Appropriations, Procurement, and Acquisitions
L3Harris, Northrop score $1.3B in SDA hypersonic missile tracking contracts (Breaking Defense) The awards are a first step in the Space Force's plan, which will move the Defense Department away from today's reliance on a a handful of large expensive satellites in Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) and highly elliptical polar orbits, SDA Director Derek Tournear said.
Space Development Agency Awards L3Harris and Northrop Grumman $1.3B for Tracking Layer Satellites (Via Satellite) The Space Development Agency (SDA) said on July 18 that it has awarded L3Harris and Northrop Grumman fixed price Other Transaction Authority contracts
Space Business and Market Trends
Rent This Space: The Business Model of Space as a Service (Satellite Today) A look at the growing business model of Space as a Service, through which customers can access space without developing in-house space capabilities.
UK Space Startups Say Government Support and Investment is Critical to Sector’s Success (Via Satellite) The United Kingdom has made its space ambitions clear in the past year, as the government released its first national space policy, with plans to invest
10 Smallsat Startups to Watch (Satellite Today) In this new feature, Via Satellite highlights a group of startups in the smallsat arena in early funding rounds or pre-funding that may not receive much media attention. These companies represent a range of capabilities from in-space manufacturing, space situational awareness, and IoT, and span the globe from South Africa to Portugal and beyond.
Astrea Raises $6.5M Series A from Climate-Focused VCs (Via Satellite) Satellite intelligence startup Astraea raised a $6.5 million Series A round led by Aligned Climate Capital and Carbon Drawdown Collective to commercialize
Boeing to Invest $50M in New Aerospace Tech Venture Fund (Via Satellite) Boeing on Wednesday said it has agreed to provide $50 million to anchor a new aerospace technology venture fund that is privately-managed by the company’s
OneWeb Targets Australian Defense Market with MoU with Hanwha Systems (Via Satellite) OneWeb is teaming up with Hanwha Systems Corporation (HSC) and Hanwha Defense Australia (HDA) as it looks to target the defense market in Australia. The
As US shifts space strategy, SAIC seeks to expand role as space systems integrator, traffic manager (Breaking Defense) "Money's going into space. There's a lot of opportunity for us to push into new areas leveraging our expertise," said David Ray, who leads SAIC's national security Space Business Unit.
UK Satellite Operator OneWeb Said to Near Merger With Eutelsat (Bloomberg) Deal would create pan-European competitor to Musk’s Starlink. UK to retain stake in deal valuing OneWeb at over $3 billion.
Raytheon to acquire UK startup Northern Space and Security (SpaceNews) Raytheon announced July 18 it intends to acquire Northern Space and Security, or NORSS, a UK startup that specializes in space domain awareness.
British satellite champion on brink of takeover by the French (The Telegraph) Taxpayer-backed OneWeb in talks with Paris-listed rival accused of enabling ‘Russian war propoganda’
Lockheed Martin’s Space Sales Dip 11% in Q2 (Via Satellite) Sales in Lockheed Martin’s Space segment decreased $352 million, or 11% in the second quarter of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. Lockheed
Northrop Grumman’s Space Business Grows Despite Company-Wide Supply Chain Challenges (Via Satellite) Northrop Grumman’s Space business continued to grow in the second quarter of 2022, despite an overall dip in sales. Space Systems logged about $3 billion
FTC turns up the heat on Trump-era defense merger (POLITICO) The commission is weighing legal action against Northrop Grumman for alleged merger violations.
Boeing Records $93M Charge on Commercial Crew Program in Q2 (Via Satellite) Revenues at Boeing Defense, Space & Security fell 10% in the second quarter of 2022, and the segment recorded a $93 million charge on the Commercial
Eutelsat, OneWeb CEOs Outline Plans for Combined GEO/LEO Entity (Via Satellite) Eutelsat and OneWeb have reached an agreement to combine, bringing together satellite assets in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) for
OneWeb and Eutelsat merge to create European rival to SpaceX and Amazon (Tech Monitor) OneWeb's proposed Eutelsat merger could address all aspects of satellite communication, but may face antitrust scrutiny.
