Sponsored by MatrixSpace
http://matrixspace.com
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
29 May 25. Robotics demo points to interstellar future. UKAEA and Space Solar have collaborated on a robotics demonstration unit to pave the way for space-based data centres, solar farms and other megastructures. A collaboration between the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), the UK’s national organisation responsible for the research and delivery of sustainable fusion energy, and space-tech innovator, Space Solar, has shown that robotic technology could build infrastructure in space without human intervention. The AlbaTRUSS project, conducted at UKAEA’s advanced test facilities on Culham Campus, Oxfordshire, used remotely operated dual-arm robotic manipulators to show that robots could assemble gigawatt-scale solar power satellites. The successful demonstration opens the door to building vast infrastructure projects in orbit, such as data centres and energy farms.
Dr Sam Adlen, Co-CEO of Space Solar, said: “The AlbaTRUSS project is a milestone not just for our satellite architecture, but for the future of large-scale structures in space, from data centres to energy infrastructure. Space Solar aims to harness abundant solar energy in space to provide power to energy-hungry consumers on Earth. Its space-based solar technology requires satellites comprised of hundreds of thousands of modular units to be put together in orbit. Up in space, the sun shines 24-7. Once constructed, these satellites capture solar power and beam it back down to Earth in the form of microwaves, which can be received by antennas on the ground and converted into electricity for the grid,” explained Dr Adlen.
The structures are designed to be several kilometres long and around 20 meters wide. AlbaTRUSS, a proof-of-concept project, showed that robots could assemble a scaled structural truss bay, or tubing called longeron, which forms a core element of the satellite’s framework. Unlike the International Space Station – the largest structure built in space to date – most satellites are single structures or feature only small additional elements that must be deployed in space. Using robots to remotely assemble, maintain and decommission infrastructure is more efficient and reduces the risks faced by astronauts.
Space Solar used UKAEA’s centre for Remote Applications in Challenging Environments (RACE) because fusion and space robotics have a number of things in common – they don’t require oxygenated environments and can function in varying degrees of radiation.
Professor Rob Buckingham, Executive Director of UKAEA, said: “Building a machine as complicated as a fusion power plant on Earth, which will be entirely remotely operated, is similar to building structures in space. It could be a lunar station or a facility on Mars, so we’re talking about the future of humanity as well as ensuring energy security. Working closely with people in adjacent fields is vital for UKAEA. By enabling new perspectives, it inspires our staff to think of different ways to solve challenges. It is hugely valuable to both parties.”
Space-based solar power and fusion energy each have the potential to deliver constant, low-carbon baseload energy around the world. This partnership demonstrates that the UK is leading on multiple fronts to develop new sustainable energy sources.
The UKAEA-Space Solar partnership intends to strengthen the UK’s leadership in the fast-growing In-Space Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) sector.
“This achievement opens up new horizons for the space sector, an adjacent economic sphere that can ensure a bright future here on Earth,” concluded Dr Adlen.
The AlbaTRUSS project was supported by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Proof of Concept grant.
Space Solar plans to commission its first 30MW demonstrator system by 2029 and reach full gigawatt-scale capacity by the early 2030s. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
21 May 25. Abu Dhabi to launch region’s first SAR satellite manufacturing hub. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) has announced the launch of the Middle East’s first dedicated commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite manufacturing facility. The project is delivered in partnership with Space42, the UAE’s AI-powered space technology company with global reach. The facility, to be named Space42 Space Systems, will localize the design, assembly and testing of SAR satellites used for Earth Observation (EO), securing independent access to space-based intelligence for Abu Dhabi. This marks the first time such capabilities will be developed locally for commercial use, enabling the UAE to produce advanced EO satellites independently and strengthening its sovereign space infrastructure. Revealed during Make it in the Emirates 2025, the project advances ADIO’s mission to drive strategic investment into priority sectors, enhancing Abu Dhabi’s knowledge economy and supporting its transformation into a global hub for advanced manufacturing. Space42 Space Systems will deliver sustainable economic impact and create high-skilled jobs in the advanced industries sector, including a significant number of roles for UAE Nationals, reflecting Abu Dhabi’s commitment to cultivating a highly skilled local talent base. Additionally, it will directly advance the UAE’s Space Strategy 2030 and the UAE’s EO Space Programme, designed to build national capabilities in satellite-based remote sensing. Operated by Space42, Space42 Space Systems will