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WISeKey announces developments in secure IoT connectivity + upcoming smallsats launch

WISeKey International Holding Ltd. (“WISeKey”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY) has announced that its subsidiary, WISeSat.Space, is engaging in new developments that include the launch of a new generation of satellites, installation of a satellite antenna in Switzerland, development of a neutral satellite constellation from Europe, and collaboration with the Swiss Army.

Artistic rendition of WISeSat’s WISeSat-1 and WISeSat-2 smallsats on-orbit.

In Q4 2024, WISeSat.Space is set to launch a new generation of satellites from California. This launch will mark a significant milestone in the Company’s efforts to expand its satellite constellation, further enhancing its ability to provide global IoT connectivity and environmental monitoring. The new generation of satellites are expected to offer improved performance and capabilities, supporting a wide range of applications from climate change monitoring to disaster management and smart agriculture.

In the same quarter, WISeSat.Space plans to install a satellite antenna in Switzerland. This installation will enable the monitoring and management of its satellite constellation, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of its IoT connectivity solutions. This development underscores WISeSat.Space’s commitment to maintaining robust and secure satellite operations.

The Company is also currently developing a constellation of 88 additional low-orbit satellites to optimize global coverage for IoT devices and an enhanced WISeSat satellite, planned for launch in Q3 2024. This upgraded satellite will incorporate SEALSQ Corp. (“SEALSQ”) (NASDAQ: LAES) semiconductor technology and WISeKey cryptographic keys, designed to boost performance in space and communication capabilities.

To date, the Company has successfully launched 17 low-orbit satellites in cooperation with FOSSA Systems, primarily aboard SpaceX Transporter Rideshare missions.

An important aspect of WISeSat.Space’s initiative is the development of a dependent and neutral satellite constellation from Europe. Having a European-based satellite constellation is crucial for several reasons. First, it ensures data sovereignty and reduces reliance on non-European entities for critical data and services. This autonomy is essential for maintaining control over data security and privacy.

Second, a neutral European constellation can facilitate international cooperation and trust, as it is perceived as unbiased and not tied to any geopolitical agendas.

Lastly, it promotes technological independence and innovation within Europe, driving economic growth and creating high-tech jobs. This European-centric approach aligns with broader strategic goals of enhancing the region’s competitiveness and resilience in the global space sector.

WISeSat.Space has also established a partnership with the Swiss Army, which underscores the strategic importance of its satellite initiatives. This collaboration involves leveraging WISeSat.Space’s secure IoT connectivity solutions to enhance the Swiss Army’s operational capabilities.

By integrating satellite-based communication systems, the Swiss Army can improve its situational awareness, logistics, and disaster response efforts. This partnership not only strengthens national security but also exemplifies the critical role of space technology in modern defense strategies.

WISeSat.Space employs picosatellites and low-power sensors to create a cost-effective and secure IoT connectivity solution. These smallsats are smaller and less expensive to launch than traditional satellites, making IoT connectivity more accessible. The constellation of picosatellites ensures global coverage, providing a reliable network for data collection and transmission.

The low-power sensors are designed to operate with minimal power consumption, making them ideal for environmental monitoring in remote and off-grid locations. WISeKey’s expertise in cybersecurity ensures that data transmitted through its network is secure and protected from unauthorized access.

WISeSat.Space’s play a significant role in disaster management by offering early warning systems for extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods. Enhanced forecasting capabilities assist in planning and mitigating the impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities and ecosystems. Additionally, high-quality data generated from the satellite constellation supports informed decision-making and policy formulation aimed at addressing climate change.

WISeSat.Space’s initiatives leverage space technology for global IoT connectivity and environmental monitoring, addressing key challenges in climate change and disaster management, thus contributing to a more resilient and sustainable future. By developing a neutral satellite constellation from Europe, launching a new generation of satellites from California, and collaborating with the Swiss Army, along with the installation of a satellite antenna in Switzerland by November, WISeSat.Space further strengthens its commitment to data security, international cooperation, and technological advancement.

WISeSat AG is pioneering a transformative approach to IoT connectivity and climate change monitoring through its innovative satellite constellation. By providing cost-effective, secure, and global IoT connectivity, WISeSat is enabling a wide range of applications that support environmental monitoring, disaster management, and sustainable practices. The integration of satellite data with advanced climate models holds great promise for enhancing our understanding of climate change and developing effective strategies to combat its impacts. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, initiatives like WISeSat’s IoT satellite constellation are essential for creating a more resilient and sustainable future.

WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, and (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions. 

SpaceX launches NOAA’s “monumental” GOES-U mission claiming “the nation’s most advanced weather observing and environmental monitoring satellite system” 

Photo captured on Tuesday, June 25, by Satnews from NASA TV’s video stream.

On Tuesday, June 25 at 5:26 p.m. ET, Falcon Heavy launched the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) GOES-U mission to a geostationary orbit from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In addtion the event included a most impressive double booster landing of the Falcon Heavy’s side boosters (see below).

The GOES-U satellite will orbit above the Earth’s equator at approximately 35,700 km (22,236 mi) observing weather patterns in the contiguous USA, Central and South America, and Atlantic Ocean. GOES-U is part of NOAA’s most sophisticated Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) series and will assist weather forecasters and climate researchers with real-time high-resolution imagery, earlier detection of severe weather that could save lives, and tropical cyclone forecasts. The weather satellite also carries a suite of space weather instruments that will be used to detect solar storms early and help predict their possible impacts.

GOES-U hosts a suite of instruments that improve the detection of approaching space weather hazards. The Solar Ultraviolet Imager (SUVI) and Extreme Ultraviolet and X-ray Irradiance Sensors (EXIS) provide imaging of the sun and detection of solar flares. The Compact Coronagraph-1 (CCOR-1) images the solar corona (outer layer of the sun’s atmosphere) to detect and characterize coronal mass ejections (CMEs). CCOR-1 is a new instrument for GOES-U and is part of NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On mission. 

The Space Environment In-Situ Suite (SEISS) and Magnetometer monitor, respectively, energetic particles and the magnetic field variations that are associated with space weather. Together, observations from these instruments contribute to space weather forecasts and early warning of disruptions to power utilities and communication and navigation systems as well as radiation damage to orbiting satellites. 

Photo captured on Tuesday, June 25, by Satnews from NASA TV’s video stream.

This was the first launch for Falcon Heavy’s two side boosters. Following booster separation, the boosters successfully landed on SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 (LZ-1 and LZ-2) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Photo captured on Tuesday, June 25, by Satnews from NASA TV’s video stream.

The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) is the primary instrument on the GOES-R Series satellites for imaging Earth’s weather, ocean and environment. Forecasters use ABI data for a wide range of applications related to severe weather, hurricanes, aviation, natural hazards, the atmosphere, ocean and cryosphere. 

The Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) is the first operational lightning mapper flown in geostationary orbit. Developing severe storms often exhibit a significant increase in lightning activity and GLM data can help forecasters focus on initial  thunderstorm development and intensifying severe storms before they produce damaging winds, hail or even tornadoes. 

GOES-U will provide critical atmospheric, hydrologic, oceanic, climatic, solar and space data for advanced detection and monitoring of environmental phenomena that threaten the security and well-being of everyone in the Western Hemisphere.

  • Hurricane track and intensity forecasts 
  • Early warning of severe storms and tornadoes 
  • Fire detection, monitoring, and intensity estimation 
  • Identification of lightning strikes most likely to ignite fires 
  • Detection of low clouds and fog 
  • Monitoring of atmospheric river events that can cause flooding and mudslides 
  • Monitoring of smoke, dust and aerosols 
  • Data for air quality warnings and alerts 
  • Data for aviation route planning and reducing weather-related flight delays 
  • Detection of volcanic eruptions and monitoring of ash and sulfur dioxide 
  • Detection of heavy rainfall and flash flood risks 
  • Sea surface temperature data for monitoring fisheries and marine life 
  • Monitoring of vegetative health 
  • Data for long-term climate variability studies 
  • Detection of meteors entering Earth’s atmosphere 
  • Detection of coronal holes, solar flares, and coronal mass ejection source regions 
  • Characterization of size, velocity, density and direction of coronal mass ejections 
  • Warning of space weather hazards responsible for communications and navigation disruptions and power blackouts 
  • Monitoring of energetic particles responsible for radiation hazards

SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy to launch second NOAA’s GOES-U weather satellite Tuesday after leak causes delay

NOAA and SpaceX have finally set a date to launch the last satellite of the GOES-R Series into geostationary orbit on June 25 after a lengthy delay due to a rocket booster leak. The launch is to take place at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, 2:16 – 4:16 PM PSDT.

