Focus: In-Space Services

Astroscale and Momentus have teamed up to pitch NASA on a mission to reboost the Hubble Telescope, the companies announced last week.  The mission concept would use a Momentus Vigoride orbital service vehicle (OSV) with Astroscale’s RPOD — rendezvous, proximity operations and docking — technology built in. Describing the mission, the companies said Astroscale’s RPOD technology would...

The Italian Space Agency (ASI) awarded a 235 million euro ($256 million) contract for an in-orbit servicing demonstration mission to a consortium of space companies led by Thales Alenia Space. The demonstration mission in Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) is set to be launched by 2026.  The mission will test technologies for future on-orbit servicing missions —...

This is the first of a two-part series analyzing the value of edge computing in space by the Boston Consulting Group. Read Part Two: Size of the Prize: Assessing the Market for Edge Computing in Space In 2023, the expression “democratize space” has become ubiquitous, practically resetting the baseline for what to expect from space...

Momentus has successfully demonstrated its propulsion system that uses distilled water as propellant, reporting the first orbital raise of its orbital service vehicle (OSV).  The company announced Monday that the maneuvers raised the altitude of the Vigoride orbital service vehicle by more than 3 kilometers, a key goal for the mission. The Vigoride-5 OSV was...

Sidus Space has signed an MoU with SkyServe to deploy the company’s edge computing software on its LizzieSat satellite. The deal will provide on-orbit testing for SkyServe’s edge computing software. Sidus Space and SkyServe announced the deal on Monday after it was signed during Space Symposium.  SkyServe’s edge computing software is designed to process satellite imagery...

NASA has selected The Aerospace Corporation to lead a consortium to develop in-space servicing capabilities collaborating with government, industry, and academia.  The consortium will focus on in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) — capabilities in space that can extend the life of missions, or manufacturing in space.   The Aerospace Corp announced the Consortium for Space...

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—Following the launch of two small satellites last fall, Lockheed Martin in relatively short order demonstrated its ability to maneuver the satellites closer together for future on-orbit servicing to sustain spacecraft and even upgrade them in space, the company said Monday. Under the self-funded Lockheed Martin In-space Upgrade Satellite System (LM LINUSS) technology demonstration,...

Intelsat has ordered a Northrop Grumman Mission Extension Pod (MEP) to service one of its satellites for at least six years beginning in 2026. Intelsat announced the deal on Thursday, but has not identified which of its satellites in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) will get the service.  The MEP is a propulsion augmentation device from Northrop...

Startup Quantum Space introduced its Ranger orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) on Thursday, a new last-mile delivery service to carry payloads to Geostationary and cislunar orbits and beyond.  Calling it a multi-operations vehicle, Quantum Space said Ranger is designed to take spacecraft to their final orbit more quickly and so customers can conserve propellant for operations....

Lockheed Martin unveiled a new subsidiary Crescent Space on Tuesday, focused on providing infrastructure for lunar missions. The company will operate a constellation of small constellation of lunar satellites for a service called Parsec, to provide connectivity between Earth and people and assets in lunar orbit and on the Moon, and position, timing, and navigation...