Archives for July 2022

…designs, develops and delivers satellite missions selected UARX Space, a European leader in in-space transportation and developer of highly reliable separation systems for small satellites, for multiple launch services for their PocketQube deployers. The launches of Libre Space Foundation are scheduled for 2023 and 2024

Libre Space Foundation, a not-for-profit organization that designs, develops and delivers satellite missions selected UARX Space, a European leader in in-space transportation and developer of highly reliable separation systems for small satellites, for multiple launch services for their PocketQube deployers. The launches of Libre Space Foundation are scheduled for 2023 and 2024.

“UARX Space is one of the top launch services providers in Europe; we are happy with the sign of these service agreements and to be working and be backed with the experience of the UARX team,” said Mr. Manthos Papamatthaiou, Chairman of the Libre Space Foundation.

UARX will launch into Space several PocketQube deployers of Libre Space Foundation. The launches are scheduled for 2023 and 2024 and are part of the launch manifest of UARX for the next coming years.

“We’re thrilled to have Libre Space as our customer and to support their team with our outstanding technical assistance,” says Mrs. Yanina Hallak, CEO of UARX Space. “We thank Manthos and his team for the trust put on us, and we look forward to future missions with them,” says Mr. Andrés Villa, CTO of UARX Space.

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing (NYSE: BA) company, demonstrated several new technologies – expected and unexpected — on-orbit with their RED-EYE smallsat constellation. Built for DARPA, the satellite was nicknamed RED-EYE for the conspicuous bright red “remove before flight” cover used to keep the payload clean — the purpose of this smallsat was to demo new avionics, communications devices, on-board processors and crosslinks.

RED-EYE was able to control a constellation’s orbital spacing through aerodynamic drag modulation and management in LEO. If the satellites needed to come together for a crosslink as an example, the Millennium team developed a simple method to manage their aerodynamic drag simultaneously to control the constellation spacing.

The team took it a step further with space and ground-based automation, allowing the constellation to essentially self-control its orbital spacing. While designed for a nine-month on-orbit mission life, the smallsats continue to operate today without capability degradation.

The program is demonstrating multi-path-communications on-orbit, creating a path to networked small sat constellations. Different communication layers can serve various functions – resiliency and multiple parallel missions – potentially for use in multiple domains. The RED-EYE contract concluded in December 2021 and the first satellite decommissioned in June 2022. The satellites launched in 2019 and 2020 from the ISS.

“Satellite propulsion is not always an option – since we launched off the International Space Station, we had to ensure that our space vehicles were safe for the astronauts onboard,” said Doug Hulse, RED-EYE program manager, Millennium Space Systems. “Instead, we used a novel approach to orbital spacing which allowed us to control the satellite constellation and perform our demonstrations without propulsion.”

“Millennium is well known for wringing every possible utility out of small sats, and this was no exception,” said Jason Kim, chief executive officer of Millennium Space Systems. “RED-EYE showed what’s possible when it comes to advancing capabilities for small satellite constellations and resiliency. And we’re demonstrating it on-orbit in a way that’s cost and schedule efficient. RED-EYE is also performing real-time on-board processing. Getting data down from a satellite can take a long time. If we can process raw data onboard and downlink only the information that we want to learn, we can really improve the latency of the system to provide that information to the users.”

Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, delivers high-performing prototype and constellation solutions across advanced national security and environmental observation missions. Founded in 2001, the company’s small satellite missions support government, civil and commercial space customers’ needs across orbits.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (“AST SpaceMobile”) (NASDAQ: ASTS), which according to the the company is building the first and only space-based, cellular broadband network accessible directly by standard mobile phones, has announced that the company’s BlueWalker 3 test satellite has been fully assembled and has departed from the firm’s Midland, Texas, headquarters and manufacturing facility.

Over the next few weeks, BlueWalker 3 will be undergoing final environmental testing at an off-site facility in California, which will provide flight data to be used during the launch at Cape Canaveral. Following this activity, BlueWalker 3 will continue its journey to Cape Canaveral, with a launch window planned for early to mid-September.

The actual launch date remains subject to change and is contingent on a number of factors that include, but not limited to, final testing, final integration, ground transport, timely readiness of the launch vehicle and other unknowns that could include weather conditions or technical problems.

