Sponsored by MatrixSpace
http://matrixspace.com
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
10 Apr 25. Sidus Space and Reflex Aerospace Sign MOU to Launch JV for Global Satellite Solutions. Collaboration to Deliver Agile, High-Performance Satellite Platforms for Commercial, Defense, and Government Customers Worldwide. Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) (the “Company” or “Sidus”), an innovative, agile space mission enabler, today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Berlin-based Reflex Aerospace GmbH, a cutting-edge European designer and manufacturer of high-performance, tailor-made satellites. The agreement was officially signed during the Space Foundation’s 40th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, CO, formalizing a partnership that began with a Letter of Intent at the Space Tech Expo Europe in November 2024. The agreement formally establishes the framework to form a U.S.-based Joint Venture focused on delivering flexible, cost-effective, and high-performance solutions to meet diverse customer needs while strengthening their presence in global markets. Under the agreement, Sidus and Reflex will jointly develop and manufacture integrated satellite platforms leveraging Sidus’ mission operations, technology integration and advanced manufacturing expertise alongside Reflex’s rapid satellite development capabilities and high-performance components. The collaboration will target U.S. and European markets across defense, commercial, and government sectors, with both companies contributing to production, business development, and market distribution.
“This partnership strengthens our global position as a full-stack space services provider,” said Carol Craig, Founder and CEO of Sidus Space. “By combining Sidus’ heritage in mission management, in-orbit operations, and space hardware manufacturing with Reflex Aerospace’s rapid-response satellite design and subsystem technologies, we’re creating a powerful platform to deliver timely, customized solutions to meet mission-critical needs across multiple orbits.”
The joint venture will focus on multi-orbit missions in LEO, MEO, and small GEO; In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) and In-Orbit Validation (IOV) campaigns; and advanced space applications such as LIDAR, software-defined radio (SDR), on-orbit surveillance, and refueling missions. Additionally, the companies intend to competitively pursue major government space architecture programs by optimizing the supply chain and co-developing responsive satellite systems. As part of the MOU, Sidus will provide integration and test (AI&T) facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida and will contribute mission management, operations, and proprietary subsystems such as Orlaith™ AI Ecosystem featuring FeatherEdge™ hardware for data process and analysis, Cielo™ software for space-based data and insights, VPX OBC high performance on-board computer, and advanced manufacturing solutions.
“Partnering with Sidus accelerates Reflex’s vision to deliver scalable satellite systems and meet the rising demand for high-performance, rapidly-deployable spacecraft,” said Walter Ballheimer, CEO of Reflex Aerospace. “Together, we’re expanding our global reach and providing greater value to customers through innovation, efficiency, and a shared commitment to mission success.” (Source: ASD Network)
09 Apr 25. A Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation’s (NYSE: NOC) Space Logistics LLC has successfully undocked with Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite, completing its life extension service. This marks the first undocking between two commercial spacecraft in the geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO) graveyard.
- MEV-1 has provided five years of life-extension services to IS-901, allowing Intelsat to operate this space-based asset beyond its design life.
- In 2020, MEV-1 successfully proved docking with IS-901 was possible in the GEO graveyard orbit and brought IS-901 back into operation in GEO.
- Now that life-extension services are complete, MEV-1 released the IS-901 satellite back into the GEO graveyard and is relocating to the next servicing mission.
- Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics has provided reliable service to the satellite operator for MEV-1’s entire mission. MEV-2 will remain docked to Intelsat 10-02, providing life-extension for an additional four years – nearly doubling service from the original extension contract.
Rob Hauge, president, Space Logistics: “The first-of-its kind technology that extended a satellite’s life is paving the way for an entire infrastructure of future on-orbit satellite servicing missions for a variety of customers. We are continuing to invest in next-generation capabilities to deliver the most technologically advanced servicing capabilities to support and maintain new and existing space-based assets.”
