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“The GHGSat microsatellites are able to detect and measure methane emissions from sources on the Earth’s surface that are 100 times smaller than those identified by other satellites.”

Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) and GHGSat Inc. announced the successful completion of laboratory testing on the GHGSat-C3, C4, and C5 microsatellites at SFL’s facility in Toronto. Canadian based company GHGSat is expanding its constellation of methane monitoring satellites, expected to launch in spring/summer 2022.

“SFL is proud to play a role in the important work GHGSat is doing to provide greenhouse gas monitoring as a commercial service,” said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. “The GHGSat microsatellites are able to detect and measure methane emissions from sources on the Earth’s surface that are 100 times smaller than those identified by other satellites.”

The three new GHGSat commercial high-resolution satellites will join the company’s current constellation already in orbit — GHGSat-D (Claire), GHGSat-C1 (Iris) and GHGSat-C2 (Hugo) —  also built by SFL. Each microsatellite includes attitude control technology developed by SFL that enables the low-inertia platforms to point their onboard sensors precisely at emissions sources. All the GHGSat high-resolution satellites that have been, or are being, developed by SFL are built on the SFL 15-kilogram Next-generation Earth Monitoring and Observation (NEMO) microsatellite platform.

“We see emissions today. With a growing satellite constellation, GHGSat will be able to monitor even more methane emission sources around the world, offering more data and statistics on growing climate changes and trends. We have the data to make a difference,” says Stephane Germain, GHGSat CEO.

Testing of the GHGSat-C3, C4, and C5 satellites — named Luca, Penny, and Diako — began earlier this year following delivery of the methane-detecting sensors from ABB Measurement & Analytics Canada. SFL integrated the sensors into the NEMO buses and initiated a series of tests for each spacecraft and its subsystems, which included Long Form Functional Test, Electromagnetic Compatibility, Vibration, and Thermal Vacuum.

SFL also performed successful vibration testing of the XALT launch adapter which will mount the three microsatellites and their accompanying XPOD Delta deployer to a single 15-inch port on the launch vehicle. The XALT adapter and XPOD deployer are systems designed and developed by SFL to ensure the satellites separate safely from the launch vehicle.

“Throughout the testing, GHGSat-C3, C4, and C5 have met their design goals and are performing well above their baselines in all aspects,” said Dr. Benoit Larouche, SFL Mission Manager. “The satellites have been shipped to the launch site.”

SFL is a unique microspace provider that offers a complete suite of nano-, micro- and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost cubesats which satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. Dating from 1998, SFL’s heritage includes 55 operational successes and 37 currently under construction or awaiting launch. These missions relate to Earth observation, atmospheric monitoring, ship tracking, communication, radio frequency (RF) geolocation, technology demonstration, space astronomy, solar physics, space plasma, and other scientific research.

In its 24-year history, SFL has developed cubesats, nanosatellites, and microsatellites that have achieved more than 186 cumulative years of operation in orbit. These microspace missions have included SFL’s trusted attitude control and, in some cases, formation-flying capabilities. Other core SFL-developed components include modular (scalable) power systems, onboard radios, flight computers, and control software.

As the UK’s manufacturing industry rapidly evolves – partly to meet the demand generated by the increase in space and aerospace activity – opportunities to localize supply chains and develop vital infrastructure have never been so abundant.

Manufacturers across the UK are racing to capitalize on the opportunities, but there’s one standout location: Cornwall. With its strong manufacturing scene and historic ties to the industry, Cornwall’s Space Cluster (Cornwall Aerospace) is making big waves, by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and manufacturing.

One such company is advanced composite specialists Piran Composites, who have recently opened a new site at the Aerohub (Cornwall’s Enterprise Zone) next to Cornwall Airport Newquay. This expansion, which takes full advantage of the increased space activity in the area, has more than one benefit. Not only does it enable Piran Composites to increase their aerospace operations and it brings a huge investment into the infrastructure of the industry.

As one of two key suppliers of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber structures, Piran Composites has already created 30 new jobs in the last 12 months. Having manufactured key aerostructure sections of the PHASA-35 (an unmanned, solar powered pseudo-satellite) in Cornwall, they’ve started production on the complete aerostructure for the next stage in PHASA-35’s development. Although this low-cost, highly innovative, future tech (designed in partnership with BAE Systems) is not yet manufacturable in high volumes, the market for this sector is rapidly growing, bringing more opportunities to UK manufacturers.

