News

The RT infosite has filed a report that OneWeb filed for bankruptcy less than a week after launching another batch of internet satellites, as the company failed to raise more funds for their program amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The London-based venture, as well its affiliates, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Friday, March 27, saying that the proceedings are aimed at pursuing “a sale of its business in order to maximize the value of the company.”

Since the beginning of the year, OneWeb had been trying to obtain more investments. The company says that it was close to obtaining the necessary financial support, but talks failed due to market turbulence that was triggered by the coronavirus outbreak.

While the statement does not directly point at any particular investor that turned its back on the satellite internet provider, earlier reports said its largest backer, Softbank, which had already invested $2 billion in the company, refused to provide more capital. Market rout has apparently spooked other investors, such as Qualcomm, Airbus, Virgin Group, Coca-Cola, and Intelsat among others.

Bankruptcy filings reveal that OneWeb owes their launch partner Arianespace, by far, the most money (more than $238 million). Qualcomm, Deloitte and Deutsche Bank are also among top five largest creditors with unsecured claims.

Russian state space corporation, Roscosmos, is one of OneWeb’s contractors. OneWeb has already put 74 satellites in LEO, a small portion of the company’s hundreds-strong network to provide global internet coverage, with the last two launches occurring from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The latest mission, carrying 34 satellites aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket, was successfully launched on March 21.

“Our current situation is a consequence of the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis,” OneWeb CEO Adrian Steckel said.

Virgin Orbit has developed a new mass-producible bridge ventilator to help in the fight against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The Virgin Orbit team has been consulting with the Bridge Ventilator Consortium (BVC), led by the University of California Irvine (UCI) and the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin), a group formed to spawn and nurture efforts to build producible, simple ventilators to aid in the current COVID-19 crisis.

Pending clearance by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Virgin Orbit aims to commence production at its Long Beach manufacturing facility in early April, sprinting to deliver units into the hands of first responders and healthcare professionals as soon as possible.

As the COVID-19 crisis worsens and the paucity of medical equipment becomes more and more clear, the Virgin Orbit team is strongly motivated to do all that we can to help. On a normal day, the firm is building rockets and other equipment for space launch; the company’s teams are not medical doctors nor is Virgin Orbit usually a manufacturer of medical devices. However, the company does have a team of incredibly innovative and agile thinkers — experts in designing, fabricating, programming, testing — who are eager to lend a hand.

After contacting Governor Gavin Newsom last week, Virgin Orbit was directed by his office to the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (CEMSA) and put in contact with the BVC. The BVC is a team of brilliant doctors, medical device experts, and researchers at UCI and UT Austin who are working around the clock, sharing ideas across a broad national and international network to share best practices and design insights and to accelerate progress on solutions to this equipment shortage.

Today, complex, high-end, ICU-capable ventilators are sometimes the only option available for moderate cases — for people who don’t necessarily need intensive care or have partially recovered. By supplying “bridge” ventilators, Virgin Orbit’s device can free up those critical resources for the most ill.

Virgin Orbit engineers have taken rapid scaling into account from the beginning of the design process, taking advantage of the most common and robust manufacturing and assembly processes. The company’s aim is to have a functioning, deployable bridge ventilator in production in early April. Virgin Orbit would continue on to rapidly scale up to mass production in its Long Beach facility, in addition to potentially activating other manufacturers as soon as the new device is reproducible and production-ready.

Dr. Brian J.F. Wong, Assistant Chairman of Otolaryngology at UCI, said the nation faces a slow-motion Dunkirk, and getting ventilators out there is very important to save lives. The demand outstrips supply, so it is important the government, industry, academia, non-profits, and the community work together to identify solutions, and design and construct them as fast as possible.

Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart added that the company is heartbroken each night as the news is turned on and see the predicament facing doctors and nurses as they heroically work to save lives. Dan has never seen the company’s team working harder and has also never seen ideas moving quicker from design to prototype. Virgin Orbit is hopeful that this device can help as all prepare for the challenges ahead.

Kleos Space (ASX: KSS, Frankfurt: KS1), a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-service (DaaS) company, has appointed Sean McKay as senior business developer for US and Middle East operations.

Sean McKay

Sean McKay is a retired Colonel and a graduated Senior Materiel Leader with more than 22 years’ experience in program management for various Department of Defense (DoD), Foreign Military Sales, and Intelligence Community activities in command and control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, space, cyber, ground integration, operational systems and operational test.

