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SpeQtral has tapped Kongsberg NanoAvionics (NanoAvionics) and Mbryonics to build its SpeQtral-1 satellite. The deal was announced Aug. 16. SpeQtral-1 is aimed at providing communications services that require quantum security, as it says traditional cryptographic techniques are threatened by the emergence of quantum computing. NanoAvionics will be the satellite bus provider and Mbryonics will produce...

The Space Development Agency (SDA) has awarded Momentus a small business innovation research (SBIR) award to tailor its orbital service vehicle for Department of Defense needs. However, the company faces dwindling cash reserves and must raise additional capital to continue operating.  Momentus released its second quarter financials on Monday, marking its first $1-million quarter, with...

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded weather app MyRadar a grant for a satellite mission to improve resilience against wildfires. MyRadar announced the Phase II small business innovation research (SBIR) grant on Tuesady, following an earlier Phase I grant.  The Phase II mission will be an orbital demonstration of multi-sensor data capture and...

Viasat has opened a new ground station for its Real-Time Earth (RTE) service in Hokkaido, Japan, hosted at Infostellar’s site. Viasat said the new 7.3 meter, Ka-band antenna will support high data rate remote sensing missions in polar and inclined orbits through the RTE network. Viasat’s ground-station-as-a-service provides a fully managed ground network. The RTE...

Orbex, has appointed a former British Airways exec Lesley Still as its new chief of spaceport operations. The company announced the appointment, Aug. 15. Orbex is advancing preparations for the United Kingdom’s mainland’s inaugural vertical rocket launch. Still will oversee the operational management of Sutherland (formerly Space Hub Sutherland), ensuring its readiness for the first...

AST SpaceMobile secured a financing package that funds the launch of its first five direct-to-cell commercial satellites, the company announced Monday.  CFO Sean Walllace said the company secured up to $115 million in loans, in addition to a $57 million common stock offering and $7 million raised under a market program. Atlas Credit Partners announced...

Astra Space recently laid off 70 employees and reallocated other employees from its launch business to its spacecraft engine team in a bid to manage expenses and put more resources toward its engine business.  Astra debuted as a prospective smallsat launcher and was focused on developing smallsat launch capability, but the company hit roadblocks with...

Vast has made some significant changes to its management team including appointing its first CTO. The company announced the changes, Aug. 11. Max Haot, currently the president, will become the CEO, succeeding founder Jed McCaleb. Alex Hudson will join the company as its first Chief Technology Officer. McCaleb will move into the role of founder,...

Planet has closed its acquisition of Slovenian company Sinergise to expand and enhance its Earth Data Platform. Planet announced the acquisition in March of this year.   Sinergise makes the technology that powers the Sentinel Hub API that makes Sentinel and Landsat satellite data accessible. Planet said it is committed to supporting the Earth Observation market...

Construction is complete on York Space Systems’ fourth production facility, which will double York’s production capacity to more than 1,000 spacecraft per year. The new facility, nicknamed “Potomac,” is 60,000 square feet, and located near York’s headquarters in Denver, Colorado.  The new facility has environmental test bays with 50-foot crane hooks and 10 trailer docks...