The McQ CONNECT is a small SATCOM modem that can send and receive information in real-time over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

The new device was developed using the latest in a line of Iridium core technology transceivers, the Iridium Certus 9770. McQ was selected by Iridium as one of the first Value Added Manufacturing (VAM) partners to create a new solution based on the Iridium Certus 9770.

The McQ CONNECT is ruggedized to IP 67 standards and comes with a small, omni directional antenna that enables easy operation for static or mobile applications. This means users can instantly feed information from remote application via a secure cloud network and send command and control data to an application anywhere in the world.

Iridium’s LEO satellites provide total global coverage, enabling the McQ CONNECT modem to send files of any size using many messaging protocols including application data, pictures, safety alerts, security alerts, email messages, system monitoring data, and application command and control.

For applications that require sending video on the move, McQ vWatch® can be added to the solution. vWatch is a video compression management solution that can be added to any radio for sending high quality video at a fixed location or on the move. The device also supports voice services and can connect to computers, servers, tablets and smartphones, enabling additional applications.

The small modem is 23x13x6 cm. (9×4.5×2.5 in.), is 1 kg. (2 lb.), and has mounting provisions for shock and vibration environments on mobile platforms. McQ has technical support to help users integrate their applications and design custom user interfaces. This new global information product can provide a very affordable solution to connect remote system applications to user interfaces.

McQ, located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, has been supplying DoD, DHS, DoE, DoJ, and other US Government Agencies and commercial customers with advanced technology security and surveillance systems for over 35 years. McQ has been an Iridium Partner company for over 20 years, providing Government and Industry with globally linked satellite information sent from security systems located all over the world. The Iridium satellite communications network enables a cloud information architecture that can rapidly distribute information from anywhere on the earth to users anywhere in the world. McQ CONNECT is a new product taking advantage of the new Iridium Certus machine to machine data service Iridium is initiating this year that can deliver data and information from static or mobile systems and provide command and control to these systems. McQ is a Small Business Entity and a Non-Traditional DoD contractor. McQ designs, develops, and manufactures the latest state of the art sensor systems.

iRocket has announced that the company signed an agreement with Turion Space Corp. — iRocket is a startup building 100% fully reusable rockets for smallsats and constellations that are intended for LEO orbit via the company’s Shockwave launch vehicle.

The company develops cost-effective launch vehicles that can support rapid launching within 24 hrs. for 400 kg. and 1500 kg. payloads for smallsat constellation providers for national security satellites, 5G internet constellations, the Internet of Things (IoT), Biotech Research, and Space exploration.

In addition, the reusable upper stage will target space junk removal that are in LEO orbit. iRocket is currently funded by the U.S. Space Force – Space Systems Command, The M&J Engineering Group, & Village Global (a venture capital firm).

Turion Space is building spacecraft to remove orbital-debris and provide orbit-modification and domain-awareness services to existing space assets.  The company plans to soon launch their D-1 satellite. Turion Space is funded by Y Combinator, Soma Capital, Forward VC, Pi Campus, FoundersX Ventures, Harvard Management Company, Imagination VC, among several others.

The company's CEO, Asad Malik, said, “We are excited about this new partnership with Turion Space to provide rapid access to space and cost competitive launch costs for their 20 Droid satellites and the low-cost final orbit delivery option their Droid satellites will bring to some of our own customers.”

Turion Space CEO, Ryan Westerdahl, said, “Turion Space looks forward to a strong partnership with iRocket for access to space and for providing us with a pipeline of future customers that will use the final orbit delivery services our Droid spacecraft can provide.”

The Welsh startup Space Forge, unveils their new state-of-the-art facilities as they prepare for the launch of their technologies.

Accelerating the Welsh space industry and helping place the UK at the forefront of the global small satellite launch market, Space Forge are on a mission to make space work for humanity – leading the clean industrial revolution by harnessing the power of microgravity. The company recently announced that, along with partners, they are developing a world-first service incorporating both launch and return of a new small class of vehicle – the ForgeStar – that can be deployed from conventional launchers to provide rapid, reliable and reusable in-space infrastructure.

