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SpaceX preps for a Friday launch of 22 Starlinks

SpaceX photo of a previous Starlink launch

SpaceX is ramping up once again and targeting Friday, September 15 at 12:03 a.m. ET (04:53 UTC) 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. If needed, an additional opportunity is available at 12:30 a.m. ET (04:30 UTC). Two backup opportunities are also currently available on Friday, September 15 at 11:38 p.m. ET (03:38 UTC September 16) and Saturday, September 16 at 12:07 a.m. ET (04:07 UTC).

Starlink is the world’s first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting streaming, online gaming, video calls and more.

This is the fifth flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission, which previously launched Crew-6, SES O3b mPOWER, and two Starlink missions. Following stage separation, the first stage will land on the Just Read the Instructions droneship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean.

SpaceX is leveraging its experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy their advanced broadband internet system. As the world’s leading provider of launch services — and the only provider with an orbital class reusable rocket — SpaceX has extensive experience with both spacecraft and on-orbit operations.

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

Although the launches are taking place quickly despite hurricanes and rare technical difficulties, the goal of 144 launches would require the turnaround time to approximately six days. This would be possible for Of Course I Still Love You to support as the West Coast drone ships are in closer proximity to the port, and are easier for the teams to turn around reducing the time by two days, as opposed to the East Coast missions.

Rocket Lab to launch four Leidos HASTE missions

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has signed a contract with Leidos to launch four HASTE (Hypersonic Accelerator Suborbital Test Electron) missions.

The missions, scheduled across 2024 and 2025, will lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 at Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility. Rocket Lab was selected by Leidos to provide hypersonic test launch capabilities with HASTE under the MACH-TB project. The project was awarded by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane through the Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) Other Transaction Authority (OTA) vehicle on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense Test Resource Management Center (TRMC).

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia is the launch site for HASTE. Tailored specifically for technology demonstration missions, HASTE launches from Wallops carry on the extensive tradition of suborbital launch from Virginia’s coast and stands ready to serve the current and future technology needs of hypersonic and suborbital test missions.

Rocket Lab’s HASTE suborbital launch vehicle is derived from the company’s Electron rocket but has been modified to support hypersonic payload deployment. By leveraging the heritage of Rocket Lab’s low-cost Electron, HASTE offers true commercial testing capability at a fraction of the cost of current full-scale tests.

Rocket Lab launched the first HASTE mission on June 17, 2023, for Leidos under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program.

HASTE is operated under Rocket Lab National Security (RLNS), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary created to serve the unique needs of the U.S. defense and intelligence community and its allies.

“Our first HASTE mission in June this year successfully demonstrated HASTE’s ability to accelerate the cadence of hypersonic flight testing for the nation. We’re proud to now follow it up with a series of four additional missions for Leidos to support hypersonic technology innovation and technology maturation.” — Brian Rogers, Senior Director, Global Launch Services

Thaicom contracts Airbus for a OneSat flexible telecommunications satellite 

Thaicom Public Company Limited has selected Airbus for its new generation, software-defined, High Throughput Satellite.

Airbus will provide one of the company’s latest satellites — a fully reconfigurable OneSat. This Thaicom satellite will provide extended connectivity in Ku-band over the Asia-Pacific region for millions of users. Thaicom has launched and operates eight geostationary satellites. This is Thaicom’s first, flexible satellite, allowing for more adaptability on coverage, frequency and capacity, which is crucial in such a dynamic region.

Positioned on-orbit at 119.5° East, this state-of-the art satellite will enable Thaicom to propose to other partner operators a share of its satellite’s payload capacity, lowering their costs and still ensuring they have separate control of their individual payload capacity and flexibility.

Airbus will design and manufacture the satellite, and also provide ground control segment components and plans to deliver the satellite in 2027.

Airbus OneSat can be fully reconfigured on-orbit, capable of adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency “on the fly” to meet evolving mission scenarios. The satellite builds on the heritage of Airbus’ ultra-reliable Eurostar geostationary telecommunication satellites and the company’s constellation expertise with OneWeb. Development of the OneSat program is supported by ESA, as well as the French Space Agency (CNES) and the UK Space Agency.

