Archives for February 2022

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded three prototype agreements that are worth approximately $1.8 billion to establish the foundation for Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL), a mesh network of 126 optically-interconnected space vehicles (SV) that will provide a resilient, low-latency, high-volume data transport communication system and be ready for launch starting in September 2024.

These agreements are awarded to Lockheed Martin Space, Northrop Grumman Space Systems and York Space Systems to each build and demonstrate effectiveness for two, near-polar, Low Earth Orbital (LEO) planes of the six-plane T1TL, which forms the initial warfighting capability tranche of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA).

Tranche 1 Transport Layer will leverage and proliferate the capabilities being demonstrated in Tranche 0 Transport Layer with targeted technology enhancements, mission-focused payload configurations, increased integration, and greater production efficiencies. The T1TL will provide global communications access and deliver persistent regional encrypted connectivity in support of warfighter missions around the globe by serving as the backbone for Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) built on low-latency data transport, sensor-to-shooter connectivity, and direct-to-weapon platforms connectivity.

Lockheed Martin Corporation, Littleton, Colorado, is awarded a prototype agreement with a potential value of approximately $700 million to execute a research and development program for the development of a T1TL prototype constellation consisting of 42 satellites in two near-polar low Earth orbital planes (21 SVs for each orbital plane). The proposal was received and evaluated under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-01. “Our team at Lockheed Martin is thrilled to be awarded a T1TL contract,” said Erik Daehler, Protected Communications Mission Area leader at Lockheed Martin Space. “We’re looking forward to building upon our team’s success on Tranche 0 by approaching Tranche 1 with modernized and streamlined processes that do more, cost less and achieve mission goals faster. Producing these innovative spacecraft will be a collaborative effort, with Lockheed Martin using its longstanding partnerships to deliver high-quality products that will provide the right capabilities to the warfighter.”

Northrop Grumman Strategic Space Systems, Redondo Beach, California, is awarded a prototype agreement with potential value of approximately $692 million to execute a research and development program for the development of a T1TL prototype constellation consisting of 42 satellites in two near-polar low Earth orbital planes (21 SVs for each orbital plane). The proposal was received and evaluated under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-01. “Northrop Grumman recognizes information on the modern battlefield must be delivered to our warfighters at the speed of relevance,” said Robert Fleming, vice president and general manager, Strategic Space Systems. “Our T1TL solution combines proven end-to-end satellite system integration and heritage communication mission expertise accumulated over decades, across multiple orbital regimes to rapidly field these critical capabilities to warfighters in the field.”

York Space Systems, Denver, Colorado, is awarded a prototype agreement with a potential value of approximately $382 million to execute a research and development program for the development of a T1TL prototype constellation consisting of 42 satellites in two near-polar low Earth orbital planes (21 SVs for each orbital plane). The proposal was received and evaluated under an Other Transaction Authorities solicitation SDA-PS-22-01. “We are honored to again have SDA’s confidence in executing the agency’s vision,” said Dirk Wallinger, chief executive officer, York Space Systems. “Their competitive, fixed-price procurements leverage York’s private capital investments to deliver low-risk, industry-leading constellations today and well into the future.”

“These awards will drive delivery of the NDSA’s data and communications Transport Layer through a proliferated constellation of relatively small, mass-producible space vehicles in Low Earth Orbit,” said Derek Tournear, SDA director. “Through our solicitations, we aim to create a marketplace through two-year spiral development and regular, full and open solicitations for each tranche so that industry can plan, develop and grow accordingly. We look forward to collaborating with our industry partners to deliver the capabilities the warfighter needs through Tranche 1 and beyond.”

Recognized as DoD’s constructive disruptor for space acquisition, SDA will accelerate delivery of needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the National Defense Space Architecture.

Capella Space has captured SAR imagery are from the airfield at Rodnykivka (48.7932 LAT, 30.2086 LONG – captured 2/26 at 10:05 am UTC) in the Ukraine.

All imagery is copyright Capella Space.

The company will be adding new imagery to this folder as such becomes available.

Terran Orbital Corporation (“Terran Orbital”) has announced that the firm has received contracts and awards totaling more than $170 million since September 30, 2021 — this includes multiple agreements and awards from several government and commercial customers.

