Satellite News

The Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), awarded a sole source, five-year, US$1.18 billion Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) modification of the Delta IV Heavy contract, saving US$455 million.

Rocket Lab announced Astro Digital as the customer for Rocket Lab’s ninth Electron mission, and fifth mission of 2019.

Russia will send only two manned Soyuz spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2020, instead of four it has been sending every year since 2009, according to insurance broker RK-Insurance, a subsidiary of Russian State Space Corporation Roskosmos.

Astroscale announced that it will collaborate with the University of Southampton on a project to investigate collision risks between satellites, highlighting the necessity for financial incentives for satellite operators to engage with active debris removal services.

World View announced it has reached an important milestone representing a key step towards the productisation of persistent and navigational stratospheric flight. After achieving the goal of more than 30 days aloft with full navigational control, the Stratollite completed its 32-day mission over the weekend showcasing its enhanced long-duration flight capability.

Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd announced that its subsidiary Singapore Technologies Engineering (Europe) Ltd has completed the acquisition of a 100% ownership in Newtec Group NV following the fulfilment of completion conditions, including the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals.

Iridium Communications Inc. announced that it has been awarded a five-year, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract from the Defense Information Systems Agency on behalf of the United States Air Force Space Command (AFSpC) with potential revenues up to US$76 million.