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Featured

Varda’s W-2 spacecraft launched to orbit with SpaceX with Koonibba Test Range up next

January 14, 2025

Varda Space Industries has announced the successful launch of the company’s second orbital processing spacecraft and re-entry capsule, W-2, which lifted off aboard the Transporter-12 rideshare mission with SpaceX from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The W-2 capsule will orbit Earth for the next few weeks before re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere and landing at the Koonibba Test Range in South Australia. This will be Australia’s first ever commercial spacecraft re-entry and marks an exciting new chapter in our nation’s spacefaring history.

The W-2 capsule carries payloads from Varda partners, including a spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and employs a heat shield with a Thermal Protection System (TPS) developed in collaboration with NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. These payloads are in addition to Varda’s expanded pharmaceutical reactor.

Southern Launch was responsible for securing all required Australian approvals for the mission and has coordinated an end-to-end service for managing the re-entry process and retrieval of the capsule from the Australian desert once it lands back on Earth.

Photo of the Koonibba Test Ranger, courtesy of Southern Launch

Varda Space Industries are pioneers in developing orbital manufacturing capsules and have selected Southern Launch for their next three W-Series missions. The natural advantages of the space environment, in particular microgravity, enables the production of improved pharmaceutical formulations that cannot be produced anywhere on Earth.

The W-2 capsule carries payloads from Varda partners, including a spectrometer from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and employs a heat shield with a Thermal Protection System (TPS) developed in collaboration with NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. These payloads are in addition to Varda’s expanded pharmaceutical reactor. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range in partnership with the Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation.

The Koonibba Test Range offers the greatest return flexibility given the low airspace and uninhabited land. Until the first Varda mission in 2023, all in-space manufacturing was carried out on the International Space Station. The W-Series missions will usher in a new era of commercial in-space manufacturing.

The return authorization for the mission was granted by the Australian Government in October 2024 and was the first authorization approved for a domestically returning spacecraft under the amended Space (Launches and Returns) Act 2018.

Lloyd Damp, CEO, Southern Launch, said, “The successful launch of the W-2 capsule is only the beginning of this incredibly exciting mission. Our team is now focused on the safe return and recovery of the capsule to the Koonibba Test Range.’ ‘By the end of this decade, it is predicted that we will all be using items that contain some element that is produced off Earth we are incredibly proud to bring this industry to South Australia.’ ‘In-space manufacturing is the next evolution of our industry capacity as humans. We are so proud to bring this mission to Australia and this first mission signals a new wave of excitement as to what is possible both here on Earth and in space.“

Will Bruey, CEO, Varda Space Industries, said, “Varda is honored to perform Australia’s first commercial space re-entry, and we’re excited to partner with our friends at Southern Launch to support the development of a thriving Australian space sector. Australia is clear-eyed about the promise of orbital pharmaceutical processing, and Southern Launch have led the way for the future of space infrastructure on Earth.”

Corey McLennan, CEO, Koonibba Community Aboriginal Corporation, said, “The Koonibba Test Range offers more than 41,000 square kilometres of uninhabited land to accept the re-entry of in-space manufacturing capsules,’ says Corey. ‘This open space is essential to accept spacecraft returns and for low-earth orbit to be the genesis of a new era of advanced manufacturing in Australia.”

About Southern Launch
Southern Launch is a launch and range service provider, headquartered in Adelaide, South Australia. Southern Launch operates the Koonibba Test Range and Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex. The Koonibba Test Range is one of the largest commercial rocket testing facilities in the world. The range is used to launch sub-orbital missions and accept re-entries of space technology. The Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex at the tip of the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia supports high-cadence orbital launches into the highly sought after polar and sun synchronous orbits. Southern Launch expands space exploration from the Southern Hemisphere with end-to-end launch services for every space mission.

Filed Under: AFRL, Agencies, Koonibba Test Range [Australia], Launch, Launch Agreement, Launch Facilities, Launch Management, Launch Services, Military, NASA Ames Research Center, News, SmallSat, SmallSat Builds, Smallsat Bus, Smallsat Deployment, SmallSat Design, Smallsat Development, Smallsat Launch, Smallsat Manufacturing, Smallsat Markets, Smallsat Modeling, Smallsat Payloads, smallsats, Southern Launch, Spacecraft Re-Entry, SpaceX Transporter-12 Mission, Vandenberg SFB, Varda Space Industries, W-2 (Varda) Tagged With: Featured

FOSSA Systems launches their new generation of nanosatellites

January 14, 2025

FOSSA Systems has launched the company’s new generation of satellites from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The aerospace startup is placing three FOSSASats into orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, as part of the Transporter 12 mission.

