New NorthStars in night sky 🛰️

Rocket Lab lofts four satellites for SSA startup • Satellite servicers await demand signal • LandSpace tanking test injures three

View this email in your browser A SpaceNews daily newsletter | Wednesday, January 31, 2024 Top Stories Companies are looking to the Space Force to provide a "demand signal" for satellite servicing capabilities. In sessions at the Space Mobility conference Tuesday, executives of satellite servicing firms said a clear signal of future demand is needed sooner rather than later, as companies struggle to secure funding based solely on long-term market potential. The Space Force, besides being a customer, can also set interoperability standards that help companies win business from commercial clients. In a conference keynote, Diane Howard, director of commercial space policy for the National Space Council, said the satellite servicing industry needed a "clear demand signal from government users" that include the Space Force, NRO and NASA. [SpaceNews] A U.S. Space Force initiative aimed at catalyzing the market for on-orbit services is entering a decisive phase. The Orbital Prime program awarded study contracts to more than 100 companies two years ago, later selecting 41 for Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research contracts. SpaceWERX, the Space Force's innovation arm that runs Orbital Prime, is now weighing next steps for the program. A consulting firm supporting SpaceWERX said at Space Mobility that the ultimate winners will be those that can bridge the gap to commercial markets, but added that without government dollars, the future of Orbital Prime projects is highly uncertain. [SpaceNews] The growth of China's fleet of reconnaissance satellites has caught the attention of the Space Force. Chief Master Sgt. Ron Lerch of the Space Systems Command's intelligence directorate said at Space Mobility Tuesday that China's rapidly advancing military space-based reconnaissance capabilities are worrisome. That includes a series of optical and radar imaging satellites that Chinese officials have stated are intended for civilian purposes but which Lerch said have capabilities that point toward military applications like high-resolution reconnaissance of the Asia Pacific. [SpaceNews] A Rocket Lab Electron launched four satellites Wednesday in another test of the company's reusability efforts. The Electron lifted off from the company's Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand at 1:34 a.m. Eastern and deployed four satellites for NorthStar Earth and Space into low Earth orbit 52 minutes later. The satellites, built by Spire, will collect space situational awareness data and are the first of a constellation of at least 12 spacecraft. The first stage splashed down and was recovered by a ship. The company has been working on recovering and refurbishing boosters with the goal of reusing them. The launch was the first this year for Rocket Lab, which said 2024 will be its busiest year yet. [SpaceNews] A Falcon 9 launched a Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station Tuesday. The Falcon 9 lifted off at 12:07 p.m. Eastern from Cape Canaveral and deployed Northrop Grumman's NG-20 Cygnus spacecraft into orbit 15 minutes later. Cygnus, carrying 3,700 kilograms of cargo, will arrive at the ISS early Thursday. The launch was the first of three Falcon 9 launches of Cygnus spacecraft as Northrop works with Firefly Aerospace on a new version of the Antares rocket that had launched most previous Cygnus missions. [SpaceNews] Quindar, a startup developing software to automate satellite operations, has raised $6 million. The company announced the funding on Tuesday led by venture capital firm Fuse. The funding is an extension of a seed round Quindar raised last year. The company has developed a software tool to make it easier for customers to operate fleets of satellites, automating much of the work. Quindar is working with KSAT, which is using that software to provide satellite operation services to its customers. [SpaceNews]   Other News Conveying the importance of space weather to the public remains challenging. Government officials said at the American Meteorological Society conference Tuesday that while funding of space weather monitoring programs has grown, they are struggling to secure the money needed to provide sufficient warning of major solar events. They argued that the potential impacts of space weather aren't appreciated by the public, in part because such events don't leave damage like terrestrial storms. [SpaceNews] An upcoming ESA space weather mission will balance operations with science. Vigil, scheduled for launch in 2030, will operate from the sun-Earth L-5 Lagrange point, providing advance notice of solar storms. The spaceraft is designed to provide data about solar activity to support space weather forecasting, but Vigil's project manager said the spacecraft will also produce data for scientific research whenever possible to support development of improved models of solar activity. [SpaceNews] The commercial arm of India's space agency ISRO will work with Arianespace. New Space India Limited announced Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with Arianespace intended to establish a long-term partnership to meet global commercial satellite launch service market needs. Neither company provided details about how this partnership would work, other than it would involve Arianespace's Ariane 6 and India's LVM3 rockets. [PTI] Three employees of Chinese launch company LandSpace were injured in a test of a fuel tank. The company said it was conducting a test of a propellant tank, loading it with liquid nitrogen, when it ruptured and that three workers suffered "minor scratches." Residents in a nearby Shanghai neighborhood heard a boom from the test that some compared to an earthquake. The tank is intended for an enhanced version of the Zhuque-2 rocket with an increased payload capacity. [South China Morning Post] The Orion capsule from the Artemis 1 mission is heading to the Smithsonian. The capsule will be part of a new "At Home in Space" gallery at the National Air and Space Museum set to open in 2026 as part of renovations of the National Mall museum. NASA agreed to loan the capsule to the museum after it completes its use of the capsule for environmental tests. [collectSPACE]   Taylor Wouldn't Approve "We need a big visible event on Super Bowl Sunday that wipes out the satellites. And now that the Ravens aren't in the Super Bowl, bring it on." – Nicola Fox, NASA associate administrator for science, discussing the challenge of raising public awareness about space weather during a session of the American Meteorological Society conference Tuesday in Baltimore.   Forward First Up to a friend or Subscribe for yourself Copyright © 2024 Multiverse Media Inc., All rights reserved. You signed up to receive this newsletter on Spacenews.com. At times you may receive marketing material. Our mailing address is: Multiverse Media Inc. 100 Filmore St. 5th Floor Denver, CO 80206 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Growing military appetite for satellite internet • SSC welcomes new commander

