Archives for November 2024

Sidus Space, Inc. (Nasdaq: SIDU) has announced the pricing of an underwritten public offering of 5,600,000 shares of its Class A common stock (or pre-funded warrants (“Pre-funded Warrants” in lieu thereof)).

Each share of Class A common stock (or Pre-funded Warrant) is being sold at a public offering price of $1.25 per share (inclusive of the Pre-funded Warrant exercise price) for gross proceeds of $7.0 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses. All of the shares of common stock and Pre-funded Warrants are being offered by the Company. In addition, the Company has granted the underwriters a 45 day option to purchase up to an additional 840,000 shares of Class A common stock and/or Pre-funded Warrants to cover over-allotments at the public offering price, less the underwriting discount.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The offering is expected to close on November 14, 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

ThinkEquity is acting as sole book-running manager for the offering.

A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-282632) relating to the shares was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and became effective on November 12, 2024. This offering is being made only by means of a prospectus. Copies of the final prospectus, when available, may be obtained from ThinkEquity, 17 State Street, 41^st Floor, New York, New York 10004. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website located at this direct link…

This information release by the company shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The strengthened cooperation between Rheinmetall and SAR satellite company ICEYE, announced in September 2024, is already bearing fruit — to meet Ukraine‘s urgent demands for SAR satellite reconnaissance capabilities, Rheinmetall and Ukraine, supported by the German government, have signed a contract.

The agreement further increases the SAR data and other support Ukraine has been receiving from ICEYE during the war. Since early October 2024, Ukraine receives new satellite images taken by ICEYE’s SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites, under the collaboration between Rheinmetall and ICEYE.

This provision will supplement further reconnaissance data obtained by other sensors and provide the basis for decision-making and operational planning by the Ukrainian armed forces. The collaboration includes dedicated satellite capacity and constellation access, which allows the capacity of the entire ICEYE satellite fleet to be utilized.  Since 2018, ICEYE has launched 38 satellites for ICEYE’s and its customers’ use.

SAR satellites offer the advantage over conventional satellites that they can generate high-resolution images regardless of weather conditions or time of day. These are very detailed and make even the smallest objects on the Earth’s surface identifiable. This can bring decisive advantages for the armed forces in terms of surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance or their own positioning on the battlefield.

In June of 2024, the Düsseldorf-based technology group announced its participation in the world’s largest fleet of radar reconnaissance satellites. In September 2024, Rheinmetall and ICEYE had further intensified their cooperation. In the course of this, Rheinmetall had secured exclusive rights to market the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) satellites to military and government end users in both the German and Hungarian markets.

ICEYE has been working closely with the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to support and help Ukraine in building space defence capabilities. In August of 2022, ICEYE announced a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to provide the Government of Ukraine with ICEYE’s SAR satellite imaging capabilities with one of ICEYE’s SAR satellites designated for the Government of Ukraine’s use over the region.

ICEYE also provides access to its constellation of SAR satellites, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations. In July of 2024, ICEYE and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine signed a Memorandum of Cooperation outlining partnering to strengthen Ukraine’s space defence capabilities.

Aechelon Technology Inc. and ICEYE are partnering to bring cutting-edge synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite technology with real-time sensor fusion and machine learning (ML) exploitation capabilities to the market.

This collaboration will deliver enhanced 3D electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) situational awareness solutions, providing unparalleled insights for national defense, emergency response, and allied operations.

This innovative partnership integrates ICEYE’s advanced SAR satellite constellation with Aechelon Technology’s expertise in real-time, GPU-driven, multi-spectral, 3D processing. The joint solution will empower decision-makers with intuitive, high-resolution, 24/7 SAR imagery, unaffected by night, weather or smoke, ensuring quick and effective responses to global events.

ICEYE owns and operates the world’s largest SAR constellation, offering near real-time, EO capabilities. This partnership enhances ICEYE’s mission to deliver reliable, actionable information to global defense and response agencies.

Aechelon Technology’s advanced, digital twin processing capabilities will fuse multiple ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) data sources, providing users with an in-context, realistic 3D representation of ICEYE’s SAR data, powered by ICEYE’s live ISR exploitation. This high-fidelity visual representation will assist leaders in making informed, rapid decisions with a natural understanding of real-time events.

