Archives for February 2022

Space technology and satellites are not only important for monitoring climate change, for navigating ships and airplanes, and for communicating over long distances — they are also essential to the security of Denmark and the EU.

A new project develops a technology that makes it possible to monitor and identify military threats in space and on Earth. The AI-driven technology will contribute to process the vast data streams stemming from satellites and land-based sensors and thereby create the basis for using the space data and intelligence for military purposes.

The project, which goes under the name INTEGRAL and is a part of EU’s SSAEW SC2, Space Situational Awareness – Space Command and Control, is supported with funds from the European Defence Fund and is a cooperation between DTU (Technical University of Denmark), the Danish company Space Inventor and the French defence and technology company Thales in Denmark.

The Danish company Space Inventor is going to play a key role in the project by contributing to the development of the prototype for INTEGRAL and finding an algorithm that can trace the orbit of satellites. With the awarded funds follow a significantly increased visibility on the international stage as well as access to knowledge and powerful networks.

“It is incredibly exciting for Space Inventor to be a part of such a big international project, and we are looking forward to showing the world what we are able to do within space and defence,” said Karl Kaas, CEO of Space Inventor ApS.

“Research and development of new space technology in cooperation with the Danish industry increase the focus on science, and create growth and jobs,” said Professor Rasmus Larsen, Provost, Executive Vice President, CAO, M.Sc. (Eng) Ph.D. from DTU.

A unique cooperation with massive potential
The project is one of only 26 projects which have been approved by the EU Commission under the test program European Defence Industrial Development Program (EDIDP) in 2020. Thales sees great potential in the Danish Defence industry looking towards Europe.

“It is a unique project because we unite science and industry on multiple levels. We are, in Thales, a part of the Danish ecosystem within defence and also an international company with deep knowledge about the European defence market. We would like to contribute with this knowledge so that Danish companies can unlock the great potential which the Danish defence industry holds,” said Tommy Ayouty, CEO, Thales Danmark, VP Thales Group in the Nordics.

Several Danish companies are participating in EU projects such as project SAURON for SSA Sensors and the space & defence project SSA Early Warning which both have received funds from EDIDP 2020. Along with INTEGRAL, these projects can improve Denmark’s visibility within the defence and space sector and are expected to lay the foundation for further cooperation and to gather knowledge in connection with the surveillance of the Arctic in the future.

The INTEGRAL project runs until 2023, at which point the parties involved can seek funds to continue the work.

Globalstar, Inc. (NYSE American: GSAT) has entered into a satellite procurement agreement with Macdonald, Dettwiler and Associates Corporation (“MDA”) pursuant to which Globalstar will acquire 17 new satellites that will replenish and extend the life of Globalstar’s existing constellation.

Globalstar is acquiring the satellites to provide continuous satellite services to the potential customer under the Terms Agreement described in the Company’s Annual Reports, as well as services to Globalstar’s current and future customers. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. is the principal satellite bus subcontractor under the Procurement Agreement.

Globalstar is acquiring the new satellites to provide satellite services to the potential customer under the Terms Agreement, as well as services to Globalstar’s current and future customers. Accordingly, as the potential customer has approved the amounts related to the construction of the new satellites, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the potential customer will reimburse Globalstar for 95% of the approved capital expenditures Globalstar makes in connection with the new satellites, interest costs of the Company’s borrowings related to the new satellites as well as termination costs, should any arise. In addition, if it elects to obtain services from Globalstar under the Terms Agreement, the potential customer is obligated to make service payments and cost reimbursements to Globalstar in amounts that would be material to the Company.

The total contract price for the initial 17 satellites is $327.0 million. Globalstar maintains the option to acquire up to nine additional satellites with flexibility in timing to place such order in addition to other optional services under the contract. If Globalstar elects to acquire new satellites, each satellite will be priced at $11.4 million, subject to certain price adjustments. The Procurement Agreement requires the Contractor to deliver the satellites by 2025, with an expectation that all satellites will be launched by the end of 2025. Globalstar plans to contract separately for launch services and launch insurance for the new satellites.

The Procurement Agreement provides for deferrals of milestone payments from February 2022 through August 2022, at a 0% interest rate. On August 16, 2022, all deferred payments will become due by which time Globalstar expects to complete a senior secured financing. This financing is expected to provide sufficient proceeds for the construction and launch of the new satellites, and the Company expects to refinance its current senior credit facility concurrent with or after the financing.

David Kagan, Globalstar’s CEO, said, “After running a competitive process with multiple bidders, we are very pleased to announce the selection of MDA in partnership with Rocket Lab for the construction of our new satellites. The combination of these vendors offered us the best overall balance of innovation, technical capability, schedule reliability and cost. These new satellites will ensure Globalstar’s ability to provide the highest quality mobile satellite services to its customer over the long-term. We look forward to beginning the process of bending metal and readying the new satellites for launch beginning in approximately three years.”

