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07 Mar 25. New UK-made space system to help protect military satellites. Innovative UK-made tech will help the military monitor space following a new £65m deal agreed today, in British Science Week. The Borealis command, control and data processing system will help the UK military the UK Space Agency to better monitor and protect satellites, through new software which compiles and processes data from multiple sources, more quickly, to monitor space. The £65m deal with CGI UK, an IT systems integration specialist, will support around 100 skilled jobs in Leatherhead, Reading and Bristol, boosting the UK’s space capabilities and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change. The new technology will provide UK military with a better understanding of the Space Domain, improving military commanders decision-making process and supporting operations, both at home and overseas. Under the five-year contract, Borealis will provide software for the National Space Operations Centre, which develops and operates the UK’s space surveillance and protection capabilities. It will be a unique, UK-made system which support military operations around the world.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Rt Hon Maria Eagle MP, said: “This new deal delivers for our national security by enhancing protection for our satellite technology that millions rely on, while boosting jobs and growth at home.
This Government continues to work swiftly to develop the new Defence Industrial Strategy. This announcement will support hundreds of highly skilled jobs, unlocking defence as an engine for growth and driving forward this government’s Plan for Change.”
Borealis will enhance the UK’s ability to monitor and protect crucial space assets, which underpin the UK’s security and prosperity, enabling us to navigate the oceans, keep our military personnel safe, monitor the climate, and forecast the weather. Other key benefits which Borealis provides includes:
* Space Domain Awareness: The ability to understand and analyse what is happening in space around the Earth. This includes space weather – the environmental conditions in space around Earth – and monitoring objects in space, including space debris and active satellites.
* Protection of UK space assets: Borealis will provide a single, bespoke system, which will compile all data related to UK satellites. This enhanced awareness of what is happening in space will enable UK Space Command to better protect critical UK space systems.
* Integrated C2 System: Borealis will provide timely decision-quality information to government and military commanders through an interoperable system, across different tiers of security classification.
Maj Gen Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command, said: “The use of space is crucial for our economy, prosperity, security, and defence, but assured access to space is becoming increasingly contested by adversaries and congested by users and debris. Therefore, it is imperative that we know what is happening in space.
Borealis is an innovative system that draws together multiple inputs to enhance the UK government’s understanding of the wide-ranging activity on orbit, allowing the UK to protect not just our own space assets, but those of our allies and partners as well.” CGI is one of the world’s leading providers of independent IT services to international defence customers including the UK, Australia, Canada and the USA. CGI will work alongside a network of partner organisations hand-picked for their expertise to deliver the programme. Neil Timms, Senior Vice President of Space, Defence & Intelligence UK & Australia at CGI said: “We’re proud to support UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency through delivery of BOREALIS. We believe this is a strategic step towards establishing a more holistic approach to the UK’s national space data architecture, with BOREALIS and the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC) at its heart.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
07 Mar 25. Military Satellite SKYNET 6A passes initial phase of testing. The SKYNET 6 programme is working closely with industry to exploit technological advancements to deliver the next generation of military communication satellites. SKYNET is the UK Ministry of Defence’s satellite communication (SATCOM) capability. It supports operations to deliver information to UK and allied forces around the world, enabling battlefield information advantage anywhere, anytime. Representing the single largest government investment in the UK space industry, SKYNET 6 highlights the nation’s commitment to developing its space capabilities and is a programme co-sponsored by Strategic Command and UK Space Command. The first of the SKYNET 6 assets, 6A, has reached a milestone with the completion of the initial phase of testing at the new UK-government funded National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) in Harwell, Oxfordshire. The satellite will leverage the latest developments in digital processing and radio frequency spectrum utilisation, offering greater capacity and versatility than previous generations of SKYNET satellites. The initial testing at the state-of-the-art UK facility ensured the satellite can withstand the harsh conditions of launch and space, including electromagnetic compatibility, extreme temperatures and vibrations. Further testing of the completed SKYNET 6A satellite will be conducted at the facility this year, with Airbus Defence, Space UK and the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s (STFC) RAL Space working closely together to guarantee the satellite’s long-term functionality and reliability once it’s launched into orbit.
Jason Gnaneswaran, Senior Responsible Owner for SKYNET 6, said: “The SKYNET 6 programme will ensure our deployed forces have world-leading communications abilities on demand, whether on the battlefield, onboard a ship, or in the air. This milestone in testing is a huge achievement for the Ministry of Defence and RAL Space and is a crucial step in guaranteeing the delivery and long-term functionality of SKYNET 6a. It also highlights the success of the broader SKYNET enterprise and the value of close collaboration with our industry and cross-government partners.”
Scheduled for launch in 2026, this cutting-edge satellite will be the first SKYNET military communications satellite to be entirely designed, built, and tested in the UK, marking a significant advancement for the nation’s space industry. It will be a critical asset for the UK’s armed forces and allies, providing secure and reliable communications for at least 15 years and supporting a wide range of military activities across all operational domains. This project directly sustains 550 highly skilled jobs throughout the country, including in Stevenage, Corsham, and Portsmouth. Whilst the Harwell Campus is already home to over 100 local and international space organisations, the NSTF itself is expected to attract new businesses and investment to the UK space sector, further solidifying the country’s position as a leader in space technology. SKYNET 6A’s testing campaign is a testament to the UK’s growing expertise in the space sector enabled by direct investment from the programme.
