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Archives for July 2022

Vaya Space to launch satellite constellation for All2Space

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Vaya Space, Inc. has announced that All2Space has signed an exclusive contract with the company to launch their satellite constellation.

All2Space is cubesat developer and launch aggregator with Brazilian Space Agency heritage focused on Latin American operations, with plans to develop and manage their own constellation. The signing of agreement between Vaya Space and All2Space will initially focus on the Latin American market and this contract will further enhance Vaya’s first-mover advantage in the Latin American space industry.    

Vaya Space successfully conducted its inaugural launch earlier this year. The Company also recently announced multiple agreements with NASA to share technology and demonstrate the company’s industry-leading engine performance at both the Stennis Space Center and at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Vaya is expanding commercial operations in Florida and Brazil, leveraging their industry low-cost position and reliability.

In addition to providing launch services for All2Space, Vaya will work with All2Space affiliated Ideia Space to launch a satellite built by students in Brazil as part of their industry-specific education. Building on work with the Michaelis Foundation for Global Education and multiple U.S. universities, such as Athens State University’s STEM-SAT1 Project, this contract will further extend Vaya’s impact supporting global STEM education.  

“The satellite launch sector of the space industry is expected to grow to over $1 trillion over the next decade. It represents a significant opportunity for those companies who can support this demand, and we believe we have the differentiated technology and low-cost position that will enable Vaya to gain its fair share of the market,” said Vaya Space’s new Chief Executive Officer, Brent Willis.  “Being selected by Brazilian tech company All2Space to secure their supply chain for low earth orbit launch is a testament to what Vaya Space has already achieved, and we expect significant additional smallsat customers to be making similar decisions in the near future.”

With the success of the inaugural flight under their belt, Arianespace is initiating Vega C operations

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The liftoff of the Vega C rocket by Arianespace from Kourou, French Guiana.

On Wednesday, July 13 at 10:13 a.m., local time in Kourou, French Guiana, the first Vega C — the new European launcher designed and manufactured by AVIO — was successfully launched by Arianespace under the supervision of ESA from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana (South America).

Artistic rendition of the Vega C rocket in flight.

Seven Vega C have been already filled and will serve both institutional and commercial missions: Among the institutional mission:

  • Sentinel-1C that will be launched for ESA on behalf of the European Commission
  • FLEX and ALTIUS, two ESA programs at the service of the environment
  • CSG 3 that is developed by Thales Alenia Space for the benefit of the Italian Space Agency (ASI) and Italian MoD
  • PLATiNO 2 that is developed by SITAEL for ASI
  • Microcarb contracted by the European Commission on behalf of CNES

Among the main commercial missions:

  • Pléiades Néo constellation, composed of four satellites for Airbus Defence and Space
  • KOMPSAT 7 for KARI (Korean Aerospace Research Institute)
  • Theos-2 manufactured by Airbus Defence and Space for the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand
  • Formosat-7R, manufactured by NSPO for Taiwan

Multiple small spacecraft missions are already contracted by Arianespace and will complete most of the Vega C flight configurations, thanks to the modular SSMS (Small Spacecraft Mission Service) adaptation systems.

First in the series, Vega C Flight VV22 is planned for November of 2022. With this flight, Arianespace will orbit Pléiades Neo 5 and 6, two additional satellites that will join Airbus’ Earth Observation (EO) Pléaides constellation. With 30 cm-native-resolution, best-in-class geolocation accuracy and twice-a-day revisit capability, the four Pléiades Neo satellites unlock new possibilities with the ultimate in reactivity. The satellite constellation has been fully funded and manufactured by its operator Airbus, whose team will also operate the satellites and sell services to commercial customers.

Vega C, which stands for Consolidation, will better respond to customers’ needs based on the lessons learned from the first decade (2012-2022) of Vega operations. The launcher has been upgraded with more powerful first and second stage Solid Rocket Motors, the first SRM being shared with Ariane 6 (where it will be used as a side booster), and with a larger fairing that will significantly increase payload mass (up to 2,350 T in SSO) and double allowable volume.

