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LeoStella is pursuing its partnership with Syrlinks, a Safran Electronics & Defense company, that will equip LeoStella’s latest-generation of LS-300 satellite buses with its high-performance, resilient, N-SPHERE GNSS receiver for applications.

The N-SPHERE solution is a new-generation, GNSS receiver designed by Syrlinks and implements the latest state-of-the-art positioning and synchronization techniques to achieve real-time precise onboard orbit determination (P2OD). N-SPHERE can be synchronized with various GNSS systems and offers high-precision positioning, of the order of 10 centimeters.

The integration of this very high precision localization capability into the LS-300 bus gives LeoStella access to international defense customers.

“We’re delighted to be pursuing our collaboration with LeoStella, based on the selection of our advanced GNSS receiver,” said Jean-Marie Bétermier, Senior Vice President Space, Safran Electronics & Defense. “There’s no better vote of confidence than continued collaboration with a customer. It shows that our products are dependable and always at the forefront of technology.”

“Syrlinks and LeoStella have built a solid partnership over the course of several collaborative programs,” said Kylie Hall, Supply Chain Manager for LeoStella. “LeoStella is looking forward to building N-SPHERE into the development of its future satellite platforms, which marks an important milestone in our ongoing partnership.”

Axelspace Holdings Corporation has completed the firm’s Series D funding round raising approximately JPY 6.24 billion (equivalent to $44.0 million) — this round sees the allocation of new shares to SMBC-GB Growth I Investment Limited Partnership, several other venture capitals, and corporate investors and brings the cumulative amount of equity financing to approximately JPY 14.3 billion.

Axelspace Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Axelspace Holdings, will use the new funds to meet more diverse customer demands. This involves enhancing EO services through the expansion of the company’s proprietary smallsat constellation that currently consists of five satellites that provide full-scale services to public and private sectors as well as optical data relay operations.

In the 15 years since its establishment in 2008, Axelspace has a proven track record in the development and operation of a total of nine smallsats, including a technology demonstration satellite for the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

In addition to the EO service “AxelGlobe,” which started in 2015, Axelspace has been progressing its R&D to realize an innovative one-stop service, “AxelLiner.” This service was announced in 2022 aiming to offer feasibility studies, designing, manufacturing, launch, and on-orbit operations for microsatellites, and its demo satellite is expected to launch in early 2024.

“We would like to express our gratitude to the investors who, despite challenging market conditions, have decided to invest in us, demonstrating confidence in our future business growth. This August, we celebrated the company’s 15th anniversary. Although it was not an easy road, we have steadily accumulated achievements and evolved our business with invaluable assistance from many people. With this financing, we hope to further solidify the business foundations of both AxelGlobe and AxelLiner services and to establish ourselves as a leading player in providing comprehensive microsatellite solutions.” — Yuya Nakamura, the President and CEO of Axelspace Holdings

As Firefly’s second responsive space operation, Fly the Lightning will get on-orbit capabilities into the hands of U.S. warfighters faster

Firefly Aerospace recently reported that the company’s Alpha FLTA004 Fly the Lightning mission is prepared to launch no earlier than December 20, with backup dates through December 22, depending on local weather — the daily 20-minute launch window will open at 9:18 am PST.

The Fly the Lightning mission will deploy an Electronically Steered Antenna (ESA) payload developed by Lockheed Martin to demonstrate rapid delivery of on-orbit capabilities for U.S. warfighters. As a secondary objective, the mission team will further demonstrate responsive space capabilities by tracking and improving the total working hours required from payload receival to launch readiness compared to Alpha FLTA003, the record-breaking VICTUS NOX mission.

“On the heels of our successful Alpha launch for the U.S Space Force, the Firefly team will continue to push the limits and set new standards in the industry, operating at a rapid pace for Alpha FLTA004 and future missions in response to the needs of our customers,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “This team is utilizing lessons from our VICTUS NOX mission to fundamentally change how quickly both government and commercial customers can process their payloads and launch assets to space.”

During the final launch operations, the team will transport the payload faring to the launch pad and mate it to Firefly’s Alpha rocket using similar responsive operations to VICTUS NOX. The launch is being observed by members of the U.S. Space Force Tactically Responsive Space team to inform future missions and the requirements for repeatable on-demand launch capabilities.

