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General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) was recently awarded a contract from the Space Development Agency (SDA) to demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs) hosted on GA-EMS’ GA-75 (75 kilogram class) spacecraft while in LEO.

GA-EMS is designing and building two OCTs to provide robust space-to-space communication in a degraded environment and establish and maintain links to meet SDA standards and requirements. The OCTs can support a vast network of satellites, data and information sharing, and collective on-orbit computing resources to support customer and mission requirements. 

The OCTs will be integrated on two GA-EMS GA-75 spacecraft.  The GA-75 is a resilient, modular, and configurable half-ESPA bus design with capabilities to support a variety of communications and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads and missions.  The GA-75 is a commercially available platform that utilizes standard payload interfaces to enable seamless integration and mission-ready delivery times. It is also compatible with multiple launch vehicles and can package two spacecraft per ESPA port or fill a single ESPA port depending on mission payload size.

“We’re excited to continue working with SDA and look forward to demonstrating our OCT capability developed, built, and tested by GA-EMS, and integrated on GA-EMS-designed and built spacecraft,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “This contract supports the deployment of next generation optical communication technologies that will provide faster, more secure, higher fidelity transmissions, and greater resiliency to ensure 24/7 connectivity from the Earth to space.”

General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Group is a global leader in the research, design, and manufacture of first-of-a-kind electromagnetic and power generation systems. GA-EMS’ history of research, development, and technology innovation has led to an expanding portfolio of specialized products and integrated system solutions supporting aviation, space systems and satellites, missile defense, power and energy, and processing and monitoring applications for defense, industrial, and commercial customers worldwide.

SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation has established Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd. — this milestone follows the announcement in June of 2020 to design and develop the payload of the world’s first (based on SKY Perfect JSAT research) satellite for space debris removal using laser technology, in collaboration with the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN – Satellite Orbital State Control Laser Laboratory (Japanese Web page).

Orbital Lasers will engage in space debris removal as well as further use and develop its laser technologies. By incorporating space-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that measures the distance to and shape of a target object by emitting laser light and using information obtained from the reflected light) technology into satellites. The new company aspires to become the world’s first commercial provider of high-precision ground surface information through the use of satellite LiDAR.

In connection with this Satellite LiDAR business, SKY Perfect JSAT and JAXA entered into a contract regarding the conceptual study of EO LiDAR satellites system and their future commercialization, this occurring on January 12, 2024. Orbital Lasers is scheduled to undertake this conceptual study under contract from SKY Perfect JSAT.

Orbital Lasers will engage in the following businesses…

• Space Debris Removal — Detumbling (DTB): Development and sales of payload capable of detumbling space debris *Planned in FY2025, and, Active Debris Removal (ADR): Service to remove space debris *Planned in FY2029
• Satellite LiDAR — Earth Observation (EO): Provision of ground surface information using Satellite LiDAR *Planned

The issue of space debris is now regarded as an environmental problem as significant as global warming and marine plastic pollution. SKY Perfect JSAT and Orbital Lasers are earnestly addressing this concern and aiming to contribute to the improvement of a sustainable space environment.

Tadanori Fukushima, President and CEO, Orbital Lasers, said, ” In my 14 years of experience in satellite operations, I have always been highly concerned about the impact of space debris on the space environment. Consequently, I applied for an internal startup program and engaged in research and development of space debris removal with universities, research institutions, government agencies, companies, and experts to advance its business development. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the people involved in the establishment of Orbital Lasers. Furthermore, during this progress, we were able to discover new possibilities using space-based lasers, leading to the Satellite LiDAR Business. Through Orbital Lasers’ initiatives, we aim to contribute to society by further enhancing the usability of space.”

Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director, President and CEO, SKY Perfect JSAT, said, “I am deeply honored that we have finally been able to establish this new company through the startup program—an employee-initiated new business proposal system—that we launched in 2018. As a leader in the space industry, SKY Perfect JSAT will continue to aim for further business expansion and embrace challenges, seeking not only to create the next new businesses but also to generate new business models and values, including through partnerships with other companies.”

