Orbital Micro Systems (OMS) has partnered with Georgia Tech (Georgia Institute of Technology) to develop Monolithic Millimeter-Wave Integrated Circuit (MMIC) devices using silicon-germanium semiconductor hybrid material for its next generation of commercial Earth Observation (EO) radiometry instruments.

Working closely with the University’s Silicon-Germanium Devices and Circuits group, led by Professor John D. Cressler, OMS anticipates the single-chip solution will dramatically reduce the weight, size, and power consumption of its satellite-based instruments while taking advantage of the inherent radiation tolerance of silicon-germanium devices. Dr. Cressler is a renowned expert on silicon-germanium design and is the Schlumberger Chair Professor in Electronics and Ken Byers Teaching Fellow in Science and Religion in the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Proprietary microwave sensor satellites.

OMS brings decades of successful design and miniaturization of microwave radiometers to the effort. The company’s recent launch of the first satellite in its Global Earth Monitoring System (GEMS) constellation employs the current generation of miniaturized instruments.

The GEMS constellation is planned to incorporate some 48 satellites operating in LEO gathering global temperature, humidity, and precipitation data. When fully complemented, the satellites will provide observations at a 15-minute revisit rate — a dramatic improvement over the infrequent observations from large government-owned weather satellites. Delivering more dense weather data to commercial and government customers through the International Center for Earth Data (ICED), OMS will address unmet needs in multiple areas including safety, security, and prosperity, as well as commercial transportation, insurance, and agriculture markets.

Michael Hurowitz, CTO for OMS, said that designing instruments for use in key weather and climate observations requires the firm to continuously innovate to achieve state-of-the-art capabilities while simultaneously optimizing for size, weight, power, cost, resiliency, reliability, sensitivity, and resolution. Working with esteemed colleagues at Georgia Tech will accelerate the company’s EO constellation mission and ultimately enable better weather and climate data collection for every point on the globe.

Dr. Cressler noted that the Georgia Tech team is delighted to support OMS’ mission to substantially improve the quality and frequency of EO data for government and commercial stakeholders, hopefully impacting hundreds of millions of lives around the globe.

Ball Aerospace is celebrating the first stages of a successful launch of a collaborative project that brought together some major players; NASA and the US Air Force, a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and Aerojet Rocketdyne. Ball Aerospace has officially commissioned NASA’s Green Propellant Infusion Mission (GPIM) and begun on-orbit testing of a non-toxic, high-performance propellant. GPIM launched on June 25, 2019 at 2:30 a.m. EDT on board a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.  

Ball designed and built the small satellite, which contains NASA’s first opportunity to demonstrate the practical capabilities of a “green” propellant and propulsion system in orbit — an alternative to conventional chemical propulsion systems. The propellant, called AF-M315E, is a Hydroxyl Ammonium Nitrate fuel and oxidizer monopropellant developed by the Air Force Research Laboratory. 

GPIM is part of NASA’s Technology Demonstration Missions program within the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD), and Christopher McLean of Ball Aerospace serves as the principal investigator. Aerojet Rocketdyne designed and built the thrusters for GPIM that provide propulsion for the spacecraft. GPIM uses the Ball Configurable Platform (BCP) small satellite, which is about the size of a mini refrigerator and was built in just 46 days. The BCP small satellite provides standard payload interfaces and streamlined procedures, allowing rapid and affordable access to space with flight-proven performance.

Over the next thirteen months, Ball Aerospace and its partners will test the thruster capabilities by verifying the propulsion subsystem, propellant performance, thruster performance and spacecraft attitude control performance. The primary mission of testing the thrusters and fuel will be complete within three months followed by testing of the secondary science payloads. 

Dr. Makenzie Lystrup, vice president and general manager, Civil Space, Ball Aerospace said that they are excited for the opportunity to advance in-space propulsion for the entire user community, which has the potential to propel space industry mission planning into a new era. This mission has been an excellent example of an industry-led team involving multiple NASA centers, the Air Force and industry partners to test this new high-performance fuel using a Ball small satellite. 

Joe Cassady, executive director of space at Aerojet Rocketdyne stated that the successful commissioning of their thrusters and propulsion system is a positive step toward fully qualifying our green propulsion system in space. This technology will enable propulsive capabilities for a new generation of small satellites, including new mission capabilities.

