Sponsored by MatrixSpace
http://matrixspace.com
———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
03 Oct 25. Critical UK satellites to be defended from laser threats.
The UK is investing in sensors that will help protect satellites crucial to our economy and security from lasers from adversaries
- New detection tech is being built to spot lasers that adversaries may use to dazzle satellites and intercept communications.
- UK Armed Forces project will help protect satellites that are used for everything from bank transfers and weather forecasts to emergency services and intelligence operations.
- One fifth of the UK economy is reliant on satellite services, with this latest innovation securing economic growth and making our country more secure as part of the Plan for Change.
British businesses, emergency services and more will be protected from drastic disruption by new sensors that identify laser threats from adversaries to military and civilian satellites in space. Lasers can be used by adversaries to track the location of satellites, dazzle or blind them, or to intercept and interrupt communications. The new sensor technology under development will be able to determine the characteristics of lasers based in space or on the ground and whether they pose a threat to the satellite, providing the military with crucial information to protect and defend UK and allied space systems and assets. Nearly 20% of UK GDP is reliant on satellite services, which are essential for supporting daily life, including through communication, money transfers, navigation, emergency services, and weather forecasting. Satellites are also critical to defence, providing capabilities such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and providing instant communications to military platforms. The new sensors are being developed by the UK Space Command (UKSC), which is a joint command of the British Armed Forces, and the UK Space Agency (UKSA), the Government body responsible for the country’s civil space programme. The project is backed by around £500,000 of funding – the first allocated as part of the UKSA’s Unlocking Space for Government programme, which aims to harness space to improve UK public services and strengthen national security as part of the Government’s Plan for Change. Today’s announcement follows the Strategic Defence Review identifying defence in space as central to warfighting and protecting national infrastructure, as well as identifying investment in defence as an engine for growth that will be crucial to the Government’s Plan for Change.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said: “Space is a hugely important and contested frontline and satellites play a vital role in UK prosperity and security. They are crucial to our everyday lives and provide a critical capability for our Armed Forces. It is essential they are protected. Today’s announcement shows our commitment to defend British assets in orbit – which protect us on the ground, in the air and at sea. This supports our national security, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.”
Major General Paul Tedman, Commander of UK Space Command, said: “The Strategic Defence Review raised space to parity with the traditional warfighting domains and underscored the critical importance of space to our economy, prosperity and national security and defence. It made it clear that space does not just accessorise our way of war, in many respects it is changing it fundamentally. It also made clear that threats to our national interests in space are increasing. In this new era of threats, UK Space Command is competing against a growing arsenal of adversary counterspace systems and requires new and innovative edge technology to protect and defend our satellites. Therefore, I am delighted that in less than 6 months after publishing the SDR, we are investing new money into this novel technology to accelerate our space programme.”
Harshbir Sangha, Director of Missions and Capabilities at UK Space Agency, said: “Protecting the UK’s satellite infrastructure is vital to our national security, economy and daily life. This joint project with UK Space Command marks an important step in developing the tools we need to detect and respond to emerging threats in space. By investing in cutting-edge sensor technology, we’re helping to ensure that the UK remains resilient and ready in an increasingly contested space environment.
The aerospace and defence sectors added over £42bn to the economy last year, an increase of 64% in the last 10 years, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change. There are now 443,000 people now directly employed across the UK, with the Government making defence is an engine for economic growth.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
02 Oct 25. The Italian Space Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bahrain Space Agency. The agreement was signed during the 76th edition of the International Astronautical Congress on 2 October. It is envisioned to promote joint cooperation in the peaceful use of outer space as well as in space science, technology and applications. Teodoro Valente, president of the Italian Space Agency (ISA), signed the memorandum of understanding with Mohamed Al-Aseeri, chief executive officer of the Bahrain Space Agency.
“The agreement consolidates the collaboration launched in 2020 between the Italian Space Agency and the National Space Science Agency,” according to a statement from the ISA.
“The memorandum of understanding aims to foster capacity-building activities and to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including academic and training opportunities for the staff of both agencies, training programs and specialised education for selected students and researchers, expert exchanges, and the organisation of joint symposia, conferences and seminars. The agreement also provides for the exchange of data and information within the framework of joint projects, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. The operational modalities of the cooperation will be defined through specific implementation agreements in the fields of space science, exploration, law and space policy.”
It’s understood that a similar agreement is being discussed at the International Astronautical Congress between the Polish Space Agency and Japan’s national space organisation, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency. That agreement, understood to be in discussions currently, could focus on similar space cooperation, research and development, and potentially moon exploration. (Source: Space Connect)
01 Oct 25. Axiom Space, a leader in commercial space infrastructure, and Resonac Corporation (“Resonac”), a leading provider of cutting-edge materials solutions in the semiconductor industry, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the research, development and manufacturing of high-performance semiconductor materials in the environment of space. This collaboration paves the way toward leveraging microgravity to advance next-generation chip technologies and accelerate the in-space manufacturing market.
