IENAI SPACE, an in-space mobility provider based in Madrid, Spain, has received two European Space Agency (ESA) contracts within the General Support Technology Program (GSTP), with a total budget of EUR 1.2 million. The contracts will allow the Company to mature and further develop their ATHENA (Adaptable THruster based on Electrospray powered by NAnotechnology) propulsion systems, a prototype version of the propulsion system flew aboard Firefly’s first flight to orbit in October 2022.

BeetleSat has announced the successful deployment of its lightweight, very-high data rate, expandable antenna in space. The in-orbit deployment of BeetleSat’s 60 cm expandable antenna from a 6U CubeSat is a significant milestone in the development of the BeetleSat constellation and proves the viability of its proprietary technology, according to Business Wire. 

United Launch Alliance (ULA) has set May 4 for the maiden launch of its Vulcan rocket. The flight will launch Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine spacecraft to land on the Moon as well as two other payloads.

GHGSat has announced the upcoming launches of six additional satellites in 2023. The first three are GHGSat satellites, named Mey-Lin (C6), Gaspard (C7) and Océane (C8), which will travel into orbit this Spring onboard SpaceX’s Transporter-7 rideshare mission.

Rivada Space Networks GmbH (RSN), a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S.-based Rivada Networks, Inc., has engaged Terran Orbital’s wholly owned subsidiary Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. to manufacture 300 low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites for Rivada’s innovative “network in the sky.” RSN’s space-based data network will provide fiber-like low latency and gigabit per second data delivery, which is ultra-secure and extremely resilient. 

Astrocast has announced the successful optimization of its satellite constellation with improved service quality and reliability. Following the launch of four satellites in November 2022, the company efficiently commissioned them and began computing and executing the necessary maneuvers to re-phase them with the correct angular separation to maximize service performance.

ClearSpace and its industrial partners have passed their first major program review with the European Space Agency (ESA) for its mission to remove a large debris object from Earth orbit. With this milestone, ClearSpace has shown the ability to meet the technology requirements this mission demands

SpaceIL and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have signed a cooperation agreement for the Beresheet2 space mission. The second lunar mission by SpaceIL will comprise three spacecraft systems, which will be tentatively complete by mid-2025.

InnovationAus has joined the Space Communications Alliance as an affiliate member. The Space Communications Alliance is a global network of communications organizations with a background and experience in telling the stories of the people, the technology and geopolitics driving the rapid development of the space industry. InnovationAus.com’s sister company Espresso Communications also joined the global network as a full member.

SpaceQuest Ventures has announced its latest investment in Kreios Space which will see Kreios Space receive support and mentorship from SpaceQuest Ventures' accelerator program, which specifically meets the needs of each startup. With a unique position at the intersection of a venture studio and accelerator, SpaceQuest Ventures is in a strategic position to help Kreios Space bring its electric propulsion system to the market faster.