As the prime contractor for GPIM, Ball Aerospace is responsible for:

• system engineering
• flight thruster performance verification
• ground and flight data review
• spacecraft bus
• assembly, integration and test
• launch and flight support

 There are currently two BCP small satellites performing on orbit: STPSat-2, which launched in November 2010, and STPSat-3, which launched in November 2013. The two STP satellites were built for the U.S. Air Force Space Test Program’s Standard Interface Vehicle (STP-SIV) project. 

The Space Development Agency’s (SDA) mission is to rapidly develop and deploy a threat-driven, next-generation space architecture to counter near-peer efforts to contest or deny our space-based systems.

Figure 1. Notional Architecture (from SDA 60-Day Study).

To further the agency’s mission, SDA requests information from industry related to satellite bus, payload, applique, and launch concepts that can contribute to an agile, responsive next-generation space architecture.

Please access this direct link for the SDA’s Request for Information (RFI) for additional details and submission instructions.

SDA has developed a notional suite of capabilities, as depicted in Figure 1, to include multiple constellations (or “layers”) addressing the eight priorities listed next, with e layer providing an integral and integrated capability to the overall architecture.

1. Persistent global surveillance for advanced missile targeting,
2. Indications, warning, targeting, and tracking for defense against advanced missile threats,
3. Alternate positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) for a GPS-denied environment,
4. Global and near-real time space situational awareness,
5. Development of deterrent capability,
6. Responsive, resilient, common ground-based space support infrastructure (e.g., ground stations and launch capability),
7. Cross-domain, networked, node-independent battle management command, control, and
communications (BMC3), including nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3),
8. Highly-scaled, low-latency, persistent, artificial-intelligence-enabled global surveillance.

The SDA’s notional architecture is predicated on the availability of a ubiquitous data and communications transport layer and assumes the use of small, mass-produced satellites (50 to 500 kg.) and associated payload hardware and software. The SDA is considering the use of transport layer spacecraft as substrates for other layers, allowing for the integration of appropriate payloads based on each layer’s needs. Seven layers are proposed:

1. Space Transport Layer: Global, persistent, low-latency data and communications proliferated
“mesh” network to provide 24×7 global communications.
2. Tracking Layer: Indications, warning, targeting, and tracking of advanced missile threats.
3. Custody Layer: 24×7, all-weather custody of all identified time-critical targets.
4. Deterrence Layer: Space Situational Awareness (SSA) of, and rapid access to, the cislunar
volume.
5. Navigation Layer: Alternate Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) for GPS-denied
environments.
6. Battle Management Layer: Distributed, artificial intelligence-enabled Battle Management
Command, Control and Communications (BMC3), to include self-tasking, self-prioritization
(for collection), on-board processing, and dissemination, supporting delivery of perishable
space sensor-derived data products directly to tactical users.
7. Support Layer: Mass-producible ground command and control capabilities, user terminals,
and rapid-response launch services (small- to medium-class).

Proposed concepts should align to one or more of the layers described above. SDA prefers
comprehensive solutions that include open architectures (e.g., buses that support multiple payloads
and software appliques, and payloads/software capable of integration aboard multiple buses) and
leverage commercial capabilities, existing or planned.

Please note that the SDA plans to hold an Industry Day in the near future. A separate announcement will be posted at www.fbo.gov with the date, location, and registration details.

NSLComm‘s first satellite, NSLSat-1, is “go-for-launch” and has been successfully installed on the payload of the Soyuz launch vehicle that will take it into space. The launch is set for 1:42 AM ET on July 5 at the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Far-Eastern Russia.

The company is pioneering privately-backed spaceflight and has designed fabric-like, flexible dish antennas that expand in space to offer high-throughput communications for smallsats that is up to 100 times faster than that of today’s best performing smaller satellites, while also offering substantial cost savings (around 10 times) for larger satellites.

Artistic rendition of NSLSat-1 on-orbit.

The technology permits antennas to be stowed during launch in a compact volume and deploy while in orbit, saving mass, volume, and supporting structures. Post deployment, the antenna has an innovative “smart” subreflector, the FlexoSub, enabling the antenna to compensate for any reflector shape imperfections and change ground patterns while on the fly.

