Archives for April 2021

Telesat intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund additional investment into one or more unrestricted subsidiaries for the development of Telesat Lightspeed, Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, and …

Telesat Canada (“Telesat”) today announced the pricing of an offering (the “Offering”) of US$500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.625 percent senior secured notes due 2026 (the “Senior Secured Notes”) by Telesat and Telesat LLC. The Senior Secured Notes will be secured by a first priority lien on the collateral that secures Telesat’s existing credit agreement and existing 4.875 percent senior secured notes due 2027. The Senior Secured Notes are expected to be issued on or around April 27, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

Telesat intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund additional investment into one or more unrestricted subsidiaries for the development of Telesat Lightspeed, Telesat’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite network, for the payment of fees and expenses related to the Offering, and if the funding needs of Telesat Lightspeed are less than currently anticipated, for general corporate purposes.

The Senior Secured Notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and, outside the United States, only to non-U.S. investors pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Senior Secured Notes will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act or other applicable securities laws.

Accion Systems has announced that two TILE 2 in-space propulsion system units will launch onboard an Astro Digital smallsat aboard the June 2021 SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare launch.

Astro Digital’s Tenzing satellite is a rideshare satellite, hosting several payloads. Also included are two TILE 2 ion electrospray propulsion systems that will test on-orbit maneuvers in LEO and will test proximity operations maneuvers supported by Starfish Space software.

The TILE propulsion system is uniquely superior to conventional electric propulsion, pioneering ionic liquid electrospray for commercial and government propulsion activities. The TILE 2 is the smallest system available, with unparalleled system SWaP (size, weight and power), that combines the use of a safe, inert liquid propellant and a simple mechanical design with few moving parts to create a propulsion system that is low-cost, compact, low pressure, and has less than 50% of the power draw of other propulsion technologies.

As part of the mission, Accion Systems and Starfish Space will complete an on-orbit proximity operations demonstration. The team will combine Starfish’s CEPHALOPOD software and Accion’s TILE 2 thrusters, both already a part of the Tenzing mission, to work together to perform the first ever demonstration of rendezvous and proximity operations trajectories using low-thrust electric propulsion.

Starfish Space is commercializing their CEPHALOPOD software package, which opens up new opportunities for satellite rendezvous, proximity operations and docking (RPOD) missions. CEPHALOPOD is autonomous RPOD software that can use electric propulsion, enabling small RPOD spacecraft. This on-board guidance, navigation, and control capability gives small servicing vehicles eight times more maneuvering capability, which results in greater mission longevity and versatility.

“Propulsive and RPOD technologies are critical to enabling the future of space missions,” said Chris Biddy, CEO of Astro Digital. “We are thrilled to support Accion Systems and Starfish Space with this important demonstration.”

“Efficient proximity operations will enable a new set of activities in orbit,” said Austin Link, Co-Founder of Starfish Space. “Partnering with Accion on this test is key to validating our respective technical developments and showing they can work together.”

“Precision proximity operations are critical for maintaining large constellations, refueling and repairing satellites in orbit, and countless other new space missions from in-space manufacturing to space touris,.” said Peter Kant, CEO of Accion Systems. “Combining Accion’s precise, modular thrusters with Starfish’s autonomy software will bring needed innovation to in-space navigation.”

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has announced that Amazon has secured Atlas V for nine launches supporting deployment of their ambitious Project Kuiper initiative that will increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 advanced satellites in LEO.  

The Atlas V missions will launch from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Atlas V has long been the nation’s reliable workhorse for space launch and has been a key enabler to many critical missions for national security space, NASA and commercial customers including, GPS, SBIRS and MUOS constellations, as well as Mars Curiosity, InSight and Mars 2020 missions.

Amazon has committed more than $10 billion to deliver on its mission for Project Kuiper, which aims to make high-speed, low-latency broadband more affordable and accessible for unserved and underserved communities around the world. The project will serve individual households, as well as schools, hospitals, businesses, government agencies, and other organizations operating in places without reliable broadband. 

