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Space Systems Command (SSC) started its technology accelerator program at its newest Technology, Applications, and Process (TAP) Lab on the 28th of October. It has been supported by Virginia Tech’s Applied Research Corporation (VT-ARC) and MITRE Corporation. The opening day agenda welcomed more than 200 participants and showcased not only the mission of the Accelerator program, but also the physical space TAP Lab provides aiming to enhance the collaboration experience. 

UNIO has announced that it has raised €2.5 million in pre-seed funding to keep up with its mission to provide always-on connectivity for connected vehicles by seamlessly bridging terrestrial and satellite networks. With the funding, UNIO aims to advance the development and market launch of the UNIO ‘bridge’ product. This product will potentially deliver seamless connectivity for connected vehicles transitioning between 5G and satellite connectivity, delivering ‘always-on’ connectivity for all mobile use cases.

Maxar Intelligence has appointed Dan Smoot as its new CEO, effective November 6, 2023, completing the Company's phase of investment in the business’ senior leadership talent. Daniel Jablonsky, who has been serving as interim CEO of Maxar Intelligence, will subsequently transition to the Board of Directors. Consequent upon the appointment, Smoot will lead a new Maxar Intelligence management team with extensive experience in the national security, space and technology sectors.

Northrop Grumman Corporation has received an agreement with a total potential value of approximately $732 million to design and build 38 data transport satellites, from the Space Development Agency (SDA). These satellites will support Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Alpha (T2TL-Alpha), the latest iteration of SDA’s low-Earth orbit Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). Furthermore, the announcement follows an August 2023 award to Northrop Grumman of 36 satellites as part of Tranche 2 Transport Layer – Beta (T2TL-Beta)

The Space Café Podcast #92: Planetary Defense: How to save earth from asteroid disaster and the winding road to success with HERA mission principal investigator Patrick Michel. In this riveting episode, Dr. Patrick Michel, dives deep into the intricacies of planetary defense, asteroid research missions, the essence of teamwork, and the life lessons he’s garnered over the years. ➡️ The undeniable importance of collaboration in overcoming space-related adversities. ➡️ Lessons from the HERA mission: Turning setbacks into steppingstones. ➡️ Patrick’s insights on success, the winding path of scientific research, and the unpredictability of major breakthroughs.

The Governments of Australia and the United States of America have signed an agreement formalizing the Technology Safeguards Agreement between both countries. As a result, the Technology Safeguards Agreement (TSA) will allow US companies to carry out space launch activities in Australia and protect US technology, including rockets and satellites. The agreement signing occurred as part of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to the United States.

Qosmosys has announced a seed funding round of US$100 million to expedite its strategic goals and fortify its position as a premier private player in the burgeoning Moon economy. As a result, the Company will leverage the funding for the development of its lunar transportation vehicle, ZeusX, along with complementary technologies aimed at serving a range of lunar applications.

The Karman Project is partnering with the Maldives Space Research Organization (MSRO) and Six Senses Laamu to organize the Karman Week 2023 from November 1st to 5th, 2023. The annual Fellowship Week will feature 15 global space leaders and will consequently mark an important milestone in the Maldives' journey towards establishing a first national space ecosystem.

A special moment took place at the SPACETIDE conference in early July 2023 in Tokyo and online. When Takeshi Hakamada and Masayasu Ishida sat down together to reminisce their humble beginnings, the sentiment was palpable. Both had come a long way: Hakamada-san, Co-Founder & CEO of iSpace (2010), recovering from a Moon hard landing, yet looking forward confidently to the success of their next lunar mission. And Ishida-san, Co-Founder, President & CEO, member of the Board of Directors of the SPACETIDE Foundation (2015) , taking stock of the Foundation’s growth experienced in less than a decade. 

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) and Axiom Space have signed an agreement to set out plans for the two organizations to work together to pursue a commercially sponsored UK astronaut mission. On this future flight, the UK astronauts would launch to space, spending up to two weeks in orbit to carry out scientific research, demonstrate new technologies, and participate in education and outreach activities.