National security insights for space professionals.

View this email in your browser National security insights for space professionals. Delivered Tuesdays. In this week's edition: • The military's growing appetite for space internet services • Boeing, Lockheed Martin win contracts to design narrowband sats • Airbus takes sole ownership of satellite factory in Florida If this newsletter was forwarded to you, sign up for free here Top stories SpaceX's Starlink is in high demand across the military, the head of the Space Force's Commercial Satellite Communications Office Clare Hopper tells SpaceNews. Low Earth orbit satellite internet is among the new space services that CSCO is buying to supplement traditional geostationary satellite communications. Hopper said CSCO is also interested in small geostationary satellites and direct satellite-to-device links. CSCO manages satcom contracts worth about $7 billion Hopper shared that about 50 different military units are now using Starlink. GEO satellites have served the military effectively for decades, with established protocols and equipment in place. Transitioning to new systems presents logistical and budgetary challenges. CSCO is now exploring different business models to acquire hybrid satcom services. The Space Force also is buying new government-owned communications satellites. Last week, Space Force awarded $66 million contracts each to Lockheed Martin and Boeing to design a new narrowband communications satellite.  The contracts are part of a competition to eventually build two satellites that will expand the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS), a network of satellites used by the U.S. military to transmit voice and data communications. Over the next 15 months, the companies will create prototype satellites. The Space Force is expected to select one of the companies in 2025 to manufacture two flight-ready spacecraft. Airbus U.S. Space & Defense announced Monday it is now the sole owner of the Florida-based satellite manufacturing facility that it co-owned 50/50 with Eutelsat OneWeb. Airbus purchased OneWeb's 50% share of the joint venture, which was established in 2016 and built more than 600 satellites at the rate of two per day for the OneWeb first generation constellation. The Airbus OneWeb factory also won deals to produce satellite buses for Northrop Grumman, under Space Development Agency contracts.  "The new structure is expected to provide maximum efficiency and increased competitiveness for commercial, institutional and national security space customers," said Robert Geckle, Chairman and CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense.  In other news The new head of Space Systems Command, Lt. Gen. Phillip Garrant, will assume command Feb. 1 at a ceremony at Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo, California. SSC's previous commander Gen. Michael Guetlein is now the vice chief of space operations of the U.S. Space Force.  Guetlein was the first commander of SSC, established as a U.S. Space Force field command in August 2021, replacing the previous Space and Missile Systems Center.  At Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, meanwhile, Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess on Wednesday assumes command of U.S. Space Forces-Space. This is a new organization created to support U.S. Space Command. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency last week opened a new 24/7 operations center at its headquarters in Springfield, Virginia. NGA will deliver "distinct visual products and geospatial information to military and national-level decision makers in an expanded and continuous mission-focused watch center," the agency said, including "indicators and warning and global situational awareness." Experience unmatched safety and efficiency with Safe-T-Cable® – the ultimate solution for securing critical components in extreme environments. Engineered to resist heat and vibration, Safe-T-Cable prevents bolts, nuts, and fasteners from loosening on launch pads, umbilical cords, fairings, vehicles, satellites, and engine test stands. Boasting a 3x faster installation than lockwire, this innovative system ensures stronger and safer results with user-friendly tooling, minimizing the risk of injury. Say goodbye to sharp edges, repetitive motion injuries, and Foreign Object Debris (FOD). Train effortlessly, inspect with ease, and eliminate rework. Choose Safe-T-Cable as a hassle-free alternative to lockwire. More from SpaceNews 🚀 Firefly Aerospace has been cleared to compete for launch services contracts from the National Reconnaissance Office under a new program set up by the agency to procure rides for its small satellites.  The NRO created the contract vehicle known as SLIC, short for Streamlined Launch Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity Contract, to procure commercial launch services for its more risk-tolerant missions.  The SLIC program is projected to award about $700 million in task orders over 10 years. The Space Force's Space Systems Command selected additional vendors for the Sounding Rocket Program-4. This is a multiyear contract where companies compete for orders to launch small rockets used to carry scientific instruments and experiments into suborbital space. Kratos Space & Missile Defense Systems, L3Harris' Aerojet Rocketdyne Coleman Aerospace, and Corvid Technologies were awarded indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts for Sounding Rocket Program-4.  Sounding rockets are small test vehicles that carry scientific payloads that are put into space for short periods of time. Thanks for reading ! Please send comments, suggestions and tips to serwin@spacenews.com Copyright (C) 2024 Multiverse Media Inc.. All rights reserved. You signed up to receive this newsletter on Spacenews.com. At times you may receive marketing material. Our mailing address is: Multiverse Media Inc. 100 Filmore St. 5th Floor Denver, CO 80206 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

