Appropriations, Procurement, and Acquisitions
Canadian Space Agency planned spending for 2022-23 down 3.9% (SpaceQ) The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) has released its 2022-23 Departmental Plan which has planned spendin
$52 million boost to supercharged Australian Space Manufacturing Network (Swinburne) Swinburne is the Victorian university hub of the Australian Space Manufacturing Network, led by Gilmour Space Technologies, which has been awarded $52 million in Federal Government co-funding.
Space Force budget gets a big boost to $24.5B in FY23, focus on resilience (Breaking Defense) The FY23 request is $7 billion more than the $17.4 billion the service asked for in FY22, with much of it going towards R&D efforts.
Missile Defense Agency seeks $9.6 billion in FY23 budget (Defense News) The Missile Defense Agency is prioritizing efforts to go up again evolving threats like hypersonic weapons and cruise missiles including funding for a new missile defense architecture on Guam and development of a glide-phase hypersonic weapon interceptor in its FY23 budget request.
Poland Launches Cooperation With Virgin Orbit to Advance Domestic Space Capabilities (Business Wire) The Government of Poland signs a letter of intent with Virgin Orbit on March 16, 2022.
General Dynamics wins $4.5B National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency contract (NYSE:GD) (SeekingAlpha) General Dynamics <<GD>> says it was awarded the User Facing and Data Center Services contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, with a $4.5B maximum value and a...
ISRO to chalk out plans to increase number of launches, satellite manufacturing (Business Insider) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is chalking out the crucial tasks to be done in 2022 and the steps to be taken to increase the number of satellite
Government and New Space: Pursuing Faster Teamwork For a Robust Future (Satellite Today) As the U.S. races to forge a new economy in LEO fueled by tech innovations, the commercial and government sectors must collaborate smarter to assure national security and industry leadership in the new space frontier.
Space Business and Market Trends
What Are We Really Witnessing in the New Space Economy? (Via Satellite) We hear so much about the New Space economy in the news lately, especially with eye-catching headlines that include celebrities taking day trips to space.
GEOINT Satellite Operators Look Toward an Increasingly Commercial Future (Satellite Today) Geospatial data providers are ready to tap into the commercial market, incorporating analytics and advanced tech to reach a plethora of non-government customers.
U.S. Satellite Sector Must Get Agile to Beat China, Says Former USAF Software Chief (Via Satellite) RESTON, VA — The U.S. satellite sector must embrace modern software design practices like agile and DevSecOps if America’s space efforts are to remain
Northrop Grumman, SpaceX win NASA contracts up to $14B to supply space station (NYSE:NOC) (SeekingAlpha) NASA said it awarded contracts potentially valued as high as $14B to Northrop Grumman (NOC) and SpaceX (SPACE) for a dozen more resupply missions to the International Space Station...
Pixxel Announces $25M Investment Led By Radical Ventures To Advance The World’s Most Detailed Imaging Satellites for Earth Health Monitoring (Business Wire) Pixxel, a leader in cutting-edge earth-imaging technology, announced a $25 million Series A led by Radical Ventures, a Toronto-based firm known for in
Virgin Orbit looks beyond satellite launch for growth opportunities (SpaceNews) Virgin Orbit says it sees opportunities not just in satellite launch but also in hypersonics as it looks to increase its revenue.
Neuraspace Raises $2.75M to Commercialize Satellite Collision Avoidance Platform (Via Satellite) Space situational awareness startup Neuraspace has raised 2.5 million euros ($2.75 million) from Armilar Venture Partners. Armilar invested in Neuraspace
Hispasat to Acquire AXESS Networks (Via Satellite) Spanish satellite operator Hispasat has reached an agreement to acquire AXESS Networks, a teleport operator and satellite services provider with a
SES to Acquire DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (Via Satellite) SES is acquiring DRS Global Enterprise Solutions (GES), a U.S.-based subsidiary of Leonardo DRS, in a move that SES says will double its revenue from the
Hughes wins bid for 5G/satellite network under DoD experiment (Breaking Defense) For DoD applications, 5G needs high levels of cybersecurity. Stand-alone 5G networks, like the Hughes network, are inherently more secure than older networks where 5G is added onto the existing network," Rajeev Gopal, vice president, Advanced Programs, told Breaking Defense.
Hyperspectral Imaging Startup Pixxel Raises $25M in Series A Round (Via Satellite) Earth imaging startup Pixxel has raised $25 million in a Series A funding round led by Radical Ventures. Pixxel announced the funding on Monday and said
Adani, L&T among firms keen to build satellite launchers: Govt (The Times of India) India News: NEW DELHI: The government Thursday said Adani Enterprises Limited and L&T are part of two consortia led by State-run enterprises that have evinced int.