Dr Barbara Ghinelli, Director for the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Innovation Clusters and for the Harwell Campus, said: “By supporting pioneering projects like SKYNET 6A, the facility is helping to accelerate the UK’s journey towards the commercialisation of space and further strengthening our clusters as global hubs for innovation. Our unique combination of facilities and expertise supports businesses across the UK, and we are excited to enable more dual-use application of our capabilities through programmes like SKYNET 6 and the Regional Defence and Security Clusters.”
SKYNET continues to play a critical role in the UK’s military satellite communication infrastructure, supporting whole force integration which ensures the armed forces remain connected and informed wherever they operate. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
06 Mar 25. The Airbus-built CSO-3 (Composante Spatiale Optique) Earth observation satellite for the French Armed Forces, has been successfully launched by Arianespace on Ariane 6’s first commercial flight from the European Spaceport in Kourou.
Alain Fauré, Head of Space Systems at Airbus said: “With each CSO satellite, there may be a new team but the same goal of serving our government customers remains: to provide the best resolution with an agile and secure network. All this, for the intelligence, autonomy and security of our nation. CSO-3 is a perfect illustration of what Airbus and the French space industry can do for France and Europe. It is also a great example of what Europe can do when teaming up!”
CSO-3 is the third of the three-satellite CSO fleet, which will provide extremely high resolution geo-information intelligence to the French Armed Forces and its partners as part of the MUSIS programme (Multinational Space-based Imaging System for surveillance, reconnaissance and observation). As prime contractor for the CSO satellite programme, Airbus has provided the agile platform and avionics, and was also responsible for integration and testing, and final delivery of the satellite to the French Space Agency, CNES. Thales Alenia Space provided Airbus with the very-high resolution optical instrument. Airbus teams also developed directly for the DGA, the customised and dynamic User Ground Segment on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) to the benefit of the French Space Command (CDE), which enables confidential distribution and sharing of information for France and its partners from several European states.
Lionel Suchet, CEO of CNES said: “I am delighted with the successful launch of CSO-3, a satellite serving French defense on behalf of CNES and DGA, built by Airbus Defence and Space in collaboration with Thales Alenia Space. The success of this launch, on Ariane 6’s first commercial mission, is excellent news on several counts, and testifies to European and French excellence in the space sector, in the service of our citizens. With the launch of this third CSO satellite, CNES is providing operational support to the French Ministry of the Armed Forces in its drive to renew its space capabilities. I’d like to congratulate all the teams who helped make this launch a success, whether they were involved in preparing the satellite or in bringing this first Ariane 6 commercial mission to a successful conclusion”.
The CSO satellites are equipped with a very agile pointing system for highly effective image acquisition and are controlled via a secure ground control operations centre. The fleet offers 3D and very high resolution imaging capability, in visible and infrared bandwidths, enabling acquisition during night and day and maximizing operational use.
The CSO-3 satellite, identical to CSO-1 and 2, will complement the reconnaissance operations of CSO-1 with amplified coverage and revisit capability over large zones at an altitude of 800km. Flying at a lower altitude, CSO-2’s focus is on identification, delivering much higher resolution image quality and precision analytics. The satellite’s tremendous agility and stability enable it to quickly provide users with extremely high-quality images from the Thales Alenia Space instrument, even for the most complex acquisition schedules Airbus was awarded the CSO contract at the end of 2010, by CNES, acting on behalf of the French Defence Procurement Agency, DGA. The contract included an option for a third satellite, which was activated after Germany joined the programme in 2015. The success of this Ariane 6 launch has also been made possible thanks to Airbus employees in Spain and the Netherlands, who contribute to each Ariane 6 launcher, including from Spain large carbon fibre structures (interstage structures, launch vehicle adapter and top of the solid boosters) as well as the electronics and 90% of the wiring. From the Netherlands, the engine thrust frames for the Vulcain 2.1 and Vinci engines are provided.
The MUSIS programme
In 2010, in the absence of an agreement on the European MUSIS initiative to replace existing systems (the French Hélios and Pléiades optical systems, and the German and Italian SAR-Lupe and Cosmo-SkyMed radar systems) and in order to reduce the risk of capability gap at the end of Hélios II’s life, France launched a national programme also called MUSIS, led by the DGA. Since then, eight countries have joined the CSO community through bilateral cooperation agreements: Germany (2015), Sweden (2015), Belgium (2017), Italy (2019), Spain (2021), Switzerland (2023), Poland (2024) and Greece (2024). This programme includes three optical space components (CSO) satellites, a Mission Ground Segment, and an User Ground Segment allowing access to German SARah satellites and the realization of the CIL allowing access to Italian CSG satellites. These resources provide situational awareness and strategic intelligence capabilities, as well as support for crisis prevention and anticipation, and for the planning and conduct of operations.
