Agile Space Industries will be providing advanced propulsion technology for a variant of True Anomaly’s Jackal autonomous orbital vehicle (AOV).

Space security and sustainability missions require True Anomaly’s Jackal AOV to maneuver in any orbit. Propulsive efficiency is key to enabling mission flexibility so operators can “maneuver without regret,” knowing they will have ample propellant reserves for future maneuvers. In addition to efficiency, high thrust is imperative to minimize response time and maximize unpredictability to potential adversaries.

True Anomaly’s new, highly propulsive Jackal configuration will add to the company’s platform options to suit specific mission types. Agile is currently manufacturing the main engines, attitude control thrusters, propellant tanks, and other propulsion components that will be integrated into True Anomaly’s production line on an accelerated schedule to enable the company’s multi-orbit, high-acceleration, and high delta-V Jackal requirements.

True Anomaly was recently selected for a contract by Space Systems Command, a U.S. Space Force field command, for the VICTUS HAZE Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS) mission, which has a goal of demonstrating and proving how commercial capabilities can be used for future TacRS operations all while further enabling dynamic space operations.

In addition to the propulsion components, Agile will provide propellant logistics services, including procurement, handling, and spacecraft fuel-loading for the Jackal AOV that True Anomaly will launch as part of the VICTUS HAZE demonstration in 2025.

“Propulsion is at the heart of Jackal’s unique capabilities,” said True Anomaly CEO and Co-Founder, Even Rogers. “Agile’s hardware gives Jackal propulsive capability that has simply not been seen before in a spacecraft of this size. By combining efficiency and high thrust, we will empower operators with the agility needed to succeed in the demanding space environment.”

“Both Agile and True Anomaly are investing in the mission—it’s a true collaboration,” said Agile CEO, Chris Pearson. “The hardware being brought to market will benefit the wider space economy and is enabled by Agile’s strategic investments in advanced additive manufacturing and vertically integrated propulsion test capabilities.”

About Agile Space Industries
Agile Space Industries provides in-space propulsion solutions to enable our customers to reach their destinations faster and more efficiently to take advantage of the new space economy. Our industry leading propulsion design, metal 3D printing, and vacuum hot-fire testing capabilities are under one roof allowing us to provide a competitive edge for our government and industry customers.

About True Anomaly
True Anomaly builds innovative technology at the intersection of spacecraft, software, and AI to deliver solutions for space security, sustainability, and accessibility. The company empowers the U.S. government, its allies, and partners as well as the commercial space industry to lead safe, resilient operations on orbit to secure life on Earth..

Europe’s newest rocket soon launches, taking with it many space missions each with a unique objective, destination and team at home, cheering them on. Whether launching new satellites to look back and study Earth, peer out to deep space or test important new technologies in orbit, the European Space Agency’s Ariane 6’s first flight will showcase the versatility and flexibility of this impressive, heavy-lift launcher.

OOV-Cube (On Orbit Verification Cube) is a 25-by-25 cm nanosatellite that brings together unusual bedfellows: technology testing for wildlife tracking, the Internet of Things and more. Developed by the Technical University of Berlin and Berlin-based company RapidCubes, it will be launched into a low, circular orbit, just 580 km above Earth’s surface.

The mission is a single satellite, but it has several goals, experiments and demonstrations on board that could pave the way for new applications in the field of smallsat constellations.

“This mission has the potential to help with issues that are very important to people on Earth,” said Walter Frese, CEO of RapidCubes. “OOV-Cube will provide the scientific basis for reliable, energy-efficient communications on wildlife protection that are independent of infrastructure on the ground. In terms of conservation, it will also contribute to the technical research into how to prevent space debris. OOV-Cube will be the sixth satellite in a series I have been working on, and the most demanding so far in terms of its payloads. The moment the first data come down successfully brings up a lot of positive emotions. And for this mission, there’s the added pride that we are doing something important for the environment.”

By performing the first experimental demonstration of a ‘mioty’ high-performance Internet of Things communication protocol, OOV-Cube will test a technology that can be linked to miniaturized transmitters carried by animals, connecting them to scientists in real time. This would be particularly useful in remote areas without terrestrial infrastructure.

