The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has transitioned the Planet commercial imagery subscription service from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to the NRO.

As part of the transition, the NRO awarded Planet an unclassified, multi-year subscription service contract for daily, large-area, 3 to 5 meter resolution commercial imagery collection.

Recognizing the importance of mission continuity, the scope of the new NRO contract is comparable to NGA’s previous contracts with Planet and includes access to new daily unclassified imagery over multiple areas of interest to military planners, warfighters, and the national security community. The transition is consistent with NGA’s and NRO’s role in exploring new and viable commercial GEOINT opportunities for national security missions.

Pete Muend, Director, NRO’s Commercial Systems Program Office, said that with its large constellation of satellites, Planet can image country — and even continent-sized areas — every day. This capability to provide daily revisit over large areas of the Earth gives analysts unparalleled opportunities to discover and monitor activity for a wide range of applications. The NRO is committed to ensuring NGA and its customers continue to have access to Planet imagery to perform the vital analysis needed to create value-added geospatial products for our partners and policy makers.

David Gauthier, Director of NGA’s Source Commercial and Business Operations Group, added that NGA’s 2016 Planet subscription played a role in the agency’s analytic transformation, where the NRO is now focused less on pixels and more on information content and services. Planet imagery demonstrated the value that daily revisit of large areas, at 3 to 5 meter resolutions, to several mission areas – especially when combined with geospatial analytics. With the transition, NGA can continue to shift its focus to emerging commercial GEOINT products and services that uniquely support our user community.

LeoLabs, Inc. has launched their Kiwi Space Radar (KSR) — as the first commercial radar to track objects in LEO smaller than 10 centimeters, the KSR sets a new standard for tracking the full range of threats to satellites from orbital debris.

LeoLabs’ Kiwi Space Radar in New Zealand. Photo by LeoLabs.

Located in New Zealand, the KSR also expands LeoLabs’ radar network to the southern hemisphere, and marks the first of a series of next generation LeoLabs radars to be deployed globally.

Michael Nicolls, Co-Founder and LeoLabs CTO, said the Kiwi Space Radar raises the bar on addressing the threat of collisions that have never before been tracked in LEO. By operating at a higher frequency than the firm’s earlier sensors, the KSR was designed to track an estimated 250,000 additional objects down to 2 centimeters in size. These objects account for most of the risk of collisions in space and KSR is the first big step toward addressing that risk. It will enable thousands of new satellites to safely use LEO.

Dan Ceperley, Co-Founder and CEO of LeoLabs, added that the Kiwi Space Radar represents a huge step in executing on the company’s vision for customers and investors. As thousands of satellites and new constellations deploy into LEO, LeoLabs’ mission is to provide a backdrop of data-driven transparency and certainty to support satellite operators, regulators,space agencies, and industries that rely on satellite services. Today’s KSR announcement proves a foundational piece of this vision. The firm’s radar network constitutes a clear strategic advantage in building the leading LEO services platform and the ‘catalogue of the future’ for LEO.

In addition to tracking small debris, the Kiwi Space Radar incorporates other significant features:

• Automated search capability. As LeoLabs builds out the LEO catalog of the future, the KSR provides the ability to automatically search, discover objects and events.Generating orbital information without the need for human intervention will provide a more timely and complete picture for SSA and traffic management services.
   
• Southern hemisphere coverage. The KSR is the first phased-array radar of its class located in the southern hemisphere. It improves frequency of revisits, enables better orbit assessment, and improves monitoring of maneuvers and events.
   
• Improved precision in measurements and orbit determination. As the KSR dramatically increases the quantity and quality of observations for each satellite and piece of orbital debris, LeoLabs can deliver greater accuracy and timeliness to support mission decisions and threat assessment.

Mr. Ceperley noted that locating the Kiwi Space Radar in New Zealand was a strategic decision for LeoLabs and the company is delighted to become a full-fledged participant in this emerging space sector. The firm’s investment model is aligned with New Zealand’s vision of sustainable development and responsible stewardship of space. Through the leadership of the New Zealand Space Agency, and initiatives such as the Innovative Partnership program from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment(MBIE), New Zealand is building what we believe to be one of the great space sectors for the next generation. A benefit of the LeoLabs presence in New Zealand is that the company has had the opportunity to engage across many communities, ranging from Ministerial levels to local communities, including schools, local government, entrepreneurs, and universities. Plans are to engage in this same “community-based” model as the firm expands to other parts of the world going forward.

