ISU MSS 2024

Region

SpaceRake Receives SDA Funding for Miniaturized Lasercoms

SDA

SpaceRake, Inc., has received approximately $1.8 million in Direct to Phase II SBIR funding from the Space Development Agency (SDA). The two-year agreement will consequently provide funding for SpaceRake to develop miniaturized lasercom terminals for networking satellites in space. The SpaceRake terminals will enable a wide variety of satellites to connect to orbital network links like the SDA Transport Layer currently in development, allowing cost-effective small satellites and constellations to be increasingly viable for incorporation into future resilient space communication architectures.

Read More »

Aerospacelab and DUPUIS to Launch Comic-Inspired Mission

Aerospacelab

Aerospacelab and DUPUIS, a renowned publisher of comic albums and magazines, have announced their collaboration with the launch of Aerospacelab’s Versatile Satellite Platform (VSP), SPIP satellite, the company’s fourth satellite to travel into space. Less than a month after the launch of its PVCC satellite, Aerospacelab is gearing up for another launch from Space Launch Complex 4E (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States.

Read More »

Sierra Space Announces Dream Chaser Spaceplane

Sierra Space has announced the completion of its first  Dream Chaser spaceplane, which will ship to NASA’s Neil A. Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio for environmental testing in the coming weeks. Sierra Space was able to develop the spaceplace through a substantial contract from NASA to resupply the International Space Station. The Pureplay commercial space company intends the Dream Chaser to lead the way in democratizing access to space, forging a path towards joint space exploration and international cooperation.

Read More »

SDSC 2023 – Interview with Elise Olt and Marily Hendrikson

An illuminating discussion from #SDC2023 with two trailblazing Estonian space leaders - Elise Olt and Marily Hendrikson! � Get inspired as they share a vibrant vision for Estonia's growing role in the global space industry. Learn how their work is expanding access and opportunity in space tech for future generations. Elise and Marily provide unique perspectives on Estonia's emerging space sector and shaping the new space economy.

Read More »

Polaris MIRA successfully completes turbine thrust test 

MIRA. Credit POLARIS Spaceplanes

POLARIS Spaceplanes, a German aerospace start-up, has successfully flown MIRA under turbine thrust for the first time. The first flight took place in Peenemünde with 260 km squared of closed airspace. It had a flight time of just under 2.5 minutes and a distance of approximately 9km. POLARIS received the Operation License on the 25th of October and the following day flew MIRA.

Read More »

NASA Welcomes Netherlands as Newest Accords Signatory

NASA and Netherlands

The Netherlands has become the newest and 31st signatory to the Artemis Accords, signing the document during a ceremony at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in Washington on Wednesday. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson participated in the signing ceremony for the agency, and Netherlands Space Office (NSO) director Harm van de Wetering signed on behalf of the Netherlands.

Read More »

Kuva Space Secures $17.6 Million in Series A Funding

Kuva Space satellite artist rendering. Credit Kuva Space

Kuva Space, a Finnish hyperspectral satellite imagery company, has successfully raised 16.6 million euros ($17.6 million) in a recent Series A funding round. The startup, founded in 2016, aims to accelerate its satellite launches and expand its market reach, especially in the United States. The funding will be utilised to enhance Kuva Space’s AI analytics platform.

Read More »

Andøya Spaceport is Officially Inaugurated

Andoya Spaceport

Andøya Spaceport has been officially inaugurated as the first operational spaceport in continental Europe, and the first launch site of the European launch service company Isar Aerospace. The inauguration happened in an official ceremony, with H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon inaugurating the spaceport. The inauguration also marks an essential milestone on Isar Aerospace’s path to its first test flight.

Read More »

Karman Week 2023 – Interview with Madin Maseeh of MSRO

A historic conversation from paradise! Join Emma Gatti at The Karman Project Maldives Edition as she speaks with Madin Maseeh, President of the Maldives Space Research Organisation, about their groundbreaking work. Get an insider look as Madin shares his vision for growing MSRO, increasing access to space research, and collaborating globally - straight from the shores of the breathtaking Maldives islands. Discover how MSRO is advancing space technology and exploration despite facing unique challenges. Madin provides an inspiring perspective on space as a unifying force that transcends borders. You won't want to miss these one-of-a-kind insights from a space leader making waves on the world stage. This exclusive interview offers a window into the fascinating work being done by MSRO on climate change, marine conservation, and more. Let The Karman Project transport you to paradise and beyond! Join Emma and Madin for this uplifting discussion about the power of space to improve life on Earth.

Read More »

SDSC 2023 – Interview with Dr Daniel Fischer of ESA

Straight from Tallinn! �� Torsten Kriening spoke with Dr. Daniel Fischer, Head of Ground Segment System and Cyber Security Engineering at European Space Agency - ESA, about critical work safeguarding our space infrastructure. Hear directly from Dr. Fischer on ESA's cutting-edge approaches to cybersecurity in the space sector. He discusses how to build resilience against emerging threats in an increasingly complex space ecosystem. ☄ Dr. Fischer also provides fascinating insights into ESA's Zero Debris Universe initiative - charting innovative ways to mitigate dangerous space junk. Join us from Software Defined Space Conference for an engaging conversation at the intersection of space technology, engineering, and security. This exclusive interview sheds light on critical work you won't hear about anywhere else!

Read More »