“The unique environment of space offers immense potential for advancing semiconductor materials, especially in crystal growth,” said Masato Fukushima, Resonac Chief Technology Officer. “Partnering with Axiom Space, we aim to accelerate experiments and drive innovation in materials, fostering industrial growth and societal progress.”
Under the agreement, Axiom Space and Resonac will explore the potential of microgravity and low-Earth orbit (LEO) vacuum conditions to produce next-generation semiconductor materials for critical semiconductor applications and chip packaging. The absence of convection and sedimentation in the microgravity environment provides the opportunity to grow defect-free semiconductor bulk crystals, resins and 2D materials. The companies plan to leverage the International Space Station, Axiom Space’s orbital platforms, and the future Axiom Station to advance from proof-of-concept to commercially viable scale manufacturing. Under this MOU, Resonac also plans to extend its current work with Axiom Space where Resonac is developing molding compounds that can reduce soft errors when semiconductor devices are exposed to space radiation. Soft errors are caused when cosmic rays enter a transistor, and electrons are thrown away causing the bits to become inverted. To solve this challenge, Resonac is testing simple devices fabricated with various compositions of molding material in the external and internal environment of the International Space Station.
“Our collaboration with Resonac underscores how Axiom Space is enabling global corporations from around the world to leverage space to drive manufacturing innovation across critical technology sectors such as semiconductors,” said Koichi Wakata, Axiom Space Astronaut and Chief Technology Officer.
Divya Panchanathan, Global Lead for In-Space Semiconductor Commercialization at Axiom Space, added, “Space offers pristine conditions to unlock material properties that can’t be replicated on Earth, and with Resonac’s strong semiconductor materials expertise, we aim to fuel in-space innovations and enable new technologies to drive industrialization in low-Earth orbit.” Axiom Space and Resonac’s alliance is poised to shape the future of space-enabled manufacturing, laying the groundwork for scalable orbital production and cutting-edge semiconductor technologies that benefit industries both on Earth and beyond. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Oct 25. Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced it will provide its InRange launch telemetry service for future sub-orbital demonstration of Skyrora’s Skylark L launch vehicle. InRange ensures a continuous flow of telemetry data during rocket flight from launch to payload deployment. Unlike traditional ground networks that can only connect when a launch vehicle is within sight, InRange uses Viasat’s L-band geostationary satellites which orbit 36,500km above the Earth. This means launch operators like Skyrora can closely monitor launch missions from launch vehicle to control center with consistent and reliable connectivity from space. The announcement follows Skyrora’s successful UK-first ground tests of InRange, completed in October 2024 in collaboration with Viasat and CGI. In August, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) granted the Scottish company a license to launch and operate its sub-orbital Skylark L rocket from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland. Skyrora currently aims to launch as many as 16 times per year by 2030. The project is funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) under its Boost! Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support Programme, with support from the UK Space Agency (UKSA). The first phase covered ground tests completed in 2024. Now in its second phase, the project will see further static tests of InRange before integrating the solution with Skylark L ahead of real-life launches.
Todd McDonell, President, International Government, Viasat, said: “As activity and interest in space grows, countries around the world are looking to develop their space industries and launch capabilities. We are delighted to be playing a key role on that journey within the UK space sector by supporting Skyrora with InRange. Through our satellite network, we can help make successful, reliable launches a reality.”
Volodymyr Levykin, CEO and Founder of Skyrora, said: “The InRange telemetry system reduces the likelihood of challenges around recording and transmitting the readings of launches. It could not only help save launch companies ms of pounds but also give them more flexibility by improving their visibility of telemetry data throughout the flight. Now we’re moving towards launch, this is an incredibly exciting time for the UK space sector.”
InRange is also part of NASA’s Communications Service Project, which will see the solution demonstrated onboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket on two future missions. Viasat is also working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to develop InRange for Mitsubishi’s Heavy Industry’s H3 launch vehicle. Viasat has also launched its new HaloNet portfolio, a group of comprehensive solutions designed to support the space-to-ground communication landscape — including a telemetry data relay solution to support the launch industry.
01 Oct 25. USSF accepts L3Harris’ ATLAS System for operations. ATLAS will integrate critical data for space C2, intelligence, and operational readiness, to address emerging space threats. The US Space Force (USSF) has officially accepted the Advanced Tracking and Launch Analysis System (ATLAS) for operational use. Developed by L3Harris Technologies, ATLAS is a next-generation Space Development Agency (SDA) analysis system. It is designed to integrate critical data for space command and control (C2), intelligence, and operational readiness, enabling effective responses to emerging anti-satellite threats. L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems president Ed Zoiss said: “This pivotal milestone aligns with Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman’s top priorities at the Space Force to help ensure space superiority, an essential element of our country’s national security.