“Integrating our cloud detection network onto the machine learning hardware of OOV-Cube is a completely new experience,” said Alexander Balke, project manager of AITHER at TU Berlin. “I would have never dreamed that our work would now be launched into space in front of the whole world.“

The mission will also test image processing in orbit using Artificial Intelligence (AI) – an important and time-saving ability that would mean data on wildlife monitoring can be processed by the satellite in orbit, rather than later on the ground.

The satellite will also test and verify new cost-effective and efficient perovskite solar cells, verify a wide-angle camera with autofocus – a necessary prerequisite for docking maneuvers necessary for future service missions to refuel, repair or re-orbit satellites. Also important for future on-orbit service missions, OOV-Cube will verify an ‘L-band’ radio system for communications between satellites in low-Earth and geostationary orbits. 

Ariane 6 is planned to launch in June-July 2024. It follows the hugely successful Ariane 5, Europe’s principal rocket for more than a quarter century, flying 117 times between 1996 and 2023 from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana.

Ariane 6 has been designed for all possible futures. At its core is maximum versatility. It can put any satellite or payload into any orbital path. This is made possible with the new restartable Vinci engine that will power up the Ariane 6 upper stage again and again, stopping and starting to insert missions into any orbit they need to be. It will save enough fuel for a final burn to deorbit and reenter safely back through Earth’s atmosphere, or reorbit into a nearby ‘graveyard orbit’.

“We’re genuinely excited about this upcoming opportunity to fly on Europe’s new rocket, Ariane 6,” said Enrico Stoll, Chair of Space Technology at the Technical University of Berlin. “TU Berlin has a proven track record with 28 developed and operated satellites over the last decades, and the OOV-Cube mission holds special significance for us. It represents one of the first instances where we’ll be operating an experiment on a satellite developed by one of our spin-offs, RapidCubes, which adds a really interesting dimension to our experience in the field.”

It’s a go again for SpaceX’s 41st launch of the year and the 9th launch of the month. Weather was excellent for SpaceX’s 180th launch from Space Launch Complex 40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station making this the 305th Falcon orbital launch since Amos 6, F9’s 324th orbital flight.

This was also the 83rd launch dedicated to Starlink Gen 2 and 157th launch dedicated to Starlink overall.

Booster recovery on A Shortfall Of Gravitas (ASOG) located 615km downrange was successful and the 225th successful landing since the last failed one.

SpaceX Thursday launch ready to go

SpaceX is targeting Thursday, April 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 6:40 p.m. ET, with backup opportunities available until 10:40 p.m. ET. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Friday, April 19 starting at 6:18 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the seventh flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched ESA Euclid, Ax-2, Ax-3, CRS-30, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the A Shortfall of Gravitas droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Aerospacelab has acquired AMOS, known for their opto-mechanical systems that are widely used in space, astronomy and other industries.

With a unique approach to vertical integration, this acquisition will reinforce Aerospacelab and AMOS’ market reach and product offerings throughout the access to a wider range of solutions to meet the diverse needs of customers across various sectors including telecommunications, Earth Observation (EO), navigation, astronomy, scientific research and industry.

“This strategic acquisition represents a pivotal moment for both organizations as we combine our expertise, resources, and talents to accelerate technological advancements in satellite manufacturing and deployment,” said Benoit Deper, CEO of Aerospacelab. “Together, we aim to foster a culture of innovation that will drive the development of cutting-edge space technologies, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry. By leveraging the talent and resources of the AMOS team alongside Aerospacelab’s extensive products portfolio including turnkey satellites, satellite platforms, avionics and subsystems, the ultimate objective is to establish a path towards efficient and affordable access to space.”

“This new chapter of growth and innovation reaffirms our commitment to adaptability and embracing change in order to thrive in the dynamic business landscape,” said Damien Kaivers, CEO of AMOS. “We bring 40 years of deep expertise in a wide variety of critical optical technologies for space and ground applications. Together, we will explore clear synergies to craft innovative solutions to meet our customers’ needs and continue to strengthen the legacy business of AMOS such as professional astronomy, institutional space and test facilities.”

