TOKYO and MIYAGI, Japan (Space BD/ElevationSpace PR) — Two Japanese space startup, Space BD and ElevationSpace have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a space utilization platform which has the potential to be replaced with the International Space Station (ISS) Japanese Experiment Module “Kibo” at the end of its operation.

Tokyo-based space startup Space BD and ElevationSpace, a startup spin-off from Tohoku University, started discussions toward realizing a space utilization platform internationally competitive in the post-ISS era.

LUXEMBOURG, July 7, 2021 (OQ Technology PR) – OQ Technology has been granted and experimental license for accessing critical satellite 5G frequencies by the Luxembourg Ministry of Media and Communication. The Luxembourg company also announced that it has established the first European 5G Satellite Test Centre (STC) for LEO (low Earth orbit) satellites. Both advancements, together with the successful launch of it’s first commercial 5G IoT satellite last week, are aimed at speeding up the company’s product development and global expansion.

With the 5G license, issued by the Luxembourg regulatory authority (ILR) in June, OQ Technology will be able to accelerate its service provisions for the Internet of things (IoT), including smart cars, drones, transport, logistics and maritime. especially in remote regions.  The license allows the company to test and improve its commercial product portfolio of 5G IoT user devices. OQ Technology will also be able to optimise its cell-tower 5G software stack aboard its satellites.

Video Caption: At his SpacePort in New Mexico, where he is preparing to ride to the edge of space, this weekend, beating another billionaire, Jeff Bezos, by just over a week, Sir Richard Branson shared an exclusive look behind the scenes, including the spaceship he and five others will be flying in. NBC’s Tom Costello reports for TODAY from Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Editor’s Note: Everyone who sees SpaceShipTwo […]

LUXEMBOURG (Kleos Space PR) — Kleos Space S.A (ASX:KSS, Frankfurt:KS1), a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-service (DaaS) company, has appointed co-founder Miles Ashcroft to the role of Chief Innovation Officer to overseee the company’s research and innovation activity.

Mr Ashcroft’s appointment to the newly created role follows the launch of Kleos’ Scouting Mission satellites (KSM1) in November 2020, the launch of its Polar Vigilance Mission (KSF1) satellites in July 2021, and the development of the third cluster scheduled to launch later this year (KSF2).

Astronaut Naoko Yamazaki serving as the project ambassador

TOKYO and HOKKAIDO, Japan (Space BD PR) – Clark Memorial International High School (Clark International), Space BD Inc., and the University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Engineering announced the start of a new education project, called the Space Education Project,  focusing on satellite development. Under  this project, the three organizations aim to foster leaders for our future society. The Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki is also involved as the project ambassador.

• Planet is an Earth data and analytics company, producing 25 terabytes of data per day from approximately 200 satellites – the largest Earth imaging satellite fleet ever
• Planet’s proprietary data powers a high growth subscription business with over $100 million in revenue in FY2021 from over 600 customers across many verticals
• In addition to $345 million in dMY IV’s trust account (assuming no redemptions), transaction includes $200 million fully committed PIPE led by funds and accounts managed by BlackRock, with key participation including Koch Strategic Platforms and Marc Benioff’s TIME Ventures and existing Planet investor Google
• Transaction values Planet at a post-transaction equity value of approximately $2.8 billion
• Planet intends to use the proceeds from the transaction to expand its operations and services to enable a more sustainable and secure planet
• Business combination expected to be completed later this year

SAN FRANCISCO, CA and NEW YORK, NY July 7, 2021 – Planet Labs Inc. (“Planet”), a leading provider of daily data and insights about Earth, and dMY Technology Group, Inc. IV (NYSE: DMYQ) (“dMY IV”), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Planet will become a publicly-traded company. Upon closing, the combined company will retain the Planet name and be listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “PL.” The transaction values Planet at a post-transaction equity value of approximately $2.8 billion.

WASHINGTON (NASA PR) — NASA’s public meeting to discuss its recently issued request for information (RFI), entitled Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities in NASA Programs, Contracts and Grants, will take place at 1 p.m. EDT Tuesday, July 13.  

The RFI is part of NASA’s Mission Equity, a comprehensive effort to assess agency programs, procurements, grants, and policies, and examine what potential barriers and challenges may exist for communities that are historically underrepresented and underserved.