“The Space Force requires timely, accurate and relevant information to avoid operational surprise, and ATLAS meets this demand by providing essential and actionable space domain awareness.”
This operational acceptance marks a pivotal step in modernising the USSF’s capabilities, replacing the legacy Space Defence Operations Centre (SPADOC) with a more advanced system. The initiative to develop ATLAS began in 2018 under the US Air Force and was later expedited by L3Harris following their selection by the USSF in February 2022. The programme is considered a priority by the Department of Defense (DoD). ATLAS’s deployment will facilitate the decommissioning of the SPADOC system, a space management tool. Once deployed, operators and stakeholders will ensure that ATLAS achieves operational acceptance by implementing its Minimum Viable Capabilities (MVCs). These MVCs include automated processing and maintenance of astrometric baselines, orbit determination, event processing, and satellite conjunction management. The first MVC to be delivered focuses on observation processing and association, where ATLAS will utilise sensor data to enhance space domain awareness. In March 2025, L3Harris secured a $90m follow-on contract from the USSF Space Systems Command to further develop and integrate tools that enhance ATLAS’s capabilities. This includes modernising command and control systems to improve satellite and space debris tracking. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
01 Oct 25. Australian and UK Space Agencies re-sign AU-UK Space Bridge Framework Arrangement. The Australian Space Agency and the UK Space Agency have formally re-signed the AU-UK Space Bridge Framework Arrangement. The agreement was formally re-signed at the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on October 1. The renewed agreement aims to reaffirm and extend shared commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation in space science, technology, and innovation. The agreement was signed in person by Australian Space Agency head Enrico Palermo and UK Space Agency chief executive officer Dr Paul Bate. Both leaders spoke about the enduring value of the partnership, including new opportunities for economic growth, advanced space capabilities, and contributed to global challenges such as climate resilience and food security.
Dr Bate confirmed that the UK Space Agency is sharing insights made into growth and development of small-to-medium enterprises in the industry.
“So we have over 1900 space organisations in the UK and the vast majority of them are relatively small, some are pre-revenue,” he said. “The two things that we’ve learned is that we have to keep investing in that ecosystem. You can’t get the big companies until you’ve got the smaller ones. It’s a long term endeavour. So multi-year funding and a growth infrastructure that allows that ecosystem to flourish… Incidentally, more recently we’ve noticed a particular payback when we invest in clusters and the infrastructure in our local communities, not just in the individual companies. The second thing, and we announced this relatively recently in our industrial strategy, is that when we’ve got that ecosystem thriving, the challenge becomes a new one, which is how do we help those companies or a subset of them that are most likely to grow? We have to be a little bit discerning; what we can’t do is put all the money at the scale needed into all the SME’s. So, what we’re now looking at is how we unlock space and really scale up the very best organisations. And what we think will make the biggest difference is combining the research and development funding, often grant funding, with a better and more coherent approach to procurement so that anchor contracting is there from government and, where appropriate, co-investment. So the government and the private sector coming together to invest in those companies, helping them have the equity and therefore the cash runway to really make a success in their technology. We know that’s challenging for scale ups and that’s where we want to support. So that’s we’ve been testing that quite carefully and I think you’ll see us in the UK do a lot more on that.”
Originally signed in 2021, the Space Bridge has become a cornerstone of international collaboration, enabling joint ventures between Australia and the UK across government, industry, and academia. The re-signing comes as several co-funded projects under the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund reached successful completion, including initiatives in water quality monitoring (AquaWatch), autonomous agriculture, and space sustainability; demonstrating the tangible benefits of cross-border innovation. Palermo confirmed that the current mandate for the Australian Space Agency was to stay as a regulatory body, not create a commercial arm.
“I mean the current mandate for the Agency is fivefold, we coordinate and develop spot policy across the federal government, States and territories.
“We build capability through our programmes, including our Lunar Rover Programme. We manage and lead the international relationships. Hence the UK space bridge today… We do regulate and administer the space launch and returns act and then we inspire and that’s the mandate of the Agency today. That’s very similar if you look at New Zealand, the space agency in India. Bringing together promotion, regulation and international partnerships and policies. Yeah, so that that will continue. It’s always been in our DNA that we were formed as an agency to build a vibrant space sector here in Australia. But also for space to be part of the enabling critical tech agenda of government.” (Source: Space Connect)
