Space

In this Space Café Radio – SpaceWatch.Global Event coordinator and Space Café Young Global Talents Host Chiara Moenter spoke with Dr. Niamh Shaw, Irish award-winning communicator, writer and explorer of space activities, in the first week of the Space Studies Program (SSP22) of the International Space University (ISU).

Finnish microsatellite manufacturer ICEYE, and New Space optical imaging company Satlantis, announced preliminary plans to develop and manufacture a proposed Tandem for Earth Observation (Tandem4EO) constellation consisting of two SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) and two VHR (Very High Resolution) optical satellites.

The world’s first dedicated, fully integrated marketing communications network for the space sector, the Space Communications Alliance (SCA) has been launched. SCA aims to connect space innovators with customers and partners via integrated public relations, content marketing and social media campaigns, SCA said.

Space-based data, analytics and space services provider Spire Global, entered into a Space Services agreement with high-resolution methane monitoring company GHGSat, to expand its satellite constellation for greenhouse gas emissions monitoring, GHGSat said. According to the agreement, Spire will launch three 16U satellites in 2023 with GHGSat’s payload aboard. 

Information and intelligence platform provider NorthStar Earth & Space (NorthStar), and satellite operator Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), have entered into a Distribution and Partnership Agreement (D&PA) to strengthen cooperation on delivering solutions to greatly enhance European Space Domain Awareness initiatives, the companies said.

The first of Airbus’ next generation geostationary satellites, built under ESA’s Eurostar Neo program, is ready for shipment to Cape Canaveral for launch preparations, Airbus said. Hotbird 13F will be positioned at 13 degrees east along with its twin satellite, Hotbird 13G.

Astrobotic has acquired space technologies company Masten Space Systems, providing suborbital payload testing services, including a heritage of more than 600 vertical takeoff and landing (VTVL) rocket flights, Astrobotic said. The two companies have a combined workforce of more than 200 employees, who will continue operations at two sites.

Launch services company Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA), signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) under ESA's Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support program, Boost!, Rocket Factory said. Both parties aim for the commercialization of European space transportation, challenging current processes.

Space-resilient computing infrastructure provider Ramon.Space, and dynamic management systems provider Kythera Space Solutions, have partnered to deliver highly dynamic and flexible communications payload solutions, Ramon.Space announced at the World Satellite Business Week 2022. The partnership leverages Kythera’s Operating System as well as Ramon.Space’s space computing platform. 

Global satellite operator ABS, appointed Amit Somani as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who will assume duties on 10th October 2022.   Somani has more than 25 years of experience as an operational and strategic leader in the information and communications technology environment.