Entrepreneurship

Following an open call for tenders, GMV has been awarded a contract by the German Space Agency at the German Aerospace Center (DLR), GMV announced. The purpose of the arrangement is to develop advanced space surveillance and tracking (SST) data processing algorithms for the German Space Situational Awareness Centre.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has authorized Boeing to construct, deploy, and operate a broadband satellite constellation. Boeing´s V-band constellation will consist of 132 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites in a circular orbit and 15 highly inclined NGSO satellites.

ESA and GHGSat announced at COP26 that they were to support the United Nations Environment Programme’s new International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO). Methane has more than 80 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide. Therefore, reducing emissions of this gas is one of the fastest ways to slow down the rate of global warming.

I have just come back from the IAC 2021 in Dubai where I enjoyed advocating for end-to-end data security for commercial “newspace” missions. While it was so great to meet colleagues face-to-face and discover the energetic city of Dubai, it bothered me when booking my plane tickets that this trip was to be accounted in my annual carbon footprint.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper will launch two satellites by the end of 2022 on ABL Space Systems’ RS1 rocket, Amazon announced. The company filed an experimental license application with the Federal Communications Commission to launch, deploy, and operate two prototype satellites.

Mynaric will supply Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Government with space laser communications, Mynaric announced. The multi-year strategic arrangement has a minimum value of US $35 million in Mynaric products and related services, the Californian company said.

The 72nd International Astronautical Congress (IAC 2021), organised by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), held in the Middle East for the first time and hosted by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) ended on Friday. Over 6,500 delegates from more than 110 countries attended the “Inspire, Innovate & Discover for the Benefit of Mankind” themed event.

The smallsat startup Terran Orbital will go public through the merger with a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC), valuing it at $1.58 billion, the company said. Terran entered in a business combination with Tailwind Two Acquisition Corp and wants to list at the New York Stock Exchange under the name Terran Orbital Corporation.

Plus Ultra Space Outpost (Plus Ultra) and Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) have signed an agreement to launch a demonstrator mission to the Moon, RFA announced. RFA will launch Plus Ultra’s first satellite in 2023 on an RFA ONE launch vehicle. The vehicle uses industrial automation and staged-combustion propulsion, according to the company.

During this week’s Space Café, SpaceWatch.Global publisher Torsten Kriening caught up with space Social Media Specialist Remco Timmermans, live from the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) exhibition floor in Dubai. Remco is an experienced space business professional,