Constellations, Launch, New Space and more…
Northrop Grumman Selects Airbus US Space & Defense as its Satellite Platform Supplier for Tranche 1 Transport Layer Prototype Constellation
Northrop Grumman’s T1TL mesh satellite constellation will provide resilient, low-latency, high-volume data transport supporting U.S. military missions around the world and serve as a critical element for Joint-All Domain Command Control. (Credit: Northrop Grumman)


REDONDO BEACH, Calif., July 5, 2022 (Northrop Grumman PR) – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) today announced the selection of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc. as the commercial provider of satellite platforms for its proliferated-LEO constellation. Under the terms of the contract, Airbus U.S. will supply 42 satellite “bus” platforms, as well as support vehicle assembly, integration and testing.

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  • July 5, 2022
Sidus Space Celebrates the Successful Space-Qualification of Dhruva Space’s Satellite Orbital Deployer
PSLV launches three satellites for Singapore on June 30, 2022. (Credit: ISRO)

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Sidus Space PR) — Sidus Space, Inc. (NASDAQ:SIDU), a Space-as-a-Service company focused on mission critical hardware manufacturing; multi-disciplinary engineering services; satellite design, production, launch planning, mission operations; and in-orbit support is proud to announce that Dhruva Space’s Satellite Orbital Deployer successfully achieved space-qualification on June 30.

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  • July 5, 2022
Kongsberg Enters into Agreement to Acquire Smallsat Manufacturer NanoAvionics

Norway/Lithuania, 5 July 2022 (Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace PR) – Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (Kongsberg) has entered into an agreement to acquire Lithuanian smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer NanoAvionics. The planned acquisition expands Kongsberg’s space offering to also have products and technology for manufacturing small satellites.  

NanoAvionics is a leading smallsat mission integrator and bus manufacturer with significant global growth in recent years, including expansions into the United Kingdom and the United States. With more than 150 employees the company has contributed to 120 missions and commercial satellite projects, with customers ranging from national space agencies to universities such as UNSW Sydney and companies such as Thales Alenia Space, Aurora Insight, the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, SEN and others.

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Vega-C Set for Inaugural Launch Next Week
Vega rocket in flight (Credit: Arianespace)

PARIS (ESA PR) — ESA’s new medium-lift Vega-C rocket is nearly ready for its inaugural flight, with its four stages stacked stages and ready to receive the payload fairing before final checks and launch from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. 

Flight VV21 will lift off as soon as 13 July, pending suitable conditions for launch.

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  • July 5, 2022
ESA Releases Exploration Roadmap for Space Autonomy and Leadership
Credit: ESA–Olivier Pâques

PARIS (ESA PR) — In a bold vision to secure Europe’s role in space exploration and so benefit from the many scientific, economic, and societal rewards, ESA is publicly releasing its new exploration roadmap after its presentation to its Council, the agency’s highest ruling body.

Called Terrae Novae 2030+ (Latin for new worlds), the document lays the groundwork for Europe to ensure its leading role in space exploration for future prosperity.

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  • July 5, 2022
This Week on The Space Show

This week on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston: Tuesday, July 05 — 7 PM PDT (9 PM CDT; 10 PM EDT): We welcome back BOB ZIMMERMAN for space news, policy and more. Wednesday, July 06 — Hotel Mars pre-recorded. See the Upcoming Show Menu at www.thespaceshow.com for details. Friday, July 08 — 9:30-11 AM PDT; 11:30 AM- 1 PM CDT; 12:30-2 PM EDT: We welcome back KAI STAATS, […]

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Rocket Lab Moon Mission for NASA a Success as CAPSTONE Heads for the Moon
Credit: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab successfully deploys CAPSTONE satellite to lunar transfer orbit for NASA, charting a new path to the Moon. CAPSTONE is testing a never-before-flown orbit of the Moon and is the first mission of NASA’s Artemis program

LONG BEACH, Calif., July 4, 2022 (Rocket Lab PR) – Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it has successfully deployed a pathfinding satellite for NASA, setting it on a course to the Moon.  The deployment marks the successful completion of Rocket Lab’s first deep space mission, paving the way for the Company’s upcoming interplanetary missions to Mars and Venus. 

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Venture Orbital Systems Closes on 10 Million Euros Series A Funding Round
Our company has shown steady progress toward the development of our orbital launcher over the past few months. To further our momentum, we have recently closed a major agreement in funding. Get to know the details in the video above with Stanislas Maximin, CEO.

REIMS, France (Venture Orbital Systems PR) — Our company has shown steady progress toward the development of our orbital launcher over the past few months. To further our momentum, we have recently closed a major agreement in funding. Get to know the details in the video above with Stanislas Maximin, CEO.

Since moving in our first micro-launcher factory in Reims back in October 2021, our team at VOS has been achieving a lot toward the first flight of Zephyr.  

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Advanced Space Announces CAPSTONE Separation To Start Solo Journey Mission to Moon for NASA
Credit: Advanced Space

WESTMINSTER, Colo., July 4, 2022 (Advanced Space PR) — Advanced Space LLC., a leading commercial space tech company pioneering the pathfinder mission, spacecraft separated from Rocket Lab’s Photon upper stage today after its launch on June 28. The Cislunar Autonomous Positioning System Technology Operations and Navigation Experiment (CAPSTONE) spacecraft has orbited Earth while raising its position to be thrusted beyond low-Earth orbit on a trajectory to the Moon.

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ArianeGroup Selected for Two European Commission Calls for Projects to Speed Up the Development of Europe’s First Reusable and Eco-friendly Launchers

ArianeGroup has been selected by the European Commission to run two major projects in its Horizon Europe research framework program.

  • The SALTO project will facilitate the first flight tests of the Themis reusable stage demonstrator in Kiruna, Sweden.
  • The ENLIGHTEN project will speed up the development and introduction of reusable engine technologies.
  • Each project is built on the joint expertise of ArianeGroup, industry, research institutes and start-ups, to accelerate Europe’s transition to increasingly innovative, competitive and eco-friendly access to space.

ISSY-LES-MOULINEAUX, France (ArianeGroup PR) — Following the call for projects issued by the European Commission as part of its Horizon Europe program designed to encourage and accelerate innovation, ArianeGroup has been given responsibility for two particularly ambitious projects to speed up the development of reusable, ecofriendly European launchers. ArianeGroup will be heading the SALTO and ENLIGHTEN projects, bringing together numerous academic and industrial partners, including innovative start-ups.

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  • July 5, 2022
Happy July 4th!

It’s Independence Day. Parabolic Arc will return on Tuesday.

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  • July 3, 2022
MDA Provides Global Fishing Watch Access to RADARSAT-2 Archive to Help Combat Illegal Fishing
Radarsat constellation (Credit: CSA)

Illegal fishing is the planet’s 6th largest crime and poses incredible risks to the preservation and health of ocean ecosystems

BRAMPTON, Ont. (MDA PR) — MDA Ltd. (TSX:MDA), a leading provider of advanced technology and services to the rapidly expanding global space industry, announced today at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference a major new contribution to international efforts to monitor, track and intercept illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities using satellite technology.

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  • July 3, 2022