Exolaunch, the global leader in launch mission management, integration, and satellite deployment services, announced the successful deployment of 28 customer satellites during the SpaceX Transporter-10 Rideshare mission. The mission, which took place on March 4, 2024, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marks another milestone in Exolaunch’s commitment to advancing the booming commercial space and smallsat industry.

Exolaunch has participated in all Transporter missions to date, and the Transporter-10 mission builds upon Exolaunch’s previous successes, bringing the company’s total number of deployed satellites up to 391. Exolaunch has a Multi-Launch Agreement with SpaceX, and with each launch procured under the contract, Exolaunch provides its trusted mission management, industry-leading integration services, and flight-proven proprietary separation hardware to ensure efficient and reliable satellite deployments to its customers.

Exolaunch’s customers on the Transporter-10 mission included: Aerospacelab, Careweather, ICEYE, Kongsberg NanoAvionics, Loft Orbital, Muon Space, ONDO Space, Open Cosmos, Orbital Astronautics, SATORO Space, Satlantis, Spire Global, Unseenlabs, and Universität Würzburg.

The end-users that were also served included: CEiiA (Portugal’s Center of Engineering and Product Development) via Open Cosmos, CONTEC via Kongsberg NanoAvionics, and Hubble Network via Spire Global.

In addition, Exolaunch provided its proprietary deployment solutions and integration services to Sidus Space, Space Machines Company and Satellogic.

Hailing from locations around the world – such as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Mongolia, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States – this mission marked one of Exolaunch’s most diverse yet. To effectively navigate intricate technical, logistical, and legal processes, Exolaunch clients onboard the mission received a service package which facilitated end-to-end testing, integration, global shipping, and deployment of their satellites.

The Exolaunch satellites aboard this mission included 16 nanosatellites up to 16U and 12 microsatellites up to 250+ kilograms, and were deployed via eight of Exolaunch’s EXOpod Nova deployers and 12 CarboNIX separation systems. Each payload serves various purposes, contributing to critical advancements in space technology. Notable applications include maritime domain awareness, testing artificial intelligence capabilities in space, and environmental and climate monitoring.

Exolaunch continues to demonstrate its expertise in launch mission integration and deployment technologies, with the Transporter-10 mission showcasing the deployment of a wide range of satellites for a variety of innovative purposes. The success of Exolaunch’s customers on the Transporter-10 mission highlights Exolaunch’s commitment to providing turnkey solutions that meet customer needs and respond to market trends.

“Exolaunch was thrilled to fly on the Transporter-10 mission with SpaceX, deploying an impressive 28 customer satellites into space,” said Jeanne Allarie, chief commercial officer at Exolaunch. “We extend our deepest gratitude to our valued customers and partners, who have placed unwavering trust in our team and services. SpaceX’s Transporter program has redefined the landscape of launching small satellites into orbit, providing an unparalleled and reliable service that reflects their spirit of innovation and cutting-edge launch capabilities. As we celebrate this milestone, we are thankful for the trust we’ve earned and excited for the program’s future, anticipating the rapid launch of many more satellites on a large scale. Exolaunch is well-positioned and prepared to grow alongside the evolving market dynamics, and we look forward to continued success in contributing to the Transporter program.”

About Exolaunch

Exolaunch (Germany, USA) is a global leader in launch mission integration and deployment technologies. With a decade of flight heritage and over 390 satellites launched across 26 missions to date, Exolaunch leverages industry insight to tailor turn-key solutions that meet customer needs and respond to market trends. Exolaunch fulfills launch contracts for industry leaders, the world’s most innovative start-ups, research institutions, government organizations, and international space agencies. The company develops and manufactures its own flight-proven and industry-leading small satellite separation systems, with the fastest-growing heritage on the market. Exolaunch is committed to making space accessible to all and to promoting its safe, sustainable, and responsible use.

Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) has successfully launched and deployed to LEO as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-10 Rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The successful deployment of LizzieSat signifies a monumental achievement for Sidus Space, marking the company’s entrance into the next era of space technology and data services.

“We are thrilled to announce the successful launch of our first LizzieSat satellite,” said Carol Craig, CEO at Sidus Space. “This accomplishment is a testament to the dedication, expertise, and collaboration of our team. LizzieSat epitomizes our commitment to pushing the boundaries of space technology and advancing our mission of Bringing Space Down to Earth.”