A news update below regarding the Synchrocube project that aims to provide a complementary solution to navigation systems (GNSS: GALILEO; GPS) in order to provide synchronization functions when GNSS navigation signals are unusable. Synchrocube is part of the French space recovery plan. The main goal is to test this service, using a first satellite placed in low orbit.

Syrlinks is at the initiative of this innovative offer and will provide both the payload and the ground receiver necessary to provide this service. Synchrocube brings together several innovative technologies within a single 6U nanosatellite platform. U-Space, ANYWAVES, COMAT and Syrlinks, 4 French companies specializing in NewSpace are joining forces to promote their respective skills around this project.

Synchrocube relies on a consortium of French space industry players. U-Space, as supplier of the nanosatellite platform, has a key role in this in-orbit demonstration project. ANYWAVES and COMAT are also partners in the project, each contributing their own innovative technologies. By pooling their technologies, the companies in this consortium demonstrate their ability to provide effective and competitive solutions to respond to ambitious space programs.

Synchrocube is a unique project with great potential. Today, the digital economy requires increasingly complex systems with more and more data exchanges. Synchrocube is part of this evolution by meeting the synchronization needs of telecommunication networks, energy, intelligent transport and finance by providing a precise and secure time reference.

“Synchrocube represents a major evolution for Syrlinks. The implementation of a project as sizeable as this opens up new commercial prospects for the company. Syrlinks, initially known as a satellite subsystem manufacturer, is on its way to becoming a service provider.” explains Guy Richards, Syrlinks CEO.

“Being part of the Synchrocube project is very rewarding for ANYWAVES. First, because it allows us to act for our industry in the frame of the “France Relance” program. Then because this will give us the opportunity to take a new technological challenge and to propose world-class state of the art antennas. Finally , this development and this collaboration are perfectly aligned with ANYWAVES’ ambition : becoming the leader of miniature antennas for satellites constellations” comments Dr. Nicolas Capet, ANYWAVES CEO.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc (Nasdaq: RKLB) has completed their second orbital launch pad at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand – the Company’s third dedicated pad for its Electron rocket – and confirmed the new pad’s first mission will be a dedicated commercial launch scheduled to lift-off within a week’s time.

Pad B is based within Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, the world’s first private orbital launch site, located in Mahia, New Zealand. The new pad is Rocket Lab’s third for the Company’s Electron launch vehicle and joins the existing Pad A at Launch Complex 1 and a third launch pad at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, USA. With two operational pads within the same launch complex, Rocket Lab doubles the launch capacity of its Electron launch vehicle.

Launch Complex 1 Pad B will support the upcoming launch of a dedicated Electron mission for Japanese Earth-imaging company Synspective. Lift-off is currently scheduled for no earlier than February 28 UTC / March 1 NZT. Full detail about the mission can be found here: www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/

With two launch pads and private range assets at Launch Complex 1, concurrent launch campaigns are now possible from the site. This enables resilient access to space by accommodating tailored customer requirements or late changes to a spacecraft while keeping Rocket Lab’s manifest on schedule. Operating two pads also eliminates pad recycle time, ensuring a launch pad is always available for a rapid-response mission. Launching from a private launch complex, Rocket Lab is also able to avoid the lofty range fees and overheads typically associated with shared launch sites, resulting in a cost-effective launch service for satellite operators.

Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck, said, “A reliable launch vehicle is only one part of the puzzle to unlocking space access – operating multiple launch sites so we can launch when and where our customers need to is another crucial factor. We are proud to be delivering responsive space access for our customers, making back-to-back missions possible within hours or days, not weeks or months. Even with just one pad at Launch Complex 1, Electron quickly became the second most-frequently launched U.S. rocket every year. Now, with two pads at Launch Complex 1 and a third in Virginia, imagine what three pads across two continents can do for schedule control, flexibility, and rapid response for satellite operators globally.”

More than 50 local construction workers and contractors were involved in the development of Launch Complex 1 Pad B, which includes a 66-ton launch platform and 7.6-ton strongback customized to the Electron launch vehicle. With Pad B operational, several roles are available now at Launch Complex 1 to support Rocket Lab’s increased launch cadence.

Rocket Lab’s Vice President – Launch, Shaun D’Mello, said, “With Pad B we’ve kept things efficient. Its systems and layout replicates Pad A and shares much of Pad A’s infrastructure including the Electron vehicle integration hangar, runway to the pad, and our own range control facility. With that we’ve been able to double our operational capacity – all on a concrete area smaller than the average tennis court. I’m hugely proud of what the team has achieved: building and bringing a second pad online, all while continuing to service and operate Pad A for our Electron launches to date, and in the middle of a global pandemic no less.”

