Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX) has received an award valued at more than $250 million to design, develop and deliver a seven-vehicle missile tracking satellite constellation, as well as support launch and ground operations by the Space Development Agency.

Once deployed, the LEO constellation of networked satellites will become the fifth plane of satellites providing missile warning and tracking for the Department of Defense (DoD). The program is a key element of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.

Raytheon Technologies has been developing missile warning systems for decades. Since acquiring Blue Canyon Technologies and SEAKR Engineering, Raytheon Technologies has expanded its space payload and satellite bus capabilities and expertise, becoming a leading provider of space systems to a growing number of programs.

Raytheon will leverage existing designs, available commercial products and common components to reduce technical risk and speed delivery. The seven-vehicle satellite constellation will feature Raytheon’s Wide Field of View overhead persistent infrared sensor, Blue Canyon Technologies’ Saturn-class smallsat bus, and SEAKR Engineering’s electronics payload.

“Developing a resilient and affordable proliferated satellite constellation in low-Earth orbit will improve our ability to track emerging threats like hypersonic missiles,” said Dave Broadbent, president of Space and C2 at Raytheon Intelligence & Space. “Continuing to develop this architecture with SDA and our industry partners will be a high priority for us in the coming months.”

VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON, Euronext Amsterdam: VEON) and OneWeb are partnering to provide extended mobile internet connectivity and digital services for emerging markets.

VEON Group’s operating companies serve a vast geography that is home to more than 510 million people, including countries that have some of the lowest population densities in the world, uneven population distribution, internal migration patterns, rich economic resources in remote areas and disaster-prone regions.

OneWeb partnership will further support VEON Group’s “4G for all” and “humanitarian connectivity” focus, which has seen VEON’s operating companies significantly increase their 4G coverage over the past 2 years, bridge the digital divide for millions of users, respond to disasters and unlock economic growth in their markets.

OneWeb’s LEO network has substantive capabilities to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to governments, businesses and communities. To-date, the business has launched 544 satellites into orbit, 80 percent of its satellite constellation, which will deliver global coverage when completed in 2023.

OneWeb’s services work seamlessly with mobile communication infrastructure to enable satellite backhaul to be integrated into mobile networks. OneWeb additionally enables operators to expand 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G networks into underserved or unconnected communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach places.

“We have always stated that our focus is ‘4G for all’ and that mobile communication is an essential service. Our partnership with OneWeb enables us to ensure that the continuity of this essential service can be secured everywhere, providing access to seamless connectivity and digital services, supporting resilience, and enabling growth,” said Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group. “We are excited to explore the possibilities this partnership will bring, from emergency connectivity in disaster response to enabling economic activity in remote regions, and to serving rural areas with mobile education, healthcare and financial services, complementing terrestrial connectivity.”

Neil Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, said, “OneWeb and VEON have a shared mission: to expand reliable, affordable and high-speed connectivity services to the places that need it most. With this partnership we can support the development of telecoms and digital infrastructure in emerging markets, working with VEON to ensure the essential roll-out of mobile connectivity. We look forward to capitalizing on the potential that this partnership has for the customers and communities we serve, while ensuring that OneWeb remains the partner of choice for telco operators globally.”

SpaceX is targeting Friday, March 3 at 10:38 a.m. PT (18:38 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 51 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The first stage booster supporting this mission previously launched Crew-1, Crew-2, SXM-8, CRS-23, IXPE, Transporter-4, Transporter-5, Globalstar FM15, ISI EROS C-3 and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

A live webcast of this mission will begin about five minutes prior to liftoff.

AAC Clyde Space, a leading new space company, has shipped the first of three satellites that are set to deliver hyperspectral imagery data to Canadian company, Wyvern. The satellites will continue the transformation of AAC Clyde Space into a space-based data company over the coming years.

The launch is planned for April on SpaceX‘s Transporter 7 mission from California onboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The satellite is expected to start delivering data during the second quarter of 2023. The other two satellites under the contract are also expected to be delivered and launched in 2023. AAC Clyde Space will own the three satellites, while Wyvern Inc. has committed to subscribe to the data service for an initial four-year period, for GBP 8.4m (approx. SEK 105m). The contract can be extended on an annual basis thereafter.

In November 2022, AAC Clyde Space delivered the first of two 3U satellites that will deliver data to the U.S. company ORBCOMM Inc, a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. The group also owns and operates a constellation of satellites dedicated to SDaaS which is also under expansion. By the end of 2023, AAC Clyde Space is expected to own a total of 11 satellites dedicated to delivering data from space, a number that is planned to increase further over the coming years.

“This satellite delivery marks a milestone for our Space Data as a Service model that is set to transform not only our business, but also the way other companies access data from space-based assets. Space Data as a Service will enable businesses to access high quality data that will improve their operations. Over the coming years, it will also transform AAC Clyde Space from a hardware company into a space-based information technology business”, says AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.