“Through the VICTUS NOX demonstration, the Space Force proved the United States can rapidly respond to national security threats in space on an unprecedented timeline,” said Lt. Col. Justin Beltz, Materiel Leader and Chief of the Small Launch and Targets Division of the U.S. Space Force. “We’re now focused on transforming Tactically Responsive Space from a groundbreaking achievement into a repeatable capability. By partnering with Firefly to observe Alpha FLT004, we can continue to build synergy with commercial industry and further define the training, infrastructure, and operational requirements for long-term repeatability.”

Fly the Lightning will launch from Firefly’s SLC-2 complex at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Firefly’s new payload processing facility at its launch site allows the team to rapidly fuel and integrate payloads in a clean room environment. The company’s flight-proven Alpha rocket, lifting more than 1,000 kg to LEO, further enables direct, on-demand deliveries when and where customers need to fly. 

“What we’re most excited about is that this mission features several firsts – a new payload, built rapidly in a new way, with Firefly as a new launch partner,” said Bob Behnken, director of Technology Acceleration for Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization. “This also marks the first of our self-funded technology demonstrations through Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization, created to accelerate development projects like this, push limits and expand capabilities for customers.”

Lockheed Martin’s ESA demonstrator payload, integrated on a Terran Orbital Nebula smallsat bus.

The payload was developed by Lockheed Martin’s Ignite organization stood up to focus on exploratory research and development, accelerating the pace of technology development, and introducing new product innovations.

Ovzon recently received an order from Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) for Ovzon’s SATCOM-as-a-Service, including Ovzon mobile satellite terminals — the service will be delivered during 2024 with the initial rollout to occur during Q1 — the delivery of terminals will start immediately. The total order value amounts to 135 million Swedish Krona.

Ovzon SATCOM-as-a-Service distinguishes itself in the market by its ability to support critical missions with assured connectivity that can transmit and receive large amounts of data by seamlessly integrating performance, mobility and resiliency. 

“Resilient communications services via satellite are an important tool in both civil society and national security. With the help of Ovzon, we can offer a robust SATCOM service which is attractive to both traditional space actors and new industries.” — Stefan Gustafsson, Senior Vice President Strategy and Sustainable Business, SSC.

“This significant order strengthens our collaboration with SSC and emphasizes our joint focus on supporting Swedish government agencies. Having a strategic presence in space and being able to ensure reliable satellite communications is of critical importance for both security and the wider public infrastructure in today’s society.”— Per Norén, CEO, Ovzon.

Follow the preparations for the launch of Ovzon 3 and join the digital launch event at this direct link…

UPDATE: Rocket Lab will launch the TSUKUYOMI-I synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite for Japan-based Earth imaging company the Institute for Q-shu Pioneers of Space, Inc. (iQPS). The company is now targeting no earlier than December 15, 2023, UTC, with a two hour, daily window.

Original news posting…

Due to inclement weather conditions, Rocket Lab has rescheduled the Electron launch of the iQPS GEO payload to late Thursday (December 14th) from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand.

The Moon God Awakens’ is scheduled to launch from Pad B at Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand and will carry a single satellite for iQPS. Named after the Japanese God of the Moon, the QPSSAR- 5 satellite “TSUKUYOMI-I” is a synthetic-aperture radar satellite that will collect high-resolution images of Earth.

The satellite will join another iQPS satellite on-orbit that will ultimately be a 36-satellite constellation capable of monitoring Earth at specified points every 10 minutes.

This mission will be Rocket Lab’s 10th launch of 2023, exceeding the firm’s previous annual launch record of nine. ‘The Moon God Awakens’ will be Rocket Lab’s 42nd Electron launch, overall.

An FAA-licensed spaceport, Launch Complex 1 can provide up to 120 launch opportunities every year. From the site, it is possible to reach orbital inclinations from SSO through to 30 degrees, enabling a wide spectrum of inclinations to service the majority of the satellite industry’s missions to low Earth orbit.

Located within Launch Complex 1 are Rocket Lab’s private range control facilities, two 100K satellite cleanrooms, a launch vehicle assembly facility which can process multiple Electrons at once, and administrative offices. Operating a private orbital launch site alongside its own range and mission control centers allows Rocket Lab to reduce the overhead costs per mission, resulting in a cost effective launch service for satellite operators.

