Featured

Space42 is the newly-established combination of Abu Dhabi’s Al Yah (YahSat) and Bayanat AI, which operates the Thuraya fleet of satellites. Its latest, Thuraya 4, was launched on January 3rd into its transfer orbit and is on its way to a location at 44 degrees East. The company says that Thuraya 4 has a firm backlog of $799 million the company states they are looking to launch Direct-to-Device services with a new LEO constellation.

The new craft will replace Thuraya 2 which was launched in 2003 and still remains in service. However, Thuraya 3, launched in 2008, suffered a power anomaly which has meant lower revenues from the craft.

Ali Al Hashemi, chief executive of Space42’s Yahsat Space Services division, said the company’s ambition is to become a global, non-terrestrial leader and to establish direct-to-device and IoT connections.

Initially these services would be simple Text and short-message services using the company’s geostationary satellites, and tap into 20 MHz of spectrum for D2D. Al Hashemi has said Space42 will move cautiously into the market but is convinced the business case is valid.

Rocket Lab National Security LLC has successfully completed the company’s Preliminary Design Review (PDR) for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta (T2TL-Beta) program — this milestone marks a critical step in Rocket Lab’s mission as a prime contractor to deliver 18 advanced, data transport satellites for the U.S. Department of Defense’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).

Some of the initial Planet imagery of the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County are published below, courtesy of Planet Labs PBC.

• 50 cm resolution SkySat imagery of the Palisades fire, dated January 8, 2025.

• 3m resolution PlanetScope imagery of the Eaton fire, dated January 6 and 8, 2025. Processed in false color NIR. 

Eutelsat Group (Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) has selected Airbus Defence and Space to build the extension of the company’s OneWeb LEO constellation.

Exolaunch is ready for its next major launch: the Bandwagon-2 Rideshare mission with SpaceX — this launch will build upon the success of the inaugural Bandwagon mission that occurred earlier this year, and Exolaunch will once again integrate and deploy satellites into orbit for a diverse range of international customers. The Bandwagon-2 mission is scheduled to lift off no earlier than December of 2024 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Bandwagon-2 is a unique, mid-inclination rideshare mission, offering a rare orbital opportunity for diverse satellite deployments. As part of this mission, the launch campaign at Vandenberg Space Force Base is currently underway for Exolaunch’s roster of 22 customer satellites, including 15 cubesats and 7 microsatellites. Exolaunch’s customers represent a broad spectrum of space exploration, with missions originating from countries including Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Djibouti, Finland, Mongolia, and the United States.

This is Exolaunch’s seventh mission in 2024, after successfully deploying 83 satellites into orbit across the Bandwagon-1, Transporter-10, and Transporter-11 Rideshare missions with SpaceX, two dedicated missions with Rocket Lab, and ESA’s Ariane 6 maiden flight.

Exolaunch’s flight-proven satellite separation hardware will play a critical role in this mission. The CarboNIX microsatellite separation rings and EXOpod Nova deployers will ensure the safe and reliable deployment of over 700 kg of customer payloads into orbit. Additionally, Exolaunch will fly its versatile EXOport adapter, enabling the accommodation and deployment of multiple customer satellites on a single launch.

Known for their lightweight yet robust designs, these systems offer unmatched precision and safety during satellite deployments, minimizing shock and vibration to ensure payload integrity. These systems are engineered to perform in the most demanding space environments, renowned for their reliability and effectiveness across numerous missions. Exolaunch’s continuous innovation in satellite separation technology solidifies its leadership in the smallsat launch segment, delivering trusted solutions to customers worldwide.

Exolaunch provides comprehensive launch procurement and top-tier mission management expertise, ensuring seamless operations from start to finish. From the initial contract to final deployment, Exolaunch guides customers through the complexities of their launch planning, global shipping and logistics for sensitive space hardware, managing regulatory compliance, integration, and more. With a decade of experience in managing high-stakes satellite missions, Exolaunch is a trusted partner in navigating the technical, logistical, and legal challenges of getting payloads into space. This all-inclusive service guarantees that customer satellites are delivered safely and on time, ready for integration and launch.

“We’re honored to work with SpaceX on the mid-inclination Bandwagon-2 mission. Our long-standing relationship has been instrumental in Exolaunch’s growth, and this mission demonstrates our commitment to pushing the boundaries of global access to space,” said Robert W. Sproles, chief executive officer at Exolaunch. “With each mission, we continue to raise the bar for satellite integration and deployment, and we’re proud to support the innovative and impactful work of our new and existing customers flying on Bandwagon-2.”

