World View ends plans to go public through a SPAC merger
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-20 10:53
World View and Leo Holdings Corp II announce they are canceling plans to merge. The companies announced the merger in January. The decision to end the merger was mutual, the companies said. World View has developed stratospheric balloons for a range of applications traditionally performed by satellites.
Rocket engine startup Ursa Major to venture into solid propulsion
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-20 08:07
Ursa Major sees opportunity to use 3D printing to disrupt industry constrained by outdated processes. Northrop Grumman and L3Harris’ Aerojet Rocketdyne are the nation’s primary suppliers of solid rocket motors. Ursa Major is one of at least three startups that are attempting to break into the solid rocket motors business.
NASA still studying Orion heat shield erosion from Artemis 1
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 12:21
NASA is continuing to study the performance of the heat shield on the Orion spacecraft. Artemis 1 splashed down last December after three and a half weeks in cislunar space. Artemis 2 remained on schedule for launch on the Orion spacecraft’s first crewed mission late next year.
Starship’s second test flight: where to watch
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-18 12:53
SpaceX's Starship reached an altitude of 148 kilometers shortly after the vehicle’s Super Heavy booster broke apart moments after separation. A "late pressurization" Issue on the second stage is causing the hold, according to SpaceX. Liftoff is scheduled for 8 a.m. Eastern at the start of a 20-minute launch window.
SpaceX’s Sunday Starlinks launch scrubbed, will be the third in a trio of weekend launches – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 00:00
SpaceX is targeting Sunday, November 19 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Liftoff is targeted for 10:33 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 2:30 a.m. PT on Monday, November 20. This launch will be after the 23 Starlink internet satellites that were launched from Florida on Saturday, November 18.
Amazon confirms 100% success rate for Project Kuiper Protoflight mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 00:00
Amazon's Project Kuiper has achieved a 100% success rate for its Protoflight mission. Every major system and subsystem on board the two prototypes demonstrated nominal or better performance following launch. Project Kuiper is on track to begin mass satellite production ahead of a full-scale deployment starting in the first half of 2024.
Hughes JUPITER 3 initiates over the air testing with the ground system – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 00:00
Hughes Network Systems, an EchoStar (Nasdaq: SATS) company, has announced its JUPITER™ 3 ultra-high-density satellite has successfully deployed its solar arrays and antennas. The JUPITER 3 satellite will bring more than 500 Gbps of additional broadband capacity across North and South America.
Firefly Aerospace closes 3rd Tranche of Series C Round + reaches million $$$ of financing – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 00:00
Firefly Aerospace, Inc. Has closed another tranche of financing, valuing the company at $1.5 billion pre-money. The round was led by existing investors including AE Industrial Partners, LP, as well as new investors that include Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Firefly has raised approximately $300 million in funding since February of 2023.
EIRSAT-1 team discovers what it takes to be spacecraft operators – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 00:00
EIRSAT-1 is Ireland’s first satellite is designed and built by students from University College Dublin. Scheduled for launch in November of 2023, the student team will act as Spacecraft Operators. The students were embedded within the OPS-SAT team, an ESA 3-unit CubeSat.
DEWA + UAE Space Agency to enhance the UAE’s space industry – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-19 00:00
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UAE Space Agency. The MoU will enhance both parties’ positive roles in developing the space sector. This is done through supporting R&D and contributing to regulations in the space field.