SES CEO: Leonardo DRS buy, new sats all about growing US government business (Breaking Defense) SATELLITE 2022: European satellite firm SES has been growing its government portfolio for the past five years, and sees no end in sight for the upward trend in demand — a market analysis that lies behind its decision to acquire the satellite communications arm of Leonardo DRS, says SES CEO Steve Collar. That $450 million…
How SpaceX Saves NASA $100 Million Per Flight (Nasdaq) Eight years ago, the business of space changed. In 2014, NASA tapped SpaceX and Boeing (NYSE: BA) to build two new human-rated spacecraft, the Crew Dragon and Starliner, respectively. Each company would first prove its ship capable of safe flight, then perform as many as six crewed missions to the International Space Station.
Spire Global signs deal with NorthStar Earth and Space for a dedicated constellation (Space Daily) Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR) has announced a new space-as-a-service agreement with NorthStar Earth and Space (NorthStar), a comprehensive Earth and Space Information Services Platform, to build
Sierra Space to work with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on commercial space station technologies (SpaceNews) Sierra Space and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries have signed an agreement to study collaboration on technologies to support a planned commercial space station.
SpaceX, Northrop Grumman win 6 NASA resupply missions to ISS (TechGenyz) NASA said it has ordered six additional resupply missions from SpaceX under its Commercial Resupply Services-2 (CRS-2) contract and also placed an order
Bankruptcy Court Approves Intelsat Reorganization Plan (Via Satellite) Intelsat’s bankruptcy court has approved the satellite operator’s plan or reorganization, which will bring the company out of bankruptcy with less than
Can Space Stocks Achieve Liftoff Once More? We Consider Rocket Lab (NASDAQ:RKLB) (SeekingAlpha) Rocket Lab is a speculative opportunity but with growing backlog and expanding market opportunity. Check out here why it's a buy.
Scout Raises Bridge Financing For Satellite Situational Awareness | Aviation Week Network (Aviation Week) After releasing its satellite computer vision and guidance software in January, Scout has raised an undisclosed bridge round of financing led by venture capital firm Decisive Point.
Sierra Space, Oita Prefecture and Kanematsu Corporation Sign Agreement to Explore Possible Landing Site for Dream Chaser Spaceplane in Japan (Parabolic Arc) Sierra Space, a leading commercial space company with 1,100 employees, more than 500 missions and over 30 years of space flight heritage, and Kanematsu Corporation announced today that the companies have jointly signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Oita Prefecture agreeing to investigate Oita Airport in Kunisaki, Oita, Japan, as a potential landing site in Asia for Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser® spaceplane.
New venture capital fund focused on high-need, dual-use technology (C4ISRNet) The new fund is led by a team of national security experts looking to invest in and support smaller companies developing critical technology for national security and commercial users.
Boeing Invests In Australian Satellite Industry Ahead Of JP9102 Selection (Aviation Week Network) Cablex, Crystalaid, Ferra, Levett, Lovitt, Nupress and Quickstep Holdings all inked memorandums of agreement with Boeing ahead of the JP9102 down selection.
Eutelsat, Kymeta, and Speedcast Sign OneWeb Distribution Deals (Via Satellite) OneWeb has added Eutelsat, Kymeta, and Speedcast as distribution partners for its Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) connectivity, the company announced this week.
Surging startup Relativity Space rejected about 100 offers to SPAC. Here's why experts say cofounder Tim Ellis was right to avoid going public as he challenges SpaceX. (Business Insider) "A lot of people undervalued the operational trade-offs that were going to come with it," Tim Ellis said of space startups that had taken SPAC deals.
Envistacom Divests Technology Development Business Unit ATG (Via Satellite) Envistacom is divesting its technology development business unit, the Advanced Technologies Group (ATG), as a standalone business, the company announced
Synspective Raises $100M in Series B Funding Round (Via Satellite) Synspective, a Japanese synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite data and solutions provider, has raised another $100 million in financing. The company
Space Traffic Management Startup Scout Closes Bridge Funding Round (Via Satellite) Space tech startup Scout has closed a bridge funding round led by Decisive Point, bringing total capital raised to $1.5 million. The Virginia Innovation
Kymeta Secures $84 Million in Equity Financing (Via Satellite) Kymeta has closed on additional equity funding of approximately $84 million, making Kymeta nearly fully funded. Bill Gates led the funding, with
Terran Orbital to Support Lockheed Martin’s SDA Tranche 1 Transport Layer Contract (Via Satellite) Lockheed Martin has awarded Terran Orbital a contract to build 42 satellites for the Space Development Agency's Tranche 1 Transport Layer. The contract
X-Bow exits stealth mode with its 3D printed rocket engines (3D Printing Industry) X-Bow Launch Systems, a space technology 3D printing company, has exited stealth mode this week with its 3D printed rocket engines.