Potential Eutelsat, OneWeb Merge Raises Questions for Analysts (Via Satellite) Update: Eutelsat and OneWeb announced early Tuesday that they have signed an MoU to combine Eutelsat and OneWeb in an all-share transaction. Under the
Airbus Launches Business to Commercialize HAPS, Led by Samer Halawi (Via Satellite) Airbus is launching a new connectivity service business around its HAPS technology platform, Zephyr, led by former Intelsat CCO Samer Halawi. The new
AST SpaceMobile Reveals Ongoing 5G Partnership With Nokia (Via Satellite) AST SpaceMobile has signed a five-year 5G deal with Nokia to jointly work to expand universal coverage with AST SpaceMobile connectivity and Nokia
Members of Congress Cut Ribbon on Hawkeye 360's New Manufacturing Facility in Virginia (Via Satellite) Members of U.S. Congress joined HawkEye 360 CEO John Serafini on Friday to cut the ribbon on the company’s brand new 19,000-square foot satellite
A SpaceX civilian astronaut who flew in orbit for 3 days joins rival company Blue Origin as an engineer (Business Insider) After launching with Elon Musk's SpaceX, Chris Sembroski said he was now working at Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' rocket manufacturer.
Launch Services
Arianespace and Eutelsat Target Sept. 6 Launch for Konnect VHTS (Via Satellite) Eutelsat’s Konnect VHTS satellite is on the way to French Guiana ahead of a launch planned for Sept. 6. Arianespace will launch the satellite, built by
Launcher Vaya Space Signs Agreements with All2Space, NASA (Via Satellite) Latin American company All2Space has signed an exclusive launch agreement with Vaya Space to launch its constellation. Vaya Space, formerly Rocket
Isar Aerospace Gets Approval to Launch from French Guiana (Via Satellite) Isar Aerospace has received approval from French Space Agency CNES to operate its rockets from the Guiana Space Centre (CSG) in French Guiana. This is a
US Space Force
Saltzman, father of multi-domain ops, to replace Raymond as Space Force chief (Breaking Defense) Rumors already are flying about who will take over the vice slot at Space Force when Gen. David "DT" Thompson retires next year, with current bets on Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, head of Space Systems Command.
Biden Nominates Saltzman to Lead Space Force (Via Satellite) President Biden nominated Lt. Gen. B. Chance Saltzman to be the U.S. Space Force’s next Chief of Space Operations, succeeding Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, who
Space Force officially creates cryptologic service component for NSA (FedScoop) The Space Force has officially established its own cryptologic component, FedScoop has learned. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall made the notification July 2, according to a Space Force spokesperson. The director for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, S2, will serve as the service cryptologic chief with the S2 staff serving as the cryptologic staff. […]
Rocket science: How Space Force acquisition works, with many players and dual hats (Breaking Defense) Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein, as head of SSC, has enormous responsibility for space acquisition programs, but lacks direct financial control.
The newest branch of the military is taking a different approach to fitness (NPR) Annual physical fitness assessments are a cornerstone of military life. The military's newest branch, the Space Force, is ditching that model and switching to the more high-tech fitness trackers.
At Readiness Hearing, Air Force Calls to Retire Old Aircraft, Space Force Asks for Advanced Training (Air Force Magazine) The House Armed Services subcommittee on readiness asked Air Force and Space Force leaders how they will balance sustainment costs with new investment.
Clemson launches new partnership with U.S. Space Force (WSPA 7NEWS) The United States Space Force welcomed Clemson on board as an official member of their University Partnership Program.
Military Space Operations
Pentagon’s National Reconnaissance Office says latest launches demonstrate speed, agility (C4ISRNet) To highlight the speed and agility of multi-day launches, the NRO launched the NROL-162 mission that will provide all sectors of the U.S. national security apparatus with intelligence.
‘Space is where we need to go’: US Air Force preparing networked infrastructure for new mission (C4ISRNet) The two services have been conducting reviews and meeting with industry over the last year to define their distinct roles in providing tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities and develop a plan for a space-based ground moving target indicator capability.
Products, Services, and Solutions
Arsat to Expand Broadband Access in Argentina With SES-17 Capacity (Via Satellite) Argentine telecommunications company Arsat signed an agreement with SES for capacity on the recently launched SES-17 satellite to offer broadband
Neuraspace Unveils AI-Powered Space Traffic Management Platform (Via Satellite) Portuguese startup Neuraspace rolled out its space traffic management platform this week, aimed at satellite operators, insurers, regulators and policy
Telefónica to Collaborate on 5G/IoT Service with Sateliot (Via Satellite) Telefónica is collaborating with Sateliot to develop a dual 5G NB-IoT connectivity service, the companies announced July 20. The Spanish
Satellite Vu Orders Second Thermal Imaging Satellite from SSTL (Via Satellite) Satellite Vu has commissioned a second satellite from Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) to grow its thermal imaging collection capacity. The U.K.
Airbus plans connectivity business using Zephyr high-altitude drone (Runway Girl) Airbus is planning to use its uncrewed aerial system drone Zephyr as the technology springboard into a new connectivity business
Space-Based Shortcuts Advance in the Last-Mile Connectivity Race Against Fiber (Satellite Today) Satellite service is one of several connectivity mediums in a race against time and fiber to connect the last mile, and satellite solutions are becoming a larger focus in these conversations as technology makes improvements in capability and affordability.