The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-S Series (GOES-S) is the second of the next generation of geostationary weather satellites. The four satellites of the series will provide advanced imaging with increased spatial resolution and faster coverage for more accurate forecasts, real-time mapping of lightning activity, and improved monitoring of solar activity. The cost is $90Million.

NOAA called this launch “monumental” and claimed its network of Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites is “the nation’s most advanced weather observing and environmental monitoring satellite system.” 

GOES-U is the fourth and last satellite to join the series. Once in orbit, it will be renamed GOES-19. From 22,236 miles above the equator, GOES-19 will continuously observe weather systems across the Western Hemisphere. It will replace GOES-16 in the GOES-East orbit.

The view from GOES-East and West stretches from the west coast of Africa to New Zealand and from near the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic Circle, according to NOAA.

According to weather officials, there’s a 30% chance of favorable weather conditions at the time of the launch. The forecast calls for a temperature of 86°F, few clouds, 24% cloud cover and a wind speed of 17mph.

The Launch Complex 39A has witnessed the launch of 180 rockets, including 179 orbital launch attempts, while Kennedy Space Center, Florida, has been the site for 238 rocket launches.

Firefly Aerospace adds Alpha Launch capability on Wallops Island, Virginia

Launch Pad-0A will be configured to support Alpha rocket in addition to Antares 330 and
new Medium Launch Vehicle

Firefly Aerospace, Inc., an end-to-end space transportation company, is adding an Alpha launch capability at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia.

In support of Firefly’s responsive space missions, Pad-0A will be configured to launch Alpha as early as 2025 in addition to Antares 330 and the Medium Launch Vehicle (MLV) that Firefly is co-developing with Northrop Grumman.

The new launch capability on Wallops Island will supplement Firefly’s existing Alpha launch facilities and further enable Firefly to support rapid, on-demand missions for government and commercial customers. In addition to the launch pad, Firefly plans to operate a launch control center, horizontal integration facility, and administrative office space on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Firefly will also use existing infrastructure in the area, such as vehicle and payload processing facilities, to eliminate bottlenecks and retain Firefly’s rapid launch capabilities, recently demonstrated for the VICTUS NOX mission that was executed with a 24-hour launch notice.

Capable of lifting more than 1,000 kg to LEO, Firefly’s flight-proven Alpha rocket uses patented propulsion technology and carbon composite structures built with automated machinery to provide a reliable, low cost, responsive solution for the domestic and international launch market. With East and West Coast launch capabilities, Firefly will further increase Alpha’s launch cadence to a monthly basis by 2026 after launching up to four times in 2024 and six times in 2025.

“Firefly is committed to establishing a regular on-demand launch service and serving our customers’ growing responsive space needs, and that requires operating a diverse set of launch sites,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Virginia Spaceport Authority further sets us up for success by enabling a streamlined approach to launching both Alpha and MLV from one location at MARS with minimal congestion from the broader launch market.”

Firefly is an end-to-end space transportation company with launch, lunar, and in-space services. As an all-American company headquartered in central Texas, Firefly is focused on delivering responsive, reliable, and affordable space access for government and commercial customers. Firefly’s small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles provide the space industry with a single source for missions from low Earth orbit to the surface of the Moon and beyond.

INNOSPACE’s HANBIT wins contracts to launch Italian + Thai satellites

Photo of HANBIT small satellite launcher test firing, courtesy of INNOSPACE.

INNOSPACE, a South Korean private spaceflight startup specializing in small satellite launch vehicles, announced that the company has signed multi-launch service contracts for the ‘HANBIT’ small satellite launcher with two private satellite companies: CShark S.r.l. in Italy and EOS ORBIT in Thailand.

Photos of EOS Orbit’s LOGSATS smallsats, courtesy of the company.

INNOSPACE has taken a step toward the commercialization of its space transportation business by securing two new launch service contracts for $1.5 million, following the agreements signed with four customers, including satellite companies and universities in Italy and Brazil, all since October of 2023.

