DENVER, October 4, 2021 (Voyager Space PR) — Voyager Space (Voyager), a global leader in space exploration, today announced the acquisition of Valley Tech Systems (VTS), a technology company focused on developing controllable solid hypersonic propulsion and open architecture ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) technologies. Voyager’s acquisition of Valley Tech Systems highlights the company’s intent to further expand its defense capabilities and apply these technologies to support Voyager Space’s existing complementary capabilities and address customer demand across the defense and commercial sectors.

This acquisition marks an important milestone for Voyager as the company expands its focus to further support DoD missions that help ensure a safe operating environment for commercial space. ISR technologies are increasingly important in both the commercial and government sectors and have become a recommended first line of defense to address national security challenges.

BAIKONUR COSMODROME, Kazakhstan (Roscosmis PR) — At the Baikonur cosmodrome, a meeting of the State Commission was held, which approved the composition of the crews of the Soyuz MS-19 manned transport spacecraft. After that, the ISS-66 crews took part in a prelaunch press conference organized by the TASS agency in cooperation with Roskosmos, Channel One and the Cosmonaut Training Center. The event was held online.

This week on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston: Tuesday, October 05 — 7 PM PDT (9 PM CST; 10 PM EDT): We welcome back DR. ROBERT ZUBRIN regarding the upcoming Mars Society Conference and more. Wednesday, October 06 — Hotel Mars pre-recorded. See the Upcoming Show Menu at www.thespaceshow.com for details. Friday, October 08 — 3. 9:30-11 AM PDT; 11:30 AM-1 PM CDT; 12:30-2 PM EDT: No program […]

BANGALURU, India (NewSpace India PR) — NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), incorporated during March 2019, is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE), under Department of Space (DOS) and is the commercial arm of ISRO. As part of “Space Reforms” announced by Government of India during June 2020, NSIL got mandated to undertake operational satellite missions on a “Demand Driven” model, wherein NSIL has the responsibility to build, launch, own & operate […]

DARMSTADT, Germany (ESA PR) — Yesterday, ESA’s orbiting laboratory, OPS-SAT, hosted the first-ever stock trade in space. The successful experiment required developers at Europe’s leading online broker flatexDEGIRO to think far outside of the box and adapt their software to the technical demands and constrained bandwidth found on an orbiting platform at 500 km altitude.

The experiment provided a unique opportunity to test how to improve the reliability, storage efficiency, communication and security of financial transactions, some of the fundamental requirements for any trading business aiming to compete on a global stage.

• NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), a Government of India company under Department of Space (DOS), has chosen Arianespace to launch its GSAT-24 telecommunications satellite.
   
• The satellite will be placed into orbit during an Ariane 5 mission scheduled for the 1st quarter of 2022.
   
• GSAT-24 will be the 25th Indian satellite orbited by Arianespace, highlighting an outstanding partnership. 

ÉVRY-COURCOURONNES, France (Arianespace PR) — On September 28, 2021, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) entrusted Arianespace with the launch of its GSAT-24 telecommunications satellite. GSAT-24 is scheduled for launch in the 1st quarter of 2022, from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on one of the seven Ariane 5 missions remaining to be performed with the heavy-lift launcher.

SOFIA, Bulgaria/BERLIN, Germany, October 04, 2021 (EnduroSat/Exolaunch PR) – EnduroSat,  provider of software-defined NanoSats and Space Services for business and academia, and Exolaunch, the industry-leading provider of launch, integration, deployment and mission management services for small satellites, today announced the signing of launch agreements for sending two EnduroSat NanoSats into orbit aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9. The 6U XL SharedSat nanosatellites, built by EnduroSat for its customers, will be launched via Exolaunch in H1 2022 as part of SpaceX’s SmallSat Rideshare Program.

TEL AVIV, Israel, Oct. 4, 2021 (SpaceIL PR) — “Beresheet2” mission of the Israeli non-profit organization SpaceIL is expected to be launched in Q4/2024. This is an historic opportunity for a scientific and educational breakthrough that will reach the young generation. SpaceIL sent out a “call for proposals” to receive proposals from organizations around the world for scientific experiments regarding the space mission of Beresheet2.

KENT, Wash. (Blue Origin PR) — Today, Blue Origin announced actor William Shatner and Audrey Powers, Blue Origin’s Vice President of Mission & Flight Operations, will fly on board New Shepard NS-18. They will join crewmates Chris Boshuizen and Glen de Vries for the flight which lifts off from Launch Site One on October 12.  

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

The eight-member Colorado Congressional delegation has asked U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall to suspend all activities related to the move of the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) from Colorado Springs to the Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. pending the completion of two on-going reviews.

“This move undermines our ability to respond to the threats in space and is disruptive to the current mission. Additionally, significant evidence exists that the former president’s political considerations influenced the final decision to relocate USSPACECOM to Redstone Arsenal. As such, we urge you to formally suspend any actions to relocate the USSPACECOM headquarters until the Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) have completed their respective investigations into the basing decision and you complete your review,” the delegation said in a Sept. 30 letter to Kendall.

Mexican Space Agency support will help create a new In-Situ Resources Utilisation Programme

Mexico, 24 September 2021– Airbus has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mexican Space Agency (AEM) and the Mexican start-up Dereum Labs to collaborate on the technologies needed for lunar resources extraction. This will lead to the creation of a new Mexican In-Situ Resources Utilisation (ISRU) Programme for lunar extraction and help develop the necessary industrial ecosystem for this technology in-country.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER (FL), October 1, 2021 (CASIS PR)  – On September 30, SpaceX completed its 23^rd Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to the International Space Station (ISS) when its Dragon spacecraft safely splashed into the water off the coast of Florida. SpaceX CRS-23, contracted by NASA, brought back more than 25 payloads representing science and technology demonstrations sponsored by the International Space Station (ISS) U.S. National Laboratory. These investigations aim to leverage the unique space-based environment of the orbiting platform to bring value to our nation and drive a robust market in low Earth orbit.

Below highlights some of the ISS National Lab-sponsored investigations that returned on SpaceX CRS-23.