PUNE, India (QYResearch PR) — Nanosatellites and microsatellites (NaM) are mainly used for space research, earth observation and communication purposes. Besides these uses, application of nanosatellites and microsatellites is also seen in defense and military sector and for commercial purposes. Nanosatellites and microsatellites are basically used for research requirements and for scientific objectives on a large scale.
The Global Nanosatellite and Microsatellite Market Estimated to grow at a CAGR of +12% during forecast period.
ESA’s biggest small satellite yet: the GomX-4B six-unit CubeSat will demonstrate miniaturised technologies, preparing the way for future operational nanosatellite constellations. (Credit: GomSpace)
STOCKHOLM (GomSpace PR) — As part of a mission to demonstrate interlink communication on nanosatellite tandem formation flights and data retrieval, including surveillance of the Arctic area, the Danish nanosatellite specialist GomSpace launched two nanosatellites in February.
Twelve weeks later, GomSpace for the first time showed the possibility of live data capture from the two nanosatellites in space at a press conference held in Aalborg, Denmark. At the same time, the press conference marked the official transition to the so-called demonstration phase, following the mission’s test phase. The latter has thus been successfully completed, and the mission is now ready to carry out its scheduled tasks.
CubeSats STMSat-1, CADRE and MinXSS are deployed from the International Space Station during Expedition 47. (Credit: NASA)
ATLANTA, January 30, 2018 (SEI PR) – SpaceWorks Enterprises, Inc. (SEI) announced today the release of its annual nanosatellite and microsatellite market forecast and the unveiling of its updated SpaceWorks Commercial website.
Projections indicate as many as 2,600 nano/microsatellites will require launch over the next 5 years. The 2018 market forecast is available in presentation form as a free download on the SpaceWorks Commercial website, www.spaceworkscommercial.com.
TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2018 (Kepler Communications PR) — A new era in space communications began on Friday, January 19 with the successful launch of an ultra-low-cost telecommunications satellite from Canada-based Kepler Communications. The mission serves as a technology demonstration for Kepler’s novel Ku-band telecommunications payload, and offers the best price per MHz of any communication satellite on the market.
With this launch, the Canadian start-up becomes the first commercial company ever to launch and successfully operate a LEO communications satellite in Ku-band. This highly valuable frequency band is ideal for telecommunication services, and is currently being sought for use by many companies planning on deploying mega-constellations of satellites. Kepler’s network of satellites will eventually enable in-space connectivity for other satellites, space stations, and transport vehicles.
Total solar eclipse photographed from NASA Armstrong’s Gulfstream III. (Credit: (NASA/Carla Thomas)
by Douglas Messier Managing Editor
I realize it’s a bit late, but here’s a look back at the major developments in space in 2017.
I know that I’m probably forgetting something, or several somethings or someones. Fortunately, I have eagle-eyed readers who really seem to enjoy telling me just how much I’ve screwed up. Some of them a little too much….
So, have at it! Do your worst, eagle-eyed readers!
LauncherOne ignites after being released from Cosmic Girl 747. (Credit: Virgin Galactic)
STOCKHOLM, Jan. 16, 2018 (GomSpace PR) — GomSpace has purchased a launch for several nanosatellites onboard a LauncherOne rocket from the California based company Virgin Orbit. The flight, which is bound for a low-inclination orbit, is scheduled to occur in early 2019. (more…)
ISRO is looking to double its launch rate and turn over more responsibility to the private sector in the coming years.
Currently, the space agency launches 9 to 10 spacecraft built by it every year. Dr K Sivan, director of Thiruvananthapuram-based Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, said, “Isro is targeting to double the number of launches from 9-10 to 18-19 launches per year.”
On outsourcing of jobs to the private industry, Isro chairman A S Kiran Kumar said the space agency does as much activity as possible with the industry. “Wherever it’s possible to get things done through the industry, we are doing and it will only increase in the coming days because we need to do more frequent activities,” he told a news agency.
Dr Sivan said, “Currently, 80-90 per cent of work relating to launch vehicles are being done by the industry, including private and public sector companies. Only, critical components are manufactured by Isro. After we purchase 90 per cent of vehicle components, propellant casting and vehicle integration are done at the Sriharikota launch centre.” He said, “The space agency currently focuses on vehicle integration, vehicle engineering, mission design (marking trajectory), launch and quality assurance.”
“But gradually Isro wants vehicle parts vendors to become part of the system through joint ventures. Therefore in this direction, Isro is preparing the ground work to involve such companies directly into launch projects,” Dr Sivan said.
The Isro chairman, too, said the space agency is looking at the possibility of building a PSLV in a joint venture with a set of industry partners by 2020-21. The role of industry in the making of satellites, however, is restricted to 30-35 per cent as the spacecraft is the key part of any space mission.
