Thuraya invests in Astrocast’s LEO constellation
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 21:37
UAE-based Thuraya is providing Swiss small satellite operator Astrocast a $17.5 million financial lifeline. It is the Emirati company's first investment in a low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. Thuraya provides the L-band spectrum that Astrocast uses to connect IoT devices. Astrocast currently operates 18 satellites and is looking to expand its fleet.
Lockheed Martin selected by Australia for military satcom project
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 20:22
Lockheed Martin selected to move into next phase of negotiations with Australian government. Multiple teams spearheaded by major defense contractors for past two years. JP9102 is billed as one of Australia’s largest space infrastructure projects. Bids for the first phase of the project opened in April 2021 and closed in January 2022.
Kleos Space, Spire Global get contract extensions from NRO
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 18:31
Kleos Space and Spire Global awarded contract extensions by National Reconnaissance Office. The companies were among six selected last year for cooperative agreements. RF-signals monitoring from space is an emerging sector of the remote sensing industry. NRO builds and operates surveillance and reconnaissance satellites for the U.S. Government.
NASA announces crew for Artemis 2 mission
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 16:03
Artemis 2 will be commanded by Reid Wiseman, with Victor Glover as pilot. Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen will be mission specialists. It will be the first time either the SLS or the Orion spacecraft have carried astronauts. The spacecraft will swing around the moon without going into orbit around it.
Testing the Promise of Harnessing Ocean Energy with Satellite Technology
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 13:18
World needs 50 percent more energy by 2050 than it does today. To protect our planet, much more of that energy needs to come from renewable sources. Inventors and engineers have been trying to generate electricity from the waves for more than 200 years. Oregon State University has built two unique testing platforms for wave and tidal energy systems.
Redwire to demonstrate a security camera for military satellites
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 12:55
Redwire will install ExoAnalytic Solutions’ space-tracking software on a navigation camera. The company is pitching this technology to the military as a security camera. ExoAnalytic is a commercial space monitoring company that operates more than 300 telescopes. Redwire estimated that each camera, depending on the configuration, should cost less than 1%.
Japan delays H2A launch in the wake of H3 failure
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 12:19
Japan has delayed the launch of a H-2A rocket planned for May to no earlier than August. The decision comes in the wake of the failed inaugural flight of H3 rocket. JAXA’s decision will leave two Japanese space missions grounded for several more months.
Israel launches Ofek 13 satellite into space – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 00:00
Defense Ministry together with Israel Aerospace Industries on Wednesday successfully launched the Ofek 13 satellite into space. Ofek 13 is an observation satellite with advanced capabilities. Once it enters the orbit, it will undergo a “series of tests to ensure its propriety and performance levels,” the ministry said.
UPDATE 5: No further delays… SDA’s Tranche 0 mission launched by SpaceX to LEO via Falcon 9 — SDA info regarding the launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 00:00
SpaceX successfully launched the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 0 mission via a Falcon 9 rocket on Sunday, April 2nd., at 7:29 a.m., PT (14:29 UTC) This national security payload was dispatched to LEO from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The first stage booster that supported this mission previously landed (photo below) without problem on LZ-4 at VSFB.
Unseenlabs to launch their BRO-9 vessel geolocation smallsat – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 00:00
Unseenlabs, a world radio frequency data and solutions provider for Maritime Domain Awareness, is announcing the coming launch of BRO-9. BRO-9 will be launched in April of 2023 as part of the SpaceX Transporter-7 Mission aboard Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Safran’s resilient PNT system, NAVKITE, developed with French navy commandos – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 00:00
Safran Electronics & Defense introduces new resilient PNT (position, navigation, timing) system, dubbed NAVKITE. System will be integrated in ECUME, a transportable, multirole, semi-rigid boat. NAVKITE takes full advantage of Safran’s proven PNT expertise.
Lynk + 2degrees initiate satellite-to-cell trial – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 00:00
2degrees has announced a trial of technology that enables customers to connect from areas outside of terrestrial mobile coverage. Lynk is a U.S. Company deploying an innovative, satellite-based, telecommunication service. Lynk has already deployed three operational commercial satellites with the initial service providing intermittent messaging functionality.
Fleet Space Exosphere to be used by Atlantic Lithium for a West African geophysical survey – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-03 00:00
Fleet Space Technologies is engaging with Atlantic Lithium to provide its technology to enable accurate sourcing of lithium pegmatites at the Ewoyaa Lithium Project in Ghana, West Africa. The survey will use Fleet Space’s ExoSphere solution to search for potential, concealed pegmatites within the EWoyaa footprint. Atlantic Lithium has already commenced auger drilling as part of its 2023 exploration and resource drilling program in Ghana.
SpaceX launches initial satellites for Space Development Agency
Original Publication Date: 2023-04-02 12:01
SpaceX has launched a batch of 10 communications and missile tracking satellites on the Tranche 0 Flight 1 mission for the Space Development Agency. The satellites were placed into a 1,000 km orbit, inclined 80 degrees. This is the first of two launches for SDA’s Tranche 0, the demonstration phase of the new Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.