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Thales Alenia Space Now Has A Major Role To Play With ESA’s 2nd Generation Galileo Constellation

March 8, 2021

*Global connectivity concept with worldwide communication network connection lines around planet Earth viewed from space, satellite orbit, city lights in Europe, some elements from NASA.*

Thales Alenia Space recently signed a 772 million euros contract with the European Space Agency (ESA), acting in the name and on behalf of the European Union represented by the European Commission, to provide six satellites that will be part of the 2nd Generation of Galileo constellation.

The first satellites of this second generation will be placed in orbit by the close of 2024. With their new capabilities relying on high innovative technologies (digitally configurable antennas, inter-satellites links, use of full electric propulsion systems), these satellites will improve the accuracy of Galileo as well as the robustness to interference and jamming and resilience of its signal. This will be key for the upcoming digital decade and will support more security & defense usages.

Among its objectives, the Galileo 2nd Generation satellites will boost the EU industry competitiveness in the highly strategic domain of technologies for EU sovereignty. This second generation is fitted with a more robust and reliable solution, cyberattacks protected for an enhanced service availability and a projected 15 years operational lifetime.

Hervé Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space, said, “I warmly thank both the European Commission and ESA for the trust they put in our company to be onboard this important flagship program for Europe. This success emphasizes the capacity of Thales Alenia Space to address complex space systems. Galileo 2nd Generation will benefit from the company’s unique legacy in constellations and from its strong longstanding know-how in space navigation solutions, in particular with Galileo and EGNOS.”

“More robust, more reliable, cyber secured, the 2nd Generation of Galileo satellites will provide users with an increased service availability,” Massimo Claudio Comparini, Deputy CEO and SEVP Exploration, Observation and Navigation at Thales Alenia Space said. “Thales Alenia Space will achieve the objectives of this challenging program, leveraging on its design capabilities as well as its digital and state-of-art upstream technologies coming from our competence centers in Italy, in France, in Spain and in Belgium as well as the long standing expertise and assets for the Assembly Integration and Testing of satellite constellations in Rome.”

Thales Alenia Space in Italy, prime contractor for the satellites and the space segment related activities, will lead a multi-national team from Europe’s Space Community including Thales Alenia Space entities, Thales, Spaceopal, Leonardo and other partners with proven capacity coming from 14 European Countries: Italy, France, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Czech Republic, Denmark, Netherlands, Switzerland, Romania, Poland, Greece. The Full Operational Capability phase of the Galileo program is managed and fully funded by the European Union. The Commission and ESA have signed a delegation agreement by which ESA acts as design and procurement agent on behalf of the Commission.

*Earth globe view from space at night with global communication network. All the world map textures are originally from NASA.*

Kleos Space’s 3rd Satellite Cluster Launch Set For December

March 7, 2021

Kleos Space S.A. (ASX:KSS, Frankfurt:KS1, Kleos or Company) has signed a new contract with rideshare provider Spaceflight Inc. to launch the company’s third satellite cluster, (KSF2), in December of 2021 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to further grow the firm’s constellation.

The four KSF2 Polar Patrol Mission satellites will launch into a 500- to 600 km SSO, further complementing Kleos’ first and second satellite clusters and increasing cover over key maritime areas of interest (e.g., double the coverage over both the North and South Poles).

Kleos’ second satellite cluster — the Polar Vigilance Mission — has recently completed a key development milestone and remains on track for a mid-2021 launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. Commissioning and data collection from Kleos’ initial Scouting Mission satellites, which launched from India into a 37-degree inclination in November of 2020, is nearing completion.

*Photo of the Kleos Space Scouting Mission smallsats, courtesy of the company.*

Kleos Space CEO Andy Bowyer said, “The launch of our third satellite cluster will further improve the frequency and value of Kleos’ radio frequency intelligence data, generating higher-value data sets and further tiered subscription licence options. While Kleos is targeting a constellation of as many as 20 satellite clusters, each cluster will increase the volume of data that can be sold and provide further insights as to activity in key areas of interest for our customers.”

Andy added, “While we progress our constellation roll out with the launch of our second and third satellite clusters, we continue to focus on securing and building a new subscriber base. Data delivery from the Scouting Mission satellites allows us to commence revenue generation from early adopter and test contracts. Final costs incurred are anticipated to be comparable with publicly available space rideshare costs and within the envelope of the cost of a launch advised within the prospectus.”