Northrop Grumman is currently the only proven provider of life-extension services for satellites in GEO – redefining the boundaries of resiliency, flexibility and capabilities across government, commercial and national security customers. MEV-1 performed the first-ever in-orbit commercial spacecraft docking with IS-901 in the graveyard orbit before reducing the satellite’s inclination and bringing it back into operation in GEO in 2020. Since the technology was successfully proven in graveyard orbit with MEV-1, MEV-2 docked with Intelsat’s IS-10-02 directly in GEO in 2021, with no reported disruption in service during the docking. Northrop Grumman’s Space Logistics provides in-orbit satellite servicing to GEO satellite operators using its MEVs, which dock with customers’ existing satellites to provide propulsion and attitude control needed to extend satellite service lives. Starting next year, Space Logistics next-generation systems will be able to provide expanded satellite services including on-orbit repairs, upgrades, refueling, debris removal, assembly and manufacturing. Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
09 Apr 25. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (NASDAQ: CMTL) (“Comtech” or the “Company”), a global communications technology leader, announced today that Comtech Satellite Networks Technologies Corp., located in Montreal, Canada, recently completed initial deliveries of the Company’s next generation Very Small Aperture Terminal (“VSAT”) systems to a strategically significant allied Navy partner in the Asia Pacific (“APAC”) region. The initial deliveries of Comtech’s VSAT systems mark an important milestone for a comprehensive Navy fleet modernization program. To support the program, Comtech’s next generation VSAT systems are being installed on a wide range of Naval platforms including ships, submarines, and ground-based stations to provide access to advanced multi-orbit satellite communications (“SATCOM”) capabilities across air, land, and sea domains.
“With nearly 60 years of experience designing and developing some of the most trusted VSAT systems in the industry, we remain committed to supporting our partner’s urgent operational requirements,” said Daniel Gizinski, President of Comtech’s Satellite & Space Communications Segment. “This important milestone builds on the trust we have established with a key military ally in the APAC region and further illustrates Comtech’s global leadership in next generation VSAT systems.”
Following months of rigorous testing and performance validation by the end customer, Comtech’s next generation VSAT systems were selected for full-rate production with deliveries continuing over a two-year period. The next generation VSAT systems delivered to the APAC Navy partner are based on Comtech’s ELEVATE software-defined, multi-orbit VSAT technology. These systems include powerful IP traffic optimization technologies to mitigate delays inherent to SATCOM, mesh capabilities to allow shorter transmission latency with less bandwidth consumption, and spread spectrum techniques to reduce interference generated when transmitting from small antennas. Comtech designs, develops, and delivers scalable, software-defined, multi-orbit satellite solutions and ground systems for leading satellite service providers, enterprise customers, and government partners around the world. Built on nearly 60 years of experience deploying field-proven VSAT SATCOM systems, Comtech remains committed to accelerating innovation to connect people across the globe with the best available networks on all SATCOM orbits.
09 Apr 25. Axelspace Corporation (“Axelspace”), which designs, manufactures and operates microsatellites, and conducts business to promote a society where space is accessible to people around the world, today announced plans to launch seven next-generation Earth observation microsatellites, “GRUS-3,” in 2026. This will expand the company’s microsatellite constellation to include more than ten satellites, enabling observation of broader areas with increased frequency. Axelspace aims to meet growing demand across a wide range of fields, including environmental protection, financial product development, and real estate management, in addition to precision agriculture, forest monitoring, and map creation, to promote use of Earth observation data. GRUS-3 will build upon Axelspace’s existing constellation of five microsatellites, “GRUS-1,” which provides services to government agencies and private companies in more than 30 countries worldwide. The seven GRUS-3 microsatellites will capture images of the Earth’s surface at the same location and nearly the same time every day for locations north of 25 degrees latitude, under stable sunlight conditions year-round from a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 585 km. Each satellite has an effective swath of 28.3 km and a maximum capture length of 1,356km. With a combined daily capture capacity of 2.3 m km² across seven satellites, and our unique tasking capabilities that enables targeted area imaging, Axelspace supports timely information gathering and decision-making. GRUS-3 satellites feature a spatial resolution (GSD) of 2.2 meters. In addition to capturing visible light, these are equipped with sensors capable of monitoring plant growth conditions, coastal seaweed beds and landscape.
Yuya Nakamura, President and CEO of Axelspace Corporation, said, “With the launch of seven GRUS-3 microsatellites, we will be able to observe a wider area more frequently than ever before. By adopting new observation equipment, the image quality will be improved compared to GRUS-1. We will provide enhanced services to our existing customers and continue developing solutions to meet emerging needs, further expanding the use of space.”
