Archives for January 2021

Exolaunch Zeitgeist Mission Takes Off With 30 Smallsats Aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-1 Mission

January 25, 2021 by editorial

Exolaunch has announced a successful launch of 30 commercial, space agency and university satellites for the firm’s customers from Europe and the U.S. on the first dedicated rideshare mission of SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program. The mission, named “Zeitgeist,” lifted off on January 24 at 15:00 UTC on Falcon 9 “Transporter-1,” completing one of the largest and most diverse rideshare missions for Exolaunch.

Zeitgeist kicked-off the first of several rideshares Exolaunch will manifest on Falcon 9 as part of a multi-launch agreement with SpaceX. On this mission, Exolaunch provided deployment, mission management and integration services to the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Dresden Technical University, ICEYE, NanoAvionics and other commercial companies for IoT, Earth observation and scientific applications.

Zeitgeist was Exolaunch’s 12th rideshare mission. As with previous launches, Exolaunch utilized its proprietary flight-proven separation systems – CarboNIX, the next generation shock-free separation system for microsatellites, upgraded modifications of EXOpod cubesat deployers, as well as its EXObox sequencers to flawlessly deploy its customers’ satellites into the target orbit. With this launch, Exolaunch has flown 140 smallsats on multiple launch vehicles.

“This Zeitgeist mission set a new standard for rideshare launches and not only was a successful demonstration of Exolaunch’s capabilities, but also paved the way for smallsat developers from around the world to participate in SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program,” said Jeanne Medvedeva, Vice President of Launch Services at Exolaunch. “We are proud to be working with so many of the world’s leading satellite and technology companies to advance the NewSpace industry, and we are already looking ahead to additional Falcon 9 launches later this year.”

Exolaunch’s manifest on the Transporter-1 mission (launch photo above, courtesy of SpaceX) includes the following satellites:

Charlie nanosatellite built by NanoAvionics for Aurora Insight: The first of two nanosatellites, built and integrated by NanoAvionics for US radio frequency spectrum and wireless data provider Aurora Insight.
CubeLCT nanosatellite from the German Aerospace Center (DLR): The CubeLCT is developed by DLR Institute of Communications and Navigation in close cooperation with its commercialization partner Tesat-Spacecom (TESAT) in Backnang. The satellite has been developed and integrated by the Danish company GomSpace. The development of the CubeLCT serves the demand for increasing bandwidth, resulting in new sensor capabilities on small satellites.
SOMP-IIb (Student’s Oxygen Measurement Project) nanosatellite from Dresden Technical University: Part of a student small satellite project of the Dresden Technical University, the goal is to measure atomic oxygen of the upper atmosphere, test flexible solar cells and more.
3 x ICEYE satellites: Three more satellites of the commercial constellation of radar imaging satellites built and operated by ICEYE.
24 satellites from unnamed commercial customers.

Exolaunch continues to make space more accessible through regular and cost-efficient rideshare missions for small satellites. In addition to successful satellite deployments from SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Exolaunch’s flight heritage includes Arianespace’s Soyuz-ST, RocketLab’s Electron, Roscosmos’ Soyuz-2 and a scheduled mission with ISRO’s PSLV later this year.

D-Orbit’s ION SCV Laurentius Smallsat Launched By Spacex

January 25, 2021 by editorial

On January 24th, 2021, at 4:00 pm CET, D-Orbit launched another ION Satellite Carrier atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida. On the same day, 1 hour 16 minutes and 28 seconds later, the vehicle was successfully deployed into a polar orbit.

The spacecraft, named ION SCV Laurentius, is an upgraded and enhanced version of the vehicle launched in the fall of 2020 which precisely deployed 12 satellites in orbit. ION Satellite Carrier is a space cargo designed to accommodate several satellites, transport them into space and release them precisely into independent orbits and orbital slots. ION’s integrated capabilities also enable the spacecraft to perform on-orbit demonstration (IOD) services for third-party hosted payloads.

During the mission, named PULSE, the vehicle will deploy 20 satellites, including 8 SuperDove satellites from Earth imaging company Planet Labs, and it will then perform the on-orbit demonstration of several payloads, including an optical instrument from EICAS Automazione and one from Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).

“In D-Orbit we focus on our customers’ success, no matter what it takes. We are the company with most heritage, reliability and results accomplished in the market in this business. It has been just two months since the historical success of our previous ION Satellite Carrier mission, and we are back in space already,” said Luca Rossettini, D-Orbit’s CEO. “We are already building the space logistics infrastructure enabling the next trillion-dollar space economy.”

One of the top five top companies in Europe operating in the new space market, D-Orbit is the first space logistics and transportation services provider in the industry. Headquartered in Italy, with subsidiaries in Portugal, UK and the US, the company’s vertical approach ranges from the production of subsystems and components to the manufacturing of a full cargo spacecraft, called ION, capable of transporting multiple payloads with a total mass up to hundreds of kilos, to the entire operations service via their proprietary mission control software platform. ION can transport a batch of satellites to space, release each one of them in independent orbital slots performing orbit-change maneuvers between each deployment, enabling satellite operators to deploy satellite constellations up to 80% faster than with other solutions on the market, at up to 40% lower costs with to respect the market average. ION also enables launch operators to maximize their payload capacity, reducing the number of maneuvers for rideshare missions and reducing the on-boarding complexities before launch. Committed to pursuing business models that are profitable, friendly for the environment, and socially beneficial, D-Orbit is the first certified B-Corp space company in the world.