SpaceX Launches Additional Starlinks

March 4, 2021

On Thursday, March 4, at 3:24 a.m,. EST, SpaceX launched 60 Starlink satellites from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

This was the eighth launch of this Falcon 9 booster, which previously supported Iridium-8, Telstar 18 VANTAGE and five Starlink missions.

Starlink can deliver high-speed broadband internet to locations where access has been unreliable or completely unavailable without traditional ground structure. At a time when more people are working from home and more students are participating in virtual learning, internet connectivity is more important than ever. With Starlink, the company states they are able to deploy quickly to areas that need it most.

In December, the Wise County Public School District in rural Virginia, where approximately 40% of teachers and students do not have internet access at home, announced it would provide some families in the area with Starlink to support remote learning. Starlink units were deployed in January and more than 40 homes are now connected with high-speed internet.

Replay the launch at this direct link to the captured video…

Comtech Telecommunications Completes Acquisition Of UHP Networks

March 3, 2021

Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (“Comtech”) (NASDAQ: CMTL) has closed the acquisition of UHP Networks Inc. (“UHP”). Founded in 2011, UHP is based in Canada and has developed revolutionary technology that is transforming the growing Very Small Aperture Terminal (“VSAT”) market.

UHP’s unique time divisional multiple access (“TDMA”) technology used in its VSAT platforms has software defined network functionality that offers best-in-class support for very large networks. With more than 3 billion people globally who are not connected to any wireless services, the UHP acquisition allows Comtech’s customers to cost-effectively provide service to end-users with the quality and reassurance of the Comtech brand and service offerings.

All UHP employees are expected to join Comtech, including Vagan Shakhgildian, the President of UHP, who will also assume the role of Senior Vice President of Network Products, leading Comtech’s efforts to expand the presence of both HEIGHTS™ and UHP’s solutions in the mobile backhaul, maritime, enterprise and defense/government markets, which all have a growing need for high-speed satellite-based networks.

The initial up-front payment of approximately $24.0 million was paid in shares of Comtech common stock. An additional payment of $5.0 million (payable in cash and/or common stock at Comtech’s option) is due upon certain conditions being met, all of which are expected to occur within the next 12 months. The purchase agreement also provides for an earn-out payment of up to an additional $9.0 million (payable in cash and/or common stock at Comtech’s option) if certain agreed upon sales milestones are reached over an eighteen-month period. Approximately 1.0 million shares of Comtech’s common stock were issued at closing in respect of the initial payment and escrow arrangements under the terms of the purchase agreement.

Comtech is not purchasing UHP’s sister company headquartered in Moscow; however, Comtech will be able to immediately market and sell UHP products to customers in that region. Except for five months of incremental amortization of intangible assets that is expected to approximate $1.0 million, the acquisition will not materially impact Comtech’s fiscal 2021 consolidated net sales or Adjusted EBITDA guidance previously issued on December 9, 2020.

Fred Kornberg, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Comtech said, “The acquisition of UHP fits perfectly with our strategy of offering the most robust and advanced wireless communications solutions for our global customers. We are delighted to acquire UHP and expect use of its incredible technology to expand globally for many years to come.”

Experimental Research Rocket Launched By USSF + SMC From Wallops

March 3, 2021

The U.S. Space Force (USSF) and the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC)’s Launch Enterprise (PDF) successfully propelled an experimental research payload for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) aboard a Terrier-Terrier-Oriole (TTO) Sounding Rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility (WFF) in Virginia early on March 3, 2021.

*Photo of a Talos Terrier Oriole sounding rocket launch, courtesy of NASA.*

The successful mission was full of many firsts for SMC’s Small Launch and Targets Division. This was the first USSF small launch mission for 2021, the first AFRL dedicated partnership launch from WFF, the first sounding rocket launch under the Sounding Rocket Program-4 (NSROC) contract, and the first USSF sounding rocket launch with Space Vector Corporation.

The TTO vehicle was built by Space Vector, a small business, and Kratos Space and Missile Defense who were responsible for the integration, interface and mission planning for the launch.