Eutelsat exits Airbus OneWeb Satellites venture 💔

U.S. Space Force chooses Northrop Grumman for refueling tech • Spanish support for PLD Space's Miura 5 rocket 🚀

View this email in your browser A SpaceNews daily newsletter | Tuesday, January 30, 2024 Top Stories Eutelsat is reducing its projected revenues because of delays bringing the OneWeb constellation into full commercial service. The company said Monday that installation of gateways needed for OneWeb is behind schedule, with only 30 of the 40 needed for global service in place. Gaps in coverage include India and Saudi Arabia, where Eutelsat has significant "take-or-pay" contracts that require customers to take the OneWeb capacity once it is available or pay a penalty. Eutelsat reduced its revenue projections for its current fiscal year, ending in June, by 7% to account for the delays. Eutelsat expects global coverage to be in place in the second half of 2024. [SpaceNews] Eutelsat has also sold its stake in the Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS) satellite manufacturing joint venture. Airbus is now the sole owner of AOS after purchasing Eutelsat's holdings for an undisclosed sum. Airbus and OneWeb established the joint venture to produce the satellites for OneWeb's first-generation constellation, establishing a factory near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. AOS facilities have since been modified to accommodate Arrow, a satellite platform based on the 150-kilogram Eutelsat OneWeb spacecraft. Eutelsat said it will consider Airbus among other companies to build the second-generation OneWeb constellation. [SpaceNews] PLD Space has secured funding from the Spanish government to support work on its Miura 5 rocket. The company said it won a $43.8 million award from the government after completing a preliminary design review for the rocket. The funding is a loan will be paid off over 10 years once Miura 5 begins commercial operations, currently scheduled for 2026. Miura 5 is a small launch vehicle designed to place up to 540 kilograms into orbit and features a reusable first stage. The company has not disclosed the projected cost of developing Miura 5 but said in November is was looking to raise additional funding to develop the rocket. [SpaceNews] The U.S. Space Force says it will use a refueling port developed by Northrop Grumman on future spacecraft. The Space Force's Space Systems Command designated Northrop Grumman's Passive Refueling Module (PRM) as a favored interface to enable future in-space refueling of military satellites. The PRM has a docking mechanism to allow a refueling vehicle in orbit to transfer propellant to another satellite to extend its useful life. Space Systems Command will also aid development of a tanker capable of delivering 1,000 kilograms of hydrazine to satellites in geostationary orbit. The adoption of Northrop Grumman's PRM, while not exclusive, marks the first time the Space Force has publicly identified a preferred system. [SpaceNews] China will attempt to land on the rim of a crater near the lunar south pole on a 2026 robotic mission. Chang'e-7 will target one of a handful of sites on the rim of Shackleton Crater thought to offer exceptionally long periods of illumination at the lunar south pole, according to a recently-published journal article. Such a site could offer favorable illumination while also being close to permanently shadowed regions which could host volatiles such as water ice. The region may be near a candidate landing site for NASA's Artemis 3 crewed landing. The multi-component Chang'e-7 mission will feature an orbiter, a lander, a rover and a mini-flying probe. [SpaceNews] The former head of the NRO's launch office has joined defense and intelligence contractor Stellar Solutions. Retired Space Force Col. Chad Davis will be director of sigint, or signals intelligence, programs at Stellar. He spent 28 years in the Air Force and Space Force, including four years as director of the NRO's Office of Space Launch. The 30-year-old