In support of the collaboration, Aechelon will deploy Image/Sensor Generators at mobile ground testing stations in Finland for field evaluations with allied nations, and in the United States for ICEYE’s U.S.-exclusive solutions.

Through this partnership, ICEYE and Aechelon Technology are committed to delivering transformative real-time capabilities, offering defense and response agencies a decisive edge in rapidly changing environments.

“Meeting the ICEYE team in Finland and seeing their commitment to innovation firsthand was a career highlight,” said Javier Castellar, Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer of Aechelon Technology. “Their relentless pursuit of technological advancement shows that the future is now. Together, our companies will provide the US and allied nations with precise, on-demand situational awareness, overcoming the limitations of weather, smoke, and night conditions. This solution not only enhances national security but also provides unique capabilities for first responders in times of natural or man-made crises, ensuring help reaches those in need when it matters most.”

“ICEYE is excited to partner with Aechelon Technology and combine the capability of the world’s largest SAR satellite constellation with Aechelon’s world leading global database and simulation capabilities to provide customers with unparalleled situational awareness and decision making capabilities. Aechelon Technology and ICEYE both have a culture of driving  innovation and serving the most demanding customers in the US and allied national security sectors  so we think we are very well positioned to work together,” said ICEYE’s Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Pekka Laurila.

After helping more than 250 U.S. Space Force Guardians and operators experiment and train with various tactics, techniques, and procedures in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), the Tetra-1 satellite has completed its mission and transitioned for residual operations. 

Since launching the Tetra-1 satellite on November 1, 2022, the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Innovation Development Branch, partnered with Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing Company, has successfully completed the Tetra-1 mission.

Tetra-1 was the first in a series of Tetra small satellites paving the way for how SSC leverages non-traditional vendors to provide on-orbit capabilities to the Space Force.  As part of SSC’s Innovation and Prototyping Directorate, the Innovation Development Branch rapidly fielded Tetra-1 as a prototype vehicle developed by Millennium Space Systems into GEO in less than 18 months. This satellite provided crucial training for more than 250 Guardians and Airmen, enabling operators to experiment and train with various tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The capability Tetra-1 provided is critical to space operators’ understanding how to manage a small satellite, especially as SSC identifies what roles small satellites can potentially play in future USSF missions at GEO.

Throughout its lifecycle, Tetra-1 was supported a multitude of advanced training events and experimental exercises. Most notably was Tetra-1’s employment in SCARLET STAR, a testing and training campaign spearheaded by the 98th Space Range Squadron and 57th Space Aggressor Squadron of Space Training and Readiness Command (STARCOM). These exercises required coordination across all three USSF Field Commands in order to successfully complete multiple live on-orbit events.

Eighteen months after launch, Tetra-1 has now transitioned for residual operations, doubling its expected 1 year mission life. This transition was completed in less than five months by a team comprised of members from multiple organizations to rapidly execute a transfer of the Tetra-1 satellite and its ground station to a mission partner and its ground site.

As opposed to retiring the vehicle, these residual operations allow SSC to use Tetra-1 as a test bed to characterize satellite component lifespans for future missions. While this is the end of Tetra-1’s original mission, Tetra-1 can continue to be used for the foreseeable future, significantly extending the value of Tetra-1 to the USSF and DoD space community.

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow.

Synspective Inc., a provider of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite data and analytics solutions, has announced that the Yamato Technology Center, a new manufacturing site for small SAR satellites, began full-scale operations in September — this factory is Synspective’s third site, following the Tokyo Headquarters and Singapore Branch.

With the start of operations at the new facility, and in partnership with Seiren Co., Ltd. and TOKYO KEIKI Co., Ltd. for mass production, Synspective has established a comprehensive production system for StriX SAR satellites. This advancement will enable us to build a full constellation of 30 small SAR satellites by the late 2020s.

The Yamato Technology Center is designed to produce 12 small SAR satellites per year, guided by the concept of Iterative Manufacturing. Synspective will expand production capacity by continually incorporating new insights and experiences while refining our processes to meet this target.

The company will improve satellite quality and performance by quantifying as many events throughout the manufacturing process as possible, compiling them into a database, and analyzing the data. These insights will inform improvements in satellite, process, and equipment design. Quantifying quality and accumulating information is also valuable in verifying future satellite parts and manufacturing process changes.

