If imaging is important to your mission, here’s an opportunity to learn more about key optical parameters and how they impact imaging performance via an Aperture Optical Sciences webinar that will be held during the SmallSat Conferance.

This virtual presentation will take place on Tuesday, August 4, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., EDT. To register for this webinar, please access this direct link…

The webinar is intended for anyone involved in the specification of optical systems for smallsat applications. Attendees will learn about telescope optical parameters, how to establish their values and the trade-offs between common telescope design forms. An example will be provided incorporating considerations of telescope material selection and thermal environment to tie optical parameters to imaging metrics.

The presenter, Mr. Aikens, is a veteran optical designer with more than 30 years of optical designs deployed for imaging, reconnaissance and laser communications. He is a SPIE Fellow, a graduate of the University of Rochester (BS, MS Optics), the founder of Savvy Optics Corp., Head of the American Delegation of ISO TC172/SC1 and the author more than 40 publications in optical design and specifications.

Sponsored by Aperture Optical Sciences, the company designs and manufactures imaging and laser telescopes for smallsat applications. THe firm’s in-house capabilities for mirror fabrication and telescope alignment enables volume production of optical telescopes — ideal for constellation applications.

To engage with the company during the show, contact can be made daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. — for a conversation, access this direct link to the firm…

Mitsubishi Electric‘s HF Semiconductors and Space & Sensing Systems groups will be participating in the SmallSat Conference virtual exhibition to showcase the company’s High Frequency GaAs, GaN, and SiRF Amplifier devices as well as the firm’s satellite,on-board equipment. Although meeting in person this year is simply not possible, Mitsubishi Electric will be available for live chats during the conference.

The company’s SmallSat Conference info page is located
at this direct link…

Mitsubishi Electric has long supported the advancement of wireless communication networks through the development of its high frequency GaAs, GaN, and Silicon devices. Products manufactured utilizing the latest technology combined with newly developed high-performance materials have kept us in a market leading position.

The company’s range of high frequency devices from 30 MHz to 14 GHz are contributing to the wireless communications infrastructure that enables smaller, more powerful mobile phones and helping to achieve more reliable satellite communications.

The company has long manufactured much of their own on-board equipment, both for the firm’s own satellites as well as for overseas customers’ satellites. Supported by more than 40 years’ experience and state-of-the-art technologies, Mitsubishi Electric brings high-quality performance products to the global commercial market.

Current products include solar array panels and solar power modules, lithium-ion batteries, structural and heat pipe panels, antennas, SSPAs, LNAs, communication components, and more.

NewSpace Systems (NSS) offers all a warm, in-person welcome at this year’s Small Satellite Conference; however, through continued collaboration with partner Oakman Aerospace, the company’s space-proven ADCS products can now be simulated and tested remotely (think fully virtual flatsat with virtual HIL testing and debugging) via the ACORN (Advanced Configurable Open-system Research Network).

This is just one of the ways in which the NSS team are supporting clients during these unprecedented times.

Join NSS for the Global Collaborative Space System Development webinar, which will be conducted on Tuesday, August 4, at 9:00 a.m., MDT.

The NSS team will be available daily for side meetings during the conference. To request a meeting, please select the link below or send an email to mark@newspacesystems.com.

Lastly, be sure to visit the NSS virtual exhibit where more can be learned about the company’s and also get a chance to spin the #GalaxyWheel (the easiest way to WIN BIG at this year’s SmallSat Conference).

“While the world is continuing to feel the effects of CoV-19, the space market is buoyant and as seen during other preceding crises, is proving resilient. During these challenging times, NSS has remained committed to supporting our global partners and the result has been an increase in both personnel and sales. We are thus optimistic about the times ahead and are excited to be a part of enabling the next generation of space programs and constellations,” said Mr. James Barrington-Brown, the CEO of NewSpace Systems

Web Industries Inc. will highlight their design and manufacturing capabilities of thermal insulation blankets and micrometeoroid shielding products.

