Satellite News

Relativity Space announced that it has signed a launch services agreement with Momentus, a provider of in-space shuttle services that move satellites between orbits, to launch Momentus’ small and medium satellite customers on Relativity’s Terran 1 rocket.

Airbus has won a design study from the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) to develop the technologies for a cluster of ultra-high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites for the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). The satellites will also have the ability to collect radio frequency (RF) signals.

Satellite and space tech company mu Space announced it has signed a contract with Malaysian telecom service provider Zeta IOS to provide broadband connectivity across Malaysia and Southeast Asia using mu Space’s own high throughput satellite, to be launched in 2022.

The launch of a Japanese H-2B rocket carrying the KOUNOTORI8 resupply ship from Tanegashima Space Center was scrubbed after a fire broke out on the launch pad a few hours before lift-off.

Thales Alenia Space launched its new Space Inspire satellite product line (INstant SPace In-orbit Reconfiguration) which allows seamless mission and services reconfiguration, instant in-orbit adjustment to the demand, transition from video broadcasting to broadband connectivity services while maximising the efficiency and effective use of satellite resources.

A team of engineers, scientists, and satellite operators recently restored the Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS), which was damaged by radiation as it flew on the Suomi-NPP satellite. The team made a successful switch to the sensor’s electronic B-side, returning the instrument to full capability.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. announced the launch time of the H-IIB Launch Vehicle No. 8 (H-IIB F8) which carries aboard the H-II Transfer Vehicle “KOUNOTORI8” (HTV8), the cargo transporter to the International Space Station (ISS).

Boeing unveiled its 702X family of software-defined satellites, highlighting a 1,900kg variant for geosynchronous orbit. The 702X technology enables operators to adapt to changing market conditions by dynamically allocating bandwidth. The first customer is SES, which will use the spacecraft for their planned O3b mPOWER system.