Archives for July 2023

UPDATE 2: SpaceX is targeting Saturday, July 15 at 11:50 p.m. ET (3:50 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 54 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Sunday, July 16 at 11:24 p.m. ET (3:24 UTC).

UPDATE 1: Forty seconds before liftoff on Friday, July 14, SpaceX scrubbed the Starlink 5-15 mission at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. No reason for the scrub was immediately given by SpaceX. The next opportunity for launch is Saturday, July 15, at 12:15 a.m. EDT.

SpaceX is targeting Friday, July 14 at 12:40 a.m. ET (4:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 54 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, July 15 at 12:15 a.m. (4:15 UTC).

This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, Intelsat G-33/G-34, Transporter-6, and 10 Starlink missions. After stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX believes a fully and rapidly reusable rocket is the pivotal breakthrough needed to substantially reduce the cost of space access. The majority of the launch cost comes from building the rocket, which historically has flown only once.

Compare that to a commercial airliner — each new plane costs about the same as Falcon 9 but can fly multiple times per day and conduct tens of thousands of flights over its lifetime. Following the commercial model, a rapidly reusable space launch vehicle could reduce the cost of traveling to space by a hundredfold.

While most rockets are designed to burn up on reentry, SpaceX rockets can not only withstand reentry but can also successfully land back on Earth and refly again. SpaceX’s family of Falcon launch vehicles are the first and only orbital class rockets capable of reflight. Depending on the performance required for the mission, Falcon lands on one of our autonomous spaceport droneships out on the ocean or one of our landing zones near our launch pads.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.

SpaceX is targeting Friday, July 14 at 12:40 a.m. ET (4:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 54 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, July 15 at 12:15 a.m. (4:15 UTC).

This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, Intelsat G-33/G-34, Transporter-6, and 10 Starlink missions. After stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX believes a fully and rapidly reusable rocket is the pivotal breakthrough needed to substantially reduce the cost of space access. The majority of the launch cost comes from building the rocket, which historically has flown only once.

Compare that to a commercial airliner — each new plane costs about the same as Falcon 9 but can fly multiple times per day and conduct tens of thousands of flights over its lifetime. Following the commercial model, a rapidly reusable space launch vehicle could reduce the cost of traveling to space by a hundredfold.

While most rockets are designed to burn up on reentry, SpaceX rockets can not only withstand reentry but can also successfully land back on Earth and refly again. SpaceX’s family of Falcon launch vehicles are the first and only orbital class rockets capable of reflight. Depending on the performance required for the mission, Falcon lands on one of our autonomous spaceport droneships out on the ocean or one of our landing zones near our launch pads.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.

SpaceX is targeting Friday, July 14 at 12:40 a.m. ET (4:40 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 54 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, July 15 at 12:15 a.m. (4:15 UTC).

This is the 16th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched GPS III-3, Turksat 5A, Transporter-2, Intelsat G-33/G-34, Transporter-6, and 10 Starlink missions. After stage separation, Falcon 9 will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX believes a fully and rapidly reusable rocket is the pivotal breakthrough needed to substantially reduce the cost of space access. The majority of the launch cost comes from building the rocket, which historically has flown only once.

Compare that to a commercial airliner — each new plane costs about the same as Falcon 9 but can fly multiple times per day and conduct tens of thousands of flights over its lifetime. Following the commercial model, a rapidly reusable space launch vehicle could reduce the cost of traveling to space by a hundredfold.

While most rockets are designed to burn up on reentry, SpaceX rockets can not only withstand reentry but can also successfully land back on Earth and refly again. SpaceX’s family of Falcon launch vehicles are the first and only orbital class rockets capable of reflight. Depending on the performance required for the mission, Falcon lands on one of our autonomous spaceport droneships out on the ocean or one of our landing zones near our launch pads.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.

HawkEye 360 Inc. has been awarded a contract by the Commonwealth of Australia for a pilot program to provide greater maritime domain awareness in support of Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) efforts to detect and prevent Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The contract was awarded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) for the provision of HawkEye 360’s satellite RF maritime analytics and training through 2023.