LKD Aerospace and Scanway have announced their firms have entered into a new strategic partnership — this collaboration aims to enhance Earth Observation (EO) capabilities through advanced imaging systems and innovative satellite solutions.

Scanway specializes in providing optical payloads for EO)and other remote sensing applications designed for a range of small satellites, including nano and micro configurations. Their innovative camera systems feature multifunctional modules that enable self-diagnostics and self-inspection, allowing for real-time monitoring of space infrastructure.

This capability is crucial for detecting degradation levels, faults, and anomalies in space equipment, thereby optimizing mission success and longevity. In addition, they can be used in such applications as space situational awareness, docking missions, space exploration, etc.

The partnership leverages Scanway’s extensive expertise in customizable and athermal telescope systems, designed to meet diverse mission requirements. These advanced systems support critical applications in object classification and military operations and also play a vital role in monitoring natural disasters, climate change, and supporting agricultural and urban development initiatives.

Scanway’s innovative approach to optical payload design allows for scalability and integration across various platforms, ensuring that clients can tailor their solutions to fit specific mission goals. This flexibility is a significant advantage in an ever-evolving aerospace landscape.

As both companies continue to innovate and collaborate, they are committed to providing innovative solutions that not only enhance satellite performance but also contribute to global sustainability efforts. Thanks to Star Linker who supports Scanway in business development activities in the U.S., an agreement has been signed between LKD and Scanway, paving the way for a strengthened partnership focused on these shared goals.

“We are thrilled to partner with Scanway, whose commitment to modularity and adaptability aligns perfectly with LKD Aerospace’s vision for the future of satellite technology,” said Len McNally, VP Sales / PGM at LKD Aerospace. “Together, we aim to push the boundaries of Earth observation capabilities, providing our clients with unparalleled insights into our planet’s dynamics.”

“We’re confident that this partnership will transform how we observe and engage with our planet,” said Mikołaj Podgórski, Chief Operating Officer at Scanway. “By merging our cutting-edge imaging technologies with LKD Aerospace’s extensive partnerships and network, we aim to create solutions for some of the most urgent challenges our world faces today.”

About LKD Aerospace
LKD Aerospace ‘s mission is to help OEM’s and customers successfully connect, and expand these possibilities through technical product sales experience, aggressive promotion, and over 40 years of experience of forging connections both throughout the US and across the world.

About Scanway
Scanway is a leader in optical payload technology, providing high-resolution imaging systems for Earth Observation satellites. With a focus on modularity and adaptability, Scanway develops customizable solutions that meet the diverse needs of the aerospace industry.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) has announced continued investment in its technology demonstrations with the upcoming launch of the LM 400, a new, mid-sized, common, multi-mission space vehicle.

The LM 400 has completed testing and is currently preparing to embark on its journey on a Firefly Aerospace Alpha rocket in the first half of 2025.

The LM 400 was digitally designed and developed for:

• Any Mission: LM 400 is a common satellite bus design that provides significant customer cost savings. Missions could include remote sensing, communications, imaging and radar.  

• Any Orbit: LM 400 was designed with greater propulsion and better low Earth orbit (LEO), medium Earth orbit (MEO), and geosynchronous equatorial orbit (GEO) operability compared to others in its class. 

• Any Launch Configuration: LM 400 is compatible with a wide range of launch vehicles as a single, ride-share or multi-launch system.

• Mission Flexibility: LM 400 includes SmartSat, the company’s software-defined architecture that gives customers even greater mission flexibility and the ability to perform on-board data processing.

• Support to CJADC2: LM 400 can conform to a Modular Open Systems Architecture (MOSA), and interoperate with other platforms across the military services to support the Department of Defense’s vision for Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) operations.

This mission will join Lockheed Martin’s growing self-funded technology demonstration portfolio, including the Electronically Steerable Antenna  and Pony Express 2 (artistic rendition below). These launches are centered on innovation and designed to deliver proven capabilities with greater speed and agility, which means customers gain access to advanced manufacturing and digital engineering that has already been tested on-orbit to address emerging threats.

“The LM 400 is Lockheed Martin’s most capable space vehicle, and is able to serve any mission in any orbit,” said Jeff Schrader, vice president, strategy and business development at Lockheed Martin Space. “This mid-sized, common bus is a game changer, because it can support any type of customer, including military, civil and commercial users – and can be customized to each individual mission.”