06 Mar 25. 1st CubeSat Joins ESA’s Ramses Mission to Asteroid Apophis.
* The European Space Agency (ESA) has selected the first of two CubeSats to fly onboard its proposed Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses)
* If approved, Ramses will rendezvous with the asteroid Apophis before it passes exceptionally close to Earth on 13 April 2029, exactly 1500 days from today
* The Ramses spacecraft will deploy two smaller CubeSats at the asteroid to maximise the scientific return of this rare natural phenomenon
* Tyvak International will lead the development of Ramses’ first CubeSat, drawing on their experience developing the Milani CubeSat for Ramses’ predecessor mission, Hera
* The project has been awarded 4.7m euros of the funding allocated to Ramses mission preparations in July 2024
Building on Hera’s legacy
ESA’s first planetary defence mission, Hera, launched in October 2024 on a journey to the binary asteroid system Didymos, where it and its two CubeSat passengers, Milani and Juventas, will study the aftermath of humankind’s first attempt at asteroid deflection. To facilitate its rapid development, ESA’s Ramses mission will leverage much of the technology developed for Hera. The mission’s first CubeSat will be a hybrid that combines the platform and dust analyser of Milani with the low-frequency radar instrument of Juventas. The dust analyser will examine the material that could be released from the surface of Apophis by phenomena such as landslides, while the radar instrument will enable a detailed investigation of Apophis’ internal structure. While Apophis poses no danger, these investigations would allow us to practice techniques that humankind could use to determine the structure of a hazardous asteroid and assess how best to knock it off a collision course with Earth. Tyvak International will draw on their experience overseeing the development of Hera’s Milani CubeSat to lead a consortium of companies from a number of ESA Member States. The project has been awarded 4.7 m euros of the funding allocated to Ramses mission preparations in July 2024.
“By utilising existing technologies, this CubeSat will bring onboard the Ramses mission trusted European industrial and research partners that have demonstrated their ability to deliver high-quality mission elements under a tight deadline,” says Fabio Nichele, CEO at Tyvak International.
“Our commitment to undertake and exceed advanced space mission challenges, and flawlessly deliver miniaturised space system technologies, is pushing the boundaries of the European planetary defence to unrivalled excellence. We are thrilled to honour the trust of the Agency in such complex and historical journey.”
1500 days until Apophis – Ramses mission on track
Meanwhile, preparations for the main Ramses spacecraft are making good progress and demonstrating the maturity of the overall mission concept prior to the critical funding decision at ESA’s Ministerial Council in November.
“The recent discovery of asteroid 2024 YR4 has highlighted the fact that an asteroid reconnaissance mission could be required at short notice if we were to detect a significant impact hazard,” says Richard Moissl, Head of Planetary Defence at ESA.
“With Ramses, we are not only capitalising on a unique scientific opportunity, we are also demonstrating ESA’s ability to develop an asteroid mission on a strict deadline that realistically reflects the time we may have to respond to a hazard in the future.”
Ramses project manager, Paolo Martino, adds: “When Apophis passes Earth in April 2029, it will capture the attention of the entire world.”
“With Ramses, we could put Europe in a front row seat: we could be the ones delivering the close-up images of Apophis and leading global efforts to harness this truly historic opportunity for space exploration, asteroid science and planetary defence.”
“Thanks to the hard work of our industrial and institutional partners in Europe and Japan, Ramses continues to pass each milestone on its tight schedule, which would require a launch in 2028 in order to rendezvous with Apophis before it passes Earth.”
Could we land on Apophis?
Relying on proven technology for the first Ramses CubeSat has enabled the team to explore exciting new possibilities for the second. The Ramses team is currently considering whether the mission’s second CubeSat could instead be a lander that would touch down on Apophis. The lander’s surface instruments could open up a new valuable dimension to the mission’s scientific capabilities. (Source: ASD Network)
05 Mar 25. The latest self-funded technology demonstration from Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is ready to launch no earlier than March 15. In the weeks ahead, the LM 400 technology demonstration is planned to launch on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket, which successfully passed its static fire test today. The technology demonstration arrived in California on March 1, and is now undergoing pre-launch payload processing at Astrotech Space Operations. The satellite was specifically designed to showcase the investment in risk-reduction efforts and pathfinding Lockheed Martin has done for its mid-sized, LM 400 multi-mission satellite bus, and to demonstrate the spacecraft’s operational capabilities on orbit for customers. This launch will also be providing a valuable training opportunity for the U.S. Space Force’s Space Safari Responsive Space program and the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve (CASR) construct.
“As the need for greater resiliency and proliferated architectures grow, we’ve made a critical investment in this LM 400 technology demonstration to design and illustrate timely and relevant capabilities on-orbit for our customers,” explained Jeff Schrader, vice president of Strategy and Business Development for Lockheed Martin Space. “We look forward to our ride with Firefly, and ultimately enhancing the technical and manufacturing readiness of the multi-orbit, multi-mission LM 400 platform.”
As a platform, Lockheed Martin’s LM 400 is the company’s most flexible satellite bus, capable of carrying out military, commercial or civil customers’ missions. It can be customized to host a variety of missions and high-power payloads – including remote sensing, communications, imaging and radar – and operates in any orbit. The LM 400 is already under contract.
05 Mar 05. Space Force’s Fundamental Role: Space Superiority. The U.S. Space Force’s primary function is to ensure control in, from and to the space domain. Speaking March 3, 2025, at the 2025 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman, chief of space operations, didn’t mince words about what the force is meant to do.
