and technical hurdles and minimal incumbent use. Leveraging this spectrum will enable high-power D2D applications while addressing the growing demand for seamless global connectivity.
Commercial agreements between D2D providers and MSS incumbents are emerging as the most viable path forward, accelerating D2D deployments without compromising critical communication systems. By focusing on the 2 GHz MSS band, the D2D proponents can unlock the full potential of D2D services, ensuring a robust and reliable framework for future advances.
About Summit Ridge Group
Summit Ridge Group LLC (“Summit Ridge Group,” “SRG,” or the “firm”) is a globally recognized consulting firm specializing in complex business valuation, financial advisory, and strategic consulting for the telecommunications, satellite, media, and technology (TMT) sectors. Founded in 2008, the firm is renowned for its expertise in valuing hard-to-value assets such as wireless spectrum licenses and satellite orbital slot authorizations. Summit Ridge Group delivers objective insights to support high-stakes transactions, litigation, and financial restructuring, serving institutional investors, leading law firms, U.S. government agencies, and other key industry participants. The firm’s comprehensive services include transaction advisory, due diligence, and strategic consulting for telecom operators, satellite communications providers, and technology companies driving advancements in 5G, IoT, Private Networks. Leveraging deep industry expertise and understanding of financial, legal, and industry complexities, Summit Ridge Group empowers clients to navigate challenges and seize opportunities in the rapidly evolving global TMT market. For additional information, please visit https://summitridgegroup.com/.
About Telecom, Media & Finance (TMF) Associates
TMF Associates, headquartered in Woodside, California, is a leading consulting and research firm providing business and technical analysis in
satellite, wireless, and broadband telecommunications. The firm specializes in Mobile Satellite Services (MSS) and LEO broadband systems, and works with operators, investors, and equipment manufacturers to analyze complex market and technical issues. For additional information, please visit www.tmfassociates.com. (Source: PR Newswire)
24 Jan 25. SpaceX sends off 23 smallsats from Starlink Group 11-6. Early morning fog was not a problem this time when on Friday, January 24 at 6:07 a.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink v2 Mini satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission marked a turnaround record for SLC-4E at 2 days, 22 hours, 21 minutes, and 10 seconds, just over 17 hours faster then the previous record set by SpaceX. This was the 23rd flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Sentinel-6, DART, SDA-0B, Iridium OneWeb, Transporter-7, NROL-113, NROL-167, NROL-149, and now 15 Starlink missions. (Source: Satnews)
27 Jan 25. CybExer Technologies, a NATO-awarded deep tech cyber range company, has today announced that it has been named as a Key Technology Partner of the European Space Agency (ESA). In collaboration with Spaceit, CGI Estonia, Foundation CR14, and Tartu University, CybExer will be bringing its expertise in cyber range platforms to develop a new Space Cyber Range (SCR) for the ESA. This groundbreaking initiative falls under the ARTES 4.0 (Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems) program line Space Systems for Safety and Security (4S).
As the world becomes increasingly dependent on satellites and space-based assets for communication, navigation, and critical infrastructure, securing these systems against evolving cyber threats has become an urgent priority.
The SCR provides a realistic, controlled and highly advanced simulation environment where space operators, cybersecurity professionals, and technology developers can train, test, and validate solutions before cyber threats impact live space missions.
By consolidating cybersecurity capabilities into a single integrated platform, the SCR establishes a new benchmark for cybersecurity readiness, ensuring that emerging technologies and critical space systems meet the highest security and regulatory standards.
“This marks a major breakthrough in securing the future of space operations,” said Andrus Kivisaar, CEO of CybExer Technologies. “With the increasing digitisation of space assets, cyber threats are no longer a theoretical risk – they are a real and immediate challenge. The Space Cyber Range ensures that we stay ahead of threats by providing an environment where space organisations can strengthen their cybersecurity defences with confidence.”
The Space Cyber Range marks a major step forward in how cybersecurity is approached for space operations. It enables organisations to replicate the complexity of satellite communications, ground control interactions, and cyberattack scenarios while providing a secure testing ground where space agencies and companies can assess vulnerabilities without putting live systems at risk.
CybExer will play a central role in powering the cybersecurity framework of the SCR. With a strong track record of delivering cyber training and testing solutions in over 60 countries, CybExer brings its expertise in highly adaptable and scalable cyber ranges to the project.
20 Jan 25. Pixxel has launched Firefly hyperspectral satellite. Pixxel has successfully launched the first three satellites of its Firefly constellation. The satellites were integrated via Exolaunch and launched aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission via SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This marks a significant milestone for Pixxel as it begins commercial operations, delivering critical climate and Earth insights to industries worldwide and solidifying its position as a global leader in Earth Observation.
The Fireflies, currently the world’s highest-resolution commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites, bring unprecedented precision to monitoring the planet and setting a new benchmark for hyperspectral imaging capabilities. With an 5-meter resolution attained for the first time in a hyperspectral spacecraft, Fireflies are six times sharper than the 30-meter standard of most existing hyperspectral satellites, capturing fine details previously invisible to conventional systems.
This cutting-edge resolution is paired with the ability to capture data across 150+ spectral bands, enabling Fireflies to detect subtle changes in chemical compositions, vegetation health, water quality, and even atmospheric conditions with unmatched accuracy. Unlike traditional Earth observation satellites that rely on broader spectral bands, Firefly’s narrowband sensors uncover hidden patterns and anomalies critical for applications ranging from agriculture to climate action.