LizzieSat is positioned to revolutionize space-based data collection and analysis with its innovative Space Platform with a Purpose and FeatherEdge AI integration. This mission aims to broaden its customer base across military and commercial sectors, offering tailored intelligence solutions for industries such as defense, agriculture, maritime, and oil and gas.

As the LizzieSat mission progresses, Sidus Space remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions and pushing the frontiers of space technology and data collection. The company looks forward to upcoming missions, with LizzieSat-2 and LizzieSat-3 expected to launch on future SpaceX Rideshare missions.

NASA’s PY4 mission’s four CubeSats launched on Monday, March 4, at 2:05 p.m. PST, to LEO aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-10 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Led by Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh and funded by NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program, PY4 seeks to demonstrate spacecraft-to-spacecraft ranging, in-orbit navigation, and coordinated simultaneous multi-point radiation measurements at low size, weight, power, and cost. It uses a unique avionics platform called PyCubed that integrates power, computing, communications, attitude determination, and orbit control functionalities into a single board system. The PyCubed system is also open-source, programmable entirely in the Python programming language and uses affordable commercial off-the-shelf components.

Once in orbit at more than 325 miles above Earth, the spacecraft will periodically measure their relative distances. These range measurements provide information about the spacecrafts’ positions relative to each other, and when combined with other sensor data, can be used to determine the configuration of the swarm. Advancing these capabilities could decrease the workload for operators on the ground while enabling multi-spacecraft missions at an accessible price point. The PY4 platform was previously used in demonstrations of the V-R3x technology, both in orbit and in a suborbital flight test on a commercial high-altitude balloon with NASA’s Flight Opportunities program. Those initial tests helped researchers evaluate PY4’s functionality ahead of this larger demonstration mission.

In addition to the PY4 demonstration, NASA is also testing critical swarming technologies via the agency’s ongoing Starling mission that launched in 2023. PY4 could dramatically reduce the cost of small spacecraft swarming capabilities and make demonstrating technologies like the autonomous navigation system tested via Starling more widely accessible by offering a flight-ready hardware and software platform.

In the top image, engineers at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley insert the mission’s four spacecraft into their dispenser supplied by Maverick Space Systems of San Luis Obispo, California, in preparation for vibration testing.  Each of the one-and-a-half-unit (1.5U) CubeSats measure about 4 inches x 4 inches x 6.5 inches. The spacecraft were later transported to SpaceX for integration on the Falcon 9 rocket in preparation for launch.

PY4 is led by the Robotic Exploration Laboratory at Carnegie Mellon University with funding from the Small Spacecraft Technology program at NASA’s Ames. The Small Spacecraft Technology program expands the ability to execute unique missions through rapid development and demonstration of capabilities for small spacecraft applicable to exploration, science and the commercial space sector. Engineers at NASA Ames supporting the Small Spacecraft Technology program aided the assembly, testing, and integration of the four PY4 spacecraft as well as their delivery to Maverick Space Systems – the PY4 mission’s launch integrator.

This article authored by Chloe E. Truck, NASA

Astroscale Ltd. has successfully bid for the UK Space Agency’s Active Debris Removal (ADR) Refuelling feasibility study.

This £2 million UKSA study program marks a significant milestone in the mission to transform the satellite industry and make space operations more sustainable. The study is focused on the refueling of the UK’s first Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission, for which Astroscale UK is also under contract to develop its COSMIC servicer spacecraft, in addition to a second commercial client to be determined, not only addressing the technological barriers in this ambitious mission, but also continuing to grow the in-orbit economy.

For its COSMIC ADR mission, Astroscale UK is teaming up with more than 10 UK-based partner companies, contributing to further job creation and economic growth across the country, supporting the UK government’s commitment to leveling up. As a global entity dedicated to IOS across all orbital paths, the inclusion of refueling capabilities provides Astroscale with the opportunity to showcase its comprehensive range of services and expertise.

For this new project Astroscale UK has assembled an industry-leading team to carry out the study and, in turn, will execute the refueling mission by strategically harnessing the UK supply chain’s existing relationships from Astroscale’s program, ELSA-M, and from the COSMIC program to maximize benefits for UK industrial entities engaged in ADR. Key collaborators include:

• Thales Alenia Space UK: Renowned for their global expertise in space propulsion, Thales Alenia Space UK will spearhead the design of the servicer refuelling subsystem.
• Airbus Defence & Space UK: A globally recognised leader in managing complex space missions, Airbus is assessing advanced in-space robotic technology based on their significant capability in Stevenage to develop the refueling servicer’s arm.
• Orbit Fab UK: A world leader in setting the standard for in-space refuelling missions, Orbit Fab will undertake the necessary modifications to their Grappling and Resupply Active Solution for Propellants (GRASP) to meet the mission’s requirements.
• GMV UK: Bringing their expertise in ground segment operations to the table, GMV will delve into multi-mission flight dynamics to enhance the mission’ operations.