Setsuko Aoki, Outside Director, SKY Perfect JSAT Holdings Inc., said, “The Orbital Lasers Co., Ltd. has started two world’s first businesses through state-of-the art lasers technology: aiming to provide high-quality Earth information; and protect orbits as ‘limited natural resources’ by active debris removal. This is not just a new venture. This also qualifies as a part of Japan’s contribution to the global society whose urgent needs include the safe and sustainable use of outer space. As an outside director, I am most proud of the innovative enterprise on which both companies have embarked.”

View the Orbital Lasers Concept Movie at this direct link…

Orbit Fab and ClearSpace have engaged in a multi-faceted strategic partnership to advance in-space refueling and servicing capabilities that will revolutionize space operations and serve as a foundation for a vibrant and sustainable space economy.

Under MoU, Orbit Fab and ClearSpace will develop key enabling technologies, building on their initial collaborative work that began several years ago. The two companies will leverage their complementary capabilities and missions to accelerate the availability of propellants in space by creating a refueling service architecture pairing an Orbit Fab fuel depot with a ClearSpace shuttle.

Market demand for in-orbit refueling reflects the need for unconstrained in-space mobility and the value of extending the operational utility of critical space assets. The U.S. Space Force (USSF) considers Space Mobility and Logistics (SML) as one of its core competencies, and in-orbit refueling directly addresses the challenge of replenishing spacecraft consumables. Furthermore, refueling will become a key competitive advantage for operators of commercial satellites and service vehicles.

Orbit Fab is already supporting ClearSpace with the design of its CLEAR mission for active debris removal, funded by the UK Space Agency, to enable the service vehicle to be refueled and reused.

The development of ClearSpace’s refueling shuttle adds to the growing ecosystem of service providers, building on the standards and vision established by Orbit Fab’s foundational work in fuel depot development and fuel transfer interfaces. Its RAFTI (Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface) refueling ports and its GRIP robotic docking devices are already being integrated aboard a fast-growing number of vehicles, with RAFTI slated for integration on more than a dozen spacecraft, and GRIP being baselined on another five.

By combining Orbit Fab’s fuel transfer expertise with ClearSpace’s vision system and RPO capabilities, ClearSpace expands its in-orbit service portfolio and Orbit Fab extends the reach of its fuel distribution services, resulting in the creation of a competitive, commercial marketplace for turn-key, in-orbit refueling services.

“Orbit Fab is the clear leader in satellite refueling, and ClearSpace is excited to partner with them as we explore possibilities for advancing new servicing and refueling capabilities that will ultimately benefit everyone participating in the space economy and beyond,” said Luc Piguet, ClearSpace Co-Founder and CEO. “ClearSpace and Orbit Fab are seeing growing demand in the U.S., UK, and around the world for service vehicles and refueling as government and commercial operators seek to boost the ROI of their missions and extend operations.”

“ClearSpace is developing key technologies that will unlock opportunities for last-mile fuel delivery in both GEO and LEO, and we’re delighted to see our collaboration with ClearSpace push the boundaries of what is possible today,” said Daniel Faber, Orbit Fab Founder and CEO. “Our RAFTI and GRIP refueling systems are the interfaces of choice for secure, sustainable in-space refueling operations, and our work with ClearSpace, both in the U.S. and in the UK, is revolutionizing the capabilities that make extended satellite operations a reality.”

AAC Clyde Space, with its partner TNO, have successfully transferred data from a compact laser SATCOM terminal, called SmallCAT, onboard a spacecraft in LEO to Earth — this demonstrates that the laser satellite communication technology works under spaceflight conditions. AAC has contributed electronics and firmware to the laser communication terminal.

The satellite communication terminal is developed by a TNO-led consortium with AAC Hyperion, the AAC Group’s subsidiary in the Netherlands specialized in optical communications, for the onboard electronics, drivers as well as software, and Gooch & Housego for the laser transmitter. The development was financed by the Netherlands Space Office (NSO) through the ESA ARTES ScyLight Programme program and the Dutch Ministry of Defense‘s innovation budget. TNO also contributed in co-funding this program.