Axelspace also plans to launch a microsatellite “GRUS-3α” no earlier than June 2025 to verify the performance of the versatile satellite platform, a standardized platform for satellite function and structure across diverse missions, and the telescope used in GRUS-3.
About GRUS-3
Number of satellites: 7
Name: GRUS-3A/3B/3C/3D/3E/3F/3G
Satellite wet mass: Approximately 150kgSatellite envelope: 96cm x 78cm x 126cm
Spatial resolution: 2.2m
Effective swath: 28.3km
Maximum capture length: 1,356km
Band: Panchromatic, Coastal Blue, Blue, Green, Red, Red edge, Near infrared
Orbit altitude: 585km
Orbit type: Sun-synchronous
About GRUS-3α
Name: GRUS-3α
Satellite wet mass: Approximately 150kg
Satellite envelope: 96cm x 78cm x 126cm
Orbit altitude: 585km
Orbit type: Sun-synchronous
Launch details for GRUS-3α
Date: No earlier than June 2025
Site: Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, USA
Vehicle: Falcon 9
Mission: Transporter-14
Launch Provider: SpaceX
To host the missions of GRUS-3 and GRUS-3α, Axelspace’s General-purpose (Versatile) satellite bus is based on results obtained from the following projects subsidized by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Development and Demonstration of General-Purpose CubeSat and Microsatellite Buses (FY2023- 2026)
*This project is implemented by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry from FY2021 to FY2022
About GRUS
GRUS is a series of optical Earth observation microsatellites, each weighing 100 kg-class, developed for Axelspace’s Earth observation business, AxelGlobe. The first satellite of GRUS-1 was launched in December 2018, followed by 4 satellites in March 2021, bringing the current total to five satellites in orbit. The name “GRUS” comes from the constellation Grus to symbolize the way satellites orbit the Earth like a flock of cranes.
About Axelspace
With the vision of “Space within Your Reach,” we have been pioneering the development of microsatellites since our founding in 2008. We have two businesses: AxelLiner, where we develop and operate microsatellites for customers’ space missions, and AxelGlobe, where we provide Earth observation data through our proprietary optical satellite constellation. Leveraging our unique technology in microsatellite design, manufacturing, and in-orbit operations, we offer solutions to meet the needs in a variety of industries. Through these businesses, we aim to create a society where space is accessible to people around the world.
07 Apr 25. Space Network, one of the world’s fastest growing networks for space companies and professionals, has announced the launch of Space Network | Africa, coinciding with Space Symposium at Colorado Springs, 7-10 April. This initiative is set to drive space-based economic growth, innovation, and education across the African continent, positioning Africa as a significant player in the global space sector. With Africa’s rapidly growing, tech-savvy population, over 60% under the age of 25, the establishment of Space Network | Africa’s is timely. The initiative aims to support Africa’s untapped talent, resources, and innovation potential to drive economic growth, technological advancement, global competitiveness and ultimately benefit the population.
Ross Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of Space Network, stated, “Launching Space Network | Africa will be transformative for the continent. By uniting talent and resources from across the continent, we aim to cultivate a vibrant, sustainable, and impactful space economy. Africa is ready to become a global leader in space-driven initiatives from agriculture and telecommunications to climate monitoring and equatorial launch.”
Space Network | Africa aims to establish marketplaces facilitating global connections between space enterprises, universities, research institutions, innovators, African space agencies, and investors, creating vibrant regional clusters. A Pan-African Space Incubator and strategic commercial partnerships with international agencies aims to further underpin this vision. Space Network | Africa also aims to connect the Global North to help drive the innovation of the Global South.
Thabo Kupa, the newly appointed Hub Manager of Space Network | Africa, stated, “Our ambition is bold, but our approach is focused. By establishing Space Network | Africa, fostering regional clusters, collaborating on policy and regulatory frameworks, and attracting global investment, we’re dedicated to accelerating Africa’s commercial space capabilities.”
