MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. (SETI Institute PR) – Thanks to new research using data from the Kepler space telescope, it’s estimated that there could be as many as 300 million potentially habitable planets in our galaxy. Some could even be pretty close, with several likely within 30 light-years of our Sun. The findings will be published in The Astronomical Journal, and research was a collaboration of scientists from NASA, the SETI Institute, and other organizations worldwide.
(more…)
The satellite carrier completes deployment of all 12 SuperDove satellites
FINO MORNASCO, Italy D-Orbit PR) — D-Orbit, the in-orbit transportation company, announced the successful completion of the deployment phase of Origin mission, the first of ION Satellite Carrier. ION, D-Orbit’s satellite platform, successfully released 12 SuperDove satellites for Earth-imaging company Planet, in the precise orbital slots requested by the client.
The vehicle has been operational since September 3rd, when it was successfully released from an Arianespace Vega launcher. On September 25th, it released successfully the first SuperDove satellite of the batch, and the last satellite was deployed on October 28th, at 10:38:46 UTC.
(more…)
CEDAR PARK, Texas (Firefly Aerospace PR) — Firefly Aerospace, Inc., a leading provider of economical and dependable launch vehicles, spacecraft, and in-space services, today announced a substantial commitment to increase its manufacturing capacity by transitioning large parts manufacturing to Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Mongoose Hybrid systems from Ingersoll Machine Tools beginning next year. Once fully operational, Firefly’s AFP capabilities will enable it to produce its all-composite Alpha rocket airframe in as little as fourteen days.
(more…)
BASKINSTOKE, UK, October 28, 2020 (NanoAvionics PR) — NanoAvionics, a leading nanosatellite bus manufacturer and mission integrator, is expanding its space sector business in the United Kingdom by moving to a new, larger facility for satellite assembly, integration and testing (AIT) as well as sales, technical support and R&D activities in Basingstoke (50 miles/80 km outside Central London) this month.
Having already developed a hub in Lithuania and two in the USA, the move, entirely financed by NanoAvionics, is a first step for its UK growth plans by creating jobs in the space sector and a local technology cluster with a dedicated supply chain of companies in Britain.
(more…)
MELBOURNE, Fla. — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE:LHX) will help the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) develop artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) systems to help reduce the amount of time it takes to decipher usable intelligence from increasing amounts of data collected from space and airborne assets.
(more…)
LONGUEUIL, Quebec (CSA PR) — The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is helping prepare Canada’s space industry for future missions to the Moon. The CSA is awarding $3.3 million in contributions to support the demonstration of two lunar technology payloads and their launch to the Moon.
This is the first time Canada will conduct a technology demonstration in lunar orbit and on the Moon’s surface. It represents a significant step in Canada’s participation in the next chapter of Moon exploration.
(more…)
Rochelle Park, NJ, (ORBCOMM PR) — ORBCOMM Inc. (Nasdaq: ORBC), a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, and Inmarsat, the world leader in global mobile satellite communications, today announced that they will extend their agreement through at least 2035 and enhance their strategic partnership. The two companies will collaborate on joint product innovation and distribution of next-generation IoT satellite services, telematics devices and end-to-end solutions that offer the best-in-class combination of high bandwidth data packets with low-cost terminals.
(more…)
Rocket Lab’s Kick Stage successfully completed plane change in orbit for the first time, further demonstrating the Kick Stage’s ability to enable custom orbits for small sats.
LONG BEACH, Calif. (Rocket Lab PR) — This week Rocket Lab demonstrated an advanced capability of its Kick Stage acting as a space tug during the company’s 15th launch, the ‘In Focus’ mission that launched satellites for Planet and Canon on October 28th UTC.
(more…)
LUXEMBOURG, 29 October 2020 (Kleos Space PR) — Kleos Space S.A. a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data-as-a-service (DaaS) company confirms that its team of mission engineers have completed the final preparation of the Kleos’ four Scouting Mission satellites prior to launch on board the PSLV C49.
(more…)
MOSCOW (Kazakh Government PR) — On October 31, 2020, a working meeting was held in Moscow between the Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan Bagdat Musin and the General Director of the state corporation for space activities Roscosmos Dmitry Rogozin.
The parties discussed topical issues of Kazakh-Russian cooperation in the space sphere, including the further development of the Baikonur complex. Issues related to the Baiterek (Nazarbayev start) and Gagarin start projects were discussed.
(more…)
WASHINGTON (DoD PR) — As directed in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 the Department of Defense established the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy (ASD(SP)) and the Office of the ASD(SP) Oct. 29, 2020.
The ASD(SP) will be the senior official responsible for the overall supervision of DoD policy for space warfighting. The ASD(SP) will be under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)). In addition, ASD(SP) is responsible for interagency coordination and international engagement on space policy and strategy.
(more…)
by Douglas Messier
Managing Editor
Richard Branson’s Virgin Orbit launch company will acquire an equity stake in Sky and Space Global (SAS) and sign new strategic launch services and mutual reseller agreements with the struggling communications satellite company.
SAS announced on Oct. 28 that Virgin Orbit would take no less than a 14.7% stake in the company by purchasing shares at a price of A$.020 (US$0.14) each.
(more…)