Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a launch and space systems company, has been selected by Inmarsat Government as partner to develop and manufacture an L-band radio in support of NASA’s Communications Services Project (CSP). CSP seeks to accelerate the development of commercial near-Earth communications services by partnering with satellite communications (SATCOM) providers. Rocket Lab will help enable Inmarsat’s InCommand, a real-time, near-Earth telemetry, command, and control (TT&C) service for satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO) for the CSP with the Company’s new Frontier-L radio connecting to Inmarsat’s ELERA global L-band network in geosynchronous orbit (GEO).

As NASA prepares to decommission the agency’s owned and operated Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) system, which has provided communication for the Hubble Space Telescope, the International Space Station, and numerous NASA’s Earth-observation satellites, the CSP aims to tap into commercial satellite communications services to ensure future NASA missions have similar reliable, secure, and high-performance space relay capabilities.

Rocket Lab’s Frontier-L radio is a transmitter that will support Inmarsat Government’s demonstrations of a variety of TT&C applications, enabled by Inmarsat’s ELERA worldwide L-band network, including Launch and Early Operations Phase (LEOP), ubiquitous command and control, real-time tasking, and contingency operations for satellites in LEO orbits.

“Rocket Lab and Inmarsat Government both share a culture of innovation, pioneering technology and delivering reliable mission success, so we’re honored to be working together to support NASA in this vital project to enable major missions of the future,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “We look forward to building on the strong heritage of our Frontier radios by supporting Inmarsat’s world-renowned satellite network and leading capabilities providing satcom as a service.”

Frontier-L join’s Rocket Lab’s existing line of radios including the software-defined telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) S-band Frontier-S and X-band Frontier-X radios which can support near Earth and deep space missions. Based on the Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Lab (APL) Frontier Radio, Frontier-L packs Deep Space Network (DSN) and other typical waveforms (SN, KSAT, SSC) into a compact package with up-screened commercial components for high reliability applications. The family of Frontier by Rocket Lab radios includes extended functionality not typically available in a low-cost radio including a coherent transponder to enable radiometric navigation methods, precision timekeeping functions, forward error correction (FEC) encoding and decoding, and a hardware based critical command decoder (CCD).

Steve Gizinski, President, Inmarsat Government, said, “Inmarsat Government has joined with major space-based industry suppliers to demonstrate the capabilities of Inmarsat’s ELERA global, reliable satellite network, including for NASA’s Communications Services Project and Rocket Lab is a key partner for us. Rocket Lab’s Frontier-L radio will leverage InCommand on the ELERA network as an important new capability for ubiquitous command and control to enhance the operation of low Earth orbit spacecraft. This will enable new communications services for industry and government alike.”

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. will attempt to catch an Electron rocket with a helicopter as it returns to Earth from space during the firm’s next launch.

Rocket Lab’s 32nd Electron launch, the “Catch Me If You Can” mission, is scheduled to launch from Pad B at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 during a launch window opening on November 04, UTC. Electron will carry a science research satellite by space systems provider OHB Sweden for the Swedish National Space Agency (SNSA). The Mesospheric Airglow/Aerosol Tomography and Spectroscopy (MATS) satellite is the basis for the SNSA’s science mission to investigate atmospheric waves and better understand how the upper layer of Earth’s atmosphere interacts with wind and weather patterns closer to the ground. MATS was originally due to fly on a Russian launch service before the mission was manifested on Rocket Lab’s Electron.

“Catch Me If You Can” will see Rocket Lab attempt to capture the rocket’s first stage mid-air with a helicopter as it returns from space. Using a modified Sikorsky S-92 helicopter to catch and secure the rocket by its parachute line, Rocket Lab will bring the captured stage back to its Auckland Production Complex to be processed and assessed by engineers and technicians for possible re-use.

This Electron recovery effort follows the catch of an Electron first stage during Rocket Lab’s first helicopter recovery attempt on the “There And Back Again” launch in May, and the recovery attempt for this mission will follow the same concept of operations as the previous launch.