This milestone, aimed at achieving “satellite roaming for IoT connectivity,” coincides with the inauguration of FOSSA’s first international subsidiary in Lisbon, Portugal.

Once launched, the nanosatellites will eject from their dispenser and enter LEO at an altitude of approximately 500 km. They will circle the Earth 15 times a day, traveling at 27,000 km/h. Within a few hours, the satellites will establish a connection with FOSSA’s ground stations in Madrid and across the globe. Following this, a commissioning phase lasting several weeks will begin to ensure the systems are operational and ready for commercial use.

FOSSA’s new generation of nanosatellites, developed and manufactured entirely at its Madrid headquarters, measures 30x10x10 cm when folded, with a deployed wingspan of 54 cm, a mass of 6 kg, and a power generation capacity exceeding 30W. These satellites are 24 times larger than FOSSASat-1, the company’s first picosatellite, and 12 times larger than the FOSSASat-2E series launched in January 2022. Each satellite can serve thousands of assets in Spain and hundreds of thousands worldwide.

In addition to size, durability has also improved. Unlike their predecessors, which had a lifespan of 12-18 months, the new FOSSASats can remain on-orbit for 5 to 7 years, after which they will disintegrate without leaving space debris.

FOSSA Systems, an European aerospace startup specializing in global IoT connectivity solutions for remote asset and infrastructure management, has launched 17 nanosatellites since its founding. With this launch, the number rises to 20, and many more are planned for 2025 as the company works toward deploying a constellation of 80 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide global coverage for clients in industries such as energy, utilities, construction, agriculture, logistics, oil & gas, and national security.

Additionally, FOSSA offers dedicated satellites and constellations for companies, governments, and institutions requiring proprietary infrastructure for IoT, radiofrequency, and other payloads.

FOSSA Systems is the first and only company in Spain to manufacture satellites and provide its own satellite communication service. By developing its own space technology and using proprietary networks, FOSSA guarantees advanced data encryption and compliance with global security standards. This also reduces costs and development time.

FOSSA Systems recently opened its first international subsidiary in Portugal, focused on R&D. Coordinated from its Madrid headquarters, this new office aims to increase the company’s global presence and access new markets

“These satellites mark another milestone in our mission to deliver cutting-edge IoT solutions from space. They also signify the beginning of FOSSA’s commercial phase,” said Julián Fernández, CEO and co-founder of the company. “FOSSA is the only European company to vertically integrate satellite design, production, and operation for IoT and communication with standardized protocols. This is a strategic capability essential for Spain and Europe, considering the advancements in other regions. From its headquarters on Madrid’s Gran Vía, FOSSA manufactures and assembles its devices to provide satellite connectivity in remote and inaccessible areas, covering approximately 80% of the planet. FOSSA’s constellation allows you to manage your assets anywhere in the world.”

About FOSSA Systems
FOSSA Systems is a European company specializing in satellite development to provide comprehensive remote asset management solutions using low-power IoT technologies for industrial applications. FOSSA has expertise in the design, development, and operation of satellite platforms, ground stations, and IoT devices. Since 2022, the company has launched 17 satellites and is deploying a constellation of 80 in low Earth orbit to provide global coverage for clients in sectors such as energy, utilities, oil & gas, logistics, and national security. Founded in July 2020 by Julián Fernández and Vicente González, FOSSA has partnered with Microsoft R&D to provide accessible satellite IoT connectivity for agricultural use cases
.

Filed Under: FOSSA Systems, FOSSASats, Launch, Launch Contract, Launch Facilities, Launch Providers, Launch Services, Launch Support, Launch Systems, Launch Vehicle, Launcher, Launchers, LEO, LEO Missions, LEO Payloads, Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Nanosatellite, SatIoT, Smallsat IoT, Smallsat Launch, Space Launch Complex, SpaceX Transporter-12 Mission, Spain, Vandenberg SFB Tagged With: Featured

WISeKey’s WISeSat satellite powered by SEALSQ post-quantum security successfully launched

January 14, 2025

WISeKey International Holding (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), alongside its subsidiaries WISeSat.Space (“WISeSat”) and SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), have successfully launched their next-generation WISeSat satellite, equipped with post-quantum-ready security and SEALSQ semiconductors.

The satellite was launched by SpaceX aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

The Two-Line Element set (TLE), a data format used to describe the orbit of Earth-orbiting objects such as satellites, for this satellite is:

1 99918U 24001F 25014.82552859 .00000000 00000-0 -12617-3 0 9990

2 99918 97.4388 92.5046 0003489 26.8233 333.4162 15.17165894 1001

This historic event marks a significant milestone in the advancement of quantum-resilient technologies. The satellite is part of WISeSat’s initiative to provide real-time, secure IoT connectivity via a constellation of post-quantum-ready satellites, further demonstrating the viability of post-quantum cybersecurity in space environments. 