30 Sep 25. US, France step up joint military satellite moves to counter China in space.
- Summary
- US and France plan second joint military satellite operation
- Mission would be third after US-UK joint moves this month
- Western military space officials warn of increased threat to space
France and the United States are planning a second joint mission of coordinated satellite maneuvers in orbit, part of a growing push to sharpen allied spying capabilities as China expands its own military footprint in space, a senior U.S. general told Reuters. The operation would be the Pentagon’s third known mission conducted in space with an ally following its first-ever joint maneuver with two spacecraft in orbit late last year, also involving France. The U.S. Space Command conducted a joint mission with the UK earlier this month. (Source: Reuters)
30 Sep 25. Rocket Lab and Synspective Strike Another 10-Launch Deal, Boosting Contracted Missions to 21 Electron Launches. Rocket Lab Corporation (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a global leader in launch services and space systems, today announced it has secured a second multi-launch contract with Synspective, a leading Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data and analytics company from Japan. The new contract for a further 10 dedicated Electron launches brings the total number of upcoming Synspective missions to 21 – marking the largest order of dedicated Electron missions with a single customer to date. Following the first launch agreement announced in June 2024, this second multi-launch contract within 18 months further solidifies Electron’s international expansion and leadership of the small lift launch market globally. This latest contract secures the launch of 21 StriX SAR satellites across multiple missions through to the end of the decade. Rocket Lab has been Synspective’s sole launch provider to-date, successfully deploying six StriX satellites across six dedicated launches from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The next 21 Synspective launches will take place from the same launch site, with Rocket Lab’s schedule flexibility, tailored launch service, and streamlined operations central to Synspective’s decision to extend its previous multi-launch contract.
Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Sir Peter Beck, says: “Regular and reliable launch on a flexible schedule is essential to the build out of Synspective’s constellation, and Electron has been integral to this from the start as the sole launcher of all StriX satellites in space today. It’s an honor to add another 10 StriX satellites to Electron’s launch manifest and continue our long-standing partnership with Synspective.”
Synspective founder and CEO, Dr. Motoyuki Arai, said: “Rocket Lab’s precision and track record have consistently enabled us to stay on schedule and achieve our mission objectives. As we move forward with 21 launches, our continued collaboration is crucial to accelerating the deployment of our SAR satellites and the growth of our data platform.”
Electron’s reliability, proficiency at executing against rapid timelines, and satellite deployment accuracy to within meters of its target, has made it the commercial launch vehicle of choice for satellite operators wanting to build out their constellations with precision. The majority of Electron launches this year have either been the continuation of multi-launch contracts with commercial constellation customers, or have completed the entire deployment of a constellation in less than a year. (Source: ASD Network)
28 Sep 25. Sierra Space Successfully Completes Critical Design Review for Missile Tracking Satellites in SDA Tranche 2. Sierra Space, a Defense Tech company delivering solutions for the nation’s most critical missions and advancing the future of security in space, announced today the successful completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Tracking Layer (T2TRK), affirming technical readiness to begin production of advanced missile tracking satellites for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Under this contract, Sierra Space will deliver two orbital planes of satellites—18 in total—equipped with state-of-the-art infrared sensors to detect and track ballistic, hypersonic, and next-generation threats. Each constellation plane will host multiple missile warning/tracking IR sensors to include a missile defense sensor, forming a resilient layer of early threat detection for U.S. and allied forces.
“Our successful completion of CDR demonstrates Sierra Space’s ability to deliver innovative solutions at speed to support the nation’s defense initiatives,” said Erik Daehler, Senior Vice President of Sierra Space Defense. “We’re proud to support the SDA’s vision with space systems purpose-built for protecting against emerging threats.”
With the completion of CDR, Sierra Space now moves into the assembly, integration and testing phase for T2TRK, with hardware already arriving at its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility Victory Works. The company’s focus on high-rate production enables it to provide our constellation class Horizon spacecraft to our customers with the speed and quality needed to ensure mission success. Sierra Space’s success in the T2TRK program highlights its evolution as a next-generation defense leader, merging commercial agility with deep space system engineering expertise. With over 30 years of space flight heritage and a track record of 500 missions, Sierra Space continues to deliver innovative solutions that meet the needs of the U.S. Department of Defense and allied partners.(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
30 Sep 25. UK Space Agency goes global with 23 new projects. A new batch of 23 projects will strengthen international space partnerships, develop national capabilities and boost economic growth, the UK Space Agency announced today.
Sunrise viewed from space over the Earth’s horizon.
This is the second round of projects from the successful International Bilateral Fund (IBF), representing a £6.5m boost for UK companies and universities collaborating internationally on space innovation with partners in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Lithuania, Japan, and the USA. From autonomous 3D printing and lunar agriculture to orbital threat detection, biotech manufacturing, medical research and deep space radar, these collaborations span life sciences, communications, in-orbit servicing, Earth observation and advanced materials. They showcase the breadth of expertise across the UK’s vibrant space sector, which employs more than 55,000 people and generates £18.6 bn in annual revenue.