In addition, seasoned spacecraft manufacturing professionals will train new team members. To create an optimal work environment, we will introduce ergonomically designed equipment and tools to enhance skills and support consistent, high-quality satellite production. We are also organizing training sessions to build proficiency in space manufacturing for those new to the space industry.

Office Space	Meeting Area

The Yamato Technology Center will attract highly skilled professionals to its convenient location near central Tokyo. We plan to hire approximately 50 new employees as we begin full-scale operations. You can learn more about our open positions at the firm’s Careers Page.

United Kingdom Armed Forces personnel are to have access to the latest space technology for military operations, following a contract procured by Ministry of Defence’s Defence Equipment & Support DE&S for a new satellite.

The £40 million project with Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) will support approximately 200 skilled jobs, boosting the UK’s space sector and helping to grow the economy.

Named Juno, the satellite will be able to capture daytime images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Expected to launch in 2027, Juno will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August of this year.

Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) space-based ISR program, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.

Juno and Tyche satellites will support military operations, for instance by monitoring adversary activities, and contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, environmental monitoring and tracking the impact of climate change around the world.

SSTL employs around 400 engineers, technicians and support staff across its two sites in Guildford, Surrey, and Bordon, Hampshire. With around half of these employees expected to work on the project, Juno will play a key part in securing critical UK skills in the growing global space sector. The project will also help inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements.

The Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle, said, “The contract for Juno shows the UK’s commitment to grow one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world and keep our competitive edge in space science and technology. Juno will not only support Armed Forces personnel deployed globally, but also support highly skilled jobs, delivering on the government’s growth mission.”

Paul Russell, Space team leader at DE&S, said, “Placing contracts and managing delivery of a new generation of UK military capabilities for use in a complex and critical environment takes incredible focus and collaborative working with our defence and industry partners. These efforts are key in ensuring the UK Armed Forces have access to the surveillance and intelligence information they need to maintain a competitive edge.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, said, “With Tyche in space, and Juno now on contract, UK Space Command’s ISTARI programme is making great strides, showcasing innovation and collaboration across government and industry. With these Earth Observation satellites on-orbit, UK Space Command and defence will be better equipped to conduct all-domain military operations and deliver assured space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to the joint force and our allies.”

Andrew Cawthorne, Managing Director, SSTL, said, “We’re incredibly proud that the Ministry of Defence has again placed its trust in SSTL to deliver the UK’s next sovereign intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance spacecraft. We look forward to continuing our successful relationship with UK Space Command, DE&S, and Dstl, and playing a leading role in delivering the UK Defence Space Strategy.”

WISeKey International Holding Ltd. (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY) has announced that the firm’s subsidiary, WISeSat.Space, is preparing for the mid-January 2025 launch of the next-generation satellite.

This launch represents a significant development in WISeSat.Space’s mission to provide secure IoT connectivity, advance climate change monitoring capabilities, and support European satellite independence with cutting-edge technology.

WISeSat.Space’s new generation of low-orbit satellites leverages compact picosatellites equipped with SEALSQ Corp. (NASDAQ: LAES) semiconductor technology and WISeKey’s cryptographic keys. These integrated solutions enhance the security, performance, and resilience of satellite-based IoT systems, and support a diverse range of applications including environmental monitoring, disaster management, smart agriculture, and industrial IoT solutions.

The satellites are specifically designed to support low-power sensors, enabling data collection in remote and off-grid areas. WISeSat.Space’s picosatellites, which are smaller and more cost-effective than traditional satellites, make global IoT connectivity feasible by reducing launch costs and optimizing data transmission. The satellite technology incorporates Quantum-Resistant cryptographic keys, and offers future-proof security against potential quantum computing threats, a step critical to the long-term security of global IoT ecosystems.

An essential component of WISeSat.Space’s strategy is the creation of a European-based, neutral satellite constellation. By anchoring operations in Europe, WISeSat.Space is able to ensure data sovereignty and reduce reliance on non-European providers for critical IoT and environmental data. This independence not only strengthens data security but also allows for robust, unencumbered international cooperation. A neutral European constellation addresses global trust concerns, positioning Europe as a leader in secure and autonomous satellite technology. This approach further aligns with EU objectives for strategic autonomy and technological resilience, fostering economic growth and high-tech job creation within the region.