Rocket Lab CEO and founder, Peter Beck, said, “Our first helicopter catch only a few months ago proved we can do what we set out to do with Electron, and we’re eager to get the helicopter back out there and advance our rocket reusability even further by bringing back a dry stage for the first time.”

Shortly before lift-off, the customized Sikorsky S-92 recovery helicopter will deploy to the capture zone at sea, approximately 160 nautical miles off New Zealand’s Banks Peninsula. Once launched, Electron’s first and second stages will separate at approximately T+2:32 minutes into the mission. The MATS payload will continue to orbit onboard the rocket’s second stage while Electron’s first stage descends back to Earth.

At this point in the mission, Electron’s return is expected to reach speeds of up to 8,300 km. (5,150 mph) and temperatures of up to 2,400 degrees C (4,352 F). At approximately T+7:20 minutes after lift-off, Electron’s first parachute will deploy followed shortly after by the rocket’s main parachute. The double deployment of parachutes helps to slow the returning first stage to 0.4% of its top speed during descent: from 8,300 km. per hour to just 36 km. per hour.

As Electron enters the capture zone, Rocket Lab’s recovery helicopter will match the rocket’s speed and descent from above, attempt to secure the trailing parachute engagement line to the helicopter via a hook at the end of a long line. Once captured and secured, Electron will be transported back to Rocket Lab’s Auckland Production Complex. There, technicians will receive and prepare the stage for inspection to assess its suitability for re-use.

Delivered in less than 15 months by prime contractor Millennium Space Systems, a Boeing company, Tetra-1 is an experimental satellite designed for a variety of prototype missions in and around geostationary orbit, or GEO. The launch marks a new era for the Space Force, as it focuses on building and fielding new capabilities faster than in the past.

“The threat to our space systems is real. Speed is critical in developing advanced capabilities to stay ahead and, if necessary, defeat the threat.” said Col Joseph J. Roth, Innovation and Prototyping senior materiel leader for the U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command. “Tetra-1 is a great example of how a small company, and an innovative contracting approach, authorized by Congress, came together, and delivered an advanced satellite in record time.”

The small sat, about the size of a large dorm-room refrigerator, will help Space Force operators develop tactics, techniques, and procedures for Department of Defense missions.

Tetra-1 was the pacesetting first prototype awarded under Space Systems Command’s other transaction authority, or OTA, called the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC), that seeks to speed up procurements and diversify industry partnerships.

Building Smarter

To move fast on development and production of Tetra-1, Millennium Space Systems pulled its expertise from a variety of programs, including the GEO ALTAIR Pathfinder satellite that launched in 2017.

“It is important for SSC to deliver capabilities on time and within budget,” said Roth. “It is also important for the commercial space sector to continue to innovate and help drive down costs.”

“We’re known for delivering systems fast,” said Jason Kim, chief executive officer of Millennium Space Systems. “Our innovation is enabled by the fact that we build 80 percent of our components in-house. That lets us design, build and deliver a completely new satellite in a very short timeline.”

Small Sats, Layered Architecture

The Defense Department’s embrace of Tetra and other small satellites is being driven by the need to introduce resilient satellite systems and architectures to counter the Great Power competition. That’s because large, costly, exquisite satellite systems such as the Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) — the fifth one was launched in mid-2021 and cost about $1 billion — are increasingly vulnerable to outright attack, which is a capability Russia demonstrated in November when it destroyed one of its own satellites with an anti-satellite missile.

“What we’re seeing is that some of the high-value asset missions that we’ve traditionally done in the past are being envisioned for large constellations of small satellites instead,” said Kim. “There are some benefits to the large constellations of small satellites in that the unit price point of each small satellite has gone down over the years. That lends itself to more affordability. And we’re now building these small satellites much faster and more efficiently, providing schedule savings.”