Rocket Lab‘s next mission, As the Crow Flies is ramping up for a launch within the 14-day window running from October 15 – 28, 2019.

The mission will lift-off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. Encapsulated in Electron’s fairing will be a single spacecraft for Astro Digital, a California-based satellite manufacturer and operator.

Astro Digital provides customers with complete space-based systems and mission support services for applications such as Earth observation, satellite communications, and technology demonstration.

This mission will fly a Palisade technology demonstration satellite, a 16U CubeSat bus with on-board propulsion system, a next generation Astro Digital developed communications system, and software developed by Advanced Solutions Inc. including an advanced version of ASI’s MAX Flight Software.

The mission is named ‘As The Crow Flies’ in a nod to Astro Digital’s Corvus Platform, which provides flexible and cost-effective solutions across a wide range of applications and mission profiles on bus variants ranging from 6U and 16U CubeSats to ESPA Class. Corvus is also a widely-distributed genus.

SEAKR® Engineering, Inc. (SEAKR) has been awarded a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Pit Boss contract supporting the Blackjack Proliferated Low Earth Orbit Demonstration Program — Key contributors to SEAKR’s Pit Boss effort are Microsoft, Applied Technology Associates (ATA), Advanced Solutions Inc. (ASI), Kythera Space Solutions and NKrypt.

DARPA’s Blackjack program focuses on integrating commercial satellite technologies into a constellation of affordable, small, secure, and resilient military satellites. SEAKR’s Pit Boss solution will support the BlackJack program’s mission as a next generation on-board processor leveraging off-the-shelf electronics adapted through design implementation to function reliably in space. To deliver an extensible, scalable, and adaptable solution, SEAKR’s Pit Boss aims to deliver state of the art processing capability incorporating autonomous operations, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning techniques, and bridged terrestrial and on-orbit technologies.

SEAKR’s processing system for DARPA’s Blackjack program leverages four generations of architectural capability supporting the full spectrum of payload processing performance requirements, with a high level of on-orbit reconfigurable processing capability. Pulling from its established heritage capabilities, strength in RF communications, along with the continuous product and architectural advancement, SEAKR continues to define leading edge, state-of-practice processing systems in partnership with Government, Civil, and Commercial entities.

DARPA’s Blackjack program aims to develop and demonstrate the critical elements for a global high-speed network in low Earth orbit (LEO) that provides the Department of Defense with highly connected, resilient, and persistent coverage.

Image is courtesy of DARPA.

SEAKR’s previous study and prototype advancements have successfully contributed to our customer’s ability to solve complex challenges imperative in advancing capability to meet today’s most daunting mission objectives. Key technologies being deployed and leveraged include: ADC and DAC Technologies, FPGA-based Processing Technologies, and ASIC-Based Processing Technologies.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The 2020 SmallSat Symposium starts on February 3, 2020, with workshops, then the Conference runs February 4 to 6 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘New Space’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

U.S.-based EOS Data Analytics Inc. (EOS), a space portfolio company of Noosphere Ventures, has unveiled EOS SAR – a project to develop its own synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors intended for deployment in a constellation of smallsats.

EOS SAR has been in stealth mode for more than two years. EOS has more than 5 years of experience in developing data analytics products and cloud services for optical and SAR data from satellites. Over the years, the company has developed an in-depth understanding of commercial and government remote sensing markets, which informed the decision to create its own SAR satellite constellation.

EOS engineers have already designed a radar prototype and are moving ahead with the development of a low-cost high-performance SAR payload for small satellites with ultra-high resolution down to 25 cm. EOS SAR satellites will operate in Stripmap and Spotlight modes (including interferometry) and will cover a wide range of applications. EOS is also considering dual-frequency SAR in X- and S-band on a single satellite. Dual-band operation increases versatility for all weather imaging and improves object-ground contrast. A special configuration of the radar front end allows for imaging of selected areas in both bands in a single orbit.