In addition to Launch Complex 1, Rocket Lab operates an additional launch site, Launch Complex 2, at the Mid- Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Launch Complex 2 can support up to 12 missions per year. By operating two launch complexes in two hemispheres, Rocket Lab provides customers with flexible, responsive launch opportunities.

The live stream of the launch will be viewable at this direct link…

Millennium Space Systems (MSS), a Boeing [NYSE: BA] company, has completed the space vehicle Critical Design Review (CDR) for its Epoch 1 space vehicles less than a year after award.

This effort is part of the Missile Track Custody (MTC) prototype project, awarded by Space Systems Command (SSC) through the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC). SSC’s SpEC program is managed by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL).

The successful completion of the CDR means that Millennium Space Systems is now authorized to start production on six space vehicles for SSC’s MTC Epoch 1 project. These space vehicles are scheduled for delivery and launch in late 2026.

The review for the full space segment of the program with a complete space vehicle and constellation design was done less than five months after the Preliminary Design Review, which was completed in just four months.

“Our team is thrilled to see how quickly this project is moving. I believe that using SpEC’s Other Transaction Authority (OTA) is the most efficient way of connecting the government with performers like Millennium Space Systems. SpEC’s OTA allows companies like Millennium to harness the potential to enact real change for our nation safety and in this case, in missile tracking technologies. The SpEC OTA’s efficiency continues to innovate as evident in the Epoch 1 Space Vehicle effort for SSC’s MTC program. The unique thing about SpEC is its partnerships that leverages flexibility and rapidness especially working within compressed timelines to deliver solutions to strengthen our nation’s Missile Warning/Missile Tracking technologies and safeguarding our national security.” — Mike Malinowski, Director of SpEC at NSTXL

Neumann Space has made known that Australian Government funding will enable the company to adapt the Neumann Drive® for an on-orbit demo mission with Spire Global.

Neumann Space is a founding partner of the Australian Space Manufacturing Network (ASMN) project led by Gilmour Space Technologies and made possible through funding under the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) Collaboration stream.

Neumann Space will use Australian Government funding received under this program to work together with Spire on this mission to rapidly adapt, integrate, launch and verify the performance of the next generation Neumann Drive® on-board one of Spire’s proven satellite platforms. The Neumann Drive® incorporates a unique propulsion technology that uses solid metallic propellant to enable superior mobility in space for satellites and spacecraft, including improved safety, efficiency, and the ability for it to be transported and stored fully fuelled and integrated.

To support the mission, Neumann Space and Spire Global signed an MoU to advance the development of better on-space propulsion for satellites. The MoU outlines the companies’ intent to collaborate on an on-orbit demonstration mission with the integration of the Neumann Drive® on a Spire smallsat.

Recently, Neumann Space launched the company’s second propulsion system into space and continues to invest in a dedicated program of on-orbit missions over the next 18 months to commercialize the firm’s technology.

“Mobility is integral to the success of the new space economy, and this underpins our mission with Spire to deliver a better, more advanced propulsion solution. We are excited about the opportunity the ASMN project has provided us to work together with Spire to further the development of this sovereign space technology and to tailor our technology to their needs in delivering greater knowledge and insights about Earth.” — Neumann Space’s CEO, Herve Astier

“We’re excited to continue to support and contribute to Australia’s space ecosystem by partnering with innovative organisations like Neumann Space to leverage our Space as a Service model to quickly and efficiently launch space missions that drive technological advancements.” — Jonathon Brain, APAC Regional Business Development Director for Space Services at Spire

HawkEye 360 Inc. is celebrating the firm’s inaugural satellite launch five years ago — the three Pathfinder satellites launched on December 3, 2018, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California — the mission pioneered using formation-flying satellites to offer commercial space-based RF detection over a broad range of frequencies.

UTIAS Space Flight Laboratory manufactured the satellites and remains an important technology partner. The Pathfinder satellites continue to collect data and independently pinpoint the geographical origin of RF signals – shedding light on previously undetected activities and unlocking new insights for humanitarian, environmental, defense, and national security applications. Given that HawkEye 360’s Pathfinder mission brought a new source of RF information to market, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum will place a model Pathfinder satellite on permanent display in the renovated galleries expected to open in 2026.