Space Minister Liz Lloyd said: “This £6.5m boost shows Britain leading the way in space innovation. From improving mobile coverage to monitoring Earth’s forests, these 23 projects will create jobs, strengthen partnerships with our allies, and keep the UK at the cutting edge of space technology. It’s an exciting time for our space sector and great news for British businesses reaching for the stars. The space funding boost, announced during the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Sydney, demonstrates the UK’s commitment to international partnerships and a wide range of areas where the space sector can contribute to economic growth.”
As set out in the Government’s Industrial Strategy, the UK Space Agency is increasing bilateral research & development funding with international allies. The IBF is a critical mechanism for this, providing targeted support for UK-led international collaborations and building capabilities and partnerships across the global space sector.
Today’s announcement follows the agreement between NASA and the UK Space Agency to develop AI models to support future exploration missions, under the Transatlantic Tech Prosperity Deal, as well as the successful launch of the NASA IMAP mission on 23 September, for which UK scientists contributed a key instrument.
Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency, said: “These new projects span the full spectrum of UK space expertise, from telecommunications, propulsion and environmental monitoring to cutting-edge technologies that could change how we develop treatments for deadly diseases using microgravity. By combining home-grown talent with global expertise, we want to strengthen our capabilities, support growth, and ensure the UK remains at the forefront of space innovation. This announcement comes at a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UK Space Agency, ahead of its integration into the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) from 1 April 2026. The merger will create a single civil space unit, streamlining strategy, policy, and delivery, building on recent achievements and ensuring the government supports the UK space sector effectively.”
UKspace Executive Director, Colin Baldwin, said: “The UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund is going from strength to strength, providing a stimulus for the UK’s space sector to forge new partnerships with organisations around the globe, covering such a broad range of space interests. We are pleased to see so many of UKspace’s members and partners involved in the selected projects, enabling them to bring their world-class expertise to these exciting collaborations.”
Kevin Craven, CEO of ADS, representing businesses in aerospace, defence, security and space, said: “Advancements in space technology make our world smaller, our society more innovative and our lives more prosperous. We are delighted to see the IBF enabling international partnerships to that end. ADS has worked extensively to champion the UK’s thriving space sector in key strategic markets such as Japan and Lithuania. We look forward to working in close collaboration with government to build on this important work further.”
Call 2 Projects to date
Preparing to launch an Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator, University of Leicester x NASA Glenn Research Centre x Perpetual Atomics x Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory – £499,000
Advancement of Americium Radioisotope Stirling Generator (Am-RSG) technology towards a near-term flight opportunity, and accelerating commercial, civil and defence applications of the Am-RSG to provide further opportunities and increase the customer base for the technology. This project will establish a strategic UK sovereign capability and help build international partnerships for export and trade.
UK-India-5G-from-orbit, AccelerComm Ltd x Radisys India Ltd (India) – £498,000
The next generation of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) is dependent on 5G base stations operating on board satellites. Making this happen in the extreme environment of an orbiting satellite requires technology developed by AccelerCommand Radisys. This project will integrate the latest versions of AccelerComm’s technology into Radisys’s lab in India, providing a valuable resource for joint research and demonstrations to customers and partners around the world.
AquaWatch AUK: Satellite Mission Development for Water Monitoring Innovation, Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL) x Pixalytics Ltd x Assimila Ltd x University of Stirling x RAL Space x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Deloitte (Australia) – £479,000
Building on the successes of earlier AquaWatch-AUK projects, this initiative strengthens the UK-Australia Space Bridge, enabling satellite development to address global water quality challenges through innovative Earth Observation technologies. By integrating satellite and in-situ measurements, it creates a scalable monitoring system that improves data access, supports better decision-making, and benefits industries like tourism and agriculture.
Long Baseline Multistatic Radar for Deep Space Domain Awareness, University of Birmingham x Goonhilly Earth Station x University of Manchester x CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency x Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Lincoln Laboratory (USA) – £452,000
This project proposes Long Baseline Multistatic Radar (LBMR), linking powerful transmitters (e.g., Millstone Hill, Kwajalein) with sensitive receivers in the UK and Australia. The system will enable real-time detection and tracking of smaller, distant GEO objects. The project will deliver a live demonstration, a significant step towards validating LBMR as a scalable, low-cost solution for operational Space Domain Awareness.
SLOSH-CAT: Slosh Control Algorithm Testing, Satellite Applications Catapult Ltd x Space Machines x University of Sydney (Australia) – £447,000
SLOSH-Cat explores how liquid fuel moves inside spacecraft and how that movement affects their ability to stay stable and point accurately in space. Using advanced sensors and motion tracking, the team studies how shifting fuel can cause small disturbances. These insights help improve the software that controls spacecraft, making them safer and more precise as Space Machines prepares for its MAITRI mission launch next year.