Under the launch service contracts, INNOSPACE’s HANBIT launch vehicle will conduct commercial missions to deploy 35 satellites for CShark to their target orbits from 2025 to 2027, and one satellite for EOS ORBIT in 2025.

CShark designs IoT and satellite communication systems, offering customized software and hardware solutions. The company plans to accelerate commercialization by launching its designed and manufactured data collection satellite, PILOT-1®, using INNOSPACE’s HANBIT rocket. Additionally, CShark aims to launch 100 more satellites over the next three years to collect IoT data worldwide.

EOS ORBIT is revolutionizing data services with advanced aerospace technology. This innovative Thai startup is developing the nation’s first aerial surveillance system and a state-of-the-art space-based IoT communication satellite. Their IoT communication satellite, LOGSATS 3U CubeSat, is set to launch for technical verification soon. By 2027, EOS ORBIT plans to deploy 10 low Earth orbit satellites, offering unparalleled real-time IoT data services across Thailand. Specializing in custom satellite solutions, EOS ORBIT meets the needs of business/government customers seeking cutting-edge technology.

Parinya Anantachaisilp, CEO of EOS ORBIT, and Soojong Kim, founder and CEO of INNOSPACE, after signing the contract.

The customers have selected INNOSPACE as a partner for their upcoming business and has booked a HANBIT launch to ensure the timely deployment of their small satellites. In particular, the missions aim to deploy IoT communication satellites in LEO. It is significant that INNOSPACE has been recognized by customers for its differentiated competitiveness in the space market as a launch vehicle company capable of providing customized launch services.

“We are pleased to receive consecutive orders from global satellite companies. This achievement is due to the technological success demonstrated by the successful test launch of the ‘HANBIT-TLV’ in March 2023, which proved the rocket engine’s proprietary technology, system integration technology, and launch operation capabilities, all at a level capable of commercial launch services, thus earning recognition for its potential as a satellite launch service provider,” said Soojong Kim, founder and CEO of INNOSPACE. “INNOSPACE is developing the ‘HANBIT’ based on hybrid rocket technology to provide low-cost, rapid launch services to meet customer orbit requirements. We aim to support customers worldwide who share its space vision and is committed to ensuring the reliable commercialization of space transportation.”

INNOSPACE is a South Korean space startup for small satellite launcher manufacturing and orbital launch services. Founded in 2017, the company is developing hybrid rocket-powered small satellite launchers (HANBIT) to provide low-latency, low-cost, and reliable launch services in today’s rapidly expanding small satellite market. INNOSPACE has offices in South Korea, Brazil and France and is expanding global business opportunities in the aerospace industry.

Boeing “adjusts” Starliner return, again, of NASA’s astronauts and reluctance to seek SpaceX’s help with Crew Dragon

An aurora streams below Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft docked to the forward port on the Harmony module as the International Space Station soared 266 miles above the Indian Ocean southwest of Australia.
Photo credit: NASA/Matt Dominick
See NASA’s statement in second article below

The first astronaut mission of Boeing’s Starliner capsule has been extended again, with the spacecraft set to remain docked with the International Space Station (ISS) until at least July 2. This marks the third time the mission has been delayed, with the initial return date of June 18 pushed back to June 22 and then to June 26.

The extra time will allow Boeing and NASA to assess several issues that have arisen with the vehicle, including small helium leaks in its propulsion system and problems with its reaction control system (RCS) thrusters.

Despite the delays, NASA still has confidence in Starliner, with Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, stating that the spacecraft is “performing well in orbit while docked to the space station.”

However, the repeated extensions are a cause for concern, with many experts questioning Boeing’s ability to manage complex space missions and ensure the safety of astronauts. The issues with Starliner are not new, with the spacecraft experiencing problems during its rendezvous and docking with the ISS. Five of its 28 RCS thrusters malfunctioned, although four were eventually brought back online. Additionally, five small helium leaks were detected in the propulsion system, with one spotted before launch and the others cropping up after deployment.