The project also includes delivery of AAC Hyperion’s gigabit detector — the GD200 — for the optical ground station in the Hague which successfully detected signal from the terminal which is carried by the Norwegian NORSAT-TD satellite launched in April 2023.

A commercial version of the laser communication terminal, CubeCAT, is being commercialized by AAC Hyperion with its Dutch partner, FSO Instruments. Measuring 10 x 10 x 10 cm and weighing 1.3 kg, the terminal is ideally suited for use on nano satellites.

As commercial and government data demands continue to grow, the need for high-quality, timely data from space is growing rapidly. Laser communication technologies are being increasingly used to send data generated on satellites directly to Earth, as an alternative to traditional radio-frequency (RF) communication. By transmitting through the infra-red wavelength band, the limitations of standard radio frequency communication technologies are avoided, thereby increasing transmission capabilities of satellites by factors of 10 to 100. Moreover, laser communication links are seen as more secure and laser communication systems have the potential of lower size, weight, and power, which is important in the space domain.

“This is a milestone in our aim to remain in the forefront of space tech development. The demand for direct laser communication between satellites and Earth is growing rapidly catering to the needs of customers in several sector. This achievement points towards the future of space-based communication,” says AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.

Researchers from TNO have successfully connected a satellite to a ground station on Earth via self-developed laser communication technology — this is the first time this has been achieved with a Dutch laser satellite instrument. The technology enables much faster and safer data transfer than the radio frequencies currently used for communication.

Almost all connections in daily life, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or 5G, are based on radio frequency waves. Partly due to the increase in data consumption, this radio frequency spectrum is slowly filling up, creating scarcity and interference.

Laser satellite communication offers a solution as it can send data faster and more securely via invisible laser signals. Radio frequencies achieve speeds of hundreds of megabits, in some cases several gigabits per second (Gbps). Laser communication achieves speeds of 100 to 1000 times faster. Laser communication links are interesting even at lower speeds because systems are much smaller, lighter and more energy efficient, which is important for space applications. It is also more secure because very narrow optical laser beams are used instead of wide radio signals. This makes eavesdropping more difficult, and interference is quickly detected.

The laser communication system, SmallCAT (Small Communication Active Terminal), was launched in April of 2023 by SpaceX aboard a satellite that is operated by the Norwegian Space Agency.

Since then, TNO has been preparing to establish a connection between the satellite, which flies in LEO, and optical ground stations in The Hague (TNO) and Tenerife (ESA ESOC’s IZN-1).

During such an experiment, the ground station first sends a signal to the satellite, where it has to be found by the laser communication system on board through its overpass and then sends its laser back to Earth where the ground station needs to capture the signal.

This is incredibly challenging as the satellite is flying at an altitude of 500 kilometers at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour. During several experiments TNO succeeded in finding both ground stations from space and sending back and recapturing the laser beams with extreme precision. Once a link was established, data was transferred from the satellite instrument and received by the optical ground station in The Hague at a maximum data rate of one gigabit per second.

The ground station at TNO in The Hague was developed by TNO together with Airbus Netherlands and is the first time this has been achieved with such a compact satellite instrument of Dutch manufacture. It demonstrates that the terminal on the satellite and the ground station work and can also find each other under real conditions.

This success is an important step in the development of laser terminals (AAC Clyde Space) and Ground Stations (Airbus Netherlands) for the emerging laser communications market and, thus, in the creation of an European ecosystem for fast and secure laser satellite communications. Eventually, the laser communication system is intended to communicate with other European optical ground stations that are part of the ‘Optical Nucleus Network,’ operated by Norway’s KSAT (Kongsberg Satellite Services).

Laser satellite communication works best if a network of multiple satellites is built for that purpose. Ultimately a constellation of satellites is needed for a reliable network.

The satellite instrument is developed by a TNO-led consortium that includes AAC Hyperion (part of AAC Clyde Space) for the onboard electronics, drivers as well as software, and Gooch & Housego (laser transmitter). The development was financed with Netherlands Space Office (NSO) funds through the ESA ARTES ScyLight program and the Dutch Ministry of Defense’s innovation budget.

