Firefly launches Space Force ‘Victus Nox’ mission
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-15 08:05
The U.S. Space Force says Firefly Aerospace successfully launched a Millennium Space small satellite. The mission, known as Victus Nox, flew on a Firefly Alpha rocket. It lifted off at 7:28 p.m. Pacific from Space Launch Complex 2 West at Vandenberg.
Ex-Im Bank considering more than $5 billion in space industry financing
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-15 05:33
U.S. Export-Import Bank is considering proposals for more than $5 billion in satellite industry financing. Ex-Im official Judith Pryor spoke at the World Satellite Business Week conference. She did not identify any specific proposals that the bank was reviewing, other than there were "more than a handful"
NASA releases independent report on UAP research
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-15 04:07
NASA releases final report of independent study team it commissioned last year. Study examined how NASA resources, like data, could be used to better understand UAP. Study was not an attempt to study UAP themselves. NASA: No evidence to suggest UAPs are extraterrestrial in origin.
Post-SPAC space firms redoubling efforts to attract institutional investors
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 21:43
Rocket Lab, Redwire and BlackSky went public two years ago. Their shares have fallen from a $10 listing price as investors pull back from the market. Rocket Lab raised $777 million from its SPAC deal to help fund its new Neutron medium-class rocket.
Senate Armed Services Committee to probe Starlink operations in Ukraine
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 21:22
Sen. Jack Reed plans to launch an investigation into SpaceX’s actions in Ukraine. The topic of Starlink’s crucial role in Ukraine was discussed in March at a SASC military space hearing. The debate has been reignited with the recent release of a new Musk biography.
DoD submits congressionally mandated space policy report
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 19:05
Defense Department submitted to Congress a report explaining how it intends to keep satellites in orbit safe from aggression. The unclassified report was mandated by law and is an attempt to explain how DoD is dealing with threats facing U.S. Satellites. Report identifies DoD’s key priorities with regard to space systems.
KaleidEO demonstrates on-orbit processing
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 15:13
KaleidEO has shown that its deep-learning algorithms can analyzing imagery in orbit. KaleidEO’s algorithms are designed to detect clouds, roads, buildings and bodies of water. The Bengaluru-based company plans to launch four Earth-observation satellites in 2025.
Swissto12 secures million€€ in growth financing for 1st GEO smallsat – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
Swissto12 has secured a 26.15 million euros working capital facility from UBS Switzerland AG. The bank will provide Swissto12 with access to additional working capital to support the delivery of the company’s first HummingSat. Since the company was founded in 2011, Swissto 12 has raised more than 50 million euros in venture capital.
Rogue Space ready for liftoff – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
Rogue Space Systems, creator of Orbots™, autonomous AI robots, has successfully integrated their “Barry” (Barry-1) spacecraft into its deployer with partner Exolaunch. Barry-1 is now ready for transport to Vandenberg Space Force Base where it will be flying on the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission in October 2023.
SpaceX preps for a Friday launch of 22 Starlinks – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Friday, September 15 at 12:03 a.m. ET (04:53 UTC) for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit. This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, SES O3b mPOWER, and two Starlink missions. The first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.
Gilat to provide satellite network modernization at Ethiopia’s Ethio Telecom – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. Received a contract for satellite network modernization at Ethio Telecom of Ethiopia. SkyEdge II-c with hundreds of Capricorn and Gemini VSATs will be used to enable enhanced satellite-based 4G cellular backhaul capabilities and enterprise communications.
LMO partners with In-Space Missions on AUREA SDA program – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
LMO (Luxembourg & UK) and In-Space Missions Ltd. (UK) have partnered to explore the use of smallsat platforms for space-based, Space Domain Awareness (SDA) The AUREA program will focus on multi-sensor and multi-modal technologies that include optical, LiDAR and radar instruments.
UKTV and SES expand partnership with multi-year agreement – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
SES and UKTV agree to extend capacity agreement at SES’s key TV neighborhood at 28.2 degrees East through the end of the decade. In addition to the renewed transponder for UKTV’s bouquet of channels, the agreement will see SES provide new uplinking and ground services.
INTEGRASYS + Keysight forge a strategic partnership – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 00:00
INTEGRASYS has engaged in a substantial expansion of the company’s strategic partnership with Keysight. The expanded partnership reflects a shared vision of delivering excellence and value to customers in the telecommunications and satellite industries. Both firms have a commitment to innovation and customer-centric business and will help to shape the future of these dynamic sectors.
NASA-Built Greenhouse Gas Detector Moves Closer to Launch
The spectrometer arrived Sept. 12 at Planet, where it will be integrated into a Tanager satellite. Launch is planned for early 2024. The spectrometer was put through a series of critical tests to ensure that it could withstand the rigors of launch and the harsh conditions of space.
NASA, Partners Study Ancient Life in Australia to Inform Mars Search
The Pilbara is the perfect classroom for teams to study stromatolites that have withstood the test of time and scientific rigor. The group investigated how the environment in which these signs of ancient life were found could have been conducive or unfavorable to biology taking shape.
RS-25 engine installation into the Artemis II SLS Core Stage begins
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-14 16:05
Four RS-25 liquid-propellant rocket engines are being installed in NASA's second SLS core stage. The first RS-25 was installed in the core stage for the Artemis II crewed, lunar-flyby flight test. The engines were originally uncrated and prepped for installation early this year.
SpaceX waiting for FAA to approve launch licence for Starship’s second flight
Original Publication Date: 2023-09-13 18:21
FAA has approved SpaceX's list of corrective actions for second test flight of Starship rocket. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk then released a list of 63 corrective actions on X; six will be completed on later flights as SpaceX teams develop solutions. The FAA process is clearly going to take the test launch into next month at the earliest. Ship 25 was then destacked on Thursday morning.