WISeSat has announced it plans to launch an additional five, next-generation satellites in 2025. Each satellite will feature incremental advancements by SEALSQ in post-quantum cryptography and secure communication technologies, further solidifying the Company’s leadership in satellite-based IoT solutions.

Additionally, the satellites feature WISeKey’s WISeID identity management system, a platform for authenticating connected devices, and Hedera distributed ledger technology to provide a decentralized framework for maintaining data integrity and transparency across the network.

The WISeSat satellite leverages WISeKey’s Root of Trust and SEALSQ’s Post-Quantum Cryptographic Chips, ensuring state-of-the-art protection against the rising threats posed by quantum computing. This integration solidifies WISeSat as a leader in the secure satellite communication domain, delivering unmatched cybersecurity for IoT networks worldwide.

Carlos Moreira, Founder and CEO of WISeKey, said, “This launch signifies a groundbreaking leap in our efforts to secure the future of digital communications against quantum threats. By embedding SEALSQ’s post-quantum chips into our WISeSat satellite, we are reinforcing the trustworthiness of digital communications from Earth to space.”

WISeSat is WISeKey’s satellite subsidiary, addressing the growing demand for secure, real-time connectivity across industries such as government, finance, logistics, agriculture, energy, and critical infrastructure management. By leveraging nanosatellite technology, WISeSat provides low-cost, scalable solutions that ensure global coverage and end-to-end security.

Innovative Features of WISeSat

  • Post-Quantum Readiness: Equipped with SEALSQ’s cryptographic chips to protect against quantum computing advances.
  • Global IoT Connectivity: Enables seamless IoT communication, even in remote regions.
  • End-to-End Security: Uses WISeKey’s Root of Trust for robust data encryption and authentication.
  • Cost-Effective and Scalable: Nanosatellite design reduces costs while providing scalability for industries.

WISeSat Outlook
WISeKey aims to expand the WISeSat satellite constellation and enhance its capabilities by:

      1. Increasing satellite coverage for higher bandwidth and redundancy.

      2. Integrating AI-driven analytics for real-time data processing.

      3. Developing hybrid terrestrial-satellite solutions for seamless, secure connectivity.

Satellite location: wisesat.wisekey.com/?tags=WISeSat

Launch can be viewed at www.spacex.com/launches

About WISeSat.Space
WISeSat.Space 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.

About WISeKey
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, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies.

With more than 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people.

Filed Under: Hybrid, SEALSQ Corporation, WISeKey, WISeSAT.Space Tagged With: Featured

Blue Origin scrubs Monday’s launch of New Glenn moments before launch

January 13, 2025

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket stands at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station prior to the rocket’s inaugural flight on the NG-1 mission. Image: Blue Origin

“We’re standing down on today’s launch attempt to troubleshoot a vehicle subsystem issue that will take us beyond our launch window. We’re reviewing opportunities for our next launch attempt. ” Blue Origin wrote regarding the scrub of their debut launch of the new rocket early on Monday because of technical trouble. Once the countdown clock was halted, they immediately began draining all the fuel from the rocket. A new launch date is yet to be determined (YTBD).

During an interview with Aviation Week before the start of fueling Sunday night, Bezos reflected on the enormity of the moment calling it “a very big night.”

“We’re ready. We don’t know for sure what’s going to happen. I think trying to land the booster on the first mission is a little crazy of us and it may not work. It’ll certainly be icing on the cake,” Bezos said.

“If it does, I do hope, I think we all hope, that we successfully deploy the Blue Ring Pathfinder into the correct orbit. So you know, that would be success, but we’re also prepared for anything to go wrong,” he added. “If there is an anomaly of any kind, at any stage of the mission, we’ll pick ourselves up and keep going.”

The 320ft (98-meter) New Glenn rocket was scheduled to launch before dawn with a prototype satellite from Florida’s Cape Canaveral space force station. The launch was scrubbed as launch controllers attempted to determine an unspecified rocket issue in the final minutes of the countdown, thus running out of time.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch delayed again until Monday due to rough waters

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A visualization depicts the New Glenn rocket’s launch, separation of the first and upper stage, and separation of the nose cone, or payload fairing. The nose cone is a protective shell that shields the cargo. Blue Origin

Blue Origin is opting to delay again the launch of New Glenn due to unfavorable weather conditions. Blue Origin’s spokesperson said, “Sea state conditions are still unfavorable for booster landing. We’re shifting our NG-1 launch date by one day to no earlier than January 13. Our three-hour window remains the same, opening Monday at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC).” released in a Saturday afternoon email. 


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Single Configuration for Maximum Flexibility and Savings

The importance of smooth waters is that after stage separation the New Glenn first stage will descend and try to land atop the drone ship Jacklyn, named for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ mother. Rough waves can reach heights of 10 feet making the mission impossible.