The 6U EPIC VIEW satellites dedicated to Wyvern are designed as ‘application specific’ and feature increased data downlink and enhanced control capabilities and will deliver hyperspectral data, a method for capturing images of Earth across multiple bands, providing much more information than the three main colour bands that the human eye captures. Wyvern, specializing in Earth observation, will first offer the data to the agricultural sector where it will help optimize yields, and detect invasive plants, pests and changes in soil makeup.

constelIr and Exolaunch have signed a multi-launch agreement (MLA) for the former’s high precision versatile ecosphere monitoring (HiVE) smallsat constellation.

The HiVE constellation is designed to provide advanced warning to AgTech companies of plant stress from temperature-induced evapotranspiration. This data enables farmers and the AgTech industry at large to achieve “more crop per drop,” minimizing water waste while maximizing crop output.

The first two operational and commercial satellites of the HiVE constellation are planned to launch to SSO in 2024. Both microsats feature constelIr’s state-of-the-art, cryocooled, long-wave infrared (LWIR) instruments, which are capable of mapping Earth’s land surface temperature with unprecedented precision. These missions mark the first time a cryocooled LWIR sensor will be deployed into space aboard a smallsat.

With a proven track of 18 successful missions and 269 satellites flown, constellr regards Exolaunch as the ideal launch partner to oversee the entire launch mission management, including integration and Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP). Exolaunch’s innovative separation system CarboNIX, flown on 11 missions so far with a record of 49 smallsats launched, guarantees low-shock separation and smooth orbit injection for both of constellr’s microsats.

“Our entire team is excited to move forward with the launch preparation activities and this multi-launch agreement marks a big milestone in our constellation development and deployment,” says Dr. Riccardo Benvenuto, HiVE Programme Director at constellr. “We couldn’t feel safer with Exolaunch as our partner. We already have a great relationship and given their expertise and long-track record of successful launches, we trust them to deploy our HiVE microsatellites smoothly and safely into orbit.”

“We are honored to be awarded a launch contract by constellr and assist a leader in a field as important to 21st century agriculture and society as global land surface temperature monitoring,” said Connor Pollock, Mission Director at Exolaunch. “Moreover, this MLA demonstrates the increasing synergy of the German NewSpace industry.”

Spaceflight Inc. will launch two BlackSky (NYSE: BKSY) satellites aboard Rocket Lab’s next mission called “The Beat Goes On,” from Mahia, New Zealand. The spacecraft, now in New Zealand for the final stage of integration, were manufactured by U.S.-based satellite maker LeoStella and co-engineered with BlackSky. The two spacecraft onboard the mission will be the 15th and 16th satellites in BlackSky’s growing constellation. (Read additional information regarding this launch at this direct infolink…)

Spaceflight and LeoStella both offer services and expertise that enable a streamlined process of comprehensive, end-to-end support for BlackSky’s constellation. Everything from the satellite design and manufacturing to integration, mission management, and logistics occurred within a several-mile radius, minimizing the complexities and timeline required to support the mission.

“We are excited to support another mission with our long-standing customer BlackSky in the development of its rapidly growing constellation,” said Tiphaine Louradour, CEO of Spaceflight. “Spaceflight has managed the launch services and missions for all of BlackSky’s satellites to date and we are pleased to continue this trusted partnership to achieve another successful mission.”

“Rapid access to space is critical for our customers, including BlackSky. It requires efficient smallsat design and production and effective launch services and integration, as provided by Spaceflight,” said Tim Kienberger, CEO of LeoStella. “We greatly value the ongoing collaboration with Spaceflight and Rocket Lab. LeoStella is proud to have manufactured the last 16 satellites in BlackSky’s constellation, securing more than 29 years of on-orbit heritage and delivering 99% mission availability.”

This represents Spaceflight’s second mission of 2023. The company plans to support up to 10 launches throughout the year, leveraging its vast global network of launch vehicle providers. In addition to traditional rideshare launches, Spaceflight continues to develop its Sherpa OTV program, preparing for the debut of the next variation in its OTV – Sherpa-ES, a higher energy variant with a bipropellant, high delta-V OTV that enables smallsat delivery anywhere in cislunar space.

West Virginia University Research Corporation has awarded TMC Technologies (TMC) a contract to be the private partner in creating and operating the West Virginia (WV) Small Satellite Center of Excellence (WVSSCE) in Morgantown, WV.

The creation of the WVSSCE is made possible through a U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant awarded to West Virginia University and the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium.