“Domain control is the special province of warfighters, a unique responsibility that only military services hold,” he said. “It is the thing that distinguishes the Navy from the merchant marine and the Air Force from Southwest Airlines. It is the purpose of the Space Force to achieve space superiority.”
The Space Force will achieve that through “space control,” what Saltzman called the service’s newest core function.
“Put simply, space control encapsulates the mission areas required to contest, to control the space domain, employing kinetic and non-kinetic means to affect adversary capabilities by disruption and degradation, even destruction, if necessary,” he said.
Space control, Saltzman said, includes things like orbital warfare, electromagnetic warfare, and counterspace operations that can be employed for offensive and defensive purposes.
Saltzman said the force has not always discussed space control openly, but now is the time to do that.
“Why would you have a military space service if not to execute space control?” he asked. “If we’re going to truly embrace our status as space warfighters, then we need to also embrace our fundamental responsibility for space control.”
There’s not yet been a war in space, Saltzman said, which means there are no guardians with space combat experience. However, readiness for a future fight is still the top priority for space warfighters.
“We need to sharpen every one of the components of readiness: personnel, training, equipment and sustainment. If any one of these elements is lacking, then our readiness as a whole is impacted,” Saltzman said.
While Space Force leadership is responsible for setting policy and advocating for more people and resources, guardians at the lowest levels must ready themselves for the next fight.
“We know space superiority is an end goal it’s the headquarters’ job to provide the means to achieve it, to create the environment, set the conditions for victory, but it’s the job of the warfighters in the field to define the way to connect the two,” Saltzman said.
He added that the Space Force doesn’t yet have all the best training tools available to those who need them. The service is still in the process of acquiring all the simulators and training capabilities it needs.
“So, we have a disconnect between the plan and the operational reality, between the end and our means,” he said. “That’s where I need your help. I would love to wave a wand and give every crew advanced virtual reality trainer that incorporates the latest and greatest threat data, but I can’t. So, does that mean the solution is to shrug, mark it red, and move on? Absolutely not.”
Instead, Saltzman said, guardians must figure out the best way to give themselves the readiness they need until leaders can provide them with better tools.
“You’re going to have to figure it out because that’s what you do; because that’s what the nation needs you to do,” he said. “If advanced training is nothing more than a whiteboard, whiteboard sessions, talking about tactics and threats, it’s fine. It’s not perfect, but it’s better than nothing.”
While headquarters works to get the best training tools available to guardians, Saltzman said, those service members will need to find other ways to make themselves ready.
When it comes to equipment, he said, every squadron must be accurate and forthcoming with documenting what it needs.
“Every squadron has an equipment table that lists the critical tools it needs to accomplish its mission,” he said. “Are we confident that every table is accurate and complete? Does it include things like infrastructure, the power, the cooling we need to actually employ our weapons systems? If not, why not?”
Without having a complete picture of what units across the force need, Saltzman said, Space Force budgets will never be complete or accurate.
“The headquarters can’t fix problems it doesn’t know about, and as much as I would like to, I’m not on the floor anymore to find out,” he said.
Saltzman said every guardian is a warfighter, no matter what they do.
“Every guardian contributes to Space Force readiness,” he said. “Whether you built the gun, pointed the gun, pulled the trigger, you are a part of a combat capability. That’s what it means to put on the uniform in a military organization, and we all need to take pride in our roles.”
While headquarters leaders advocate for more people, money and policy support, he said guardians across the Space Force must also do their part.
“I need guardians in the field to find a way. This is a partnership. The headquarters will drive everything it can from the top down, but I need you to meet us from the bottom up,” he said. “And I’m confident there will come a day we finally put the institutions processes in place to take the heroics out of our daily activities. But until then, I need your ideas. I need your effort.” (Source: U.S. DoD)
05 Mar 25. Orbit Communication Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI), a leading global provider of ground, airborne and maritime SATCOM terminals, tracking ground station solutions, and mission-critical communication management systems, is launching the MPT30Ka Deployable SATCOM System, a cutting-edge Multi-Porpuse satellite communication terminal (MPT) designed for rapid deployment in the field. Based on the battle-proven MPT30 platform, this innovative system ensures uninterrupted and secure connectivity for military forces operating in dynamic and complex environments. The MPT30Ka Deployable system is designed as man-portable for an easy field deployment of a SATCOM terminal featuring a roll-on/roll-off capability. This capability provides military forces with the flexibility to establish a high-performance SATCOM link in minutes, ensuring real-time data transmission, secure voice communications, and live video streaming even in GPS-denied environments. The MPT30Ka Deployable delivers seamless connectivity across diverse terrains, supporting GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO satellites for global coverage. With high EIRP and G/T values, it enables efficient broadband communication even at low elevation angles. Its high EIRP Spectral Density (EIRPsd) characteristics allows for reduced bandwidth allocation and makes it a perfect choice for military customers with large fleet of SATCOM systems. Optimized for military operations, the system meets MIL-STD compliance and is ruggedized to operate in extreme conditions. Its plug-and-play functionality ensures rapid activation with a single-button setup, allowing forces to establish a stable SATCOM link within minutes. Designed for mission-critical reliability, the terminal operates even under GPS jamming and spoofing conditions. Additionally, its compact, lightweight, and power-efficient design enhances availability while reducing operational costs and satellite resources. The MPT30Ka system variants can be mounted on mobile platforms such as vehicles or and vessels making it an ideal solution for modern mobile defense forces.