According to the company, this technology is the only solution that can bring high-speed broadband connectivity to and from small terminals, allowing for a full array of applications around IoT and sensors, in areas such as agriculture, mining, oil & gas, shipping, government and more. The technology can also support large pipes of data for internet and video at costs that are significantly lower than current satellite communication technology offers.

The 3D model of NSLsat-1 (created by AOF-Maquettes.

The company is initially targeting the government, IoT and high-throughput and trunking markets, worth an estimated $50 billion annually. Once in space, NSLSat-1 will be tested with a number of tier-one partners from across the automotive, telecom and travel industries. Several weeks ago, NSLComm signed an agreement with Amazon Web Services for the use of AWS Ground Station, a network of ground stations for satellites.

NSLComm, in cooperation with its partners, expects to launch 30 satellites by 2021 and hundreds by 2023, enabling its network of nano-satellites to provide a high-speed worldwide communications for its customers network via an orbiting constellation.

NSLComm’s investors include Jerusalem Venture Partners (JVP), OurCrowd, Cockpit Innovation and Liberty Technology Venture Capital. The company is also supported by the Israel Space Agency and Kodem Growth Partners in New York City.

Raz Itzhaki, Co-Founder and CEO of NSLComm, said the launch of NSLSat-1 is a significant achievement for the company and what the firm believes to be a watershed moment for the entire satellite industry. NSLComm’s technology represents one of the biggest leaps in satellite antenna performance-to-weight ratios and, with this launch, the firm is on a mission to prove that high-speed satellite communications can be done faster, cheaper and more effectively than it has been to date.

Yoav Tzruya, General Partner at JVP, said NSLComm is changing the satellite communication market in a meaningful manner, providing two to three orders of magnitude improvement in cost per bandwidth, and unlocking a myriad of new applications for several multi-billion dollar markets.

Avi Blasberger, Director of the Israel Space Agency, added that the Israel Space Agency at the Ministry of Science & Technology supports innovative startup companies with cutting edge technology in order to increase their competitive capacity and to expand the Israel space ecosystem.

Exolaunch has confirmed successful payload integration for an upcoming Soyuz launch from the Vostochny launch site.

Photo is courtesy of EXOLAUNCH.

In total, Exolaunch has contracted and integrated to launch 28 commercial and educational satellites from Germany, France, the USA, Israel, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Thailand, Ecuador, the Czech Republic and Estonia. Listed below is the complete list of smallsats payloads.

The smallsats will be launched on a single mission — this will be one of the largest and most technically challenging clusters ever delivered by a single smallsat integrator. All smallsats are diverse, including 25 cubesats ranging from 0.25U to 16U, two commercial smallsats and Exolaunch’s technological payload with a new shock-free separation system.

All of the smallsats on this launch are integrated into 12U and 16U EXOpod cubesat deployers provided by Exolaunch. EXOpods have already successfully flown on multiple missions and deployed dozens of cubesats. The deployment process and sequence of cubesats will be controlled by Exolaunch’s electrical management unit EXObox to ensure safe and timely deployment.

CarboNIX, the company’s new, shock-free separation system for smallsats from 15 to 150 kg., will be qualified on this launch. CarboNIX will be widely used for the smallsat constellations deployment after successful qualification in space.

The smallsat cluster was adapted to the Fregat upper stage by NPO Lavochkin through the cluster launch contracts with Glavkosmos.

The Fregat upper stage will initially deploy the primary satellite into its dedicated orbit and then change the altitude to deploy all smallsats into two different SSOs — 580 and 530 km., followed by the upper stage de-orbit.

With more than 50 microsatellites and cubesats launched, the Exolaunch’s team looks forward to the upcoming launch of these 28 smallsats and is preparing for a number of new launch campaigns for smaller satellites later this year, throughout 2020 and beyond.

Detailed customer payloads include…

Momentus  (USA) – The “El Camino Real” mission will demonstrate key elements of Momentus’ Vigoride orbital shuttle, including microwave electrothermal plasma propulsion, power systems, avionics and sensors. To minimize cost and streamline launch process, the Vigoride pathfinder integrated inside the largest ever launched 16U cubesat structure.

Spire Global (USA) –  one of the world’s largest space to cloud analytics companies — 8 Lemur class satellites. Spire’s 3U cubesats are designed for collecting Automatic Identification ship tracking data, Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast airplane tracking data and GPS Radio Occultation weather data.