Artistic rendition of Kleos Scouting Mission satellites on orbit. Image is courtesy of the company.

McKay is joint qualified with several years of experience in resource management, legislative affairs, as well as an extended deployment to Afghanistan in support of the joint service and coalition build-up of the Afghan National Army. Mr. McKay will engage with a large network of defense specialists in the US Air Force and Saudi Arabia.

Karyn Hayes-Ryan, Kleos Space Inc. Director said that Sean joins the Kleos team at a time of international crisis, where governments are acutely aware of the need for enhanced border security. The company has seen an increasing interest in Kleos’ data offerings and he is well equipped to develop business opportunities in the US and Saudi Arabia.

The Kleos Scouting Mission satellites are in Chennai, India, awaiting launch on Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) PSLV C49. The multi-satellite Scouting Mission system will form the foundation of a constellation that delivers a global picture of hidden maritime activity, enhancing the intelligence capability of government and commercial entities when AIS (Automatic Identification System) is defeated, imagery is unclear, or targets are out of patrol range. The first scouting mission is comprised of 4 smallsats that are flown in formation.

Orbital Space, in collaboration with the Space Challenges Program and EnduroSat, is announcing “Code in Space,” an international online programming opportunity for students.

For the first time, students from around the world can send and execute their own code in space (Low Earth Orbit).

Students may submit proposals and the selected submissions will be uploaded to a smallsat orbiting Earth.

The code will be executed by the satellite’s onboard computer and will be tested under real space environment conditions. The code executions test results will be transmitted back to Earth via a satellite ground station.

New Space (or Space 2.0) is enabling the production of low-cost satellites in shorter periods of time.

Smallsats offer versatile applications in Earth Observation (EO), geolocation and logistics, signal monitoring, communications and Internet of Things (IoT) as well as general scientific applications and have demonstrated the potential of distributed satellite networks (constellations). That is, a group of low-cost, miniature satellites that communicate with each other to perform tasks.

Satellite constellations are beneficial to humanity, enabling a safer, more connected, more secure world as they allow for a better EO, timing, navigation, and communication. They also connect many overlooked communities and remote areas and offer redundancy and granularity of services. However, despite the many benefits of satellite technology, there are still many challenges to overcome.

Goals

• To increase awareness about current opportunities and challenges in the satellite industry To encourage solutions to current challenges faced by the satellite industry To encourage and empower students to design and develop new concepts that could contribute to the advancement of satellite technology To increase awareness about new space (space 2.0) revolution and its potential impact on humanity
• The code will be uploaded to the nanosatellite from a ground station operating in UHF frequency range. The code will be executed by EnduroSat’s Onboard Computer Type I (high-performance and low-power computing platform). Code executions test results will be received by a ground station operating in UHF frequency range. Who is eligible?
• Code in Space is open to all students from all schools and universities around the world.

How can you participate?

• Participation can be individual, or team based and should include a mentor (teacher/ university faculty member or scientist affiliated with a school or academic/ research institution)
• Enroll in Spaceport Platform (https://spaceport.academy/en/login). For team based participation, each member of the team should create his/her own profile.
• Join “Space Challenge: Kuwait Edition” by using the code: 7c17a2c4
• Complete educational units to earn a minimum of 20 points
• Come up with a solution for current challenge or limitation in the satellite industry or new concept that could be of value to satellite technology
• Submit your proposal electronically to info@orbital-space.com

Important Dates

• Deadline to earn minimum of 20 points on Spaceport Platform: July 31, 2020
• ​Deadline to submit proposals: October 30

2020 TOPICS

Topics should be new concepts addressing current challenges and limitations of satellite technology. Proposed topics could be within the following tracks…

Satellite Communications

• M2M and IoT
• Digital Broadcasting
• Broadband Communication
• Spectrum Sharing and Frequency Reuse
• Multi-casting and Frame Clustering
• Modulation and Signal Processing
• Carrier Phase/Time Coherency and Calibration Techniques

Satellite Operating System (Flight Software)

• Data Processing and Storage
• Guidance, Navigation and Control
• Re-configurability and Modularity of Payload/System
• High Throughput and Service Efficiency
• Flight Software and Reliability and Resource Allocation (power, bandwidth, stability, etc.)

