China’s Landspace reaches orbit with methane-powered Zhuque-2 rocket
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-12 07:24
Chinese private rocket firm Landspace achieved a global first late Tuesday by reaching orbit with a methane-fueled rocket. The 49.5-meter-long Zhuque-2 lifted off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert at 9:00 p.m. Eastern on July 11. The Zhuque-2 mission carried no payload and the rocket’s first stage was not recovered.
U.S. sharpens plan for military space race
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 22:00
The U.S. Military budget goes all-in on the notion that resilience will be a core feature of space programs. The emphasis on resilience reflects the priorities set by the new chief of space operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. A push for resilience is part of a multifaceted strategy Saltzman rolled out in March called “competitive endurance”
Astranis to deliver GEO broadband satellite for the Philippines next year
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 18:20
Astranis has sold a small broadband satellite to a telco in the Philippines. The company plans to sell at least some of the capacity to the government. The companies did not disclose government commitments or financial details. The satellite for the Philippines is one of five slated to launch together in 2024.
India’s renewed effort toward space preeminence
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 16:50
Benjamin Silverstein: India’s recent technical and political activities have boosted the state’s climb to space preeminence. He says the administration of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi can reap the maximum benefits from these and future partnerships. Silverstein: The next incremental step is to address India’s remaining governance gaps.
Former NASA astronaut to advise Vast on commercial space station efforts
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 16:22
Vast Space has appointed Garrett Reisman as a human spaceflight adviser. Reisman joined NASA’s astronaut corps in 1998 and spent three months on the International Space Station. He retired from the astronaut corps in 2011 and worked for SpaceX for several years. He is currently a professor of astronautical engineering at the University of Southern California.
Muon wins option to monitor ionosphere for Space Force
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 13:00
Muon Space will deliver space weather data to the U.S. Space Force under a $400,000 contract option. The option directs Muon to also monitor the ionosphere for the Space Force through September 2024. The Department of Defense plans to evaluate data from Muon’s second satellite, MuSat-2.
Thermal imagery sector heats up
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 11:00
Thermal imagery startups are attracting investment, making acquisitions and winning contracts. Climate change is propelling much of the work. “There’s an urgency to do something,” says Max Gulde, CEO and co-founder of constellr. The new businesses focused on thermal imagery vary widely.
Orbex’s facilities’ footprint expands 30% for UK mainland’s first vertical rocket launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 00:00
Orbex has extended its footprint by over thirty percent across its Scottish and Danish design and production facilities, in preparation for the launch of its Prime rocket. The company is adding an extra 1,500 square meters of factory and office space to its existing 4,750 square meter estate in Forres, Scotland and Copenhagen, Denmark. The additional space will increase the company’s launch vehicle production and propulsion system manufacturing capacity.
hiSky’s FCC certification of Smartellite™ fixed KA terminal completes qualification of Smartellite™ 8×8 terminal family – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 00:00
HiSky Ltd. Has been granted FCC certification for its Smartellite™ Fixed KA terminal. This certification marks a milestone for hiSky, as it completes FCC certifications for the entire Smartellite™ 8X8 terminal family. The FCC certification for the Smartellite™ fixed KA terminal signifies compliance with stringent regulatory standards.
GMV to implement innovative cybersecurity system for UAVs in Galicia – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 00:00
Galicia’s GMV and the regional government of Galicia’s Galician Innovation Agency have entered into a €1.6 million contract for developing a cybersecurity system. The purpose of this system is to protect the satellite-based communication and positioning systems used by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
ESA’s CanSat 2023 — a total success – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 00:00
26 teams gathered in Granada, Spain, for the 2023 European CanSat Competition. Best CanSat Project was awarded to AstroPanthéon from France. Highest Technical Achievement was awarded to v-space from Greece. Best Outreach Prize was awarded to WerndlExplorer from Austria.
Aerojet Rocketdyne develops + successfully tests new solid rocket motor for Kratos’ Zeus program – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 00:00
Aerojet Rocketdyne has successfully developed and static-fire tested the Zeus 1. The motor was developed by Aerojet Rocketdyne at the firm’s facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. The motor’s development was co-funded by Kratos and Aerojet Rocketdyn. Kratos intends to use the Zeus 1 commercial solid rocket motor.
Launch Roundup: SpaceX to finish Starlink v1 flights
Original Publication Date: 2023-07-11 17:03
LandSpace reached orbit on its second test flight of the ZhuQue-2 rocket. SpaceX will launch the final v1.0/v1.5 Starlink satellites on Starlink Group 5-15. India will launch the Chandrayaan-3 lunar exploration mission atop their Launch Vehicle Mark 3 rocket. Rocket Lab will launch its “Baby Come Back” mission, which will include recovery of its first stage.