The delays have raised questions about Boeing’s readiness for complex space missions and its ability to ensure astronaut safety. The company has faced numerous challenges this year, including whistleblower scandals, aircraft safety issues, and now the perilous situation with Starliner. The project was seen as a chance for redemption, but it has failed to meet expectations.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Freedom spacecraft docked at the International Space Station. (Image credit: NASA)

In contrast, SpaceX has consistently demonstrated its reliability, launching its Falcon 9 rocket almost every week and completing over 200 successful missions. The company’s Crew Dragon spacecraft has been used for multiple crewed missions to the ISS and has earned a reputation as the safest spacecraft in the world. SpaceX’s reliability has made it a go-to option for companies facing significant issues, such as the Russian Soyuz spacecraft’s coolant leak in December 2022.

Boeing’s reluctance to seek help from SpaceX is seen as a significant humiliation, given the company’s long history in aerospace and its established reputation. Founded in 2002, SpaceX has rapidly gained traction due to its innovative approaches and successful missions. Both Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX’s Dragon were developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, with Boeing receiving a larger contract of $4.2 billion compared to SpaceX’s $2.6 billion. Despite this, Boeing’s Starliner has faced numerous delays and technical issues, while SpaceX’s Crew Dragon has been successfully used for multiple missions.

Many experts believe that NASA should reconsider its investment in Boeing’s Starliner and halt further funding for the program. Boeing has already incurred significant losses, with estimates of around $1.5 billion beyond the NASA contract. The Starliner project has also raised concerns about NASA’s decision-making process and its ability to oversee complex space missions. NASA’s investment in Boeing’s Starliner has been questioned, given the company’s history of delays and technical issues.

The space agency’s reluctance to cancel the project and seek alternative options has raised eyebrows, especially considering the safety risks associated with the Starliner spacecraft.

The above is credited to SpaceX Community

NASA, Boeing Adjust Timeline for Starliner Return

NASA and Boeing leadership are adjusting the return to Earth of the Starliner Crew Flight Test spacecraft with agency astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams from the International Space Station. The move off Wednesday, June 26, deconflicts Starliner’s undocking and landing from a series of planned International Space Station spacewalks while allowing mission teams time to review propulsion system data. Listen to a full replay of the June 18 media briefing where NASA and Boeing leadership discussed the ongoing efforts.

“We are taking our time and following our standard mission management team process,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “We are letting the data drive our decision making relative to managing the small helium system leaks and thruster performance we observed during rendezvous and docking. Additionally, given the duration of the mission, it is appropriate for us to complete an agency-level review, similar to what was done ahead of the NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2 return after two months on orbit, to document the agency’s formal acceptance on proceeding as planned.”

A media telecon with mission leadership will follow the readiness review’s conclusion, and the agency will share those details as they are solidified. Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft remains cleared for return in case of an emergency on the space station that required the crew to leave orbit and come back to Earth.

Mission managers are evaluating future return opportunities following the station’s two planned spacewalks on Monday, June 24, and Tuesday, July 2.

“Starliner is performing well in orbit while docked to the space station,” said Stich. “We are strategically using the extra time to clear a path for some critical station activities while completing readiness for Butch and Suni’s return on Starliner and gaining valuable insight into the system upgrades we will want to make for post-certification missions.”

Wilmore and Williams remain integrated with the Expedition 71 crew, assisting with station operations as needed and completing add-on in-flight objectives for NASA certification of Starliner.

“The crew’s feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and they know that every bit of learning we do on the Crew Flight Test will improve and sharpen our experience for future crews,” said Mark Nappi, vice president and program manager, Boeing’s Starliner Program.

The crew is not pressed for time to leave the station since there are plenty of supplies in orbit, and the station’s schedule is relatively open through mid-August.

The above article is from NASA’s Blog

SpaceX’s successful Part 2 of a 2 part series of Starlink satellite launches in one day, this from California includes Direct to Cell

Photo captured on Sunday, June 23, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

A perfect end to a successful day for SpaceX on both coasts as the sun set in California at Vandenberg on Sunday, June 23 at 8:47 p.m. PT, Falcon 9 launched 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California.

Photo captured on Sunday, June 23, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This was the 11th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, and now nine Starlink missions.

SpaceX’s Part I of 2 parts with Sunday’s success as 22 Starlink satellites soar from the Cape, next one ready from California

Photo captured on Sunday, June 23, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

On Sunday, June 23 at 1:15 p.m. ET, Falcon 9 launched 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Photo captured on Sunday, June 23, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This was the 11th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, mPOWER-B, USSF-124, and now eight Starlink missions.

