The NASA-funded experiment will test two technologies that could eventually enable quantum computers to communicate with each other no matter where they are located.

PASADENA, Calif. (NASA PR) — A tiny experiment launching to the International Space Station later this year could set the stage for a future global quantum network. Called the Space Entanglement and Annealing QUantum Experiment (or SEAQUE), the milk-carton-size technology demonstration will test two communications technologies in the harsh environment of space.

Beames brings more than 30 years in aerospace and investment management to growing space cybersecurity company

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2022 (SpiderOak PR) — SpiderOak, a company specializing in Zero-Trust cybersecurity software for commercial and military operations, is pleased to announce that Charles Beames has been elected Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors.

Beames is an accomplished executive and thought leader with over three decades of success in the aerospace industry. This role will lend his expertise to addressing cyber threats to the new space economy with novel and innovative products and services.

Before joining SpiderOak, Beames held several corporate leadership positions including President of Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s Vulcan Aerospace. At Vulcan Aerospace, Charles managed asset allocation of a $1+ billion aerospace and technology investment portfolio, including Stratolaunch, the world’s largest airplane.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) successfully launched a second Noor satellite into orbit, according to state-run media. Noor 2 satellite was placed into a 500-km (311-mile) high orbit by the three stage Qased rocket from the Shahroud spaceport. It was the second successful Qased launch in as many attempts. A Qased rocket launched the first Noor satellite into orbit in April 2020. Reuters reports that Iran is planning additional […]

Motiv and Blue Origin awarded DIU contract to develop modular and scalable space robotics

PASADENA, Calif. (Motiv Space PR) — Motiv Space Systems announced today it has been awarded a contract under the Defense Innovation Unit’s (DIU’s) Modularity for Space Systems Program (M4SS) together with sub-contractor Blue Origin. The contract leverages Motiv’s advanced space robotics technology to enable a new age of space utilization in which deployed spacecraft can be repaired, augmented, or modified to make them more resilient and modular.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 07, 2022 (Battelle PR) — Battelle, which manages the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) program, is now using Starlink in a pilot test to achieve improved data transmission and service as part of an ongoing initiative to leverage new and innovative technologies to improve and enhance the operations of NEON.

The NSF’s NEON collects data about plants, animals, soil, nutrients, fresh water and the atmosphere in a range of U.S. ecological and climatically diverse areas through a system of field sites.

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

NASA is funding research into advanced solar sail technology that would allow spacecraft to reach the distant planets such as Uranus and Neptune in less than three years.

Radiation Tolerant Coherent Low Noise Tunable Laser has Enhanced Flexible Software to Extend Operating Life in a Radiation Environment Without Compromising Performance

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 7, 2022 (NeoPhotonics PR) — NeoPhotonics Corporation (NYSE: NPTN), a leading developer of silicon photonics and advanced hybrid photonic integrated circuit-based lasers, modules and subsystems for bandwidth-intensive, high-speed communications networks, today announced its new Radiation Tolerant version of its industry leading Nano ultra-pure light tunable laser which has been designed for use in low earth orbit satellite communications applications. NeoPhotonics’ current Nano-ITLA laser is in high volume production for terrestrial fiber optics applications and is used by many of the leading optical networking companies in their most advanced coherent pluggable modules and high-speed embedded systems. This new radiation tolerant laser introduces enhancements including an adaptive approach to achieve extended lifetime operation of the proven Nano laser hardware in a radiation flux environment to enable reliable operation in space without compromise to performance and stability.

MCLEAN, Va. (Intelsat PR) — Intelsat, operator of the world’s largest integrated satellite and terrestrial network, has tapped David Wajsgras, as its next chief executive officer (CEO). Effective April 4, Wajsgras succeeds Stephen Spengler, who announced his planned retirement in Oct. 2021.

Wajsgras has two decades of experience at the senior executive management level, providing operational, strategic and financial leadership in both the commercial and defense industries. He most recently served as president of the global, $7.5-billion, advanced-technology Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS) business at the former Raytheon Company, now part of Raytheon Technologies (NYSE: RTX). Before joining Raytheon as chief financial officer, Wajsgras was executive vice president and chief financial officer at Lear Corporation (NYSE: LEA) and held other key operations and leadership roles.

VIENNA, Va. (Spire Global PR) – Spire Global, Inc. (NYSE: SPIR), a leading provider of space-based data, analytics, and space services, today announced a partnership with Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) on a space services program to address a growing market need for radio frequency (RF) collection and analysis. Spire’s cluster of four 6U satellites will enhance SNC technology that detects and geolocates certain objects based on targeted RF emissions. The program will provide valuable insight into how military and government organizations can better manage RF emissions and safeguard against RF and GPS interference.

“This is an exciting and important strategic partnership for Spire, and we thank SNC for their confidence in our team and our space-as-a-service offering,” Director Intelligence Community Sales, Spire Federal Mark Carhart said. “Spire’s secure, scalable and space-proven satellite platform will enable SNC to advance its RF collection capabilities in an efficient, low-risk and cost-effective manner.”

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

Former NASA astronaut Bonnie Dunbar is conducting research into the digital manufacturing of custom, high-performance pressure suits that would allow astronauts to explore the surface of Mars with funding from her former employer.

China successfully launched six Galaxy Aerospace Yinhe Hantian-2 communications satellites to test technology for a large Internet constellation as well as a remote sensing satellite on Saturday. The launch of the seven satellites aboard a Long March 2C booster was conducted at 2:01 p.m. Beijing time from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center in Sichuan Province. Galaxy Aerospace’s six Yinhe Hantian-2 satellites are designed to provide 5G Internet service at up […]

This week on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston: Tuesday, March 08 — 7 PM PST (9 PM CST; 10 PM EST): We welcome back JOE CARROLL re his guest post on the David Brin blog. See our blog for his post which forms the discussion for tonight. Wednesday, March 09 — Hotel Mars pre-recorded. See the Upcoming Show Menu at www.thespaceshow.com for details. Friday, March 25 — 9:30-11 […]