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) has commissioned the Fleet Space CENTAURI-5 payload that provides Machine to Machine (M2M) and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity to ground terminals and is an improved version of the payloads flown on CENTAURI-3 and CENTAURI-4.

Fleet Space Technologies enlisted Tyvak International SRL, Terran Orbital’s wholly-owned international subsidiary, to design, build and integrate the 6U smallsat weighing in at 12 kg. Mission operations are now shared between Terran Orbital and Fleet Space as the LEO satellite brings new capabilities to the existing Fleet constellation and the forthcoming Alpha constellation. Both constellations are operated by Fleet Space in collaboration with Terran Orbital.

Specific upgrades encompassed in the CENTAURI-5 payload include enhancements mitigating the effects of radiation in LEO, direct communication links to Fleet Space’s ground station plus an extended S-band range that allows uplink at standard ground station frequencies. Digital beamforming provides extra gain, increasing the data rate, while also allowing the S-band frequency channels to be reused on the different beams. This combination increases the satellite’s data capacity by 2.6 times. The all-metal patch antennas are all entirely 3D printed – a world first.

Fleet’s constellation is set to become one of the world’s most advanced, low-power, satellite networks, securing global coverage for IoT devices by using the company’s in-house, smallsat technology. Satellites within the constellation will each perform a specific function. CENTAURI-5 will focus on improving data transfer and communication in the energy, utilitie, and resource industries.

“Terran Orbital is thrilled to continue our collaboration with Fleet Space Technologies,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Marc Bell. “We are grateful Fleet Space entrusted us with the creation of their one-of-a-kind satellite. The data gathered from CENTAURI-5 will change the way people communicate about the energy, utilities, and resource industries. Terran Orbital looks forward to continuing our partnership as we work alongside Fleet Space to assure CENTAURI-5’s continued mission success and the greater success of the constellation.”

“Centauri 5 is the start of the most powerful low-power constellation in Space,” said Fleet Space Technologies Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Flavia Tata Nardini. “We are making global history through digital beamforming and 3D printing our microsatellites. Our constellation will provide connectivity to all areas of our globe and is already playing a major role in discovering the critical energy transition minerals that will enable a clean-air mobility future. We are proud to work with Terran Orbital to provide global connectivity and provide dramatically more sustainable and economic routes to solving some of our planet’s most pressing challenges.”

Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC) and Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA), two leading defense companies in South Korea, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with OneWeb to explore the joint provision of connectivity services to the Australian Defence Market.

At the Farnborough International Airshow, Hanwha Systems announced that the company had signed a three-party MoU with Hanwha Defense Australia and OneWeb to discuss their potential participation in “Australian Military Satellite Internet Business.” The MOU will facilitate discussions between the three companies regarding how they may combine their key capabilities to meet competitive requirements for Australian Military Satellite Tactical Internet Program.

Their respective capabilities are:

• OneWeb’s LEO satellite connectivity services
• HSC’s vehicle type satellite communication terminal solutions and system integration
• HDA’s K9 self-propelled howitzer and Redback armored vehicle platforms, etc. and local marketing activities in Australia, thanks to on-the-ground knowledge of the customers

By combining OneWeb’s high-speed, low-latency, LEO satellite connectivity services and HSC’s satellite communication antenna, currently under development through a self-funded project, HSC is aiming to provide satellite internet solutions for the Australian military customers’ platforms.

By leveraging HSC’s solid track record of high performance, C4I system programs for the Korean forces, HSC/HDA have responded to Land 4140 Request for Information (RFI), a multi-layered communications program that will link satellite communication with ground communication networks.

In August of last year, HSC invested $300 million in OneWeb. Prior to this, in June of 2020, HSC also acquired Phasor Solutions, a UK-based satellite communication antenna developer and incorporated Hanwha Phasor in an effort to secure satellite communication antenna technologies required to connect several thousands of satellites and ground stations. Hanwha Phasor is now concentrating on the development of next generation antenna designs and developments.

In December of 2020, HSC had made a $30 million investment in Kymeta, a leading ESA company in the U.S., which was followed by an additional investment in March this year worth $11 million, forming a strategic partnership with Kymeta. HSC and Kymeta are collaborating for satellite antenna development and working on developing local and offshore markets.