ARGUS: Autonomous Rendezvous for GEO Utility & Surveillance, Lunasa Ltd x Space Machines Company PTY Ltd (Australia) – £392,000
This project will develop a key technology for an upcoming ISAM mission, integrating Lúnasa’s autonomous StarLogic RPO kit into Space Machines’ commercial GEO inspection satellite, GEO-Viper. The system will be upgraded for the GEO environment, advancing from TRL-5 to TRL-7 to deliver a flight-ready rendezvous, proximity, and operations solution.
RANGER: Relative Autonomous Navigation for GNSS-Enabled Rendezvous, Lunasa Ltd x Infinite Orbits (France) – £367,000
This project aims to advance Lúnasa’s high-precision R-GNSS relative navigation technology from TRL 5 to TRL 7 through integration with Infinite Orbits’ servicing satellite, in preparation for a forthcoming commercial in-orbit servicing mission. The project will encompass hardware-software integration, simulation and performance analysis, as well as testing and qualification for space readiness.
PROJECT BRIDGE, Frontier Space Technologies Ltd x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) x Undisclosed US Pharma (USA) – £366,000
This project will design a Cargo Handling System for next-generation space infrastructure, enabling safe, repeatable life sciences research in orbit. By combining UK engineering with real-world pharma input, BRIDGE supports the future of space-based drug development and biomanufacturing, positioning the UK as a leader in microgravity-enabled health innovation and shaping how biological science is done in space after the ISS.
Project MITHRIL: Avionics Integration and Control Demo on the Impulse Mira Platform, Lodestar Space Ltd. x University College London x Impulse Space (USA) – £363,000
This project integrates Lodestar’s MITHRIL onto the Mira spacecraft and develops formation flying techniques to enable responsive Space Domain Awareness (SDA) for UK and US dual-use needs. It culminates in a real-time hardware-in-the-loop validation campaign, de-risking the 2027 orbital launch while strengthening international collaboration and UK SDA capability.
UK detector technology for NASA high-resolution imaging of the Moon and Mars, Open University x BAE Space Mission Systems x University of Arizona (USA) – £362,000
This project will design a TDI rolling scene simulator and conduct radiation testing of the CIS125 detector at Moon/Mars mission representative doses to advance the UK-developed CIS125 ‘CCD in CMOS’ detector for future high-resolution imaging missions to the Moon, Mars, and Earth. This international collaboration builds on strong US-UK partnerships and aims to lay the foundation for HiRISE2, a next-generation imaging instrument delivering a world-leading resolution for planetary science, commercial, and defence applications.
In-Orbit Distributed Additive Manufacturing with Manufacturability Intelligence (IN-DAMMI), Autonomous Manufacturing Ltd x Photocentric, APWorks GMBH (Germany) – £330,000
A UK-Germany collaboration that will connect space-ready 3D printers to Earth-based control software, allowing engineers to remotely manufacture parts in orbit. It will also use AI to identify which spacecraft components are suitable for in-space production. By reducing reliance on Earth-based supply chains, this innovation will lower launch costs, increase mission flexibility, and strengthen the UK’s position in space manufacturing.
Cosmic Maker II: International Demonstration of Autonomous Multi-Material 3D Printing in Microgravity, Photocentric Ltd x Voyager Space Nanoracks (USA/Italy) x Novaspace (Germany) – £299,000
Cosmic Maker II will demonstrate autonomous 3D printing in space-like conditions using advanced ceramic and polymer materials. Building on the success of the ESA- and BSGN-supported Cosmic Maker I, this next phase will validate the system during real microgravity through a parabolic flight campaign. The 3D printing platform designed to enable in-orbit manufacturing of tools, components, and research parts for the International Space Station and future platforms like Starlab.
BioPTSS: Biofeedback Integrated Personalised Tourniquet System For Spaceflight, Northumbria University x Western Clinical Engineering Group x Delfi Medical Innovations Inc. x Canadian Space Agency x European Space Agency x NASA (Canada, Germany, USA) – £287,000
This project aims to improve astronaut health on missions beyond low Earth orbit by developing and optimising blood flow restriction exercise (BFRE) with the associated Personalised Tourniquet System for Spaceflight (PTSS). Building on the recent SpaceX launch evaluating BFRE in orbit, it will integrate biofeedback technology into space-qualified PTSS hardware for real-time monitoring and optimisation of the exercise stimulus.
ISAM Biotech Pilot Project: Advancing Type 1 Diabetes Solutions in a New Commercial Space Incubator, Kayser Space Limited x Kings College London x COMAT (France) – £252,000
This project will develop a commercial platform to support biotech research and in-orbit manufacturing in microgravity, demonstrating vascularised tissue growth in a relevant environment. It will also mature the business case for future Low Earth Orbit customers, creating a scalable asset for drug development, organoids, and tissue engineering beyond the ISS.