Astroscale is focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of all Earth orbits, and through the success of this feasibility study and also the COSMIC mission, the company aims to demonstrate how the satellite industry can be transformed from single-use missions to multi-use modular, upgradable platforms — thereby extending mission lifespans, protecting critical national infrastructure, and opening up new possibilities for the entire In-Orbit Servicing Market (IOSM).

“This feasibility study win from the UK Space Agency marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future beyond our planet,” said Nick Shave, Managing Director Astroscale UK and Chair of the UKspace IOSM Committee. “Together with our expert consortium, we aim to pioneer in-orbit refuelling and demonstrate the potential and value in extending space mission lifespans. Astroscale UK is committed to solving critical space challenges and making space safer for generations to come. The addition of this refuelling demonstration project will contribute to growth and strategic leadership in the emerging In-Orbit Servicing Market. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the UK Space Agency in partnership to realise our collective ambition to create a sustainable space environment.”

“Until recently, satellites have been designed as one-shot items: non-refuellable with mission lifespans coming to an end when the satellite can no longer maneuver effectively,” said Ray Fielding, Head of Space Sustainability at the UK Space Agency. “By investing in innovations such as Astroscale’s adapted COSMIC spacecraft, the UK Space Agency is developing new capabilities for performing in-orbit tasks, such as refuelling, and increasing the sustainability of space operations.”

“On-orbit refueling is one of the most challenging tasks to achieve in space but will bring immense benefits for more sustainable space operations,” said Patrick Wood, SVP Space Systems UK, Airbus Defence and Space. “We will focus our expertise in advanced space robotics and spacecraft propulsion systems on this study and continue to further support and widen the overall space ecosystem in the UK.”

BAE Systems has successfully launched their MethaneSAT satellite from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California via a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle. The satellite will provide the public with reliable scientific data about the sources and scale of methane emissions globally, with the ultimate goal of driving reductions in the near future.

MethaneSAT’s primary instrument includes a BAE Systems-built spectrometer that will identify and quantify methane emissions by measuring the narrow part of the infrared spectrum where the gas absorbs light reflected off the Earth. The satellite will monitor emissions from the oil and gas sector, which accounts for about 40% of all human-caused methane emissions, and it will be able to revisit the same sites daily in most instances.

MethaneSAT will also fill a gap in existing remote methane monitoring capabilities, offering high-precision emissions mapping over a broad 200 x 200 km field of view. This satellite will further complement existing methane-monitoring satellites that focus on either larger scales or detecting point sources. 

BAE Systems worked alongside scientists from EDF and MethaneSAT, LLC, to design and build the primary instrument. The company also led spacecraft integration, environmental testing, and will provide commissioning services. Once commissioning is complete, EDF will launch a cloud-based platform in partnership with Google to distribute MethaneSAT data publicly and free of charge, ensuring the data will be easily accessible for all.

“MethaneSAT will make a critical difference in helping us better understand and remedy global greenhouse gas emissions,” said Dr. Alberto Conti, vice president and general manager of Civil Space for BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems. “MethaneSAT will advance our ability to identify and track emissions from their source, empowering stakeholders and the public with actionable data to enable reductions. We are thankful to our customers at the Environmental Defense Fund for developing this crucial mission, and we look forward to seeing all the change it will bring.”

“MethaneSAT is a unique instrument with demanding specifications,” said Peter Vedder, senior director for mission systems at MethaneSAT. “It’s designed to see methane emissions that other satellites can’t, with unprecedented precision. BAE Systems helped us push the envelope to deliver a powerful new tool for protecting the climate.”

Avanti Communications has been granted the authorization required for the company’s HYLAS 4 satellite gateway station in Diamniadio, Senegal.

The Infrastructure Operator Authorization, which was granted on February 29, 2024, by the Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Digital, Mr. Moussa Bocar Thiam, means the gateway’s state-of-the-art infrastructure will now become operational. Avanti will now move on to the final phase of testing before launching the firm’s services are launched.

The launch will provide Senegal with complete, high-speed, national satellite coverage, representing a significant step forward in the country’s telecommunications landscape and supporting the government’s ‘Senegal Digital 2025’ strategy.

