Canadian military orders space surveillance micro satellite
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 23:24
Canada's Department of National Defence is moving ahead with a new microsatellite project. The Redwing satellite will monitor objects in congested orbits. It will be able to record and transmit tracking data from anywhere in its orbit. The design phase is expected to be complete by fall 2024.
Intelsat and Eutelsat forge multi-orbit capacity deal
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 23:05
Eutelsat says it has signed a multi-million euro deal to provide more satellite capacity. The seven-year agreement will help Intelsat enhance connectivity services. Eutelsat recently said it expects to complete its OneWeb acquisition in the second or third quarter of this year.
Space sector reacts to collapse of Silicon Valley Bank
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 22:37
Space companies and investors are reacting to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. The financial institution many relied on for investment, loans and traditional banking services. Silicon Valley Bank was known for its work with early-stage startups. Astra Space, BlackSky, Planet, Redwire, Rocket Lab and Space Perspective were among the companies.
Space Force allocates three historic Cape Canaveral launch pads to four companies
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 22:09
The U.S. Space Force is allocating three launch complexes at Cape Canaveral. One of the sites was used for several NASA Mercury missions six decades ago. ABL Space Systems will temporarily conduct launches of its RS1 rocket from SLC-46. None of the four companies have disclosed details about what infrastructure they plan to build.
RS21 earns patent for AI-based monitoring
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 14:00
Satellites are not ready to make decisions about what to do because they don’t know what’s going on. RS21’s artificial intelligence-based software is aimed at improving satellite monitoring. In 2021 and 2022, RS21 won a U.S. Space Force Small Business Innovation Research contracts.
Momentus preparing for Vigoride thruster test as it ships next vehicle
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 11:39
In-space transportation company Momentus is gearing up for a key test of one orbital transfer vehicle. The company's Vigoride-5 tug, launched in January, is in good condition. The next major milestone is to test the spacecraft’s propulsion system.
China reveals lunar lander, launches satellites, and conducts a spacewalk
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-10 17:03
China launched a new set of Tianhui-6 satellites into space on March 9. The Tianhui translates to “sky-drawing” and is a series of unclassified cartography satellites. China also revealed plans for their first lunar missions in 2030. A new change could impact the Chang Zheng 5B rocket and reduce the chances of an uncontrolled reentry.
SpaceX launches OneWeb 17 mission and returns booster to LZ-1
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-09 15:59
SpaceX launched 40 high-speed internet communication satellites to a polar low Earth orbit on the OneWeb 17 mission on Thursday. The satellites were placed into a ~580 by 600 km orbit, inclined at 86.51 degrees. Following the launch, the stage performed a return to launch site (RTLS) landing, landing on SpaceX’s Landing Zone 1 (LZ-1) This was SpaceX’s fifth RTLS landing this year, 177th booster landing, 103rd consecutive successful landing, and 27th landing on LZ-1. Once jettisoned from the second stage, the payload fairings softly splash down in the ocean under a parachute.