Archives for October 2021

Nanosatellite will provide images for applications in maritime and junk monitoring, city management and crop yield prediction.

Smallsat mission integrator NanoAvionics has signed a contract with the Korean company, Contec, that includes supplying a 16U nanosatellite as well as mission integration and launch services. The launch of the Earth observation (EO) nanosatellite is planned for the first half of 2023.

The contract also marks the beginning of a two-way collaboration between NanoAvionics and Contec, a provider of ground station services, which NanoAvionics intends to use for its future mission operations in order to extend its global transmission cadence.

The payload of NanoAvionics’ modular 16U satellite bus will consist of an integrated imager with 1,5 m resolution, supplied by NanoAvionics partner, and Contec’s laser communication terminal (LCT). For the efficient delivery of satellite data, Contec will use its existing ground station in Jeju (South Korea) and further 12 stations, to be built by 2022, in Alaska, Sweden, Ireland, and other countries across the globe. 

Contec will also analyze the raw image data, pre-process it and provide insights for applications across various segments, including urban change detection, maritime and junk monitoring and crop yield prediction. The company, established in January 2015, as a spin-off from KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute), is already in discussions with local governmental bodies in South Korea which intend to use the satellite imagery obtained from the mission.

Sunghee Lee, CEO of Contec, said, “To enhance our satellite image application service, we decided it would be beneficial to have our own small satellite, built by NanoAvionics. Being able to cost-effectively outsource the whole end-to-end satellite infrastructure to them, allows us to focus entirely on our core business of image processing, data analysis, applications services and ground station solutions.” 

In particular for EO missions such as this, NanoAvionics has advanced a few technologies, including its frame structures capable of supporting even large imagers and their optical alignment under strenuous environmental loads. Other developments by NanoAvionics are its micro-vibration isolators, an advanced attitude determination and control system and a  payload controller, which uses high-data-rate interfaces needed to process and downlink enormous amounts of image data.

Vytenis J. Buzas, co-founder and CEO of NanoAvionics, added, “The agreement with Contec is a brilliant example of our growing global customer base, the great modularity of our superior systems and the continued demand for our one-stop shop mission services.

“At NanoAvionics, we build 95 percent of our satellite subsystems in-house and have great experience with integrating numerous remote sensing and imaging payloads and components from different suppliers, such as the 1,5m resolution imager, into our buses. 

“As a result, we have formed a great partnership network and a fantastic heritage. This allows us to offer complete and flight-proven satellite solutions that have already solved many technical challenges, saving time and costs for our customers looking for EO missions.” 

Previous imaging missions, supplied by NanoAvionics, include EarthTV-1, a 16U nanosatellite built for British space company Sen which is about to provide real-time and timely Ultra-High Definition (UHD) video of Earth as well as D2/Atlacom-1, a 6U nanosatellite launched earlier this year and currently collecting hyperspectral data. 

Tailwind Two Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:TWNT) (“Tailwind Two”), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), and Terran Orbital Corporation, a developer, innovator and operator of smallsats and Earth Observations (EO) solutions, have jointly announced they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company (the “Company”) will operate as Terran Orbital Corporation, with plans to list on the NYSE under the symbol LLAP. The pro forma total enterprise value of the combined companies is approximately $1.58 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

The transaction is supported by gross proceeds of $345 million from Tailwind Two’s cash-in-trust, $50 million from a PIPE with participation from AE Industrial Partners, long-term Terran Orbital investor Beach Point Capital, Daniel Staton[1], Lockheed Martin and Fuel Venture Capital, as well as $75 million of additional financial commitments from Francisco Partners and Beach Point Capital. In connection with the closing of the transaction, up to an additional $125 million in debt commitments from Francisco Partners and Lockheed Martin may be available subject to certain conditions. Existing Terran Orbital shareholders will roll 100% of their equity into the combined company.

Terran Orbital is capitalizing on its fully integrated manufacturing capabilities to launch one of the most advanced EO constellation of smallsats, which will provide highly persistent, real-time Earth imagery as a service, making EO data more abundant and accessible than ever before.

On September 27th, Terran Orbital announced plans to develop a $300 million, 660,000 sq.ft. space manufacturing facility on the Space Coast of Florida. Upon completion, the newly constructed facility is expected to become one of the most advanced, largest vertically integrated satellite manufacturing facilities in the world, capable of producing over 1,000 satellites and space vehicles each year.