Mercury recognized as one of Massachusetts' fastest-growing middle-market companies for third straight year (GlobeNewswire News Room) Only aerospace and defense company included on Boston Business Journal's 2022 list...
New Head Skunk for Lockheed Martin (Air Force Magazine) Lockheed Martin Aeronautics' John Clark will take over as head skunk in the company’s “Skunk Works,” division.
Northrop Grumman Expands Facilities in Colorado to Support Critical National Security Programs (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) opened its newest building today in Longbow Park in Boulder to support the growth of its Overhead Persistent Infrared Exploitation (OPIR) and Advanced Mission Systems (AMS)...
Mynaric CCO Tina Ghataore and Astroscale’s ELSA-d Mission Win Executive and Technology of the Year Awards (Via Satellite) On Wednesday, Via Satellite announced Tina Ghataore, chief commercial officer for Mynaric, as the winner of the 2021 Satellite Executive of the Year award, and Astroscale's ELSA-d Mission the winner of the 2021 Satellite Technology of the Year award. In addition, Dr. Luisa Buinhas of Vyoma won the annual Startup Space pitch competition. Winners were chosen by a combination of public vote and the Via Satellite editorial board.
Stratolaunch Appoints Dr. Zachary Krevor as President and CEO (SpaceRef) Stratolaunch is pleased to announce Dr. Zachary Krevor, a 20-year aerospace veteran and President and COO of Stratolaunch LLC, has ascended to the role of President and Chief Executive Officer. His appointment is effective immediately.
Exclusive: Sierra Space taps Boeing veteran as CFO after hefty capital raise -sources (Reuters) Months after receiving a major infusion of capital, Sierra Nevada Corp's space unit, Sierra Space, has tapped a veteran Boeing Co executive to helm its finances as it races to develop its flagship space plane and studies a public offering, two people familiar with the matter said.
Impulse Space Propulsion Names Their New COO (Sat News) Impulse Space Propulsion has appointed Barry A. Matsumori to the company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO) position. An industry veteran with decades of experience in mobile wireless and Space 2.0 sectors, Barry will be a key member of Impulse’s executive team, instrumental in driving Impulse’s mission to become the go-to leader for in-space transportation of satellites to optimal orbits.
National Defense Industrial Association gets new chief (Defense News) The National Defense Industrial Association has named former Deputy Secretary of Defense David Norquist as its new president and CEO, the trade group announced Thursday.
Mercury Systems announces appointment of Steve Ratner as senior vice president and chief human resources officer (GlobeNewswire News Room) Mercury Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical...
Sierra Space Fortifies Senior Management Team, Hires Troy Lahr as New Chief Financial Officer (WV News) LOUISVILLE, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 28, 2022--
Launch Services
OneWeb to Resume Launches with SpaceX (Via Satellite) OneWeb signed a deal with SpaceX to resume satellite launches after its Soyuz launch campaign was stymied due to Russia’s war on Ukraine. The companies
SpaceX launches 53 Starlink satellites after weather delays (Space Daily) Elon Musk's SpaceX launched 53 Starlink satellites from Florida early Saturday morning after the launch was postponed Friday night because of stormy weather.
Brazil will have Companies Operating at Alcântara Spaceport in 2022 (Parabolic Arc) Started 20 years ago, the process of creating a spaceport — a facility that allows the launch and landing of vehicles and space modules, manned or not — is close to being completed in Brazil, said Colonel Carlos Augusto Moura, president of the Brazilian Space Agency (AEB), in an interview with the program A Voz do Brasil today (14 March).
2 SpaceX astronaut launches to the space station delayed by a few days (Space.com) Ax-1 is now targeted for April 3, and Crew-4 will launch no earlier than April 19.
SpaceX schedules spy satellite, NASA astronaut launches on the same day (TESLARATI) The US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has confirmed that its next spy satellite is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on the same day the company is planning to launch four NASA and ESA astronauts. Following SpaceX’s flawless NROL-87 spy satellite launch last month, the NRO has announced that the company is …
Dark, the rocket company that will launch from French airports by 2026 (Space Ref) Dark, the rocket company that will launch from French airports by 2026 - SpaceRef
Astra Space Places Satellites into Orbit for First Time (Parabolic Arc) Astra Space placed satellites into the orbit for the first time on Tuesday, marking a return to flight after a launch failure last month destroyed four CubeSats.