This returnable service, which will enable microgravity on demand, has been awarded a two-year contract, through the European Space Agency’s Boost! Commercial Space Transportation Services Programme, which is supported by the UK Space Agency, worth €2m. This will cover the preliminary and detailed design phases, as well as the launch, in-orbit operation and return of the first operational ForgeStar demonstration vehicle. 

Following this announcement, Space Forge are ramping up launch preparations – unveiling their operational facilities. The site, based at Eastgate Business Park in Cardiff, currently employs 22 people – with the team growing from two in just sixteen months. Space Forge is looking to expand further, creating another ten job roles within the next six to eight months – catering for the evolution of their technologies and the UK market. 

The facilities, the first of their kind in Wales, include a state of the art clean room, where the payload integration and deployment will take place. This will also be the home of the continued development and testing of the world-first returnable technologies which, alongside the ForgeStar 1, include the Aether prediction system for providing accurate satellite and spacecraft re-entry landing locations that will create the reusable launch service. 

The opening of the facilities is the next step in the company’s development as they pioneer the way to unlocking microgravity for the benefit of humanity and lead the growth of the in-space manufacturing industry, which was identified as one of the key emerging sectors in the recently released UK Space Strategy. 

Space Forge has recognized the huge market potential for this service, with demand currently not being met due to no dedicated platform, no soft return and a heavy reliance on the International Space Station. Space Forge’s dedicated solution – a low-cost, independent, reusable space vehicle able to perform scalable in-orbit manufacturing – will enable the production of new materials for a new earth age.

Andrew Bacon, Co-Founder and Chief Designer stated, “Today is an important day for Space in the UK – direct from the heart of Wales. We’re thrilled to be able to take this next step in our journey. We’re proud to have grown our team rapidly to continue the maturation of our technology and these facilities are the foundations for our first launch next year. We look forward to leading the growth of the huge in-space manufacturing market from here in Cardiff.” 

Welsh Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said, “It’s great to see Space Forge open its fantastic new satellite manufacturing facility. I’m very pleased the Welsh Government has been able to provide support to the company to help them reach this important milestone on their journey to orbit!  

“Earlier this week, I set out my ambition of creating a Welsh economy where more people feel confident about planning their future in Wales. Space Forge is a great example of the type of company we want to see growing here, helping us realise our ambitions of moving the Welsh economy forward by creating a stronger, fairer, greener economic future.“

In Wales, we have a strong track record of delivering high value manufacturing and innovation, creating high quality jobs in our communities. This puts the vibrant cluster of space industry leaders, such as Space Forge, in a prime position to flourish. We’re playing a significant part in supporting the ambition for the UK to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world. The Welsh Government fully backs this ambition.”

Cardiff-based startup, Space Forge, has taken the next step toward delivering their first launch to take place in 2022 with the opening of their new facilities.

Accelerating the Welsh space industry and helping place the UK at the forefront of the global smallsat launch market, Space Forge are on a mission to make space work for humanity – leading the clean industrial revolution by harnessing the power of microgravity. The company recently announced that, along with partners, they are developing a world-first service that incorporates both launch and return of a new small class of vehicle – the ForgeStar – that can be deployed from conventional launchers to provide rapid, reliable and reusable in-space infrastructure.

This returnable service, which will enable microgravity on demand, has been awarded a two-year contract, through the European Space Agency’s Boost! Commercial Space Transportation Services Program, which is supported by the UK Space Agency, worth €2 million. This will cover the preliminary and detailed design phases, as well as the launch, in-orbit operation and return of the first operational ForgeStar demonstration vehicle.

Following this announcement, Space Forge are ramping up launch preparations – unveiling their operational facilities. The site, based at Eastgate Business Park in Cardiff, currently employs 22 people – with the team growing from two in just 16 months. Space Forge is looking to expand further, creating another ten job roles within the next six to eight months – catering for the evolution of their technologies and the UK market.