Advanced composites aren’t the only products progressing the development of the country’s aerospace industry. There is a breadth of Cornwall based businesses, producing products and services which are positively contributing to the localization of the space supply chain within the UK.

• Exobotics: As a start-up company with offices in Cambridge and Cornwall, Exobotics use the latest advancements in robotics, materials, structures and AI to enable low-cost space flight for missions to the moon – and beyond. With their diverse and experienced team of experts in mechatronics, materials, software and machine learning, they develop and manufacture scalable and modular software and hardware that is tuned for the operational challenges of extra-orbital environments. Exobotics has created the world’s first low-cost, portable thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing system which is revolutionizing access to space by reducing the complexity and costs of space operations.

• Flann Microwave: Now that smallsats, cubesats and nanosatellites form the majority of payloads launching into space, it’s time to bridge the gap between the rapid development of this tech and the underdevelopment of current testing facilities. Flann can combat the resulting issues (higher costs and longer lead times) by localizing the supply chain – manufacturing satellite components and launching them from the UK. For more than 60 years, Flann’s specialist engineering team has been serving companies such as NASA and the Met Office, with solutions to waveguide problems for the space, telecoms, automotive, health and education sectors. Demand for high-speed data services, from individuals and businesses alike, is driving a revolution in satellite technology. Traditional large satellites weighing several tonnes and orbiting 22,236 miles above the equator are making way for nanosatellites and cubesats, which can be as small as 10cm cubed and weigh as little as 1.4 kg. They’re small enough to be launched as additional payloads on large missions or in clusters of up to 100 at a time, as well as from a single rocket and even the new class of vertical and horizontal space launch systems being developed in Cornwall and Scotland. This makes them very cost effective and more than 350 of these satellites were launched in 2018. In order to maximize the greater data capacity (bandwidth) offered by these systems, they require much higher frequency microwave switches to transmit data to ground antennas: a W-band switch, which has not yet been developed for aerospace use. However, in 1980 Flann first designed and manufactured a W-band switch for ground use, making them well placed to create a new smaller, lighter switch to enable faster and more accurate communication with satellites.

This new era of space exploration, with its focus on making space more accessible and launches more sustainable, has given rise to the frequent use of small satellites, reusable rockets and commercial subsystems. It’s great to see Cornwall based businesses spearheading the research, development and production of this innovative tech within the UK.

To find out more about space manufacturing in Cornwall, contact james@aerospacecornwall.co.uk

As the UK’s manufacturing industry rapidly evolves – partly to meet the demand generated by the increase in space and aerospace activity – opportunities to localize supply chains and develop vital infrastructure have never been so abundant.

Manufacturers across the UK are racing to capitalize on the opportunities, but there’s one standout location: Cornwall. With its strong manufacturing scene and historic ties to the industry, Cornwall’s Space Cluster (Cornwall Aerospace) is making big waves, by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and manufacturing.

One such company is advanced composite specialists Piran Composites, who have recently opened a new site at the Aerohub (Cornwall’s Enterprise Zone) next to Cornwall Airport Newquay. This expansion, which takes full advantage of the increased space activity in the area, has more than one benefit. Not only does it enable Piran Composites to increase their aerospace operations and it brings a huge investment into the infrastructure of the industry.

As one of two key suppliers of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber structures, Piran Composites has already created 30 new jobs in the last 12 months. Having manufactured key aerostructure sections of the PHASA-35 (an unmanned, solar powered pseudo-satellite) in Cornwall, they’ve started production on the complete aerostructure for the next stage in PHASA-35’s development. Although this low-cost, highly innovative, future tech (designed in partnership with BAE Systems) is not yet manufacturable in high volumes, the market for this sector is rapidly growing, bringing more opportunities to UK manufacturers.

Advanced composites aren’t the only products progressing the development of the country’s aerospace industry. There is a breadth of Cornwall based businesses, producing products and services which are positively contributing to the localization of the space supply chain within the UK.

• Exobotics: As a start-up company with offices in Cambridge and Cornwall, Exobotics use the latest advancements in robotics, materials, structures and AI to enable low-cost space flight for missions to the moon – and beyond. With their diverse and experienced team of experts in mechatronics, materials, software and machine learning, they develop and manufacture scalable and modular software and hardware that is tuned for the operational challenges of extra-orbital environments. Exobotics has created the world’s first low-cost, portable thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing system which is revolutionizing access to space by reducing the complexity and costs of space operations.