“This mission is a great example of the innovation in SMC contracting and using Small Launch contracts to expand our capability and provide support in launching experimental missions,” stated Lt. Col. Ryan Rose, Chief of the Launch Enterprise’s Small Launch and Targets Division and Mission Director for this launch. “Congratulations to the entire government and industry team on successfully executing this important mission, and launching in only 16 months from contract award during the challenging conditions presented this past year.”

Sateliot’s First Smallsat Is Ready To Fly

March 3, 2021

Sateliot will launch a constellation of smallsats to democratize IoT with 5G coverage and has verified with Alén Space that the transmission equipment that will be on board its first smallsat is now ready to fly.

Once the design and manufacture of the flight model of the payload that will be on board 3B5GSAT — Sateliot’s first smallsat that will serve as a test bench — has been completed, both companies have worked on its integration into the satellite structure and its flight model, validating all its functionalities through strict tests and quality procedures.

Sateliot is relying on The Space Alliance formed by Thales Alenia Space (TAS) and Telespazio for the development of this constellation of smallsats to ensure the company’s IoT connectivity is compatible with the 5G standard.

These procedures, which have included tests of the complete system including the IoT terminals to be deployed on Earth, the satellite with the payload and the operating and data processing software, have concluded that everything is working optimally and that the satellite is now entering the final phase prior to its launch, which is scheduled for March 20 from the Baikonur space base in Kazakhstan.

With the launch of the first nanosatellite, Sateliot will enter a new technological phase, which will allow the company to perform field tests in real environments, providing very useful information for the evolution and design of its constellation of up to 100 smallsats that is scheduled to start and offer commercial service from 2022.

Alén Space, which signed an agreement with Sateliot as part of its R&D investment, is also already working on the new version of the payload to be carried on board the constellation’s next nanosatellites. The company will take advantage of the information collected by the first smallsat and will allow the implementation of a first version of the system capable of supporting a pre-commercial version of NB-IoT.

This payload will be the hardware support on which the new standard defined by 3GPP for non-terrestrial networks will be implemented. In this context, Sateliot is working closely with both Alén Space and Gatehouse and I2CAT in the development and integration of the software needed to implement the new standard in the payload.

According to Jaume Sanpera, Co-Founder and CEO of Sateliot, “Despite the challenges and limitations posed by the pandemic in recent months, the development of our first nanosatellite brings us closer to our goal of having up to 100 nanosatellites in service by 2025.”

Sateliot is the first satellite telecommunications operator to provide global and continuous connectivity to all the elements that will make up the IoT universe under the 5G protocol. Thanks to a constellation of state-of-the-art smallsats, located at low altitude and acting as mobile towers, Sateliot is a perfect complement to large telecommunications companies by providing them with the necessary infrastructure where terrestrial technologies do not reach.

Alén Space is a Spanish company specialized in consulting, design, manufacturing and operation of small satellites for all kinds of applications. Alén Space has a highly qualified team of engineers with more than 12 years of experience in the development of nanosatellite missions, with the necessary technological solutions and capacity to help those companies that want to develop business in space. Quality and technology have been the hallmark of the Alén Space team since 2008.

Spaceflight Inc. Signs Multiple Launch Agreements to Start 2021

March 3, 2021

Spaceflight Inc. has started the year by signing several significant launch agreements with a wide range of organizations including growing constellations needing routine and reliable launch schedules, smaller payloads requiring affordable bus-like options to popular orbits, firms needing regulatory and logistical guidance, as well as those seeking a personalized taxi service from loading dock to final orbital destination.

Organizations that recently signed launch deals with Spaceflight include Lynk, Astro Digital, Kleos, BlackSky, Umbra, Orbit Fab and several, undisclosed, U.S. government payloads.

In November 2020, Spaceflight supported the successful launch of the Kleos Scouting Mission satellites (KSM1) and is now helping Kleos Space prepare for the launch of its second cluster of satellites in mid-2021. The second cluster — KSF1 Polar Vigilance Mission satellites will launch into a 500 kilometer SSO aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, under a rideshare contract with Spaceflight Inc. Kleos’ satellites will detect and geolocate maritime radio frequency transmissions to provide global activity-based information, enhancing the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of governments and commercial entities.