“This significant contract with leading satellite operator Thaicom, is the ninth order for our pioneering OneSat product line which is fully reconfigurable in orbit and provides unrivalled flexibility. This collaboration with Thaicom is a first, and we look forward to further building our relationship in the future.” — Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Airbus Space Systems

“I am delighted that we have selected Airbus to build our new generation of software-defined high throughput satellite (HTS). As the world’s leading satellite technology provider, we trust that Airbus will be our best choice for building our new satellite at the strategic location of 119.5 degrees East. It will allow flexibility and instant reconfiguration to adapt dynamically to the service areas and will provide a significant confidence boost for Thaicom’s valued customers and partners throughout Asia Pacific. This is a significant milestone for Thaicom as we forge ahead to further grow our broadband satellite business in the region.” — Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Chief Executive Officer, Thaicom

NASA Remembers September 11 from space

Visible from space, a smoke plume rises from the Manhattan area after two planes crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center. This photo was taken of metropolitan New York City (and other parts of New York as well as New Jersey) the morning of September 11, 2001. “Our prayers and thoughts go out to all the people there, and everywhere else,” said Station Commander Frank Culbertson of Expedition 3, after the terrorists’ attacks.

Image credit: NASA

The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 were a national tragedy that resulted in a staggering loss of life and a significant change in American culture. Each year, we pause and remember. Beyond honoring the Americans who died that day, NASA also assisted FEMA in New York in the days afterward, and remembered the victims by providing flags flown aboard the Space Shuttle to their families.

NASA astronaut Jessica Meir photographed the New York City area from the International Space Station in March 2020.
Credits: NASA

Astronaut Frank Culbertson – The Only American Off the Planet

“The smoke seemed to have an odd bloom to it at the base of the column that was streaming south of the city. After reading one of the news articles we just received, I believe we were looking at NY around the time of, or shortly after, the collapse of the second tower. How horrible…”-Frank Culbertson
 

From his vantage point aboard the International Space Station, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet photographed the Washington D.C. area on April 11, 2017. The Pentagon can be seen at the center right of the image.
Credits: ESA/NASA

Expedition 3 Commander Frank Culbertson was aboard the International Space Station at the time of the attacks, and the only American on the crew. As soon as he learned of the attacks, he began documenting the event in photographs because the station was flying over the New York City area. He captured incredible images in the minutes and hours following the event. From his unique vantage point in space, he recorded his thoughts of the world changing beneath him.

Watch Video: Culbertson Remembers 9/11

The following day, he posted a public letter that captured his initial thoughts of the events as they unfolded. “The world changed today. What I say or do is very minor compared to the significance of what happened to our country today when it was attacked.”

Upon further reflection, Culbertson said, “It’s horrible to see smoke pouring from wounds in your own country from such a fantastic vantage point. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft dedicated to improving life on the earth and watching life being destroyed by such willful, terrible acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are.”

Read Culbertson’s Full Letter
Video: Station Astronauts Honor 9/11 Victims

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NASA Science Programs Monitor the Air

NASA science programs were called into action after September 11, 2001, as the agency worked with FEMA to fly sensors over the affected areas on aircraft looking for aerial contaminants and used satellite resources to monitor from above.

Flags for Heroes and Families

STS-108 astronauts Mark Kelly, left, and Dan Tani hold commemorative American flags the shuttle Endeavour in December 2001. The flags were later presented to victims’ relatives. Credits: NASA

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NASA flew nearly 6,000 4 by 6 inch flags on Endeavour’s flight during STS-108 to honor the victims of the terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania. Students working at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas assembled the commemorative packages, including the U.S. flags flown in space, to be presented to relatives of the victims. Distribution began on June 14, 2002, National Flag Day, at a ceremony held at the American Museum of Natural History’s Rose Center for Earth and Space in New York.

“The ‘Flags for Heroes and Families’ campaign is a way for us to honor and show our support for the thousands of brave men and women who have selflessly contributed to the relief and recovery efforts,” said then-NASA Administrator Dan Goldin. “The American flags are a patriotic symbol of our strength and solidarity, and our Nation’s resolve to prevail.”

“NASA wanted to come up with an appropriate tribute to the people who lost their lives in the tragic events of September 11,” added Goldin. “America’s space program has a long history of carrying items into space to commemorate historic events, acts of courage and dramatic achievements. ‘Flags for Heroes and Families’ is a natural extension of this ongoing outreach project.”