• Flann Microwave: Now that smallsats, cubesats and nanosatellites form the majority of payloads launching into space, it’s time to bridge the gap between the rapid development of this tech and the underdevelopment of current testing facilities. Flann can combat the resulting issues (higher costs and longer lead times) by localizing the supply chain – manufacturing satellite components and launching them from the UK. For more than 60 years, Flann’s specialist engineering team has been serving companies such as NASA and the Met Office, with solutions to waveguide problems for the space, telecoms, automotive, health and education sectors. Demand for high-speed data services, from individuals and businesses alike, is driving a revolution in satellite technology. Traditional large satellites weighing several tonnes and orbiting 22,236 miles above the equator are making way for nanosatellites and cubesats, which can be as small as 10cm cubed and weigh as little as 1.4 kg. They’re small enough to be launched as additional payloads on large missions or in clusters of up to 100 at a time, as well as from a single rocket and even the new class of vertical and horizontal space launch systems being developed in Cornwall and Scotland. This makes them very cost effective and more than 350 of these satellites were launched in 2018. In order to maximize the greater data capacity (bandwidth) offered by these systems, they require much higher frequency microwave switches to transmit data to ground antennas: a W-band switch, which has not yet been developed for aerospace use. However, in 1980 Flann first designed and manufactured a W-band switch for ground use, making them well placed to create a new smaller, lighter switch to enable faster and more accurate communication with satellites.

This new era of space exploration, with its focus on making space more accessible and launches more sustainable, has given rise to the frequent use of small satellites, reusable rockets and commercial subsystems. It’s great to see Cornwall based businesses spearheading the research, development and production of this innovative tech within the UK.

To find out more about space manufacturing in Cornwall, contact james@aerospacecornwall.co.uk

As the UK’s manufacturing industry rapidly evolves – partly to meet the demand generated by the increase in space and aerospace activity – opportunities to localize supply chains and develop vital infrastructure have never been so abundant.

Manufacturers across the UK are racing to capitalize on the opportunities, but there’s one standout location: Cornwall. With its strong manufacturing scene and historic ties to the industry, Cornwall’s Space Cluster (Cornwall Aerospace) is making big waves, by pushing the boundaries of engineering, technology and manufacturing.

One such company is advanced composite specialists Piran Composites, who have recently opened a new site at the Aerohub (Cornwall’s Enterprise Zone) next to Cornwall Airport Newquay. This expansion, which takes full advantage of the increased space activity in the area, has more than one benefit. Not only does it enable Piran Composites to increase their aerospace operations and it brings a huge investment into the infrastructure of the industry.

As one of two key suppliers of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber structures, Piran Composites has already created 30 new jobs in the last 12 months. Having manufactured key aerostructure sections of the PHASA-35 (an unmanned, solar powered pseudo-satellite) in Cornwall, they’ve started production on the complete aerostructure for the next stage in PHASA-35’s development. Although this low-cost, highly innovative, future tech (designed in partnership with BAE Systems) is not yet manufacturable in high volumes, the market for this sector is rapidly growing, bringing more opportunities to UK manufacturers.

Advanced composites aren’t the only products progressing the development of the country’s aerospace industry. There is a breadth of Cornwall based businesses, producing products and services which are positively contributing to the localization of the space supply chain within the UK.

• Exobotics: As a start-up company with offices in Cambridge and Cornwall, Exobotics use the latest advancements in robotics, materials, structures and AI to enable low-cost space flight for missions to the moon – and beyond. With their diverse and experienced team of experts in mechatronics, materials, software and machine learning, they develop and manufacture scalable and modular software and hardware that is tuned for the operational challenges of extra-orbital environments. Exobotics has created the world’s first low-cost, portable thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing system which is revolutionizing access to space by reducing the complexity and costs of space operations.

