Launch

NanoAvionics U.K. and Lacuna Space, both based at Harwell Campus Space Cluster, signed a second contract to integrate the Lacuna Space LoRa-based Space Gateway into NanoAvionics’ M6P nanosatellite bus, which will be launched in Q4 2019 via a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The two companies successfully collaborated on the Lacuna Space technology demonstration mission launched...

The commercial reality of a space port in Scotland has taken a new, positive step with the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). In recent days, the company revealed its latest steps to develop Space Hub Sutherland, which is expected to begin vertical launches of small satellites from the A’Mhoine peninsula early in the next decade....

BEI Precision Systems and Space Company delivered the Encoder/Motor Assembly for Raytheon‘s Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) J4 payload. “The delivery enables Raytheon to continue the buildout of this key instrument in the Joint Polar Satellite System, the nation’s next-generation, polar-orbiting operational environmental satellite system. VIIRS is changing the way we see Earth and...

Kleos Space, a space-powered Radio Frequency Reconnaissance data provider, completed all acceptance reviews and the satellites are mission-ready awaiting transport to RocketLab’s Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The satellites in the Kleos’ Scouting Mission are now secured in their protective Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) boxes – designed to prevent damage to the hardware in the...

An increase in U.S. government and military spending on launch services, combined with a sharp spike in small satellite activity and the emergence of commercial space travel and tourism will create a total space economy worth approximately $350 billion, according to Sheila Kahyaoglu, satellite equity analyst at Jefferies, and author of a recent report, “The...

Russia’s Roscosmos successfully launched a Proton-M carrier rocket on July 13, carrying the Spektr-RG space telescope. The rocket lifted off from launch pad N81 at Baikonur cosmodrome at 3:30 p.m., Moscow time. This was the second launch of its type in 2019. According to the launch sequence, at 5:30 p.m. Moscow time the spacecraft separated...

Maxar Technologies began production on a Legion-class Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite for Ovzon, a company located in the United States and Sweden that works to increase mobile broadband connectivity in underserved regions. Ovzon selected Maxar in December 2018 to build its first satellite, Ovzon 3, which aims to provide extremely versatile mobile broadband communications for...

Richard Branson-backed space startup Virgin Orbit has completed a key step along its path to launching satellites for commercial customers. The company held a successful “drop test” of its LauncherOne rocket, in which the crucial piece of its launch system was released in a free fall from its Boeing 747-based launch aircraft (nicknamed “Cosmic Girl”)....

A military spy satellite has come crashing down to earth after the failure of its launch rocket, sending the expensive payload into the Atlantic. The European Vega rocket had been launched from French Guiana on Wednesday evening (July 10) to put a Falcon Eye 1 spy satellite into orbit for UAE’s military—with an identical satellite due to launch soon....

Northrop Grumman was awarded a lucrative multi-spacecraft contract by Space Norway to build and deliver its Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission (ASBM) system. Northrop Grumman will design, manufacture, and integrate two satellites in addition to providing critical ground infrastructure for the Norwegian government-owned company. The ASBM satellites will carry multiple hosted payloads including an X-Band payload for the Norwegian...