Terran Orbital and and Tailwind Two’s boards of directors have unanimously approved the proposed business combination. Completion of the proposed business combination is subject to approval by Tailwind Two’s shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions identified in the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by Terran Orbital and Tailwind Two.

"Terran Orbital is the largest independently-owned manufacturer of small satellites in the United States, serving national interests and enabling our customers to leverage the strength of our platform and insights. With our high volume, innovative manufacturing of small satellites, we will be able to deliver emerging technologies to space faster, more affordably and with greater reliability than anyone. Fundamentally, we are creating the new SaaS, Satellites-as-a-Service," said Marc Bell, Co-Founder and CEO of Terran Orbital. "In addition, our industry-leading earth observation constellation will deliver images of any geography on earth, at any time of day or night, within minutes. This capability will unlock a high-growth, high-margin data-as-a-service business model that will be truly transformational for Terran Orbital, its customers and investors."

"Terran Orbital offers an outstanding solution to address the increasing demand for cost-effective data that is only available from space," said Philip Krim, Chairman of Tailwind Two. "Tens of thousands of small satellites will be launched over the next decade, and Terran Orbital is ideally positioned to meet this demand, offering the most innovative, cost-effective small satellites that can meet the data demands for governments and corporations. Similarly, Terran Orbital’s own earth observation constellation will make the most technologically advanced data about our planet commercially available, which will unlock new markets for data and insights across industries."

"At Lockheed Martin, supporting our customers’ missions means not only delivering the most innovative products and services, but also collaborating with future-forward teams," said Rick Ambrose, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Space. "We actively pursue working with organizations that are developing disruptive technologies and leveraging alternative business models. Our experience with Tyvak, which is part of Terran Orbital, has helped us expand our core capabilities to enable hybrid, networked architectures and we look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of our customers."

"Small satellites will play a critical role in the future of space infrastructure and exploration, as well as provide customers with real time data to make informed and actionable decisions," said Kirk Konert, Partner at AE Industrial Partners. "Terran Orbital is entering into commercial partnerships with BigBear.ai and Redwire to develop and enhance next generation artificial intelligence and space solutions offerings, which is why we’re pleased to back the company and support its future growth."

Additional information about the proposed transaction will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Tailwind Two today with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on www.sec.gov.

NEOM Tech & Digital Holding Company and OneWeb have signed a $200 million, joint venture agreement to bring high-speed satellite connectivity to NEOM, a planned futuristic city that will be located in northwestern Saudi Arabia.

The first holding company to be established as a subsidiary of NEOM, NEOM Tech & Digital Holding Company plans to also deliver satellite connectivity to the planned city and the wider Middle East and neighboring East African countries.

The partnership will see the deployment of OneWeb’s LEO satellite constellation, which that will provide the rapid and reliable connectivity to enable NEOM’s ecosystem of cognitive technologies as well as transform businesses and rural communities in the region where access to fiber-like internet was previously beyond reach. The agreement also includes a long-term strategic partnership regarding research and development of future connectivity systems.

The relationship between OneWeb with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Investment has contributed to the consolidation of this agreement in order to enhance the vision of the emerging space technology sector in Saudi Arabia and provide it to private investors.

Currently, OneWeb uses the latest security protection employed in advanced mobile networks. NEOM Tech & Digital Hold Co. will be trialing technologies to provide further security protection as well as testing new, more robust and resistant positioning and navigation solutions.

“It is a great pleasure to witness the signing of the joint venture between NEOM and OneWeb, which is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s promising future in the space technology sectors. Today’s agreement will contribute to economic growth and accelerate digital and communications knowledge transfer to the Kingdom through the transformative NEOM vision,” said Khalid al-Falih, Saudi Minister of Investment.

On October 12, 2021, Astra announced that a launch window would open on October 27, 2021, for a commercial orbital launch on behalf of the United States Space Force (USSF) from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Kodiak, Alaska (the “Spaceport”).

While the company is ready to begin launch preparations for LV0007, the Spaceport has informed the company that they have not yet completed some planned improvements for the range. As a result, Astra will not be able to complete the preparations for a launch of LV0007 until some time during the second segment of this launch window, starting on November 5, 2021.

