Success on Friday, May 17 at 8:32 p.m. ET, as Falcon 9 launched 23 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the company’s 36th dedicated Starlink launch of the year and a record was broken.

For the first time in SpaceX’s rocket fleet, booster tail number B1062, was launched and recovered on its 21st flight. This rocket previously launched GPS III Space Vehicle 04, GPS III Space Vehicle 05, Inspiration4, Ax-1, Nilesat 301, OneWeb Launch 17, ARABSAT BADR-8, and now 14 Starlink missions.

The launch of Starlink 6-59 mission added 23 more satellites to the low Earth orbit internet constellation.

According to the most recent statistics published by expert orbital tracker and astronomer Jonathan McDowell, as of the morning of May 17, there were 6,017 total Starlink satellites on orbit and 5,941 in operation.

SpaceX’s Friday Cape Starlink smallsat launch weather permitting

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch a batch of Starlink communications satellites on Friday May 17 from Space Launch Complex 40 Cape Canaveral from 4:52 – 9:01 PM PDT.

Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. The Block 5 variant is the fifth major interval aimed at improving upon the ability for rapid reusability.

SpaceX schedules Friday for Starlink Group 6-59 launch

Photo captured on Tuesday, May 14, by Satnews from SpaceX video stream.

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch a batch of Starlink communications satellites on Friday May 17 from Space Launch Complex 40 Cape Canaveral from 4:52 – 9:01 PM PDT.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 80°F, overcast clouds, 99% cloud cover and a wind speed of 12mph.

Space Launch Complex 40 has witnessed the launch of 241 rockets, including 241 orbital launch attempts, while Cape Canaveral, FL, USA, has been the site for 952 rocket launches.

The cost is factored to be $52M.

SpaceX has launched 6436 Starlink satellites to date.

AT&T and AST SpaceMobile have entered a definitive commercial agreement to provide a space-based broadband network direct to everyday cell phones — this agreement extends until 2030. Previously the companies were working together under a Memorandum of Understanding.

This summer, AST SpaceMobile plans to deliver its first commercial satellites to Cape Canaveral for launch into LEO. These initial five satellites will enable commercial service that was previously demonstrated with several key milestones. These industry first moments during 2023 include the first voice call, text and video call via space between everyday smartphones.

The two companies have been on this path together since 2018. AT&T will continue to be a critical collaborator in this innovative connectivity solution. Chris Sambar, Head of Network for AT&T, will soon be appointed to AST SpaceMobile’s board of directors. AT&T will continue to work directly with AST SpaceMobile on developing, testing, and troubleshooting this technology to help make continental U.S. satellite coverage possible.

This is another key step on AT&T’s path to providing even more expansive connectivity on America’s largest wireless network¹ . There are many situations where dead zones outside will become a thing of the past thanks to the reach of a satellite solution providing two-way connectivity.

One day in the not-too-distant future, consumers will feel a greater peace of mind knowing they have connectivity in places like wilderness areas, including our national park land, rural highways, and other hard to reach locations around the country.

“Space-based direct-to-mobile technology is designed to provide customers connectivity by complementing and integrating with our existing mobile network,” said Jeff McElfresh, Chief Operating Officer, AT&T. “This agreement is the next step in our industry leadership to use emerging satellite technologies to provide services to consumers and in locations where connectivity was not previously feasible.”

“Working together with AT&T has paved the way to unlock the potential of space-based cellular broadband directly to everyday smartphones. We are thrilled to solidify our collaboration through this landmark agreement,” said Abel Avellan, AST SpaceMobile Founder, Chairman, and CEO. “We aim to bring seamless, reliable service to consumers and businesses across the continental U.S., transforming the way people connect and access information.“

¹ Based on comparison of carrier owned & operated networks. No AT&T on-net coverage in select countries, including Canada

Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP) has been selected by Lockheed Martin to produce 18 satellite buses for that firm’s recent Space Development Agency (SDA) Tranche 2 (T2) Tracking Layer contract.

Lockheed Martin will provide the SDA with 16 wide field-of-view missile warning/missile tracking space vehicles with infrared sensors and two vehicles with missile defense infrared sensors that can generate fire control-quality tracks to provide preliminary missile defense mission capabilities.  Each Lockheed Martin-built T2 Tracking Layer satellite will incorporate a Terran Orbital bus.