The facilities, the first of their kind in Wales, include a state of the art clean room, where the payload integration and deployment will take place. This will also be the home of the continued development and testing of the world-first returnable technologies which, alongside the ForgeStar 1, include the Aether prediction system for providing accurate satellite and spacecraft re-entry landing locations that will create the reusable launch service.

The opening of the facilities is the next step in the company’s development as they pioneer the way to unlocking microgravity for the benefit of humanity and lead the growth of the in-space manufacturing industry, which was identified as one of the key emerging sectors in the recently released UK Space Strategy.

Space Forge has recognized the huge market potential for this service, with demand currently not being met due to no dedicated platform, no soft return and a heavy reliance on the International Space Station. Space Forge’s dedicated solution – a low-cost, independent, reusable space vehicle able to perform scalable in-orbit manufacturing – will enable the production of new materials for a new earth age.

Andrew Bacon, Co-Founder and Chief Designer, said, “This is an important day for Space in the UK - direct from the heart of Wales. We’re thrilled to be able to take this next step in our journey. We’re proud to have grown our team rapidly to continue the maturation of our technology and these facilities are the foundations for our first launch next year. We look forward to leading the growth of the huge in-space manufacturing market from here in Cardiff.”

Welsh Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, said, “It’s great to see Space Forge open its fantastic new satellite manufacturing facility. I’m very pleased the Welsh Government has been able to provide support to the company to help them reach this important milestone on their journey to orbit. Earlier this week, I set out my ambition of creating a Welsh economy where more people feel confident about planning their future in Wales. Space Forge is a great example of the type of company we want to see growing here, helping us realize our ambitions of moving the Welsh economy forward by creating a stronger, fairer, greener economic future. In Wales, we have a strong track record of delivering high value manufacturing and innovation, creating high quality jobs in our communities. This puts the vibrant cluster of space industry leaders, such as Space Forge, in a prime position to flourish. We’re playing a significant part in supporting the ambition for the UK to build one of the most innovative and attractive space economies in the world. The Welsh Government fully backs this ambition.”

Precious Payload, a US/UAE space-tech startup that makes planning and execution of satellite missions easier by taking care of mission and supply chain management, has released its latest feature: a comprehensive launch schedule for smallsats.

The schedule, just like online flight-booking tools, gathers all upcoming rocket launches into one, easy-to-browse page. Precious Payload tracks all launches on the planet and filters them against those that are commercially available. The information is kept up to date and is verified and reviewed by industry professionals. Those who are interested in booking a launch can build a mission profile and obtain a quote directly from a launch operator.

“We initially created this tool for internal use, to find launches for our clients quickly and easily. Now we want to share it with the public so anyone can use and leverage the infrastructure behind the small satellite industry. We believe that with our software, entrepreneurs can start a space company—even from their dorm room,” Precious Payload CEO and co-founder, Andrew Maximov, said. “This is just a start as we are planning to build similar tools for all other building blocks of a space mission, including ground segment, spectrum, licensing, components, and insurance.”

The Precious Payload launch schedule helps satellite operators find a launch, manage their mission and connect with the contractors and regulators they need to get their project off the ground. Suppliers to the smallsat industry can also benefit from the launch schedule, using it for everything from sales and marketing to integrating the launch data into their own products using API.

The company plans to add even more robust features in its next release, making the launch schedule a default handbook for engineers to optimize their launch strategy. Future updates will also include useful information on primary payloads, specific drop-off points, environmental requirements, and more.

Precious Payload continues to make space mission management digital and bring transparency into the small satellite supply chains through its user-friendly software and vast network of providers. Its mission is to streamline satellite design, manufacturing, testing, logistics, and in-orbit operations, bringing together all the suppliers needed for a successful launch on the same page with the teams developing payloads​​.

