China rolls out rocket for Queqiao-2 lunar satellite launch
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-18 08:32
China is set to launch its Queqiao-2 communications relay satellite to support upcoming moon missions late March 19. A Long March 8 rocket was vertically transferred to a launch pad at Wenchang Satellite Launch Center early March 17. The rocket will launch Queq Xiao-2 towards the moon in preparation for the Chang’e-6 lunar far side sample return mission in May.
Turion Space closing in on initial SSA service from first satellite
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-18 01:09
California startup Turion Space's debut satellite should be ready to start imaging objects in space by May. The 32-kilogram Droid.001 spacecraft has been in low Earth orbit for nearly a year. Turion hopes to sell the imagery to the U.S. Department of Defense and satellite operators seeking to improve their SSA.
Sierra Space unveils Axelerator™ to address the future of defense technology – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-18 00:00
Sierra Space launches innovation-at-speed incubator, Axelerator. New products include Ghost, Spectre and Sierra Black OS. Axelerator is part of Sierra Space’s Orbital Missions and Services group. The group was founded in 2023 to focus on revolutionary new national security solutions.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is developing spy satellites in Pentagon’s mega military push – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-17 00:00
The spy satellites are being built by SpaceX’s Starshield business unit under a $1.8 billion contract that was signed between Musk’s firm and the NRO in 2021. The program if successful, will significantly advance the ability of the US military to quickly spot potential targets almost anywhere on the globe.
Kymeta appoints new President and CEO and a leadership transition to achieve new innovation and growth – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-17 00:00
Rick Bergman to become the President and CEO of Kymeta. Nicole Piasecki will be appointed Chair of the Board. Doug Hutcheson and Walter Berger are retiring from Kymeta. Kymeta recently completed its Series D round. These additional funds will be used for ramping up production of the recently announced Osprey™ u8 Hybrid-GEO-LEO.
FCC proposes framework to ease satellite-to-smartphone supplemental coverage from space – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-17 00:00
The FCC seeks to establish clear and transparent processes to support supplemental coverage from space. Connecting consumers to essential wireless services where no terrestrial mobile service is available can be life-saving in remote locations. The FCC proposes allowing authorized non-geostationary orbit satellite operators to apply to access terrestrial spectrum.
Orbit’s multi-purpose SATCOM terminals for armored vehicles intro’d – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-17 00:00
Orbit Communications Systems has unveiled the company’s Line-of-Sight (LOS) Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) for MILSATCOM for armored land platforms of all sizes. The terminals comply with MIL-STD and Civil standards as well as with International, national and satellite SATCOM regulations.
SpaceX stages Monday Starlink Group 7-16 launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-17 00:00
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch 23 Starlink internet satellites from SLC-4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The Falcon 9’s first stage booster is targeting a landing on the droneship ‘Of Course I Still Love You’ in the Pacific Ocean.
Sierra Space tests upcoming in-space habitat as other commercial space stations continue development
Original Publication Date: 2024-03-16 21:06
Sierra Space performed an “ultimate burst pressure test” on a full-scale model of its inflatable space station module. The full-scale unit in this test reached 77 pounds per square inch (psi) before it burst. The pressure shell for Sierra Space’s LIFE habitat consists of expandable “softgoods,” or woven fabrics that perform like a rigid structure.