Blue Origin scrubs and reschedules New Glenn’s first launch due to rough Atlantic seas, and pays a fine

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Blue Origin‘s scrub at the countdown of the launch of its first New Glenn heavy-lift rocket at 1:00 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) on Friday, January 10, was called due to rough weather in the Atlantic Ocean — where part of the rocket is expected to land, resulting in a two-day delay.

The launch is now set for Sunday, January 12, at the same time from Blue Origin’s pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. You’ll be able to watch the New Glenn launch live on Space.com, courtesy of Blue Origin.

“We’re shifting our NG-1 launch date to no earlier than January 12 due to a high sea state in the Atlantic where we hope to land our booster,” Blue Origin wrote in a statement on the social media site X today, January 9. “Our three-hour window remains the same, opening Sunday at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC).

Additional news:

Just days before Blue Origin’s launch the company was fined for a previous New Glenn test conducted without a permit in which the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) issued a $3,000 fine, adding up to a $3,250 plus costs, to Blue Origin for the unauthorized use of a water deluge system during a static fire test of its New Glenn rocket, according to local media reports.

In September 2024, Blue Origin ran a fueling test of its upcoming rocket at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The hot fire test lasted for 15 seconds, and its purpose was to “validate interactions between the subsystems on the second stage, its two BE-3U engines, and the ground control systems,” Blue Origin wrote in a statement at the time. The FDEP, however, had not yet issued Blue Origin the required permission to use the launch pad’s water deluge system, but the company went ahead and used it anyway, resulting in the fine.

New Glenn’s first launch now on for ‘no earlier than Friday’

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New Glenn’s inaugural mission (NG-1) is targeting no earlier than Friday, January 10, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The three-hour launch window opens at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC). NG-1 is our first National Security Space Launch certification flight.  The payload is our Blue Ring Pathfinder. It will test Blue Ring’s core flight, ground systems, and operational capabilities as part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort.  

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Blue Origin received a contract to demonstrate a heavy utility-OLV system utilizing their ‘Blue Ring’ platform.

Our key objective is to reach orbit safely. We know landing the booster on our first try offshore in the Atlantic is ambitious—but we’re going for it. “This is our first flight and we’ve prepared rigorously for it,” said Jarrett Jones, SVP, New Glenn. “But no amount of ground testing or mission simulations are a replacement for flying this rocket. It’s time to fly. No matter what happens, we’ll learn, refine, and apply that knowledge to our next launch.” 

Blue Origin’s payload for New Glenn’s first mission will carry the company’s Blue Ring Pathfinder and mark the rocket’s first National Security Space Launch certification flight. The encapsulated payload will be integrated onto the launch vehicle following the hotfire. New Glenn will lift off from Blue Origin’s Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The pathfinder was developed by Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems business unit. It will test Blue Ring’s core flight, ground systems, and operational capabilities. NG-1 will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload as part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort. DIU funding is helping to enable future Department of Defense missions. 

Blue Origin ready for the first launch of New Glenn rocket on Thursday

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Blue Origin concluded its test campaign and is ready to launch its New Glenn rocket, the company’s first orbital launch vehicle, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, January 9 from 10:00 pm – 1:45 am PST. The successful test campaign included fueling the massive rocket’s seven engines with liquefied natural gas, liquid oxygen and hydrogen.

“This is a monumental milestone and a glimpse of what’s just around the corner for New Glenn’s first launch,” said Blue Origin’s Jarrett Jones in a statement. “[Friday’s] success proves that our rigorous approach to testing–combined with our incredible tooling and design engineering–is working as intended.”

The New Glenn will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder which is hardware to test the company’s ability to communicate with and control hardware in space, and helps certify the vehicle for future national security missions for the U.S. Space Force.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket completes integrated launch vehicle hot fire

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Blue Origin’s New Glenn has successfully completed an integrated launch vehicle hotfire test, the final major milestone on the firm’s road to first flight—NG-1 will carry a Blue Ring Pathfinder as its first manifested payload and will launch from Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. 

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The Blue Ring Pathfinder for New Glenn’s first mission, NG-1. Photo: Blue Origin.

The seven-engine hotfire lasted 24 seconds and marked the first time we operated the entire flight vehicle as an integrated system. The multi-day test campaign leading up to the hotfire included numerous inert functional and tanking tests. The integrated launch vehicle included the first and second stages of the NG-1 flight vehicle, and a payload test article comprised of manufacturing test demonstrator fairings, a high-capacity fixed adapter flight unit, and a 45,000 lb payload mass simulator. 