TNO also contributed in co-funding this program. The optical ground station in The Hague is developed by TNO in collaboration with Airbus Netherlands B.V., ASA, and Digos.

Kees Buijsrogge, director TNO Space, said, “This pivotal milestone marks a significant achievement in advancing technological sovereignty for both the Netherlands and Europe in a strong NATO, as it will enable faster and more secure broadband connectivity. It’s a provisional outcome of collaborative endeavors within a nascent Dutch industry specializing in optical satellite communication.”

The Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded a prototype agreement to L3Harris Technologies last year to provide initial missile warning/missile tracking warfighting capability of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

Innoflight is on contract with L3Harris for the delivery of key avionics, including mesh network encryption/decryption, networking, processing and precision timing for the SDA T1 Tracking Layer program.

Innoflight’s deliverables to L3Harris include “mesh network” End Cryptographic Units (ECUs), network IP routers with Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), network Ethernet switches, Secure Independent Processors, and Mission Timing Electronics.

Innoflight recently delivered mesh network encryption/decryption, networking and precision timing EDUs and precision timing Flight Units to L3Harris. The EDUs are being used for software development and integration testing.

“Innoflight is pleased to continue our PWSA journey with L3Harris on the T1 Tracking Layer program after the successful delivery of T0 Tracking Layer hardware,” said Jeff Janicik, Innoflight President & CEO. “Innoflight and L3Harris have developed a synergy and strong business relationship that will make us even more successful moving forward.”

The Space Development Agency (SDA) awarded a prototype agreement to L3Harris Technologies in 2023 to provide initial missile warning/missile tracking warfighting capability of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

Innoflight is on contract with L3Harris for the delivery of key avionics, including mesh network encryption/decryption, networking, processing and precision timing for the SDA T1 Tracking Layer program.

Innoflight’s deliverables to L3Harris include “mesh network” End Cryptographic Units (ECUs), network Internet Protocol (IP) routers with Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS), network Ethernet switches, Secure Independent Processors, and Mission Timing Electronics.

Innoflight recently delivered mesh network encryption/decryption, networking and precision timing EDUs and precision timing Flight Units to L3Harris where the EDUs are being used for software development and integration testing.

“Innoflight is pleased to continue our PWSA journey with L3Harris on the T1 Tracking Layer program after the successful delivery of T0 Tracking Layer hardware,” said Jeff Janicik, Innoflight President & CEO. “Innoflight and L3Harris have developed a synergy and strong business relationship that will make us even more successful moving forward.”

Recently, Sateliot secured €6 million in funding from Banco Santander. This financial backing will enable Sateliot to accelerate the development of its technology and the deployment of its satellite constellation. In 2024, the company is poised for significant growth with the launch of four new satellites, marking the beginning of its commercial phase.

With this transaction, Banco Santander reaffirms its commitment to the growth and digitization of companies and the promotion of innovation through its Growth program, particularly with the support of Santander Corporate & Investment Banking (Santander CIB)

This funding and two additional, recent, capital injections totaling €13.5 million in less than a year, solidify Sateliot’s financial position. One is a participatory loan of €2.5 million granted just two weeks ago by the public company Avança. In addition, there are also €5 million from the convertible note issued by the company.

This financial strength allows Sateliot to approach 2024 with the necessary stability to execute its business strategy, sending a strong message of confidence to the market. Sateliot has Indra and Cellnex as industrial partners, holding 10.5% and 3.5% ownership, respectively. Additionally, Sepides holds approximately 5% of the capital.

Sateliot’s next strategic move will be initiating a Series B funding. This will finance the next phase of the satellite constellation comprising 250 smallsats deployed under the 5G standard, launching an additional 64 smallsats over the next 18 months. Sateliot has already secured agreements with global telecommunications operators and companies in the sector, boosting a binding orders backlog of over €150 million.