The SAR payload incorporates a deployable reflector antenna developed in-house at EOS. This antenna technology enables EOS SAR instrument to improve satellite efficiency and offer superior image quality. Moreover, the antenna itself has low mass and dimensional characteristics, making it more favorable and less costly to launch the satellite into orbit.

EOS is building a SAR satellite payload suitable for constellations enabling high revisit rates. A constellation of 12 satellites will provide 2-3 hours revisit time for a given area. The first SAR satellite launch is expected in 2022, with commercial constellation operations starting in 2023.

Max Polyakov, CEO of EOS and Managing Partner at Noosphere Ventures, said EOS learned that the remote sensing market has strong demand for high-resolution high-quality SAR data, but low supply of such data. The choice of SAR technology is driven by the need to image Earth’s surface through dense cloud cover, in any season and all weather. It is critical for users to have access to uninterrupted, persistent situational awareness. EOS is strategically leveraging deep expertise and diverse capabilities within Noosphere Ventures portfolio including radar electronics, deployable antennas, propulsion systems, batteries, and data analytics in order to create a SAR payload technology which delivers unsurpassed performance at an unbeatable price. At the same time, the company is open to cooperation and are currently looking for bus providers and a constellation owner to deploy and monetize the constellation. The constellation will be part of a fully U.S. owned and operated commercial remote sensing enterprise.

A launch agreement for the first two satellites of many more to follow has been signed with Kepler Communications, which will be working with Space Logistics B.V (ISL) and GK Launch Services. Kepler’s satellites will be sent into sun-synchronous orbit in Q2-Q3 2020, and will be the first of multiple batches of the next-generation platform, forming part of Kepler’s Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation for global data services.

Kepler’s next generation of satellites will incorporate both a high-capacity Ku-band communications system and a narrowband payload, for both high-speed data transfers and low-power direct-to-satellite IoT connectivity. Planning to place approximately 140 satellites in LEO in three incremental phases, from 2020 to 2023, Kepler continues to execute on schedule against plan. Kepler has two demonstration satellites in orbit that are currently delivering Kepler’s high-capacity data transfer service to a number of early customers.      

Jared Bottoms, Head of Launch & Satellite Programs at Kepler said that ISL has been a key partner for Kepler as they have grown in their deployment strategy. They are excited to continue to use their unique deployers and services, this time with GK launch services to deploy the first of the next generation. ISL and Kepler partnered for the company’s first inaugural mission which successfully launched Kepler’s first satellite into orbit in January 2018, and its next satellite later in November in the same year. 

Abe Bonnema, Director of ISL, added saying that following the successful partnership for the launch of their demonstrator satellites, they are pleased and grateful to be selected by Kepler again for this important task of getting the first next-generation satellites to orbit on their 27th ISILaunch Campaign with their Soyuz partners next year. 

GK Launch Services CEO, Alexander Serkin concluded saying that they are happy that Kepler has chosen Soyuz-2 LV for launching its next-generation satellites. The GK team possesses all necessary competences to successfully and smoothly implement the mission that they hope will become a good basis for building a relationship with Kepler for future missions.

The company’s LEO constellation will grow to become a space data relay system to serve other constellations with high-speed data backhaul capabilities. Today, Kepler is focused on building the install base for Global Data Service™, its pole-to-pole wideband connectivity service for mobile and fixed applications. EverywhereIOT™, Kepler’s affordable solution for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, will enter user trials in the coming months. 

Perigee Aerospace has signed an agreement to use the Southern Launch rocket facilities in South Australia, starting next year.

Signed at the 8th Space Forum in Adelaide, South Australia, the agreement sees the two New Space startups work together to launch small payload rockets over the Great Australian Bight. Southern Launch CEO Lloyd Damp signed the deal with Perigee CEO Yoon Shin at the beginning of Space Week in South Australia. The pair committed to testing the launch facility in 2020 ahead of regular, commercial launches from 2021.

Yoon Shin said he already had customers for his small launch vehicle Blue Whale, pictured to the left, designed to lift smallsats into low altitude high inclination orbits. “We have various customers willing to launch their payloads ranging from 35 to 50 kilograms on our rocket,” he said. “So we are making some of the deals, and since our launch date is secured, right now we can start progressing those deals even further.”