Most recently, Spaceflight coordinated its first fully dedicated PSLV mission, successfully deploying its largest customer satellite to date, Amazonia-1, a nearly 700-kilogram Earth observation satellite. The company also successfully deployed 14 spacecraft from its first next-gen OTV (Sherpa-FX) on the record-breaking SpaceX Falcon 9 Transporter-1 launch in January.

In the coming months, Spaceflight is managing two dedicated rideshare missions on Rocket Lab Electron vehicles and a deployment from the International Space Station for several U.S government spacecraft. The company is preparing several ESPA-class OTVs complete with electric and chemical propulsion for missions later this year along with many traditional rideshare missions for a total of approximately 10 launches in 2021.

Spaceflight has also signed an exclusive business development agreement with Mitsui Bussan Aerospace Co., Ltd., the leading aerospace trading company in Japan. The new alliance enables Mitsui Bussan Aerospace to expand its services to now offer Spaceflight’s global rideshare and integration services in the APAC region, capitalizing on its regional and cultural expertise.

Celebrating 10 years of providing launch services, Spaceflight has launched nearly 350 satellites across 37 missions on eight different launch vehicles, including the Falcon 9, Electron, PSLV, and Vega. It has orchestrated several industry firsts, including the first fully dedicated rideshare with 64 smallsats about the historic SSO-A mission and the first-ever rideshare mission to GTO with a lunar lander.

“While the pandemic initially stalled many launch deals, we’ve really seen a tremendous resurgence in organizations coming to us to handle their very diverse launch needs,” said Grant Bonin, Senior Vice President of Business Development at Spaceflight, Inc. “In addition to traditional, cost-effective rideshare options, we’re also offering proven OTV solutions to satisfy a variety of orbital needs including GTO and beyond, many new dedicated launches, as well as expertise in many of the often overlooked but critical services like licensing, integration and logistics. We’re committed to ensuring the first mile of our customers’ launch is as well-executed as the last because both are equally critical to success.”

“Spaceflight Inc. played an important role in the success of Kleos’ first satellite mission and proved to be a proactive and flexible partner, which is essential to the success of the new space industry,” said Andy Bowyer, Kleos Space CEO. “They went above and beyond the call of duty to get our scouting satellites launched in the middle of a pandemic. We are grateful to have Spaceflight’s expertise and experience at our disposal as we prepare for the launch of our second cluster.”

Kleos Space’s Polar Vigilance Mission Smallsats Complete Hardware CDR

March 2, 2021

Kleos Space S.A. (ASX: KSS, Frankfurt: KS1,) a company that offers pace-powered, Radio Frequency Reconnaissance, data-as-a-service (DaaS) company, has now confirmed their second satellite cluster, the Polar Vigilance Mission (KSF1), has successfully completed a hardware critical design review milestone for a launch mid-year onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9.

Satellite developer ISISPACE, conducted the design progress in the Netherlands. Passing this milestone ensures that these mission satellites can enter the assembly and verification phase. This stage leads to final integration, testing and delivery of the satellites for launch.

Artistic rendering of the 6U cubesat platform, courtesy of Kleos Space.

The KSF1 Polar Vigilance Mission satellites are scheduled for a mid-2021 launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9,under a rideshare contract with Spaceflight Inc. The satellites will be Kleos Space S.A.- 26 and will be launched into a 500 to 600 km SSO, complementing Kleos’ Scouting Mission 37° orbit, which successfully launched in early November of 2020 and those satellites are in the commission and test phase.

Kleos’ satellites will detect and geolocate radio frequency transmissions to provide global activity-based intelligence, enhancing the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities of governments and commercial entities when tracking systems are defeated, imagery unclear or targets out of patrol range.

Kleos Space CEO Andy Bowyer said, “We are excited to be progressing our second satellite cluster with ISISPACE – a leader in the small satellite market. Entering the assembly and verification phase of the satellites is a crucial developmental milestone and ensures we are on schedule to launch in mid-2021. The KSF1 satellite cluster will complement our Scouting Mission satellites, increasing the value of our geolocation maritime intelligence data.”

ISISPACE’s CEO Jeroen Rotteveel stated, “We are pleased to design and build this second satellite cluster for Kleos, to be completed on a fast-track schedule made possible by building on our extensive nanosatellite expertise and heritage. Despite the challenging timeline due to the current global situation, we are keen to enter this next crucial phase of satellite assembly and validation and bringing our design to reality.”