With a team in the US, Precious Payload set up shop in Abu Dhabi as part of the startup community at HUB71 in 2020 with funding from Mubadala Ventures and investors such as Tim Draper, Neo Ventures, Atypical Ventures, and others.

During the recent IAC Conference in Dubai, Leaf Space partnered with Odysseus Space to develop a hybrid ground station network optimized for optical and RF communications.

The two companies will work together to apply Odysseus Space’s CYCLOPS technology to further support Leaf Space’s global Leaf Line network, offering satellite operators additional flexibility in how they communicate with their satellites and constellations, as well as vital backup communication options.

Leaf Space’s existing SaaS-enabled Leaf Line technology allows for easy integration of additional communication technologies, like Odysseus Space’s optical solutions. Creating this first of its kind hybrid network will further decrease latency for communication between in-space assets to Earth through optical Direct-to-Earth links enabled by Odysseus solutions.

Leaf Space and Odysseus Space intend to complete the first hybrid enabled Ground Station by early 2024. This project is supported by the European Space Agency (ESA) and funded by the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA), which awarded Odysseus Space with a contract to support the further development of optical communication infrastructure.

“The market is showing a growing desire for optical communications options as they offer tremendous benefits for satellite operators like higher data rates and in space communications for larger constellations, but it’s still important for operators to have RF options. Particularly when optical solutions are prevented by things like weather or aren’t required for certain use cases or operational modes,” said Giovanni Pandolfi Bortoletto, co-founder and chief strategy officer of Leaf Space. “By partnering with Odysseus Space on this initiative, we are working towards building the first true optical-RF hybrid ground station network that will offer our customers the highest level of flexibility and reliability on the market.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Leaf Space to develop these new hybrid Ground Stations that will further expand our abilities to provide customers with the most capable end-to-end solutions to support their missions in space,” said Jordan Vannitsen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Odysseus Space. “With increasing needs for higher data rate and concerns regarding the RF spectrum congestion, the demand for optical communications is continuing to grow and as we see constellations increase in lockstep, we know that the trend is going to continue. Combining our two market-leading technologies is an asset to customers and we look forward to working with the Leaf Space team.”

Leaf Space is pioneering the concept of ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) for forward thinking satellite and launch operators around the world. Since its inception in 2014, Leaf Space has focused on developing the highest quality ground station services and technology with the goal of creating the most efficient and valuable ground segment solutions available on the modern space market. Leaf Space is based in Lomazzo, Italy and is funded by RedSeed Ventures, Whysol Investments and Primo Space.

Odysseus provides innovative products and services to facilitate the flow of goods and information anywhere in the Solar System. Since 2016, Odysseus Space provided services to support customers at all phases of their satellite missions. The company now focuses on developing CYCLOPS, its end-to-end free space optical communications solution, and ASTRAEUS, its optical navigation solution. ODYSSEUS line of products firstly addresses the smallsats LEO market while paving the way for future applications in Space resources prospection missions. Odysseus Space is based in Luxembourg and Taiwan.

A statement has been issued by Space Development Agency‘s (SDA) Chief of Strategic Engagement, Jennifer Elzea, regarding the agency’s SDA T1TL solicitation.

“The Space Development Agency will rescind the Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL) Request for Proposal, issued on September 30, and reissue the solicitation under Other Transaction Authorities (OTA).

“On October 8, SDA heard from industry through a protest that pointed out the solicitation may have inadvertently limited competition. SDA is committed to full and open competition and the agency understands protests are a potential and not uncommon part of the process, but SDA would like to avoid even the perception that competition was limited in some way. SDA has always had the authorities to use different contracting mechanisms; therefore, SDA will cancel the initial request for proposal submitted using traditional contracting mechanisms under the Federal Acquisition Regulation and will reissue the solicitation under OTA.