Ground Operations

• Ground and On-Orbit Tracking of Satellites
• Ground-based Satellite Position Determination
• Ground Station Networks

Others

• Scientific investigations (based on onboard sensor readings, such as temperature, magnetic field, acceleration, and light)
• Games using Satellite Signals or Data

Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated based on various criteria such as:

• Solution/concept objective and justification
• Clarity and critical thinking
• Creativity
• Practicality/feasibility of executing the code by the satellite onboard computer
• Impact on society

A smallsat launcher built by Astra “experienced an anomaly” Monday, March 23, on a launch pad at Kodiak Island, Alaska, forcing the cancellation of a planned orbital launch attempt this week, according to the company’s co-founder and CEO and reported at the KC4MCQ infosite.

An Astra rocket being prepared for launch. Photo is courtesy of the company.

The incident at the Pacific Spaceport Complex on Kodiak Island occurred during a pre-launch countdown dress rehearsal, and was first reported by KMXT, a local public radio station.

“I can confirm that the vehicle experienced an anomaly after an otherwise very successful day of testing in preparation for the launch,” said Chris Kemp, Astra’s co-founder and CEO, in an emailed statement late Monday. “Fortunately, our hardware was the only thing harmed, and the team is already working hard to understand the root cause so we can improve the design.”

Officials from Astra and the Pacific Spaceport Complex, which is run by the Alaska Aerospace Corp., said no one was injured during the mishap. Astra’s rocket was damaged, although the extent of the damage was unclear.

Astra was planning a launch attempt as soon as Tuesday to place a small payload into LEO. Astra’s first orbital launcher, named Rocket 3 or Rocket 3.0, is designed to carry up to 55 pounds (25 kilograms) of payload into a SSO polar orbit. Those plans were canceled after Monday’s anomaly, Kemp said.

“Unfortunately, we will not be attempting a launch this week,” he said. “We intend to wait until conditions with coronavirus improve before making another attempt.”

“I can confirm we had an anomaly on the launch pad,” said Mark Lester, CEO of Alaska Aerospace Corp., an agency of the state of Alaska. “We are executing our emergency checklist. We request everyone stay clear of the area to allow our crew to address the situation,” he told KMXT.

To read the entire article at the KC4MCQ infosite, please access this direct infolink…

When 34 Airbus OneWeb Satellites (OneWeb) launched onboard a Soyuz rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan, on March 21, RUAG Space had critical mission products onboard that were customized for the mega satellite constellation.

This launch was the second time that OneWeb launched 34 of its satellites.

In February of 2020, the first 34 satellites had been launched and now, on Saturday, March 21, the next 34 satellites. In February 2019, OneWeb successfully launched the first six broadband satellites.

As a key OneWeb supplier, RUAG Space built the satellite dispenser, which functions as an interface between the Soyuz rocket and satellites. The dispenser is tailored to the need of a constellation like OneWeb, being able to deposit up to 36 satellites safely into space.

The RUAG built OneWeb dispenser includes a conical top structure, a “hat”, that has the capability to host up to four additional OneWeb satellites per mission. RUAG has developed a unique and cost effective solution that enables OneWeb to maximize the number of satellites per Soyuz launch. The top structure was developed within the contract with Arianespace for the OneWeb program.

RUAG dispensers, produced in Sweden, are especially suitable for spacecraft constellations such as OneWeb, where a high number of spacecraft need to be placed in orbit within a short time frame. At its lower interface the dispenser structure is bolted to the launch vehicle upper stage. Each satellite is attached to the dispenser in separation nodes. The RUAG dispenser provides a stiff connection in each node during launch, a safe release and an accurate separation provided by the four separation nuts and spring units.

Structures for satellites RUAG Space manufactures the satellite panels used by OneWeb Satellites in Titusville, Florida. The OneWeb structures (satellite back-bone) are manufactured using the Automated Potting Process (APM). The APM process—developed by RUAG Space—is a revolutionary production method that uses a pick and place machine to rapidly position special inserts filled with adhesive into the satellite structure’s sandwich panels.

In Austria, RUAG Space produced the multi-layer thermal insulation which protects the OneWeb satellites against the cold and heat in space from approx. minus 150°C to plus 150°C (-238 degrees F to 302 degrees F). The insulation consists of several layers of metal-evaporated polyimide film.

