NanoAvionics is preparing to move a significant portion of its research, development and manufacturing activities to the United States in the next year.

NanoAvionics’ parent company, Avellan Space Technology & Science, is refurbishing the Midland, Texas, manufacturing plant that previously housed XCOR Aerospace.

In July, NanoAvionics hired F. Brent Abbott, a veteran of Atlas Space Operations, ÅAC Microtec U.S. and Surrey Satellite Technology U.S., as the firm’s new NanoAvionics North America CEO.  The company is eager to enter the U.S. market because about 50 percent of the global demand for smallsats comes from U.S. customers. In addition, some U.S. government customers are required to buy satellites manufactured in the United States.

The Midland facility will manufacture satellites for the U.S. market and could also could produce satellites for any European customers who need high volume production, Abbott said. However, the company will not be able to export some of the technology it develops for the U.S. market, he added.

In the competitive small satellite market, NanoAvionics is growing rapidly. In the last year, the company has doubled its staff and revenues jumped four or five-fold. In June, NanoAvionics, Norway’s Kongsberg Satellite Services and Antwerp Space of Belgium announced they raised $10 million euros ($11.23 million) for an on-orbit demonstration of an Internet-of-Things (IoT) satellite constellation.

NanoAvionics executives say the firm will offer the lowest price on radiation tolerant six and 12-unit cubesats. The satellites are built and tested for orbital lifespans of five years. With redundant systems, the satellites could last ten years, Abbott said. NanoAvionics does not publicly share spacecraft prices.

In April, two firms building IoT constellations, Blink Astro of Atlanta and Lacuna Space of the United Kingdom, launched payloads on NanoAvionics’ M6P nanosatellite buses. Lacuna Space announced an agreement in July to purchase another NanoAvionics M6P smallsat bus, which it plans to launch in the fourth quarter of 2019.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘New Space’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

TriSept Corporation has signed comprehensive launch service agreements with Millennium Space Systems and Rocket Lab to support a unique mission aimed at helping to solve the ever-increasing LEO debris challenge.

Millennium Space Systems is designing and building, and will be operating the Millennium RAPTOR satellites and working with TriSept to manage the mission for the DRAGRACER initiative.

This rideshare mission will launch aboard the Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle in early 2020. Once in space, the 25 kg. smallsat will split into two payloads to demonstrate how a new de-orbit technology, the Terminator Tape developed by Tethers Unlimited Inc., can help reduce orbital debris.

One of the test satellites will feature the deployable Terminator Tape, designed to add significant drag to the spacecraft and allow researchers to closely study how the device can dramatically accelerate reentry and the removal of orbital debris once a spacecraft reaches end of life. An onboard timer will trigger the tether deployment on the experimental satellite a few days into the mission, with reentry estimates in the two- to four-week range for the spacecraft with the Terminator Tape, and eight to 12 months without the enhanced drag device.

TriSept will provide full spacecraft integration with the launch vehicle and procurement of dispenser device hardware used to release the small satellites into space. TriSept is also leading collaborative efforts with Millennium Space Systems and Rocket Lab to secure regulatory approvals from U.S. and New Zealand space agencies.

Mike Scardera, VP of Advanced Concepts, Millennium Space Systems, said the DRAGRACER mission is all about providing an affordable, effective and scalable solution to the orbital debris challenge facing the LEO smallsat market and the global space industry. This is the first in a series of critical project missions the company expects to launch with TriSept. By working with such a seasoned support crew, the company can focus on building the best flight solutions for today’s challenges in space.

Rob Spicer, TriSept President and CEO, added that the collaborative relationship between TriSept, Millennium Space Systems and Rocket Lab is driving new innovative and meaningful missions in space, such as the DRAGRACER initiative dedicated to exploring creative solutions to the orbital space debris challenge. The company is honored that Millennium Space Systems has entrusted TriSept with the integration and management of this important mission aboard the firm’s second launch with the proven Rocket Lab Electron. DRAGRACER could ultimately help shape how the industry handles orbital debris for years to come.