oversee the full manufacturing lifecycle, from system design to launch readiness. It advances the company’s goal of building sovereign EO capabilities while anchoring a space ecosystem that can scale globally from Abu Dhabi. SAR satellites, capable of capturing high resolution imagery in all weather and light conditions, are vital for national security, environmental monitoring and disaster response. Until now, production of these systems has remained largely concentrated in a handful of international markets. Through this pioneering facility, Abu Dhabi will, for the first time assemble, integrate and test commercial SAR satellites, positioning the emirate at the forefront of the global space economy and reinforcing its status as a centre of excellence for space innovation. Beyond manufacturing, the facility will actively support Abu Dhabi’s strategy to develop a sustainable pipeline of local talent. It will embed robust academic and industry programs, including internships for UAE nationals, technical lectures, industry site visits and research collaborations with leading Abu Dhabi universities. These initiatives will contribute to developing a national space workforce with hands-on industrial expertise. The new modular facility will manage the complete Assembly, Integration and Testing (AIT) lifecycle, from system design to launch preparation. As space becomes an increasingly important sector of the global economy, ADIO’s support ensures that Abu Dhabi becomes an exporter of satellite technology, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a regional hub for manufacturing, data intelligence and sovereign technologies.
His Excellency Badr Al-Olama, Director General of ADIO, said, “This strategic partnership brings together global capability and national ambition. By enabling transformative companies like Space42 to scale breakthrough technologies here in Abu Dhabi, we are delivering on our mandate to accelerate the emirate’s economic growth and establish future-ready industries. The transformational project demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s vision in action, enabling knowledge transfer, advancing critical infrastructure and delivering sustainable economic impact.”
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Banayat Smart Solutions at Space42, said, “Bringing commercial satellite manufacturing into the UAE marks a pivotal step in realising Space42’s strategy. It enhances our sovereign capability in Earth Observation and strengthens our position as the preferred partner for premium geospatial data. Abu Dhabi is at the centre of this ambition, providing the environment to test, scale and export space-based capabilities that are sovereign at origin and global in application. With ADIO as a partner, we are turning strategic intent into scalable infrastructure and cultivating Emirati talent that will shape the future of this sector.” (Source: Satnews)
18 May 25. Space Systems Command advances the Space C2 Data Platform Program. U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) are advancing their Space C2 Data Platform to provide enterprise data storage and data management solutions including seamless, synchronized, multi-domain warfighting to space and air operational communities. Space systems—such as satellites—are vital to the military’s ability to project combat power, collect intelligence, navigate, and communicate across the globe. In an increasingly crowded space domain, threats to military space systems are also growing. Space command and control is the ability for military commanders to make timely, strategic decisions, take tactical actions to meet mission goals, and counter threats to U.S. space assets. This decision-making depends on underlying data collection and analysis. The Space Command and Control (Space C2) program is the Department of Defense’s (DOD) latest software-intensive system intended to provide this capability. Through the award of a $217.8m Delivery Order under the Data Software Services (DSS) IDIQ, SSC has selected Palantir USG, Inc. to provide Space C2 Data Platform solutions capable of operating in secure environments and providing data products and advanced analytics to the DoD and joint force. The Space C2 Data Platform harnesses the power of data to enable military leaders to make decisions more quickly, efficiently and with greater confidence resulting in real world mission impacts. It is a configurable enterprise data management and operations software solution that enables the integration and management of data from various disparate data sources. It supports application delivery, in-depth analysis, and data-driven decision-making across echelons and functional communities, including users who operate on multiple security levels across multiple networks. Data is a strategic asset that is imperative to leverage in the deterrence of multi-domain threats and to ensure superiority against great power competition. The Space C2 Data Platform provides solutions on multiple networks and promotes an efficient, cross-service response to evolving and crisis events. USSF requires the ability to ingest and properly secure sensitive data, to operationalize this data, and to enable leaders to make data-driven decisions for a lethal and effective joint force that sustains U.S. influence and advances shared security and prosperity. We’ve transitioned to an agile commercial approach toward software development so that we can quickly deliver advanced warfighter capabilities that require the aggregation of massive amounts of data from disparate sources and systems,” said USSF Lt. Col. David Williams, material leader for SSC Space Defense and Theater Support. “Leveraging this data accelerates our ability to develop and execute joint space warfighting capabilities.” (Source: Satnews)