SpaceX again to have two Starlink satellite launches in one day from two coasts including 13 Direct to Cell

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Photo captured on Thursday, June 20, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX is targeting Sunday, June 23 for a Falcon 9 launch of 20 Starlink satellites, including 13 with Direct to Cell capabilities, to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Station in California. Liftoff is targeted for 8:45 p.m. PT, with backup opportunities available until 12:45 p.m. PT on Monday, June 24. If needed, additional opportunities are also available on Monday, June 24 starting at 8:22 p.m. ET.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about five minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the 11th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, and eight Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Of Course I Still Love You droneship, which will be stationed in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX is also targeting Sunday, June 23 for a Falcon 9 launch of 22 Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is targeted for 1:15 p.m. ET

SpaceX launches SES ASTRA 1-P to replace aging satellites and 250th droneship landing

Photo captured on Thursday, June 20, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

SpaceX launched SES’ ASTRA 1-P today, Thursday, marking the first time an Astra satellite will be launched by SpaceX.

The successful launch of Astra 1P will be a significant milestone for both SES and SpaceX. It will allow SES to maintain its leading position in the European satellite TV market, while SpaceX will continue to demonstrate its capabilities as a reliable and cost-effective launch provider.

Photo captured on Thursday, June 20, by Satnews from SpaceX’s video stream.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX scrubs Junteenth launch of SES ASTRA 1P again

West Antenna test in the Near Field Test Range (NFTR) in Toulouse facility
Credit: Thales Alenia Space

SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, June 20 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES ASTRA 1P mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour and 49-minute launch window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Friday, June 21 at the same time.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX

It is noted that due to the recent scrubs that include a last minute launch halt and several weather situations that the Space Coast is now in launch drought with the last launch on Friday, June 7 of Starlink satellites.

SpaceX scrubs Tuesday’s SES ASTRA 1P launch until Junteenth, Florida weather permitting

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Astra 1P and 1Q artist rendition. Credit SES.

SpaceX offers the following statement, “Standing down from today’s launch of the @SES_Satellites ASTRA 1P mission due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida. Now targeting tomorrow, June 19 for liftoff → http://spacex.com/launches.”

Perhaps the rest of the week will necessitate scrubs due to the following report:

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Forecast Discussion: Dominant easterly flow will continue through the rest of this week as an easterly wave draws nearer. Wind speeds will be in the 25-30mph range for a Wednesday night launch attempt, with gusts potentially reaching 35-40mph within any shower activity.

A significant moisture increase is expected on Thursday and into Friday morning with the arrival of the easterly wave. Winds will turn more northeasterly, and trend down to the 18-23mph range. The primary concern on a Thursday evening launch attempt will be a Cumulus Cloud and/or Anvil Cloud violation as moisture converges over the Space Coast creating widespread showers and potential convection.

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Astra 1P, a classic wide-beam satellite, will replace aging satellites in SES’s 19.2° East prime video neighborhood. The new satellite will ensure content owners, private and public broadcasters across Germany, France and Spain to continue broadcasting satellite TV channels in the highest-picture quality in the most cost-efficient manner. It will be based on the full electric and powerful Spacebus NEO platform developed by Thales Alenia Space and already flight proven in orbit.

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ASTRA 1P integration of RF hardware in the North half module in Toulouse clean room
Credit: Thales Alenia Space.

This mission marks the first time an Astra satellite will be launched by SpaceX.

The successful launch of Astra 1P will be a significant milestone for both SES and SpaceX. It will allow SES to maintain its leading position in the European satellite TV market, while SpaceX will continue to demonstrate its capabilities as a reliable and cost-effective launch provider.

SpaceX to launch two on Tuesday with SES ASTRA 1P mission from Florida

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SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, June 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES ASTRA 1P mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour and 49-minute launch window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Wednesday, June 19 with the same window.

SES states that the new satellites will provide replacement capacity for ageing satellites and increase our available capacity.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

Rocket Lab launches France’s Kinéis’ ‘No Time Toulouse’ and milestone of 50 launches in 7 years

Photo captured by Satnews from Rocket Lab video stream.

Rocket Lab successfully reached a milestone that few commercial rockets achieved and at a pace that outperformed its competition. The company launched its 50th Electron rocket to date just seven years after the vehicle’s debut in May 2017.

