DoD releases updated guidance on ‘responsible behaviors in space’
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 20:07
U.S. Defense Department releases updated guidelines for safe and responsible space operations. Guidelines apply to military operations, not commercial or civil space activities. DoD released the guidelines to provide “transparency about U.S. Military space activities” U.S. Space Command: “We are not asking other nations to adopt internal DoD guidance”
Viasat to enter direct-to-device market with Ligado Networks
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 14:39
Viasat is partnering with Ligado Networks to provide satellite services directly to smartphones. Viasat is best known for satellites that provide broadband in Ka-band spectrum. Viasat has used L-band from Ligado’s SkyTerra-1 geostationary satellite since 2014.
Nozzle erosion blamed for Vega C launch failure
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 12:37
European Space Agency says it has completed an independent investigation into the failed launch. Vega C experienced a loss of thrust from its Zefiro-40 solid-fuel second stage. Investigation concluded that a component in the motor suffered “thermo-mechanical over-erosion’
Astra identifies cause of last failed Rocket 3.3 launch
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 11:26
Astra says it received a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration formally concluding the investigation. The rocket’s upper stage shut down prematurely, keeping its payload of two NASA cubesats from reaching orbit. The company said that the upper stage ran out of kerosene fuel early.
SpaceX successfully launches 51 Starlink satellites – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 00:00
SpaceX launched 51 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit on March 3. This was the twelfth launch and landing for this Falcon 9 first stage booster. Following stage separation, Falcon 9’s first stage landed on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship stationed in the Pacific Ocean.
SWISSto12 launches U.S. entity St12 RF Solutions – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 00:00
SWISSto12 SA (St12) has incorporated St12 RF Solutions, Inc. St12 RF Solutions will focus on engaging government and industry partners in the United States. SWISSto12 delivers RF cavity-based components, antennas and antenna array solutions.
Kratos Partners with XipLink to deploy satellite network acceleration as software on the OpenSpace Platform – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-03 00:00
XipOS is an orchestrated, cloud-native software module running on Kratos’ OpenSpace dynamic satellite ground platform. XipOS enhances the user experience by dramatically improving link use and network efficiency. OpenSpace is the first and only generally available, software-based, ground system for satellite communications and other space networks.