NSLComm (Israel) – NSLSat-1, built by the UK’s cubesat developer Clyde Space, will deploy an expandable high-performance antenna and sub-reflector system that will demonstrate highly disruptive technology in Ka-band communications.

German Orbital Systems (Germany) – Three satellites on board, one of which, JAISAT-1, is built by the company for the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand, the other two are EXOCONNECT и D-Star ONE (LightSat). The company will serve the needs of the amateur radio community, and test in-orbit verification and demonstration of in-house developed satellite systems.

Berlin Technical University (Germany) –  Beesat-9 and Beesat-10,11,12,13 cubesats built to demonstrate communication in the UHF band and novice technologies of attitude determination.

Munich Technical University (Germany) will demonstrate their innovative cubesat bus by launching MOVE-IIb.

Tallinn Technical University (Estonia) — an educational satellite TTU101 developed to test Earth observation cameras and a novel high speed X-band communication system.

Universidad Tecnológica Equinoccial (Ecuador) — a university’s mission Ecuador — UTE that will monitor space weather and conduct ionospheric research.

Royal Institute of Technology KTH (Sweden) — SEAM-2.0 scientific spacecraft for measuring the magnetic field of the Earth.

University of Montpellier (France) – MTCube satellite will be launched for the technology demonstration.

University of Wuerzburg (Germany) – SONATE, a cubesat for technology demonstration, and orbital verification of various satellite components and autonomous payloads.

SkyFox Labs (Czech Republic) – Lucky-7 cubesat will demonstrate innovative solutions for 1U cubesat platform.
   

Two European Earth Observation smallsats.

Khalifa University of Science and Technology students were celebrating with the welcome news that their second CubeSat development program, MYSAT-2, has completed its critical design review (CDR), achieving a key milestone for the university’s Space Systems and Technology Master’s Concentration program. Once launched, MYSAT-2 will test student developed algorithms to determine the CubeSat’s orientation in space; estimated to be 15 percent to 20 percent more power-efficient. The program aims to equip Emirati engineers with theoretical and technical skills to advance the UAE’s space agenda.

The program is supported by Al Yah Satellite Communications (Yahsat), a global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates and wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala), and global aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman.

MYSAT-2 is the second nano-satellite developed by the students of Khalifa University within the institution’s Yahsat Space Lab. The MYSAT-2 project enables students to expand their knowledge and technical capabilities in all phases of satellite development, operation, and exploitation through practical research and development.

Designed and built by a team of nine students pursuing a Master’s degree with Space Systems and Technology Concentration, MYSAT-2 features significant upgrades from MYSAT-1. Its primary mission is to enable students to design, implement, and test new Attitude Determination and Control (ADC) Algorithms, developed by the Khalifa University students. The algorithms help determine a CubeSat’s orientation in space, and are estimated to be 15 to 20 percent more power-efficient, in comparison with similar algorithms implemented on other spacecrafts. If successful, the new algorithms will establish the UAE as a contributor to the global space industry.

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi,  Exec. VP of Khalifa University of Science Technology

Dr. Arif Sultan Al Hammadi, Executive Vice-President, Khalifa University commented that the successful completion of critical design review signifies another momentous occasion in the development of MYSAT-2 by their Space Systems and Technology Concentration students at the Yahsat Space Lab, with support from Northrop Grumman and Yahsat. They believe, like its predecessor, MYSAT-2 will represent their contribution to the UAE’s commitment to developing indigenous aerospace scientists, while establishing their students’ contributions to developing energy-efficient algorithms that determine the CubeSat’s orientation in space. This will help Khalifa University develop next generation satellites even more efficiently, and market the software systems to other satellite developers.

Mona Al Muhairi, Chief Human Capital Officer at Yahsat

Mona Al Muhairi, Chief Human Capital Officer at Yahsat added that MYSAT-2’s critical design review is a milestone for Yahsat Space Lab and the CubeSat program. Working alongside Khalifa University and Northrop Grumman to support the program, Yahsat aims to equip the rising generation with the skills they need to advance the UAE’s space agenda. Our focus now turns to the next stages of the program and the launch of MYSAT-2, which promises to be another leap forward for the UAE’s space ambitions. 