HawkEye 360 will work in collaboration with the FFA and its members to provide RF data, analytics, and training to identify illicit maritime activity within their waters and help secure the ongoing sustainability of the region’s tuna resources. This includes potential IUU fishing and the detection of maritime activity not detectable by Automatic Identification Systems (AIS). The FFA, which was founded in 1979 and is headquartered in the Solomon Islands, assists its 17 member countries in the region with sustainably managing their tuna fisheries.

This award reflects Australia’s continued commitment and regional leadership for combating IUU fishing as part of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), an initiative focused on providing shared technology, training, and insight into activity in three critical regions: the Pacific Islands, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean. The leaders of the Quad nations—Australia, India, Japan, and the United States—announced the initiative in 2022. The Quad is a diplomatic network between nations dedicated to supporting an open, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

HawkEye 360 operates a growing constellation of 21 satellites that detect, characterize and geolocate radio frequency signals from a broad range of emitters used for communication, navigation, and security. HawkEye 360 will continue expanding the constellation to address clients’ increasing demands for RF Intelligence, aiming for a total of 60 satellites (20 clusters of three satellites) in 2025. HawkEye 360 anticipates the launch of two additional clusters in 2023 in a mid-latitude orbit to address the growing demand in the Indo-Pacific region.

“The Pacific Islands encompass a vast and highly trafficked region with rich fisheries resources that present complex challenges for maritime domain awareness. We are proud to partner with the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA), through support from the Australian Government, to deliver a clearer picture of maritime activity that benefits all Pacific Island countries in their efforts to combat IUU fishing and respond to climate and humanitarian events.” — Alex Fox, Chief Growth Officer for HawkEye 360

Muon Space has been awarded an option to their contract with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLMC)’s Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to collect ionospheric data on their MuSat-2 satellite mission.

The performance period for this contract is two years, extending through September 2024. This is an optional expansion in scope to the original contract that was awarded to Muon Space in September of 2022 to develop a space-based prototype for global weather sensing.

The Department of Defense (DoD) will evaluate the commercial data from Muon Space’s MuSat-2 satellite for operational use in weather forecasting, ionospheric modeling, impact applications and climate change assessments. Data collected during this pilot will be made accessible for use in government-run Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) and to evaluate improvements to the USAF’s current and emerging suite of numerical weather prediction and AI/ML modeling. The resultant data and interfaces from this effort will be compatible with the USAF’s Weather Virtual Private Cloud.

“Muon Space is honored by the Air Force, Space Force and DIU’s belief in our capabilities to bring new insights to DoD weather and ionospheric models with new data to include soil moisture, ocean winds, and total electron content. We’re excited to showcase the operational relevance of this commercial space dataset to the DoD.” — Jonny Dyer, CEO, Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is launching a new generation of smallsats and sensors to monitor Earth’s climate and ecosystems with unprecedented fidelity. Muon Space’s state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and integrating payloads at scale. Regular launches began in June 2023, providing ever-increasing data sets addressing important geophysical and environmental applications and a platform to deliver new technologies to space. Muon Space’s experienced science and engineering teams are uniquely suited to deliver the most exquisite and reliable remote sensing solutions at the speed and scale required to address our most urgent climate challenges.

Muon Space has been awarded an option to their contract with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLMC)’s Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) to collect ionospheric data on their MuSat-2 satellite mission.

The performance period for this contract is two years, extending through September 2024. This is an optional expansion in scope to the original contract that was awarded to Muon Space in September of 2022 to develop a space-based prototype for global weather sensing.

The Department of Defense (DoD) will evaluate the commercial data from Muon Space’s MuSat-2 satellite for operational use in weather forecasting, ionospheric modeling, impact applications and climate change assessments. Data collected during this pilot will be made accessible for use in government-run Observing System Simulation Experiments (OSSEs) and to evaluate improvements to the USAF’s current and emerging suite of numerical weather prediction and AI/ML modeling. The resultant data and interfaces from this effort will be compatible with the USAF’s Weather Virtual Private Cloud.