About Aerospacelab
Founded in 2018, Aerospacelab is an emerging figure in the aerospace sector, showcasing a remarkable achievement of 8 satellites successfully deployed in orbit. We pride ourselves on our dedication to vertical integration and TRL9 implementation, solidifying our commitment to driving innovation in the space industry. With our operations strategically placed in various locations, including the US, Aerospacelab remains steadfast in its mission to deliver pioneering solutions for our diverse customer community.

About AMOS
For more than 40 years, AMOS has been designing and building solutions in the fields of professional astronomy, space-based Earth Observation and scientific exploration, test systems and opto-mechanical solutions for laboratories and industry. Its main achievements are professional telescopes, space optical instruments, test equipment for space sensors, thermal-vacuum chambers, complex optomechanical and high-precision mechanical ground support equipment. It employs today about 100 employees highly skilled in advanced technologies. The company has a worldwide reputation for its professional telescopes, its optics manufacturing capabilities, and the performance of its optical systems. Next to its large customer base in Europe, United States, India or Chile, AMOS continues to expand its activities in other geographies such as Turkey to name but a few.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has returned a previously flown Electron rocket first stage tank into the Electron production line for the first time in preparation for reflying the stage — this step is a significant milestone in Rocket Lab’s development program to make Electron the world’s first, reusable, small orbital launch vehicle.

Rocket Lab has successfully recovered multiple Electron first stages from previous missions by returning them to Earth under a parachute after launch, splashing them down in the ocean, then collecting them onto a specially modified boat for transfer back to Rocket Lab’s production complex. All previously recovered boosters have undergone extensive analysis to inform an iterative development process to make Electron reusable, but this is the first time a tank has been moved back onto the standard production line in preparation for reflight.

The stage was successfully launched and recovered as part of the ‘Four of a Kind’ mission on January 31, 2024, and has already passed more acceptance tests than any other recovered Electron stage, including…

• Tank pressurization test – a process that filled the carbon composite tank with inert gas and held it in excess of maximum operating pressure for more than 20x longer than the standard Electron flight duration;
• Helium leak check – a stringent process that determines there are no leaks in the tank; and
• Carbon fiber structural testing – including ultrasonic assessment and other non-destructive tests to confirm no delamination of the carbon composite tank fibers.

The stage will now undergo final fit out and rigorous qualification and acceptance testing to the same standard as a brand-new Electron tank to determine the recovered stage’s suitability for reflight. Rocket Lab has carried out iterative modifications across multiple recovery missions to hone the recovery process ahead of first reflight, including…

• Ensuring Electron’s carbon composite structure survives the intense heat and forces of atmospheric reentry through innovative coatings, heat shields, and advanced reaction control systems to control the angle of reentry
• Refining the parachute system to ensure reliable deployment and smooth deceleration from more than 2,300 meters per second to 10 meters per second
• Honing the telemetry and tracking systems so the marine recovery team can locate the stage as soon as it splashes down
• Streamlining the process of collecting the stage from the water in less than an hour, then ensuring safe transit back to the Rocket Lab production complex; ad
• Successful launch of a previously flown Rutherford engine

The payload scheduled to launch on the recovered stage will be announced following the completion of final acceptance and qualification testing.

“Through an iterative development process, we have methodically perfected each step of Electron recovery while simultaneously continuing to increase our Electron production capacity and launch cadence. This is the exciting final piece of the puzzle before Electron goes reusable,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “Our key priority in pushing this stage back into the standard production flow for the first time is to ensure our systems and qualification processes are fit for accepting pre-flown boosters at scale. If this stage successfully passes and is accepted for flight, we’ll consider opportunities for reflying it in the New Year.”

Astranis has announced Omega which, according to the company, is pound-for-pound the most powerful communications satellite for a GEO satellite to ever offer, with more than over 50 Gbps in a smallsat form factor, with expectations for launch in 2026.

Astranis made their Omega announcement at the Space Symposium, currently in session in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Omega will fly an updated version of Astranis’s proprietary software-defined radio (SDR) which, when combined with other new payload technology, means a platform with more than 50 Gbps of dedicated, uncontended capacity.