This performance increase will allow Vega C to launch larger radar satellites of the class of Sentinel 1C, part of Copernicus program, previously flown on Soyuz. The launcher will also be able to better meet the specific needs of small spacecraft, thanks to its improved SSMS dispenser and to its AVUM+ that will allow seven re-ignitions instead of five. This means the Vega C can achieve three reference orbits for its multiple payloads on the same mission, instead of the two previously possible with Vega.

Vega C development program is managed by ESA and associates 12 Member States of the Agency. Avio Spa (Colleferro, Italy) is the industrial prime contractor for both launch vehicle and the interfacing ground infrastructure. Avio is also responsible for campaign operations and preparation of the launch vehicle up to lift-off. Avio hands over a “ready to fly” rocket to Arianespace, which sells the Vega C, prepares its missions, validates its flight worthiness, and operates it from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

During launch campaigns, Arianespace works closely with CNES, the launch range authority at the European Spaceport in Kourou who is notably in charge of the satellite preparation facilities as well as the protection of populations.

“With this inaugural launch officially declared a success, Arianespace will now commence Vega C operations, a key milestone for European sovereign access to space. My warm congratulations on this success go to ESA, who operated this inaugural launch, as well as to Avio, who is responsible for the Vega C launch systems,” said Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace. “Vega C, with its increased capabilities and versatility, already allowed Arianespace to capture many important customers; we are confident this is only the beginning of a true success story! Its configuration, based on our customers’ needs, has been designed in alignment with our upcoming heavy launcher, Ariane 6. This is a first step towards the full renewal of our product range, which will allow us to honor our motto: any mass, any orbit, anytime!”

On average, one ton of smallsats to be launched per day during the next decade

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The latest update of Euroconsult‘s “Prospects for the Small Satellite Market” was released this week by Euroconsult, forecasting further growth in the global supply and demand of government, commercial and academic satellites weighing up to 500 kg.

The market intelligence report, now in its 8th edition, anticipates that about 18,500 smallsats will be launched during the 2022-2031 timeframe, representing about 365 tons per year, i.e., one ton per day to be launched on average over the next ten years. However, the smallsat market presents a growing number of challenges such as high inflation, limited market addressability, difficult profitability, oversupply risk and concentration of the market by a handful of established players.

The main driver for continued growth at times of macro-economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine, the COVID pandemic, disrupted supply chains, high inflation and central bank monetary policy changes remains NGSO constellations, driven by LEO broadband and Earth Observation (EO) and the continuous necessity for replenishment launches. Of all smallsats to be launched over 2022-2031, 81% are expected to be part of constellations.

Alexandre Najjar, Senior Consultant at Euroconsult, said, “While the war has had severe consequences on players that have part of their supply chains in Russia or Ukraine, it has demonstrated the value of smallsat applications, enabling commercial operators to showcase their capabilities and the merits of their constellations. Consequently, a growing number of government agencies are considering investing in their own smallsat systems or dedicating a budget to the procurement of commercial third-party smallsat-based services, supporting growth of the sector. However, growth in numbers, mass and value will not prevent high inflation and supply chain disruptions from impacting constellation materialization probability by inflating the capex and lead times of smallsat projects. We anticipate that stakeholders that have yet to raise significant amounts of capital will likely face a difficult situation, leading to smaller constellations, cancelled projects and scope reductions, as well as consolidation between players. Smallsats still represent a significant capability building opportunity for new entrants in the space sector, and the war in Ukraine has put the spotlight on the value proposition enabled by commercial satcom and Earth observation smallsat constellations, showcasing their merits around the world. A growing number of governments and commercial ventures alike ramp up their investments in small satellite systems and services, as well as manufacturing and launch capacities.”