About Launch Complex 1

Located on the Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand, Launch Complex 1 is the world’s first and only private orbital launch site. As the launch site for Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket, Launch Complex 1 has supported the successful delivery of more than 100 satellites to space across a range of missions for environmental and marine monitoring, Earth observation, science and research, internet connectivity, technology research and development, and national security. An FAA-licensed spaceport, Launch Complex 1 is capable of supporting up to 120 launch opportunities every year. From the site it is possible to reach orbital inclinations from sun-synchronous through to 30 degrees, enabling a wide spectrum of inclinations to service the majority of the satellite industry’s missions to low Earth orbit. Located within Launch Complex 1 are Rocket Lab’s private range control facilities, three satellite cleanrooms, a launch vehicle assembly hangar which can process multiple Electrons for launch at once, and administrative offices. Operating a private orbital launch site alongside its own range and mission control centers allows Rocket Lab to reduce the overhead costs per mission, resulting in a cost-effective launch service for satellite operators.

‘The Owl’s Night Continues’ is the first of three dedicated Electron missions for Synspective, with two scheduled to launch in 2022 and a third in 2023. Each mission will deploy a single StriX satellite, growing Synspective’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation developed to deliver imagery that can detect millimeter-level changes to the Earth’s surface from space, independent of weather conditions on Earth and at any time of the day or night.

‘The Owl’s Night Continues’ mission follows on from Rocket Lab’s first launch for Synspective in December 2020. That mission, named ‘The Owl’s Night Begins’, witnessed Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle deploy the StriX-α satellite – the first spacecraft in Synspective’s planned constellation of more than 30 SAR satellites designed to collate data of metropolitan centers on a daily basis to support urban development planning, construction and infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response.

Rocket Lab will not be attempting to recover Electron for this mission.

The University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney, Australia, has contracted mission integrator NanoAvionics to build a nanosatellite bus for UNSW’s satellite innovation laboratory.

As part of the collaboration, NanoAvionics will deliver a 6U nanosatellite bus fully assembled and tested on a functional level, ready for its research and educational purposes. Payload integration for laboratory testing, modifications, and mission operations validation will be carried out by UNSW Sydney.

The intended GNSS (global navigational satellite systems) payload named “Harry v2” will consist of two “KEA” GPS receivers, developed by the Australian Centre for Space Engineering Research at UNSW, to perform remote Earth sensing operations using GPS reflectometry. Able to host multiple experiments, it will take measurements from reflections coming from the Earth while using navigation signals from other GPS satellites. The receivers, designed for both aircraft and CubeSat operations, are capable of recording intermediate frequency (IF) data and delay Doppler maps (DDM) with its associated metadata. The experiment data can be used to infer sea-state, wind speed, water-land boundaries and many other unexplored applications.

Dr. Joon Cheong, from UNSW Sydney, said, ”NanoAvionics offers a suite of state-of-the-art satellite buses that is cost-effective and suitable for modern payload research and development activities to take place.”

Vytenis J. Buzas, founder and CEO of NanoAvionics, added, “The Australian space market is of immense importance to us and we are looking into expanding our footprint there. We have been supplying Australian research centres and educational institutions with nanosatellite technology since the inception of the company. We keep nurturing these relationships by transferring our knowledge in nanosatellite technology with them. 

“NanoAvionics is already working with several Australian companies, acting as a technology partner, with intentions to provide our satellites for institutional and commercial segments, mostly for Earth Observation and IoT missions. As a result, and due to Australia’s constant development in the space industry, NanoAvionics is exploring the possibility of establishing local capabilities in the region.” 

Ovzon has announced that the Ovzon 3 satellite launch will be delayed and is now planned to be launched in the second half of 2022.

The rescheduling is due to continued insufficiencies and delivery of key components affecting the completion of Ovzon 3 and of a large number of other satellites in the industry.

The rescheduling will not affect Ovzon’s current business and deliveries to current and new customers as the company has already strategically secured leased satellite capacity for Ovzon’s expanding SATCOM-as-a-Service offering.

This information is information that Ovzon AB (publ) is obligated to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014 and the Securities Markets Act (2007:528). The information in this press release has been published through the agency of the contact persons set out below, at the time stated by Ovzon AB’s (publ) news distributor Cision upon publication of this press release.

Belgian satellite manufacturer Aerospacelab has accelerated its next stage of growth with a successful raise of 40 million euros. The Series B round is co-led by Airbus Ventures and XAnge, a leading European investor in early-stage startups. Additional investors in the round include Octave & Miroslaw Klaba, SRIW, Noshaq, BNP Paribas Private Equity, Sambrinvest, and Belaero. Since its inception in 2018, Aerospacelab has raised a total of 60 million euros.

