Ryan Duffy
Orbital Launches in Q3, by the Numbers
BryceTech has released its latest quarterly briefing on rocket launches and satellite deployments from around the world. By launch frequency (total spacecraft #s in parentheses)… China’s CASC led Q3 with 15 orbital launches (and 30 total spacecraft launched) Arianespace conducted five launches (but transported the most spacecraft—111—of any provider) SpaceX took bronze, with three orbital trips (and…
SpaceX, NASA to Return Crew-2, Launch Crew-3 without Direct ISS Handover
At long last, SpaceX and NASA are nearly ready to launch the Crew-3 mission. *knocks on wood* Where? Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A → the International Space Station (ISS) Who? NASA astronauts Raja Chari, Tom Marshburn, Kayla Barron, and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Matthias Maurer When? The launch window opens at 9:03 pm…
VP Harris Sets Date for Inaugural Space Council Meeting
Six months ago, President Joe Biden tapped VP Kamala Harris to head up the US National Space Council. The White House stayed largely mum on that front until Friday, when Harris gave her first speech fully focused on space at NASA’s Goddard facility in Maryland. Mark your calendars…On Dec. 1, Harris will preside over the White House’s…
Blue Origin Loses NASA Lawsuit over SpaceX $2.9B Lander Contract
ICYMI: Blue Origin has lost its federal lawsuit over NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS) contract. Yesterday, Court of Federal Claims Judge Richard Hertling ruled against Blue Origin in its lawsuit against NASA. Hertling did not share many details in his 192-word statement. What happened? NASA initially intended to award two separate HLS moon lander contracts. Then, citing budgetary constraints, the agency…
Astra, Hughes Net, Inmarsat, Telesat, and Others File Constellation Applications
Astra, Hughes, Inmarsat, and Telesat filed plans yesterday with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to build satellite constellations in low-Earth orbit (LEO). The FCC parcels out and regulates radio frequency (RF) usage in the US. Why all at once? A coincidence? But of course not. Yesterday was the deadline for the FCC’s new processing round for satellite V-band…
iRocket and Turion Sign Launch Services Agreement
This morning, iRocket and Turion Space announced a multi-mission launch services agreement. The startups are focused on getting to space and providing in-space services, respectively. Getting to space: iRocket is developing Shockwave, a reusable and fully autonomous small launch vehicle. The three-year old company is backed by the US Space Force, the M&J Engineering Group, and…
UN Committee Votes “Yes” on Space Norms Resolution
The UN General Assembly’s First Committee, a security and disarmament panel, has voted to create a working group focused on space conduct. Resolution title: “Reducing space threats through norms, rules and principles of responsible behaviours” Tally: 163 nations voted Yes, eight voted No, and nine abstained. Notable nays: Russia opposed the measure, saying the resolution should focus on “preventing an arms race in outer…
Redwire Expands Space Portfolio, Picks up Techshot
Redwire has acquired Techshot, a space biotech company that got its start in 1988. The companies did not disclose terms of the space M&A deal, which was announced yesterday. The acquisition comes almost exactly two months after Redwire completed its SPAC merger. Techshot 101: The Indiana company develops space bioprinters and other biotech devices for microgravity. Techshot products, such…
Project Kuiper Applies to Launch Two Satellites by Late 2022
Yesterday, Amazon subsidiary Kuiper Systems asked the US for approval to launch two demonstration satellites, KuiperSat-1 and KuiperSat-2. See the FCC filing here. Amazon says the prototypes will include “much of the technology and subsystems” that will be in Kuiper production satellites. Over the course of two years, Kuiper will validate the satellites’ tech stack on-orbit…and test links…
Earth Observation Players to Attend COP26
The UN’s 26th UN Climate Change Conference—or COP26—has started in Glasgow, Scotland. On the docket: decarbonization negotiations. Over 120 world leaders will gather in Glasgow over the next week. FYI: In its latest climate science report, published in August, the UN calls for the world to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. What’s space got to do…
Terran Orbital Announces $1.58 Billion SPAC Merger
Terran Orbital is the latest space company that will take its talents to the public markets (via SPAC, of course). SPACs, or special purpose acquisition companies, have become quite a popular vehicle for space companies looking to raise capital. The California-based satellite manufacturer said today that it would merge with Tailwind Two, a blank-check company…
OneWeb, NEOM Form Joint Venture
If Your Futuristic City Doesn’t Have High-Speed Satellite Connectivity…Is it Really a Futuristic City? NEOM and OneWeb have formed a $200M joint venture (JV) to bring satellite-based connectivity to the Middle East and nearby East African nations. OneWeb will partner with NEOM Tech & Digital Holdings Company, a newly formed subsidiary. …NEOM? The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)…
Verizon Partners with Amazon’s Project Kuiper
ICYMI: Verizon is looking to low-Earth orbit (LEO). The US telecom announced a partnership yesterday with Amazon’s Project Kuiper. Verizon will use Amazon satellites to extend connectivity to customers who can’t access the latest and greatest service (or anything) from its existing infrastructure. Amazon shares closed up 1.86% yesterday; Verizon was up 0.95%. Kuiper 101: It’s a planned LEO…