Astra Successfully Launches Spaceflight Customers (Via Satellite) Astra Space successfully deployed its first customer payloads on Tuesday, bouncing back after a launch failure last month. An Astra rocket took off from
Stratolaunch Opens Office in Washington D.C. Metro Area (SpaceRef) Stratolaunch Opens Office in Washington D.C. Metro Area - SpaceRef
US Space Force
Aerospace companies urge Colorado senators to fight to keep Space Command (Denver Gazette) More than a dozen aerospace companies throughout the state rallied together to say Colorado should be the permanent home for U.S. Space Command.
New Details on Space Force PT Plan—Plus How the ‘Digital Community’ Could Look (Air Force Magazine) The US Space Force released a memo detailing its new fitness program, beta testing now. The program will run on fitness platform FitRankings.
Military Space Operations
EXCLUSIVE: Army kicks off long-awaited SATCOM service pilot next month (Breaking Defense) How the Army can utilize new terminals under a SATCOM service agreement, perhaps without have to buy thousands of new ones, will be a factor in choosing providers for the pilot program, says Brig. Gen. Rob Collins.
Australia partnering with Pentagon for new 'Space Command' (TheHill) Australia will be partnering with the Pentagon for its new "Space Command,” Australia’s defense chief said.
Chinese researchers claim to develop satellite-killing weapon (WION) If researchers of China are to be believed, a microwave machine called 'Relativistic Klystron Amplifier (RKA)’ has been developed by them.
What’s so special about it? The machine can be used to jam or destroy satellites in space, as per researchers. It seems to have the power to burn out sensitive electronics in satellites.
Also Read: Sleeping for long hours may be early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, says study
US Space Force preparing to decommission legacy command and control system (C4ISRNet) The decommissioning of the Space Defense Operations Center follows a slew of attempts to modernize the service's command-and-control infrastructure.
Products, Services, and Solutions
Intelsat rolls out network service that integrates Starlink and geostationary satellites (SpaceNews) Satellite operator Intelsat is offering a managed network service that integrates geostationary satellites, SpaceX’s Starlink low Earth orbit constellation and cellular broadband.
SpaceX to Double Starlink Satellite Count Within 18 Months (PCMAG) Increasing the satellite count should improve network speeds and allow more customers to use the internet service.
Steve Wozniak opens up about space junk startup (Register) Privateer to help avoid collisions and more debris around our planet
Rivada Networks Unveils 600-Satellite Constellation Plans (Via Satellite) Rivada Space Networks plans to launch a constellation of 600 Ka-band satellites in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) to serve the telecom, enterprise, maritime,
Isotropic Systems Completes Antenna Tests With Telesat LEO (Via Satellite) Isotropic Systems has completed multi-orbit antenna field tests with Telesat. Isotropic Systems’ antenna tracked and established a link with Telesat’s
Hughes Demos Multi-Modal Data Transport and OneWeb Terminal (Via Satellite) Multi-mode data connectivity took a step closer to reality Monday, when Hughes Network Systems unveiled two new ground terminals at SATELLITE 2022. One
Lockheed Martin eyes potential national security customers for lunar communications services (Breaking Defense) The new satellite, set to launch in 2024, could provide comms links with astronauts and rovers on the far side of the Moon, as well as to scientists at the South Pole.
SpaceLogistics sees potential defense market for orbital life-extension spacecraft (Breaking Defense) "It's not just resiliency from a life-extension perspective" for the Space Force. said SpaceLogistics President Rob Hauge. "We've got the potential to actually include other payloads as well,"
World View Introduces Space Capsule Prototype Carrying Passengers to the Edge of Space (Business Wire) World View, an expert in stratospheric exploration on a mission to help spaceflight participants rediscover Earth, today announces the debut of its sp
Skyrora Opens New Engine Testing Facility in Scotland (Via Satellite) Skyrora has opened a new rocket engine testing facility in Scotland, the company announced March 15. The site allows Skyrora to concentrate its launch
ThinKom Debuts New Ka-Band Phased Array Antenna, ThinSat Ka500 (Via Satellite) ThinKom Solutions is rolling out a new phased array satellite antenna for land mobile applications, ThinSat Ka500. The antenna is a Ka-band phased array
IMM-β: Rocket Lab's new space solar panels have a 33.3 percent conversion efficiency (Interesting Engineering) Rocket Lab announced that it is taking its next-generation solar cell technology into the qualification phase.