The smallsat manufacturing and launch market value will quadruple over the next decade, to $56 billion and $29 billion respectively, driven by the multiplication of constellation projects from both commercial and government stakeholders. Euroconsult has released its updated findings at a time of smallsat mega-factory multiplication in various nations across the world, initiated in the U.S. and China.

Flagship examples of LEO broadband constellations, such as SpaceX’s Starlink and China’s GuoWang, account for more than half (53%) of the projected demand over 2022-2031 in units. Readers are therefore advised to go beyond raw numbers as vertical integration keeps growing with numerous players seeking to manufacture, operate and launch their own smallsats. Significant future market shares are now captive of a region, country or of an integrator and/or launch provider, challenging both commercial satellite integrators and launch providers which see more of their target customers not only leaving their addressable market, but also competing with their own services.

The updated report comes with an option to access premium features, including Euroconsult’s Smallsat Constellation Database and its new Launcher Database – exclusive access to Euroconsult’s databases for the first time in its history.

Other valuable updates to Prospects for the Small Satellite Market include a reviewed and refined pricing model for manufacturing and launch prices, most notably with regards to inflation-driven cost and price increases already witnessed in the manufacturing and launch industries and anticipated in coming years. The Euroconsult report incorporates new content to help give decision makers key knowledge in this area, as well as a reviewed and up-to-date forecast accounting for the economic situation and the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

Discover more about the report and the table of contents by downloading the free extract of the report at this direct link…

Terran Orbital brings a new Senior VP of Corporate Development onboard

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Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) has named Jonathan Siegmann as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development — he will lead Terran Orbital’s investor relations, M&A and venture efforts among other development initiatives.

Jonathan Siegmann

Most recently, Mr. Siegmann served as Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Fidelity Management and Research Company. Coverage responsibilities included all North American aerospace, defense, and new space companies both public and private. Prior to Fidelity, Jonathan held various positions of increasing responsibility at BASF Corporation from 1998-2007. He received a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® holder from the CFA Institute.

Mr. Siegmann will report to Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Marc Bell, who said, “I am pleased to welcome Jon to the Terran Orbital team. He brings significant investor expertise from his distinguished career at Fidelity leading the Aerospace and Defense sector coverage. Jon will play a critical role as we execute our investing and capital market strategy. We are excited to have Jon join the team and are looking forward to his contributions as Terran Orbital continues to grow.”

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of smallsats, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com.

Terran Orbital brings a new Senior VP of Corporate Development onboard

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Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) has named Jonathan Siegmann as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development — he will lead Terran Orbital’s investor relations, M&A and venture efforts among other development initiatives.

Jonathan Siegmann

Most recently, Mr. Siegmann served as Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager for Fidelity Management and Research Company. Coverage responsibilities included all North American aerospace, defense, and new space companies both public and private. Prior to Fidelity, Jonathan held various positions of increasing responsibility at BASF Corporation from 1998-2007. He received a BS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business and is a Chartered Financial Analyst® holder from the CFA Institute.

Mr. Siegmann will report to Terran Orbital Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, Marc Bell, who said, “I am pleased to welcome Jon to the Terran Orbital team. He brings significant investor expertise from his distinguished career at Fidelity leading the Aerospace and Defense sector coverage. Jon will play a critical role as we execute our investing and capital market strategy. We are excited to have Jon join the team and are looking forward to his contributions as Terran Orbital continues to grow.”

Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of smallsats, primarily serving the United States and Allied aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and in-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers. Learn more at www.terranorbital.com.

SWISSto12 brands their smallsat comms product line — “HummingSat” — launch planned for 2025

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Recently, SWISSto12 introduced their new name — HummingSat — as well as the logo for the company’s smallsat telecommunications product line — HummingSat operates in GEO at 36,000 kilometers above the Earth and brings a new solution to connect society with modern technology.

