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BlackSky Technology won a contract from the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) for the third phase of the Space-based Machine Automated Recognition Technique (SMART) program.  BlackSky has won previous awards for the SMART program in 2022 and 2021. Phase III is the final phase and emphasizes the transfer of SMART broad area search technologies...

Rocket Lab launched its first mission of 2024 on Wednesday, launching four space situational awareness (SSA) satellites for Spire Global and NorthStar Earth & Space. The Electron mission took off from Launch Complex 1 at 19:34 NZDT and deployed the satellites to a 530 km circular Earth orbit.  NorthStar Earth & Space confirmed the success...

Starlab, the future commercial space station, will launch on a SpaceX Starship rocket under a new launch agreement announced Wednesday. Starlab Space, a joint venture between Voyager Space and Airbus, announced SpaceX will launch the space station to Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) in a single mission.  Wednesday’s announcement did not give a specific timeframe, but said...

SKY Perfect JSAT has established a new business, Orbital Lasers, focused on space debris removal and satellite LiDAR.  The company plans to incorporate LiDAR technology into satellites to provide high-precision ground surface information. SKY Perfect JSAT and Japan’s space agency JAXA awarded Orbital Lasers a contract for a conceptual study of Earth observation LiDAR satellites...

Eutelsat has completed the sale of OneWeb’s 50% share in the Airbus OneWeb Satellites joint venture. The co-owner of the Florida-based business, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, acquired the stake. The company built the satellites for the OneWeb First Generation constellation. Eutelsat announced the completion of the sale on Jan. 29, along with an update...

L3Harris grew revenue by 14% in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to acquiring Aerojet Rocketdyne and Viasat’s Tactical Data Links business. L3Harris reported $19.4 billion in revenue in 2023, according to its full year results released Jan. 26. Operating income was $1.4 billion, up 27% compared to 2022.  Both segments that deal in satellite...

The FCC adopted guidance during its January meeting on orbital debris mitigation rules to provide clarity and guidance to satellite operators.  The FCC adopted an Order on Reconsideration on Jan. 25 to address issues raised by Boeing, EchoStar, Hughes Network Services, Planet Labs, Spire Global, Telesat, SpaceX, and Amazon in response to the Commission’s 2020...

Virgin Galactic has completed its first spaceflight this year and its 11th overall. Interestingly, the latest flight was the first flight that all four seats aboard VSS Unity were occupied by private astronauts. The flight took place on Friday 26 Jan. Virgin Galactic’s next mission, expected in the second quarter of 2024, will include both...

Musang Valley Plantation (MVP) is to use space-based technology to drive and implement sustainable practices and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. The Malaysian integrated plantation company will use advanced Earth observation (EO) data and analytics solutions provided by SC Solutions. It announced the deal, Jan. 29. Under the agreement, SC Solutions will work closely...

easyJet announced it will partner with the European Iris program, which uses satellite technology to help modernize air traffic management (ATM). The initiative is being led by the European Space Agency (ESA) and Viasat. easyJet announced the development, Jan. 29. Through the use of Iris, easyJet will be able to operate its aircraft as efficiently...