RUAG Space in Austria also built handle equipment and containers that OneWeb uses to transport the assembled satellites to the different launch sites as well as the corresponding handling at the launch sites. The high-tech, custom satellite containers are used to transport the satellites to the worldwide rocket launch centers. The containers are equipped with a specifically designed damping systems and climate-control.

RUAG Space EVP Peter Guggenbach said the company’s dispenser is super-light and includes state-of the art technology to safely place the satellites on orbit. With RUAG products, the company is contributing to this important project, which will enhance communication around the world.

A video of the RUAG Space Dispenser is available for viewing at this direct link…

Chris Forrester

OneWeb has reportedly laid off 10 percent of its workforce due to reported – but unconfirmed – company plans that include Chapter 11 bankruptcy, reports journalist Chris Forrester, filing at the Advanced Television infosite.

The news comes as OneWeb reported the successful orbiting of 34 satellites from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on March 21st on a Soyuz rocket organised by Arianespace. The success means that OneWeb now has 74 craft in LEO.

Referring to the layoffs, a company statement stated, “The OneWeb launch is going ahead on Saturday with more launches planned later in the year; however, like others, we are impacted by the global health and economic crisis and we need to dynamically adjust our workforce. Unfortunately, we think it is inevitable that there will be delays to our launch schedule and satellite manufacturing due to increasing travel restrictions and the disruption of supply chains globally. Therefore, we made the difficult decision to eliminate some roles and responsibilities as we work to focus on core operations. We are sorry to have had to take this step and we’re doing everything we can to support those affected.”

There are at least four key OneWeb locations. Officially the company is domiciled in West London, although it also has management offices in Mountain View, California, and near Washington DC (in McLean Virginia). The firm has a satellite manufacturing joint-venture with Airbus in Florida, near the Kennedy Space Center. Staff at any of these locations might be affected.

After Saturday’s launch, OneWeb focused on the positive news. In a statement, CEO Adrian Steckel said: “In these unprecedented times following the global outbreak of Covid-19, people around the world find themselves trying to continue their lives and work online. We see the need for OneWeb, greater now more than ever before.
     “High-quality connectivity is the lifeline to enabling people to work, continue their education, stay up to date on important healthcare information and stay meaningfully connected to one another. The crisis has demonstrated the imperative need for connectivity everywhere and has exposed urgent shortcomings in many organizations’ connectivity capabilities. Our satellite network is poised to fill in many of these critical gaps in the global communications infrastructure.

Chris is also reporting at the Advanced Television infosite that a report from the International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR), which focuses on Nigeria’s troubled satellite operator NigComSat, states the organization is “still not profitable 14 years after launch.”

Artistic rendition of Nigeria’s NigComSat-1R.

ICIR stated that NigComSat’s first working satellite (NigComSat-1R), that was launched in 2011, has barely six years of life remaining. Meanwhile, the organization has – since 2009 – received funding totaling more than $117 million (at current rates), although in Nigerian Naira it is N43.5 billion, of which just N13 billion was spent on capital items and N26.2 billion on staff salaries.

ICIR adds that during the period 2011-2014, NigComSat’s revenues from satellite operations were just 3 percent of its expenses during the period.

The recently appointed (August 2019) Minister of Communications and Digital Economy in Nigeria, Isa Ali Pantami, admitted the business was not “very viable.” In December of 2019, a new Board and executive directors were appointed.

An earlier Chinese-built satellite was launched in 2008 which cost $340 million (about Naira 40 billion at the time) but failed in orbit.

ICIR said, “NigComSat’s) wage bill, which started as N747 million in 2009, has jumped to N2.6 billion. With 397 employees as of 2016 and a personnel cost of N2.3 billion that year, the Federal Government must have paid the workers an average of N5.8 million per annum (or N480,000 a month/$1300).”

NigComSat is owned by Nigeria’s government. In 2018 it was announced that two new satellites would be purchased from China at an expected cost of $550 million.

A recent report from Nigeria’s parliament accused NigComSat’s senior management of incompetence. Chairman of Nigeria’s House Committee on Finance, James Falake, told NigComSat’s Managing Director, Abimbola Alale, in February, that, “We have to rescue this agency from you. In fact, if I had my way, I would recommend your [dismissal].”