Beam-Steering Conformal Antenna Array Integrated with Flexible LoRa Electronics for Lightweight Satellite Communication, University of Leeds x University of New South Wales (UNSW) (Australia) – £150,000
This project will create a lightweight, curved satellite communication system by integrating a printed beam-steering antenna with a flexible long-range wireless circuit on a carbon fibre structure. The prototype will demonstrate low power use, reduced weight, and improved reliability for next-generation nano/pico-satellites and mobile platforms, paving the way for more agile and cost-effective space missions.
ETV Phase 1 – Preliminary Design Review of the Economical Transfer Vehicle, Meridian Space Command x Alpha Impulsion (France) – £150,000
This project will advance the development of the Economical Transfer Vehicle (ETV), the world’s first “self-eating” spacecraft. he ETV is a next-generation logistics and payload-hosting spacecraft powered by an autophage engine that actively consumes its own structural tank during flight. Designed for high delta-V missions, it will transport payloads across Earth orbits and beyond, supporting future in-orbit servicing, infrastructure, and deep space logistics.
QUIVER – Derisking High-Rate Intersatellite Links for Realtime Collaborative Constellations, Open Cosmos Ltd x Panasonic Operational Excellence Co. (Japan) – £147,000
This project will explore higher-frequency, high-bandwidth radio links to enable satellites to work together for faster, more comprehensive monitoring and data collection. It will combine the advantages of radio and optical links while avoiding some of their limitations. A key focus will be designing a suitable antenna and developing tools to analyse and optimise constellation operations.
Project Oracle of Nyx: Onboard Threat Characterisation for Dual-Use Applications for Nyx, Lodestar Space Ltd. x The Exploration Company GmbH (Germany) – £135,000
Project Oracle of Nyx will pioneer new approaches to Space Domain Awareness (SDA) through the development of a dual-use sensor suite to detect and characterise orbital threats. Lodestar’s sensor suite will be designed to interface with TEC’s Nyx spacecraft, laying the groundwork for future missions to the ISS.
Flora Fidelity: Advancing Hyperspectral Forestry Monitoring Through UK-Canada Space Collaboration, Gentian (UK) x Bullfinch Earth (Canada) – £127,000
A UK–Canadian collaboration applying Earth Observation, wearable sensors and AI technologies to solve long-standing challenges in forest monitoring: the lack of efficient forest surveys combining below-crown and above-crown forest data and the difficulty in obtaining accurate, low-cost, precisely-located ecological data for training satellite-based models.
IGNITE – Innovative GaN-based Wireless Transmission for Space Energy, Bumblebee x MDA Space (Canada) – £127,000
This project will create a proof-of-concept high-frequency Inductive Wireless Power Transfer (IWPT) system that replaces failure-prone mechanical connectors on lunar rovers, robotic arms and payload interfaces. The system has the potential to significantly extend the service life of this equipment which will increase scientific knowledge and reduce mission costs.
Physical Emulator Interface for Scalable Microgravity-R&D Modules for Quantum and Advanced Materials, Elethron x Atmos Space Cargo GmbH (Germany) – £127,000
Elethron is developing an integrated solution comprising powerful computational engines and autonomous, space-based advanced materials fabrication laboratories designed to integrate with the emerging free-flyer supply chain.
Astro-SANITAS (Stable Anti-Necrotic for In-space Tissue Augmentation and Survival): Halting Aging and Safeguarding Life in Space, LinkGevity x Delta Biosciences (Lithuania) – £120,000
A groundbreaking pharmaceutical that blocks tissue degeneration and halts aging -poised to redefine human resilience under extreme stress. Astro-SANITAS is advancing a world-first technology to protect astronaut cells from death, enable in-orbit tissue manufacturing, and unlock transformative health applications on Earth.
RootSpace: A UK–Canada Innovation Incubator for Space Biosystems and Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Take Root Bio Limited x University of Guelph (Canada) – £99,000
A UK–Canada collaboration exploring how space farming technologies could support future human missions and sustainable food systems on Earth. The project will deliver a prototype digital twin of a Martian biosphere, expand a Lunar Crop Catalogue of resilient plants, and design an incubator to accelerate startups, linking space science with climate-resilient agriculture. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
30 Sep 25. Australia, US sign space framework agreement darkened by budget concerns. Australia and the United States of America have signed a treaty-level space framework agreement to explore new opportunities for government, businesses and researchers to collaborate on joint projects with NASA and other American partners. The agreement was signed during the 76th International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2025) at Sydney’s International Convention Centre on 30 September.
“This is just one more step in growing your program and growing the partnership, which we think is so important,” acting NASA administrator Sean Duffy said.
