Space News for Wednesday, October 16, 2024

ESA picks Kepler-led group to develop LEO optical data relay network

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-16 09:00

European Space Agency awards group 36 million euro ($39 million) contract. Group led by Kepler Communications, a Canadian small satellite operator. Three-year contract covers early design work for the LEO phase of HydRON program. HydRON program would extend the reach of terrestrial fiber networks.

Army’s space tech roadmap emphasizes secure navigation, satcom, intelligence

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 20:51

The U.S. Army is accelerating investments in space-based technologies. A focus on space technologies has been accelerated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian forces have deployed sophisticated jammers to disrupt Ukraine’s use of GPS-guided weapons and drones. The Army’s emphasis on space is part of a broader Pentagon strategy.

Kirk Konert, AE Industrial Partners – Commercial Space Transformers

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 18:08

Commercial Space Transformers gives viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the people and companies driving the space industry’s commercial transformation. The weekly series features 15-minute down-to-Earth interviews with key players in space. Join SpaceNews Senior Staff Writer Jason Rainbow as he embarks on a mission to learn where the fast-evolving space industry is heading next.

To attract new investors, stop talking about space

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 16:39

Since 2000, about $60 billion in investment has flowed into space sector startups. U.S. Private equity firms have contributed to $100 million-plus investment rounds. Space companies “need to be customer-focused, but we also need revenue,” Mike French says.

How countries can increase their participation in the global space economy

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 13:30

The global space economy is worth $570 billion, according to The Space Report. Each country holds a unique mix of industrial and technological maturity, academic focus, natural resources, talent and public needs. Political realities and a country’s overall business climate have important effects, as does the national culture.

EarthDaily buys analytics specialist amid imagery constellation deployment delay

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 11:00

EarthDaily Analytics has delayed its optical imagery constellation by two years. Vancouver, Canada-based EDA said Oct. 15 it had bought Descartes Lab of Santa Fe, New Mexico. EDA has been offering analytics via third-party satellites to insurance and agriculture customers.

KRYTAR announces compact, MLDD 2-way power Divider covering 0.5 to 10 GHz – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-16 00:00

KRYTAR’s new Model 6005100 power divider offers excellent solutions for broadband and multi-frequency applications in a single package. The power divider’s compact package measures just 7.75 inches (L) x 1.00 inches (W) x 0.52 inches (H) The directional couplers can be manufactured to meet ridged military specifications.

SpaceX’s 2 launches on Tuesday on 2 coasts of Starlink smallsats includes breaking a record – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 00:00

Falcon 9 launched Starlink 10-10 mission of 23 satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This was the 11th flight for the first stage booster, tail number B1080, supporting this mission. The Falcon 9 launch also marked SpaceX’s 100th total launch of 2024.

GomSpace + ST Engineering Satellite Systems sign a collaboration agreement – SatNews

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 00:00

GomSpace has engaged in a new industrial Collaboration Agreement with ST Engineering Satellite Systems. The two companies will work to offer innovative solutions for the new space industry. This partnership comes as part of the company’s continued efforts to strengthen the firm’s presence in Asia.

Snippet of Euclid Mission’s Cosmic Atlas Released by ESA

Euclid is a European mission, built and operated by ESA, with contributions from NASA. Mission planners will use Euclid’s findings to inform Roman’s dark energy work. Roman will study a smaller section of sky than Euclid but will provide higher-resolution images of millions of galaxies.

Station Science Top News: Oct. 11, 2024

Original Publication Date: 2024-10-15 17:41

Researchers verified that 3D micro-computed tomography scans can map the orientation of plant roots in space. Carrots grown in actual and simulated microgravity both had random root orientation. These findings suggest that simulated microgravity offers a reliable and more affordable tool for studying plant adaptation to spaceflight.

Does Distant Planet Host Volcanic Moon Like Jupiter’s Io?

A sodium cloud around WASP-49 b was first detected in 2017, catching the attention of Apurva Oza, formerly a postdoctoral researcher at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and now a staff scientist at Caltech. Oza has spent years investigating how exomoons might be detected via their volcanic activity. Within our solar system, gas emissions from Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io create a similar phenomenon.

NASA-Funded Study Assesses Pollution Near Los Angeles-Area Warehouses

GeoHealth study looked at PM2.5 and elemental carbon, a type of PM2.5 in diesel emissions, from 2000 to 2019. Data came from models based on satellite observations, including some from NASA’s MODIS and ASTER instruments. Researchers also mined a real estate database for the square footage as well as the number of loading docks and parking spaces.