20 May 25. Anywaves reports the successful deployment of a commercial reflectarray in orbit. Anywaves has marked a significant milestone by becoming the first commercial equipment provider to deploy a Reflectarray in orbit—this achievement follows the company’ earlier selection by CNES to demonstrate the technological feasibility of this type of antenna that is tailored for nanosatellites. The Reflectarray antenna, featuring a deployable configuration and compact form factor, delivers exceptional gain and enhanced reliability through a simple, robust passive deployment mechanism. First used by NASA on the ISARA, MarCO-A, and MarCO-B missions, this type of antenna is now being deployed in orbit by Anywaves. This technical breakthrough enables the use of very high-gain antennas while meeting the size constraints of nanosatellite platforms. The use of foldable flat panels allows for easy storage and transport on small spacecraft. Paving the way for new high-data-rate communication capabilities, the Reflectarray, designed in the Ka-band but adaptable across various frequency bands (from X- to Ku-, including Q-/V-), is ideally suited for deployment in satellite constellations. It targets commercial LEO missions and exploration missions, representing a major competitive advantage. With higher antenna gain, satellite operators and integrators can now opt for a more efficient system, either significantly reducing onboard power requirements or substantially increasing data rates. Designed for rapid serial production, the development of this new antenna follows a roadmap aligned with evolving market demands. The successful deployment in orbit of this Reflectarray is the result of a collaborative effort between several space players, including COMAT and Nimésis. (Source: Satnews)
18 May 25. Rocket Lab launches The Sea God Sees (iQPS Launch 2). ‘The Sea God Sees’ launched from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand on May 17, 2025. The mission deployed a single synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellite called QPS-SAR-10 (nicknamed “WADATSUMI-I” for the Japanese god of the sea) to a 575km circular Earth orbit, from where the satellite will join the rest of the iQPS constellation in providing high resolution images and Earth monitoring services globally. Photo by Satnews. The mission was the third overall Electron launch for iQPS and the second in a line-up of eight dedicated missions across 2025 and 2026 to deploy iQPS’s constellation. Launch Status Rocket Lab called the mission “The Sea God Sees.” That was a reference to the satellite going up, which iQPS nicknamed Wadatsumi-I after a water deity in Japanese mythology. The satellite was built by Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, or iQPS, a Japanese company developing a constellation of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging satellites. This was the third Electron launch for iQPS and the second in a multi-launch contract after a launch in mid-March. (Source: Satnews)
25 May 25. SpaceX’s successful Friday launch of Starlink Group 11-16 smallsats and record of 450 successful booster landings. On a super foggy Friday, May 23 at 3:32 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 27 Starlink Group 11-16 smallsats to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Photos by Satnews. This was the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, Transporter-11, and now 15 Starlink missions. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket launched SpaceX’s Starlink Group 11-16 of 27 smallsats from Vandenberg Space Force Base today at 4:36 p.m. EDT (1:36 p.m. local time; 2036 GMT). About 8.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster landed safely on SpaceX’s Of Course I Still Love You drone ship, stationed in the Pacific Ocean. This was the 450th successful landing of a Falcon 9 rocket, according to SpaceX. (Source: Satnews)
23 May 25. Rocket Lab Schedules Next Launch in Series of Multiple Missions for BlackSky. The mission will be Rocket Lab’s tenth overall launch for BlackSky and cements Electron as the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced the launch window for its next mission for real-time space-based intelligence company BlackSky (NYSE: BSKY). The mission, named ‘Full Stream Ahead, will launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand during a launch window that opens on May 28th, 2025 UTC. The mission will launch the next of BlackSky’s Gen-3 satellites to a mid-inclination circular 470km orbit, where it will join the remainder of the company’s constellation delivering very high-resolution imagery and AI-enabled analytics for daily intelligence operations. Full Stream Ahead is the second in a series of four Electron launches booked by BlackSky to deploy its Gen-3 satellites to orbit this year, and the tenth overall launch for the company – making Electron the most prolific launcher for their constellation to date. Rocket Lab’s launch for BlackSky will be the seventh Electron mission of 2025, its 65th launch overall, and will bring the total number of satellites delivered to space by Rocket Lab to 226. (Source: ASD Network)
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
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
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-