OneWeb is currently scaling up its global satellite constellation with the aim of delivering low latency, and high-speed connectivity services worldwide — 428 satellites have already been deployed, representing nearly 70% of the company’s network. The company has initiated services in the Arctic region and is working to expand its capabilities in the coming years to bring coverage for the Australian military and other global markets.

This announcement builds on Hanwha’s existing investment in OneWeb, made last year, and provides OneWeb with access to new government customers and expanded geographical reach.

“We are happy to be working with our sister company HSC and with OneWeb to explore opportunities to expand our Australian footprint into the space domain,” said Hanwha Defense Australia Managing Director, Richard Cho. “This is an important growth area for us.”

Neil Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, said, “We are delighted to be partnering with Hanwha to utilise our satellite connectivity solutions in the Australian defense market. We know firsthand how Hanwha’s high-quality technological thinking and development complements the capabilities of OneWeb’s LEO network, ensuring customers worldwide benefit from improved connectivity.”

Mr. Sungchul Eoh, CEO of Hanwha Systems, said, “We have high hopes on this MOU, which will give us greater opportunities to bring tangible outcomes together, already having made significant investments in this technology area. Going forward, we will cooperate with various companies with competitive technologies, at home and abroad, in order to strength our position in the global market, particularly to approach such countries as Saudi Arabia and Poland, who require satellite internet.”

Satellite Vu has commissioned a new clone of the company’s original satellite in collaboration with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) — this will double the firm’s data collection capacity.

SSTL started construction on the second of Satellite Vu’s Mid Wave Infra-Red (MWIR) thermal imaging satellite that will collect thermal data, day and night, of the natural and built environment at any location on the planet, and will enable the measurement of heat signatures and heat loss of any building in the world.

The satellites will form a constellation of satellite’s that will have the capacity to measure the energy efficiency of buildings, alongside fire spread prediction and water pollution, multiple times a day, providing real time data-driven climate insights.

The contract for the first Satellite Vu satellite was signed in 2021, with SSTL ready for shipment in the first quarter of 2023 for a launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The second satellite, which is an exact clone of the first, is expected to be launched in early 2024 in response to market demand for greater capacity and more frequent revisit times.

The news comes after Satellite Vu recently completed their funding via the UKSA National Space Innovation Programme (NSIP), helping to implement de-risking technology and make significant operational improvements.

Anthony Baker, Founder and CEO of Satellite Vu, said, “Environmental issues are at the forefront of everyone’s minds, from governments to businesses to consumers, as we collectively recognise the urgency of creating a green and sustainable future for all. To create this future, we urgently need verifiable data sets to measure our progress and provide comparable metrics, therefore our satellites are set to revolutionize climate change by tackling energy wastage and connecting governments and businesses with the necessary data to reduce their carbon emissions. The procurement of another satellite is driven by market demand for more capacity to address urgent customer problems and investor confidence in the team to accelerate the execution of the company business plan.”

Phil Brownnett, Managing Director of SSTL, said, “I am delighted to sign another contract with Satellite Vu for a second thermal imaging satellite and look forward to continuing to work closely with Satellite Vu to achieve their business goals.”

This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the space-based Earth Observation and synthetic aperture radar industries, among others, by offering a space-demonstrated solution to the data throughput bottlenecks that have historically limited their capabilities.

Terran Orbital Corporation, provider of global satellite solutions, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries, announced the first signal acquisition of the Terabyte Infrared Delivery (TBIRD) Lasercom Optical Link on NASA’s Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator 3 (PTD-3) satellite. Acquisition of the Lasercom Optical Link means that the spacecraft and the optical ground terminal have successfully exchanged laser communication signals — bringing PTD-3 one step closer to full payload commissioning.

The PTD-3 mission is one in a series of NASA small satellite technology demonstration missions. The mission series, managed by NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program within the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate, demonstrates novel CubeSat technologies in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO). The TBIRD system is funded by NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program and was built by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MITLL) in Lexington.