Frank DeMauro, VP and Gen Manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman

Frank DeMauro, Vice-President and General Manager, Space Systems, Northrop Grumman said MYSAT-2, the second satellite from their joint collaboration with Khalifa University and Yahsat, promises to open up new research avenues in spacecraft attitude control. The company congratulates the Khalifa University students in reaching the important milestone of the Critical Design Review and look forward to working with them as they prepare the satellite for a launch on the Northrop Grumman Cygnus spacecraft in 2020.

The CDR review panel included experts from Yahsat, Khalifa University, and Northrop Grumman. The collaborative review panel assessed the program’s readiness and confirmed that the technical efforts are on track to proceed into fabrication, demonstration, and testing, with performance requirements being met, on budget and on schedule. Full-scale fabrication of MYSAT-2 will now begin with several intermediate internal reviews, including a software demonstration, and the flight readiness review.

MYSAT-1, the first CubeSat developed by Khalifa University students, has successfully captured an image of earth earlier in March, following its launch to space in November 2018.

Located at Khalifa University, the Yahsat Space Lab was launched through a collaboration between Yahsat, Khalifa University, and Northrop Grumman to complement the jointly established Space Systems and Technology Concentration program, providing high-end facilities that enable students to conceptualize, design, assemble, integrate, test, and operate nano-satellites. The lab aims to nurture the UAE’s space-literate workforce, contributing towards the nation’s growing space sector.

A Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle successfully lifted off from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula at 04:30 UTC, Saturday, June 29, 2019 (16:30 NZST).

The Make It Rain mission launched seven satellites to orbit for rideshare and mission management provider, Spaceflight.  

Rocket Lab successfully launches seventh Electron mission, deploys seven satellites to orbit.

Photo is courtesy of the company.

At approximately 56 minutes after lift-off, the Make It Rain payloads were successfully delivered to their precise individual orbits by Electron’s Kick Stage. Among the satellites on board were BlackSky Global-3, two U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) Prometheus, and Melbourne Space Program’s ACRUX-1.

The mission was Rocket Lab’s seventh launch of an Electron rocket and the company’s third launch for 2019. The mission took the total number of satellites deployed by Rocket Lab to 35 and continues the company’s record of 100% mission success for its customers.

Rocket Lab’s next mission is yet to be announced, but is scheduled for lift-off from Launch Complex 1 in the coming weeks. Rocket Lab’s manifest is booked with monthly launches for the remainder of 2019, scaling to a launch every two weeks in 2020.

Rocket Lab Founder and CEO, Peter Beck, congratulated the teams behind the payloads on this mission for another flawless Electron launch. It’s a privilege to provide tailored and reliable access to space for small satellites like these, giving each one a smooth ride to orbit and precise deployment, even in a rideshare arrangement.

Phase Four has introduced Maxwell, the first turnkey plasma propulsion solution for smallsats.

Maxwell combines a complete propellant management system and Phase Four’s proprietary RF (radio frequency) plasma thruster into a compact form factor.

Maxwell expands what’s possible for smallsats and combines simplicity with the powerful performance of complex traditional electric engines. Maxwell eliminates bulky, high voltage components and electrodes, simultaneously reducing cost and removing supply chain barriers that have long plagued traditional satellite engines.

According to the company, Maxwell is the most powerful electric propulsion system of its size, delivering up to 10 mN of thrust and up to 1,400 s of specific impulse, with total impulse of up to 14,000 Ns. Maxwell is ideal for smallsats (20 to 500 kg.) with 300 to 500 W power budgets.

Maxwell is an instant startup propulsion unit with no delays and no need to warm and condition cathodes. Equipped with a flexible interface, Maxwell can finely tune thrust parameters on-orbit to accommodate changing mission needs.

With a full 1 kilogram tank of xenon, Maxwell weighs in at just 8.4 kilograms and takes up a modest volume of 7.5 x 7.3 x 5.3 inches. First deliveries of flight-qualified Maxwell start in 4Q19

Beau Jarvis, Phase Four CEO, said the company believes that customers shouldn’t have to decide between thrust and efficiency when it comes to propulsion. Maxwell provides the best of both worlds, delivering simple plug and play delta-V. Maxwell will enable rapid ROI for LEO smallsat constellations looking for four to six year operational lifetimes.