This new satellite product line and the first protoflight model are in development and construction under a Partnership contract between ESA and SWISSto12 for delivery by SWISSto12 of a satellite to an operator acting as the anchor commercial end-customer with a planned launch date in 2025.

A HummingSat is significantly smaller than conventional GEO telecommunication satellites and, therefore, benefits from a rideshare launch strategy. Despite its small size, the satellite powers a highly capable telecommunications payload with approximately 2kW of power, which is enabled by SWISSto12’s unique 3D printed Radio Frequency products and systems. HummingSat provides satellite operators with a bespoke and competitive solution for delivery of regional or gap-filling services as well as economic replacement of ageing satellites.

Emile de Rijk, CEO of SWISSto12, said, “SWISSto12 is proudly investing in the HummingSat product line since several years, I am now thrilled to see it has matured to become a competitive offering for satellite telecommunication operators. Our first satellite is now fully launched in its design and construction, and we aim at making reuse of this development to commercialize our HummingSats based on a standardized platform along with optimized payloads to best service each one of our customers.”

The name is inspired by the Hummingbird (or Colibri), small and agile by nature, as the company’s smallsat will be once the spacecraft is deployed and operational.

Major milestone successfully passed for RAL Space’s Speqtre quantum smallsat — launch in 2024

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RAL Space’s Speqtre smallsat has passed a major milestone in its journey to space. The mission, which will demonstrate quantum key distribution (QKD) from space, has passed its critical design review (CDR) — the team can now build and test a full model of the satellite. New and impactful technology

QKD enables a way of encrypting data communications so that it cannot be hacked, even by future quantum computers. UK leadership in this area will help to open access to a global market thought to be worth up to $15 billion (£11.5 billion) over the next ten years.

Speqtre is being developed by the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s RAL Space in the UK and SpeQtral, a quantum communications company in Singapore.

The satellite platform is being designed and supplied by ISISPACE in the Netherlands.

Transferring quantum keys via satellites will enable governments and companies to secure information transfers over the internet, including for backbone networks, critical infrastructure and financial institutions, over globe-spanning distances. This global coverage is difficult and costly to achieve with ground-based fiber infrastructure.

While the technology to transfer quantum keys on the ground is relatively mature, it is more challenging to make it small and robust enough to work in the harsh conditions in space and provide a reliable signal back to the ground. Speqtre will test this technology, qualifying it for use in space and helping to get it ready to be used more widely by commercial operators.

The UK and Singapore are bringing together their expertise in space technologies. RAL Space is leading the mission with overview of the space components and are also delivering the optical payload that will beam QKD signals to Earth. SpeQtral is providing the QKD hardware.

In a radically different approach from traditional space missions, the Speqtre team are bringing together off-the-shelf products with brand new technology through an experimental development process. This will enable this state-of-the-art mission to get from the drawing board and into the orbit more quickly and at a lower cost than comparable missions.

The UK Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy is investing £5 million in the project. The UK government is supporting quantum projects, including Speqtre, as part of the National Quantum Technologies Program which is designed to accelerate the translation of quantum technologies into the UK marketplace and open opportunities for British businesses to unlock new capabilities that can make a real difference to our everyday lives.

The mission is due to launch in 2024 and will test distribution of quantum keys to both a ground station run by RAL Space at the Chilbolton Observatory​ in Hampshire, and to a ground station in Singapore.

Following the successful completion of the critical design review, the teams will build the first model of the satellite and put it through initial engineering tests. RAL Space are developing the optical ground station at Chilbolton Observatory which will be used by Speqtre and to track and communicate with a range of other satellites.

The Speqtre mission is being complemented by a similar mission, also with RAL Space involvement, led by the Quantum Communications Hub at the University of York. This spacecraft will demonstrate UK-developed quantum key distribution technologies.