Space and aerospace OEMs and other visitors registered for SmallSat are invited to meet online with Web Industries officials at one of four designated time slots during the conference. All meetings are individual and confidential. Web engineers will be on hand to meet at the following times:

1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday, August 3, through Thursday, August 6.

At SmallSat, Web Industries will showcase its multi-layer insulation (MLI) blankets and formatted materials for thermal management tasks aboard satellites and space vehicles. MLI blankets are lightweight components consisting of multiple layers of film or foil that reflect radiated heat energy, offering exceptional performance in space environments.

The company is also producing a live event — Space Building Materials — from August 3 through 6, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., MDT. To attend, access this Zoom link…

In a new development, Web is employing Creo CAD software for the first time in its design of MLI blankets. The software enhances Web’s ability to process three-dimensional images and convert them into two-dimensional shapes, resulting in MLI blankets that more closely conform with dimensional requirements.

In addition, Web will exhibit its proven capability to design and manufacture micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) shielding products. High-velocity MMOD particles pose a serious risk of damage to satellites and space vehicles, especially in low Earth orbits. MMOD shields consist of multiple layers of Kevlar® and other high-strength materials. Successive shield layers break up MMOD particles on contact and prevent debris from damaging the spacecraft.

Executive Comment

“During SmallSat, Web representatives plan to address certain key issues of interest to space/satellite OEMs as part of the virtual meeting framework,” says Web’s Business Development Manager for Thermal Insulation Lee Smith. “These include efforts to speed turnaround and reduce cycle times in MLI blanket production, the benefits of increasingly automated MLI manufacturing, and the ability to supply finished blankets with integrated fasteners directly to the launch pad.”

Space Micro will be “attending” the virtual SmallSat Conference and will be presenting their high-performance, radiation-hardened communications, electro-optics and digital systems that are in use in commercial, civil, and military space applications around the world.

The firm’s space flight heritage exceeds 1.7 million hours.

Whether the plans are to launch a GEO leviathan or a constellation of satellites or even a single cubesat, Space Micro provides the assurance of rigorously tested, technologically advanced space electronics. Take a look at Space Micro’s Virtual Exhibit Booth at Booth Space #9.

The company is presenting their 5MP Space Camera, Nanocom Space Qualified Ka-Band Software Defined Transceiver and their μLCT 100 Gbps Lasercom Terminal.

Space Micro also has meeting times available on August 4th and 5th. To schedule, please contact Janice Franklin: jfranklin@spacemicro.com.

There will be an NSR side meeting panel discussion at the 2020 SmallSat Virtual Conference.

Time: 9:00 – 10:00 AM MDT (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT)

To attend this proceeding, please access this direct link…

As smallsats become more prevalent in the industry, a larger number of private and government operators are making the leap to pack better payloads in sub-500 kg platforms with the hopes of striking it big. The move is on for communications, Earth Observation (EO) and other applications to produce and launch a flurry of smallsats for a wider variety of end-user customers.

Join NSR to hear from NSR and key industry players where they see the opportunities for smallsats and the markets that will reap the greatest returns.

NSR Co-Moderators:
Shagun Sachdeva, Sr. Analyst, NSR
Leena Pivovarova, Analyst, NSR

Panelists:
Jarrod McLachlan, Senior Manager of Rideshare Sales, SpaceX
Lars Hoffman, Senior Vice President – Global Launch Services,
Rocket Lab
Ali Younis, Satellite Business Developer & Strategist, Astranis
Steve Good, Vice President Business Development – North America,
Thales Alenia Space
Negar Feher, VP of Product and Business Development,
MOMENTUS Space

During the SmallSat Conference, Momentus will be offering an in-depth workshop entitled “How to Host Your Payload in Space” on Tuesday, August 4, at 3:00 p.m. PST.