For Astranis’ commercial customers, Omega will mean advanced capabilities and lower prices for, by combining new technology and leveraging the Astranis-built hardware currently operating on orbit. For Astranis’ U.S. government customers, Omega supports the Protected Tactical Waveform and other government waveforms to operate in contested environments. The satellite platform also has a gimballed Q-/V-band antenna, greatly improving operational flexibility, and can alternatively shift gateway traffic to a Ka-band payload feed when needed.

Astranis launched its first satellite in 2023 and has announced an additional nine programs launching over the next 18 months. The first Omega flight vehicle will be complete in 2025, and the first Omega satellite will launch in 2026.

“Omega is a leap forward,” said Astranis CEO John Gedmark, “offering an industry-best throughput per kg without sacrificing the things our customers love about Astranis. With Omega, our customers simply get more throughput at lower prices, faster than ever before. How did we do it? Speed. About half of our first satellite was built in house, the most recent satellites coming off of the line are closer to 60%, and Omega will be about 70% built in house. We have hired 300+ of the most talented engineers in the country, and we all feel an immense urgency to build great things to help connect our commercial customers and support the U.S. warfighter.”

Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has confirmed that six radio frequency geolocation smallsats developed for HawkEye 360 have successfully communicated with ground control — the HawkEye 360 Cluster 8 and 9 satellites were launched from Florida aboard the SpaceX Bandwagon-1 Rideshare mission.

The two new three-satellite clusters bring to 27 the total number of geolocation microsatellites developed by SFL for HawkEye 360, which integrated Cluster 8 at its own plant in Virginia under SFL’s Flex Production Program. For Cluster 9, which represents the next evolution and includes updated payload and platform features, SFL handled the entire process, including development, integration, and testing, at its Toronto facility.

HawkEye 360 selected SFL to develop its satellites due to the importance of attitude control and formation flying by multiple spacecraft for accurate RF signal geolocation. SFL has innovated compact, low-cost formation-flying technology at a maturity and price point that, according to the company, no other smallsat developer can credibly offer.

SFL built the HawkEye 360 Pathfinder satellites on its 15 kg NEMO platform. All subsequent clusters have been developed on the larger 30 kg SFL DEFIANT bus.

The HawkEye 360 constellation detects, characterizes and geolocates RF signals for a variety of communications, navigation, and security applications. Clusters 8 and 9 were launched in mid-inclination orbits to increase coverage over the busiest maritime traffic corridors at mid-latitudes, including the Indo-Pacific region, according to HawkEye 360.

Established in 1998, SFL has developed 76 operationally successful smaller satellite missions totaling more than 300 cumulative years in orbit. Another 20 missions are now under development by SFL, which offers a complete suite of nano-, micro- and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. For a comprehensive list of SFL high-performance satellite platforms, please access this direct infolink…

“SFL is proud to play a key role in the development of HawkEye 360’s space assets as it continues to expand and enhance its unparalleled space-based RF data detection and analytics capabilities,” said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee.

About Space Flight Laboratory (SFL)
SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches globally and maintains a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL is a key enabler to tomorrow’s cost-aggressive satellites and constellations.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) has successfully demonstrated a fully virtualized SATCOM ground system using Kratos’ OpenSpace^® Platform for the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T). With demonstration partners Telesat Government Solutions and Cobham Satcom, the three companies showed dynamic support of simultaneous communication pathways for resilient SATCOM at LEO.

LEO constellations are strategic to military operations, delivering connectivity with lower latency than a traditional GEO satellite. These capabilities will be increasingly important as future MILSATCOM networks must quickly adapt to multiple missions and multiple orbits. A virtualized ground system, such as OpenSpace, provides far greater resiliency and agility needed for these modern military operations, including multi-orbit, multi-mission support when compared to traditional, hardware-based systems. Kratos’ OpenSpace Platform is the industry’s only commercially available, fully software-defined satellite ground system.

The demonstration showed a flexible network architecture that allowed soldiers to connect Telesat’s LEO 3 satellite through Cobham antennas. Kratos’ OpenEdge^TM 2500 digitizer was integrated with Cobham’s Tracker 1300TT antenna, enabling standardized traffic (DIFI) to pass directly from Cobham’s digital-ready antenna through virtualized modems at the network’s edge to the LEO 3 satellite.