A SPAC For Spire Global

March 2, 2021

Spire Global, Inc. (“Spire” or the “Company”) and SPAC company NavSight Holdings Inc. (“NavSight”) (NYSE: NSH) have entered into a definitive merger agreement for a business combination that would result in Spire becoming a publicly listed company.

Spire collects space-based data using a proprietary constellation of multi-purpose smallsats called LEMUR (Low Earth Multi-Use Receiver). The company’s software analytics generate proprietary data, insights and predictive analytics for its global customers through a subscription model. Spire monetizes this information across a broad and growing number of industries including weather, aviation, maritime, and government, with global coverage and near real-time data that can be easily integrated into customer business operations.

Spire is also pioneering an innovative “space-as-a-service” business model. Leveraging the company’s fully deployed infrastructure and large-scale operation, customers can operate their own payloads on orbit through Spire’s API and can begin receiving data in less than a year and a simple subscription agreement.

The Board of Directors of each of Spire and NavSight have unanimously approved the transaction “Proposed Transaction.” The Proposed Transaction will require the approval of the stockholders of Spire and NavSight, and is subject to other customary closing conditions, including the receipt of certain regulatory approvals. The Proposed Transaction is expected to close in summer of 2021.

Assuming no redemptions by NavSight stockholders, the Proposed Transaction is expected to deliver up to $475 million of gross proceeds, including the contribution of up to $230 million of cash held in NavSight’s trust account. The Proposed Transaction is further supported by a $245 million fully committed PIPE anchored by Tiger Global Management, BlackRock Advisors, Hedosophia, Jaws Estates Capital, and Bloom Tree Partners.

Spire stockholders will retain 100% of their equity holdings in the combined company. Spire’s existing stockholders will hold approximately 67% of the fully diluted shares of common stock immediately following the closing of the business combination, assuming no redemptions by NavSight’s existing public stockholders.

Additional information about the Proposed Transaction, including copies of certain documents related to the Proposed Transaction, including the investor presentation, will be provided in a Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed by NavSight today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at www.sec.gov. The investor presentation can also be found on Spire’s website at https://www.Spire.com and NavSight’s website at https://www.NavSight.com. In addition, NavSight intends to file a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which will include a proxy statement/prospectus/information statement (the “Registration Statement”), and will file other documents regarding the Proposed Transaction with the SEC.

“Spire was founded nearly a decade ago to help lead, inspire, and create the business of space-based data. Today, our proprietary data and solutions help customers solve some of earth’s greatest challenges, including Net Zero and Climate Change adaptation. It has been immensely inspiring to see customers from all over the world turn to Spire’s solutions to help them make decisions about their business with confidence and speed and we are excited about the continued growth ahead. This transaction funds these growth plans and allows us to pursue, on a more aggressive timetable, this massive and growing long-term opportunity ahead of us,” said Peter Platzer, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Spire, “I am thrilled to partner with Bob and Jack from NavSight.”

“Peter and the outstanding Spire leadership team have deep domain expertise. They have built a company that delivers exceptional value to their global commercial and government customers. Spire is leading the way with its modern SaaS-based approach to meet the significant, growing demand for space-based data,” said Bob Coleman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NavSight. “We look forward to working together to build long-term value for Spire stockholders.”

ASTRA Selected By NASA To Provide TROPICS Mission Launch Services

March 1, 2021

NASA has selected Astra Space Inc. to provide a launch service for the agency’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission.

The TROPICS mission consists of a constellation of six cubesats and will increase the scientific community’s understanding of storm processes.

The launch service contract for the TROPICS mission is a firm fixed-price contract valued at $7.95 million. NASA’s Launch Services Program at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida will manage the launch service.

The cubesats, each the size of a shoebox, will provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements that can be used to determine temperature, pressure, and humidity inside hurricanes as they form and evolve. The TROPICS mission’s high-revisit imaging and sounding observations are enabled by microwave technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Lincoln Laboratory. These observations will profoundly improve scientists’ understanding of processes driving high-impact storms.

*This TROPICS mission overview igraphic is courtesy of MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory.*

Astra Space will launch these smallsats on the company’s Rocket 3 from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands with three separate launches over a 120-day period. The TROPICS mission is targeted for launch between January 8 and July 31, 2022, under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch license.