Terran Orbital previously announced that the firm had entered into a business combination agreement with Tailwind Two Acquisition Corp. (NYSE: TWNT), (“Tailwind Two”), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), pursuant to which Terran Orbital will combine with Tailwind Two.

“Terran Orbital is fortunate to enjoy unique relationships with leaders in the defense, civil, and commercial sectors,” said Marc Bell, Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Terran Orbital. “Our team continues to focus on delivering the highest quality solutions at a compelling price. We are honored by the trust and partnership of our customers and look forward to delivering the capabilities they need.”

As always, government contracts and programs are subject to the availability of Congressional appropriations and authorizations, as well as the federal budget process. Accordingly, Terran Orbital may not predict if and when the anticipated revenue from these government programs and awards will be recognized.

Additionally, Terran Orbital Corporation has signed a 10-year lease for a 60,000 square-foot commercial facility in Irvine, California — the location of the facility is adjacent to the Company’s existing facility. The new facility will focus on pure assembly and production. The facility will house staff and equipment starting later this year.

In September 2021, Terran Orbital announced it planned to build what the Company believes will be one of the largest satellite manufacturing complexes in the world in Brevard County, Florida. Once completed, it is expected that the 660,000 square-foot facility will create approximately 2,100 new jobs on Florida’s Space Coast.

“Terran Orbital continues to expand our status as an industry leader by growing our portfolio of satellite production and assembly facilities,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Marc Bell. “This is another in a long line of developments to maintain our leadership as a top small satellite manufacturer in the country.“

Advanced Space LLC. is reporting a successful, recent test for CAPSTONE, a NASA-funded mission to the Moon.

Advanced Space owns and operates the CAPSTONE mission, a trailblazing pathfinder for the Gateway. The Gateway, a lunar orbiting outpost, will support NASA’s Artemis missions that will establish a long-term, human presence at the Moon. CAPSTONE is the Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment and will help reduce risk for future spacecraft by validating innovative technologies and verifying the dynamics of the Earth-Moon halo orbit where the Gateway will operate.

The fourth Operational Readiness Test (ORT-4) for the CAPSTONE mission conducted by the Advanced Space team simulated a week of real-time mission operations in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO), the designated orbit for Gateway, which is being developed by NASA and its international and commercial partners. The Gateway will provide astronauts access to the lunar surface and act as a staging point for deep space exploration and will feature living quarters for astronauts, a lab for science and research as well as ports for visiting spacecraft.

CAPSTONE will be the first spacecraft to fly in this NRHO and one of the first cubesats to fly in cislunar space. It will traverse a low-energy, ballistic, lunar transfer and use solar perturbations to greatly decrease the spacecraft propulsion requirements for the mission. It will also test the peer-to-peer navigation system developed by Advanced Space, CAPS (Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System), to determine its position via crosslink measurements with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter without relying on ground stations.

CAPS is supported by NASA’s Small Business Innovation Research program. CAPS may enable autonomous navigation of satellites in cislunar space, helping to propel humans beyond Earth in a sustained way.

“These tests confirm our Advanced Space team is ready for launch,” said Bradley Cheetham, Advanced Space CEO. “We are excited to partner with NASA on this historic Moon mission. CAPSTONE will change the way we explore space.”

Previous tests also simulated NRHO operations, but an exciting addition for Advanced Space’s ORT- 4 was the expanded testing of CAPS crosslink procedures. As part of the CAPS planning procedures, operators generate appropriate commands, such as telling the spacecraft where to point, in order to execute the CAPS activities on board the spacecraft. Additionally, in ORT-4, operators performed real-time simulations of CAPS measurements on flight-like hardware.

“Our technology is a breakthrough for how NASA and other customers can navigate in space,” said Dr. Jeff Parker, co-founder of Advanced Space, Chief Technology Officer, and author of the book Low-Energy Lunar Trajectory Design. “Each time we have a test event, our lessons learned and ideas for improvements to our system allow us to better prepare for flight operations.”