Supported by an ambitious, vertically-integrated approach and dedicated to making geospatial intelligence actionable and affordable, Aerospacelab is powered by proprietary satellite data and enabled by its own satellites. Their constellations provide real-time content for a wide range of applications, ranging from defense and security, to civil sector applications including environmental, commercial insurance, and economic intelligence.

The company’s latest funding will ramp up satellite production capacity, deploy multiple constellations to establish an intra-daily monitoring of the Earth’s surface, and implement geospatial data fusion analytics capabilities.

Since 2018, Aerospacelab has grown substantially, with two offices and more than 110 full-time employees, rapidly positioning itself as a leader in geospatial intelligence and small satellites platforms.

“With its clear and significant potential to positively impact both European and global markets, Aerospacelab sparked our immediate interest and attention,” said Airbus Ventures Partner Mat Costes. “They won our support by demonstrating how they can substantially improve decision-making processes across a robust sequence of varied sectors and are uniquely positioned to provide geospatial intelligence to private companies and governments alike. To the entire Aerospacelab team we offer a warm welcome as the newest members of our worldwide system of entrepreneurs spearheading the advance of our fund’s portfolio companies across the planetary system.”

“2021 was a fantastic year for Aerospacelab, marking the launch of our first satellite and demonstrating the efficacy of our technology in space,” said Benoît Deper, Founder and CEO of Aerospacelab, who presented the company’s industrial roadmap during a keynote at the #SpaceSummit, alongside European Space Agency Director General Josef Aschbacher, in Toulouse, with the French Presidency of the European Union and European Commission in attendance.

“Aerospacelab is a prime example of how European talents can realize important space projects in Europe. I am also glad to see that the work of ESA is contributing to this success. I warmly congratulate Aerospacelab on its successful fundraising,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher.

Géraldine Naja, as Director of Commercialization, Industry and Procurement, said, “We warmly congratulate Aerospacelab on its latest fundraising and fully expect to seek continued inspiration and advice from Benoît and the team as they scale.”

“With this round, we are eager to continue to deepen our relationship with one of our earliest investors, XAnge, and thrilled to see Airbus Ventures enter our cap table, collectively confirming our ability to impact the space ecosystem and earn even greater opportunities in the European and global markets,” Deper said.

“We have followed Aerospacelab since its very first steps. We’ve confidently believed from the very beginning their serious potential, as we led their first fundraising in 2018,” said Guilhem de Vregille, Partner at XAnge. “Today, we are especially pleased to be co-leading the second round with Airbus Ventures, and we are happy to continue to support Aerospacelab’s bright future.”

Nicolas Dhaene, Investment Manager at the SRIW (Regional Investment Company of Wallonia in Belgium), said, “Aerospacelab is an excellent example of the extent of Wallonia’s potential when its talent is matched by entrepreneurial spirit and ambition. As an early-stage investor, we are proud of the company’s achievements to date and happy to further support its exciting industrial and technological roadmap within this strategic sector.”

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has successfully completed the Final Design Review (FDR) of its spacecraft design for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command Electro-Optical Infrared (EO/IR) Weather System (EWS) satellite program.

GA-EMS has developed a prototype EWS spacecraft using a reliable, redundant bus with a high performance EO/IR weather sensor payload to support the USSF as it looks to transition from aging on-orbit systems to next generation weather satellites.

As the prime contractor, GA-EMS has assembled a highly experienced, best-in-class team to successfully deliver the EWS satellite design. The team includes EO Vista, LLC to provide the EO/IR weather sensor payload, Atmospheric and Environmental Research (AER) Inc. for weather product generation, and Parsons Corporation (NYSE:PSN) to provide Enterprise Ground Station command and control and operations support.

“Successfully completing the EWS program FDR is a vital milestone for us,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “We are extremely proud of the team’s results to date. Our goal is to be a weather mission partner with USSF by providing the USSF with new, more advanced technologies that ensure essential weather data is delivered to the warfighter and by supporting novel USSF initiatives such as weather data as a service.”

“In November 2021, we announced an up-scope of our EWS program efforts to deliver an on-orbit three-to-five-year prototype spacecraft with residual operational capabilities, rather than a one-year sensor demonstrator,” said Gregg Burgess, vice president of Space Systems at GA-EMS. “The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites are rapidly reaching end of life. By pivoting to provide operational capability, we enable the Space Force to continue to support the warfighter by filling EO/IR cloud data gaps created as legacy satellites are retired. Our world-class manufacturing, test and integration facilities are ready to meet the critical build and launch timelines for EWS.”

SpaceX had a successful launch on Monday and sent out this announcement…

On Monday, February 21 at 9:44 a.m. EST, SpaceX launched 46 Starlink satellites from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

This was the 11th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew Demo-2, ANASIS-II, CRS-21, Transporter-1, Transporter-3, and now six Starlink missions.