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BridgeComm, Space Micro Team Up on Space Optical Wireless Communications Initiatives

BridgeComm, an optical wireless communications company, has partnered with satellite subsystem manufacturer Space Micro to design, develop and test space OWC and related equipment in support of government and industry clients Space Micro’s sealing components, space-related environmental testing and other capabilities will be used by BridgeComm to support work on its AstroBridge and AeroBridge tracking […] More

by Angeline Leishman September 9, 2021, 11:36 am
in News, Space News

Space Systems Command Posts RFI for Development of Electronic Warfare Operating Location

The Space Systems Command wants to identify potential sources that can meet technical and logistical requirements for the development of a space electromagnetic warfare operating location. SEWOL will serve as consolidated operating facilities where the U.S. Space Force would plan and conduct space electromagnetic warfare operations, the ommand said Sept. 1 in a SAM.gov notice. […] More

by Nichols Martin September 8, 2021, 11:56 am
in News, Space News

Northrop, Lockheed Invest in On-Orbit Refueling Tech Startup Orbit Fab

Orbit Fab has received investments from Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and other companies to help commercialize its on-orbit refueling systems and services. Orbit Fab said Tuesday it raised over $10 million in its most recent funding round led by Asymmetry Ventures, alongside Lockheed’s venture arm and Northrop. SpaceFund, Marubeni Ventures and Audacious Venture Partners participated […] More

by Jane Edwards September 8, 2021, 11:55 am
in News, Space News

Viasat’s Craig Miller: SDA’s Transport Layer Discussion Should Highlight Network, System Interoperability

Craig Miller, president of government systems at Viasat, said that discussions about the Space Development Agency’s upcoming satellite network should focus on how spacecraft from different manufacturers could be interoperable and support a “highly complex, multi-band and multi-network system” together. In an opinion piece SpaceNews published Friday, Miller noted that the Transport Layer’s network and […] More

by Christine Thropp September 8, 2021, 11:54 am
in News, Space News

Iridium’s Matt Desch on LEO Network Innovation, M&A Activity in Satellite Industry

Matt Desch, CEO of Iridium Communications and a 2021 Wash100 Award winner, said he believes the entire satellite industry will benefit from all the innovation in low-Earth orbit satellite constellations, Via Satellite reported Tuesday. “It’s making stuff cheaper and making stuff better. My next satellites are going to cost a lot less to build than […] More

by Jane Edwards September 8, 2021, 11:49 am
in News, Space News

Robert Cardillo: US Should Establish Responsive Launch Capability to Defend Against Adversaries

Robert Cardillo, former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and a four-time Wash100 awardee, said the U.S. should support its space-based infrastructure with a responsive launch capability to help deter adversaries and improve national security. He wrote in a commentary published Friday on Defense News that the Department of Defense should come up with resources […] More

by Jane Edwards September 7, 2021, 11:33 am
in News, Space News

Mike Rokaw: Virgin Orbit to Compete for ‘Tactically Responsive Launch’ Contracts

Mike Rokaw, vice president of operations at Virgin Orbit’s VOX Space subsidiary, said the parent company expects to submit bids for the U.S. Space Force’s future ‘tactically responsive launch’ contracts, which require launch providers to send satellites to orbit on short notice, SpaceNews reported Thursday. “We think we bring to the table a good economic […] More

by Jane Edwards September 3, 2021, 11:22 am
in Government Technology, News, Space News

Steve Isakowitz: Rapid Tech Advancements Could Transform Military Space Contracting Process

Aerospace Corp. CEO Steve Isakowitz said he thinks rapid technology advancements could change the way companies compete for national security space contracts. Isakowitz told SpaceNews in an interview published Tuesday that as new technologies emerge, competition for military space contracts will see a shift away from a model in which a winning vendor can lock, […] More

by Jane Edwards September 1, 2021, 11:38 am
in News, Space News

Rogue Transport Spacecraft to Launch Aboard Firefly Rocket; Jeromy Grimmett Quoted

Firefly Aerospace will lift off Rogue Space Systems‘ orbital transport vehicle in the third quarter of 2023 under a new launch service agreement signed between the two companies. Rogue Space said Monday it has secured the entire capacity aboard Firefly’s Alpha launch vehicle for the Fred OTV, which will carry satellites from Rogue Space customers. The agreement […] More

by Nichols Martin August 31, 2021, 11:31 am
in News, Space News

Kratos Enables Satellite Ground System Platform’s Deployment on Red Hat Cloud Environment; Chris Boyd Quoted

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions’ satellite ground system platform can now be deployed on Red Hat‘s private cloud environment in an effort to enable customers to securely operate signals when conducting satellite missions and operations. Kratos said Monday its OpenSpace platform intended for dynamic ground missions can be used on RedHat’s OpenStack cloud environment, allowing […] More

by Carol Collins August 31, 2021, 11:30 am
in News, Space News

Virgin Orbit Partners With SwRI on Potential Space Vehicle Manufacturing, Services Delivery

Virgin Orbit and the Southwest Research Institute have partnered to look into combining the former’s LauncherOne rocket and the latter’s space mission development expertise to potentially pursue specialized mission opportunities. The partnership is exploring opportunities in joint SwRI platform manufacturing and services delivery to Virgin Orbit clients, and considering stewardship programs focused on the use […] More

by Christine Thropp August 31, 2021, 11:29 am
in News, Space News

Ball Aerospace to Help NASA Study Architectures for Earth Imagery Satellites

NASA has tasked Ball Aerospace to study two architecture concepts designed to modernize instruments of Earth imagery satellites. The company said Monday it will assess how constellation and single satellite concepts can accommodate new spectral bands and orbit parameters as well as enhanced spatial resolution for the Landsat Next program. Ball will seek to determine […] More

by Nichols Martin August 31, 2021, 11:27 am