The main objectives for ORT-4 were to demonstrate scripts and processes for Maneuver Planning and Payload Planning and to exercise the Operations team in nominal and contingency situations in NRHO operations. Additionally, the test conductors injected anomalies to test the Operations team and expose them to possible contingency situations they might see in flight. With the mission targeted for this Spring, these tests and constant communications with company partners such as Tyvak, the spacecraft manufacturer, and Rocket Lab, the launch provider, are critical and increasing the level of excitement.

Advanced Space of Colorado owns the satellite and is responsible for overall mission operations.

SpaceLink recently named Axiom Space as its Implementation Partner for demonstration of its end-to-end communications relay service on the International Space Station.

SpaceLink completed an agreement with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS), manager of the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory, last year, and signed its subcontract with Axiom last week, making Axiom the liaison to ensure that all interfaces and system requirements meet NASA standards.

The SpaceLink demonstration will validate the use of a 10 Gigabit per second optical terminal for real-time voice, video, and data relay for ISS crew, onboard systems, and experiments. Last August, SpaceLink announced that the company was selected by CASIS for a demonstration on the ISS under an agreement that is now fully executed.

As Implementation Partner, Axiom will leverage its expertise in working with NASA and the ISS National Laboratory to support mission integration, launch, and operations for the SpaceLink payload. Axiom will support SpaceLink as a liaison with NASA and will lead safety reviews to ensure SpaceLink hardware meets the requirements for the ISS.

The SpaceLink relay network is designed to pick up where NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) leaves off and go beyond with unprecedented capability that leverages the latest technology advances in optical communications.

“Team members who bring years of ISS experience to Axiom have made Axiom the ideal partner for our demonstration,” said David Bettinger, SpaceLink CEO. “As with many developments that begin with government support, commercial space stations and the networks that serve them are the future. It is an honor to work with the ISS National Laboratory and Axiom to further this important transition.”

“High-speed communication will be a critical component for the future where people live and work in space,” said Axiom President and CEO, Michael Suffredini, “Axiom looks forward to collaborating with SpaceLink and supporting its relay network, beginning with this important demonstration on the ISS.“

With the proliferation of spacecraft in LEO, the demand for fast, continuous, high-capacity connectivity continues to grow. SpaceLink is designed to help close the business case for commercial space stations, Earth Observation (EO) companies, satellite servicers, launch vehicles, space tugs, and lunar communications. It also meets requirements for the U.S. Government and close allies that want to leverage secure industry solutions to maximize capabilities.

SpaceLink will help advance humanity to a new age of space commerce, exploration, environmental awareness, and security. The Always in Sight data relay system provides global coverage to empower space system operators to maximize use of their assets. SpaceLink Corporation is headquartered in the Washington DC area and has offices in Silicon Valley, California. It is a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited, a public company traded on the Australian stock exchange.

AE Industrial Partners, LP (“AEI”) has reached a definitive agreement to acquire a significant stake in Firefly Aerospace (“Firefly” or “the Company”), an emerging leader in economical launch vehicles, spacecraft and in-space services, from Noosphere Venture Partners LP (“Noosphere”).

Transaction closing is subject to the satisfaction of regulatory approvals, including Hart-Scott-Rodino (“HSR”) clearance. Other terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

With the acquisition of Noosphere’s stake in Firefly, AEI will further expand its space investment portfolio that includes investments in Redwire Space and Sierra Space. With the previous support and investment from Noosphere, the Company is now positioned for robust growth in the space transportation market.

Firefly raised Series A financing in May of 2021 at a $1.1 billion valuation and the company performed its first launch of Alpha, its flagship launch vehicle, in September of last year — the company’s second vehicle is awaiting necessary approvals ahead of its launch.

Firefly has also recently completed the “critical design review” phase for its Blue Ghost Lunar Lander Program, bringing the Company one step closer to launching in late 2023.

Having recently achieved several major milestones, Firefly is at an inflection point and AEI’s acquisition will allow the Company to realize the significant opportunities ahead. AEI’s portfolio companies have a history of serving as strategic partners to the top national security agencies, including the Department of Defense. AEI believes that leveraging this experience will be a critical advantage as Firefly looks to secure additional U.S. Federal Government contracts.