“While this is a shift from our earlier acquisition approach, OTAs generally allow for a more streamlined solicitation, evaluation, and contract award processes that is well-suited for SDA. This change is not expected to substantially impact the delivery timeline, cost, or technical requirements for the Tranche 1 Transport Layer. We will ensure that all competitors have time to submit their offers and the agency can evaluate them fully and fairly. Most importantly, the contracting strategy milestones will not impact the pace at which we will deliver capability into the hands of the warfighter.”

The new SDA RFP may be viewed at this direct link…

OneWeb and Tampnet have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to outline a distribution agreement and a series of technology trials. OneWeb is the global communications network powered from space, and Tampnet is described as the largest offshore high capacity, low-latency, communication network.

The arrangement will enable OneWeb to further develop its low latency, high-speed connectivity capabilities and expand its customer base in the offshore sector. In addition to providing access to its distribution network, Tampnet will also be a pivotal partner in collaborating with OneWeb on a series of trials to test and evaluate network capabilities in the offshore energy environment. The trials will initially focus on delivering services to offshore wind farms, rigs and platforms in the North Sea from Q1/2022 and in the Gulf of Mexico, later in 2022.

Nanosatellite will provide images for applications in maritime and junk monitoring, city management and crop yield prediction.

Smallsat mission integrator NanoAvionics has signed a contract with the Korean company, Contec, that includes supplying a 16U nanosatellite as well as mission integration and launch services. The launch of the Earth observation (EO) nanosatellite is planned for the first half of 2023.

The contract also marks the beginning of a two-way collaboration between NanoAvionics and Contec, a provider of ground station services, which NanoAvionics intends to use for its future mission operations in order to extend its global transmission cadence.

The payload of NanoAvionics’ modular 16U satellite bus will consist of an integrated imager with 1,5 m resolution, supplied by NanoAvionics partner, and Contec’s laser communication terminal (LCT). For the efficient delivery of satellite data, Contec will use its existing ground station in Jeju (South Korea) and further 12 stations, to be built by 2022, in Alaska, Sweden, Ireland, and other countries across the globe. 

Contec will also analyze the raw image data, pre-process it and provide insights for applications across various segments, including urban change detection, maritime and junk monitoring and crop yield prediction. The company, established in January 2015, as a spin-off from KARI (Korea Aerospace Research Institute), is already in discussions with local governmental bodies in South Korea which intend to use the satellite imagery obtained from the mission.

Sunghee Lee, CEO of Contec, said, “To enhance our satellite image application service, we decided it would be beneficial to have our own small satellite, built by NanoAvionics. Being able to cost-effectively outsource the whole end-to-end satellite infrastructure to them, allows us to focus entirely on our core business of image processing, data analysis, applications services and ground station solutions.” 

In particular for EO missions such as this, NanoAvionics has advanced a few technologies, including its frame structures capable of supporting even large imagers and their optical alignment under strenuous environmental loads. Other developments by NanoAvionics are its micro-vibration isolators, an advanced attitude determination and control system and a  payload controller, which uses high-data-rate interfaces needed to process and downlink enormous amounts of image data.

Vytenis J. Buzas, co-founder and CEO of NanoAvionics, added, “The agreement with Contec is a brilliant example of our growing global customer base, the great modularity of our superior systems and the continued demand for our one-stop shop mission services.

“At NanoAvionics, we build 95 percent of our satellite subsystems in-house and have great experience with integrating numerous remote sensing and imaging payloads and components from different suppliers, such as the 1,5m resolution imager, into our buses. 

“As a result, we have formed a great partnership network and a fantastic heritage. This allows us to offer complete and flight-proven satellite solutions that have already solved many technical challenges, saving time and costs for our customers looking for EO missions.” 

Previous imaging missions, supplied by NanoAvionics, include EarthTV-1, a 16U nanosatellite built for British space company Sen which is about to provide real-time and timely Ultra-High Definition (UHD) video of Earth as well as D2/Atlacom-1, a 6U nanosatellite launched earlier this year and currently collecting hyperspectral data. 