“Muon Space is honored by the Air Force, Space Force and DIU’s belief in our capabilities to bring new insights to DoD weather and ionospheric models with new data to include soil moisture, ocean winds, and total electron content. We’re excited to showcase the operational relevance of this commercial space dataset to the DoD.” — Jonny Dyer, CEO, Muon Space

Founded in 2021, Muon Space is launching a new generation of smallsats and sensors to monitor Earth’s climate and ecosystems with unprecedented fidelity. Muon Space’s state-of-the-art facility in the heart of Silicon Valley is optimized for manufacturing spacecraft and integrating payloads at scale. Regular launches began in June 2023, providing ever-increasing data sets addressing important geophysical and environmental applications and a platform to deliver new technologies to space. Muon Space’s experienced science and engineering teams are uniquely suited to deliver the most exquisite and reliable remote sensing solutions at the speed and scale required to address our most urgent climate challenges.

Rivada Space Networks recently announced that the ITU’s Radio Regulations Board has waived the requirement that Rivada place 10% of its constellation into orbit this year.

The ITU waiver process seeks clear evidence of funding, manufacturing and launch contracts as well as coordination with other systems. Having reviewed the submission made by Liechtenstein’s telecommunications regulator and filing administration (the “Amt für Kommunikation”), the ITU Radio Regulations Board determined that Rivada can proceed to its second deployment milestones of placing 144 satellites (plus six on-orbit spares) by June of 2026 and an additional 144 satellites (plus six on-orbit spares) by September of 2026.

“The Office for Communications has put its trust in the ITU process and is delighted about the positive decision of the RRB. These filings were secured at a very early stage in the development of NGSO constellations for global connectivity and are an important asset – not only for Liechtenstein. A shortage of launch capacity and delays in technology development have been significant challenges to overcome in order to deploy these constellations in the stipulated timeframe. The perseverance of Rivada and ITU’s positive decision mean that the deployment of the constellations can move forward for the benefit of all the stakeholders.” — Dr. Rainer Schnepfleitner, Director of the AK of Liechtenstein

“Rivada has the manufacturing and launch contracts in place to complete the constellations and launch 600 satellites by 2028, within the timeframe allowed by the ITU. We are working very closely with the regulator to make sure that all the conditions attached to these filings are satisfied and to ensure the success of these ground-breaking satellite constellations. We are building something unique, which we call the OuterNET: the first truly private global network, on which data travels through space alone and not over terrestrial networks to provide ultra secure communications anywhere on the globe.” — Declan Ganley, CEO, Rivada

Additionally, Rivada Space Networks and IEC Telecom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enable innovative connectivity solutions for land and maritime communications.

IEC Telecom is an international satellite service operator offering satellite communication solutions to governments, public institutions, and enterprises across the world. IEC Telecom specializes in digitalization for the maritime industry as well as providing remote communications on land where GSM coverage is not available as well as delivering dependable communication for humanitarian operations and special missions. For urban networks, the company provides a powerful, satellite back-up to ensure business continuity.

The communications landscape is developing rapidly with providers now able to offer first-generation, LEO satellite connectivity. However, not all LEO networks are created equal — what Rivada is now providing is the first, true “OuterNET”, a global, low latency, point-to-point, connectivity network of LEO satellites. What sets Rivada apart is the nexgen unique architecture combining inter-satellite laser links with advanced onboard data routers to create an optical mesh network in space.

This approach to “orbital networking,” where data stays in space, enables access to an ultra-secure satellite network with pole-to-pole reach, offering end-to-end latencies similar to or better than terrestrial fiber. By routing traffic on a physically separated network, Rivada provides a layer of defence for any organization that needs to securely share data over long distances.