Astrocast Signs Deal with IoT Company Soracom for Satellite/Cellular Solution (Via Satellite) Satellite IoT company Astrocast has signed a deal with IoT company Soracom to provide a solution that integrates satellite and cellular IoT connectivity.
Ball Aerospace Signs In-Space Data Storage MoU with Seagate (Via Satellite) Ball Aerospace signed an MoU with well-known data storage company Seagate Technologies to collaborate on data processing and storage technology in space,
Viasat Reaches 50,000 Connected Sites in Brazil (Via Satellite) Viasat has now reached the 50,000 sites mark in Brazil, a market in which it has been operating since 2018. Viasat announced this milestone July 27. While
Rocket Lab to Supply Solar Power for United States Space Force’s New Missile Warning Satellites (Yahoo) Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) ("Rocket Lab" or "the Company"), a leading launch and space systems company, announced that its high-efficiency, radiation-hardened Coverglass Interconnected solar Cell (CIC) assemblies will power the three Lockheed Martin Next Gen OPIR GEO (NGG) satellites for the United States Space Force (USSF). The NGG program will deliver resilient global missile warning capabilities to counter emerging missile and counter-space threats
SatixFy Debuts Onyx Aero Terminal for IFC Use (Via Satellite) SatixFy revealed details of its Onyx Aero terminal for aviation on Monday, touting that it can simultaneously communicate with multiple satellites in
ICEYE to Take Part in Ghana Flood Project (Via Satellite) Iceye will participate in a risk transfer project with the Ghana Ministry of Finance, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Insurance
SES Signs Cruise Connectivity Deal With Explora Journeys (Via Satellite) SES has signed a deal with Explora Journeys to provide global connectivity services, debuting on its Explora I ship. Explora Journeys is a new luxury
Satellite and Ground Station Operations
Measat-3D Enters Commercial Service (Via Satellite) Measat’s latest satellite, Measat-3D has now entered commercial service, the company confirmed July 22. The satellite has a planned lifespan of more than
Inmarsat I-6 F1 Satellite Begins On-Orbit Testing (Via Satellite) Inmarsat has confirmed that its I-6 F1 satellite has reached Geostationary Orbit (GEO) and begun on-orbit testing. The satellite, the size of a London
NOAA Awards Atlas Contract for Ground Station as a Service (Via Satellite) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded Atlas Space Operations a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for ground station
Policy, Strategy, and Regulation
White House calls for review of 25-year deadline for de-orbiting dead satellites (Breaking Defense) The "National Orbital Debris Implementation Plan" issued by the Office of Science and Technology Policy assigns DoD the lead for some 17 tasks.
Canada's new Space Division: Evolution not revolution (Breaking Defense) Even as Canada acknowledges growing importance of space in defense, Jessica West of Canada's Project Ploughshares said, "The creation of a division within the military [structure] rather than a standalone force points to the integration of space across military functions rather than a ‘warfighting’ orientation."
Commerce asks industry: 'What space safety help do you want from us? (Breaking Defense) The Office of Space Commerce, in part, is trying to define the scope of what "basic" services it will provide for free, and what else it might do for a fee.
The UAE Steps Up Space Ambitions With a New Fund and SAR Constellation Plans (Via Satellite) The UAE is accelerating its plans to be a major player in the space arena with a new fund for space projects and details of a new remote sensing
Why Latin America needs its own space agency (Quartz) Satellogic, Dereum say the Latin American and Caribbean Space Agency (ALCE) is giving the region’s emerging space industry a push.
Russia to drop out of International Space Station after 2024 (AP NEWS) Russia will pull out of the International Space Station after 2024 and focus on building its own orbiting outpost, the country's new space chief said Tuesday amid high tensions between Moscow and the West over the fighting in Ukraine.
Putin pulling Russia from ISS, cutting one of last remaining ties with U.S. (Newsweek) Russia plans to construct its own orbiting station after over 20 years of cooperation with the U.S. in space.
Russia says it’ll withdraw from International Space Station after 2024 (Washington Post) The announcement comes less than two weeks after Russia and the U.S. announced new cooperative space launches
NASA dismisses Russia departing ISS: "we've seen their public comments" (Newsweek) Russia's space agency boss, Yuri Borisov, has said his country will pull out of the ISS after 2024. But NASA said it's yet to receive an official statement.
Russia’s pulling the plug on space cooperation. Should the world be worried? (Atlantic Council) Our experts break down Moscow’s extraplanetary plans after it pulls out of the International Space Station.
Putin makes changes to arms industry, space agency leadership (Defense News) The reshuffle follows reported flaws and deficiencies in Russian weapons programs highlighted by the military action in Ukraine.