company specializes in systems engineering for ground systems and launch vehicles. It has more than 300 employees working with U.S. and international aerospace companies and government agencies. [SpaceNews]   Other News An instrument on the latest series of GOES weather satellites could be useful in tracking atmospheric methane. With imagery from the GOES Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI), researchers identified a large natural gas pipeline release and quantified total emissions from it, monitoring it through ABI images updated every five minutes. Methane emissions are tracked usually by satellites in low Earth orbit that can revisit the same source only a few times a day. By contrast, ABI images in GEO can provide continuous monitoring of methane emissions, scientists noted. [SpaceNews] French startup Grasp said an instrument for monitoring atmospheric aerosols is working well. The company launched the GAPMAP-0 multi-angle multispectral polarimeter last April on an Austrian cubesat. The company says the instrument's performance is confirming their plans to develop a 10-satelite constellation with similar instruments, slated for launch by 2028. The instrument is able to provide high-quality observations of atmospheric particulates, clouds and surface properties. [SpaceNews] Orbital Outpost X (OOX), a startup working on components for commercial space stations, has hired a new CEO. The company said Tuesday that Negar Feher, who previously held posts at Lockheed Martin, Maxar Technologies, Momentus Space and SpaceRyde, will be its CEO. OOX develops components, systems and subsystems for commercial space stations, such as a universal interface to transfer fluids, electricity and data. The company raised $5 million last May from Space Infrastructures Ventures of the Netherlands. [SpaceNews] American and South Korean officials met last week to discuss potential space cooperation. First Vice Science Minister Cho Seong-kyung met with NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy in Washington last week to discuss how South Korean technologies could be used in projects for lunar exploration. The meeting comes ahead of the formal establishment of a South Korean space agency, the Korea AeroSpace Administration, in May. [Yonhap] The space shuttle Endeavour is once again vertical. Crew overnight hoisted the orbiter to attach it to an external tank and two solid rocket boosters at the California Science Center in Los Angeles. The assembly is part of efforts to create a new exhibit that will put the shuttle on display in its launch configuration. The exhibit building will be constructed around the shuttle over the next few years. [AP]   #sponsored The average geostationary satellite weighs 6,500 kg and is the size of a double decker bus. Ours weigh 420 kg and are about the size of a dishwasher. On average, a single geostationary satellite takes 10 years to design, build, and launch. We're scaling up to build 24 a year. Other commercial LEO and GEO solutions force you to share bandwidth with the rest of their traffic. We offer fully dedicated, closed networks. If our MicroGEO platform sounds better than settling for what's out there, get in touch with us here. Space Traffic Jam "If you ever go somewhere on the Cape, give yourself plenty of time because there are only so many roads and you'll get caught behind booster traffic." – Col. Shannon DaSilva, deputy director of operations at Space Systems Command, discussing infrastructure challenges at Cape Canaveral caused by the increase in launch activity during a presentation at the Global Spaceport Alliance annual meeting Monday in Orlando.   Forward First Up to a friend or Subscribe for yourself Copyright © 2024 Multiverse Media Inc., All rights reserved. You signed up to receive this newsletter on Spacenews.com. At times you may receive marketing material. Our mailing address is: Multiverse Media Inc. 100 Filmore St. 5th Floor Denver, CO 80206 Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.