Daniel Eshchar, Orbit’s CEO commented: “In today’s battlefield, satellite communication is not just an advantage—it is a necessity. Forces require resilient, high-performance connectivity to ensure mission success. The MPT30Ka Deployable SATCOM system delivers precisely that: a robust, continuous, and high-quality communication link that keeps troops connected under any conditions. This system plays a critical role in modern warfare, providing the reliability and flexibility essential for operational superiority”.
04 Mar 04. Digital Global Systems Uses AI to Help Satellite Operators Navigate a Shifting Space Market. After being in stealth mode, Digital Global Systems (DGS) today revealed how it leverages patented AI technology in its RF Awareness platform to help satellite operators and their partners to effectively manage increasing network complexity and create new revenue-generating opportunities in a changing space market. With the impending growth of direct-to-device satellite activity and increasing numbers of consumer, enterprise, and military devices and applications, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite environment is rapidly becoming a more crowded one in which to operate. Advanced RF awareness and spectrum management are key to ensuring unimpeded scalability and reliability for all applications.
“Satellite operators face enormous opportunities to create new services with the imminent growth of D2D, but as space becomes more congested, these operators must effectively manage the RF spectrum, as well as the increasing on-board computing requirements posed by establishing D2D links”
The direct-to-device (D2D) satellite services market is expected to take off in 2025. As the air interface portion of the network becomes more filled with D2D users, satellite operators with DGS’ RF Awareness technology will be able to leverage patented AI techniques to monitor and help mitigate interference, while striving toward more autonomous and self-optimized network operations. In addition, DGS has demonstrated that its AI techniques can be used to reduce the computational processing required to establish D2D links by 25% to 40%. This efficiency improvement translates to lower power consumption and related costs. The basis for these benefits lies in 107 patents, out of 305 total, that DGS holds on the use of autonomous machine-to-machine inference model reasoning and pattern recognition methods to streamline the overall training set for AI applications and directly enable these advantages. Also, as more service providers begin to look to AI for autonomous service creation and network operations, these patented capabilities can be the basis for creating new revenue-generating applications.
“Satellite operators face enormous opportunities to create new services with the imminent growth of D2D, but as space becomes more congested, these operators must effectively manage the RF spectrum, as well as the increasing on-board computing requirements posed by establishing D2D links,” said Fernando Murias, Chairman and CEO of DGS. “Using AI to analyze data on spectrum usage, signal quality, coverage, and capacity puts providers in the best position to support new services, achieve the highest levels of network reliability, and scale D2D communications to the maximum number of users.”
RF Awareness provides these benefits for satellite operators:
* Increased awareness of congested spectrum environments, along with detailed information on signal quality, coverage, and capacity as well as 52 other signal characteristics that satellite operators can use to mitigate interference.
* Higher reliability for user applications, including military and defense applications.
* The ability to fine-tune network parameters based on customer needs and to create a foundation for new, revenue-generating services for satellite operators.
* Improved on-board computing efficiency, derived from patented AI techniques, that significantly reduces the amount of processing required to establish a D2D link.
* Enhanced ability to scale D2D communications to support more users without compromising service quality.
DGS has a history of supporting dynamic spectrum sharing for mobile operators, private wireless networks, IoT networks, and others through use of AI to autonomously analyze wireless spectrum usage and extract actionable data to improve service quality. Now, with its RF Awareness platform, DGS can provide real-time, AI-driven spectrum analysis and network optimization for the satellite market that other non-AI spectrum analysis platforms struggle to match. RF Awareness uses its AI techniques to intelligently provide a real-time view of shared spectrum, along with ongoing on-orbit RF analysis of the electromagnetic environment to help operators mitigate interference. These capabilities have positive implications not only for communications applications operating in increasingly congested spectrum, but also for satellite-based military applications. Effective RF analysis and optimization is key to maintaining and improving the situational awareness and communications for warfighters, particularly in the event of targeted interference by an opposing force.
About DGS
Headquartered in northern Virginia, DGS helps network operators, hyperscalers, infrastructure providers, private wireless customers, and other industry players address the global industry challenge of wireless spectrum scarcity. Since 2013, DGS has been issued more than 305 patents, with more than 100 patents pending, setting the standard for its leadership in advancing the detection, identification, classification, and geolocation of radio frequency (RF) signals. AI and machine learning allow industry stakeholders access, awareness, and real-time usage of crucial RF data to diminish interference and enable new wireless services. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Mar 25. Teledyne Delivers 100th Infrared Detector for the Space Development Agency’s Tracking Layer. Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), a leading provider of advanced imaging solutions, is proud to announce its continuing pattern of on-time and early deliveries for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) proliferated constellation. This week marks the delivery of the 100th large format focal plane module, counting deliveries from the Tranche 0, Tranche 1, and now Tranche 2 tracking layers.
“Five years ago, no one thought the focal plane technology could keep up with SDA’s aggressive schedule, but our team innovated ways to meet the new paradigm”
Mission Sensors: The global tracking layer relies on infrared payloads to analyze threats from orbit. Teledyne’s configurable manufacturing line delivers radiation-hardened, high-sensitivity sensors to meet threat detection requirements. These multi-megapixel resolution arrays significantly improve threat detection accuracy, and form part of the fire control countermeasures system against hypersonic weapons.