Hiber’s Green Propulsion Smallsat, Hiber Four, Launched Via The SpaceX Transporter-1 Mission

January 25, 2021 by editorial

IoT solutions provider Hiber has successfully launched their 3U cubesat, Hiber Four, onboard SpaceX’s dedicated rideshare mission: Transporter-1. The satellite was equipped with a new-to-market green propulsion system from Dawn Aerospace and Hyperion Technologies.

“By using our high-performance green propulsion technology, Hiber Four is able to take advantage of the world’s most cost-effective launch whilst maintaining independence and operational flexibility”, said Stefan Powell, CTO of Dawn Aerospace. “Our system is the connector for using these low-cost launch options and still getting to your desired orbit, fast.”

*Dawn Aerospace green propulsion module for smallsats.*

To date, the majority of 3U cubesats have been deployed without propulsion, making them difficult to control once in orbit. New Space operators have been choosing to forgo this vital piece of technology due to the lack of performance, high toxicity and the unreasonable costs of currently available systems.

Supported by the European Space Agency and Netherlands Space Office via the ARTES program, Hiber teamed up with Dawn and Hyperion to find a better solution. Using this new system, the Hiber Four will swiftly move from its deployed 500 km SSO out to its final 600 km orbit. The maneuver is expected to be complete three months faster than electric alternatives.

Hiber is setting the standard for responsible satellite operations. Governments, space agencies and insurance companies are starting to revamp global policies as the public concern for space debris rises, and with thousands of new satellites heading to orbit, propulsion may soon be mandated. Once on orbit, the Hiber Four can easily avoid space debris, increase its lifetime by raising orbit, and when ready to decommission, Hiber can deorbit within days instead of months.

Powered by the green fuels of nitrous oxide and propene, this bi-propellant system delivers significantly higher efficiency than ADN, HAN, cold-gas and mono-propellant hydrazine-based alternatives. At just 0.7U in size, it’s the first propulsion system of its type to be launched from US-soil to space.

Hiber Four is the first of two identical satellites Hiber plans to launch this quarter, with the next one launching on Soyuz. These satellites will join the Hiberband constellation to expand offerings to existing customers, particularly those from the oil & gas, transportation and agricultural industries.

“It is revolutionary to the cubesat market,” said Maarten Engelen, CTO of Hiber. “There are alternatives out there, but nothing that suits a 3U CubeSat like this.”

“I’m proud to say we’ve debunked the myth,” said Stefan Powell. “CubeSat operators are not forced to use, low-performance systems to get on board these low-cost flights. We’ve shown that our high-performance chemical propulsion systems can fly on rideshare missions from the EU, Russia, and now the United States.”

SpaceX’s Transporter-1 flight delivered 143 payloads from a range of companies, including Spire, Capella, NanoAvionics, Spaceflight, HawkEye, PlanetiQ, Astro Digital, D-Orbit and 10 Starlink satellites.

Dawn Aerospace, seated in both the Netherlands and New Zealand, was recently named NZ Hi-Tech Startup of the Year. Hyperion Technologies was recently acquired by AAC Clyde Space, a major global player in the New Space industry. A partnership with Hiber, named AWS’ Commercial Start-Up Launch of the Year in 2018 and Dutch National Icon in 2019, shows a promising path forward for sustainability in the Aerospace industry.

UPDATE 2: SpaceX Transporter-1 Mission Is A “Go” + Is Successfully Launched

January 24, 2021 by editorial

No hesitation on Sunday, January 24, as the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted 133 commercial and government payloads to space. A feat worthy of note, as this is the largest number of satellites to be launched, all seated firmly within the rocket’s fairing.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle attained supersonic speeds at 59 seconds after launch and, at approximately 07:58 into the launch, three of nine Merlin first stage engines ignited to return the the unit to the recovery vessel, Ms. Chief, awaiting the landing, positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.

This return was accomplished without any apparent anomalies at 07:22 minutes post-launch. Note the honeycomb appearing devices at the base of the first stage… those assist with the first stage’s navigation to the recovery vessel.

This launch was the fifth launch of 2021 by SpaceX and the 73rd recovery by the company of an orbital class rocket.

All imagery is courtesy of SpaceX’s live webcast of the launch via screen capture…

Update #1 info…

Due to surface electrical fields, today’s launch of the SpaceX Transporter-1 mission has been scrubbed. The 70 m tall Falcon 9 rocket is sound and no anomalies have been reported for any of the launch elements.

This first Smallsat Rideshare Mission for SpaceX has another launch opportunity on Sunday, January 24, with the launch window at 10:00 EST. The honeycomb looking devices that are shown in the below graphic help the first stage steer back to “Mischief,” the company’s recovery vessel positioned in the Atlantic Ocean.