One of the primary goals of the test campaign was to demonstrate day-of-launch operations in our NG-1 test configuration. Additionally, the team conducted several tests to validate vehicle and ground systems in the fully integrated, on-pad configuration. This data will be used to finalize day-of-launch timelines, confirm expected performance, and correlate our models to real-world test data.

“This is a monumental milestone and a glimpse of what’s just around the corner for New Glenn’s first launch,” said Jarrett Jones, SVP, New Glenn. “Today’s success proves that our rigorous approach to testing–combined with our incredible tooling and design engineering–is working as intended.” 

The tanking test included a full run-through of the terminal count sequence, testing the hand-off authority to and from the flight computer, and collecting fluid validation data.

The first stage (GS1) tanks were filled and pressed with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX), and the second stage (GS2) with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen–both to representative NG-1 set points. 

The formal NG-1 Wet Dress Rehearsal demonstrated the final launch procedures leading into the hotfire engine run. All seven engines performed nominally, firing for 24 seconds, including at 100% thrust for 13 seconds.

The test also demonstrated New Glenn’s autogenous pressurization system, which self-generates gases to pressurize GS1’s propellant tanks. 

This test campaign captured a number of firsts for the New Glenn launch system, including the first seven-engine operations, the first integrated GS1-GS2 tanking demonstration, the first LNG/LOX fill for GS1, as well as first chilled helium operations for GS2. 

The campaign met all objectives and marks the final major test prior to launch.

Blue Origin has several New Glenn vehicles in production and a full customer manifest.

Customers include NASA, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, several telecommunications providers, and a mix of U.S. government customers.

Blue Origin is certifying New Glenn with the U.S. Space Force for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program to meet emerging national security objectives.

Filed Under: Blue Origin, Blue RIng, Booster, Booster Recovery, Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral SFS, Debut, Integrated System Test (IST), Launch, Launch Delay, Launch Plan, Military, New Glenn, NSSL Phase 3, U.S. Space Force Commercial Space Strategy, Weather Forecasting Tagged With: Featured

Spire to launch LEMUR satellites via SpaceX

January 9, 2025

A Spire Global LEMUR satellite image, courtesy of the company.

Spire Global will be launching six LEMUR satellites aboard the SpaceX Transporter-12 mission, advancing IoT connectivity, weather forecasting, and maritime monitoring. 

Two LEMUR 3 satellites, developed in collaboration with Myriota, will expand global IoT coverage with cutting-edge direct-to-orbit communications, enabling Myriota’s IoT solutions to operate seamlessly and more effectively.

This network will enhance connectivity for critical sectors such as agriculture, defense, and logistics across regions like the US, Europe, and Latin America, promoting sustainability and efficient resource management.

Additionally, three satellites equipped with advanced atmospheric sensors and AIS systems will elevate Spire’s weather forecasting and maritime traffic monitoring, providing essential data for aviation and reconnaissance. These innovations underscore the transformative role of space technology in addressing global challenges, from resource management to environmental conservation.

Spire Global appoints new CEO and industry vets for executive team

Spire Global (NYSE: SPIR) has also recently announced that Theresa Condor, who currently serves as Chief Operating Officer and a board member, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of the company. Condor assumed the role on January 1, 2025, and Founder and CEO Peter Platzer will become Executive Chairman as part of a planned leadership transition.

Spire Global LEMUR small satellite.

After 12 years at the helm of the Company, Platzer’s tenure as CEO was marked with several milestones that he set out to achieve before transitioning into the Executive Chairman role, including rapidly scaling the Company from $10 million to more than $100 million in revenue and taking it public. He also oversaw the Company’s recent agreement to sell its maritime business for approximately $241 million, which Spire intends to use to retire all outstanding debt and invest in near-term growth opportunities.

As Executive Chairman, Platzer will guide Spire’s vision and lead the Board of Directors, as well as focus on securing major opportunities to drive the Company’s growth strategy. He will remain involved in select investor engagements and speak at events about the burgeoning commercial space opportunity.

Condor, who was part of the Company’s founding team, has led the expansion of Spire’s solution offerings and business lines, growing the Company’s customer base to more than 745 customers across 65 countries. As CEO, she intends to lead Spire into its next phase of growth with a focus on streamlining operations and strong execution at scale.

“Peter has an incredible vision for how satellite technology and space can improve our lives here on Earth, and that vision has guided the growth of Spire since the company was founded,” said Will Porteous, Spire Board Member. “Theresa has been instrumental in turning that vision into reality. She has a deep understanding of Spire’s customers, the business, and its operations that will be transformational for the company as it enters this next phase of growth as an increasingly profitable company.”