Avanti’s satellite coverage will provide reliable, high-speed voice and data to Senegal’s rural communities, schools, hospitals, businesses and government departments, as well as playing a crucial role in improving national security.

Once operational, the gateway is set to be a driving force in Senegal’s digital economy with the potential to generate local employment opportunities. To make this vision a reality, Avanti has committed to investing in Senegal’s growing tech centre and has already started recruiting a team on-the-ground in Diamniadio.

In addition to Senegal, the new gateway will extend the coverage of Avanti’s HYLAS 4 satellite to the surrounding West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, Guinea Bissau, Gambia, Liberia and Ivory Coast, making Senegal a key digital hub for the region. Avanti’s carrier customers will also be able to extend their reach to rural areas and other semi-urban locations where terrestrial networks are currently limited or unreliable.

Kyle Whitehill, CEO at Avanti, said,“This project has been a labor of love for everyone at Avanti and we now look forward to completing our final tests and launching our services. The tech industry in Senegal is accelerating and we look forward to being right at the forefront of its exciting growth trajectory. I want to extend a special thank you to Honourable Mr. Moussa Bocar Thiam, Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Digital, and his technical teams, whose collaboration and commitment to the development of telecommunications have undeniably played a role in the success of this gateway project. Additionally, I’d like to thank the Director-General of The Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Posts and his team for their ongoing support which has played a critical role in securing our license.”

Honorable Mr. Moussa Bocar Thiam, Minister of Communications, Telecommunications and Digital, said, “Our approval of this new gateway reinforces the development of telecommunications in Senegal. The satellite coverage Avanti will provide is set to enhance the lives of millions of people across the country. Critically, the complete national coverage will increase access to high-speed satellite internet in our schools, hospitals and communities – touching the lives of all those who need it.”

Avanti Communications signs strategic agreement with Telesat

Avanti Communications has also signed an MoU Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT),to test and develop LEO services as part of its global strategy to deliver bespoke, multi-orbit solutions to customers at scale.

Avanti plans to incorporate Telesat’s Lightspeed services into its network to provide affordable, high quality broadband connectivity worldwide. Telesat’s global network is composed of 198 state-of-the-art LEO satellites that are seamlessly integrated with on-ground networks.

Avanti is investing heavily in strategic partnerships and its managed services to meet customers’ requirements in an evolving industry where demand for capacity is growing. Avanti’s first low-latency LEO constellation agreement will support the execution of Avanti’s new strategy, which is built on a “customer pull” vs. “technology push” model.

The collaboration will be optimized to serve the critical connectivity requirements of Avanti’s enterprise and government customers once the Telesat Lightspeed constellation is operational in 2027.

Additionally, under the terms of the agreement, Telesat will explore combining Avanti’s landing stations, Points of Presences (PoPs), terrestrial connectivity, site hosting and management services as part of its global terrestrial infrastructure that seamlessly integrates with the Telesat Lightspeed satellite network.

Toby Robinson, Chief of Strategy and Business Development at Avanti, said, “Avanti has already transformed into a customer-led business and will now embark on the next phase of its journey to meet customers’ requirements with multi-orbit solutions tailored to individual needs. The Telesat Lightspeed service will specifically target our enterprise and government customers, enabling us to deliver on our commitment to cater to the most complex requirements while maintaining the high performance, reliability and quality of service our customers expect.”

Glenn Katz, Chief Commercial officer at Telesat, said, “We are delighted to work with partners like Avanti, who recognize the unique value and innovation that Telesat Lightspeed provides for resilient, global connectivity. Integration of Avanti’s EMEA terrestrial infrastructure into the Telesat Lightspeed network provides promising synergies and optimizations for both organizations.”

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has introduced the company’s family of spacecraft buses, consolidating the custom designs Rocket Lab has developed for multiple customers and missions — the family of spacecraft is the result of more than four years of Rocket Lab’s space systems development capabilities.

The spacecraft share many common components and subsystems, designed and manufactured in-house by Rocket Lab, including carbon composite structures, star trackers, reaction wheels, solar arrays, radios, separation systems, avionics, flight and ground software.

Rocket Lab’s family of spacecraft includes:

Photon: The original Rocket Lab spacecraft, Photon is the Company’s integrated launch-plus-spacecraft solution. Photon is a modified Electron Kick Stage with power, propulsion, and communications to deliver a capable LEO platform that serves civil, defense and commercial customers across a range of missions. With a mass of 200-300 kg, Photon is launched on Electron for responsive space and other challenging missions like cryogenic fuel demonstration, taking advantage of precision orbit insertion, launch on demand, and the lowest launch environments in industry.