Proven Expertise: Teledyne’s track record includes delivering space-grade focal plane arrays for prestigious instruments such as the James Webb Space Telescope, The European Space Agency’s Euclid dark matter telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman space telescope. Defense related deliveries, though often classified, encompass over a dozen successful missions. In addition to focal plane arrays, Teledyne will supply electronics and other components for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) campaign.
A new paradigm for the space focal plane industry: “Five years ago, no one thought the focal plane technology could keep up with SDA’s aggressive schedule, but our team innovated ways to meet the new paradigm,” says Megan Tremer, President of the Space Imaging business. As more proliferated constellations enter the planning and acquisition phases, Teledyne remains focused on scaling operations to maximize capacity, yield, and performance. Our proven track record and dedication to performance position us as the ideal partner for these critical missions.
Meeting space imaging needs across the spectrum: Counting infrared as well as visible CMOS and CCD sensors sourced from Teledyne’s DALSA and e2v businesses, the corporation has supported more than 260 total space missions, while close coordination across the global enterprise enables Teledyne to service emerging space imaging needs worldwide. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
04 Mar 25. Thales warns governments over reliance on Starlink-type systems.
* Summary
* Companies
* Head of French satellite maker says governments need reliability
* Thales CEO says most European nations prefer assets they control
* Starlink aims to be resilient due to size of its constellation
The head of one of Europe’s largest satellite manufacturers, France-based Thales (TCFP.PA), opens new tab, has highlighted the risks to governments of relying too heavily on private satellite constellations in an apparent warning over Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Speaking at a results briefing on Tuesday, Thales CEO Patrice Caine questioned the business model of Starlink, which he said involved frequent renewal of satellites and question marks over profitability.
Without further naming Starlink, he went on to describe risks of relying on outside services for government links.
“Government actors need reliability, visibility and stability,” Caine told reporters.
“A player that – as we have seen from time to time – mixes up economic rationale and political motivation is not the kind that would reassure certain clients.”
SpaceX, Musk’s space launch company that also owns Starlink, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Starlink, with ms of customers globally and more than 7,000 satellites, has been sold as a secure means of accessing the internet, resilient to space-based attacks by the sheer number of replaceable satellites that make up the constellation. (Source: Reuters)
04 Mar 25. BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) has delivered the first very high-resolution images from the company’s inaugural Gen-3 satellite just five days following its successful launch on February 18.
“Initial Gen-3 image quality is exceeding customer expectations with minimal calibration. Our first Gen-3 satellite is delivering remarkable initial image clarity at insertion altitude, and we expect image quality to get better as we complete calibration and move the satellite into its operational altitude,” said Brian O’Toole, BlackSky CEO.
After capturing imagery and validating the satellite’s performance, the vehicle was moved into automated operations which allows for additional testing and the efficient completion of commissioning operations. The company expects to begin providing sample imagery to customers within the next 30 days, ahead of the planned schedule.
“Adding very high-resolution imagery to our high-frequency, low-latency monitoring constellation gives customers the ability to unlock the transformative power of dawn-to-dusk time-diversity and exceptional image quality at disruptive economics,” said O’Toole.
With this milestone the company is on track to launch its next satellite in Q2 and expects to enter into a regular cadence of Gen-3 launches throughout the year.
05 Mar 25. Saab and ICEYE, a leading provider of Synthetic-Aperture Radar (SAR) data and analytics, today announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate on the development and integration of advanced space-based radar data in Saab’s command and control systems. This strategic cooperation aims to integrate ICEYE’s cutting-edge SAR technology solutions into Saab’s command and control systems, enhancing tactical decision-making and situational awareness in defence. Space-based sensor capabilities are becoming crucial for modern militaries, providing access to critical information in challenging environments. This cooperation intends to deliver tangible value to customers by integrating ICEYE’s enhanced situational awareness, long-range targeting, and improved tactical decision-making capabilities with Saab’s command and control systems.
“Saab’s integration with ICEYE data will provide real-time, high-resolution imagery through clouds and darkness, enabling comprehensive surveillance and reconnaissance for faster, even more informed decisions, in complex operational environments,” says Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance.
The MoU lays the foundations with the initial focus on investigating and demonstrating integration for multi-domain operations. The benefits would enable advanced space situational awareness and critical infrastructure protection capabilities, providing valuable insights for both civilian and military authorities in times of peace, the grey zone or conflict.
04 Mar 25. Gatehouse Satcom, a Danish-based satellite software company renowned for its innovative, mission-critical satellite communications software, today announced it was chosen by Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM), a leading provider of global voice and data satellite communications, to help deploy its Iridium NTN Direct® service Radio Access Network (RAN) infrastructure. Iridium NTN Direct will be the first 3GPP standards-based satellite direct-to-device (D2D) and narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) service delivering truly global coverage. As the satellite industry moves toward standardized NTN IoT solutions, this collaboration positions Iridium and Gatehouse Satcom at the forefront of the shift. Gatehouse Satcom has been chosen to deliver the NodeB for the Iridium NTN Direct service’s Radio Access Network – a key component facilitating uplink and downlink transmissions, modulation, encoding, and scheduling of transmissions.