Use of small sats in a layered architecture spread across low-Earth orbit, medium-Earth orbit, and GEO will let the DoD quickly reconstitute capabilities should certain satellites become inoperative. For instance, loss of one SBIRS satellite in its five-satellite constellation could leave a major gap in missile-warning coverage. Conversely, loss of a few satellites in a larger constellation of dozens of satellites will only incrementally degrade capabilities and can be replaced in a faster fashion.

“Distributing the space architecture will help us build resiliency over time so that there’s not a single point of failure anywhere,” explained Roth. “We’re focused on making our systems and architectures more resilient and robust so if something happens, the Space Force can still perform the mission without fail.”

SatixFy Communications Ltd. (“SatixFy”) has completed its previously-announced business combination with Endurance Acquisition Corp. (“Endurance”) following the approval of the business combination by Endurance’s stockholders on October 25, 2022, and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

In addition, on October 24, 2022, Endurance and SatixFy entered into a previously disclosed OTC Prepaid Forward Purchase Agreement that calls for purchase and resale of up to 10 million class A shares, subject to the terms and conditions therein. SatixFy has agreed to register the offer and resale of such shares.

Following the business combination, David Ripstein will continue in his role as SatixFy’s CEO, Yoav Leibovitch will serve as Executive Chairman, and Endurance’s CEO Richard Davis will join SatixFy’s Board of Directors.

The combined company’s shares and warrants are expected to begin trading on the NYSE American under the symbols “SATX” and “SATX WSA,” respectively, starting tomorrow, Friday, October 28, 2022.

“This is an exciting time for the satellite communications industry, with the emergence of LEO mega-constellations creating a massive opportunity for SatixFy’s next-generation technologies,” said David Ripstein, CEO of SatixFy. “Our unique chips, antennas and satellite payloads are critical for scaling the performance of the new satellites while reducing their operational costs, making ‘everywhere, all-the-time’ communications practical for diverse types of customers and application. We are confident that this will drive growth for SatixFy, and create significant value and transparency for our existing and new customers.”

“Antarctica Capital and the Endurance team are looking forward to continuing our work with SatixFy as they begin this exciting new chapter,” said Richard Davis, Managing Director of Antarctica Capital, CEO of Endurance and now a member of SatixFy’s Board of Directors. “SatixFy’s unique technology is a key enabler for next generation satellite communications, and its new platform as a publicly-traded company gives it the financial strength needed to close business with the industry’s largest players.”

SatixFy develops end-to-end next-generation satellite communications systems, including satellite payloads, user terminals and modems, based on powerful chipsets that it develops in house. SatixFy’s products include modems that feature Software Defined Radio (SDR) and Fully Electronically Steered Multi Beam Antennas (ESMA) that support the advanced communications standard DVB-S2X. SatixFy’s innovative ASICs improve the overall performance of satellite communications systems, reduce the weight and power requirements of terminals and payloads, and save real estate for gateway equipment. SatixFy’s advanced VSATs and multi-beam fully electronically steered antenna arrays are optimized for a variety of mobile applications and services, using LEO, MEO and GEO satellite communications systems, for aero/in-flight connectivity systems, communications-on-the-move applications, satellite-enabled Internet-of-Things, and consumer user terminals. SatixFy is headquartered in Rehovot, Israel with additional offices in the US, UK and Bulgaria.

In mid-March this year, Beyond Gravity (formerly RUAG Space) was awarded a contract by United Launch Alliance (ULA)to develop and deliver the dispenser system for Amazon’s planned satellite constellation, Project Kuiper.

Project Kuiper aims to provide affordable, high-speed broadband connections around the world. Now, ULA has also awarded Beyond Gravity the contract to supply 38 payload fairings for the Vulcan rockets. These will protect the Amazon satellites from launch to deployment. To handle the volume, Beyond Gravity is doubling its production capacity in the U.S. and is working with ULA to build a new manufacturing facility at its site in Decatur, Alabama, by early 2024, creating 200 additional jobs, The 38 payload fairings for ULA will be manufactured at Beyond Gravity’s site in Decatur, Alabama. The new building measures more than 250,000 square feet of space, including 30,000 square feet of warehouse along with 20,000 square feet for offices and will initiate operations in early 2024.