Firefly is developing a family of launch and in-space vehicles and services that provide industry-leading affordability, convenience, and reliability. Firefly’s launch vehicles utilize common technologies, manufacturing infrastructure and launch capabilities, providing LEO launch solutions for up to ten metric tons of payload at the lowest cost per kg. in the small-launch class. Combined with Firefly’s in-space vehicles, such as the Space Utility Vehicle and Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, Firefly provides the space industry with a single source for missions from LEO to the surface of the Moon or beyond. Firefly is headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas.

Noosphere Venture Partners LP, founded by Dr. Max Polyakov, is an international asset management firm with the strategic vision to transform high-potential companies into definitive market leaders. The company’s mission is to change the landscape of the digital economy and Noosphere invests in projects around the world that primarily are focused on space, consumer internet, advertising and marketing technologies.

AE Industrial Partners is a private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets. AE Industrial Partners invests in market-leading companies that can benefit from our deep industry knowledge, operating experience, and relationships throughout our target markets. AE Industrial Partners is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment and the ILPA Diversity in Action initiative. Learn more at www.aeroequity.com.

The Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin rocket system says it plans to more than double the number of people it lofts into sub-orbital space upon its New Shepard vehicle. It was a New Shepard rocket which carried William Shatner into sub-orbital space last October.

Bob Smith, chief executive of Blue Origin, speaking at the annual FAA Commercial Space Transportation event, explained that his company saw “robust” demand for passenger trips. “The market is robust. It’s very robust. The challenge for Blue at this point is that we’re actually supply-limited. No business ever wants to be supply-limited when there’s robust demand. It’s incumbent on us to go build new vehicles, get them ready and safely go fly, and also safely get our launch cadence up.”

Smith added that Blue Origin could easily double the number of passengers it carried this year. “We have a great understanding of not only, by name, people and what they would pay, but also the volume of people. We can see what that curve is from higher prices down to lower prices in terms of volume.”

Eclipse Global Connectivity is now an authorized OneWeb Distribution Partner (DP), following a signed agreement late last year. Through the partnership, Eclipse will offer new low-latency, fiber-like airtime services, hardware systems and certifications to government aircraft across Europe, the Middle East and Asia (EMEA) to facilitate a broad range of operational and mission goals.

“Our dedication to delivering airborne satellite communications solutions tailored to enable a wide range of government and military missions spans more than two-and-a-half decades,” said Marc Pinault, Eclipse Global Connectivity CEO. “The Eclipse team is incredibly enthusiastic about our new partnership with OneWeb. This new cost-effective, high-speed service promises a secure, innovative solution for government, military and civilian airborne communication needs.”

The initial focus is on providing innovative solutions for global-reach command and control, and manned and unmanned airborne ISR missions. The low-latency service will seamlessly enable combat cloud and applications like video transmission and cryptographic device synchronization. Additionally, native Office365 applications such as Teams and SharePoint, typically used onboard Head of State aircraft, will also experience improved performance. The scope can eventually expand to other market segments, such as business and commercial aviation.

“Eclipse and OneWeb share the vision of providing ingenious connectivity solutions to aircraft operators worldwide,” said OneWeb Head of Government Business Line, Dylan Browne. “Their lengthy and solid history of delivering complete solutions addressing the complex SATCOM requirements of government, military and Head of State operators makes Eclipse an optimal partner for us. It is one of the many reasons we are thrilled to have the Eclipse team onboard.”

Intelsat has formally confirmed its emergence from Chapter 11 reconstruction.

The satellite operator said it had emerged as a private company with a substantially strengthened capital structure to support its growth as the leader in satellite communications. This final milestone follows receipt of regulatory approvals, completion of certain corporate actions, and satisfaction of other customary conditions.

Intelsat’s now-effective Plan of Reorganization, supported by all creditor groups and confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court on December 16th 2021, has reduced the Company’s debt by more than half, from approximately $16 billion to $7 billion. In connection with emergence, Intelsat obtained $6.7 billion in new financing consisting of a revolving credit facility, term loan, and secured notes. Supported by new equity owners, the Company is now best positioned for long-term success as it continues to innovate and bring new services to market.