Read More About ‘Flags for Heroes and Families’→

Commemoration Goes to Mars

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This view of an American flag on metal recovered from the site of the World Trade Center towers shortly after their destruction on Sept. 11, 2001, was taken on Mars on Sept. 11, 2011, the 10th anniversary of the attacks on the towers.

Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/Cornell University/Arizona State University

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In September 2001, Honeybee Robotics employees in lower Manhattan were building a pair of tools for grinding weathered rinds off rocks on Mars, so that scientific instruments on NASA’s Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity could inspect the rocks’ interiors.

That month’s attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center, less than a mile away, shook the lives of the employees and millions of others.

Work on the rock abrasion tools needed to meet a tight schedule to allow thorough testing before launch dates governed by the motions of the planets. The people building the tools could not spend much time helping at shelters or in other ways to cope with the life-changing tragedy of Sept. 11. However, they did find a special way to pay tribute to the thousands of victims who perished in the attack.

An aluminum cuff serving as a cable shield on each of the rock abrasion tools on Mars was made from aluminum recovered from the destroyed World Trade Center towers. The metal bears the image of an American flag and fills a renewed purpose as part of solar system exploration.

One day, both rovers will be silent. In the cold, dry environments where they have worked on Mars, the onboard memorials to victims of the Sept. 11 attack could remain in good condition for millions of years.

Read More About the Rovers’ 9/11 Tribute


NASA Kennedy Adds Florida Touch to Sept. 11 Flag

The contributions of NASA and Kennedy Space Center were stitched into the fabric of one of the nation’s most recognizable symbols, when flags from Florida’s Spaceport were sewn into an American Flag recovered near ground zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
 

The National 9/11 Flag was raised over the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

The National 9/11 Flag was raised over the Rocket Garden at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex after Florida’s contribution was added.

Credits: NASA/Kim Shiflett

“A few days after the collapse of the World Trade Center this flag was hanging on a scaffolding at 90 West Street, which was a building directly south of the World Trade Center that was heavily damaged when the south tower collapsed,” said Jeff Parness, director, founder and chairman of the “New York Says Thank You Foundation.”

The flag went on to become one of the most enduring symbols of the recovery from the attack. “The National 9/11 Flag” is a permanent part of the collection of the National September 11 Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center site. There, America’s flag can evoke a sense of pride, unity and hunger to keep achieving greatness, just as the nation’s space program has for more than half a century.

AAC Clyde Space to launch Ymir-1 satellite in November

AAC Clyde Space and partners, Saab and Orbcomm, are planning to launch Ymir-1, a Swedish built VDES (VHF Data Exchange System) spacecraft, in November of 2023.

This research project, that is partially funded by the Swedish Transport Administration, intends to launch a test satellite that will make way for a future constellation to provide a next generation VDES service. The first cutting-edge satellite is part of a collaborative project AOS, a brand born from a partnership between AAC Clyde Space, ORBCOMM and Saab.

Ymir-1 will carry a Saab VDES payload for two-way communication between satellite and ground and ORBCOMM will integrate the data in the firm’s distribution center for maritime communications.

Artistic rendition of space-based VDES, the nexgen of AIS, courtesy of Saab.

The goal of the consortium is to create a global, maritime communication network that enables ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication everywhere around the globe. Together, they are developing the nexgen of space based VDES. The addition of a space-based capability will increase VDES range from the shoreline to anywhere in the ocean, converting what is currently a predominantly coastal system into a global maritime system.

“We look forward to welcoming the Swedish Transport Administration this month to showcase our ready to launch smart satellite but also the development of the next generation of space based VDES.  This In Orbit Demonstration satellite will provide proof of concept of a space-based capability that will increase VDES range from the shoreline to anywhere in the ocean, converting what is currently a predominantly coastal system into a global maritime system. VDES will increase maritime safety and contribute to a greener shipping industry, that will improve life on Earth.” — AAC Clyde Space CEO Luis Gomes.

“We are grateful for the support of funding from the Swedish Transport Administration on the development of space based VDES. Saab’s aim is to enhance a selection of existing products and to make use of space capabilities for the benefit of our customers and users. Saab’s R6 Supreme AIS/VDES ship-transponders will provide functionality to the next generation of global maritime communication services based on a VHF VDES. The Ymir-1 launch will complement this, by supporting the development of our space-based VDES, and by that create a foundation for a global maritime communication network beyond the horizon,” — Head of Transpondertech at Saab Johanna Gustafsson

Telesat + SpaceX sign an MLA for 14 advanced Lightspeed smallsats

Telesat (NASDAQ and TSX: TSAT) and SpaceX have signed a Multi-Launch Agreement (MLA) to deliver the Telesat Lightspeed constellation to LEO.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off with a Starlink smallsats payload.