SWISSto12 and CAES selected to 3D print antennas for Lockheed Martin satellites (3D Printing Industry) Lockheed Martin’s Space unit has selected SWISSto12 and CAES to 3D print phased array antennas for future satellite missions.
Mercury Systems receives $4M order for RF system-in-package technology (Yahoo Finance) Mercury Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a leader in trusted, secure mission-critical technologies for aerospace and defense, announced it received a $4 million order from a leading commercial technology company for advanced silicon packaging to be used in electronic warfare, AESA beamforming and C4ISR systems. The order was received in Mercury’s fiscal 2022 third quarter and is expected to be delivered over the next several quarters.
Satellite and Ground Station Operations
Ground Segment Debate Shifts to Virtualization, Orchestration, Cloudification (Via Satellite) The satellite ground segment is becoming more software and service-centric as players cater to customers’ ambitious strategies, segment leaders said
DoD launching efforts to clean up messy SATCOM ground segment (Breaking Defense) "A lot of people when they think of space-based capabilities, they always forget the ground segment," Mike Dean, the Pentagon's top SATCOM official, said.
Chinese project aims to give smartphone users access to cameras in space (South China Morning Post) Satellite is to be launched in July to test new technology the team says will enable a live stream from orbit with a delay of no more than 10 minutes.
National Institute to Build Satellite Monitoring Station With China (Cairo Scene) The station is planned to be the second in the world to integrate newly-developed technology that would enhance Egypt’s research capabilities.
Starlink satellite internet average speed tests peg it at over 100 Mbps, faster than fixed broadband in Australia, Canada, or the UK (Notebookcheck) SpaceX's satellite internet service Starlink has notched another achievement on its average download speed belt, piercing the 100Mbps threshold required for funding by various rural broadband initiatives in the U.S. In some countries like Australia, Canada, UK, or Germany, Starlink provides internet that is faster than their fixed broadband services on average.
Strengthening Cybersecurity of SATCOM Network Providers and Customers (CISA) CISA and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are aware of possible threats to U.S. and international satellite communications (SATCOM) networks. Successful intrusions into SATCOM networks could create additional risk for SATCOM network customer environments. In response, CISA and FBI have published joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) Strengthening Cybersecurity of SATCOM Network Providers and Customers, which provides mitigations and resources to strengthen SATCOM provider and customer cybersecurity.
Strengthening Cybersecurity of SATCOM Network Providers and Customers (CISA) Actions to Take Today: • Use secure methods for authentication. • Enforce principle of least privilege. • Review trust relationships. • Implement encryption. • Ensure robust patching and system configuration audits. • Monitor logs for suspicious activity. • Ensure incident response, resilience, and continuity of operations plans are in place.
Policy, Strategy, and Regulation
European Space Agency head says they 'can manage' without Russia (The Miami County Republic) The European Space Agency may seek closer ties with NASA on its upcoming missions, especially the ExoMars rover, after it became clear ESA needed "to sever" its ties with Russia,
Cyber Advisor to President Biden Details Cybersecurity Points for Space (Via Satellite) Invoking a famous quote about the United States and Great Britain, the U.S. cybersecurity advisor to President Joe Biden said that cyber and space
International talks on space norms to continue but U.S. will not engage directly with Russia (SpaceNews) Bilateral U.S.-Russia space talks that had begun before the invasion of Ukraine are off the table for now, a U.S. State Department official said March 17.
European space agency suspends Mars mission with Russia (Al Jazeera) ESA had previously said that the mission was ‘very unlikely’ because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russian cosmonauts launch to space station against backdrop of war in Ukraine (NBC News) Scrutiny over the liftoff has grown as the war has strained relations between Russia and its space partners, and has called into question the iconic orbiting lab's future.
Space station crew rise above geopolitical tensions on ground, says French astronau (National News) But speaking at Expo 2020 Dubai, former ISS commander Thomas Pesquet said Russian invasion of Ukraine 'makes us wonder about future'
Ukraine asks Japan for satellite data amid Russian invasion - Nikkei (Reuters) Ukraine is asking Japan for high-quality satellite imagery to help it fend off Russian troops, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Thursday.
