North America

Lockheed Martin announced on the 27th of November that it will soon launch a Electronically Steerable Antenna (ESA) payload demonstrator. The ESA sensor intends to extend Lockheed Martin’s investment in scalable wideband ESA technology development to showcase on-orbit capability. The payload demonstrator will launch aboard Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket, under the mission Fly the Lightning.

L3Harris Technologies has successfully deployed reflectors onboard the Hughes JUPITER™ 3 ultra high-density satellite to provide HughesNet® internet access across the Americas and to support enterprise networks, in-flight Wi-Fi, cellular backhaul and community Wi-Fi solutions.

Space Systems Command (SSC) has awarded a Command-and-Control System Consolidated (CCS-C) Sustainment and Resiliency (C-SAR) contract to Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to provide U.S. Space Force and U.S. Space Command satellite control capabilities and directly support the Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) III, Milstar Satellite Communications System, Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF), and Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) satellite systems.

Satellogic Inc. has received a remote sensing license from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) as part of Satellogic’s strategy to capitalize on high-value opportunities in the U.S. The license results in Satellogic being subject to NOAA’s oversight as Satellogic pivots operational control of its satellite constellation to its U.S. personnel and expands the Satellogic ground station network to include U.S.-based ground stations. Furthermore, The license followed a NOAA and inter-agency review of the Satellogic constellation assessing national security, foreign policy, and U.S. international risks and obligations.

The Maine Space Conference took place in-person and online on November 5-7, 2023, in Portland, Maine. This event marked a significant milestone for the state (a video summary can be watched here). Maine is a state on the US northeastern coast that shares borders with Canada: quite convenient to reach polar orbits. While contemporary Maine might not strike you as a “space state” like of Florida, Texas, or Colorado, it turns out the countrie's industrial and technological base is positioned to be a growing contributor to the US and global space economy

Join us in this episode of Space Cafe Podcast as Markus Mooslechner talks with Andy Rivkin about the thrilling DART mission. As its Lead Investigator, Rivkin offers a rare glimpse into the world of planetary defense, sharing the intricate dance between meticulously executed plans and the unpredictable nature of space exploration. From the collision course with Dimorphos to the anticipation of Hera's future findings, Rivkin’s narrative is a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of cosmic knowledge.

Skyrora and Spirit AeroSystems have announced a collaboration on orbital launch capability. The companies celebrated the announcement on the conference’s opening day in Belfast, home to Spirit’s largest UK manufacturing facility. This partnership will enable Skyrora to transition its orbital launch vehicles from development to full-scale production, in addition to localizing its supply chain. 

Venturi Astrolab, Inc. (Astrolab) has announced that it has reached an agreement with eight enterprise customers to use its Flexible Logistics and Exploration (FLEX) rover to deploy the customers’ payloads on Astrolab’s upcoming mission to the Moon - Mission 1. Five customers are releasing details of their payloads today: Argo Space, Astroport, Avalon Space, Interstellar Lab, and LifeShip. Three more customers are contracted with Astrolab but intend to release details of their payloads at a future date, closer to launch. Collectively, Astrolab values the eight contracts at more than $160 million.

Rocket Lab USA, Inc. has announced the expansion of its space systems business with a dedicated production and development complex. The complex will deliver a comprehensive suite of advanced composite products for the space industry and further vertically integrate supply for the Company’s internal needs across launch and space systems. Furthermore, Rocket Lab's complex will support the development and manufacture of carbon composite spacecraft buses, structural panels and assemblies, among others. 

SpaceX has conducted the second test of its Starship Rocket to launch it into Space in an attempt to evaluate the spacecraft's ability. The Spacecraft lifted off successfully but the rocket's Super Heavy first stage booster exploded in a fireball over the Gulf of Mexico after crucially maneuvering to separate with its core Starship stage. Despite the booster's explosion, Starship continued its trip to space - crossing the 100km mark - until a SpaceX company broadcaster confirmed that mission control suddenly lost contact with the vehicle.