Fast, affordable internet worldwide — this is the promise of Amazon’s planned Kuiper satellite constellation, which aims to put 3,236 satellites into LEO. Back in March, Beyond Gravity secured a major contract directly from Amazon to develop and manufacture the customized, scalable dispenser systems. Beyond Gravity was also awarded the contract for the delivery of 38 shipsets to U.S. rocket builder United Launch Alliance (ULA) for its Vulcan rockets that will take Amazon’s Kuiper constellation into space. A shipset is comprise of three composite structures, which include a payload fairing (the top of the launch vehicle protecting the satellites on their way into orbit), the heat shield that protects the launch vehicle from the heat generated by the engine during launch, plus an interstage adapter that interfaces to the launcher’s upper stage.

Since 2015, ULA and Beyond Gravity have had a strategic partnership for the production of composite structures for the Atlas V rocket as well as the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle.

André Wall, CEO of Beyond Gravity, said, “I am very proud that the Vulcan launch vehicles that will carry the Kuiper constellation into space rely on our leading-edge and proven technology in the field of composite structures. This contract with ULA marks the next chapter in our long-standing partnership and further strengthens and expands our presence in the U.S.”

Paul Horstink, who heads the Launchers Division as Executive Vice President, said, “Beyond Gravity has fantastic people with a high level of commitment and a clear focus on the needs of our customers. With this new facility, Beyond Gravity will move to the next level: from producing a total of 10 payload fairings in Decatur per year to a target of 25. Also, Beyond Gravity’s workforce in the U.S. will grow from just over 200 today to an expected 400 employees.”

“We have a long history of a strong partnership with Beyond Gravity and look forward to continuing the great work as we increase our launch rate for our Vulcan launch vehicle,” said Tory Bruno, CEO of ULA.

Recently, SI Imaging Services (SIIS) expanded their SAR imagery smallsats offerings via a new partnership agreement with SkyFi, giving that company access to SIIS’s VHR Korean Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT) images.

SIIS is the sales representative of KOMPSAT series 2, 3, 3A, and 5. It contributes to the remote sensing and Earth Observation (EO) industries by supplying VHR optical and SAR satellite imagery through 160 partners worldwide.

KOMPSAT was developed under the Korean National Space Program by Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI). Customers from industries and governments use KOMPSAT imagery for their missions and research, such as defense, disaster monitoring, mapping, urban planning, agriculture, and so on.

The current marketplace for satellite imagery is convoluted and expensive. Typically, purchasers unable to spend six figures for images are shut out of the market. Those who can muster the minimum budget must negotiate with sales representatives and often find it difficult to nail down a firm price. SkyFi provides a special platform which empowers individuals and organizations to browse images, self-select the ones they want, pay a reasonable, transparent fee, and receive their photos in a few days.

Incorporating SIIS’s KOMPSAT data into its in-network constellation gives SkyFi additional, LEO image sources as well as access to their partner’s archive of existing photos. More images in a larger library translates to more choices and more precision for end-users. The ability to market the existing imagery is instrumental in their mission to democratize EO and simplify the way businesses and individuals purchase satellite photos by making them available through a user-friendly marketplace accessible by desktop computer and mobile device.

“SkyFi is extremely excited to partner with SIIS, a leader in the industry with earth observation solutions,” said SkyFi Chief Executive Officer, Luke Fischer. “With SIIS’s very high-resolution satellite imagery, SkyFi will be able to provide consumers of all types with a superior product. SIIS and SkyFi share a vision of establishing transparency to the earth observation industry and are excited to bring this vision to consumers.”