The instantaneous liftoff from Launch Complex 1 at New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula happened at 6:13 a.m. NZST on Friday, June 21 (2:13 p.m. EDT, 1813 UTC on Thursday, June 20).

Onboard the rocket were five satellites on behalf of France-based Internet of Things company, Kinéis. This was the first of five dedicated flights for the company to deploy its full constellation, consisting of 25 satellites. All five on this flight were successfully deployed.

Photo captured by Satnews from Rocket Lab video stream.

The satellites will orbit at an inclination of 98 degrees with the five satellites deploying “in a precise sequence in singles and as pairs to build out the constellation exactly as Kinéis needs it,” according to Rocket Lab.ch

The launch for Rocket Lab comes at a busy time for the business, which is pushing towards becoming an end-to-end space company. That includes multiple upcoming missions for U.S. agencies, like the National Reconnaissance Office and the U.S. Space Force as well as preparing for a planetary mission to Mars with Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket as the ride to space.

Prior to Electron’s 50th launch, Sir Peter Beck, the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab, said he and his team are immensely proud of reaching this milestone in the time that they did.

“Out of all the commercially developed rockets in the world, Electron reaching 50, we did it in the fastest amount of time. So, we scaled faster to 50 than anybody else, faster than the Falcon 9, faster than Pegasus, faster than anything else commercially,” Beck said. “And that’s a really hard thing to do because whether it’s a giant rocket or a little rocket, the scaling element is the same and it’s super, super hard.”

A graph of commercially-developed, orbital-class rockets and how quickly they reached or approached 50 launches. Graphic: Rocket Lab

Beck said much of the Electron rockets flying today are quite similar to the rockets that kicked off their orbital launch business. He said in addition to their successes, they’ve also taken away a great deal from their failures as well.

“I prefer not to think about it because they’re such devastating moments. They’re incredibly painful. And yes, it’s true that after those moments, you build a better vehicle,” Beck said. “But I always remind the team to never, never be happy, because if you’re happy, the rocket gods will come down with a baseball bat and let you know who’s in charge.

“So, we’re always striving to improve the vehicle. Every opportunity we can to improve it or make it more reliable, we take. And it’s just the harsh reality of spaceflight: it’s incredibly difficult.”

He noted that they are continuing to book more and more Electron flights each year as they progress with the program and prepare to bring the larger and reusable Neutron rocket to market by mid-2025. But he said their pace of launch will continue to be driven by customer demand.

A recoverable Electron rocket lifts off from the North Island of New Zealand carrying the Acadia 1 satellite for Capella Space. Image: Rocket Lab.

“Any CEO is going to say say that they want to see it scale vertically, right? The reality is, we scale with our customer demand. And the customer demand changes all the time, depending on geopolitical circumstances, where people are at in building their constellations and all the rest of it,” Beck said.

“What I will say is, this year, we sold more Electrons than we’ve ever sold before and next year is shaping up to be the same. So, we certainly hope that the scaling continues for the product, but it’s purely driven by market demand.”

Exolaunch integrates 42 satellites for SpaceX’s Transporter-11 rideshare mission

Exolaunch has successfully integrated the firm’s customer satellites for the upcoming Transporter-11 Rideshare mission with SpaceX — the mission is expected to be Exolaunch’s largest mission of 2024 thus far, servicing 42 smallsats for 23 global customers.

Exolaunch has successfully deployed satellites on all ten previous Transporter rideshare missions, including the most recent Transporter-10 launch in March 2024, pictured above. Image is courtesy of SpaceX.

Scheduled to lift off later this summer, the Transporter-11 Rideshare mission will launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. This mission signifies Exolaunch’s ongoing commitment to advancing global access to space and marks the company’s participation in all 11 Transporter missions to date since the program’s inception.

Exolaunch’s customers on the Transporter-11 mission represent a diverse array of government space agencies, commercial companies, and academic research institutions, from the following nations: Argentina, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Poland, Spain, Taiwan, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States.

Exolaunch clients onboard this mission will receive the company’s decade of expertise in enabling successful deployments for nearly 400 satellites to date, and a comprehensive service package designed to effectively navigate complex technical, logistical, and legal processes. This package includes launch capacity and mission planning, end-to-end testing, integration, global shipping, and the deployment of their satellites using Exolaunch’s flight-proven hardware.