Started in 2012, Perigee Aerospace began by developing and launching numerous sounding rockets for meteorological research for the Korean government. In 2018 and 2019 the company received two rounds of venture capital backing from some of South Korea’s leading technology investors including Samsung Venture Investments and LB Investment (a subsidiary of LG) to support the development of Blue Whale. The company is also supported by KAIST, South Korea’s top technical research institution.

Damp said securing a commercial launch partner with such good backing would fast track the development of the launch site at Whaler’s Way at the tip of the Eyre Peninsula. He said there would not be a problem building the necessary infrastructure in a year because Southern Launch had been granted Major Project status by the South Australian Government and the physical requirements of a New Space project were not massive.

“A lot of people say ‘space launch! this means Cape Canaveral’, you know, bulldozers, all this type of stuff,” Damp said. “In reality, we’re putting up a glorified garden shed for the vehicle assembly and then a piece of concrete, which is about the same size footprint as a residential home. So this is tiny, tiny equipment to launch rockets into space. It’s called New Space.”

The 1190 hectare Whaler’s Way site is about a 35 minute drive from the regional center of Port Lincoln. The complex is 250 km. west of Adelaide and 500 km. south of Woomera, the historic rocket launch site that is restricted to military use.

Damp said the project was an example of how the entire business model around space has changed. “It’s the small sats, a couple of kilograms, helping farmers get connected to their land, or monitoring illegal shipping, fishing, you name it.”

Shin said he started negotiations with Southern Launch after meeting Damp at the International Astronautical Congress in Bremen, Germany, in 2018. He said there were three main reasons for signing up with Southern Launch, the first being its location, which is suitable for launching smallsats into sun synchronous or polar, or inclinations down to 60 degrees into orbit, which are the inclinations most of the customers are interested in. The second reason was that launching over the Great Australian Bight meant there was little air or maritime traffic and the third reason was the strategy of the newly established Australian Space Agency to prioritize commercial applications.

The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex in South Australia will be capable of launching rockets like Rocket Lab’s Electron, pictured here.

Australia aims to grow the space market segment from AU$3.9 billion to AU$12 billion by 2030 and double space industry employment to 30,000. South Australia has been a significant player in the nation’s space industry and is home to major Tier 1 defence companies and several emerging space startups. The space industry in South Australia received a further boost in April when it was announced the $245 million national SmartSat CRC would be headquartered in the state. The research centre will join the Australian Space Agency at an innovation neighborhood called Lot Fourteen in the CBD on Adelaide. Lot Fourteen will also house the Defence and Space Landing Pad, Mission Control Centre, Space Discovery Centre and a growing ecosystem of space startups such as Myriota and Inovor.

Article by Jim Plouffe, Contributor, The Lead

Photo of Rwanda’s RWASat-1 smallsat.

In a posting by David Oni at the Space in Africa infosite, he reports that the African space industry has recorded another milestone as the nations of Rwanda and Egypt have launched their 1st and 8th satellites (NARSScube-1 and RWASat-1), respectively.

The satellites were carried aboard Japan’s Kounotori-8, (aka HTV-8), a robotic cargo spacecraft carrying a payload of supplies, experimental materials and new replacement batteries to help power the International Space Station (ISS).

The HTV-8 which was launched by Japan’s Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) from one of the company’s H-IIB rockets, which was designed to carry both a pressurized and unpressurized cargo compartments.

The rocket, which was commissioned by Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), took off from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center at its scheduled instantaneous launch window of 12:05 PM EDT (1:05 AM JST) on Tuesday, September 24, and arrived the International Space Station on Saturday,  September 28.

NARSScube-1 is a single-unit cubesat built by Egypt’s National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS).

Photo is courtesy of NARSS.

Among the cargo carried onboard the HTV-8 rocket were three smallsats (AQT-D, NARSScube-1 and RWASat-1) for deployment from the International Space Station via the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD).

NARSScube-1 and RWASat-1 were built to the cubesat standard, and are scheduled to be released from Kibo module’s airlock later this year.

Journalist David Oni.

To read the entire article,
please access this direct Space in Africa infosite link…