Lars Hoffman, SVP of Global Launch Services, Rocket Lab, stated that this rideshare mission slated for launch aboard the firm’s Rocket Lab Electron is significant as Millennium Space Systems, supported by TriSept’s seasoned launch integration team, tackles one of the biggest challenges facing the industry today. Rocket Lab looks forward to working closely with these two space industry innovators in preparation for an exciting milestone launch of the DRAGRACER orbital debris initiative.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The 2020 SmallSat Symposium starts on February 3, 2020, with workshops, then the Conference runs February 4 to 6 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘New Space’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

Pearl White, a U.S. Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) demonstration program, is set to launch no earlier than August 16 as part of a rideshare aboard a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle in summer 2019.

The launch will occur at the Rocket Lab Launch Complex-1 near Mahia, New Zealand. The program goal is to design, develop, launch and operate two 6U cubesat experimental spacecraft as an on-orbit testbed for emerging technologies in 2019.

Rocket Lab’s Mahia launch site in New Zealand.

Photo is courtesy of the company.

The demonstration will test new technologies including propulsion, power, communications, and drag capabilities for potential applications on future spacecraft. The spacecraft will be placed in LEO with a notional altitude of ~540 km. and an inclination of ~45 degrees.

The two cubesats were built by Tiger Innovations Inc., which is located in Herndon, Virginia, and are designed for a lifetime of one year.  Tiger Innovations Inc. will operate the spacecraft for the life of the program under the direction and oversight of AFSPC.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘New Space’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

Momentus has established a new working relationship with NanoRacks — by working together, Momentus and NanoRacks will be able to provide an entirely new commercial service operating from the International Space Station.

Over the past few years, NewSpace pioneer NanoRacks has deployed more than 200 satellites from the International Space Station and, according to Bryce Space and Technology, in 2018 alone, 42 smallsats were successfully deployed from the International Space Station.

NanoRacks Bishop airlock is the first commercial airlock to operate on the International Space Station. With the Bishop airlock, private ventures will have more options to deploy more satellites, and larger satellites, from the ISS. By using the Bishop airlock in partnership with NanoRacks, Momentus will be able to carry up to dozens of smallsats at a time from ISS to higher, long life orbits to the benefit of the firm’s satellite customers.

The company is looking forward to a long and fruitful partnership with NanoRacks, as the firm’s service offerings are complementary and allow their customers to go beyond the station to a higher altitude, prolonging their mission life.

When NanoRacks decided to invest in the first-ever commercial airlock for the Space Station, their CEO Jeffrey Manber had faith that new technology would further enable future customers. Momentus salutes his vision and welcome this mutually beneficial collaboration.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘NewSpace’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

Many handshakes and signed contracts have transpired at the 33rd Annual Conference on Small Satellites in Logan, Utah, and the agreement between these two companies will result in co-operation that includes technical launch services as well as launch manifest coordination and payload integration.

Innovative Space Logistics B.V. (ISL) and UK-based orbital launch services provider Orbex today signed a wide-ranging Cooperation Agreement at the 33rd Annual Conference on Small Satellites in Logan, Utah. The co-operation will include technical launch services including launch manifest coordination and payload integration. As part of the agreement, ISL will also procure orbital space launches from Orbex for a number of its smallsat customer missions.

Netherlands-based company ISL is a major player in smallsat launches, having executed or supported the launch of over 350 CubeSats into orbit over the past decade. ISL is focused on the provision of regular launches for CubeSats, nanosatellites and microsatellites and provides launch brokering services, technical consultancy, launch adapters and dispensers, flight certification testing and launch insurance services to a broad range of customers.

With $40 million in project financing, Orbex is the best-funded European private launch provider. In February 2019, Orbex publicly unveiled the engineering prototype of the Stage 2 of its reusable Prime launch vehicle, a dedicated smallsat launcher, which is up to 30 percent lighter and 20 percent more efficient than any other vehicle in the micro launcher category. Orbex Prime utilizes bio-propane, a clean-burning, renewable fuel that cuts carbon emissions by 90 percent compared to traditional hydrocarbon fuels. On August 1, 2019, Orbex’s partner, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) confirmed that it had signed a 75-year lease option with landowners, the Melness Crofters Estate, to build and operate a spaceport on its land.

Abe Bonnema, Director at ISL said that it is extremely attractive for many of our customers to be able to launch from Europe. Orbex has very quickly emerged as a leader in the developing European launch market, and it makes sense to cooperate further, as this market evolves. The innovation in their launch vehicle, Prime, as well as the quality and experience of their personnel makes Orbex a natural partner for ISL.