“Through the partnership with SkyFi, SIIS expects more visibility and accessibility of our very high-resolution KOMPSAT imagery for a broader customer base across various sectors,” said Moongyu Kim, CEO of SIIS. “SkyFi’s platform gives innovative and intuitive user experiences to customers in acquiring satellite images from various providers without forcing them to wade through any (space) jargon.”

Solstar Space (Solstar) and their Deke Space Communicator will provide a cost-effective and easy communications solution to support end-of-life decommissioning of spacecraft. When installed on satellites prior to initial launch, the Solstar Deke Space Communicator will give satellite operators persistent communications with LEO assets, even when out of range of ground stations.

“When installed on space-based assets prior to launch, Deke Space Communicators will make it simple for satellite operators and constellation owners to communicate with spacecraft to comply with regulations aimed at managing space debris. In addition, it can provide timely connectivity that supports anomaly resolution actions and collision avoidance maneuvers,” said Brian Barnett, CEO, Solstar Space. “Any organization launching spacecraft into low earth orbit has a responsibility to ensure there are redundant systems onboard for monitoring, managing, and deorbiting assets throughout the lifecycle. This will become a necessity as LEO becomes increasingly congested.”

“With the Deke Space Communicator designed into spacecraft during manufacturing, it provides a method for deorbiting LEO assets at the end-of-life, thereby avoiding creation of even more space debris in the future. This small, lightweight, and reliable communications solution is straightforward to add to any spacecraft. It will provide a narrowband connection designed to allow satellite operators to issue commands immediately instead of waiting for a ground station to come into view of the satellite. This instantaneous communications path provides peace of mind and ensures long-term security for LEO spacecraft,” said Paul Frey, Director, Product Development, Solstar Space. “Earlier prototypes of the Deke Space Communicator demonstrated persistent communications aboard Blue Origin New Shepard and sounding rocket flights. Providing a plug and play solution that will safeguard the future of spaceflight and space exploration by helping to manage space debris is a central mission for our crew here at Solstar.”

The Exploration Company has selected Benchmark Space Systems propulsion system to power their ‘Mission Possible’ demonstrator flight.

Under a collaborative agreement, Benchmark and The Exploration Company will work together to develop an innovative propulsion system that will use non-toxic, high-test, peroxide propellant, in line with The Exploration Company’s long-term commitment towards reusability and sustainability. The system will be based on Benchmark’s flight-proven Halcyon Avant propulsion system, featuring Benchmark’s 22N “Ocelot” bi-propellant (HTP + IPA) thrusters.

Benchmark will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, verification and delivery of the propulsion equipment and assemblies, such as the thruster assembly and the propellant tanks.

The Exploration Company will be responsible for the design, verification and qualification of the overall propulsion system, including the coordination of the interface between the demonstration capsule ‘Nyx’ and the propulsion system.

The Exploration Company scheduled its launch of the demonstration Mission Possible in 2024 with the main objective to perform a safe re-entry of the capsule that will host payloads from first customers. Moreover, the target is to perform a safe splash-down in the ocean, including recovery.

“We are thrilled to bring our proven non-toxic propulsion solutions to power The Exploration Company’s upcoming in-orbit vehicle demonstrator mission,” said Ryan McDevitt, Chief Executive Officer at Benchmark Space Systems.

“Thanks to the collaboration with Benchmark Space Systems, we will be able to test our technology in a real environment that allows us to accelerate and de-risk our technology roadmap,” said Jon Reijneveld, Chief Engineer at The Exploration Company. “The propulsion system that will be developed for the demonstration mission will lower the barriers for the planned maiden flight of our orbital vehicle Nyx Earth.”

Rocket Lab USA, Inc.’s Electron rocket has arrived at Launch Complex 2 within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia to launch the company’s first mission from U.S. soil.

The mission will deploy satellites for radio frequency (RF) geospatial analytics provider HawkEye 360. The launch pad was developed to support Electron missions from U.S. soil for government and commercial customers. Encouraged by NASA’s recent progress in certifying its Autonomous Flight Termination Unit (NAFTU) software, which is required to enable Electron launches from Virginia, Rocket Lab has scheduled the mission from Launch Complex 2 to occur in December of 2022.