• Flann Microwave: Now that smallsats, cubesats and nanosatellites form the majority of payloads launching into space, it’s time to bridge the gap between the rapid development of this tech and the underdevelopment of current testing facilities. Flann can combat the resulting issues (higher costs and longer lead times) by localizing the supply chain – manufacturing satellite components and launching them from the UK. For more than 60 years, Flann’s specialist engineering team has been serving companies such as NASA and the Met Office, with solutions to waveguide problems for the space, telecoms, automotive, health and education sectors. Demand for high-speed data services, from individuals and businesses alike, is driving a revolution in satellite technology. Traditional large satellites weighing several tonnes and orbiting 22,236 miles above the equator are making way for nanosatellites and cubesats, which can be as small as 10cm cubed and weigh as little as 1.4 kg. They’re small enough to be launched as additional payloads on large missions or in clusters of up to 100 at a time, as well as from a single rocket and even the new class of vertical and horizontal space launch systems being developed in Cornwall and Scotland. This makes them very cost effective and more than 350 of these satellites were launched in 2018. In order to maximize the greater data capacity (bandwidth) offered by these systems, they require much higher frequency microwave switches to transmit data to ground antennas: a W-band switch, which has not yet been developed for aerospace use. However, in 1980 Flann first designed and manufactured a W-band switch for ground use, making them well placed to create a new smaller, lighter switch to enable faster and more accurate communication with satellites.

This new era of space exploration, with its focus on making space more accessible and launches more sustainable, has given rise to the frequent use of small satellites, reusable rockets and commercial subsystems. It’s great to see Cornwall based businesses spearheading the research, development and production of this innovative tech within the UK.

To find out more about space manufacturing in Cornwall, contact james@aerospacecornwall.co.uk

Satellogic Inc. (NASDAQ: SATL) has signed a new Multiple Launch Agreement (“MLA”) with SpaceX and has reserved launch capacity for the company’s next 68 satellites.

This new MLA follows the current MLA covering 2022 launches and confirms that SpaceX continues to be Satellogic’s preferred vendor for rideshare missions, meeting the capacity demands of Satellogic’s constellation roadmap and providing shorter periods between satellite development and deployment.

Satellogic builds their own spacecraft, manages their constellation and productizes the EO data it collects to better serve their customers in every industry. This vertical integration ultimately reduces the cost of deriving insights from EO, enabling Satellogic to offer actionable data at a price point that a broader range of organizations can afford.

Similarly, SpaceX, which has a focus on decreasing the cost of space access, manufactures their own advanced rockets and spacecraft, allowing for more affordable options and greater innovation. SpaceX’s frequent launch schedule will help Satellogic accomplish its goals to significantly grow its constellation.

Satellogic recently announced the launch of five additional spacecraft. They were delivered to SSO on SpaceX’s Transporter-4 mission onboard the Falcon 9, a reusable, two-stage rocket. Satellogic currently operates 22 high-resolution satellites, and with the launches covered on this new MLA, is on track to become the first company to be able to remap the entire surface of the planet in high-resolution and with high frequency.

Satellogic has plans to launch additional satellites each quarter, aiming to ultimately grow its constellation to over 200 satellites by 2025 in order to provide daily sub-meter resolution imagery of the entire surface of the Earth and up to 40 revisits of points of interest per day.

“Following our previous launch successes with SpaceX, we are pleased to have signed this MLA to continue our work together in 2023 and beyond,” said Emiliano Kargieman, CEO and Co-Founder of Satellogic. “This announcement ensures that we will be able to continue to launch our satellites as they are produced and that we remain on track to collect every square meter of the Earth’s surface every week in 2023, providing our customers with the most up-to-date, reliable high-resolution data source on a global scale. Expanding our capacity is crucial to making Earth Observation data affordable and accessible for everyone.”

Founded in 2010 by Emiliano Kargieman and Gerardo Richarte, Satellogic (NASDAQ: SATL) is the first vertically integrated geospatial company, driving real outcomes with planetary-scale insights. Satellogic is creating and continuously enhancing the first scalable, fully automated Earth Observation (“EO”) platform with the ability to remap the entire planet at both high-frequency and high-resolution, providing accessible and affordable solutions for customers. Satellogic’s mission is to democratize access to geospatial data through its information platform of high-resolution images and analytics to help solve the world’s most pressing problems including climate change, energy supply, and food security. Using its patented Earth imaging technology, Satellogic unlocks the power of EO to deliver high-quality, planetary insights at the lowest cost in the industry. With more than a decade of experience in space, Satellogic has proven technology and a strong track record of delivering satellites to orbit and high-resolution data to customers at the right price point.

AST SpaceMobile, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASTS) has received an experimental license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) supporting its U.S.-based testing of the BlueWalker 3 satellite.