In addition, Space Network | Africa’s educational initiatives will span primary education to professional development, aiming to create a continuous pipeline of talent. Initial programmes include online education modules developed in strategic partnership with Nova Space alongside in-person pilot projects in Kenyan, Ghanaian, and South African schools, and embrace regional, cultural, and language needs to create an inclusive platform across Africa.
Allan Okoth, Educational Programmes Lead, remarked, “Our education initiatives aim to inspire Africans of all ages, from school children to aspiring space professionals. By connecting global expertise with local context, we’re equipping Africa’s youth for dynamic careers in the global space economy.”
Joseph Horvath, Co-founder and CEO of Nova Space Inc, said “Nova Space is thrilled to partner with Space Network | Africa to deliver high-quality space training and support the growth of Africa’s emerging space workforce. We believe that this collaboration represents a powerful step toward building a truly global space community. By working together, we can empower individuals with the knowledge and skills they need to shape the future of space.”
Space Network | Africa’s innovation-focused programmes aim to bridge education and industry, providing practical experience through satellite builds, innovation boot camps, and entrepreneurship competitions. Notable projects include collaborations with cube sat manufacturers for a multi-country satellite design programme, a regional Space Grant Consortium, and the upcoming “Space for Africa Challenge,” leading to pitches at the inaugural Pan-African Space Summit in 2026.
Kwaku Sumah, Innovation Lead and CEO of Spacehubs Africa, noted, “Our collaboration with Space Network | Africa will rapidly scale innovative opportunities continent-wide, driving commercial viability and inspiring the next generation of African entrepreneurs in the space industry.”
The Space Network | Africa Secretariat, co-chaired by Ross Hamilton and Thabo Kupa, alongside Allan Okoth (Education), Kwaku Sumah (Innovation) and Joshua Kisiangani will steer strategic direction and program delivery. Founding Space Network | Africa Ambassadors include former Ambassador of Kenya to The Hague, Margaret W N Shava, and distinguished venture capitalist, Eric Osiakwan.
Andy Campbell, CEO & Founder of Space Network, expressed his enthusiasm for this landmark launch: “I am absolutely delighted to announce the creation of Space Network | Africa. This marks the first of many Space Network hubs planned around the globe as we strive to connect the sector, fostering collaboration and innovation for positive and impactful outcomes worldwide.”
01 Apr 25. Sierra Space demos resilient GPS satellite tech for USSF satellite program. Sierra Space has successfully demonstrated the company’s Resilient GPS (R-GPS) technology for the U.S. Space Force (USSF). This major accomplishment, generating all GPS navigation signals required for the R-GPS mission, was achieved in collaboration with General Dynamics Mission Systems. This technology targets the increased need for more resilient GPS systems that protect the United States against adversarial threats like jamming and spoofing of the current GPS infrastructure. GPS technology plays a crucial role in daily life, supporting everything from civilian servicessuch as smartphone map applications to vital military and defense uses. However, as adversarial threats become more advanced, there is an increasing need for more resilient GPS infrastructure. To address this, the USSF’s Quick Start program is developing concepts for integrating a layer of smaller and more affordable satellites into the existing GPS framework. This R-GPS layer of smaller GPS satellites would be capable of rapid fielding to counter evolving threats. Sierra Space’s expertise in small satellite technology provides a competitive edge in achieving this goal. In September of 2024 Sierra Space announced a “Quick Start” R-GPS contract awarded by the USSF Space Systems Command (SSC) to develop design concepts for smaller, more affordable GPS satellites. Later In 2024, Sierra Space successfully passed an internal Systems Requirements Review. Now, a few short months after the program began, Sierra Space has passed this even larger milestone, providing a positive demonstration of the R-GPS program‘s technology. (Source: Satnews)
