Satellite News

The third cluster of satellites launched by HawkEye 360 Inc., the world’s first commercial company to pioneer radio frequency (RF) data and analytics from space-based satellites, has achieved initial operating capability and has begun to deliver RF data and insights to clients.

ESA signed a contract that brings the ICEYE constellation of small satellites into the fleet of missions contributing to Europe’s Copernicus environmental monitoring programme.

Planet Labs announced that it plans to launch a new fleet of satellites so powerful they can distinguish road markings on the ground. Planet, which already operates 200 Earth observation satellites from space, wants to make the new function available in 2023.

In-space manufacturing company Varda Space Industries announced that it has signed a Launch Services Agreement with SpaceX to launch its initial space factory aboard a SpaceX rideshare mission, deploying to low Earth orbit in Q1 2023.

Andøya Space will receive approved financing with a total value of NOK366 million (€37 million, US$43 million). With this financial support, the Norwegian government gives the green light to establish a launch site for small satellites on Andøya, Norway.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has arrived safely at Pariacabo harbour in French Guiana. ESA in close collaboration with NASA will now prepare this once in a generation mission for its launch on Ariane 5 from Europe’s Spaceport this December.

The Airbus Zephyr S completed a successful 2021 test flight campaign in the United States. The final Airbus solar-powered High Altitude Platform System (HAPS) flight touched down on 13 September in Arizona, USA, ending the most ambitious and successful Zephyr flight campaign to date.

Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has secured European Space Agency InCubed programme financial and technical support to demonstrate a high throughput, flexible and intelligent payload downlink chain for small Earth Observation satellites.