Making satellite-based IoT available to everyone – everywhere
A unique aspect of the Iridium NTN Direct service is its pairing of Iridium’s truly global LEO constellation with IoT capabilities based on 3GPP standards, a framework that both partners have actively advocated for within the 3GPP organization.
“Iridium NTN Direct is ambitious and brilliant – both in its vision and execution. Iridium is using an already proven satellite constellation, and through our NodeB and other contributions, expanding that same constellation to also support NTN IoT services based on 3GPP standards. This will not only unlock a myriad of commercial opportunities – it will also give everyday people access to the incredible power of satellite technology in ways never seen before” – says Jesper Noer, VP Commercial of Gatehouse Satcom.
Once fully deployed, Iridium NTN Direct will make standardized devices more accessible and affordable in remote locations – including sensors in the Arctic region, pump stations in isolated areas, or even everyday consumer devices. These devices will transfer data via the Iridium® satellite network to ground stations, where Gatehouse Satcom’s 5G NB-IoT NodeB – together with other components – will manage and facilitate the data flow.
“Iridium NTN Direct is a strategic program to develop a standards-based service that will open new markets to our highly reliable satellite network,” says Tim Last, Executive Vice President, Iridium. “As we built a team of top companies to support its development, Gatehouse Satcom’s experience pioneering NTN in 3GPP specifications stood out, as well as their track record of success. We’re excited to see the continued progress they are making as we prepare for on-air testing around mid-year.”
Study, Test, Deploy
Besides providing the NodeB, Gatehouse Satcom has collaborated with Iridium since the early phases of the project, conducting a feasibility study that helped validate the technical concept. As with many satellite projects, Gatehouse Satcom has also provided test and verification software for in-lab validation and test with other system parts. Gatehouse Satcom CEO Kenney Schmidt Christiansen elaborates: “Having an industry leader like Iridium recognize the potential of our 5G NB-IoT NodeB is a true validation of us and our technology. Five years ago, we took a bold stance – channeling our expertise into developing satellite software based on 5G NTN standards – and we are thrilled that Iridium is championing this standardized approach. I firmly believe that the growth of the satellite industry – and its broader adoption by the public – will be driven by 3GPP standards.”
The status of Iridium NTN Direct
Development of the service is well underway, and it is expected to launch in 2026. The Iridium constellation – a network of 66 LEO satellites – will receive a software upgrade to enable NB-IoT capabilities, allowing Iridium to operate both its traditional satellite communication services and the NB-IoT Iridium NTN Direct service on the same network. This strategic move provides a competitive edge by leveraging proven satellite assets for next-generation connectivity.
03 Mar 25. Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) (“Spire” or “the Company”), a global provider of space-based data, analytics and space services, successfully established a two-way optical link between two satellites in orbit. This achievement marks a major step toward enhancing the speed, reliability, and security of data transmissions for future missions. The satellites, which launched in June 2023, are equipped with optical inter-satellite link (OISL) payloads. The payloads create lasers that send information back and forth between satellites, securely and almost instantaneously, while up to 5,000 kilometers apart. This technology has the ability to enhance applications such as weather forecasting, global communications, and remote sensing for navigation and environmental monitoring by increasing data speeds, enhancing security and reducing data latency.
“Precisely pointing two satellites, across distances equivalent of New York to London, and establishing an inter-satellite optical link is a significant milestone for Spire,” said John E. Ward, Senior Director of Research & Development at Spire. “This achievement places us among a select group of organizations capable of developing and deploying this advanced technology and overcoming the complexities of aligning satellites separated by thousands of kilometers in Low Earth Orbit. Integrating this technology into our future fleet will enhance resilience, improve security, and reduce latency for critical applications.”
“We have shrunk what is typically a large optical system—the size of a microwave—down to the size of a tissue box,” added Thomas Carroll, Applied Optics Team Lead at Spire. “Our OISL payload is the smallest on the market, allowing us to deploy this technology on our small satellites while delivering performance previously achievable only with much larger systems. This breakthrough has the potential to enhance our data and Space Services solutions, especially for applications that require continuous coverage with fast and secure data relay.”
The development of the OISL technology was supported by a European Space Agency (ESA) Advanced Research in Telecommunications Services (ARTES) Pioneer Partnership Project, within ESA’s Connectivity and Secure Communications directorate, with funding from the UK Space Agency (UKSA).
“Through our ARTES Pioneer Partnership Project, we have supported Spire in the development of a new OISL capability for their space data service network,” said Clive Edwards, ESA Pioneer Implementation Manager. “This OISL system is set to transform satellite communications, offering enhanced security and efficiency for space-based data transmission.”
