Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich, the latest spacecraft to monitor sea surface height, releases its first science measurements to users.

PASADENA, Calif. (NASA PR) — After six months of check-out and calibration in orbit, the Sentinel-6 Michael Freilich satellite will make its first two data streams available to the public on June 22. It launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on Nov. 21, 2020, and is a U.S.-European collaboration to measure sea surface height and other key ocean features, such as ocean surface wind speed and wave height.

This will be Nexus Inc.’s second SpaceX launch this month; the first being the recent SpaceX delivery of the world’s first ethereum multi-signal wallet on board the International Space Station.

DUBAI, MONDAY 21 JUNE 2021 – Nexus Inc., the world’s leading asset custodian company and the first and only space-based ethereum multisignature wallet solutions provider, announces its impending second cryptocurrency multisignature wallet launch in space this week.

This will be Nexus Inc.’s second SpaceX launch this month; the first being, the recent SpaceX delivery of the world’s first ethereum multisignature wallet onboard the International Space Station.

SpaceX dominated, China surged and Russia had another clean sheet as American astronauts flew from U.S. soil again in a year of firsts.

First in a series

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020 was a very busy launch year with a number of firsts in both human and robotic exploration. A total of 114 orbital launches were attempted, with 104 successes and 10 failures. It was the same number of launches that were conducted in 2018, with that year seeing 111 successes, two failures and one partial failure.

WATERLOO, Ont., June 17, 2021 (SkyWatch PR) – SkyWatch Space Applications Inc. (“SkyWatch”), a Waterloo-based space technology startup, announces today that it is now an authorized distributor of Airbus Defence and Space (“Airbus”) to deliver medium- and high-resolution Earth observation data through the SkyWatch EarthCache platform and API. 

The addition of Airbus to the roster of satellite data providers on the EarthCache platform enriches the SkyWatch aggregation model, and provides a “one-stop-shop” for Earth observation data customers. The agreement comes at a moment when the industry is growing rapidly with more organizations across multiple industries seeking Earth observation data. According to Euroconsult, the global market for commercial Earth observation data and services is expected to grow to $8 billion by 2029, from $4.6 billion in 2019. 

WASHINGTON (FAA PR) — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of the Air Force signed an agreement (PDF) aimed at eliminating red tape while protecting public safety during commercial space activities at ranges operated by the U.S. Space Force.

The agreement recognizes common safety standards for FAA-licensed launch and reentry activities that occur on, originate from, or return to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It also removes duplicative processes and approvals for the U.S. commercial space sector.

“Assured access to space is vital to our national security,” said Acting Secretary of the Air Force John P. Roth. “The launch licensing standards provided in the agreement will support a rapidly expanding commercial launch sector and strengthen our space industrial base, bolstering our economy and enhancing our security as a nation.”

This week on The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston: Tuesday, June 22. 7 PM PDT (9 PM CST; 10 PM EDT): We welcome Mark Whittington on his new book, “Why is America Going Back to the Moon” Wednesday, June 23. Hotel Mars pre-recorded. See the Upcoming Show Menu at www.thespaceshow.com for details. Friday, June 25. 9:30-11 AM PDT; 11:30 AM- 1 PM CDT; 12:30-2 PM EDT: We welcome Alexey […]

WASHINGTON, DC (House Science Committee Minority PR) — Today, House Science, Space, and Technology Ranking Member Frank Lucas (R-OK) and Subcommittee on Space & Aeronautics Ranking Member Brian Babin (R-TX) sent a letter to Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Peter Buttigieg regarding commercial spaceflight and the policies needed to keep the industry both thriving and safe. 

TOKYO, June 16, 2021 (ispace PR) – ispace, inc. (“ispace”), a lunar exploration company headquartered in Japan, and Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. (“Citizen”) are pleased to announce that Citizen will release two limited-edition watches in collaboration with the HAKUTO-R program, a commercial lunar exploration program consisting of ispace’s first two missions.

WATERLOO, Ontario, June 15, 2021 (Newswire.com) – SkyWatch Space Applications Inc. (“SkyWatch”), a Waterloo-based space technology startup, announced today the completion of a $17.2M USD Series B round of financing to further democratize access to Earth observation data. Drive Capital led the investment round with participation from existing investors Bullpen Capital, Space Capital, Golden Ventures, and BDC Ventures.

The Series B financing builds on an exceptional first half of 2021 for SkyWatch, which is seeing revenue growth in excess of 450% over the same period last year, highlighting the appetite for Earth observation data from the private sector. SkyWatch also announced the launch of the first TerraStream-enabled satellite earlier this month, which further advances the company’s mission of making commercial Earth observation data more available and accessible. With 40 satellites under contract for launch by SatRevolution (Poland), SpaceJLTZ (Mexico), and Wyvern (Canada), and others, SkyWatch is enabling the future of the global commercial satellite launch market and removing the barriers to entry typically present in the space industry.

by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor

Technical issues related to related to “the igniter and booster capabilities” with Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine could delay the maiden flight of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) new Vulcan Centaur booster scheduled for late this year, according to a new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

BUDAPEST, Hungary (4iG PLC PR) — 4iG PLC (“4iG” or “the Group”) announced its first international transaction, which will allow the Group to continue building its telecommunications portfolio and expanding its space industry business. 4iG and its two subsidiaries, Hungaro DigiTel and CarpathiaSat, have entered into a preliminary agreement with Space-Communication Ltd. (“Spacecom”) to acquire a 51 percent stake in the target company. Spacecom, which is listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, is a satellite operator and service provider with global coverage through its four geosynchronous satellites, providing services in Hungary and the region via its AMOS 3 satellite. Following due diligence of the Spacecom, the successful completion of the transaction is conditional upon the approval of the acquisition by SpaceCom’s General Assembly and the Israeli Ministry of Communications. The transaction is estimated to be worth USD 65 million.

Seventeen years ago, Mike Melvill flew SpaceShipOne above the Karman line and into history. The flight was the first by a privately-built crewed spacecraft, making Melvill an astronaut. The team led by Burt Rutan and financed by billionaire Paul Allen would claim the $10 million Ansari X Prize after flying the ship to suborbital space twice within two weeks. Richard Branson licensed the technology with the intention of having Virgin […]