Rocket Lab will now start final launch preparations that includes a standard launch dress rehearsal and payload integration at th company’s dedicated Integration and Control Facility near the launch site.

Launch Complex 2 (pictured below) supplements Rocket Lab’s existing site, Launch Complex 1, in New Zealand, from which 31 Electron missions have already launched. The two launch complexes combined can support more than 130 launch opportunities every year, delivering flexibility for rapid, responsive launch for government and commercial satellite operators. The launch pad and production complex for Rocket Lab’s large reusable Neutron launch vehicle will also be located at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, streamlining operations across small and large launch opportunities.

The mission will be the first of three Electron launches for HawkEye 360 in a contract that will seethe firm deliver 15 satellites to LEO between late 2022 and 2024. These missions will grow the number of HawkEye 360’s constellation of RF monitoring satellites, enabling the firm to better deliver precise mapping of RF emissions anywhere in the world. Supporting Rocket Lab’s vertical integration strategy, Rocket Lab will also supply HawkEye 360 with separation systems produced by Planetary Systems Corporation, a Maryland-based space hardware company acquired by Rocket Lab in December 2021.

“We are looking forward to seeing Electron take to Virginia skies for the first time very soon,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “Rocket Lab has been providing reliable and responsive access to orbit for more than four and a half years with Electron and we’re excited to build on that strong heritage by unlocking a new path to orbit from right here on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. We are delighted to be working with the dedicated teams at NASA, Virginia Space, Accomack County and HawkEye 360 to launch this historic mission and begin a new era of space access.”

AAC Clyde Space’s has shipped the smallsat IOD-3 Amber to the launch site at Cornwall Spaceport where it has been prepared for launch on a Virgin Orbit launch vehicle, the first ever launch from UK soil — the launch is planned to take place before year-end.

IOD-3 Amber forms part of the Satellite Applications Catapult’s In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) program, which supports UK businesses to rapidly develop and launch a satellite data service into orbit. The 6U cubesat has been developed by the Satellite Applications Catapult, Horizon Technologies, the UK Space Agency and was designed and built by AAC Clyde Space.

This satellite is designed for communication missions and carries Horizon Space Technologies’ AMBER Payload, dedicated to delivering Maritime Domain Awareness intelligence data. It is highly integrated and uses in-built precision engineered avionics with decades of heritage from AAC Clyde Space’s widely used subsystems.

IOD-3 Amber will be able to locate and track vessels worldwide by geolocating and demodulating RF signals in a system that can be used to fight piracy, illegal trans-shipments, illegal fishing, and refugee smuggling, but can also be used for other purposes such as detecting and tracking a variety of RF emitters. The satellite will be the first of more than 20 in Horizon’s planned Amber constellation.

“The entire team at Horizon Technologies applauds this critical step in our path to orbit. We have been working closely with AAC Clyde Space and the Satellite Applications Catapult for many months now, and it’s great to see that our customers are now closer to receiving the unique dataset from the Amber constellation,” said John Beckner, CEO of Horizon Technologies

“This inaugural launch illustrates the strength of the UK space industry, placing several domestically developed cutting edge small satellites into orbit. AAC Clyde Space is proud to have a central role in the UK’s development of a sustainable, commercial small satellite launch market,” said AAC Clyde Space CEO, Luis Gomes.

“Glasgow is a global hub of small satellite manufacturing, pioneered by companies like AAC Clyde Space and supported by a thriving sector across the country. We’re building a sustainable, commercial launch market to give these companies access to space from UK soil and catalyse investment from all over the world. As we countdown to the first launch from Spaceport Cornwall, it’s very encouraging and exciting to see British-built satellites, including IOD-3 Amber, beginning their journey to orbit from the UK,” said Ian Annett, Deputy CEO of the UK Space Agency.