With more than a century of combined heritage, ULA is the nation’s most experienced and reliable launch service provider. ULA has successfully delivered more than 140 missions to orbit that aid meteorologists in tracking severe weather, unlock the mysteries of our solar system, provide critical capabilities for troops in the field, deliver cutting-edge commercial services and enable GPS navigation.

“Project Kuiper will help bridge the digital divide across the United States and around the world, and we could not be more pleased to be working with Amazon to support the initiative,” said Tory Bruno, ULA’s president and CEO. “ULA is focused on serving our customer’s missions and providing reliable, innovative launch solutions. We look forward to launching these important missions.”

“We’re determined to make affordable broadband a reality for customers and communities around the world,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder and CEO. “ULA is a fantastic partner that’s successfully launched dozens of missions for commercial and government customers, and we’re grateful for their support of Kuiper.”

“We’ve designed our satellites and dispenser system to accommodate multiple launch vehicles – this gives us the flexibility to use many different rockets and providers to launch our satellite system,” said Rajeev Badyal, VP of technology for Project Kuiper. “Atlas V is a capable, reliable rocket, and we’re proud to be working with ULA to support these important first launches.”

“ULA takes great pride in serving our customers as their best value launch partner – from providing high confidence schedule certainty to flexible and responsive manifesting to transparent engineering collaboration on customer-specific mission design needs – we truly become one integrated team with our customers, fully dedicated to their success,” said Chris Ellerhorst, ULA director of Strategy, Business Development and Sales. “We are thrilled that Amazon has put their trust in us.”

BlackSky has announced a planned business combination with Osprey Technology Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: SFTW) the their BlackSky 7 satellite completed the commissioning process and has now entered full commercial operations, all within two weeks of the satellite’s launch.

This latest satellite was launched at 22:30 UTC on March 22, 2021, and delivered first insights and began limited commercial operations less than 24 hours later. Furthermore, the company revealed two additional BlackSky satellites have been shipped to a launch facility in New Zealand for the firm’s next planned launch mission with Rocket Lab named “Running out of Toes” that is scheduled for May 2021.

BlackSky’s enhanced commissioning capabilities showcase advanced levels of automation and asynchronous system evaluations that allow rapid integration of new satellites into its constellation. These features streamline the company’s ability to rapidly grow the space sensor network and extend capacity to deliver real-time intelligence with average one-hour, dawn-to-dusk imaging revisit rates and average 90-minute delivery times.

BlackSky previously announced launch plans with Rocket Lab to deploy eight additional satellites during 2021. The company expects to have 14 satellites on-orbit by the close of the year. The company seeks to build its constellation to 30 high-resolution multi-spectral satellites that are capable of monitoring the most important locations on Earth every 30 minutes, day or night.

“With our latest launch, our customers are witnessing how we have built the infrastructure for delivering on-demand geospatial intelligence capacity,” said Brian E. O’Toole, CEO of BlackSky. “These investments in our delivery infrastructure enable customers to access real-time situational awareness, and ensure they have access to first-to-know insights about the things that matter most to them.” 

SpaceLink and Gilmour Space have executed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities to incorporate the SpaceLink relay network for communications on Gilmour’s next generation, smallsat platform and to also integrate Gilmour-built satellites into the SpaceLink network. 

The SpaceLink relay service provides secure, continuous, high-capacity communications between LEO spacecraft and the ground. Based on today’s technology advances, it provides unprecedented capacity for tasking, data download, and a variety of other communications requirements, and helps close the business case for operators of small satellites, EO companies, commercial space stations, and satellite servicers and tugs.

Gilmour Space is developing new launch vehicles powered by lower-cost and safer hybrid propulsion technologies and is introducing a specialized ‘G-class’ satellite bus for next-generation space systems. The company’s Eris orbital rocket is making it easier for smallsat operators to find affordable and reliable launches into LEO beginning in 2022.