Russian Space Chief Says Cooperation With Europe Now Impossible (US News and World Report) Russia's space director said on Thursday that Europe had wrecked cooperation by imposing sanctions against his agency, and rockets that were meant to launch European satellites would now be used for Russian companies or countries friendly to Moscow
Russian space chief shares photo of rocket carrying pro-war "Z" symbol (Newsweek) Dmitry Rogozin, head of Roscosmos, tweeted a photo of the rocket section that has come to symbolize Russia's war with Ukraine.
Space Gets Caught in the Crossfire of Russia’s War on Ukraine (Via Satellite) On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia demolished the foundation of the world’s geopolitical and financial structure by commencing a military invasion of Ukraine. The
Russian Space Agency Employees are now Forbidden to Travel Outside Russia (Because They Might not Come Back) (Universe Today) As Russia wages its terrible war against its neighbour Ukraine, the deteriorating situation inside Russia is leading many Russians to flee the collapsing economy. According to Russian journalist Kamil Galeev, Roscosmos Director Dmitry Rogozin is prohibiting Roscosmos employees from leaving the increasingly isolated nation. IT workers are among those fleeing, according to Russian journalist Kamil … Continue reading "Russian Space Agency Employees are now Forbidden to Travel Outside Russia (Because They Might not Come Back)"
Bipartisan delegation urges Biden to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs, cites need for stability amid Russian invasion (KKTV) “Russia’s unhinged invasion of Ukraine has made it clear that our military’s need for efficiency and resilience is more important than ever,” Rep. Doug Lamborn’s office said.
Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
Lockheed Martin Partners with SpiderOak Missions Systems on Space Cybersecurity Platform (Via Satellite) Lockheed Martin is partnering with SpiderOak Mission Systems to develop and test a zero-trust cybersecurity platform for the space data supply chain. The
Northrop Grumman Successfully Tests Abort Motor for NASA’s Orion Spacecraft (Northrop Grumman Newsroom) Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and Lockheed Martin successfully performed the final full-scale ground test of the abort motor for NASA’s Orion spacecraft Launch Abort System (LAS) at Northrop Grumman’s...
DHS Weighs How to Protect Increasingly Critical Space Systems (Via Satellite) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is deciding how to incorporate space assets like new multi-orbit constellations of broadband communications
US Space Force to Kick Off IA-PRE Program in January 2022 (Via Satellite) The U.S. Space Force plans to launch its Infrastructure Asset Pre-Assessment Program (IA-PRE) in January 2022, Jared Reece, cybersecurity lead in the
US Space Force to Launch Project Moonlighter Cybersecurity Satellite (Via Satellite) A U.S. Space Force effort to launch a dedicated cybersecurity testing satellite in 2023 will include a design modeled after the common 3U cubesats, which
Millennium Space to launch to orbit a 3D printed satellite structure (SpaceNews) Millennium Space Systems plans to launch to orbit a 3D printed metal flight structure the company intends to use to build its next generation of satellite buses.
Orbit Fab gets $12 million to integrate refueling port with military satellites (SpaceNews) Orbit Fab, a venture-funded startup offering a refueling service in space, announced it has won a $12 million deal to ensure its fueling interface works with U.S. military satellites.
China tests rocket engine for upcoming space lab launches (Xinhua) A Chinese high-thrust oxyhydrogen rocket engine has completed a 520-second test in preparation for the upcoming launches of space station lab modules, its maker said on Wednesday.
Lunar scientists and engineers design Moon cave explorer (ESA) Lunar caves are not only a geologically pristine record of the Moon's history, but they could also provide a safe home for future human explorers. Building upon ESA Discovery's OSIP call and SysNova challenge, ESA gathered a spectrum of over 60 experts in many different areas of science and engineering to design a mission to enter a pit on the Moon's surface and explore the entrance to a lunar cave.
NASA Finally Rolls Out Its Massive SLS Rocket, With Much at Stake (Wired) The agency’s long-awaited, costly Space Launch System is finally ready for a practice countdown before the first Artemis mission this spring.
Boeing completes critical design review for protected satellite communications payload (C4ISRNet) The design milestone positions the company to begin integration and test next year.
Tomorrow.io weather satellites pass critical design review (SpaceNews) A week after calling off a SPAC merger intended to raise $420 million for a constellation of commercial weather radar satellites, Tomorrow.io said March 16 its two pathfinder spacecraft passed their critical design review.
US Space Force Validates Design Maturity of Boeing's Protected Tactical Satcom Prototype (Via Satellite) Boeing said on March 16 that U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC) recently validated the design maturity of the company’s Protected Tactical
China is developing new solid rockets to boost overall space capabilities (SpaceNews) Chinese state-owned entities are developing a growing range of solid rockets to meet growing launch demands and contribute to a wider strategy of making China a fully-fledged space power.