The advanced satellite set for January 2025 launch includes key enhancements to bolster connectivity for diverse IoT applications. The satellites’ upgraded semiconductor technology, developed by SEALSQ, optimizes both processing and communication capabilities. This facilitates faster data relay and enhanced responsiveness, crucial for applications in real-time environmental monitoring, industrial automation, and smart agriculture.

For climate change monitoring, the WISeSat constellation allows for the real-time tracking of environmental variables, enabling early detection and response to extreme weather events. The satellites contribute to disaster management through early warning systems, aiding vulnerable communities and ecosystems by providing timely, high-quality data. These capabilities not only support critical disaster preparedness but also allow policymakers to make informed decisions about climate resilience and adaptation.

WISeSat.Space’s picosatellites employ a unique design focused on compactness and cost-effectiveness. Through the combination of low-orbit satellite networks and low-power, long-range sensors, WISeSat.Space provides a reliable network with low latency and high data accuracy—ideal for continuous tracking and monitoring across large, remote areas. These picosatellites are designed to operate with minimal power consumption, which is crucial for sustainable, long-term deployment in remote locations. Each satellite is embedded with WISeKey’s advanced cybersecurity protocols, ensuring that data is encrypted and secure from unauthorized access throughout its journey from sensor to end-user.

The launch’s timing aligns with WISeKey’s annual event in Davos, where industry leaders, policymakers, and technologists will convene for a roundtable on space technology and its applications in IoT and climate monitoring. This roundtable will provide a platform to discuss how space-based systems can address global challenges and explore the role of satellite technology in building a sustainable and secure digital future.

With the upcoming launch of this next-generation satellite, WISeSat.Space reaffirms its commitment to pioneering secure, scalable IoT solutions and advancing European autonomy in space technology. WISeKey looks forward to this critical addition to its constellation as it leverages space to enhance secure connectivity, climate resilience, and technological independence for the global community.

About WISeSat.Space
WISeSat AG is pioneering a transformative approach to IoT connectivity and climate change monitoring through its innovative satellite constellation. By providing cost-effective, secure, and global IoT connectivity, WISeSat is enabling a wide range of applications that support environmental monitoring, disaster management, and sustainable practices. The integration of satellite data with advanced climate models holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of climate change and developing effective strategies to combat its impacts. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like WISeSat’s IoT satellite constellation are essential for creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

About WISeKEY
WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, and (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions.

Astranis has been selected as a prime contractor for the U.S. Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command’s (SSC) new Resilient GPS (R-GPS) program — Astranis is one of four awarded an agreement to produce design concepts for R-GPS’ Lite Evolving Augmented Proliferation program.

The R-GPS program was created by Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to build and launch small, low-cost, PNT (positioning, navigation, and timing) satellites to bolster the existing GPS fleet. The R-GPS satellites will include the latest GPS signals, including M-Code, for assured performance, even in contested regions. USSF has asked contractors to prepare the first eight R-GPS satellites for launch by 2028, a fast turnaround that shows the importance of developing this new capability for America’s warfighters.

Astranis will serve as a prime contractor for an $8 million concept development effort for the R-GPS program, given its experience as a manufacturer and operator of low-cost, high-orbit satellites. The Astranis R-GPS spacecraft design leverages the company’s existing MicroGEO satellite design, with PNT algorithms from Xona Space Systems, a premiere commercial company fielding a full GNSS system — Xona’s algorithms will be implemented in software on the Astranis Octane Software-Defined Radio hardware.

Astranis will work through this phase of the program to advance its R-GPS design ahead of the USSF’s plans to build and launch a proliferated fleet of more than 20 small GPS satellites.

About Astranis
Astranis designs, builds, and operates the world’s most advanced high-orbit satellites.
Their first product, MicroGEO, offers the world’s only dedicated satellite connectivity. Operating in geostationary orbit, each MicroGEO satellite can provide bandwidth to ISPs, small and medium-sized countries, Fortune 1000 companies, and other commercial customers. Astranis has built a $1 billion backlog for 10+ MicroGEO satellites launching over the next two years. Astranis performs missions across multiple orbits and use cases. With contracts in place with Space Force, NASA, and other government partners, Astranis is working across MEO and GEO to support government science, PNT, and communications missions. Astranis has raised $750 million from top global investors and employs a team of over 400 engineers and builders, headquartered at Historic Pier 70 in San Francisco, California.