The MOU provides for the companies to ensure the compatibility of SpaceLink communications terminals with the Gilmour space platform and to share technical and business information to support Gilmour’s implementation of SpaceLink’s communications services and extend the communications capabilities to Gilmour’s customers. The goal of the agreement is to negotiate a definitive contract, and explore further contracts for launch services later this year.

“We see the signing of this MOU as a strong endorsement of the business plans of both SpaceLink and Gilmour Space,” said Ben Greene, Chairman and CEO of Electro Optic Systems, the key strategic investor in SpaceLink. “SpaceLink looks forward to working with Gilmour Space on a definitive contract later this year.”

“We are very excited to be working closely with another leading space and defence company to enhance our small satellite and launch capabilities,” said Adam Gilmour, CEO of Gilmour Space. “The SpaceLink relay service has the potential to bring real time, high-capacity communications capability to our satellite customers.”

GomSpace must have done something right for Unseen Labs in France to ‘reup’ their contract to continue the development and delivery of nanosatellite platforms to Unseen Labs in France.

The contract is worth 35.5 MSEK ($4.2 Million US) and is a continuation of the already successful collaboration between the two companies. The contract is expected to be fulfilled during 2021.

Astranis has announced a $250 million Series C financing round, valuing the company at $1.4 billion.

The financing was led by funds managed by BlackRock, with significant participation from new investors Baillie Gifford, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Koch Strategic Platforms, Monashee Investment Management, and Uncorrelated Ventures.

Existing investors Andreessen Horowitz, Venrock, Fifty Years, ACE Early Stage Partners, Harpoon Ventures, Indicator Fund, Industry Ventures, Jaan Tallinn, Jeff Dean, Jerry Yang’s AME Cloud, Jude Gomila, Refactor Capital, Rising Tide Fund, SOMA Capital, and others also participated in the round. BofA Securities, Inc. acted as sole placement agent on this transaction.

Astranis states the company is solving one of the largest challenges facing the modern world, that being the reduction of the cost of internet access to get the next four billion people online.

The new funding will be used to significantly expand production of Astranis’s smallsat platform, built to satisfy the significant global demand for affordable broadband. Additionally, Astranis will accelerate new technology research and development to support its next-generation platforms. That includes the company’s proprietary, Software-Defined Radio (SDR) technology that increases satellite performance and flexibility and allows manufacturing at scale, lowering the price point to end-consumers.

Astranis’s satellites can be deployed at a low cost and be built in months, not years. That’s in contrast to traditional satellites that require hundreds of millions of dollars of capital and five or more years to get new capacity online.

The smaller size of Astranis’s satellites — just 350 kg, or about 20 times less than traditional satellites — and their deployment into Geostationary Orbit (GEO) allows Astranis to start providing coverage with just a single MicroGEO satellite and bring capacity online quickly, focusing beams of broadband connectivity right where it’s needed.

Astranis has projects in work around the globe to deploy satellites to bring connectivity to some of the world’s most underserved areas.

“We are solving one of the biggest problems facing the world today,” said Astranis co-founder and CEO John Gedmark. “Four billion people do not have reliable access to broadband internet. Getting connectivity to those who need it the most changes lives in a profound way. It empowers people to take control of their health, education, and economic situation. We’re talking about something that is now absolutely part of the base of the hierarchy of needs.”

HawkEye 360 Inc. has secured $55 million in additional funding, bringing the total raised by the firm to more than $155 million — the Series C round was led by NightDragon and included further investment from existing investors Advance, Razor’s Edge Ventures, Shield Capital, Dorilton Ventures, Adage Capital, and Esri International.

Organizations and governments are increasingly expanding their digital ecosystems and seeking to leverage new information and analysis services to gain an edge in intelligence. HawkEye 360’s platform delivers RF signal data for a broad range of actionable insights across the globe. This source of commercial and unclassified information is useful to augment national security operations, maritime domain awareness, environmental protection, and many additional applications.

The funding will support the development and launch of three additional satellite clusters, expanding the scope of HawkEye 360’s planned constellation. When fully deployed by the end of 2022, the company will have nine next generation satellite clusters in orbit. The funding will also support development of complementary ground infrastructure, communications, and software to enable high-speed data processing and delivery for time-critical applications.