Tailwind Two Acquisition Corp. (NYSE:TWNT) (“Tailwind Two”), a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), and Terran Orbital Corporation, a developer, innovator and operator of smallsats and Earth Observations (EO) solutions, have jointly announced they have entered into a definitive business combination agreement. Upon the closing of the transaction, the combined company (the “Company”) will operate as Terran Orbital Corporation, with plans to list on the NYSE under the symbol LLAP. The pro forma total enterprise value of the combined companies is approximately $1.58 billion. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2022.

The transaction is supported by gross proceeds of $345 million from Tailwind Two’s cash-in-trust, $50 million from a PIPE with participation from AE Industrial Partners, long-term Terran Orbital investor Beach Point Capital, Daniel Staton[1], Lockheed Martin and Fuel Venture Capital, as well as $75 million of additional financial commitments from Francisco Partners and Beach Point Capital. In connection with the closing of the transaction, up to an additional $125 million in debt commitments from Francisco Partners and Lockheed Martin may be available subject to certain conditions. Existing Terran Orbital shareholders will roll 100% of their equity into the combined company.

Terran Orbital is capitalizing on its fully integrated manufacturing capabilities to launch one of the most advanced EO constellation of smallsats, which will provide highly persistent, real-time Earth imagery as a service, making EO data more abundant and accessible than ever before.

On September 27th, Terran Orbital announced plans to develop a $300 million, 660,000 sq.ft. space manufacturing facility on the Space Coast of Florida. Upon completion, the newly constructed facility is expected to become one of the most advanced, largest vertically integrated satellite manufacturing facilities in the world, capable of producing over 1,000 satellites and space vehicles each year.

Terran Orbital and and Tailwind Two’s boards of directors have unanimously approved the proposed business combination. Completion of the proposed business combination is subject to approval by Tailwind Two’s shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of other customary closing conditions identified in the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by Terran Orbital and Tailwind Two.

"Terran Orbital is the largest independently-owned manufacturer of small satellites in the United States, serving national interests and enabling our customers to leverage the strength of our platform and insights. With our high volume, innovative manufacturing of small satellites, we will be able to deliver emerging technologies to space faster, more affordably and with greater reliability than anyone. Fundamentally, we are creating the new SaaS, Satellites-as-a-Service," said Marc Bell, Co-Founder and CEO of Terran Orbital. "In addition, our industry-leading earth observation constellation will deliver images of any geography on earth, at any time of day or night, within minutes. This capability will unlock a high-growth, high-margin data-as-a-service business model that will be truly transformational for Terran Orbital, its customers and investors."

"Terran Orbital offers an outstanding solution to address the increasing demand for cost-effective data that is only available from space," said Philip Krim, Chairman of Tailwind Two. "Tens of thousands of small satellites will be launched over the next decade, and Terran Orbital is ideally positioned to meet this demand, offering the most innovative, cost-effective small satellites that can meet the data demands for governments and corporations. Similarly, Terran Orbital’s own earth observation constellation will make the most technologically advanced data about our planet commercially available, which will unlock new markets for data and insights across industries."

"At Lockheed Martin, supporting our customers’ missions means not only delivering the most innovative products and services, but also collaborating with future-forward teams," said Rick Ambrose, Executive Vice President, Lockheed Martin Space. "We actively pursue working with organizations that are developing disruptive technologies and leveraging alternative business models. Our experience with Tyvak, which is part of Terran Orbital, has helped us expand our core capabilities to enable hybrid, networked architectures and we look forward to continuing to work together for the benefit of our customers."

"Small satellites will play a critical role in the future of space infrastructure and exploration, as well as provide customers with real time data to make informed and actionable decisions," said Kirk Konert, Partner at AE Industrial Partners. "Terran Orbital is entering into commercial partnerships with BigBear.ai and Redwire to develop and enhance next generation artificial intelligence and space solutions offerings, which is why we’re pleased to back the company and support its future growth."

Additional information about the proposed transaction will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by Tailwind Two today with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on www.sec.gov.