Many different factors influence when the firm can launch, including factors driven by third parties over whom there is no direct company control. Astra set a launch window that would allow the firm to evaluate these factors and ensure that conditions are optimal for a launch. As a result, Astra may not attempt a launch on the first day of a launch window if conditions are not optimal for a launch. When a launch attempt is scheduled, the company will update their website with the date and time.

When the phrase “commercial orbital launch” is used, Astra means a launch conducted under an FAA commercial launch license.

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Amazon’s Project Kuiper have announced a strategic collaboration to develop connectivity solutions for unserved and underserved communities.

As part of the collaboration, Project Kuiper and Verizon have begun to develop technical specifications and define preliminary commercial models for a range of connectivity services for U.S. consumers and global enterprise customers operating in rural and remote locations around the world.

Project Kuiper is an initiative to increase global broadband access through a constellation of 3,236 satellites in LEO around the planet. The system will serve individual households, as well as schools, hospitals, businesses and other organizations operating in places where internet access is limited or unavailable. Amazon has committed an initial $10 billion to the program, which will deliver fast, affordable broadband to customers and communities around the world.

The partnership seeks to expand coverage and deliver new customer-focused connectivity solutions that combine Amazon’s advanced LEO satellite system and Verizon’s world-class wireless technology and infrastructure. To begin, Amazon and Verizon will focus on expanding Verizon data networks using cellular backhaul solutions from Project Kuiper. The integration will leverage antenna development already in progress from the Project Kuiper team, and both engineering teams are now working together to define technical requirements to help extend fixed wireless coverage to rural and remote communities across the United States.

This partnership will also pave the way for Project Kuiper and Verizon to design and deploy new connectivity solutions across a range of domestic and global industries, from agriculture and energy to manufacturing and transportation. The Kuiper System is designed with the flexibility and capacity to support enterprises of all sizes. By pairing those capabilities with Verizon’s wireless, private networking and edge compute solutions, the two will be able to extend connectivity to businesses operating and deploying assets on a global scale.

Verizon Chairman and CEO Hans Vestberg said, “Project Kuiper offers flexibility and unique capabilities for a LEO satellite system, and we’re excited about the prospect of adding a complementary connectivity layer to our existing partnership with Amazon. We know the future will be built on our leading 5G network, designed for mobility, fixed wireless access and real-time cloud compute. More importantly, we believe that the power of this technology must be accessible for all. Today’s announcement will help us explore ways to bridge that divide and accelerate the benefits and innovation of wireless connectivity, helping benefit our customers on both a global and local scale.” Connecting unserved and underserved communities in the United States."

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said, “There are billions of people without reliable broadband access, and no single company will close the digital divide on its own. Verizon is a leader in wireless technology and infrastructure, and we’re proud to be working together to explore bringing fast, reliable broadband to the customers and communities who need it most. We look forward to partnering with companies and organizations around the world who share this commitment.” Delivering new connectivity solutions for global enterprise customers."

Neutron Star Systems UG and Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) have jointly signed an agreement for launching a demonstrator mission into LEO.

RFA will launch Neutron Star Systems demonstrator mission in Q3 2023 on the RFA ONE launch system. This mission will demonstrate a key subsystem for Neutron Star Systems disruptive electric propulsion system called SUPREME (SUperconductor-based Readiness Enhanced Magnetoplasmadynamic Electric propulsion). The mission will focus on advancing technology readiness level on one of the most important subsystems of SUPREME thruster technology.

Jörn Spurmann, Chief Commercial Officer at RFA said, "We are happy to support Neutron Star System’s in-orbit demonstration mission with our rideshare program on the RFA ONE launch systems. Their propulsion system has the potential to disrupt satellite propulsion, and we are proud to enable this endeavor."

Manuel La Rosa Betancourt, Chief Executive Officer at Neutron STar said, "Neutron Star Systems is committed to secure the development of this technology in Europe and to the strengthening of the vibrant German space ecosystem. By demonstrating this capability we do not only advance the TRL of SUPREME but also make a contribution towards Europe’s non dependence and leadership in enabling technologies objectives. "

Rocket Factory Augsburg was founded in 2018 with the mission to significantly reduce launch costs in the space industry. The company’s goal is to develop a launch vehicle prototype by the end of 2022 which can launch satellites into low Earth orbits on a weekly basis at unmatched prices. The RFA ONE launch vehicle combines three key competitive advantages: a highly cost-efficient architecture using industrial automation and lowest-possible development costs, precise in-orbit delivery by its orbital stage, and superior propulsion systems using staged-combustion.