The Company has also appointed two aerospace industry veterans to join its executive bench. Celia Pelaz, a former Airbus executive, will serve as Chief Operating Officer, assuming responsibility for the Company’s revenue and operations. And Gabriel Oehme will serve as Chief Transformation Officer following spent 22 years at Airbus in roles including operations, business development, procurement and sales. Pelaz and Oehme assumed their positions on January 6, 2025.

“Celia and Gabriel bring invaluable institutional knowledge of the aerospace industry and a wealth of expertise in operations, having effectively managed businesses centered on manufacturing and engineering,” said Condor. “With our recent agreement to sell our maritime business, we are at a transformational point as we seek to become a debt-free company with proven space infrastructure and technology. We are in a strong position to capitalize on significant near-term opportunities that generate long-term value. Celia and Gabriel’s experience will be integral in helping us seize these opportunities through focused execution and operational excellence at scale.”

Leo Basola has informed the Company that he will step down from his role as Chief Financial Officer once the Company completes its previously disclosed review of certain accounting practices and the related restatement of prior period financial statements. Thomas Krywe, Spire’s former CFO, will assume an interim role while the Company searches for Basola’s replacement. Krywe has worked as a consultant for the Company since August 2024 and was instrumental in signing the agreement to sell Spire’s maritime business.

Filed Under: Appointments, Business Moves, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chief Transportation Officer, Constellation, Executive, Executive Board, LEO, Myriota, News, SmallSat, SmallSat Builds, Smallsat Constellation, Smallsat Deployment, Smallsat Dispenser System, Smallsat Fleet, Smallsat Markets, Smallsat Missions, smallsats, SpaceX Transporter-12 Mission, Spire Global Tagged With: Featured

Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar mission to launch via a Falcon 9 on January 15th from Canaveral

January 9, 2025

Firefly’s first Blue Ghost mission, named Ghost Riders in the Sky, will deliver 10 science and technology instruments to the lunar surface as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The mission will launch from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 for NASA.

Upon launching, Blue Ghost will spend approximately 45 days in transit to the Moon, allowing ample time to conduct health checks on each subsystem and begin payload science. Blue Ghost will then land in Mare Crisium and operate payloads for a complete lunar day (about 14 Earth days). Following payload operations, Blue Ghost will capture imagery of the lunar sunset and provide critical data on how lunar regolith reacts to solar influences during lunar dusk conditions. The lander will then operate for several hours into the lunar night.

The payloads on Blue Ghost Mission 1 will help advance lunar research and conduct several first-of-its-kind demonstrations, including testing regolith sample collection, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation. These investigations will help pave the way for humanity’s return to the Moon. The data captured will also benefit humans on Earth by providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces impact Earth, among other valuable research.

Standing 2 meters (6.6 ft) tall and 3.5 meters (11.5 ft) wide, Blue Ghost is designed to stick the landing with shock absorbing feet, a low center of mass, and a wide footprint. Blue Ghost’s core components, including the panels, struts, legs, harnesses, avionics, batteries, and thrusters, were built using many of the same flight-proven technologies common to all of Firefly’s launch and orbital vehicles, enabling lower costs and improved reliability.

During the final hour of descent, Blue Ghost uses vision-based terrain relative navigation and hazard avoidance to measure the lander’s position and identify craters, slopes, and rocks before selecting the final hazard-free target within the landing zone. Blue Ghost’s RCS thrusters pulse as needed throughout the descent for a soft landing.

Blue Ghost will land in early March near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a large basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. Mare Crisium was created by early volcanic eruptions and flooded with basaltic lava more than three billion years ago. This unique landing site will allow our payload partners to gather critical data about the Moon’s regolith, geophysical characteristics, and the interaction of solar wind and Earth’s magnetic field. 

All imagery is courtesy of Firefly Aerospace.

Filed Under: Agencies, BLue Ghost Lunar Lander (Firefly), Blue Ghost Mission, Falcon 9, Firefly Aerospace, Ghost Riders in the Sky Mission (Firefly), Kennedy Space Center, Launch Complex 39A (Kennedy Space Center), Lunar Lander, Moon, NASA, NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), News, SpaceX, Upcoming Launch Tagged With: Featured

New Glenn’s first launch now on for ‘no earlier than Friday’

January 6, 2025

New Glenn’s inaugural mission (NG-1) is targeting no earlier than Friday, January 10, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The three-hour launch window opens at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC). NG-1 is our first National Security Space Launch certification flight.  The payload is our Blue Ring Pathfinder. It will test Blue Ring’s core flight, ground systems, and operational capabilities as part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort.  

Blue Origin received a contract to demonstrate a heavy utility-OLV system utilizing their ‘Blue Ring’ platform.

