Almagest Space successful launch + deployment of their ELEVATION-1 E-Band satellite – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-23 00:00
ELEVATION-1 was launched, with support from Almagest’s launch partner D-Orbit S.p.A., on January 14th as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from Vandenberg Space Base. The spacecraft will test the world’s first miniaturized space-grade E-band communication payload.
Rocket Lab to launch global wildfire detection and monitoring mission for OroraTech – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-22 00:00
OroraTech is developing a constellation of satellites with thermal infrared cameras that can provide 24/7 monitoring of wildfires globally. The mission will deploy its latest plane of satellites called OTC-P1 to their current constellation. The company will expand their constellation with up to 100 satellites in total by 2028.
Forrester’s Digest: Thales, Hispasat start Quantum Key geo-system – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-22 00:00
Thales Alenia Space and Hispasat have announced the start of the development, manufacturing, verification, and validation phase of the QKD-GEO prototype. The QKD- GEO project comprises the development of the various components for a future quantum key distribution system from geostationary orbit.
Kratos receives $34.8 million contract for Valkyrie Mission system integration – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-22 00:00
The expanded scope is to support the XQ-58A Unmanned Aerial Systems mission systems and subsystems integration for the Marine Air-Ground Task Force Unmanned Aerial System Expeditionary (MUX) Tactical Aircraft. Since 2022, Kratos and its industry partner, Northrop Grumman, have been working with the U.S. Marine Corps to define operational requirements for the MQ-58 Valkyrie variant.
SpaceX plans a Friday launch of Starlink Group 11-6 smallsats – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-22 00:00
SpaceX will launch a batch of smallsats for the Starlink Group 11-6 to low Earth orbit. The launch is scheduled for January 24 @ 5:54 am – 10:25 am from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg SFB, California. The forecast calls for a temperature of 57°F, broken clouds, 64% cloud cover and a wind speed of 7mph.
Gilat awarded more than $5 million to support critical connectivity for defense forces – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-22 00:00
Gilat DataPath's technical and field services are specifically designed to meet the demanding connectivity requirements of military and defense end-users. The orders include both contract extensions and new agreements with various agencies and partners, underscoring the trust placed in Gilat DataPath to deliver consistent, high-quality support.
Study Finds Earth’s Small Asteroid Visitor Likely Chunk of Moon Rock
The asteroid 2024 PT5 was first detected on Aug. 7, 2024, by the NASA-funded Sutherland, South Africa, telescope of the University of Hawai’i’s Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System. It appears to be composed of rock broken off from the Moon’s surface and ejected into space after a large impact.
Advanced Modeling Enhances Gateway’s Lunar Dust Defense
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-22 09:15
Engineers are working to understand the complex behavior of lunar dust. The sharp, jagged particles can cling to spacesuits and jam equipment. NASA is developing new strategies to protect equipment as astronauts travel between the Moon and spacecraft like Gateway. The lessons learned managing lunar dust and other harsh conditions will prepare NASA and its international partners for missions deeper into the cosmos.
XMM-Newton observes black hole that exhibits strange oscillations
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-21 23:09
ESA's XMM-Newton X-ray space telescope recently discovered rapidly fluctuating X-ray signals coming from the edge of supermassive black hole 1ES 1927+654. The black hole’s X-ray signals have given scientists insight into its nature and how matter falls into it. The observations also point to a new potential source for gravitational waves.