Satellogic gets NOAA license for move to the United States
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-22 00:04
Satellogic has received a remote sensing license in the United States. The license covers 36 sub-meter resolution satellites already in low Earth orbit. It is Satellogic’s first such license because Uruguay does not have regulation. Satellogic ultimately aims to operate a full constellation of 200 satellites.
As military weather satellites near end of life, DoD turns to partners for data
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 22:27
The U.S. Space Force plans to launch at least two weather monitoring satellites next year. Some capacity will come from U.S. Military-owned satellites, officials say. But DoD planners and weather analysts will use data from other partners. Only two Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites are still functioning.
Astrolab announces first customers for commercial lunar rover mission
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 20:41
Astrolab announced eight customers have signed contracts worth more than $160 million. The companies did not disclose the individual values of each contract. Astrolab announced a contract with SpaceX in March to launch FLEX on that mission. NASA plans to procure lunar rovers as service, much as it is doing for lunar landers.
ArianeGroup begins testing prototype of multirole Susie upper stage
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 14:49
ArianeGroup quietly began testing a small demonstrator for its Smart Upper Stage for Innovative Exploration (SUSIE) The vehicle was announced at the International Astronautical Congress in September 2022, but little more had been heard of the internally-funded project. The full sized Susie, measuring 12 meters tall, five meters wide and with a payload capacity of seven tons, is designed to launch atop an Ariane 64 rocket.
Starliner “on track” for April crewed test flight
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 12:42
NASA says first crewed launch of Boeing's CST-100 Starliner vehicle remains on schedule. Crew Flight Test (CFT) mission on schedule for a launch as soon as April 14. Mission will fly NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to the International Space Station.
NASA Mars smallsat mission to be on first New Glenn launch
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 11:42
NASA selected Blue Origin in February to launch a Mars smallsat mission. The mission will be on the first launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle. The mission will study the interaction of the solar wind with the magnetosphere of Mars. New Glenn development is years behind the original schedule Blue Origin put forward.
U.S. delegation stokes optimism on wireless and satellite goals at WRC-23
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 01:51
The 2023 World Radiocommunication Conference kicks off in Dubai. The U.S. Delegation includes nearly 200 government officials. U.S. Officials say WRC-23 is a significant opportunity to advance U.S. Interests. The conference is organized by the International Telecommunication Union.
Viasat and Skylo Technologies launch world’s first direct-to-device network – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 00:00
Viasat and Skylo have launched the world’s first global direct-to-device (D2D) network. The new network will support consumer smartphone services and unlock the potential for massive Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Initial deployments are planned for early 2024 in North America, using the Ligado SkyTerra satellite network, followed by a global rollout.
NASA Wallops supports hypersonic rocket launches – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 00:00
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility successfully supported the launch of two, suborbital, sounding rockets on November 15, 2023. Data collected from this test will be used to inform the development of the Navy’s Conventional Prompt Strike (CPS) offensive hypersonic strike capability.
Telenor Group sells Telenor Satellite to Space Norway – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-22 00:00
Telenor has entered into an agreement with Space Norway regarding the sale of Telenor Satellite. The sale’s price is NOK 2.36 billion on an enterprise value basis. As Space Norway is wholly owned by the Norwegian Government, the transaction is subject to approval by the Norwegian Parliament.
Celestia TTI-led consortium’s €9.9 million ESA contract develops Tracking Radar for LEO Space Debris Tracking in Greece – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 00:00
Celestia TTI has been awarded a €9.9 million contract from the European Space Agency. The contract is for the development of a Tracking Radar for LEO Space Debris Tracking in Greece. The tracking system will be designed to complement existing surveillance assets in the EU-SST.
Thales Alenia Space to provide transponder for Turkey’s 1st lunar mission – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 00:00
Thales Alenia Space has signed a contract with TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute. The company will provide a Communication Transponder for AYAP-1, Turkey’s first lunar mission. The Lunar Research Program is an integral part of the National Space Program led by the Turkish Space Agency.
Cobham Satcom signs with U.S. Prime for advanced LEO
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-21 00:00
Cobham Satcom has received a multi-year contract with a leading U.S. Prime contractor for Cobham Satcom’s 2.4 meter TRACKER antennas. The contract provides the acquisition of next-generation land-based multi-band tracking antennas. The systems will be deployed globally, supporting Assured Battlespace Awareness.
Stars aligning for Boeing crew launch in April
Original Publication Date: 2023-11-20 22:25
NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) cited hope that Boeing’s latest issues with the spacecraft are coming to a close. This was followed by the NASA Advisory Council (NAC) citing the specific launch date target. Starliner completed two uncrewed flight tests, with the first being the infamous mission in December 2019. The second was Orbital Flight Test-2, which docked to the ISS on May 21, 2022, following a launch two days prior from Kennedy.