Pixxel’s satellites also feature a 40-kilometer swath width and a daily revisit capability, enabling consistent monitoring of vast areas without compromising on detail and ensuring that no critical event goes unnoticed. This combination of high spatial resolution, spectral richness, and frequent global coverage positions Firefly as the world’s most advanced commercial hyperspectral imaging system.
Orbiting in a sun-synchronous orbit at roughly 550km, the Fireflies will form the cornerstone of Pixxel’s mission to build a health monitor for the planet.
“The future of our planet depends on how deeply we understand it today. The successful deployment of our first commercial satellites is a defining moment for Pixxel and a giant leap toward redefining how we use space technology to address the planet’s challenges,” said Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel. “By investing in the health of our planet now, Pixxel hopes not just to shape the trajectory of Earth observation but also to help write the next chapter in the story of our shared future.”
“The Fireflies represent years of rigorous research, engineering, and innovation aimed at unlocking critical insights about our planet and are a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of our team and the transformative potential of hyperspectral imaging,” said Kshitij Khandelwal, Founder and CTO of Pixxel. “Their ability to detect subtle changes in Earth’s ecosystems will provide industries and governments with the precise information needed to address critical global challenges confidently.”
This launch marks the first phase of Pixxel’s commercial constellation, with three additional Firefly satellites scheduled to launch in Q2 2025. Together, these satellites will deliver comprehensive, real-time data collection and analysis, equipping industries and governments with insights to address global concerns, manage resources responsibly, and drive climate action.
The Firefly constellation’s advanced hyperspectral imaging capabilities open new possibilities across sectors. From empowering environmental agencies to monitor deforestation and ocean pollution in near real-time to helping industries like mining, oil, and gas enhance resource management and infrastructure safety, the applications are vast and transformative. By detecting subtle changes in soil composition, water quality, or atmospheric conditions, Firefly will change how humanity interacts with and protects our planet’s resources.
As part of its larger mission, Pixxel plans to integrate hyperspectral data with machine learning and artificial intelligence tools, further amplifying the impact of Earth Observation technology. This fusion of advanced satellite imagery and predictive analytics will enable businesses to anticipate disruptions and governments to implement proactive policies, paving the way for a new era of precision decision-making.
Pixxel has already launched three successful demo hyperspectral satellites before this launch and raised $95 m in funding, making it the most well-funded hyperspectral imaging space startup globally. With this commercial launch, Pixxel takes a decisive step toward operationalizing its vision of a hyperspectral-powered future where advanced Earth Observation drives solutions. (Source: Satnews)
23 Jan 25. Almagest Space successful launch + deployment of their ELEVATION-1 E-Band satellite. Almagest Space Corporation has announced the successful launch and deployment of ELEVATION-1, a demonstration satellite carrying the world’s first E-band communications payload with the foundational technology for Almagest to develop innovative, high performance, bulk data solutions.
ELEVATION-1 was launched, with support from Almagest’s launch partner D-Orbit S.p.A., on January 14th as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Base. The spacecraft was manufactured by XDLINX Space Labs in India, is powered by Antaris’ Cloud Platform and SatOS™, and was assembled, integrated, and tested by Ananth Technologies. The E-band payload was built by XDLINX using key components and subsystems from Filtronic, Flann, and IQ Wireless. ELEVATION-1 was delivered within 9 months of kick-off, an extraordinary achievement for such a challenging mission.
ELEVATION-1 represents a major advancement in satellite communication capabilities. The spacecraft will test the world’s first miniaturized space-grade E-band communication payload, and measurement and other transmission data will be used to develop advanced propagation models for Almagest’s global high-speed and ultra-high throughput (UHTS) LEO constellation. Almagest plans to deploy its constellation in phases, commencing in 2026- 2027 with its TWINSTAR Mission, consisting of two, FSO-connected satellites providing two- way high-throughput point-to-point services for latency tolerant applications, and gradually expanding to a network of more than 100 satellites by 2030 as demand for these services increases.
The untapped lower (71-76 GHz) and upper (81-86 GHz) E-Band spectrum can be harnessed to meet the ever-growing data traffic requirements of commercial UHTS and other SATCOM systems for secured high-capacity channels. The 10 GHz of available E-band spectrum is far greater than available spectrum in congested legacy lower frequencies like S-, Ku-, and Ka-band. E-band solutions will greatly enhance space-based communication capabilities by delivering unprecedented fiber optic-like speeds of up to 100 Gbps, enabling secure high-system capacity networks and high data throughput applications. Almagest has a senior multi-orbital global ITU filing in E-band.
Raghu Das, Almagest’s CEO and Co-Founder, said, “Almagest is thrilled to announce the successful launch of ELEVATION-1 on the Transporter-12 mission. Our focus now is on demonstrating the E-band payload’s space-to-earth transmission capabilities, which will form the foundation for our quantum key distribution (QKD)-enabled ‘zero trust’ high- capacity UHTS network. This network will deliver speeds complementing fiber-optic systems. We are committed to working with technology and strategic partners— including terrestrial wireless carriers and independent global satellite network operators— to provide cutting-edge, global space/earth and in-space bulk data relay services. These services will cater to government and commercial applications requiring ultra-high capacity and speed.” (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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