Momentus provides in-space transportation services for satellites. The company was founded in 2017 in Santa Clara, California. Momentus designs and builds transfer vehicles propelled by proprietary water plasma thrusters. The vehicles ferry satellites to a custom orbit after they are delivered by conventional rockets to their initial orbit. Momentus is a 70 person team that is growing rapidly in size.

The Momentus workshop will be accessible via this direct link…

Satellite Applications Catapult‘s official GRAVITY Challenge 02 Launch Event and Challenge Announcement will occur on Monday, August 3, 2020, at 8:00 a.m., BST (British Summer Time) / 5:00 p.m., AEST (Australian Eastern Standard Time).

This interactive virtual event will feature keynote speakers from the global space ecosystem, an announcement of the company’s GRAVITY 02 Challenges and an overview of the 12 week mission the firm’s space innovation teams will embark on — register at at this direct link…

The GRAVITY Challenge is an international technology innovation program that brings together Challenge providers (corporates, government agencies and other businesses) and Innovators (entrepreneurs, RTO’s, universities, start-ups and SMEs) to collaborate and create solutions to some of business and society’s biggest challenge using space data and space capability.

GRAVITY Challenge 02 is an opportunity for bilateral engagement between Australian and the UK Innovators and Challenge providers to gain visibility and access to international end users, customers and collaborators.

In 2020, UK and Australian Innovators will be able to put forward concepts and solutions for development with Australian and UK Challenge providers. Innovators can register as an independent team or in collaboration with other innovators (both Australian and UK) to create new solutions, regardless of geographic location.

Myriota has announced a new partnership with Future Fleet International, an Australian telematics provider that delivers advanced fleet management solutions.

With this partnership, Future Fleet will reduce the carbon footprint for multiple industries by developing a new vehicle and asset tracking technology – the NX-01 intelligent tracking solution – underpinned by Myriota’s low-power IoT technology and smallsat connectivity.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Queensland, Future Fleet is one of the leading providers of advanced telematics for fleet management across Australia and New Zealand, with plans to expand into global markets. Powered by Myriota’s pioneering satellite IoT connectivity, Future Fleet plans to advance its capabilities across fleet management with the first asset tracking device on Myriota’s global network.

Myriota’s patented direct-to-orbit transmission is the perfect fit for the mobile asset tracking industry with its ability to transmit data without the need for terrestrial infrastructure, anywhere in the world.

The NX-01 intelligent tracking solution will be Future Fleet’s most advanced asset tracking device to date – brought to life via Myriota’s low-power secure satellite IoT connectivity. Together, the partnership will provide Future Fleet customers across agriculture, mining, and logistics and transport with a more reliable and cost-effective tracking solution to complement traditional cellular-based GPS tracking devices especially in remote and isolated areas.

The new solution will launch in Q4 2020, massively accelerating Future Fleet’s savings on asset tracking by more than 50 percent, while also strengthening service, security and battery life for its customers.

At the onset of COVID-19, industries, such as mining and long-haul transport, faced an uncertain new reality with less staff on the ground than ever before due to social distancing restrictions. The ability to reliably and affordably track assets is key to the stability of these industries during a time when there is a cap on available labor, and decision-makers are looking to save resources for a long-term business outlook.

Executive Comments

“Our partnership with Future Fleet is a testament to the forward-thinking nature of both organisations. Together, we’re creating an opportunity to not only rapidly advance the capabilities of the transport and logistics sector at large, but also lower the sector’s carbon footprint through optimised routes and reduced fuel consumption,” said Alex Grant, CEO, Myriota. “Future Fleet’s new NX-01 intelligent tracking solution is the culmination of two best of breed companies working together, providing transport organisations with a distinct advantage over their competition and total visibility of their assets.”