NASA and Roscosmos Reach Swap Deal for ISS Transportation (Via Satellite) NASA and the Russian space agency Roscosmos have reached an agreement to resume integrated crews on U.S. crew spacecraft and the Russian Soyuz to
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Goodyear Joins Lockheed Martin to Commercialize Lunar Mobility (Media - Lockheed Martin) The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company company will join Lockheed Martin in its development of a lunar mobility vehicle.
Millennium Space Systems Reveals Previously Undisclosed DARPA Red-Eye Mission (Via Satellite) Millennium Space Systems shared details of a previously unknown small satellite mission for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that
Smallsats Drive the Push for Nimbler Propulsion Options (Satellite Today) As the missions and business cases for smallsats evolve and grow, smallsat propulsion solutions are innovating to keep up.
Thales Partners With Italian Startup Miprons on Water Propulsion System (Via Satellite) Thales Alenia Space is partnering with Italian startup Miprons to develop a satellite propulsion system that uses water as fuel. Miprons, based in Rome,
ESA Taps Viasat for Multi-Layered Satcom Study (Via Satellite) Viasat’s United Kingdom subsidiary was selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to conduct a study on to evaluate a multi-layered satellite
Startup SCOUT piques Space Force interest with space data software (Breaking Defense) Sergio Gallucci, SCOUT co-founder and chief technology officer, told Breaking Defense that its new AFWERX contract is focused on demonstrating its software for integrating and streamlining unclassified data from multiple satellites.
Kratos Wins US Army Future Command Contract to Demonstrate Virtualized Ground System (Via Satellite) The U.S. Army Future Command awarded Kratos Defense & Security Solutions a contract to develop a virtualized satcom ground system based on its
Japanese researchers are developing artificial-gravity buildings for space (Quartz) A research team from Japan plans to put a prototype of an artificial-gravity building on the Moon by 2050.
Northrop Grumman to Develop Satellites with Infrared Sensors for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has won a competition to build and deploy a proliferated low-Earth orbit constellation of 14 satellites with infrared sensors for the Space Development Agency’s (SDA)...
Power beamed from space, rocket cargo: UK military looking at 'game-changing' space tech (Breaking Defense) Listing a series of theoretical space capabilities, the Ministry of Defence’s Director for Space, Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth, said, "Who would not be excited by this?"
Northrop Grumman and NASA Successfully Test Space Launch System Booster (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and NASA successfully conducted a full-scale static fire of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket motor, known as Flight Support Booster-2. The five-segment solid rocket...
Space Technology
Lockheed Military Space Boss: We Have ‘Opportunity to Expand Beyond’ GPS (Air Force Magazine) As Space Force officials stress resiliency, now is the time to think beyond GPS for PNT, a top space industry official says.
Thales and QinetiQ to Study VLEO Skimsats Under ESA Contract (Via Satellite) The European Space Agency gave Thales Alenia Space and QinetiQ a study contract to pave the way for small multi-mission satellites to operate in Very
Impulse Space and Relativity Space Plan Commercial Mission to Mars (Via Satellite) New space transportation company Impulse Space announced a partnership with Relativity Space on Tuesday to deliver the first commercial payload to Mars.
Space Science
NASA Delayed the Psyche Launch. Here’s Why That’s a Big Deal (Wired) Heavenly bodies are always in motion: Pushing back the asteroid probe’s blastoff date could require a new trajectory, longer travel time, and much more power.
I am the James Webb Space Telescope and I have so much to do (Quartz) The world's most advanced space telescope has to pull off hundreds of maneuvers during its "29 days on the edge" before it can start photgraphing early galaxies and distant planets.
Threats and Risks to Space Systems
Debris from China rocket launch to crash-land — and no one knows where (Washington Post) China’s latest launch of a huge rocket is, once again, raising alarm that the debris will crash into the Earth’s surface in an uncertain location and at great speed.
Asteroid size of Chrysler Building traveling at 13,100 mph towards Earth (Newsweek) The asteroid, known as 2013 CU83, will come within 4.3 million miles of Earth, so there is zero chance it will collide with us during this close approach.
The commercial satellite boom is leaving space vulnerable to hackers (The Record by Recorded Future) U.S. lawmakers and other researchers are seeking solutions for securing our increasingly satellite-crowded skies.
Cyberattacks on satellites may only be getting more worrisome (Washington Post) Space is a burgeoning battleground for cyberattacks
Miscellanea
Florida Man Accused of Driving to Space Force Base in Stolen Truck to Warn of Aliens (Military.com) Corey Johnson reportedly explained to authorities "he was told by the president" to warn "the government there was US aliens fighting with Chinese dragons."