New UK Space Funds to Pioneer New Approaches to Energy, Communication and Resources (Parabolic Arc) Science and Innovation Minister George Freeman announced the £2 million boost for 13 new projects during British Science Week (11-20 March), which aims to inspire interest in and celebrate science, engineering, technology and maths for people of all ages.
NASA Funds Research to Use Smallsats to Improve Storm Predictions (Parabolic Arc) NASA is funding research into the development of a constellation of small satellites (smallsats) capable of measuring a storm from start to finish in order to improve weather forecasting.
In-orbit construction of China's space station going smoothly (Space Daily) Construction work on the core module of China's Tiangong space station is proceeding steadily, the China Manned Space Agency (CMSA) said on Friday. The Shenzhou-13 mission astronauts currently
Space Development Agency to launch next missile warning satellites earlier than expected (C4ISRNet) A $550 million funding increase will allow the agency to launch a batch of 28 missile warning satellites in early 2025 — at least a year earlier than previously planned, according to a senior defense official.
IBCS passes two flight tests, including under electronic attack (Breaking Defense) The tests at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. were part of initial operational test and evaluation. Another test is scheduled for this fall.
Space Technology
Lessons from the Past: Greg Wyler Says Things Will be Different With E-Space (Satellite Today) In this interview, Greg Wyler talks about what he learned from the O3b and OneWeb experiences, and why he thinks things will be different with E-Space.
Researchers Used a Decommissioned Satellite to Broadcast Hacker TV (Wired) What happens when an old satellite is no longer in use but can still broadcast? Hacker shenanigans, that's what.
S.Korea says N.Korea staged 'largest ICBM' fakery to recover from failed test (Reuters) South Korea's military has said North Korea's largest missile test yet used an older, smaller intercontinental ballistic missile, in part to try to head off negative domestic reaction to a failed launch.
North Korea confirms test-firing of biggest ICBM (Military Times) Thursday’s test was North Korea’s 12th round of weapons launches this year.
Stakeholders See a Bright Future for Laser Satellite Communications (Satellite Today) The high bandwidth inter-satellite data links made possible by laser-based optical communications technology will revolutionize the satellite ecosystem, and enable a new generation of autonomous vehicles in orbit, a SATELLITE 2022 session heard Monday.
Seoul: North Korean missile exploded in air in failed launch (AP NEWS) A North Korean missile fired from its capital region exploded soon after liftoff in an apparent failed launch on Wednesday, South Korea’s military said, amid speculation that the North is preparing to launch its longest-range weapon in the most significant provocation in years.
Space Lasers Come of Age: Optical Communications for Satellites Are Ready for Prime Time (Satellite Today) The visible light spectrum is the next chapter for satellite communications. With frequencies thousands of times higher than radio frequency waves, visible light can carry orders of magnitude more data. The technology required is finally mature and the coming year will see the first broad deployment in commercial and defense systems. Here’s the latest on the space laser revolution and what it will mean for the satellite business.
Spacewalking astronauts restore radiator, replace space station camera after wardrobe malfunction (Space.com) A loose helmet-mounted camera delayed the spacewalk work by an hour.
Threats and Risks to Space Systems
Russia’s space weapons may be the next frontier in the Ukraine conflict (Atlantic Council) Here’s a look at Russia’s possible range of space weapons and how the West can respond, both to blunt attacks and hold Moscow accountable.
Elon Musk: SpaceX Can Launch Satellites Faster Than Russia Can Shoot Them Down (Futurism) Billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said Starlink terminals can outmaneuver Russian missiles to maintain internet connectivity for Ukraine.
Viasat Details KA-SAT Cyberattack that Affected Thousands of Modems in Ukraine (Via Satellite) Viasat believes the cyberattack on its KA-SAT network last month that affected modems across Ukraine and Europe was “deliberate” and intended to interrupt
Russia hacked Ukrainian satellite communications, officials believe (BBC News) Western officials think the attack on US company Viasat hit military and government communications.
Hackers Attacked Satellite Terminals Through Management Network, Viasat Officials Say (Air Force Magazine) The cyberattack of Viasat’s satellite broadband service was carried out by hackers compromising the system that manages customer terminals.
Avoidable Viasat Satellite Hack Causes Headaches Across Europe And Ukraine (Techdirt) For literally more than a decade researchers have been warning that global satellite telecommunications networks were vulnerable to all manner of attacks. These attacks vary in nature but allow an …
Following cyberattack, communication satellite operators want more guidance on reporting (C4ISRNet) Satellite communications companies say new guidance for companies to increase their cyber incident reporting is a win for the industry and could help raise awareness about attacks.