Neutron Star Systems is a new-space start-up headquartered in Cologne, Germany, focused on the development of superconductor-based spacecraft systems. NSS core product is an Electric Propulsion system combining High-Temperature Superconductors with Applied-Field Magnetoplasmadynamic Thrusters, providing greater scalability, efficiency, and operational flexibility, and enabling more powerful and more capable spacecraft while cutting costs by up to billions of dollars. Alongside the German headquarters, NSS runs operations in London, UK, and Colorado Springs, USA.

Synspective recently signed a partnership agreement with Orbital EOS, who made use of StriX SAR data for the analysis of oil spill detection off the coast of Syria in September of 2021, leading to the identification of 243.5 ㎢ worth of oil spill.

In October of 2021, Synspective Inc. signed a partnership agreement with Orbital EOS that specializes in oil spill detection data analysis for collaboration in the Asia region.

On the September 9, 2021, Synspective captured SAR imagery data using their own satellite StirX in stripmap mode of the entire area off the coast of Syria and the Lebanese border. The area is where a large amount of oil spill had spread out across the Mediterranean Sea from one the largest oil refineries, Baniyas, of Syria, with the spill occurring on August 23, 2021.

Synspective SAR stripmap mode captured SAR image, extract of Baniyas oil refinery alongside the coast of Syria (September 2021)

Orbital EOS have conducted their own analysis making use of our StriX data, to assess the extent of oil spillage spread. The analysis had confirmed 243.5km2 worth of oil spill across the surrounding sea.

Below, black and white imagery (center) is SAR imagery data captured by StriX-α. The area colored in blue is where Orbital EOS have identified as the sea surface effected by the oil spill.

According to Juan Peña Ibáñez, the CEO of Orbital EOS, water quality along the coastal line of Syria has dramatically deteriorated as a result of the oil spill. This has impacted the local marine life, while fishing has also been banned until further notice. It is essential that such analysis is made readily available at the earliest phase of the disaster in order to minimize the damage against the local marine environment and ecosystems as well as the economy.

Below is a Synspective SAR stripmap mode captured SAR image, extract of the city of Tartus and the Mediterranean coast of Syria (September 2021).

Synspective will continue to collaborate with Orbital EOS in an effort to help define the oil spillage area, its extent and the outflow prediction by providing its own SAR data imagery.

Satellogic has signed a Letter Of Intent (LOI) with Agencia Espacial del Paraguay (“AEP”) to develop a Space-as-a-Service program for the country. As a result of this LOI, Satellogic and AEP will undertake various technological and scientific projects, in accordance with AEP’s Institutional Strategic Plan and the Space Policy of Paraguay.

The LOI provides a framework for the start-up and development of a dedicated satellite constellation network. Satellogic’s Dedicated Satellite Constellation Program enables municipal, state, and national governments to manage a fleet of satellites over a specific area of interest and develop a geospatial imaging program at unmatched frequency, resolution and cost.

Countries unequipped with their own satellites orbiting the Earth are limited in their ability to capture data about their policy implementation and infrastructure. Satellogic’s Dedicated Satellite Constellation Program expands access to geospatial analytics and insights that contribute to strategic national interests, with no capital outlay and no technical or operational risks.

With access to Satellogic’s Dedicated Satellite Constellation Program, governments of all sizes are now able to develop EO programs to support key decisions and manage policy impact, measure investment and socio-economic progress, and foster collaboration, data and information sharing as well as innovation.

“The Dedicated Satellite Constellation Satellogic will develop for AEP is a low-risk, cost-effective Space-As-A-Service model tailored for AEP and the Republic of Paraguay,” said Luciano Giesso, Sales Director for Satellogic. “Latin America is increasingly focused on space technologies to create new infrastructures to unlock the benefits of satellite data across many industries. This region continues to be an area of focus for us, uncovering huge opportunities for new space activities and projects.”

“This is the first agreement of this kind signed between AEP and a global space company, contributing to aerospace development for the public and private sectors of Paraguay, and establishing a sustainable system for our Space Agency purposes,” said Alejandro Román, General Director of Aerospace Development for AEP. “Satellogic is building the first scalable, high-resolution, earth-observation platform, and they could become the ideal partner to leverage outer space peacefully for the benefit of the Paraguayan population and the development of our country on new satellite technologies.”