DARPA picks 14 companies for lunar architecture study
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 04:59
DARPA announced Dec. 5 that 14 companies will collaborate over the next seven months. The goal is to develop an integrated architecture to support a commercial lunar economy. Some of the companies have disclosed details about their roles in LunaA-10. The LunA-10 participants will discuss their work at an April 2024 meeting.
Pentagon advisors: Despite reforms, Space Force still shackled to sluggish procurement system
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-06 22:20
The Defense Business Board reviewed the military space acquisition system. A nine-member subcommittee over the past six months reviewed the system at the request of Congress. The report points out that consolidating oversight functions under the four-year-old Space Force has set stronger foundations for agile space procurement.
NorthStar raises $15 million for debris-tracking satellites waiting on Rocket Lab
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-06 19:38
NorthStar Earth and Space has raised another $15 million to support its first four satellites. NorthStar said in January it had amassed nearly $100 million in total for building out a space situational awareness (SSA) business. Initial batch of satellites provided by Spire Global was due to launch this summer with Virgin Orbit.
Thales Alenia Space signs a multi-satellite contract with PT Len Industri – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
Thales Alenia Space has signed a multi-mission contract with PT Len Industri. The constellation will be operated by PT Len to satisfy the MoD’s requirements regarding Indonesia’s safety and sovereignty. The Indonesian EO constellation builds on the long standing optical sensors capabilities of Thales.
PlanetiQ’s weather forecasting sensor launches on GNOMES-4 satellite aboard SpaceX Falcon 9 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
PlanetiQ launched its fourth generation Radio Occultation (RO) measurement satellite, GNOMES-4, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite was successfully deployed into Low-Earth Orbit at 10:36 am PT, on December 1, 2023. The satellite is equipped with a PlanetiQ-proprietary technology weather sensor called Pyxis.
Firefly Aerospace to support DARPA LunA-10 with framework for on-orbit spacecraft hubs – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-07 00:00
Firefly to develop framework for spacecraft that can dock together on-orbit to provide on-demand refueling, delivery, transport, and de-orbiting services. DARPA’s LunA-10 initiative aims to rapidly develop frameworks in seven months to guide development of integrated commercial lunar infrastructure for the next decade.
Viasat + Airbus deliver Secure Broadband SATCOM for Irish Defence Forces – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-06 00:00
Viasat and Airbus collaborated to integrate Viasat’s flexible dual-band broadband terminal, the GAT-5530, on the C295 MSA aircraft. The C295 MSA provides the Irish Air Corps with a new-generation tactical transport and ISR platform. Viasat has also contracted with the IAC to provide a managed SATCOM service across multiple aircraft.
ESA’s Ariel mission moves to construction phase – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-06 00:00
Ariel will observe up to 1000 exoplanets, ranging from rocky planets like Earth to gas giants like Jupiter. Using its scientific instruments, Ariel will detect signs of well-known ingredients in the planets’ atmospheres, including water vapour, carbon dioxide and methane.
NASA’s Psyche Delivers First Images and Other Data
Original Publication Date: 2023-12-05 15:50
The Psyche orbiter has performed one successful operation after another. On Monday, Dec. 4, the mission turned on Psyche’s twin cameras and retrieved the first images. The imager instrument, which consists of a pair of identical cameras, captured a total of 68 images, all within a star field in the constellation Pisces.