Chris Larmour, CEO of Orbex added that there are very few companies globally that have the dedicated smallsat expertise that ISL has accumulated. This cooperation will enhance both ISL’s and Orbex’s commercial offerings and together they will be able to provide competitive all-European solutions. The European launch services market is evolving fast and they will be able to jointly address many of the emerging requirements for European launches.

A United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket scheduled to launch a $1.1 billion military communications satellite on Thursday will carry an experimental cubesat as a rideshare payload on the back of the Centaur, the Atlas’ upper stage.

The main payload is the fifth Lockheed Martin-built Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite, or AEHF-5. For this mission, the U.S. Air Force integrated a 12U cubesat on the Centaur’s aft bulkhead carrier. The rideshare payload will be separating before the primary payload separates, said Colonel Shane Clark, AEHF-5 mission director at the Air Force Space and Missile Systems’ Center Launch Enterprise Systems Directorate. Colonel Clark noted that this is the first time SMC has separated a rideshare payload prior to the anchor mission. The cubesat will be used to test orbital debris tracking technologies.

The Atlas 5 aft bulkhead carrier was originally developed for the National Reconnaissance Office to take advantage of excess capacity on big rocket to put small payloads into orbit. A newly created Launch Enterprise Manifest Office married up the the cubesat with the Centaur for the AEHF-5 mission. Clark said this is the first multi-manifest space vehicle integration executed by the new office.

The mission is on track to lift off from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on Thursday. The rocket will fly in its most powerful configuration, the Atlas 5 551. The AEHF satellites in geosynchronous Earth orbit provide nuclear-survivable, protected communications for strategic command and tactical warfighters. They are used by the U.S. military and international partners Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Gary Wentz, ULA’s VP for government and commercial programs, said he does not anticipate any further delays to the AEHF-5 mission that was originally scheduled for June 27. The date had to be pushed back after a component failed during final acceptance tests. The teams removed the suspect hardware from all of the launch vehicles and the company is in the process of incorporating some minor changes to the hardware. ULA has retested and reinstalled the hardware on the vehicle.

AEHF-5 will be ULA’s 134th launch since the company was formed in 2006. It will be the ninth for the Atlas 5 in the 551 configuration with five solid rocket boosters.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘New Space’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

Chris Forrester is reporting at Advanced-Television that Hughes Network Systems, a subsidiary of Charlie Ergen-owned EchoStar, has won an extra $190 million (€ 170 million) contract from OneWeb — HughesNet was awarded a $100+ million contract in 2015.

OneWeb is in the process of building 650 broadband satellites that will start to be launched at the end of this year. HughesNet will supply a ground-based network system to support OneWeb’s satellite fleet.

Journalist
Chris Forrester.

OneWeb is targeting millions of homes, schools, government buildings worldwide in underdeveloped and underserved communities and countries.

“We’ve had a tremendously positive response from investors, as they’ve seen OneWeb come into reality,” founder Greg Wyler said. “When you scratch the surface and you start to dive deep through our systems, you realize we’ve built the supply chain, we have the spectrum in place, we’ve got the launch licenses, the approvals, we’re building an incredibly safe constellation so we’ll ensure there’s no space debris.”

Among the many announcements emanating from the 2019 Small Satellite Conference at Logan, Utah, Arianespace introduced an innovative service providing fast-track access to Geosynchronous Equatorial Orbit (also known as geostationary orbit, or GEO) for the new generation of small satellites, offering a first flight opportunity with more than 4,500 kg. of such payloads on its “GO-1” mission in the first half of 2022.

Ariane 64: Europe’s Next Heavylifter Designed to replace the workhorse Ariane 5 ECA, Ariane 6 will launch in two configurations. Equipped with four solid-rocket boosters, the Ariane 64 will lift 10,500 kg (23,150 lb.) to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) with 1,500 tons of thrust at liftoff. In its Ariane 62 configuration, the rocket will use two boosters to carry half that weight to GTO with 800 tons of thrust. Photo: ASL

Customers taking advantage of the GO-1 mission will benefit from a short ride to orbit: from liftoff to separation, the duration will be shorter than commercial jetliner flight from New York to Paris. The new service also will involve user-friendly launch service agreements and simplified mission preparation procedures. As close to six months before liftoff, customers will be able to purchase one or several slots on the GO-1 mission.