“HawkEye 360 was the first to deliver this type of commercial data, and we continue to lead the market in RF data and analytics,. As we celebrate, I’m grateful to our dedicated employees, partners, investors, and customers who have made these achievements possible. Together, we are making the world a safer and more secure place.” — HawkEye 360 CEO John Serafini

“The successful launch of our Pathfinder satellites marked a major milestone in our pursuit of becoming the world’s premier commercial RF intelligence provider. Today, as we mark the fifth anniversary of that successful launch, it’s amazing to reflect on all the accomplishments that we’ve achieved. With 21 satellites on orbit today, we can provide high accuracy, low latency RF intelligence to our global customers.” — HawkEye 360 VP of Space Lorin Metzger

Over the last five years, HawkEye 360 has grown tremendously from 30 to 175 staff members and opened a 19,000 sq. ft. satellite manufacturing and RF engineering development facility in Herndon, Virginia. From the initial start with three satellites, the company now has a constellation of 21 advanced RF sensing satellites detecting data globally. The company’s seven successful launch missions have significantly increased its collection bandwidth and revisit rates, reducing latency and expanding its frequency range to deliver the most accurate, actionable RF data available on the market.

Vector Space Biosciences, Inc., in collaboration with Oracle and NVIDIA, has a new smallsat launch platform designed for biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

The platform is powered by…

1) A biosciences lab

2) A CubeSat lab

3) A language modeling/AI lab that includes an ensemble of small, highly targeted, biological language modeling and large biological language modeling (LLMs), generative AI, protein sequence matching, vector databases and advanced visualizations.

This pipeline enables the development of countermeasures against diseases associated with stressors resulting from human spaceflight. Countermeasures not only protect humans in space but also double as new forms of precision medicine for all mankind.

Once a CubeSat is designed, developed, and launched, data is transmitted to ground stations, in collaboration with Microsoft Azure Space. This data is augmented with current biomedical data and preprocessed for language modeling. Feature vectors are extracted from the trained models and are used to construct real-time hidden relationship networks between genes, proteins, diseases, drug compounds and other biochemicals.

Data generated from these smallsats in space is of high-value, unique as well as powerful and can also enable new discoveries in the areas of drug discovery, development and design in addition to drug repurposing which has proven to be a vital area of discovery as shown by the recent example of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide), a weight loss drug, which has been shown to help patients lose an average of 15% of their weight, also reduced incidence of heart attack, stroke or death from heart disease by 20%.

“Without understanding how to protect and repair the human body during spaceflight, we simply won’t be establishing lunar bases or going to Mars anytime soon. However, if we focus on creating solutions in this area now, we can develop and repurpose new therapeutic applications in precision medicine that benefit all mankind, today. This is the focus of Vector Space Biosciences.” — Vector Space Biosciences founder and CEO, Kasian Franks

Vector Space Biosciences trades under the cryptocurrency symbol SBIO and enables payments via its subsidiary, Vectorspace AI and its utility token, VXV. Vector Space Biosciences, Inc., (SBIO), parent company of Vectorspace AI (VXV), along with its scientific collaborators, design, develop and launch biological small satellites (CubeSats) for purpose of generating and interpreting unique datasets related to microgravity and radiation. This leads to the development of countermeasures against diseases associated to stressors connected to protecting and repairing the human body during spaceflight. This includes using a network of scientific data engineering pipelines for building targeted language models resulting in real-time datasets which power Artificial Intelligence (AI) operations in space biosciences, biotechnology and pharmaceutical development. Working with leading scientific labs in the areas of human aging, cancer, and nutrigenomics, our goal is to accelerate the process of new hypothesis generation and novel discoveries in space biosciences, including materials sciences in the area of nanotechnology and nanomedicines. Developing advanced large and small language modeling/AI technologies, our platform is capable of producing more than 100,000,000,000 different real-time datasets for the purpose of accelerating discoveries. Innovations in space biosciences result in products and services for all industries, including the financial markets, more importantly, new forms of precision medicine for all humankind. Please visit us at vectorspacebio.science for more information.