More than 30 EXOpod Nova containerized deployers and CarboNIX ring-based separation systems will be utilized to support the deployment of customer satellites on this mission. These proprietary systems are part of Exolaunch’s renowned suite of satellite separation technologies and known for their reliability and effectiveness in space missions.

Integrations with the deployment systems have been successfully completed at Exolaunch’s headquarters in Berlin and globally for its cubesat customers, and the final integration campaign is currently underway at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

“We are honored to enable this launch campaign for 42 customer satellites on our largest mission of the year. We extend our gratitude to our customers for their continued loyalty and trust in Exolaunch’s services, and thank SpaceX for their excellent launch preparations,” said Robert Sproles, chief technology officer at Exolaunch.

“Our long-standing collaboration with SpaceX has been integral to Exolaunch’s own growth, and we are proud to have been a part of all Transporter launches since the inception of the highly successful Rideshare program,” said Jeanne Allarie, chief commercial officer at Exolaunch. “We look forward to launch and deployment of these satellites, further contributing to crucial developments in rideshare missions and access to space for all.”

SpaceX scrubs Junteenth launch of SES ASTRA 1P again

West Antenna test in the Near Field Test Range (NFTR) in Toulouse facility
Credit: Thales Alenia Space

SpaceX is now targeting Thursday, June 20 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES ASTRA 1P mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour and 49-minute launch window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available on Friday, June 21 at the same time.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX

It is noted that due to the recent scrubs that include a last minute launch halt and several weather situations that the Space Coast is now in launch drought with the last launch on Friday, June 7 of Starlink satellites.

SpaceX scrubs Tuesday’s SES ASTRA 1P launch until Junteenth, Florida weather permitting

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Astra 1P and 1Q artist rendition. Credit SES.

SpaceX offers the following statement, “Standing down from today’s launch of the @SES_Satellites ASTRA 1P mission due to unfavorable weather conditions in Florida. Now targeting tomorrow, June 19 for liftoff → http://spacex.com/launches.”

Perhaps the rest of the week will necessitate scrubs due to the following report:

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Forecast Discussion: Dominant easterly flow will continue through the rest of this week as an easterly wave draws nearer. Wind speeds will be in the 25-30mph range for a Wednesday night launch attempt, with gusts potentially reaching 35-40mph within any shower activity.

A significant moisture increase is expected on Thursday and into Friday morning with the arrival of the easterly wave. Winds will turn more northeasterly, and trend down to the 18-23mph range. The primary concern on a Thursday evening launch attempt will be a Cumulus Cloud and/or Anvil Cloud violation as moisture converges over the Space Coast creating widespread showers and potential convection.

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Astra 1P, a classic wide-beam satellite, will replace aging satellites in SES’s 19.2° East prime video neighborhood. The new satellite will ensure content owners, private and public broadcasters across Germany, France and Spain to continue broadcasting satellite TV channels in the highest-picture quality in the most cost-efficient manner. It will be based on the full electric and powerful Spacebus NEO platform developed by Thales Alenia Space and already flight proven in orbit.

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ASTRA 1P integration of RF hardware in the North half module in Toulouse clean room
Credit: Thales Alenia Space.

This mission marks the first time an Astra satellite will be launched by SpaceX.

The successful launch of Astra 1P will be a significant milestone for both SES and SpaceX. It will allow SES to maintain its leading position in the European satellite TV market, while SpaceX will continue to demonstrate its capabilities as a reliable and cost-effective launch provider.

SpaceX to launch two on Tuesday with SES ASTRA 1P mission from Florida

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SpaceX is targeting Tuesday, June 18 for a Falcon 9 launch of the SES ASTRA 1P mission to geosynchronous transfer orbit from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The two-hour and 49-minute launch window opens at 5:35 p.m. ET. If needed, a backup opportunity is available Wednesday, June 19 with the same window.

SES states that the new satellites will provide replacement capacity for ageing satellites and increase our available capacity.

A live webcast of this mission will begin on X @SpaceX about 15 minutes prior to liftoff. Watch live.

This is the ninth flight of the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Ax-2, Euclid, Ax-3, CRS-30, and four Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship, which will be stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.