Meanwhile, ISRO is looking to return to flight in December following the failure of a PSLV booster on Aug. 30. The IRNSS-1 navigation satellite was lost after the rocket’s payload shroud failed to separate.
The Cartosat-2 remote sensing satellite is the primary payload for the PSLV flight next month. Along for the ride will be 25 nanosats, three microsats and possibility a university-built spacecraft.
Sky and Space Global (SAS) has signed a binding agreement with Italian space system company, D-Orbit, to provide launch and deployment services for the upcoming roll-out of the SAS nanosatellite constellation
The partnership will allow SAS to maximize the operational capabilities and potential revenue generation for their upcoming nanosatellite constellation
The agreement follows the recent announcement of the Pearls, the next generation of SAS nanosatellites, which will be launched into space and were unveiled at the International Astronautical Congress in Adelaide in September
This partnership demonstrates SAS’ strong commitment to the success of its constellation launch plans and delivering on its promises to investors and shareholders
Paris, Washington D.C., Montreal, Yokohama, October 11, 2017 – According to the 20th edition of the report Satellites to be Built & Launched, Euroconsult anticipates that 300 satellites with a mass over 50 kg will be launched on average each year by 2026 for government agencies and commercial organizations worldwide. This is a threefold increase over the past decade as the satellite market experiences a paradigm shift with the rise of small satellites and mega constellations, such as that of OneWeb.
Lockheed Martin’s family of solutions all now featuring common components include four series of satellites from nanosatellites to powerful geostationary platforms. (Credit: Lockheed Martin)
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md., Sept. 19, 2017 (Lockheed Martin PR) — Today Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) debuted a new family of satellite buses that form the core of nearly every space mission. From nanosats to high-powered satellites, the versatile lineup incorporates dozens of major enhancements and hundreds of common components that speed production and reduce cost. The company announced the lineup at the Air Force Association Air, Space & Cyber Conference.
LONDON (Sky and Space Global PR) — Sky and Space Global Ltd (ASX: SAS, “Sky and Space Global” or the “Company”) today announces a world first for the aerospace, satellite and telecommunications industries, as the first ever voice call has been successfully conducted using its 3 Diamonds nano-satellite technology, a standard smartphone and SAS proprietary hardware and application.
Performing the first ever phone call facilitated by nano-satellites marks a major milestone for the telecoms and satellite communications industries. This technology will enable the delivery of low cost satellite connectivity in remote locations and emerging markets that have no access to a communications network infrastructure. It is an important step towards realizing the SAS vision.
Sky and Space Global and Sat -Space Africa have signed a binding commercial contract for provision of narrow -band services, following the initial binding Letter of Intent from 2016
Sat-Space Africa is the Company’s first contracted wholesale customer for services from the 3 Diamonds and the Equatorial Constellation once deployed from 2018
This binding contract defines the full commercial terms for purchasing services from Sky and Space Global, along with Sat-Space Africa’s role with other customers
Once the full Sky and Space Global Equatorial Constellation is deployed, potential revenues from customers via Sat- Space Africa will be between US$10 million to US$35 million annually
This binding commercial contract provides further confidence in Sky and Space Global’s nano-satellite constellation and technical capability
Lausanne, Switzerland (August 10th, 2017) – ELSE SA, the Swiss new space start-up, today announced the funding of a $3 million seed round. The successful capital raise was enabled by a group of investors including Airbus Ventures, a Geneva-based Independent Assets Manager and Multi Family Office, as well as numerous additional Swiss- and internationally-based private investors. The seed round follows $3 million previously raised by the company in public support.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) additive manufactured injector by was successfully hot fire tested by Vector Space System on Dec. 8, 2016 using Liquid Oxygen/Propylene propellant (LOX/LC3H6). This work was performed under a 2015 STMD ACO Space Act Agreement. (Credit: Vector Space System)
TUCSON, Ariz., May 1, 2017 (Vector Space Systems PR) — Vector, a micro satellite space launch company comprised of new-space and enterprise software industry veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas, Sea Launch and VMware, today announced that it will join forces with Citrix to bring advanced datacenter and cloud virtualization technology into space for the first time through the development of a software defined satellite platform with Vector’s GalacticSky solution. Citrix and Vector will work together to enhance Citrix XenServer for space use and validate Vector’s GalacticOS, a purpose built satellite app operating system that enables entrepreneurs to easily develop space based applications.
Engineers pack the Technology Education Satellite (TechEdSat-5) with the Exo-Brake payload. At almost 4 square feet in cross section (0.35 square meters), the Exo-Brake is made of Mylar and is controlled by a hybrid system of mechanic struts and flexible cord. (Credit: NASA Ames/Dominic Hart)
MOFFETT FIELD, Calif. (NASA PR) — NASA’s “Exo-Brake” will demonstrate a critical technology leading to the potential return of science payloads to Earth from the International Space Station through the deployment of small spacecraft in early 2017.