“Great allies working together not just on Earth but in space is critical. And so we appreciate it. We’re hoping to spend more money. We all are about getting more money into our budgets since it’s a conversation that both countries have (and consider to be) an important conversation. For having our governments be willing to spend money on science and exploration and again, both of us doing that together is going to be important and this is a critical step forward making that happen so.”
As part of the event in Sydney, the Australian federal government is announcing a mandate to begin negotiations on a cooperative agreement between the European Space Agency (ESA) and Australia. This would establish a formal mechanism for Australian businesses and researchers to access ESA’s space science program and missions, as well as for further European activity here in Australia. These partnerships are envisioned to help bolster and provide opportunities for Australia’s space industry. The congress’ “Australia Zone” is showcasing 150 Australian organisations among a total of around 450 exhibitors. The Australian space sector has a $4.6 bn annual turnover and employs 17,000 people. IAC 2025 is organised by the International Astronautical Federation and is hosted by the Space Industry Association of Australia.
“IAC 2025 is a terrific opportunity to show the world how much momentum and growth has been achieved in the Australian space sector in the eight years since the congress was last held here,” Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science Tim Ayres. “The exhibition hall will showcase the cutting-edge technologies that Australian space research has developed, important as well for their transformative downstream applications for Australian industries on the threshold of the shift to a high-skilled, less carbon-intensive economy. Strengthening Australia’s international partnerships with NASA and the European Space Agency creates new opportunities for Australian ideas and technologies, improving Australia’s industrial capability, boosting productivity and building economic resilience.” (Source: Space Connect)
22 Sep 25. Rocket Lab’s HASTE program sends JENNA on her mission. Rocket Lab successfully launched the JENNA mission, a suborbital flight under its Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test (HASTE) program, from Wallops Island, Virginia, on September 22, 2025, around 7:45 PM EDT. The purpose of the mission was to conduct hypersonic testing, with specifics for this government/military flight being classified. The JENNA launch was a suborbital flight of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. A modified version of Rocket Lab’s existing Electron rocket, it leverages the reliability of the proven Electron launch vehicle to provide suborbital trajectories. HASTE serves as a testbed for various hypersonic technologies, including those for air-breathing and glide vehicles. It can carry a diverse range of hypersonic payloads, helping to test technologies that operate at extreme speeds and re-enter Earth’s atmosphere from space. The primary clients for the HASTE vehicle are within the defense sector, particularly the U.S. military. HASTE can deliver payloads to test environments at speeds greater than 7.5 km per second, providing a platform for diverse suborbital trajectories. HASTE supports the defense industry’s need for frequent, affordable, and reliable testing of hypersonic systems, crucial for the development of advanced national security technologies. (Source: Satnews)
22 Sep 25. SpaceX launches and lands NROL-48 on secret mission in dense fog from California on Monday. On Monday, September 22 at 10:38 a.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched the NROL-48 mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The are satellites built with Northrop Grumman on commercial Starlink buses with military-grade payloads for national security
“Having hundreds of NRO satellites on orbit is vital to our nation and partners,” the agency said in a September 22 statement. “This constellation continues to add capability and resilience to our mission through shorter revisit times, increased observational persistence, and faster processing and transmission of data.”
This was the 18th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-7, CRS-29, PACE, Transporter-10, EarthCARE, NROL-186, Transporter-13, TRACERS, and nine Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage landed on Landing Zone 4 (LZ-4) at Vandenberg Space Force Base. There was the possibility that residents of Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may have heard one or more sonic booms during the launch, but what residents experienced depended on weather and other conditions. (Source: Satnews)
25 Sep 25. United Launch Alliance launches Amazon’s Project Kuiper 3 mission sending 27 operational broadband satellites connecting the world. A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying the Kuiper 3 mission for Amazon’s Project Kuiper lifted off on September 25, at 8:09 a.m. EDT, from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This mission further strengthens the partnership between ULA and Amazon to rapidly launch and deliver innovation solutions for global connectivity.
“We are proud to collaborate with Amazon and advance their mission to provide fast, reliable internet to communities around the world,” said Gary Wentz, ULA vice president of Government and Commercial Programs. “Our mission is to launch critical payloads for our customers and serve as the catalyst to help Amazon build this global broadband constellation aligning us with one of our core missions of connecting the world.”
The Kuiper 3 launch deployed a batch of 27 operational Project Kuiper satellites into low Earth orbit. There are five remaining Kuiper missions on the Atlas V rocket, building up to 38 high-cadence, rapid fire launches on the next-generation Vulcan rocket. ULA will deliver more than half of the Project Kuiper constellation’s 3,200 satellites, through the world’s largest commercial launch agreement. ULA’s next launch is ViaSat-3, planned to launch from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. (Source: Satnews)
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————–
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
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————