The Scottish Highlands are undergoing environmental impact studies for a proposed Space Hub in Sutherland. The following is from a statement explaining the company’s plans. 

Preparatory work is getting under way to agree the scope of environmental impact studies that should be carried out in relation to the site of a proposed space center in Sutherland. Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is currently developing plans for Space Hub Sutherland, which is expected to begin vertical launches of small satellites from the A’Mhoine peninsula, near Tongue, early in the next decade.

The project has attracted support from the UK Space Agency, which is also funding two launch companies that plan to set up in Sutherland, Lockheed Martin Space Systems and Orbex.

Space Hub Sutherland is planned as a key component of Scotland’s growing space sector. The development agency expects 40 high quality jobs will be created locally, part of a total of more than 400 across the wider Highlands and Islands.  Orbex has already opened a new manufacturing facility in Forres.

The potential launch site at A’Mhoine is next to the Caithness and Sutherland Peatlands Special Protection Area and Special Area of Conservation, and the Ben Hutig Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Understanding the environmental impacts of satellite launches, as well as the economic benefits, will be crucial factors in determining the outcome of a future planning application to the Highland Council for design and construction of the space hub.

That application is currently being prepared by HIE and will be accompanied by an extensive round of public consultation so that local people have opportunities to view the plans and put questions to the developer.

As a first step towards determining environmental impacts, HIE now seeking agreement on the scope of environmental issues that will need to be examined.  The development agency is consulting the Highland Council, statutory consultees Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency and Historic Environment Scotland, and a wide range of other interested parties.  

Scotland’s enterprise agencies have launched ambitious plans to help build a more economically vibrant country.

In line with the EU’s environmental impact assessment directive, HIE is proposing to examine potential impacts on the local area, specific habitats and the marine environment.

Roy Kirk, Space Hub Sutherland Project Director with HIE, said:  

“As our plans develop, it is absolutely vital that we gain a thorough understanding of the potential environmental impacts that a launch facility could have, including around the location of the site itself. We have been carrying out bird studies, for example, for well over a year now, so there is already a stock of robust data regarding that aspect.

“The new proposal will help us scope out the full range of environmental issues that we need to examine and that will inform the development of the project as we head towards a future planning application.

“Space Hub Sutherland is an evolving project and the plans need to be very forward-looking.  For the purpose of the scoping exercise, we’ve used figures that range from current expectations to the absolute extreme end of any potential activity that could take place there.  This will make sure that environmental assessments are as robust as possible, by being based on maximum possible impacts.”

Papers associated with the initial scoping exercise are available online at The Highland Council website.

“It is very positive to see the first scoping documents for the launch site at Sutherland Spacehub, representing the work of dozens of people and numerous industry and environmental experts over the past years to examine the challenge of taking Britain back in to space.  

This document is a first — giant — step towards a formal planning application. It’s a very detailed and careful alignment between the project and planning stakeholders on what aspects might have environmental or other impacts.  However, it is very important to note that there is still a lot of design work and refinement ongoing to finalize requirements to ensure minimal impact.

Those that are unfamiliar with planning procedures may not be familiar with the rigor of the environmental impact assessment required, and which has been ongoing at Sutherland since 2017. It’s important that this understanding is based on facts rather than speculation or misinformation. This is a multi-year process involving dedicated studies from dozens of industry and agency experts, as well as engagement with multiple stakeholders and authorities.  

As an example, a two-year study detailing the local bird populations at the A’Mhoine site is now nearing completion. It’s worth noting that any launch site of this nature — including those in other regions of Scotland near sensitive areas of natural heritage — will face similar requirements to present multi-year studies to Scottish National Heritage and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, among other stakeholders.

The economic impact of the spaceport in the Highlands and Islands region is expected to deliver around 400 jobs in various activities, and around 40 locally at the spaceport, including roles in administration, finance, licensing, insurance, maintenance, fueling, engineering, communications, public relations, housekeeping, security and community relations.

For our part, Orbex is committed to operating the A’Mhoine site in a compatible and “green” manner, and will be using a site-compatible small launch vehicle with an ultra-low carbon bio-propane fuel. We are already investing strongly in the Highlands region at Forres, and we will be making some more announcements about developments at other locations in due course.”

Chris Larmour, CEO of Orbex