Commercial remote sensing firms seek government help to plan for, respond to sat attacks (Breaking Defense) "There is no 911 ... for us to call to get help," said J.J. Riordan, chief revenue officer at BlackSky.
It’s Only a Matter of Time and Space Until a Satellite Takeover (Via Satellite) The United States suffers from a catastrophic cybersecurity problem with its critical infrastructure – industries which are dependent on satellite
War in Ukraine Highlights Security Concerns for NGSO Satcom (Satellite Today) The war in Ukraine, and the hack of Viasat’s KA-SAT network, has highlighted the long-standing geopolitical reality for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) operators who serve government and critical industry customers, and the security issues that come with it, according to panelists at a SATELLITE 2022 session on Monday.
Satellite jamming 'normal' by militaries during conflict, not peacetime: State Dept. official (Breaking Defense) WASHINGTON: The Russian military’s jamming of GPS signals and communications satellites in Ukraine is considered by the US government as essentially a routine wartime activity, according to a senior State Department official. Judging from actual real world actions during recent conflicts around the globe, Washington and Moscow appear to be on the same page with…
Cyber warfare gets real for satellite operators (SpaceNews) The U.S. government on March 17 advised satellite operators to put their guard up in the wake of a cyberattack that disrupted internet services in Europe provided by Viasat’s KA-SAT.
US government clients unaffected by Viasat cyberattack (C4ISRNet) "The investigation into the recent cyber event on the KA-SAT European network continues in partnership with law enforcement, government partners and Viasat’s third-party cybersecurity firm," Viasat said in a statement March 11. "We currently believe this was a deliberate, isolated and external cyber event."
E-Space Joins the Paris Peace Forum's Net Zero Space Initiative to Reduce Debris in Orbit (PR Newswire) E-Space today announced it is joining the Paris Peace Forum's "Net Zero Space" initiative to minimize and actively reduce orbital debris to...
Space Crowding in LEO is a Challenge, But Improvements in Design and Traffic Management Offer Hope (Satellite Today) Just how crowded is Low-Earth Orbit [LEO], and how can the satellite industry do more to prevent collision and manage traffic?
Canadian Satellite Maneuvered To Avoid Collision, Official Says (Aviation Week Network) A Canadian satellite recently came “dangerously close” to another nation’s satellite, a Canadian Space Agency official says.
Astronomer discovers asteroid minutes before it slams into Earth (Newsweek) Krisztián Sárneczky told Newsweek that finding 2022 EB5 was one of his proudest moment as an astronomer.
NASA urged to address insider cybersecurity threats (Computing) A vast majority of NASA IT systems are unclassified, including many that contain high-value assets and critical infrastructure
Miscellanea
American Astronautical Society Award Winners Announced (Space Ref) American Astronautical Society Award Winners Announced - SpaceRef
Boeing to Showcase ‘Low Earth Orbit to Deep Space’ Portfolio at International Astronautical Congress (SpaceRef) Boeing [NYSE: BA] will participate in the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) – The CyberSpace Edition, which is taking place Oct. 12-14, with an innovative virtual exhibit online at iac2020.vfairs.com.
1,563 Apply to Become Japanese Astronauts (Parabolic Arc) The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ( JAXA ) started accepting applications for new astronaut candidates from noon on December 20, 2021 ( Monday), and ended at noon on March 4, 2022 ( Friday ). The number of applicants *1 who have applied from many people and completed the application procedure as of noon on March 4 ( Friday) is as follows.
Russian cosmonauts arrive at International Space Station wearing yellow and blue, colors of Ukrainian flag (New York Post) Three Russian cosmonauts have arrived at the International Space Station wearing flight suits in yellow and blue colors that match the Ukrainian flag.
Russia rejects "crazy" claim cosmonauts backing Ukraine with yellow suits (Newsweek) Several Western media outlets reported that they wore the defining colors in an apparent show of support to the Ukrainians.
Elon Musk has another prediction for when humans will land on Mars: 2029 (Business Insider) Over the years, Elon Musk had offered 2024 and 2026 when asked to predict when SpaceX might be able to send crewed missions to Mars.
Blue Origin passengers who are 1st married couple to fly to space on commercial rocket say they've got plans to fly with SpaceX and Virgin Galactic too (Business Insider) Sharon and Mark Hagle, 73, are launching to the edge of space on Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket and want to go to space at least three times after.