HawkEye 360 is the first commercial company to use formation-flying satellites to create a new class of RF data and data analytics. The company recently commissioned the first of its next generation satellites for commercial operations. Five more clusters are already funded and are on track for launches throughout 2021 and 2022.

NightDragon, which specializes in innovative growth and late-stage companies in cybersecurity, safety, security, and privacy industries, will be represented on the HawkEye 360 Board of Directors by Founder and Managing Director Dave DeWalt.

WillmerHale acted as legal counsel for HawkEye 360 in connection with the transaction.

“Satellite technology is the next frontier in today’s digital world,” said Dave DeWalt, NightDragon Founder and Managing Director. “NightDragon is proud to invest in HawkEye 360, which leads the way in commercial RF-sensing satellites. Filling this knowledge gap will allow governments, companies, and organizations to maximize their digital ecosystems. This is about cyber meeting space, using HawkEye 360’s tools for better management and protection of critical infrastructure.”

“HawkEye 360 is grateful to have NightDragon join us as a strategic investor and we believe this fundraising is indicative of our success and substantial momentum with our customers,” said HawkEye 360 CEO John Serafini. “HawkEye 360 continues to grow rapidly and improve our constellation to meet increasing customer demand. This investment will further our goal of rapid revisit and low-latency data and data analytics, so our global customers can use this information to react quickly to pressing concerns.”

ADTANCE has announced the company’s ADTANCE Support and Fieldstreaming solution has now been optimized to work with the Starlink beta — the combined solution marks the first time multi-camera streamlining video customer support is possible in locations where internet access is not currently available or reliable. 

With Starlink, ADTANCE enables customer support technicians across the globe to provide multi-camera video assistance to users located in rural and remote areas, including the middle of the ocean, deep in a rainforest or inside an underground building where WiFi and mobile data connections are not possible.  

Starlink, a division of SpaceX, is a satellite internet constellation designed to deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations of the globe where connectivity has typically been a challenge. Starlink satellites are more than 60 times closer to Earth than traditional satellites, resulting in lower latency and the ability to support services typically not possible with traditional satellite internet.

The demand for live remote video customer support, testing and training has skyrocketed due to COVID-19 mandates combined with the shortage of highly skilled technicians available to work on increasingly complex machines. However, live remote support can be challenging for companies that have machinery located in remote areas, underground, at sea or in other areas where internet connections are not possible.

“Our customers operate in almost every continent – some in very remote areas where conventional mobile connection reaches its limits,” said Moritz Seger, Digital Transformation Manager at ZAHORANSKY AG and an ADTANCE customer. “The ability to use Starlink in combination with the ADTANCE Support and Fieldstreaming solution is very promising for our company and our customers. This solution allows us to gain independence from internationally varying conditions and poorly developed mobile networks in rural areas. We already use ADTANCE solutions on a daily basis in our global customer service and with the combination of both solutions, we are well prepared for the future.”

“As a supplier of airfield tankers operating around the world in the most isolated areas, we rely on reliable and fast communication for our service,” said Nico Hanemann, Head of Aviation Department, Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Esterer GmbH & Co. Fahrzeugaufbauten und Anlagen KG and also an   ADTANCE customer. “The combination of the innovative remote assistance solution we already have in place with ADTANCE Support along with Starlink provides this capability and is also unbeatable in terms of cost.”

“With Starlink our customers will experience the best quality livestream customer support with nearly no latency anywhere in the world,” said Nils Arnold, CEO and co-Founder of ADTANCE. “Even in the middle of an ocean or deep in the rainforest it is possible to use our multi-camera fieldstreaming video assistance with a high speed internet connection. This means that every place can now be serviced remotely, even where there wasn’t internet access in the past.”

Note: ADTANCE customers need to have Starlink installed in order to use it with the ADTANCE Support and Fieldstreaming solution. The Starlink beta is now available in most locales, with new regions being added on a regular basis.