Following the successful demonstration, Spire will launch three additional LEMUR satellites with OISL technology in 2025, two of which are set to launch via Exolaunch on the Transporter-13 rideshare mission with SpaceX. During the mission, Spire will also launch four additional LEMUR satellites to replenish its fully deployed constellation and enable missions for its Space Services customers. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than March 2025. For updates on the launch, follow Spire on LinkedIn, X or Bluesky. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
03 Mar 25. Rocket Lab Signs 2nd Multi-Launch Deal, Secures 8 Electron Missions with iQPS. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has signed one of its largest Electron launch agreements to date in a second multi-launch deal with Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS), a Japan-based Earth imaging company. This newly-signed deal follows an earlier multi-launch contract signed with iQPS in 2024 and brings the total number of booked dedicated Electron launches for iQPS to eight. Across both bulk orders, six missions are scheduled for launch in 2025 and two in 2026. These follow on from Rocket Lab’s first launch for iQPS in December 2023 which successfully deployed the QPS-SAR-5 satellite “TSUKUYOMI-I” to orbit. The new deal is one of the largest Electron launch agreements to date, second only to Rocket Lab’s ten launch deal with another Japanese constellation operator, Synspective, signed last year. Each Electron launch supports the build out of iQPS’ planned constellation of 36 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites capable of imaging the Earth, day and night and through any weather, to provide near real-time observation data for almost any location in the world. By launching as the sole customer on each Electron mission, iQPS has greater control over launch schedule, orbit, and other mission parameters compared with rideshare launch options, enabling iQPS to maximize the full capacity of iQPS’ constellation through tailored and precise orbits.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Precise constellation build out on a tailored timeline is Electron’s strength. We know precise orbital positioning is critical to every Earth imaging mission, making it highly sought after by constellation operators. This demand is reflected in the many multi-launch contracts that we continue to sign with return constellation operators like iQPS. We are honored to be partnering with iQPS once again to deliver this capability.”
iQPS CEO Dr. Shunsuke Onishi, says: “We are delighted and grateful to announce an additional launch contract for four more satellite on Electron, following our previous announcement. Electron’s high launch frequency and reliability make it an ideal choice for our mission, and securing this opportunity at such an early stage is truly exciting. This contract brings us one step closer to building our satellite constellation over the next two years, and we remain fully committed to making this vision a reality.”
The next Electron mission for iQPS is scheduled to launch as soon as March 2025. Full details about the launch will be made available closer to launch day. (Source: ASD Network)
02 Mar 25. US firm Firefly scores its first moon landing with Blue Ghost spacecraft.
- Summary
- Companies
- Firefly Aerospace scores lunar touchdown with Blue Ghost lander
- Moon landing marks company’s first, second for a private firm
- Firefly one of many companies in modern moon race led by US, China
Firefly Aerospace succeeded in its first attempt to land on the moon with its uncrewed Blue Ghost spacecraft on Sunday, kicking off a two-week research mission as a handful of private firms compete to reach the frontlines of a global moon race.
The size of a compact car, the four-legged Blue Ghost carried 10 scientific payloads as it touched down at around 3:35am ET (0835 GMT) near an ancient volcanic vent on Mare Crisium, a large basin in the northeast corner of the moon’s Earth-facing side.
Suspense and silence fell over a mission control room full of company staff inside Firefly’s Austin, Texas headquarters as Blue Ghost descended toward the moon’s surface at a gentle two miles per hour. Will Coogan, Firefly’s Blue Ghost Chief Engineer, confirmed on a mission control live feed the spacecraft had entered lunar gravity.
“We’re on the moon,” Coogan declared moments later, prompting cheers in mission control.
Firefly becomes the second private firm to score a moon landing, though it declared itself the first company to make a “fully successful” soft landing. Houston-based Intuitive Machines’ (LUNR.O), Odysseus lander made a lopsided touchdown last year, landing mostly intact but dooming many of its onboard instruments.(Source: Reuters)
21 Feb 25. Arianespace ‘postpones’ Ariane 6 launch of French CSO-3 with operations underway. Due to further operations needed on a ground means, the launch initially planned on February 26 from Kourou, French Guiana, is postponed. The new launch date will be announced following the completion of these operations. Ariane 6 and its passenger, the CSO-3 satellite, are in stable and safe conditions. CSO-3 is the third satellite in the DGA-led MUSIS program (Multinational Space-based Imaging System), a constellation of three satellites dedicated to Earth observation for defense and security purposes. CSO-1 and CSO-2 were both successfully launched by Arianespace, respectively in 2018 and 2020. Arianespace’s Ariane 6 to launch the French Defense Procurement and Technology Agency’s CSO-3 satellite On February 26, 2025 at 1:24 p.m. local time (4:24 p.m. UTC, 5:24 p.m. CET), Arianespace will launch the CSO-3 satellite with Ariane 6 from Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. The mission, called VA263, will be the first commercial flight for Ariane 6, the new European heavy-lift launcher. It will place its passenger, the CSO-3 satellite, into Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO) at an altitude of around 800 km. Spacecraft separation will occur 1 hour and 6 minutes after lift-off.
David Cavaillolès, CEO of Arianespace, said: “I am very pleased to announce the date of Ariane 6’s first commercial flight as I take up office. This marks the start of the Ariane 6 operating phase, and it’s an honor to open this new era for Arianespace. With this launch in support of French defense and the capability requirements of several partner nations, Arianespace will guarantee independent access to space for France and Europe, for the benefit of all our fellow citizens.”
CSO-3 is the third satellite in the DGA-led MUSIS program (Multinational Space-based Imaging System), a constellation of three satellites dedicated to Earth observation for defense and security purposes. CSO-1 and CSO-2 were both successfully launched by Arianespace, respectively in 2018 and 2020.(Source: Satnews)
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