For the humanitarian sector, IEC Telecom will leverage Rivada’s OuterNET to provide leading NGO agencies with enhanced connectivity for the coordination of humanitarian efforts, the safety of remote workers, the security of NGO assets, and the sustainability of long-term operations. From housing and food distribution to education and medicine, all field requirements will be supported to allow humanitarian missions to expand their reach and multiply their scope of services.

In addition to land connectivity services, IEC Telecom will use Rivada’s OuterNET to provide enhanced ICT infrastructure for the maritime environment, further expanding digitalization at sea. IEC Telecom offers cyber-secure network solutions optimized for the maritime sector.

Powered by Rivada’s OuterNET, these technologies will support digital decarbonization globally by helping vessels improve onboard operations, leading to reduced fuel consumption.

“This partnership supports IEC Telecom’s commitment to pursue innovation for the best customer experience. Rivada’s service will allow us to expand our network’s SLA and offer high-throughput data connectivity ‘Fiber-like’ in the sky versus DSL-like today. We are excited to explore cost-effective packages for the humanitarian sector and test the resilience of maritime connectivity in the open sea. We are confident that Rivada is on its way to becoming a key market player in the SATCOM world.” — Erwan Emilian, CEO & Partner, IEC Telecom Group

“We are delighted to be working with IEC Telecom to support their high throughput voice and data services. We are moving full speed ahead to deploy the first true OuterNET, with its unique data-connectivity capabilities. Both of our companies see the importance of providing ultra-secure, highly reliable low latency communications anywhere on the globe.” — Declan Ganley, CEO, Rivada Space Networks

Rivada Space Networks is set to deploy and operate the first true “OuterNET”: a global, low latency, point-to-point, connectivity network of LEO satellites. By connecting its satellites with lasers, Rivada Space Networks will provide resellers and B2B customers with the ability to securely connect any two points on the globe with low latency and high bandwidth. The constellations, comprising 600 low-earth-orbit communications satellites, will represent a fundamental change in the availability of secure, global, end-to-end enterprise-grade connectivity for Telecom, Enterprise, Maritime, Energy and Government Services markets. Rivada Space Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rivada Networks, Inc.

OneWeb and Connecta Satellite Solutions have signed a Distribution Partnership Agreement to deliver high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity across the United States and Caribbean territories.

Under this partnership, Connecta will be selling a full suite of OneWeb-powered connectivity solutions to enterprise and government customers in the aforementioned regions. These high-speed, low-latency offerings, made possible by OneWeb’s LEO technology, will complement, enhance, and extend existing Connecta services and enable low-latency connectivity solutions.

Combining OneWeb’s resilient, secure, high-performance connectivity with Connecta’s commitment to end-to-end service excellence will ensure that customers receive the best satellite connectivity experience coupled with the best customer service experience. The technology will open new opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic development, with the fast connection speeds and low latency of LEO satellites transforming connectivity in areas where terrestrial services are not currently available.

This is a significant step in OneWeb’s ongoing mission to bridge the digital divide. As a wholesale connectivity provider, OneWeb partners with internet service providers, telecommunication companies and community leaders who are seeking to deliver broadband services to unconnected, unserved and underserved areas. This agreement comes following the completion of OneWeb’s global constellation earlier this year, as the business nears full global connectivity.

“We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with OneWeb, a pioneer in low Earth orbit satellite communications. This collaboration will enable us to offer our customers high-speed, low-latency connectivity solutions that will drive innovation and economic growth in underserved areas. We look forward to working closely with OneWeb to provide exceptional service and expand the reach of satellite connectivity throughout the country.” — Marlos Barbosa, CEO, Connecta Satellite Solutions

“We are excited to unleash the full power of low-latency, high-performance satellite connectivity in partnership with Connecta Satellite Solutions, a highly respected leader in connectivity across large enterprises and governments in North America. We thank Connecta and look forward to continuing to help them connect consumers, businesses and governments throughout the U.S. and Caribbean.” — Stephen Beynon, Chief Commercial Officer, OneWeb