Andy Vick, Disruptive Space Technology lead at RAL Space and UK Principal Investigator for Speqtre said, “Speqtre is taking a new and agile approach to developing space hardware which is scary to this very risk averse industry. This review was an opportunity to get an unbiased view of our approach from a team of experts. I’m delighted that we have passed this critical milestone and developing Speqtre is proving to be cheaper and faster than traditional space projects. This is an extremely exciting mission, both because it will demonstrate impactful new technology but also because of the way we are developing it. This is a template for future space projects to help us bring innovative ideas to fruition more quickly.”

NASA’s EMIT mission + a smallsat to ride to orbit aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 on July 14th

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NASA and SpaceX are targeting 8:44 p.m., EDT, Thursday, July 14th, to launch the agency’s next investigation to monitor climate change to the International Space Station. The mission — NASA’s Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation (EMIT) — will fly aboard SpaceX’s 25th commercial resupply services mission to the orbital laboratory.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites in May of 2022. Photo is courtesy of the company.

SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft will lift off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to deliver new science investigations, supplies, and equipment for the international crew, including a new climate research investigation.

Live coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency’s website, with prelaunch events starting on Wednesday, July 13th.

Dragon will carry more than 5,800 pounds of cargo, including a variety of NASA investigations such as EMIT, which will identify the composition of mineral dust from Earth’s arid regions and analyze dust carried through the atmosphere from deserts to see what effects it has on the planet, further advancing NASA’s data contributions to monitoring climate change.

Other investigations include studying the aging of immune cells and the potential to reverse those effects during postflight recovery, a cubesat that will monitor cloud top and ocean surface temperatures which could help scientists understand Earth’s climate and weather systems, and a student experiment testing a concrete alternative for potential use in future lunar and Martian habitats.

Arrival to ISS is scheduled for approximately 11:20 a.m. EDT on Saturday, July 16th. Dragon will dock autonomously to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module, with NASA astronauts Jessica Watkins and Bob Hines monitoring operations from the station.

The spacecraft is expected to spend about a month attached to the orbiting outpost before returning to Earth with research and return cargo, splashing down off the coast of Florida.

Thailand Marine Department to deploy several thousand Globalstar SPOT Gen4 satellite trackers via Thaicom

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Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd.’s SPOT Gen4 satellite messengers will be deployed by Thailand Marine Department to provide safety and security for all travelers on and around the island of Phuket.

Phuket and surrounding islands typically welcome 20,000 visitors daily. As part of a major government program to revitalize tourism, it is envisaged that several thousand SPOT Gen4 units will be deployed. A pilot deployment is already underway.

The SPOT Gen4 devices are at the heart of the solution provided by Ship Expert Technology, a leading Globalstar Value Added Reseller partner dedicated to the maritime sector.

The Thailand Marine Department is committed to help accelerate the recovery of the tourism industry which is so crucial to the country’s economy.

Phuket has recently been opened for vaccinated Thai and foreign travelers, with no need for quarantine. This development is expected to give Thai tourism a much-anticipated boost. Tourism has suffered from the impact of Covid-19 but also from high-profile criminal incidents whose victims included foreign tourists.

A further major benefit of the SPOT Gen4s is they will help authorities and first responders improve the speed and effectiveness of emergency rescue operations if a vessel capsizes or sinks, or if a passenger has a medical emergency.

This project is the first milestone in a major new partnership between Globalstar and Thaicom Public Company Limited (SET Thailand: THCOM), Asia’s largest independent satellite operator.

“Globalstar is the ideal partner for Thaicom,” said Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Thaicom’s Chief Executive Officer. “Today, government and industry are coming together in Thailand to deliver on our common objective to support the tourism industry, so fundamental to our economy, and our shared commitment to enhance communications capability in our region through advanced satellite communications. Our collaboration with Globalstar will be a major driver on the roadmap to revitalise tourism, and also to develop new communications solutions which will benefit businesses and communities.”