In future conflicts, it will be crucial to have multi-orbit operations seamlessly share information among military branches and international partners. Kratos has worked with several satellite service operators over the past year to test and verify functionality of OpenSpace as a gateway and edge platform at each of the major orbital belts, GEO, MEO and LEO. Kratos has successfully demonstrated the openness, flexibility and interoperability of OpenSpace in other satellite orbits, with other satellite operators and equipment partners.

Chris Badgett, Vice President of Technology for Kratos Space, said, “Every mission has different requirements for space connectivity requiring maximum flexibility to leverage multiple satellites, networks and network elements. Only a software-defined platform can provide the levels of adaptability at mission speed along with the openness to maximize available network resources. Both Telesat and Cobham are at the forefront in this digital transformation of satellite ground systems.”

Funding for this project was through the Network Cross-Functional Team (N-CFT) established by the Army Futures Command.

Tyvak International SRL, a Torino, Italy-based subsidiary of Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) and a leading European provider of nano and microsatellites, has announced a secured service subcontract for the European Defense Agency’s (EDA) Hub for EU Defense Innovation (HEDI) proof-of-concept prototype 2023. This groundbreaking project focuses on VLEO satellite exploration, marking a significant leap forward in military space technology.

The contract encompasses Phase A of the LEO to VLEO spacecraft, culminating in a Preliminary Design Review. Tyvak International will play a leading role within a consortium including prime contractor CNIT, collaborating with FlySight and Politecnico di Milano.

Tyvak International, leveraging its extensive experience in satellite design, development, and spaceflight heritage, will spearhead critical aspects of the project. This includes leading market analysis, identifying key components, defining requirements based on the business case, and ultimately assessing the feasibility of satellite development.

This contract underscores the commitment of Tyvak International to push the boundaries of satellite technology. The collaboration with the European Defence Agency extends to strategic applications encompassing Earth observation, in-space situational awareness, signal detection, and navigation warfare, ultimately advancing European defense capabilities.

“We are delighted to announce our participation in this significant EDA VLEO contract,” said Fabio Nichele, Chief Executive Officer of Tyvak International. “This collaboration presents a remarkable opportunity to leverage our expertise and innovative solutions to support the critical mission objectives of the European Defence Agency. By doing so, we will drive advancements in satellite technology and propel future defense capabilities.”

Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) has received a letter from Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry regarding an investment in Telesat Lightspeed.

The letter states that, following several months of negotiations between Telesat and federal officials, the Government of Canada (GoC) is prepared to invest C$2.14 billion in Telesat Lightspeed by way of a loan to Telesat LEO Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Telesat, that is developing and will own and operate the Telesat Lightspeed LEO global broadband satellite constellation.

The loan will carry a floating interest rate that is 4.75% above the Canadian Overnight Repo Rate Average (CORRA) with a 15-year maturity. Interest is payable in-kind during the Telesat Lightspeed construction period, followed by a 10-year sculpted amortization. Furthermore, Telesat LEO Inc. will provide the GoC with warrants for 10% of the common shares of Telesat LEO based upon an equity valuation for Telesat LEO of US$3 billion.

“Telesat Lightspeed is a highly innovative and disruptive global broadband network and the largest space program in Canada’s long and distinguished history as a space faring nation,” said Dan Goldberg, Telesat’s President and CEO. “I am delighted with the engagement we have had with the Government of Canada on this flagship program, which will help bridge the global digital divide, create and sustain thousands of high-quality jobs in Canada, spur domestic innovation, investment and exports, and ensure that Canada is at the forefront of the rapidly growing New Space Economy. The Government of Canada has been a strong supporter of the Telesat Lightspeed program and we applaud their leadership and foresight. We estimate that, in addition to the roughly $2 billion of capital cost savings, we will realize roughly $750 million of savings in reduced borrowing costs relative to the original Telesat Lightspeed program. Telesat Lightspeed will revolutionize broadband connectivity for enterprise and government users and represents a highly compelling growth and value creation opportunity for Telesat and its stakeholders.”

The GoC investment is subject to certain conditions, including the entry of definitive documentation with the GoC and Telesat’s other financing sources to the GoC’s satisfaction.