China is working on a design for a reusable air-launched orbital rocket
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-30 10:49
Chinese launch vehicle maker is working on designs for an air-launched rocket. System is designed to provide “flexible, affordable and dedicated launch” for small satellites. It would be able to take off horizontally from runways and not require access to China’s spaceports.
House Science Committee advances commercial space bill
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 21:55
The House Science Committee voted on party lines to send a commercial space bill to the full House. The committee voted Nov. 29 to favorably report H.R. 6131, the Commercial Space Act of 2023. The vote was the conclusion of a markup of the bill that started Nov. 15.
Satellite imagery analysis firm launches free greenhouse gas tracker
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 21:49
French satellite imagery analysis provider Kayrros launches free methane tracking map. The public platform uses data from the European Space Agency's Sentinel-5P satellite. The map shows 5,645 methane super-emitters worldwide, or sources that release gas at a significantly higher rate than is typical.
Defense Innovation Unit solicits new round of proposals for space network project
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 20:40
The Defense Innovation Unit is working with the U.S. Space Force and Air Force Research Laboratory. DIU was established in 2015 to help DoD access and integrate commercial technologies. The Hybrid Space Architecture aims to take advantage of commercial satellite broadband. Proposals are due Dec. 11.
Arctic broadband satellites complete key tests ahead of mid-2024 launch
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 17:32
Two Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission satellites complete key tests. If successful, ASBM would help close the Arctic’s connectivity gap. Northrop Grumman-built satellites will host civilian and military payloads. The ASBM mission is of critical importance to the U.S. Military.
Satellite imagery reveals explosion at China’s Jiuquan spaceport
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 17:04
Chinese launch vehicle maker appears to have suffered an explosion at a test site at Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center. Satellite images show what are likely test stand facilities and the apparent aftermath of an exhaust plume from a hot fire test on the desert surface. An explosion occurred at the same facilities in October 2021.
Defense and intelligence contractor Arcfield acquires Orion Space Solutions
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 14:00
Arcfield completes acquisition of Orion Space Solutions. Orion focuses on atmospheric science, space exploration and research. It designs, integrates and assembles smallsats and cubesats. The company last year won U.S. Space Force contracts for environmental monitoring and in-orbit satellite servicing.
Millennium Space Systems completes Missile Track Custody space vehicle critical design review – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 00:00
Millennium Space Systems achieved the Missile Track Custody (MTC) space vehicle Critical Design Review (CDR) less than a year after authorization to proceed. The company will now deliver six space vehicles for MTC Epoch 1. This includes the original contract option for two additional vehicles and an expanded Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for vehicles four through six.
Beyond Gravity’s innovative payload fairing closes after release and returns to Earth with first stage of the launcher – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 00:00
Beyond Gravity is an innovative international space supplier that tackles the challenges of high costs with a focus on reusability. The company has played an important role in advancing the technology and design of today’s payload fairings. An innovative payload fairing (PLF) concept promises to disrupt space launches by allowing the payload fairing to close again – after the payload and the second stage are released – and return to Earth together with the first stage of the launcher.
Loft Orbital: The rise of the virtual mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 00:00
Loft Orbital is developing software apps that can run on satellites. The company has now announced YAM-6, the first virtual mission-enabled satellite. YAM-6 will abstract away the hardware by providing access to Loft-owned sensors and compute nodes that support AI. This is a revolutionary shift in the space industry: a satellite no longer has to be owned.
TEKEVER secures 1st contract with CNES – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 00:00
TEKEVER has secured a contract with the Centre National D’Etudes Spatiales (CNES), the French Space Agency. The objective of this new contract is to provide engineering models of ISL equipment with ranging and synchronization capabilities as part of a future space mission.
Viasat unveils GX LITE terminal for mobile use by land forces – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-29 00:00
Viasat unveils GX LITE terminal. Built with land expeditionary users’ requirements in mind. GX LITE leverages Get SAT’s highly efficient flat panel antenna technologies. It enables fully autonomous operation to transmit and receive high-bandwidth data rates.