At the end of March, Thaicom and Globalstar inked an agreement which will see the two satellite operators collaborate to develop and operate ground station facilities at Thaicom’s Teleport Center in Pathumthani Province for Globalstar’s LEO satellite constellation. The infrastructure and services of the ground station will support Globalstar services in the region. The partners will commercialize safety and security services and solutions to support tourism as well as the region’s maritime industry.

Local government regulations have been introduced which mandate that all tourists in Phuket must carry a tracking device at all times, onshore or on water. Every tourist is to be registered and provided with a SPOT Gen4 by one of a pool of government-certified official tourist guides. Phuket visitors are required to use their SPOT devices to check in with their guides on completion of any day trips or excursions, with SPOT service fees incorporated into the excursion package price.

SPOT Gen4 was chosen in recognition of the device’s ability to ensure always-on connectivity, regardless of the availability of other communications networks. Only satellite communications can provide reliable, 24/7 ubiquitous coverage. As part of the selection process, a solutions evaluation tender process took place, involving numerous government agencies. Competing propositions involved satellite communications and other network technologies. SPOT’s coverage and economical price were influencing factors, according to Ship Expert Technology CEO, Kirk Viaimal. He said, “We are delighted to work in partnership with Globalstar and Thaicom to help the Thailand Marine Department support the country’s travel sector.”

In an emergency, with the press of SPOT’s one-touch SOS button, an alert is instantly transmitted to Marine Services, the government authority responsible for maritime safety, along with the user’s GPS location coordinates. Depending on the incident, the Thailand Coastguard or local police authority is engaged and rescue operations are initiated.

SPOT Gen4 is the newest member of Globalstar’s award-winning SPOT device family, enabled by Globalstar’s satellite fleet in LEO. SPOT features easy-to-use buttons that can be flexibly configured to send pre-programmed messages, with options for transmission types. To date, SPOT devices are credited with more than 8,500 rescues worldwide.

One of the leading specialist SATCOM providers in the region, Ship Expert Technology offers a dedicated tracking platform with many features and options that meet the needs of marine users. Ship Expert Technology’s customer base extends beyond Thailand into Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

“We’re very proud to support the government of Thailand with its initiative to help keep visitors safe on Phuket and other islands,” said Mark O’Connell, General Manager, EMEA & APAC, Globalstar.

KONGSBERG sets in motion a feasibility study for a Norwegian national oceanic surveillance satellite constellation

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Recently, Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KONGSBERG) signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to initiate a feasibility study on building a national satellite infrastructure for ocean surveillance.

Photo illustration contains modified Copernicus Sentinel data (2017), processed by ESA, CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO. Credit: ESA

In collaboration with the Norwegian Maritime Authority, the Norwegian Space Agency (NoSA) will facilitate the development of a constellation of national smallsats for maritime surveillance – Arctic Ocean Surveillance Constellation (AOS) – delivered and operated by Norwegian actors.

The goal is to develop national suitability for space-based maritime surveillance capacity. The first part of the development of AOS will be carried out as a Norwegian industrial project in ESA. The goal of the ESA-project is to develop the Norwegian space industry across the entire value chain.

KONGSBERG has signed a contract with ESA for a feasibility study for AOS. The feasibility study is the first phase in the AOS project and alongside other studies, it will form the basis for an announcement in open competition for the realization of AOS. KONGSBERG will involve the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) and other Norwegian industrial aerospace actors in the implementation of the feasibility study.

KONGSBERG now takes a leading position in the development of a complete national industrial value chain for space-based infrastructure and services for small satellites and a Norwegian, internationally competitive, space industry.

“The AOS study will build on the collaboration with FFI, Seatex, EIDEL and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) connected to the realization of the three satellites Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace already have invested in. With an increased number of satellites and with other sensors in addition to the navigation radar detector and AIS, the AOS constellation will further strengthen the monitoring of national interests in the High North,” said Aage Sørensen, Senior System Engineer for Emerging Products in KONGSBERG.