Our key objective is to reach orbit safely. We know landing the booster on our first try offshore in the Atlantic is ambitious—but we’re going for it. “This is our first flight and we’ve prepared rigorously for it,” said Jarrett Jones, SVP, New Glenn. “But no amount of ground testing or mission simulations are a replacement for flying this rocket. It’s time to fly. No matter what happens, we’ll learn, refine, and apply that knowledge to our next launch.” 

Blue Origin’s payload for New Glenn’s first mission will carry the company’s Blue Ring Pathfinder and mark the rocket’s first National Security Space Launch certification flight. The encapsulated payload will be integrated onto the launch vehicle following the hotfire. New Glenn will lift off from Blue Origin’s Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The pathfinder was developed by Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems business unit. It will test Blue Ring’s core flight, ground systems, and operational capabilities. NG-1 will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload as part of the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU) Orbital Logistics prototype effort. DIU funding is helping to enable future Department of Defense missions. 

Blue Origin ready for the first launch of New Glenn rocket on Thursday

Blue Origin concluded its test campaign and is ready to launch its New Glenn rocket, the company’s first orbital launch vehicle, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday, January 9 from 10:00 pm – 1:45 am PST. The successful test campaign included fueling the massive rocket’s seven engines with liquefied natural gas, liquid oxygen and hydrogen.

“This is a monumental milestone and a glimpse of what’s just around the corner for New Glenn’s first launch,” said Blue Origin’s Jarrett Jones in a statement. “[Friday’s] success proves that our rigorous approach to testing–combined with our incredible tooling and design engineering–is working as intended.”

The New Glenn will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder which is hardware to test the company’s ability to communicate with and control hardware in space, and helps certify the vehicle for future national security missions for the U.S. Space Force.

Filed Under: Blue Origin, Booster, Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral SFS, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), Department of Defense (DoD), Military, New Glenn, Orbit, Orbital Logistics, Pathfinder, Prototypes, Rocket Launch Tagged With: Featured

Space Launch Delta 45 breaks records, remains the world’s busiest spaceport in 2024

January 2, 2025

Shown is a graphic showcasing Space Launch Delta 45’s total launch count of 93 for the year 2024. The SLD 45 team, composed of military and civilian Guardians and Airmen at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station delivered 1,389 orbital assets into a critical warfighting domain. The dedicated efforts on the Eastern Range enabled the U.S. to break the world record for annual space launches for the second year in a row. (U.S. Space Force graphic)
Photo: Michael Frye

Space Launch Delta 45 continued to “set the pace for space” as the world’s busiest spaceport in 2024. The SLD 45 team, composed of military and civilian Guardians and Airmen at Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, enabled 93 launches from the Eastern Range in 2024.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, Sept. 28, 2024. The rocket carried U.S. Space Force Col. Nick Hague in a Dragon spacecraft that he is set to pilot to the International Space Station. This Crew-9 launch marks the first time that a U.S. Space Force Guardian has launched into space.
(U.S. Space Force photo by Senior Airman Spencer Contreras)

Collectively, the team, comprised of total force personnel, surged to send 93 rockets into space, delivering 1,389 orbital assets into a critical warfighting domain. Their dedicated efforts on the Eastern Range enabled the U.S. to break the world record for annual space launches for the second year in a row, with a total of 93 successful launches. Previously, the U.S. set the world record for space launches in 2023 with 108 successful launches, breaking a record held by the Soviet Union since 1982.

The Space Force’s launch ranges are the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral SFS and the Western Range at Vandenberg SFB, California. Both ranges work in tandem to provide space-based capabilities to the commercial sector, international partners and the joint warfighter.

“We have an outstanding team of professionals dedicated to meeting our nation’s space access needs,” said Brig. Gen. Kristin Panzenhagen, Eastern Range director. “The relationships we have built between SLD 45 and the commercial launch service providers is a great example of what it means to partner to win.”

Notably the SLD 45 team supported the Crew-9 mission, which sent the first Guardian into space on Sept. 28, 2024. Col. Nick Hague was selected as the pilot for Crew-9 alongside Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, making Hague the first Guardian to launch into space. Originally set for a normal six-month rotation aboard the International Space Station, his mission evolved to facilitate the return of Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from the ISS. 

“I feel privileged to have the opportunity to cast a broader spotlight on everything that Guardians do to make human space flight possible,” Hague said. “The average person might not understand that human space flight doesn’t exist if Guardians aren’t doing what they do on a day-to-day basis, whether it’s launching us into space or the range support that we get [at SLD 45].”

In addition to a record-breaking launch pace, SLD 45 also ensured the successful launch of four rockets carrying payloads in support of the National Security Space Launch program. These special payloads sharpened the Department of Defense’s global vigilance posture by growing varying missile detection capabilities, to provide intelligence information to national decision makers, warfighters and intelligence analysts. 