“Future Fleet has always been a customer-centric business, providing the best service and technologies possible to our customer base. Our partnership with Myriota provides us with the capability to revolutionize how our customers track and manage their assets – allowing for a more reliable and cost-effective technology across the board,” said Richard Saad, GM, Future Fleet. “When analyzing the IoT landscape as a whole, we knew quickly that we wanted to partner with Myriota as they’ve consistently been ahead of the competition in driving innovation in IoT and growing a global network. We’re thrilled to work closely with Myriota and bring its global network of satellite IoT connectivity to our customers.”

Dawn Aerospace has unveiled the firm’s suborbital spaceplane, the “Mk-II Aurora,” ahead of an intensive 12 month flight test campaign.

The Mk-II Aurora is the latest development in a series of test vehicles that will one day launch satellites into space. It is the second rocket-powered aircraft or “spaceplane” produced by Dawn Aerospace. It will be capable of flights to above 100 km altitude, the border to space, before returning to land at an airport. Upon landing it can be refueled and flown again within hours. The Mk-II Aurora will be the first vehicle to ever be capable of such a feat multiple times per day.

The Mk-II Aurora will demonstrate the core technology for daily access to space in a subscale vehicle. It has a modest payload capacity, enough to bring scientific experiments to space, but too little for an orbital second stage. The later generation Mk-III will be based on the Mk-II design, but with a larger payload capacity. This will allow a 50-100 kg smallsat to be delivered to orbit.

The Mk-III will deliver smallsats into orbit using an expendable second stage. After releasing a satellite, the second stage burns up in the atmosphere and accounts for about 6 percent of the whole vehicle, making the whole system 94 percent reusable.

Current rockets have to fly out of special launch sites and secure, exclusive airspace. This means they have to shut down busy travel routes, such as around Cape Canaveral in Florida, or travel to far-flung places where air and sea traffic is low. Dawn Aerospace will fly its spaceplanes from existing airports under aircraft laws. They are working closely with the NZ Space Agency (NZSA) and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to make that happen.

Dawn signed an MOU with Waitaki District Council earlier this year for suborbital flights out of Oamaru Airport. The company is also in talks with other airports around New Zealand.

Dawn Aerospace acquired seed funding of 3.3 million NZD in December 2018, as well as funding for the project through Callaghan Innovation. They were awarded a grant of $500,000 from NZSA for development of non-toxic satellite propulsion. The company also has a major facility in Delft, The Netherlands.

Test flights of the Aurora will start in late 2020. For preliminary testing, it will be powered by two jet engines and will fly the first scientific experiments in 2021. The paint scheme was designed by the winner of the “paint my plane competition,”,Prague-based company, LOOP Studios.

Executive Comments

“The Aurora represents a massive step forward in space transportation,” said Stefan Powell, Chief Technology Officer of Dawn Aerospace. “Using the same vehicle hundreds or even thousands of times means we don’t need a factory to produce rockets. We can operate a fleet of vehicles to access space daily. And we don’t have to pollute the ocean with rocket debris as we do it.”

“The challenge of getting to space is equal parts the vehicle, the launch infrastructure and the regulation,” said James Powell, General Manager and CFO. “Building a cheaper rocket, as many are trying to do, only helps with the first part. Dawn’s spaceplane addresses all three factors. The CAA and NZSA have established the best regulatory system in the world, which makes this possible. We are privileged to be working with them.”

The first scientific experiment will fly on the Aurora in 2021 and will be built by the Centaurus High School Physics Club from Denver, Colorado. The experiment will measure airborne pollutants in the mesosphere, which is too high to be measured by any other means.

Although primarily a technology demonstrator for the Mk-III, the Aurora will also be extraordinarily useful for scientific research. It will be capable of accessing parts of the atmosphere too high for regular aircraft or balloons, but too low for satellites.

“We know very little about these parts of the atmosphere,” said Stefan Powell. “In some cases, we have less data to go on than we have on Jupiter or Saturn, yet we know that these high layers in the Earth’s atmosphere have a profound effect on weather down on the surface and long-term climate models. The Aurora could allow us to get 1000x the data within a year which will dramatically improve climate models. That’s very exciting for the scientific community.”