 | Top Stories
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is outlining plans to procure a new set of 200 satellites. Last week, satellite vendors were notified of an upcoming solicitation for about 200 satellites and associated ground services under Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). SDA says it will look for "improved and more focused proposals" that will enhance the capabilities of the constellation while preparing for its long-term sustainment. Tranche 3 will be the first procurement of replacement satellites as some Tranche 1 spacecraft reach the end of their operational life, projected at about five years. Tranche 3 will involve approximately 140 satellites for the Transport Layer, which provides low-latency communication, and 54 satellites for the Tracking Layer, which detects and tracks advanced missile threats. [SpaceNews]
NASA has added Rocket Lab to the group of companies studying alternative concepts for Mars Sample Return (MSR). The company said this week it received a contract to study a different approach to MSR that would reduce its costs and shorten its schedule. NASA picked seven companies in June for similar studies, and didn't elaborate on why it later added Rocket Lab to the group. Rocket Lab did not disclose details about its proposal, but a public abstract of its concept states that the company is proposing to launch a lander and return orbiter on two flights of its Neutron rocket, leveraging technologies from various spacecraft programs at the company. Rocket Lab claims it could complete MSR for as little as $2 billion and return samples as early as 2031. [SpaceNews]
Hurricanes Helene and Milton are showing the value of satellite communications services. In the aftermath of Helene in North Carolina, SpaceX provided free Starlink services in affected regions, while other satellite operators like Intelsat also shipped terminals. Providing emergency connectivity is one of the near-term use cases highlighted by companies developing satellite constellations capable of directly connecting to existing smartphones. [SpaceNews]
However, the "free" service Starlink is offering people in regions affected by Helene comes with a catch. While SpaceX says customers in those areas can get one month of free service, they are still responsible for buying a Starlink terminal, which costs nearly $400 when including shipping and tax. Customers are automatically enrolled in a $120/month plan once the free month of service expires. [The Register]
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| Other News
China plans to launch two to three satellites next year to test quantum communications technologies. Pan Jianwei, the scientist who led an earlier satellite mission to test such technologies, said the satellites launched next year to low Earth orbit will be joined by one going to medium Earth orbit in 2027. The satellites will test quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum entanglement over longer distances. [SpaceNews]
Some analysts are concerned that Amazon's investment in its Project Kuiper constellation is weighing down the company's finances. Amazon has committed to spending at least $10 billion on Kuiper, although some estimates suggest the actual figure could be far higher. One analyst noted that forecasts of Amazon's operating income could decrease by 6% in 2025 because of spending on the constellation as the company ramps up construction and launch of the satellites. [Wall Street Journal]
The United Arab Emirates has established its own version of a national space council. The Supreme Space Council, announced this week, will oversee overall development of the country's space sector, including laws and policies. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, will chair the council, with several government ministers as members. [The National (UAE)]
A cyberattack compromised the accounts of top officials with the Japanese space agency JAXA. In the cyberattack, hackers gained control of the accounts of five JAXA board members, including president Hiroshi Yamakawa. They used the compromised accounts to access thousands of files, such as confidential information provided by companies and international partners. JAXA has suffered four cyberattacks since June of last year. [Asahi Shimbun]
| |  | Captivating Penguins
"These features here are known jointly as Arp 142. I'm glad we called it 'The Penguin', or 'The Penguin and The Egg' for the public release. I think it's much more captivating that Arp 142."
– Nicky Fox, NASA associate administrator for science, discussing a recent public release of a JWST image of two interacting galaxies formally known as Arp 142, during a presentation at a NASA Advisory Council science committee meeting Tuesday.
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