An example of the critical impact of the NSSL program was demonstrated December 16, 2024, when SLD 45 in partnership with SpaceX executed the Rapid Response Trailblazer launch, which followed an accelerated timeline to meet warfighter requirements. This rocket propelled a GPS III Space Vehicle, named SV-07, into orbit to provide specialized, time-sensitive capability to the joint fight and demonstrates U.S. resiliency in the space domain.

Operations at the Eastern Range are expected to continue pushing boundaries with an even higher volume of launches anticipated to occur in 2025.

“The Eastern Range surged our launch count by over 35% in 2024,” Panzenhagen said. “Our team is ready for an even higher launch cadence in 2025, assuring access to space for our nation and maintaining our position as the world’s premier gateway to space.” 

SLD 45 plays a critical role in shaping the future of space operations by assuring access to space for the U.S. and global partners amid an increasingly dynamic geopolitical environment.

Filed Under: Dedicated Launches, Eastern Range, Falcon 9, Launches, Military, National Security Launch, News, Patrick Space Force Base, Space Launch Delta 45, Spaceport, SpaceX, United States Space Force (USSF) Tagged With: Featured

Astranis to launch next four satellites on Tuesday, December 17th, via SpaceX Falcon

December 10, 2024

Photo of the MicroGEO satellite, courtesy of Astranis.

The next four Astranis satellites are complete and ready for launch. They are currently at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and on track for their scheduled launch date of December 17th — Astranis is ready to go from one to many satellites on-orbit.

Astranis satellites and company technicians, photo courtesy of the company.

The launch will be on a dedicated SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Only the four Astranis satellites will be on board and they will launch into a supersync Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) orbit. These four satellites are comprised of the Astranis MicroGEO communications satellites and are headed to three customers across three countries.

  • Two are bound for CONUS, to support in-flight connectivity for our customer Anuvu. These satellites will be named NuView Alpha and NuView Bravo.
  • One satellite, AGILA, is the first communications satellite ever dedicated to the Philippines and was named by Philippines President BongBong Marcos Jr. last year.
  • The final satellite, UtilitySat, is the world’s first multi-mission GEO satellite and will serve a number of customers, beginning with an Astranis Block 3 customer, APCO, for a communications mission over Mexico.

This launch will mark many firsts…

  • This is the first time a single satellite manufacturer has flown four of its own satellites on a single launch to GEO.
  • By our estimation, Astranis will also become the fourth company ever to launch 4 or more satellites to GEO in a single calendar year — joining SES, Intelsat, and Eutelsat.
  • Astranis will have launched more satellites to GEO over the last two years than any other operator.

Astranis CEO, John Gedmark, said, “This is a huge milestone for Astranis. We’re going from one to many satellites. And this is the first time anyone has ever launched 4 satellites together like this. These are our most advanced satellites yet. With a number of improvements that will generate increased capacity and affordability. We couldn’t be more excited to deliver for our customers, providing dedicated broadband networks in a way they can’t get anywhere else. With this launch we will prove that Astranis can ship and operate multiple satellites at once. We are well on our way to the increased manufacturing cadence we need to hit to meet all of customer demand, including both commercial and government.”

Filed Under: Aitelecom/APCO Networks [Mexico], Anuvu, Astranis, GEO, Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), MicroGEO (Astranis), News, Philippines, Upcoming Launch Tagged With: Featured

Mission success for Rocket Lab’s latest suborbital hypersonic launch

December 9, 2024

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) successfully launched a suborbital mission in November to test hypersonic technology for the Department of Defense (DoD).

This mission provided hypersonic test launch capabilities under the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) project, which aims to increase hypersonic flight testing for the United States in support of technology maturation. 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’s test platform showcased a new suite of cutting-edge technologies optimized for hypersonic technology tests with vastly increased payloads. Rocket Lab also designed, manufactured, assembled, and integrated the experimental hypersonic instrumentation which was launched on this mission, but on a highly accelerated timeline.

Rocket Lab has been launching missions to space for commercial and government customers since 2017, with more than 200 payloads deployed from its United States and New Zealand launch sites.

George Rumford, Director of the TRMC, said, “Leveraging commercial launch services allows our Nation to affordably test components early and frequently, accelerating hypersonic development.”

Rocket Lab’s Vice President Global Launch Services, Brian Rogers, said, “Hypersonic technology testing is a critical need for the nation and one that we’re proud to be serving with our test launches. Again, we broke new ground with this launch, and our ability to deliver successful tests demonstrates our commitment to working with our government and industry partners in pushing the boundaries of hypersonic innovation.”

Filed Under: Agencies, Department of Defense (DoD), Government, Hypersonic, Hypersonic Technologies, Military, Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), News, Rocket Lab, Suborbital, Suborbital Mission, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. DoD Test Resource Management Center Tagged With: Featured

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