Telesat has contracted 14 launches on SpaceX’s Falcon 9, which will carry as many as 18 Telesat Lightspeed satellites to LEO per launch. The launch campaign is scheduled to commence in 2026 and will take advantage of SpaceX’s high launch cadence to rapidly deploy the satellites and enable Telesat to begin providing global service in 2027. Launches for the campaign will lift off from SpaceX’s launch facilities in California and Florida.

Designed from inception to serve the demanding, mission-critical connectivity requirements of enterprise and government users, the optically-linked Telesat Lightspeed network will provide multi-Gbps data links and highly secure, resilient, low-latency broadband connectivity anywhere in the world. With the August signing of MDA as the prime satellite manufacturer and all necessary launch contracts in place for global constellation deployment, Telesat is well-positioned to begin delivering unmatched, enterprise-class connectivity in late 2027.

“SpaceX has been a trusted and effective launch provider to Telesat on our geostationary satellite programs and I am delighted that they will be supporting us with their highly reliable Falcon 9 rocket to deploy the Telesat Lightspeed constellation, the most ambitious program in Telesat’s 54-year history,” stated . “Given the dedication and professionalism of the SpaceX team, and their outstanding track record of reliability and demonstrated high launch cadence, I have the utmost confidence that they will be an outstanding partner in helping us bring Telesat Lightspeed into service in a timely and low risk manner.” — Dan Goldberg, President and CEO, Telesat

“With growing demand for high-speed internet around the world, SpaceX is proud to launch and deploy Telesat’s Lightspeed constellation. Building upon our successful launch partnership to-date, we look forward to flying Telesat once again as they expand connectivity capabilities for their customers across the globe.” — Gwynne Shotwell, President and Chief Operating Officer, SpaceX

Rocket Lab’s launch window for the next Capella Space mission announced

Photo of a previous Electron launch, courtesy of Rocket Lab.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) has scheduled the next Electron launch during a window that opens on September 19, 2023 NZST/UTC.

The ‘We Will Never Desert You’ mission is scheduled to launch from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula for Capella Space, a provider of commercial Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery.

‘We Will Never Desert You’ will launch the second of Capella’s 3Gen SAR Acadia satellites to LEO. This will be Rocket Lab’s third launch for Capella in 2023, and second launch in a multi-launch contract of four missions. Capella’s highest quality, high resolution SAR imagery penetrates all weather conditions and captures clear imagery 24/7, day and night, anywhere on Earth, delivered through a fully-automated ordering and delivery platform.

Capella’s existing SAR capabilities includes long-dwell imaging and extended duty-cycle – which results in more images collected per orbit than any other SAR systems. Acadia will augment Capella’s existing constellation with increased bandwidth and power, faster downlink speeds, and reduced latency

As Capella’s sole launch provider in 2023 to build out the company’s Earth-imaging constellation, Rocket Lab’s most recent launch, ‘We Love The Nightlife,’ successfully deployed Capella’s first Acadia satellite to space on August 24, 2023. An earlier mission for Capella this year, ‘Stronger Together,’ successfully delivered two satellites to space for the company from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 in Wallops, Virginia, in March 2023.

Electron’s precise payload deployment record and ability to meet wide-ranging mission requirements enables operators like Capella to increase their constellation’s orbital diversity while at the same time grow quickly to meet customer demand. Rocket Lab is also supplying its own separation systems for each Capella mission that further maintains the Company’s vertical integration strategy.

“As the only commercial U.S. small launch vehicle providing regular and reliable dedicated access to orbit, Electron provides a unique service to satellite operators like Capella. When you’re a dedicated launch customer you can fly where you want and when you want to, and launching these two missions back-to-back for Capella demonstrates the value that brings to commercial constellation operators.” — Peter Beck, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Rocket Lab

United Launch Alliance’s successful launch of NROL-107 on mission for Space Systems Command and NRO

Leaping off the launch pad at Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 under the power of 2.3 million pounds of thrust, the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket, carrying the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), was successfully launched Sept. 10 at 8:47 a.m. EDT (5:47 a.m. PDT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

Space Systems Command (SSC), the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), United Launch Alliance (ULA) and their mission partners successfully launched the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission aboard an Atlas V rocket today at 8:47 a.m. EDT (5:47 a.m. PDT) from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This was the first Atlas V “551” (Five-meter fairing, five graphite epoxy motor (GEM)-63 solid rocket boosters, and one RL-10 upper stage engine) launch for the NSSL program from CCSFS this year. 