Original launch information…

SpaceX is targeting Saturday, January 23, for launch of Transporter-1, SpaceX’s first dedicated SmallSat Rideshare Program mission from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida — the 42-minute launch window opens at 9:40 a.m. EST, or 14:40 UTC.

*A former SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40.*

Falcon 9’s first stage booster previously supported launch of Crew Dragon’s second demonstration mission, the ANASIS-II mission, a Starlink mission, and launch of Dragon’s 21st cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station.

Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the Ms. Chief droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

On board this launch are 133 commercial and government spacecraft (including cubesats, microsats, and orbital transfer vehicles) plus 10 Starlink satellites – the most spacecraft ever deployed on a single mission. The Starlink satellites aboard this mission will be the first in the constellation to deploy to a polar orbit.

Watch this SpaceX launch starting about 15 minutes before liftoff at this direct link…

Update 1: HawkEye 360’s Cluster 2 Smallsats Successfully Launched By SpaceX

January 24, 2021 by editorial

On January 24, 2012, the HawkEye 360 Cluster 2 smallsats made their way to orbit via the successful SpaceX, Falcon 9 launch of the Transporter-1 mission. Read more about the launch at this direct link…

Original news info…

HawkEye 360‘s next generation of advanced commercial RF sensing satellites are scheduled to launch Saturday morning, January 23, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral as part of Spaceflight Inc.’s SXRS-3 rideshare mission.

HawkEye Cluster 2 Launch
Date: January 23, 2021
Time: 9:40-10:22 AM EST

Watch the launch live as the buildout of the HawkEye 360’s commercial RF sensing constellation continue at this direct link…

*HawkEye 360 employees hoist the HawkEye Cluster 2 spacecraft to integrate to Spaceflight’s Sherpa-FX orbital transfer vehicle.*

UPDATE 1: SpaceX Transporter-1 Mission Is Scrubbed

January 23, 2021 by editorial

This first Smallsat Rideshare Mission for SpaceX has another launch opportunity on Sunday, January 24, with the launch window at 10:00 EST.

Original launch information…

*A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 40.*

Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Watch this SpaceX launch starting about 15 minutes before liftoff at this direct link…

Observe Networking Made Simple @ SmallSat Symposium Virtual

January 22, 2021 by editorial

With in-person gatherings still months away, SmallSat Symposium Virtual provides access to exciting new ideas as well as fosters a multitude of networking opportunities.

Whether your interest is in understanding the changing marketplace, connecting with others, or discovering new technologies, this year’s event is a unique opportunity to expand your business in the current environment.

SmallSat Symposium Virtual will be in sessions from February 8 to February 11… “Observe Networking Made Simple.“

With 133 Spacecraft Aboard, The SpaceX Transporter-1 Mission To Be Initiated On January 23

January 22, 2021 by editorial

Following stage separation, SpaceX will land Falcon 9’s first stage on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Watch this SpaceX launch starting about 15 minutes before liftoff at this direct link…

HawkEye 360’s Cluster 2 Smallsat Launch Set For Saturday, January 23

January 22, 2021 by editorial

HawkEye Cluster 2 Launch
Date: January 23, 2021
Time: 9:40-10:22 AM EST

Watch the launch live as the buildout of the HawkEye 360’s commercial RF sensing constellation continue at this direct link…

Momentus To Provide Orbital Maneuvering Services To Qosmosys

January 22, 2021 by editorial

Momentus Inc. (“Momentus” or the “Company”) and Qosmosys, a new venture founded in Singapore last year, have announced a service agreement for two 3UXL protoflight cubesats in 2022, followed by two options in 2023.

Momentus will provide the orbital maneuvering services necessary to deliver the spacecraft to a circular or elliptical orbit, depending on each mission requirement. Qosmosys has its specific platform design, dubbed Zeus, which will be built with major contributions from NuSpace in Singapore.

*Space satellite orbiting the earth. Elements of this image furnished by NASA.*

NuSpace has also been selected to assemble and integrate all Zeus spacecraft. NuSpace signed a separate service agreement with Momentus last year for the company’s NuX-1 smallsat to be launched later in 2021.

“Momentus has exported the spirit of Silicon Valley to Singapore, bringing some fresh perspectives to launch services. Our Qosmosys missions demand a purposeful use of orbits,therefore, with Momentus, we clearly take significant benefits with their injection precision,” said Francois Dubrulle, Founder of Qosmosys. “Moreover, Momentus offers an effective solution for Qosmosys for assured access to space, flying on a regular schedule with SpaceX, and adding extra flexibility and customization to our myriad of spacecraft to be launched.”

“Momentus is thrilled to contribute to the development of an innovative business idea in space while fostering the development of NewSpace in Asia and, more specifically, Singapore,” added Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Momentus. “We love and share Qosmosys’ bold vision of making thevastness of space accessible to all mankind – in earth orbit and beyond.”

Momentus has developed a cost-effective and energy efficient in-space transport system based on water plasma propulsion technology. Momentus has in-place serviceagreements with private satellite companies, government agencies, and research organizations.