Lightning: Rocket Lab’s newest spacecraft bus is designed for a 12+ year orbital lifespan in LEO, delivers high power and high radiation tolerance, incorporating redundancy in critical subsystems. This ~3 kW bus is ideal for high operational duty cycle telecommunications and remote sensing applications. Lightning can be launched on Neutron and other medium and heavy launch vehicles. Lightning is based on the same design as the custom spacecraft Rocket Lab developed for MDA and Globalstar and is the basis for the Company’s bus for the Space Development Agency.

Pioneer: A highly configurable medium delta-V platform designed to support payloads up to 120 kg and unique mission profiles, including re-entry missions for Varda Space Industries, and dynamic space operations. Depending on the mission profile, Pioneer can be launched on Electron, Neutron or other launch vehicles.

Explorer: A high delta-V spacecraft with large propellant tanks, deep space capable avionics, and ranging transponders. Explorer enables small spacecraft missions to planetary destinations like Mars and Venus, the Moon, highly eccentric Earth orbits, GEO, Earth-moon Lagrange points, Earth-sun Lagrange points, and near Earth objects (NEOs). Depending on the mission profile, Explorer can be launched on Electron, Neutron or other launch vehicles. Explorer gained flight heritage during the CAPSTONE mission to the Moon for NASA and forms the basis of the twin spacecraft Rocket Lab is developing for the ESCAPADE mission to Mars for NASA and the University of California, Berkeley.

Each member of Rocket Lab’s spacecraft family is currently in production in a range of quantities for different customers, with more than 40 satellites currently in backlog. To support the rapid production of our family of spacecraft, Rocket Lab has established an advanced spacecraft development and manufacturing complex at the Company’s Long Beach headquarters. The facility includes more than 10,000 sq. ft. of cleanroom and 40,000 sq. ft. of additional production and test facilities designed to support constellation class manufacturing and satellite assembly, integration and test for commercial, civil and national security customers.

“We’ve had the privilege of developing, launching, and operating spacecraft for a broad range of customers and they’ve all told us the same thing: They need reliable and highly capable spacecraft built quickly and affordably. Photon was the start, but the Rocket Lab spacecraft family has grown,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “We’ve developed a configurable spacecraft line that delivers high performance at scale, supported by an experienced team, technical maturity, a vertically-integrated supply chain, and advanced manufacturing, test and operations facilities. We’ve designed these spacecraft through close collaboration with our customers to support real missions at constellation scale. The hard development work is done, and now these spacecraft are available as off-the-shelf products, or they can be further customized to meet specific mission requirements.”

“Through vertical integration, we’re able to deliver spacecraft quickly, affordably and reliably using flight-proven components”, said Rocket Lab Vice President Space Systems, Brad Clevenger. “We’ve struck the right balance between commonality to deliver cost-effective, rapid production and ensuring our spacecraft are configurable to suit unique and specific mission profiles.”

EnduroSat has appointed Simon van den Dries as the Head of its Space Services sales team as of March 1, 2024. Simon brings more than 24 years of experience in the space industry, having worked with Spire as VP of Business Development Space Services, as well as SES, GE, and Honeywell. 

EnduroSat kicked its Space Services into high gear last year, raising capital to scale, securing Vyoma as a new customer in situational awareness missions and signing missions for space exploration and remote sensing.

Raycho Raychev, CEO and Founder of EnduroSat, said, “EnduroSat has been working hard to make space more accessible. We strive to empower companies and research organisations to obtain high-quality space data. By streamlining the development of satellites, their operations in orbit, and by providing fixed and clear pricing, our team is enabling more missions to reach space.”

“EnduroSat is a highly driven company with a strong vision to streamline commercial access to space for the global market. The company has made the traditionally complex and protracted process of sending a satellite in space into a straightforward and rapid experience for international customers,” said Simon van den Dries. “I’m excited to join the team and usher EnduroSat’s in-space capabilities into the next era of Space Services.”  

A proud member of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) and Endeavor Network, EnduroSat is one of the fastest-growing space companies in Europe and attributes its successful growth to its team of 180+ leading engineers, technologists, and scientists from 10 countries. The company is proud to support teams who are trying to push the status-quo in space and who bring tangible value back to Earth.