Max Space announces plans for inflatable space station modules
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-09 04:40
Max Space is developing a series of expandable modules. The first is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX rideshare mission in 2025. Max Space 20 module will expand to 20 cubic meters after deployment. The company has no plans to build its own station, but instead be a supplier.
Budget woes just a blip for unstoppable space industry growth
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 21:05
Space industry on track for unprecedented growth in workforce and revenues. Employment in the private space sector soared about 30% over the last five years. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory announced in February it would lay off 530 employees. Space economy is currently valued at $546 billion, Space Foundation’s Kelli Ogborn says.
Office of Space Commerce calls for international cooperation in space situational awareness
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 20:49
U.S. Office of Space Commerce eager to work with other nations. Office envisions "a global, coordinated system of SSA providers" Office takes over responsibility for sharing civil and commercial SSA from the U.S. Department of Defense. One challenge for TraCSS is comparing observations made by various organizations.
America is losing its GPS dominance to China’s BeiDou satnav
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 16:24
China is actively seeking to displace GPS as the world’s dominant satnav system. The U.S. Military is only making modest improvements to GPS. With 56 satellites in orbit, China’s BeiDou is now nearly twice the size of GPS.
‘State of the Space Industrial Base’ highlights supply chain and workforce challenges
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 16:17
The annual State of the Space Industrial Base report was released April 8. It emphasizes the role of the commercial space industry in preserving America’s leadership in space. The report’s central theme is the need for the U.S. To adapt and innovate to stay ahead in the space tech race.
SAIC lands Pentagon contract for AI-powered small satellite, partnering with GomSpace
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 15:00
SAIC lands its first contract with the Pentagon to integrate a small satellite. The contract is with the Office of the Secretary of Defense’s Manufacturing Science and Technology Program. The satellite will demonstrate cutting-edge technologies in space, including artificial intelligence and machine learning. The satellite aims to set a new standard for computing power on a small platform, SAIC says.
Pentagon ramps up investments in solid rocket motor suppliers to bolster domestic industry
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 14:00
Defense Department is directing investments towards a cadre of newer entrants in the solid rocket motors market. Unlike their liquid-fueled counterparts, these rocket engines use a solid propellant. X-Bow Systems, based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, over the past year has secured nearly $100 million in contracts.
ULA ‘Tomorrow’s the Day’, Delta IV Heavy’s Swan Song on NROL-70 mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 00:00
The final Delta IV Heavy launch for Tuesday’s NROL-70 mission is still a ‘Go’ for the final time. Friday’s forecast shows an 80 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. The mission is planned to lift off on Tuesday, April 9 from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch is planned for 12:53 p.m. EDT, pending range approval.
Sierra Space launches Velocity, Horizon, and Titan satellite bus family – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 00:00
Sierra Space launches new Eclipse satellite bus line. Eclipse Velocity, Horizon, and Titan are tailored to a wide range of missions. Sierra Space has a legacy of nearly 30 years of experience designing, manufacturing and successfully delivering space systems, components, and spacecraft on-orbit.
Hydrosat awarded NOAA Grant – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-09 00:00
Hydrosat has been awarded a grant from the NOAA SBIR program. The funds will enable Hydrosat to explore a range of use cases that span five focus areas. Hydrosat collects, processes, and analyzes thermal infrared satellite images to provide a leading indicator for water stress. Hydrosat’s IrriWatch product supports customers in 36 countries across 4 million acres of farmland.
Telit Cinterion unveils high-precision GNSS IoT module with centimeter-level – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 00:00
The SE868K5-RTK is a high-precision Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver. Designed for seamless operation near cellular or other radios, the SE868K 5-RTK ensures optimal immunity. At 11×11 mm, the module’s compact form factor offers adaptability in size-constrained scenarios.
Axiom Space teams with Astrolab to advance lunar exploration – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 00:00
Astrolab, Axiom Space and Odyssey Space Research awarded NASA contracts. Astrolab’s contract is worth up to $1.9 billion. The three contract winners may be awarded task orders over the next 13 years with a total potential value of $4.6 billion.
U.S. Space Force awards $14.49 million contract to Rocket Lab for Space Test Program-30 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-08 00:00
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) announces its award of a $14.49 million task order from the U.S. Space Force to launch an Electron mission. The mission, called Space Test Program-30 (STP-S30) falls under the Space Systems Command (SSC) Assured Access to Space organization. The projected primary payload, DISKSat, will demonstrate sustained very low Earth orbit (VLEO) flight.
SpaceX debuts new Bandwagon rideshare service
Original Publication Date: 2024-04-07 20:18
SpaceX launched the Bandwagon-1 rideshare mission on Sunday, April 7. This flight carried 11 spacecraft for six customers, including a synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite for South Korea. The payloads are heading for a 45.4 degree inclination, with at least one deployment orbit at around 590 kilometers in altitude. This was the 35th Falcon mission of the year for SpaceX, and the fourth in April. The next SpaceX rideshare flight will be Transporter 11 in July to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO)