News

Morocco has selected the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to provide it with two advanced spy satellites, in a deal worth 1 billion USD. IAI confirmed the $1bn contract to supply one of its systems to an unnamed third party via the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, and  Moroccan media has also corroborated that the North African Country would be the recipient, as it looks to replace its Mohammed VI-A and Mohammed VI-B satellites. 

After more than a year of collecting data, the Austrian Space Forum-led ADLER-2 has burned up in the Earth's atmosphere in mid-August. The second mini satellite in the ADLER series, ADLER-2 launched into low Earth Orbit in April 2023 to research the size and distribution of smaller space debris particles. After almost 7,100 orbits, ADLER-2 has now deorbited and burned up in the Earth's atmosphere.

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has reported the loss of its first stage during a hot fire test at the SaxaVord spaceport in Scotland. The nine-engine test was part of several trials which RFA were performing before progressing to launch. However, the hot fire test saw the explosion of RFA's first stage. The Company has also stated that no lives were lost in the anomalous explosion. 

The Transporter-11 mission has launched the NASA-designed Tanager-1 satellite for Carbon Mapper Coalition. Tanager-1 carries the NASA-designed greenhouse-gas-tracking instrument, an imaging spectrometer that will provide actionable data to help reduce emissions contributing to global warming.

SpaceX has launched the Transporter-11 rideshare mission from Space Launch Complex 4E, Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, placing more than 100 satellites in orbit for government and commercial outfits. This mission marked the 12th flight for the first stage booster supporting this mission which previously launched SDA-0A, SARah-2, and nine Starlink missions. 

KSAT has announced its role in providing complete end-to-end ground segment services, including satellite command and control (SatOps), for the European Space Agency's (ESA) Arctic Weather Satellite mission. The mission launched on Friday 16th August aboard SpaceX's Transporter-11 mission from the Vandenberg Space Force Base, in California. 

Lockheed Martin has announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Terran Orbital, a provider of satellite-based solutions primarily supporting the aerospace and defense industries. Terran Orbital brings a high throughput, robotic manufacturing capacity and high-performing modular space vehicle designs. Combined with Lockheed Martin's record of performance and innovation, this transaction will usher in a broader range of capabilities and value for customers.

Impulse Space has announced two new offerings to provide additional access to and maneuverability within Geostationary Earth Orbit and other high-energy orbits. The first offering is a new GEO Rideshare Program for small satellites, featuring Impulse’s high-performance kick stage, Helios. Likewise, the second is an updated design for the Mira spacecraft, Impulse’s original orbital transfer vehicle (OTV).

Esper Satellite Imagery, a Melbourne-based space tech startup, and Wyvern, an Alberta-based hyperspectral satellite imaging company, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore opportunities that will enhance and expand hyperspectral data capabilities for commercial applications. The MoU outlines plans to integrate Wyvern VNIR data into Esper environmental intelligence products and enable reciprocal data reselling, expanding market reach and broadening solutions for both customer bases.

Es’hailSat has visited Algérie Télécom Satellite (ATS) to discuss areas for potential collaboration for supporting telecommunications networks in the country with Es’hailSat’s premier satellite services. The Qatar satellite Company also visited Algeria TV to discuss collaboration regarding broadcasting TV channels in the country with Es’hailSat’s premier satellite services.