To learn more about Lockheed Martin’s technology demonstrations, access this direct link…

Rivada Spec Networks, already suffering much negative press about missed financial deadlines, is now reported to have lost 12 dedicated launch slots on SpaceX. It is not said whether Rivada has paid ‘deposits’ on the launches when the contracts were signed. If deposits were paid then it is said that they will have been forfeited. Meanwhile, SpaceX can re-sell the reserved launches.

The lost launches follow on from Rivada losing its Liechtenstein issued priority spectrum filings because of non-payment of its annual 5 million Swiss Francs performance bond. Reports suggest that then Liechtenstein regulator was extremely patient in urging Rivada to pay up. Vaterland, the national newspaper of Liechtenstein, reported that the regulator was “deeply shaken” by Rivada’s failure to pay its annual bond. “The office has concerns about the financing of the project and has now lost confidence in Rivada”.

Meanwhile, Rivada on November 15th started an online marketing and awareness campaign featuring images of dozens of its staffers (its Rivada Space Academy), and stated, “We’ll let you in on a secret: it is our people and culture development platform, our (Rivada) place to get to know each other, to learn and share experiences, to translate our values into behaviors needed to achieve our goals. Do you want to work in a place where everyone, from C-suite to last month’s new joiner is an internal trainer, your trainer? Be fast, reach out to us […] and join the team.”

Meanwhile, a critic of Rivada, Pierre Lionnet (Research & MD at Eurospace) followed up the news by saying that he had heard directly from Rivada’s CEO Declan Ganley saying “multiple times that funding was secured? I’ve seen shady operations in the ‘newspace’ but Rivada Space tops them all.”

SmallSat Europe 2025 is ramping up with notable speakers and exhibitors and leading technical and business attendees. This event takes place in May 27-28, 2025, in RAI, Convention Centre / Amsterdam, Netherlands, where 1,200+ space pioneers will attend for two days of groundbreaking insights, innovation, and collaboration. They are now offering two options and are accepting submissions for presentations.

SmallSat Europe is now offering two options for submitting consideration to present in May 2025.  Due to high demand, we are implementing a “first come, first served” system for technical paper and workshop submissions. In cases where presentation areas are highly saturated, and the submissions have equal technical merit, priority will be given to the papers submitted first.  

By completing either the quick of full submission form early you will secure your place in the queue of potential speakers.

Be a pivotal part of the SmallSat community and shape the future of connectivity and space technology.

Submit your technical abstract for consideration. SmallSat Europe will host a variety of original conference papers, to be published and accompanied by a 15 minute oral presentation at the event in Amsterdam. The objective is to introduce your original research or new ideas to a wide technical audience to receive feedback from the SmallSat industry at large.

Proposals are being solicited for 90 minute workshops intended to offer opportunities for attendees to acquire technical knowledge on various SmallSat topics including but not limited to: Operational use of common products or software, identification and the use of  essential services, understanding regulatory regimes, areas of promising research, etc.

Some of the highlights include:
250+ Expert Speakers across 3 technical forums and a main business stage.
Take the opportunity to connect with 120+ key exhibitors.
Network with your target market, promote your tech, and gain strong leads.

Witness the Future Unfold as you get a glimpse into the next generation of SmallSat applications, from Earth observation, scientific discoveries, communications and defense to lunar exploration and beyond.

The 1,200 attendees include engineers, program managers and c-level executives.

Eutelsat’s OneWeb LEO system will be officially launched in Thailand in December and go fully ‘live’ in January for commercial users, according to The Bangkok Post. OneWeb and the nation’s National Telecom (NT) will co-launch the system which is being tested this month.

OneWeb’s gateway teleport facility is expected to support more than 50,000 users in Southeast Asia, excluding Thailand, within its first year of operation, according to NT president Col. Sanphachai Huvanandana.

The move came after the regulatory board of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) granted approval to the partnership to provide a satellite broadband internet service internationally under NT’s landing rights.

Eutelsat OneWeb and NT have reportedly invested more than $25 million in the local infrastructure to make Eutelsat OneWeb services possible in Thailand and the wider region.

Bala Balamurali, VP/Southeast and East Asia at Eutelsat OneWeb, said with the completion of this Thai gateway site, OneWeb’s low-latency, high-speed services can be activated to provide critical connectivity solutions across Thailand and throughout Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region.

The new OneWeb gateway can support communications through OneWeb’s LEO satellite network across the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Taiwan, South Korea, and parts of Indonesia.