Intelsat also has a new Board of Directors, composed of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and six new directors, including Lisa Hammitt, Intelsat’s Chairperson.

“For more than 50 years, Intelsat has led innovation in our sector and delivered high-performing services for customers,” said Intelsat’s CEO, Stephen Spengler. “Now that our financial restructuring has been completed successfully, we are driving Intelsat’s future development and growth from a position of even greater strength. We have significantly less debt as well as new financing to support our innovation and network plans, complementing our unparalleled global orbital and spectrum rights and strong operating model. We are positioned better than ever to fuel the success of our customers and partners, achieve our strategic objectives, and accelerate our growth. Building the world’s first global 5G satellite-based, software-defined, unified network is just one of Intelsat’s many ground-breaking projects well underway.”

Spengler continued, “Today’s emergence is the culmination of the hard work, collaboration, and vision of many. I especially want to thank our talented and committed Intelsat team members for their unwavering focus on customer service – and thank our valued customers, vendors, and other partners for their trust and support. With a focus on innovation, reliability, and high-performing service, we will advance our business for the benefit of all and continue onward as the leader in satellite communications.”

Set to deliver the first ever launch from UK soil this summer, Spaceport Cornwall is laying the foundations for long-term, responsible, smallsat services from Cornwall Airport Newquay with the build of the Centre for Space Technologies.

This state of the art facility is a nationally unique asset where the value of launch from Cornwall will realize its full potential. The Center comprises two main facilities: the Space Systems Integration Facility, where satellites will be integrated into the fairing of the rocket; and the Space Systems Operation Facility, an adjacent R&D work and office space.

The Center for Space Technologies will be home to academic partners, SMEs, multinationals and environmental organizations who will come together and collaborate on responsible launch practices and applications – showcasing how space can help solve some of our greatest challenges on Earth.

The facilities are key to Cornwall’s space cluster development and continued growth for cutting-edge practice within the region, and will serve as a catalyst to attract space businesses to work alongside academia in this unique capacity. Businesses from across the UK space sector and beyond, including satellite manufacturer D-Orbit, have already committed to using the center as a base for innovation and advancement.

The center will also be the on the ground base for Spaceport Cornwall’s mission to take a global lead in responsible launch and their ambition to achieve Net Zero. It will be home to Kernow Sat-1 – a G7 Legacy funded Community Satellite that will be launched to monitor ocean health around the coast of Cornwall – supporting Blue Carbon ambitions. Alongside this, further R&D will focus on Environmental Intelligence and Space.

Business Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said, “From connecting people with their friends and family, to helping farmers to manage their crops, space is playing an increasingly pivotal role in our daily lives. Not only is this booming £16 billion sector a vital part of the UK economy, but it is also helping to protect British security interests abroad. The Centre for Space Technologies, backed by government funding, will be a hugely exciting asset to both Cornwall, and to the UK’s space sector as a whole. The facility will contribute to vital research and development in the field, bringing together industry and academia to exploit space to solve some of humanity’s greatest challenges. The Government is delighted to be able to support this fantastic site, which will bring 150 jobs to the local area while boosting Cornwall’s burgeoning space cluster.”

Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall, said, “Spaceport Cornwall is more than just a launch facility. The Centre for Space Technologies is proof of our ambitions to lead the way in a global industry shift. We want to show the key role environmental intelligence can play in solving global climate challenges and the centre will be home to vital R & D in this area – fostering collaboration across industry and academia to pioneer the use of space for good.”

Ian Annett, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency, said, “It’s fantastic to see how our investments in UK launch are leading to the development of impressive facilities that will support spaceflight operations, research and collaboration, and create high-skilled jobs. As we countdown to the first launch this summer, we are working closely with Spaceport Cornwall, Virgin Orbit and partners across the country to grow a sustainable new spaceflight industry in the UK.”

The £5.6 million innovative space has been jointly-funded by Cornwall Council, the European Regional Development Fund and the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership, through the Government’s ‘Getting Building’ Fund. Accelerating UK Space and growing Cornwall’s economy Spaceport Cornwall, with the Centre for Space Technologies, will deliver 150 direct jobs and £200 million GVA.