The WVSSCE will develop smallsat modeling/simulation software, verification and validation; and advanced aerospace manufacturing services for commercial, academic, and government customers. TMC will collaborate with WVU to provide high-level software and hardware engineering expertise in spacecraft and smallsat development, manufacturing, and program management. TMC will also provide strategic marketing and outreach support to capture additional investment from the public and private sectors.

The Center will be a hub for smallsat research, development, testing, production, and commercialization, and “truly an innovation incubator that meets the needs of an industry that meets the needs of customers,” according to Dr. David Martinelli, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and WVSSCE Program Lead.

The inspiration for the WVSSCE is rooted in the highly successful Simulation to Flight-1 (STF-1) SmallSat mission, also known as “West Virginia’s First Spacecraft.” TMC led the effort in 2014 alongside WVU, NASA, and other partners to design, build, launch, and operate STF-1, which has been working near peak efficiency for more than 1,530 days in LEO.

WVSSCE also includes an educational component that fosters careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

“Since returning to West Virginia 30 years ago to help build the technology industry here, this award is among the most exciting accomplishments to date,” TMC President and CEO Wade Linger said, referring to the award from WVU. “A West Virginia-based small business will now act as the technology catalyst in leveraging the academic prowess of WVU and the entrepreneurial spirit of a small business to build a world-class Small Satellite Center in West Virginia.“

“We are excited to partner with TMC,” Martinelli said. “Their team of smallsat engineers and scientists have pioneered SmallSat development, modeling, and simulation technology for NASA and West Virginia. We’re going to use the SmallSat Center as an opportunity to aggressively hit STEM-related careers. I will look at all possibilities to showcase what we’re doing to K-12 students across the state.”

TMC Vice President of Federal Civilian and Commercial Programs, Denise Lindsey, will oversee the contract for TMC. “I am extremely proud of the teamwork that went into making this a reality,” Lindsey said. “TMC’s Chief Scientist, Scott Zemerick, and his team’s deep knowledge and experience with SmallSat hardware and software will be invaluable to WVU and the WVSSCE.”

TMC Executive Vice President and Chief Strategist, Jeff Edgell, attributes the WVSSCE contract win to Denise’s focused leadership style and her unique ability to bring out the best in the team. He stated, “Denise’s (Lindsey) outstanding track record of innovation, execution, operational excellence, and team development has helped elevate TMC quickly. Through her leadership, TMC will harness its formidable NASA and Defense SmallSat technical talent and expertise to help the WVSSCE become a hub for Small Satellite research, development, testing, production, and commercialization.”

Neumann Space and Inovor Technologies have successfully completed delivery of the Neumann Drive with the Apogee satellite platform ready for spacecraft integration and launch.

This milestone represents the first time an Australian electric propulsion product has qualified for integration on a satellite and signals the progress that these companies have made together toward increasing the capability and commercial viability of Australia’s space industry.

Neumann Space and Inovor Technologies progress on integrating the Neumann Drive has enabled the readiness for flight heritage of an Australian made satellite platform with electric propulsion, further de-risking the integrated product for the global market.

Neumann Space currently has two product classes in various phases of development and testing, one that is designed for cubesats and the other for the smallsat market. The Neumann Drive selected for the Apogee satellite is its CubeSat Product Class incorporating a Thruster Unit that contains Molybdenum as the solid metallic propellant. The propulsion system is based on the company’s patented pulsed cathodic arc thruster technology and is designed to be safer, storable fully fueled and integrated, more efficient, and importantly more robust and easier to operate than other solutions currently on the market.

Inovor Technologies has developed a family of small satellite buses in the CubeSat (Apogee Bus) class and is designing its smallsat (Australis Bus) class. This technology can be used to build satellites across a range of sizes, and for most mission types, including space domain awareness, Earth imaging, communications, climate science, AgTech, scientific experimentation, and more. Propulsion is a key technology enabler to support customer mission requirements and Inovor Technologies’ Hyperion and Skyris missions.

Neumann Space’s CEO, Herve Astier, said, “The Neumann Drive offers a step change in mobility to the global satellite market, and this milestone represents an important step forward in ensuring that this critical technology is able to serve the growing need for better propulsion in space. Proving the performance of the Neumann Drive in space will enable our company to continue the solid progress we are making to commercialize our products. We are excited about the work we are doing with Inovor Technologies and the contribution that we are making to securing flight heritage of a system with the real potential to significantly disrupt the way satellite propulsion is done today.”

Dr. Matthew Tetlow, Founder and CEO of Inovor Technologies, said, “The Apogee satellite platform is a high-performance spacecraft requiring a highly efficient propulsion system, which is why we are very pleased to be ready for spacecraft integration and launch. Both our products are Australian-designed and made, demonstrating the sovereign capability that exists within our nation’s space sector, and the potential for growth of the industry. Continuing to prove and test our industry’s platforms and capability in space is essential to progress.”