These state-of-the-art space vehicles will be manufactured at Terran Orbital’s advanced robotic space vehicle manufacturing facilities located in California. This award showcases Terran Orbital’s commitment to innovation and positions the company as a key player in building the next generation of proliferated warfighting constellations.

The T2 Tracking Layer will accelerate the capability to provide global, persistent indications, detection, warning, and tracking of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. It will also deliver preliminary missile defense capability by incorporating fire control quality sensors in the constellation.

“We’re proud to once again be selected as the trusted space vehicle provider for Lockheed Martin, especially for the SDA’s critical tracking mission,” said Marc Bell, Terran Orbital’s Co-Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer. “This continued partnership signifies the confidence Lockheed Martin places in Terran Orbital’s capabilities. We are excited to leverage our expertise and deliver these advanced space vehicles to support the SDA’s mission objectives.”

About Terran Orbital
Terran Orbital is a leading manufacturer of satellite products primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital provides end-to-end satellite solutions by combining satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations, and on-orbit support to meet the needs of the most demanding military, civil, and commercial customers.

Unseenlabs‘ space-based RF detection satellites engage in RF space-based detection that are specifically designed for maritime surveillance that improve the detection, tracking, and characterization of maritime activities by leveraging a fleet of 13 monosatellites, with four additional units slated for launch in 2024. These satellites have been pivotal in providing critical intelligence to combat illegal fishing, piracy, and other maritime threats, effectively covering vast areas at sea.

Building on this success, Unseenlabs is expanding its surveillance capabilities to include terrestrial and space environments in addition to maritime with its upcoming constellation. This new fleet will be comprised of advanced 150 kg satellites and is tailored to monitor a wider range of emissions across all domains, enhancing global security and compliance capabilities.

Unseenlabs’ patented RF monosatellite technology sets the company’s smallsats apart from more traditional, tri-satellite systems. The Unseen Labs approach allows a single satellite to perform RF intelligence collections independently, providing a resilient, cost-effective solution with significant operational savings. This technological edge ensures persistent, global coverage and continuous operation under any weather conditions, 24/7.

The 2026 constellation will capitalize on Unseenlabs’ proven monosatellite technology, extending the surveillance reach to include land and space, in addition to maritime. This expansion is designed to meet evolving global security needs, offering unprecedented coverage and detection capabilities of many more multidomain targets. On land, the constellation will track crucial emissions from devices such as satellite phones and jammers, while also enhancing existing maritime surveillance prowes

The effectiveness of Unseenlabs’ current constellation in maritime surveillance has demonstrated its capability to significantly reduce illegal activities and economic losses, particularly in the fishing industry, which suffers an estimated $36 billion annually due to illegal operations. Unseenlabs’ technology’s unique RF fingerprinting ability enables accurate identification and tracking of vessels, providing vital Intelligence for enforcement and conservation efforts.

Unseenlabs also serves a wide array of private sector stakeholders. These include insurers requiring accurate intelligence for risk assessment and claim management, shipowners in need of dependable vessel tracking, and companies in the oil & gas and offshore industries seeking advanced monitoring and security solutions.

With the introduction of its new constellation, Unseenlabs will continue to offer surveillance intelligence capabilities, interoperability with other EO systems, and rapid delivery of mission-critical intelligence with sub-kilometer accuracy. The firm’s solutions are designed for current needs and future challenges, thereby ensuring that Unseenlabs remains a leader in RF detection from space

Clément Galic, CEO & Cofounder of Unseenlabs, said, “The launch of our next-generation satellite constellation marks a pivotal moment in our journey. This expansion into terrestrial and space surveillance embodies our commitment to pioneering comprehensive global monitoring solutions. We are not just extending our reach; we are setting new standards for the industry.”

Jonathan Galic, Unseenlabs’ CTO and Cofounder, said, “Our new constellation will leverage cutting-edge monosatellite technology to deliver unparalleled accuracy and flexibility across multiple domains. With this next-generation capability, we will monitor and analyze RF emissions more efficiently than ever, ensuring swift and precise intelligence delivery in near real-time conditions.”

About Unseenlabs
Since its inception, Unseenlabs has been committed to innovation and excellence in RF detection surveillance. As the pioneer and global leader provider of RF monosatellite technology that has been space-proven, it delivers robust, future-ready solutions that are perfectly aligned with international security standards and strategic defense objectives. Unseenlabs’ ongoing advancements in satellite technology and data analysis reaffirm its pioneering status and dedication to enhancing global surveillance capabilities.

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.”