01 Apr 25. China’s Thousand Sails satellite plan at Phase 2. While the planet now has global low Earth orbiting coverage from Elon Musk’s Starlink, China is quietly getting on with its own rival scheme, in the shape of its Qianfan (Thousand Sails) satellite constellation project. Genesat (Gesi Aerospace), the project’s main contractor, has signed a contract for the second phase of its satellite manufacturing plant in Shanghai’s Songjiang district, which will be capable of producing 150 satellites of ~1,000 kgs in size per year, and 300 satellites below 500kgs, with a production cycle of one satellite per day. The announcement came during 2025 Shanghai Global Investment Promotion Conference. The company’s second factory project plans to invest 1.2 bn yuan. After the completion of the project, it will have a tonnage-level satellite pulsation production line, and the production capacity will be backward compatible with the batch production of satellites. The overall name for the scheme is G60 Spacesail. The project was started in 2024 as a rival to the Starlink satellite constellation installed by SpaceX, and plans to comprise more than 15,000 satellites by the project’s end. Based on Chinese state media China Central Television coverage, China has planned to launch and establish 648 satellites by the end of 2025 as part of the 1,296 satellites in the first phase of construction of the constellation, with the finished broadband multimedia satellite mega constellation in place by 2030. (Source: Satnews)
30 Mar 25. HawkEye 360 Joins Space Forces—Space (S4S) Commercial Integration Cell (CIC) to enhance SDA. HawkEye 360 is participating in the U.S. Space Forces – Space (S4S) Commercial Integration Cell (CIC)—this partnership reinforces HawkEye 360’s commitment to supporting the U.S. Space Force’s mission and national security through seamless and rapid operational collaboration. The CIC, operating under the Combined Space Operations Center (CSpOC), facilitates the exchange of critical information between U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) and commercial partners. This collaboration enhances coordinated, time-sensitive responses to space events, bolstering the resilience of U.S. government satellite operations. Through the CIC, HawkEye 360 will contribute to mission-critical areas, including the detection of radio frequency interference (RFI), warning intelligence of threats, and other aspects of space situational awareness and space domain awareness. The CIC represents the first-ever initiative integrating commercial satellite owners/operators directly into the CSpOC. This partnership strengthens the synchronization of efforts between government and commercial mission partners, supporting resilient space operations in an increasingly complex domain. HawkEye 360’s participation in the CIC underscores our commitment to delivering valuable RF data and analytics that enhance situational awareness and support informed decision-making,” said Patrick Zeitouni, Chief Strategy Officer of HawkEye 360. “As commercial and government entities collaborate to advance the Space Force’s mission, we are honored to contribute our capabilities to this historic endeavor.” (Source: Satnews)
25 Mar 25. SWISSto12 releases HummingLink-SOTP user terminal for continuous GEO connectivity. SWISSto12 has debuted HummingLink-SOTP, a new type of terminal for GEO connectivity that combines a small form factor, high portability, quick deployment as well as high-throughput. HummingLink-SOTP leverages SWISSto12’s proprietary Additive Manufacturing processes to produce ultra-lightweight, high-gain antennas in X-, Ku-, and Ka-band. HummingLink-SOTP integrates these antennas together with state-of-the-art RF electronic circuits to enable the highest throughput out of highly portable and compact systems. These terminals focus on GEO SATCOM-On-The-Pause (SOTP) connectivity and target a sub-50 cm size. HummingLink-SOTP is a compact, highly portable yet highly performing SATCOM product that answers the requirements of operators for systems that can be rapidly deployed by a single person to establish robust, high throughput connectivity over GEO,” said Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12. “Despite the small size of the HummingLink-SOTP terminals, the antenna arrays that we integrate into our terminals are extremely efficient and highly differentiated when compared to traditional dish antennas, which require larger surface areas to reach similar performance. We combine this with an optimized system design and industrial approach to provide a cost-competitive solution.”