Following Terran Orbital’s completion of the commissioning process for the PTD-3 spacecraft, the TBIRD payload will demonstrate an astonishing 200-Gbps space-to-ground optical link. With a transmission rate of multiple orders of magnitude faster than current state-of-the-art satellite communications, this NASA and MITLL technology would enable spacecraft to downlink several terabytes of data to the ground in a single ground station pass. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize the space-based Earth Observation and synthetic aperture radar industries, among others, by offering a space-demonstrated solution to the data throughput bottlenecks that have historically limited their capabilities.

Terran Orbital designed, built, and tested the Pathfinder Technology Demonstrator bus accommodating the payload, as well as the payload’s unique interface board in addition to performing thermal and structural analyses on the spacecraft. Terran Orbital also developed custom guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms to accommodate this mission’s tight pointing requirements, as well as a novel on-orbit lasercom boresight scanning algorithm. Terran Orbital assembled, integrated, and tested the spacecraft prior to its launch aboard SpaceX Transporter-5. Now Terran Orbital is leading PTD-3’s mission operations, commissioning, Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP), and on-orbit activities for the spacecraft. NASA and MITLL lead the overall coordination and on-orbit operations for the TBIRD payload.

“Terran Orbital has been privileged to be involved with PTD-3 since its inception,” said Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer Marc Bell. “PTD-3 is opening a universe of possibility when it comes to future mission capabilities. Terran Orbital looks forward to working alongside NASA and MITLL as we continue to design, build, and deliver unprecedented satellite solutions.”

Lockheed Martin UK has been all systems ‘go‘ since Shetland Islands Council approved SaxaVord’s application to build the spaceport that will allow the company to deliver the UK’s first ever vertical space launch.

Work has started in Shetland with the land currently being excavated as the team starts to prepare the land for where the launch pads and integration buildings will reside.

Alongside activity in Shetland, partner ABL Space Systems is preparing for their first test launch out of Alaska. The maiden voyage of the RS1 rocket, scheduled for August, will mark an important milestone for ABL in demonstrating its capability. An ABL RS1 rocket will be shipped to Shetland for the UK Pathfinder Launch.

Another critical element of the UK Pathfinder Launch is the development of the Orbital Maneuvering Vehicle (OMV) by Moog, a free-flying vehicle that will be used to deploy up to six 6u cubesats into LEO. With production taking place in Reading, Moog has been able to use leading UK suppliers for key components and subsystems, enabling growth of their space capabilities within the UK.

The Moog SL-OMV is currently in production, with Moog conducting a series of tests on sub-systems including the flight harness, software and propulsion. The team will also look to conduct sub-system checks to verify manufacturing and then start integrating those systems into the main body of the spacecraft, including the propulsion system.

Following this, environmental testing will begin, where the conditions endured during launch and in space will be replicated to verify the integrity of the spacecraft by conducting vibration, thermal vacuum and electromagnetic compatibility testing.

After environmental testing, radio frequency compatibility and end-to-end testing (from ground to space) will be undertaken at the Lockheed Martin Systems Integration Laboratory (SIL) in Harwell after which the OMV will be transported to SaxaVord’s base in Shetland.

Nik Smith, UK and Europe regional director for Lockheed Martin, said, “We are proud to be working with our partners to reach these key milestones. We are making great progress towards the UK’s first vertical, orbital satellite launch. This is an exciting time for the team as we see all the different elements coming together, and we’re delighted to be supporting the UK Space Agency to achieve their goal of creating a world-leading commercial launch market and stimulating the UK space supply chain.”

Matt Smith, Moog Reading General Manager, said, “We are excited to be a key part of the UK Pathfinder launch. The production of Moog’s SL-OMV is a great example of collaboration between the UK Space Agency and UK engineering expertise. The Moog Reading facilities that were built especially for the SL-OMV will allow for future growth in space technology and jobs in the UK.”

Matthew Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight for the UK Space Agency, said, “The Countdown to launch is on, and it’s great to see the work taking place at SaxaVord spaceport and the progress being made by Lockheed Martin and its partners.”

The development of the SaxaVord spaceport is a key step forward in helping the UK to unlock growth in the space sector while also demonstrating alignment to the country’s growth, security, and prosperity plans, including investment in local skills and economies. The SaxaVord launch facility is set to create circa 140 jobs in Unst and inject at least £4.9m into the Shetland Island economy each year. It will also provide a further 70 jobs throughout Shetland, adding a further £2.9m in gross value to the economy.