Euclid to Launch July 1 on a Mission to Study Dark Energy
Euclid, ESA’s dark energy surveyor satellite, is slated to launch July 1 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket, the space agency announced this week. Ministry of magic: The spacecraft, named after the Greek mathematician Euclid of Alexandria, will map the cosmos in 3D and study how dark energy shapes the universe. Scientists hope the data will…
For India, US, ‘The Sky is Not the Limit’
From human spaceflight to responsible use of space, the US and India announced a number of space-related agreements during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the White House on Thursday. “We are creating a strong and futuristic partnership,” Modi said at a joint press conference, highlighting the new agreements in space. Ready to launch:…
Exclusive: Continuum Announces $3M Seed Round
Continuum Space Systems announced today that it has closed a $3M seed round, bringing the company’s total fundraising to more than $6M. Continuum’s mission: The startup, which was established in 2021, offers customers a cloud-based platform to take care of many of the logistics required to quickly get customers to space. Customers can come to…
NorthStar to Launch With Rocket Lab
NorthStar, an in-situ space situational awareness (SSA) startup, has partnered with Rocket Lab to launch its first four satellites this Fall. Rocket Lab is tapping in after NorthStar’s planned Virgin Orbit launch bit the dust. “It’s quite accommodating by Rocket Lab, so we’re really happy to have them as a partner. We’re engaging with them…
Danti Emerges From Stealth With $2.75M Pre-Seed Round
Danti is emerging from stealth today with the announcement of a $2.75M pre-seed funding round, according to a release shared with Payload. What is Danti? The startup, which was founded this year, seeks to make the huge amount of EO information collected in space and from other sources easier to use. The company is building…
Orbital Composites, Virtus Solis Team on Space-Based Solar Power Station
Two startups are working together to build the world’s first commercial space-based solar power (SBSP) station which will capture the Sun’s energy in orbit and wirelessly transmit it to Earth for continuous use. Orbital Composites and Virtus Solis announced the MOU yesterday for the station, which will use photovoltaic arrays to collect solar energy in…
NDAA Preview: Spaceport of the Future
One lawmaker is looking to make military launch facilities run more like commercial airports with a pair of amendments set to be introduced tomorrow when the House Armed Services Committee debates its version of the NDAA. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA) is expected to introduce two amendments on the Spaceport of the Future: one to allow…
True Anomaly Unveils Two Training Products
Space security startup True Anomaly debuted its on-orbit and digital range services today, offering customers new options for testing and training. These applications are designed to provide DoD with a controlled training environment for detecting threats, practicing new tactics in orbit, and test space security missions. “Each military service needs a dedicated test and training…
Euroconsult’s new space investment tracker
Euroconsult, a strategy and market intelligence firm specializing in the space sector, has launched a new space investment tracker tool: its Financing & Transactions Database. The subscription-based platform offers a detailed monthly dashboard, providing up-to-date financial insights on private space investment activities. These include publicly disclosed funding operations like equity investments, debt operations, IPOs, SPAC…
Vast Partners with Impulse for Haven-1 LEO Station Propulsion
Space habitat startup Vast tapped Impulse Space to develop the propulsion system for its Haven-1 LEO space station. “Our qualified Saiph thruster is a perfect fit for Haven-1’s propulsion requirements. We look forward to collaborating with such a dedicated and like-minded team,” said Impulse chief Tom Mueller. Orbital workshop: Vast intends to deploy Haven-1 to…
US Urges Open Comms With Beijing in Orbit
When the US talks to China, China never talks back, according to a senior DoD official. Lt. Gen. John Shaw, the second in command at US Space Command, said there are “a couple” Chinese email addresses registered with the government’s space-track.org site, which alerts operators about potential collisions in orbit, giving them an opportunity to…
Tomorrow.io Closes $87M Series E for Weather Satellites
Tomorrow.io, a weather intelligence and climate security platform, announced an $87M Series E funding round led by Activate Capital. The investment will be used to accelerate the deployment of its 20-bird constellation over the next 18-24 months. “We believe Tomorrow.io’s vertically integrated approach and satellite constellation will accelerate a paradigm shift in how millions around…