Mathieu Billod, Head of Terminals at SWISSto12 said, “HummingLink-SOTP is first released in Ka-band (HummingLink-SOTP-Ka), and in different gain, polarization, and frequency configurations. The terminal is designed for ultra-fast deployment. HummingLink-SOTP terminals can integrate a modem and can be equipped with auto-pointing systems. Terminals in X-band (HummingLink-SOTP-X) and Ku-band (HummingLink-SOTP-Ku) are available for pre-release demos and will be available for order later in 2025.” (Source: Satnews)
01 Apr 25. FireFly Alpha Message in a Booster on hold launch to be determined. The projection of a Sunday launch of FireFly Alpha’s Message in a Booster has come and gone with no statement issued as to a new date. There is a possibility that April may be the month. This will be the sixth flight of the Firefly Alpha small satellite launcher as a demonstration mission for Lockheed Martin’s new LM400 satellite bus, which will carry a communications payload. (Source: Satnews)
30 Mar 25. Isar Aerospace’s maiden satellite mission failed ending in Spectrum’s fiery explosion. The Orbital Launch Pad at the Andøya Space Center in Norway was a beautiful setting for Germany’s Isar Aerospace’s first attempt to launch Spectrum. The launch took place on Saturday, March 29, at 11:30 UTC after earlier efforts this week were scrubbed due to high winds. Isar Aerospace was established in 2018 when it created the Spectrum to serve the small to medium-sized satellite market, and is marketing the launcher as a solution for orbiting constellations. However, in less than a minute the initial test revealed smoke from its sides and Spectrum crashed in a fiery explosion. The rocket was uncrewed and is part of an effort to have an orbital flight that was originated from Europe as others such as Sweden and Britain want to participate in the commercial space missions. Isar Aerospace had warned the initial launch could end prematurely, however the test provided important and helpful data that its team could learn from. The company is not discouraged and described the mission as a learning experience. Isar Aerospace scrubs Thursday and plans a Saturday first-ever launch of Spectrum Once again, due to “ongoing weather restrictions”, Germany’s Isar Aerospace now has scheduled their first attempt to launch Spectrum no earlier than on Saturday, March 29, at 11:30 UTC from the Orbital Launch Pad at the Andøya Space Center in Norway. Earlier efforts this week were scrubbed due to high winds. Isar Aerospace was established in 2018 when it created the Spectrum to serve the small to medium-sized satellite market, and is marketing the launcher as a solution for orbiting constellations. The forecast calls for a temperature of 36°F, overcast clouds, 100% cloud cover and a wind speed of 24mph. (Source: Satnews)
04 Apr 25. SpaceX finally lifts off with Starlink Group 11-13 carrying 27 smallsats. On Thursday, April 3 at 6:02 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, and NROL-57. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, that is stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SpaceX to launch 27 smallsats of Starlink Group 11-13 on Thursday
A launch delay yesterday, April 1, was never explained, but now SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 3 for a Falcon 9 launch of 27 Starlink smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 3:54 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 7:54 p.m. PT. If needed, additional launch opportunities are also available on Friday, April 4 starting at 3:32 p.m. PT. This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched NROL-126, Transporter-12, SPHEREx, and NROL-57. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean. There is the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may hear one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experience will depend on weather and other condition. (Source: Satnews)
04 Apr 25. Space Force issues $13.5bn in contracts to 3 launch firms. The U.S. Space Force announced more than $13.5bn in launch contracts Friday to SpaceX, United Launch Alliance and Blue Origin for missions that will fly between fiscal years 2027 and 2032. The awards are part of the service’s National Security Space Launch program, or NSSL, which it uses to acquire nearly all military launch missions. Under the deal, SpaceX will receive $5.9 bn to fly 28 missions, ULA $5.3bn to launch 19 and Blue Origin $2.3bn to conduct seven. While ULA and SpaceX are both NSSL incumbents, Blue Origin is a new entrant to the program. Its New Glenn rocket has not yet completed the Space Force’s certification process, but following its first flight in January, it became eligible to compete.
“Today’s award culminates nearly three years of government and industry partnership to increase launch resiliency and capacity,” Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, program executive officer for assured access to space, said in a statement. “The result is assured access to space for our national security missions, which increases the military’s readiness.”
The Space Force expects to launch 84 missions between fiscal 2027 and 2032 — nearly double the number of missions it launched the previous five years. To meet that demand and create a path for more companies to compete, the service adopted a new strategy for this next batch of missions. Under that approach, the Space Force created two lanes in which companies can compete. Lane 1 is for commercial-like missions and is geared toward new providers, and Lane 2 — which was awarded Friday — is reserved for firms whose rockets meet more stringent security and performance requirements. SpaceX, ULA and Blue Origin were also selected to compete for Lane 1 missions, along with Stoke Space and Rocket Lab, which are both developing new rockets slated to fly this year. The service expects to release its first request for proposals for Lane 1 launches later this spring and companies will have a chance to compete for additional missions in fiscal 2026. (Source: Defense News)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
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
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————