“Absolutely fantastic!  This is why our launch industry is the best in the world…it’s our team, plain and simple. The folks who made this happen today are mission-focused, incredibly disciplined, and extremely talented,” said Lt. Col. Alex Jehle, SSC’s launch vehicle materiel leader. “Today, we get to celebrate our 99th NSSL launch of another one-of-a-kind asset that will boost our nation’s capabilities globally.” 

Arcing away from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-41, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V 551 rocket, carrying the SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and United States Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC), was successfully launched Sept. 10 at 8:47 a.m. EDT (5:47 a.m. PDT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Photo credit: United Launch Alliance

In total, the Atlas family has launched numerous payloads including military, government, commercial weather, communications, and science satellites, experimental satellites, robotic probes for exploration, planetary orbiters & rovers, lunar explorers, space planes, two spacecraft to the International Space Station, and one space telescope. The launch of SILENTBARKER/NROL-107 builds upon this long and proud tradition. The operational contributions made by the Atlas family, and those team members that made it possible, will benefit generations to come.  

With this launch, one more Atlas V 551 remains in the NSSL inventory as the Space Force approaches the end of a long and overwhelmingly successful era featuring the mighty Atlas. 

“Our launches bring together people from across the United States, from multiple organizations and disciplines: engineering, operations, launch range, management, space vehicle and more, and they all function seamlessly,” said Col. James Horne, SSC’s senior materiel leader for Launch Execution. “We’re near the end of an era with NSSL Atlas V. We remain grateful for the industry and government partnership that ensures continued mission success and look forward to an exciting future as we transition to the Vulcan launch system.” 

Assured Access to Space (AATS) is the program executive office within Space Systems Command that is responsible for delivering next-generation launch and on-orbit capabilities in support of the warfighter, combatant commands, intelligence agencies, civil services, allied nations and the commercial space industry.  AATS is also responsible for range sustainment programs supporting launch and test customers. Innovation focus areas include sub-orbital rapid strategic mobility, on-orbit servicing and maneuvering, mission lifecycle management and tactically responsive launch. 

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force’s field command responsible for acquiring and delivering resilient war fighting capabilities to protect our nation’s strategic advantage in and from space. SSC manages an $15 billion space acquisition budget for the Department of Defense and works in partnership with joint forces, industry, government agencies, academic and allied organizations to accelerate innovation and outpace emerging threats. Our actions today are making the world a better space for tomorrow. 

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries(MHI) launches JAXA payloads

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s (JAXA) X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission (XRISM) lifted off on a H-IIA rocket from the Tanegashima Space Center in Japan at 08:42 JST / 00:42 BST / 01:42 CEST on September 7, 2023. This successful launch marks the start of an ambitious mission to explore the growth of galaxy clusters, the chemical make-up of the universe, and the extremes of spacetime. XRISM is a collaboration between JAXA and NASA, with significant participation from ESA.

The launch vehicle (H-IIA F47) carried aboard the XRISM space telescope and SLIM lunar lander payloads that were produced by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).

H-IIA F47 flight proceeded nominally. XRISM separated approximately 14 minutes 9 seconds after launch and SLIM separated approximately 47 minutes 33 seconds after launch, as planned.

JAXA has confirmed from the telemetry received from XRISM that the power generation for the solar array paddles, communication with the ground, and the attitude control required to maintain these are normal. Confirmation has also been received that the cooling system of the soft X-ray spectrometer (Resolve) is operating stably. This marks the end of the critical operation period (*1).

XRISM has entered the commissioning period, which will last about three months to verify the functions of the satellite’s onboard equipment.

Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM is a small-scale, exploration lander designed for pinpoint landings on the Moon’s surface, reduction in the size and weight of equipment used in Moon landings, and investigation into the Moon’s origins. The lander will also test technology fundamental to exploration in low-gravity environments, an important requirement for future scientific investigation of the solar system.

