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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
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 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 […]
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) […]
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 […]
Last week, London startup Satellite Vu closed a £15 million ($20.7 million) Series A, led by Seraphim. Satellite Vu, which raised a ~$5 million seed earlier this year, now has enough capital to finance production of its first satellite. Also participating in the Series A: Draper Esprit, A/O PropTech, Ridgeline Ventures, Earth Science Foundation, E2MC Ventures, […]
Today, Cambridge, MA-based “Hedron” said it’s closed a $17.8M Series A. The on-orbit communications company (née Analytical Space) has officially rebranded to Hedron. Justin Timberlake from The Social Network would approve. The cap table: Fidelity-affiliated Fine Structure Ventures led the round, joined by Lockheed Martin Ventures, Republic Labs, Lime Street, and Explorer 1. Existing investors The Engine, Flybridge, […]
Blue Origin and Sierra Space will build the Orbital Reef outpost in low-Earth (LEO), the two announced in Dubai yesterday. Blue and Sierra are partnering with Boeing, Redwire Space, Genesis Engineering Solutions, and Arizona State University on the private space station. Each organization brings a unique skillset to the table. Genesis, for example, will contribute a […]
A political battle is a-brewin’ over the formation of a Space National Guard, which could “bring in citizen guardians with private-sector experience,” Politico reports. In favor? The National Guard, for starters. Spearheading or supportive of the idea? Elected officials from Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, and other US states with strong bases of space activity. In the 2022 National Defense […]