The license covers BlueWalker 3 space-to-ground testing in the United States using 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), low-band, cellular frequencies and Q/V-band frequencies, subject to certain restrictions.

The authorization comes as the company prepares for the planned summer 2022 launch of BlueWalker 3, its test satellite with an aperture of 693 square feet that is designed to communicate directly with cell phones via 3GPP standard frequencies.

“We appreciate the diligent support of the FCC in providing the experimental license for our upcoming satellite launch,” said AST SpaceMobile Founder, Chairman and CEO, Abel Avellan. “Together with other testing around the world, this license will enable us to conduct some of our most important testing here, at home, in the United States.”

AST SpaceMobile continues to pursue additional authorizations with the FCC related to its planned constellation of BlueBird satellites.

AST SpaceMobile’s mission is to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers moving in and out of coverage zones, and bring cellular broadband to approximately half of the world’s population who remain unconnected. Partners in this effort are leading global wireless infrastructure companies, including Rakuten Mobile, Vodafone and American Tower.

AST SpaceMobile is building the first and only global cellular broadband network in space to operate directly with standard, unmodified mobile devices based on our extensive IP and patent portfolio. Our engineers and space scientists are on a mission to eliminate the connectivity gaps faced by today’s five billion mobile subscribers and finally bring broadband to the billions who remain unconnected. For more information, follow AST SpaceMobile on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube. Watch this video for an overview of the SpaceMobile mission.

Vaya Space, Inc. has announced that Brent David Willis has joined their company as Chief Executive Officer, replacing CEO Grant Begley, who will continue with the firm as a member of the Board of Directors.

Selected as CEO Innovator of the Year in 2021 by the Golden Bridge Business Awards, one of the preeminent global business programs, Brent has had a career of developing breakthrough strategy and leading industry transformations. In addition to serving in the U.S. Military, he has had a long track record of success as a senior executive in many multi-billion-dollar multinational companies, including leading the development of the of the strategy that created the world’s largest beer company Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Vaya Space’s patented 3D printed hybrid engines deliver greater than 25% lower cost and are fueled with recycled plastics, using more than 2 million plastic bottles per launch. Vaya demonstrated their smallsat launch sector efficacy with their successful launch earlier this year and are taking orders now for future planned launches.

“Getting back to my Aerospace roots where I started my career is incredibly exciting and joining a purpose-driven company like Vaya is humbling,” said Brent David Willis. “Vaya has competitive-advantaged technology that will not only disrupt the market with safe and sustainable access to space, but will also help humankind. We have the right technology, the right team, the right motivation, and are at the right time and place in history to lead in this very attractive industry.”

NASA’s first US. born Hispanic Astronaut and Shuttle Commander, and current Vaya Space Chairman, Sid Gutierrez, said, “We are so excited to have Brent join our leadership team. Brent is a mission-oriented and values-centric leader that fits in perfectly with our culture. We are confident that his experience in developing transformative strategies in major multinational companies will translate to Vaya Space becoming the leader in the Space Industry.”

Navy Captain, Top Gun pilot and the former CEO of Vaya Space, Grant Begley, said, “It has been one of my life’s great privileges over the past few years to have led Vaya Space, and I am very pleased and confident to be handing over the reins to Brent. I am proud of all we have done at Vaya including receiving our most recent patent for Vaya’s Star-3D printed rocket fuel, and am equally proud of the impact that I know the new discoveries at Vaya Space will have on the world.”

Vaya Space is a private, hybrid rocket company based on the Space Coast of Florida with subsidiary operations in Brazil. Vaya Space has developed breakthrough and patented technologies that transform access to space. Vaya Space was selected as a GrowFL company to watch for growth and innovation in 2022. Following its successful launch and most recent patent awarded in early 2022, Vaya Space is positioned to lead the burgeoning small satellite launch market within the broader $385 billion-dollar space industry. Vaya is a sustainability focused and environmentally conscious enterprise, that produces hybrid rocket engines using recycled plastics as fuel. Vaya Space’s unique Star-3D printed engines generate >800 kN of thrust, capable of placing more than 1,000 kg of payloads into low earth orbit. Vaya delivers safer launches at a greater than 25% lower cost, utilizing more than 2 million recycled plastic bottles per launch. The Company is currently taking orders for upcoming additional planned launches.