Jaume Sanpera, CEO and co-founder of Sateliot, said, “The completion of these three operations demonstrates the confidence that top-tier banks, regional public administrations, and other groups such as venture capital, family offices, or business angels have placed in us. With all of them, we have created a strategic partnership that reinforces our leadership in the first ever 5G-IoT constellation.”

Aurora Propulsion Technologies, together with SpeQtral, last month signed a deal for the former to deliver a Plasma Brake for SpeQtral’s next satellite.

The Plasma Brake is a deorbiting system that disposes of the satellite by safely bringing it back into the atmosphere after its mission is finished. This CubeSat “TunaCan” Plasma Brake is designed to be a plug-and play solutions for any CubeSats that have no space for a large thruster system but does include a free TunaCan slot that can be used by a Plasma Brake, allowing compliance with space debris mitigation regulation.

The Plasma Brake works by deploying a charged microtether that interacts with the LEO plasma environment, creating a drag force. This allows it to generate a small amount of thrust continuously and indefinitely, also on higher orbits up to 1000 km where aerodynamic drag is not an option.

The SpeQtral-1 mission will be SpeQtral’s second quantum key distribution (QKD) satellite, serving as a pathfinder commercial demonstrator and defining future QKD services. The mission follows the SpeQtre technology demonstrator mission, itself built on technologies demonstrated on the 2019 SpooQy-1 CubeSat.

The SpeQtral-1 satellite is one of the first in the world to contain both BB84 and BBM92 quantum payloads in a CubeSat form factor. Operating at an altitude of 500 kms in SSO, SpeQtral-1 can provide quantum keys to any location on Earth.

The BBM92 payload offers unparalleled security, and the BB84 payload offers higher key rates allowing seamless integration with fiber QKD networks around the globe. SpeQtral-1 brings cutting-edge quantum communication technologies, enabling partners and customers to securely transmit their data with highest levels of encryption.

Perttu Yli-Opas, the CEO of Aurora Propulsion Technologies, said, “This mission is a great example of a business-oriented satellite that simply must have a deorbiting solution with a minimal footprint – which we’re more than happy to provide.”

Deere & Company (NYSE: DE) has entered into an agreement with SpaceX to provide SATCOM service to farmers — using the Starlink network, this solution will allow farmers facing rural connectivity challenges to fully leverage precision agriculture technologies.

This partnership, an industry first, will enable John Deere customers to be more productive, profitable, and sustainable in their operations as they continue to provide food, fuel, and fiber for their communities and a growing global population.

The SATCOM solution will connect new and existing machines through satellite internet service and ruggedized satellite terminals. This will fully enable technologies, such as autonomy, real-time data sharing, remote diagnostics, enhanced self-repair solutions, and Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, all of which help farmers work more efficiently while minimizing downtime.

John Deere’s SATCOM solution will leverage SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet constellation. To activate this solution, John Deere dealers will install a ruggedized Starlink terminal on compatible machines, along with a 4G LTE JDLink modem to connect the machine to the John Deere Operations Center. The SATCOM solution will initially be available through a limited release in the United States and Brazil starting in the second half of 2024.

“The value of connectivity to farmers is broader than any single task or action. Connectivity unlocks vast opportunities that were previously limited or unavailable,” said Aaron Wetzel, Vice President of Production and Precision Ag Production Systems at John Deere. “For example, throughout the year, farmers must complete tasks within extremely short windows of time. This requires executing incredibly precise production steps while coordinating between machines and managing machine performance. Each of these areas are enhanced through connectivity, making the entire operation more efficient, effective, and profitable.”

“John Deere has led the agriculture equipment industry for more than two decades with satellite-based precision guidance technology,” said Jahmy Hindman, Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer at John Deere. “Now, we are bringing satellite communications service to the farm at scale so farmers with cellular coverage challenges can maximize the value of connectivity to their operations. The SATCOM solution unlocks the John Deere tech stack so every farmer can fully utilize their current precision agriculture technology in addition to the new innovative solutions they will deploy in the future. We initiated this process with a fierce focus on delivering value to our customers, and this partnership ensures we have a solution that meets their needs today and in the future.”