This rideshare flight from the Guiana Space Center announced during the 2019 Small Satellite Conference at Logan, Utah, will use the Ariane 64 version of Europe’s future heavy-lift launcher. The GO-1 mission will inaugurate a regular, frequent path to direct geostationary orbit for small satellites. Configured with the Multi-Launch Service carrying system (MLS), Ariane 6 can accommodate a full range of small-sized satellites, from cubesats to microsats or larger.

Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël said that this is a new day for small satellites: until now, there has been no convenient, predictable, affordable path to GEO for small satellites. But with the Ariane 64 coming online and the GO-1 mission, they’ve engineered a solution that will pave the way for a smallsat revolution in geostationary orbit. While most of such launches depend on a lead customer who could delay the flight, the GO-1 mission will follow a specific schedule — offering to each customer and to each satellite a ‘place of honor’ aboard this flight, which will lift off once the targeted payload capacity is booked.

OneWeb has appointed Ben Griffin to the role of Vice President for Commercial Aviation to lead the company’s newly formed Commercial Aviation team.

In his new role, based at OneWeb’s White City, London HQ, Ben is responsible for delivering in-flight connectivity solutions, harnessing the power of Low Earth Orbit satellites with unprecedented speed and low latency, to the airline fraternity.  

Ben delivers 20 years of aviation experience to OneWeb, the last 15 of which were spent in the aircraft connectivity sector, most recently with Inmarsat for eight years. He will bring deep experience of the connected aircraft world to OneWeb.

OneWeb’s satellite factory.

OneWeb will power applications in aviation using global availability of high capacity speeds and lowest latency, delivering seamless broadband to ultimately maximize the passenger experience.   

Ben Griffin commented that he is delighted to have joined a company with so much potential. The OneWeb offering is, by a long way, simply the best technology, best suited to the aviation market. It stands to significantly change the landscape of passenger connectivity with its ability to deliver consistently strong internet coverage across the world in a way that is often promised, but rarely delivered. Currently, airlines are not getting value for what they are paying for, nor a consistently acceptable level of service globally.  OneWeb will change that when the company’s service goes live and passengers are invited to bring and use their own device, which will bring huge benefits to both passengers and airlines.

OneWeb will be attending APEX EXPO in Los Angeles, California from September 9th to 12th.

For all involved in the satellite and space industry and the various market segments that add value to these dynamic environments, the 2020 SmallSat Symposium is truly worth your consideration for attendance.

The SmallSat Symposium is hosted by Satnews Publishers which, since 1983, has been a provider of a satellite news, media and events. This information packed forum was created to enable you and your company to secure a larger portion of market share as well as to take part in the next stages of your company’s or organization’s growth.

The personal connections at the SmallSat Symposium enable attendees to network with established organizations, subject-matter experts as well as ‘New Space’ entrants.

The SmallSat Symposium will focus on new technologies and the business environment that is shaping the implementation of smallsat constellations, smallsat launchers, the challenges facing the smallsat developer and actors as well as the enormous benefits of these advanced technologies that will benefit our world.

This event assembles more than 100 diverse speakers, all of whom possess deep industry experience. Additionally, numerous opportunities exist to mingle and network with peers while enjoying exceptional, complimentary meals and refreshment breakfast.

Learn more at this direct link…

Gaia photo by Orbit

Orbit Communications Systems Ltd. (TASE: ORBI) announced at the Small Satellite Conference at Utah State University shipment of the 45th Gaia 100 compact ground station, to one of its twelve Earth Observation/New Space Gaia customers — less than four years after delivery of the initial system

Orbit Communications Systems provides satellite-tracking ground-station solutions and airborne and maritime communications.

The rapid growth within the demanding EO and New Space segments has furthered Orbit’s approach to ground stations — a modular range of reliable, high-performance tracking terminals for MEO and LEO constellations that are lighter, simpler to install and operate, with an attractive cost.

A lightweight robust, low-loss radome provides environmental protection and, combined with less overall mass and a small footprint, permits installations in harsh conditions and on a broader range of existing buildings and structures.

Stav Gizunterman, Senior VP Business Development & Marketing at Orbit said that they are really pleased with how quickly the Gaia system has been adapted by a very creative and progressive customer base. The fresh, modular design and level of orders has helped standardize and accelerate their processes, from manufacturing to commissioning, and they are uniquely able to ship pre-configured, pre-tested systems that can be installed and in service in just two or three days.