JAXA received a signal from SLIM, received via the Maspalomas Station (Canary Islands, Spain) at 9:45 a.m.(JST) on that same day as the launch, confirming the successful completion of sun acquisition control. The SLIM’s status is currently normal.

ESA and European institutions contributed scientific guidance and vital technologies to XRISM, including for the scientific instruments and for the systems that keep XRISM pointing and oriented correctly. In return for these contributions, ESA will be allocated 8% of XRISM’s available observing time. This will enable European scientists to propose cosmic targets to observe in X-ray light and make breakthroughs in this area of astronomy.

While XMM-Newton remains an excellent observer of lower-energy X-rays, XRISM has been optimized to observe large, diffuse structure in the cosmos (such as galaxy clusters), with an unprecedented ability to distinguish the ‘colors’ of higher-energy X-ray light. By combining observations from the two observatories, complementary measurements will reveal a more complete picture of the hot and energetic Universe. Astronomers that request observing time with XRISM may, in the future, be offered observing time on XMM-Newton.

Looking further ahead, XRISM will lay the path for ESA’s Athena mission, currently under study and set to be the largest X-ray observatory ever built. XRISM will provide the first high-resolution spectroscopy X-ray measurements of objects in the nearby universe; Athena will build upon these discoveries to observe more distant objects, at the epoch when the largest gravitationally bound structure in the Universe formed, or when the first super-massive black holes at the centres of galaxies became active. XRISM’s first-of-its-kind Resolve instrument will act as an important technology demonstrator for Athena.

“I would like to extend my congratulations to JAXA for this successful launch. I wish the mission team the best of luck getting XRISM to its operating orbit around Earth and preparing it for science observations.” — Carole Mundell, ESA’s Director of Science

“ESA already has a strong legacy and presence in high energy astronomy. Our XMM-Newton and Integral missions have been studying the Universe in X-rays and gamma-rays for over two decades, and we are currently planning the Athena mission. With this experience, we have been able to make important contributions to what we expect will be a very productive XRISM mission.”As ESA project scientist, I am thrilled by all the exciting science promised by XRISM. As a researcher I am personally looking forward to accurately measuring the physical properties of outflows from super-massive black holes at the centers of galaxies, and discovering how they regulate the formation of stars within that galaxy. — Matteo Guainazzi, ESA XRISM project scientist

USSF awards Viasat contract for Proliferated Low Earth Orbit satellite services

Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has announced that Inmarsat Government, now part of Viasat, was awarded a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) Satellite-Based Services (SBS) contract by the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) on behalf of the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) — Inmarsat Government is one of 16 companies selected for the $900 million ceiling, 10 year, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract.

As the United States and its mission partners become increasingly reliant on space-based capabilities for national security, it is critical to have resilient constellations that include satellites in GEO and NGSO. Proliferated LEO (pLEO) constellations are part of a Department of Defense (DoD) strategy to provide additional resilience for satellite communications (SATCOM), remote sensing and other capabilities by diversifying orbits.

Under this contract, Viasat plans to leverage smallsat technology, reduced costs and increased launch service competition, facilitating the ability for pLEO constellations to provide persistent, global coverage with reduced transmission latency. The company will provide a suite of fully-managed pLEO satellite-based services and capabilities, to include space relay services, supplemented by GEO and NGSO satellites, supporting all domains – space, air, land, maritime and cyber.

Viasat will aim to achieve this with a reliable, resilient low latency global pLEO offering that flexibly supports the needs of combatant commands, defense agencies, other federal government organizations and international coalition partners. It will provide a comprehensive managed end-to-end SATCOM solution via a multi-band, multi-orbit constellation of satellites. Furthermore, its new, hyper-intelligent software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) is designed to orchestrate and provide priority routing across mixed networks, enabling an automated primary, alternate, contingency and emergency (PACE) solution to deliver the flexibility and responsiveness required to meet customers’ needs today and in the future.

“Viasat has a proud history of providing integrated SATCOM solutions and service offerings across multiple bands and orbits to support government customers’ unique needs. Our team is committed to developing innovative, mission-focused solutions through our existing partnerships with satellite operators and extending opportunities with new partners. We eagerly look forward to using both our technologies and deep problem solving expertise to deliver resilient, robust and secure SATCOM capabilities to service members around the world.” — Susan Miller, President, Viasat Government