Europe leans on SpaceX to bridge launcher gap
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 22:29
Europe temporarily has no ability to launch payloads into orbit. The Ariane 5’s successor, Ariane 6, is still in development. The Soyuz is no longer available in Europe after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Vega C remains grounded after a December 2022 launch failure.
Viasat signs deal to commercialize European airspace tracking service
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 20:59
European Satellite Services Provider group will lead commercialization of Iris. Iris is an air traffic modernization program the European Space Agency developed with Inmarsat. EasyJet and ITA Airways of Italy are among the first airlines intending to operate early Iris services. Iris forms a part of the Single European Sky’s Air Traffic Management Research master plan.
China’s Landspace set for second methalox rocket launch
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 20:14
Chinese commercial launch firm Landspace is set for a second attempt to reach orbit with its Zhuque-2 rocket July 12. If successful, Zhuque-2 will become the world’s first methalox launch vehicle to achieve orbit. Landspace is one of the earliest and best-funded of China’s emerging commercial launch firms.
Space Command argues for shift from static to dynamic satellite operations
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 20:00
Lt. Gen. John Shaw: U.S. Military needs satellites that can actively maneuver in orbit. Current approach of deploying satellites in designated orbits does not work, he says. Shaw: Space Command is advocating for a new approach he described as "dynamic space operations"
HawkEye 360 satellites to monitor illegal fishing in Pacific Islands
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 08:00
HawkEye 360, a commercial operator of remote-sensing satellites, announced July 6 it was selected by the government of Australia. The company received a contract of undisclosed value from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The company operates a constellation of 21 satellites that detect, characterize and geolocate radio frequency signals.
SpaceX planning for a Starlink launch on July 7th – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Friday, July 7th. At 12:29 p.m., PT (19:29 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 48 Starlink satellites to LEO. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Saturday, July 8th., at 12:06 p.m. PT (19:06 UTC) This is the 12th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission.
ATLAS Space Operations launches Freedom Space to support government missions + also names a new CEO – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
ATLAS Space Operations has launched their wholly-owned subsidiary, Freedom Space Technologies™ (DBA Freedom Space™). Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, this new venture is a deliberate move by ATLAS Space Operations to provide solutions that support the success of government missions. John Williams is joining the company as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) — with a career spanning the United States Air Force and several prominent industry roles.
Astrolight’s ATLAS-1 and Cailabs to demonstrate Space-to-Earth optical communications – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
Astrolight and Cailabs enter into an agreement to launch a satellite mission hosting Astrolight’s space-to-Earth laser communication terminal ATLAS-1. The mutual objective of the mission is to establish laser communication downlinks and thereby demonstrate pointing, acquisition and tracking capabilities.
XipLink names a Senior Vice President of Marketing – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
Sasmith Reddi has re-joined the team as the Senior Vice President of Marketing. Sasmith has performed at the highest levels since first entering the IP networking business out of the University of Maryland. He and other members of the iDirect team were credited with the Virtual Network Operator (VNO) terminology and strategy that has become an industry standard term.
Momentum, Eutelsat and OneWeb to provide connectivity solutions for the oil & gas industry – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
Momentum, a provider of enterprise connectivity solutions in remote areas throughout North and South America, announced an enhanced agreement with OneWeb. Momentum will use OneWeb’s high-speed, low-latency satellite fleet on top of Eutelsat’s ADVANCE global connectivity solution. This partnership will help to bring high-performance communications services to Oil & Gas projects and facilities across Canada and the U.S.
Nuclear fusion rocket breakthrough – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
Pulsar Fusion has started construction of the largest, practical, nuclear fusion rocket engine ever built. The 8 meter fusion chamber is being assembled in Bletchley, England, and when fired in 2027, will temporarily become the hottest place in the solar system. Researchers at Pulsar Fusion hope to reach several hundred million degrees when the final plasma shot is fired in the chamber.
Ocean Signal launches EPIRB2 series – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-06 00:00
Ocean Signal rescueME EPIRB2 and EPIRB2 Pro are approved and available to the market. The rugged, robust beacons, with 10 year battery life, include GNSS positioning, 406 MHz Cospas-Sarsat distress signal with MEOSAR compatibility and 121.5 MHz local homing signal.
Goodbye to the Ariane 5, the ‘Swiss Knife’ of Europe’s launch industry
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-05 15:41
The Ariane 5 flew for the very last time on Wednesday, July 5, sending government communication satellites for Germany and France into space. Flight VA261 lasted for 33 minutes and 32 seconds from lift-off to the separation of the last satellite. The launch was initially scheduled for June 16 but was delayed due to “the redundancy of a critical function on the Ariane 5,” according to Arianespace.