The public meeting will begin with opening remarks from NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and other agency officials and guests who will discuss the many ways the public can participate in NASA’s mission. This portion of the event will air live on NASA Television, the agency’s website, and the NASA app.

D-Orbit hosted Stellar Project’s LaserCube payload onboard ION Satellite Carrier’s third orbital transportation mission.

FINO MORNASCO, Italy (D-Orbit PR) — Space logistics company D-Orbit signed a launch service contract with Stellar Project, Italian satellite component developer and manufacturer, for the launch and operations of Stellar Project’s LaserCube payload on D-Orbit’s upcoming ION Satellite Carrier’s mission.

Stellar Project’s LaserCube is a patented miniature low power high performance laser communication terminal specifically designed for small satellites including CubeSats. With its independent pointing capability which allows throughput performance more than 10 times higher than traditional radio devices, it will enable innovative business opportunities in fields like Earth imagery, weather forecasting, global telecommunications, and internet services.

CANBERRA, Australia (Australian Government PR) — The Morrison Government is supporting Australian space manufacturers to grow and seize opportunities to expand into global supply chains through the $1.3 billion [US $974 million] Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI). 

The MMI is the centrepiece of the Morrison Government’s $1.5 billion [US $1.1 billion] Modern Manufacturing Strategy, designed to position Australia as a globally recognised, high-quality and sustainable manufacturing nation. 

Under round one of the Integration and Translation streams of the MMI, four space companies will share in nearly $14 million [US $10.5 million] in funding, including rocket engine designer EffusionTech. 

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. (Nexus Inc. PR)  – In another strategic move to further aid cryptocurrency trading platforms circumvent land-based cybercrime, Nexus Inc., the world’s leading digital finance asset custodian company, has successfully launched its bitcoin multisignature wallet in space. With the recent SpaceX launch of the world’s first ethereum multisignature hardware onboard the International Space Station, and along with the recent deployment of the bitcoin multisignature node, Nexus Inc. becomes the only company and deep tech solutions provider in the world to offer both ethereum and bitcoin in-orbit transactional authentication solutions.

Nexus Inc.’s proprietary bitcoin blockchain node, already installed on the YAM-2 spacecraft, a rideshare mission operated by San Francisco-based space infrastructure provider Loft Orbital, sat onboard the SpaceX orbital-class reflight Falcon 9 rocket and jettisoned out of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at launch site SLC-40 on Wednesday 30 June 2021 at 3:31pm Eastern Daylight Time. The YAM-2 satellite was then deployed by the SpaceX Transporter-2 launch mission 520km above earth. With the hardware payload in orbit, offline end-to-end encrypted data and security keys, stored remotely in space, are now able to complete bitcoin transactions under guaranteed ultra-secure conditions. By limiting to just 50 transactions a day, Nexus Inc.’s cryptocurrency clients are further fully insulated from would-be digital thieves as a result of its one-of-a-kind authentication protocols.

Proven leader in Earth Observation with vertically integrated platform, differentiated technology, and 17 commercial satellites in orbit, representing more capacity than the next four¹ Earth Observation companies combined

Satellogic seeks to remap the entire surface of the Earth daily in sub-meter resolution and at an affordable price-point, creating unprecedented commercial applications within a $140 billion Total Addressable Market² (“TAM”) opportunity

Transaction expected to allow Satellogic to scale its constellation, with the goal of reaching 300+ satellites by 2025, offering enhanced analytics capabilities for commercial, sustainability, and government applications through a live catalog of every square meter of Earth daily

Platform will provide vital information to power the conversation around global challenges including climate change, water and energy use, and food supply

Combination values Satellogic at an implied pro forma enterprise value of $850 million

Leading institutional investors committed to participate in the transaction through a PIPE of $100 million, including SoftBank’s SBLA Advisers Corp. and Cantor FitzgeraldJuly 06, 2021 07:21 AM Eastern Daylight Time

MANCHESTER, UK, Tuesday 29 June 2021 (SKA Observatory PR) – At a historic meeting of its Council last week, the recently formed SKA Observatory (SKAO) saw its Member States approve the start of construction of the SKA telescopes in Australia and South Africa.

The two telescopes, currently designated SKA-Low and SKA-Mid, names which describe the radio frequency range they each cover, will be the two largest and most complex networks of radio telescopes ever built.