Space Resources

Innovative Rocket Technologies Inc. (iRocket) has signed a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) West. As a result, It will develop engines and stage technology for the laboratory's next-generation fully reusable Shockwave launch vehicle. Members from AFRL’s Rocket Propulsion Division at Edwards AFB, California, and iRocket, a privately-owned corporation, agreed on the collaborative effort in June 2023.

Redwire Corporation has won a $12.9 million NASA Tipping Point award to prototype a manufacturing technology intended to build critical infrastructure on the surface of the Moon, including landing pads, roads, and foundations for habitats. This technology could enable robust construction on the lunar surface to advance human and robotic operations, paving the way for a sustainable human presence and a dynamic lunar economy.

In the latest (14th) “Space Café Law Breakfast with Steven Freeland”, host Steven Freeland, Emeritus Professor at Western Sydney University, and Professorial Fellow at Bond University, and Co-Host Torsten Kriening, SpaceWatch.Global’s Publisher, welcomed Axelle Cartier and Ingo Baumann to a fantastic breakfast discussion in the wonderful Salon Schmitz in Cologne.

Neuraspace, a European-born space traffic management (STM), has joined NVIDIA Inception, a program that nurtures startups revolutionizing industries with artificial intelligence (AI). NVIDIA Inception will allow Neuraspace to get faster access to cutting-edge AI-related technology and best-in-class tools while enhancing its existing AI system. Furthermore, it will optimize Neuraspace’s research and development efforts to apply AI to its operational STM system.

Hisdesat, the Spanish Government satellite operator, has announced that the first satellite in the SPAINSAT NG program, SpainSat NG-I, will be ready for launch in the summer of 2024 after confirming that the program is making good progress. Space X will be responsible for launching the Spanish satellite into orbit with a Falcon 9 launcher from its base at Cape Canaveral or from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Pixxel has won a multi-crore grant from iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence under the Ministry of Defence) for the Mission DefSpace Challenge under iDEX Prime (Space) to manufacture miniaturized multi-payload satellites for the Indian Air Force. Oixxel received this grant as part of the SPARK grants by iDEX. As a result, this grant will equip Pixxel to develop small satellites of up to 150 kgs for Electro-Optical, Infrared, Synthetic Aperture Radar, and Hyper Spectral purposes. 

Nokia Bell Labs is deploying the first cellular network on the Moon to demonstrate that cellular technologies can provide the critical communications needs for future lunar or Martian missions. This is because NASA selected Nokia to participate in its Tipping Point initiative, which seeks industry-developed space technologies that can foster the development of commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA missions.

Astrocast, a satellite IoT operator, has announced the extension of its partnership with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus) to enhance the capabilities of satellite Internet of Things (SatIoT) technology. As a result, it enables Astrocast to further increase its network capacity to provide the most reliable and cost-effective SatIoT solutions to its customers.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Spire Global a €16 million phased contract for the EURIALO project. The project will develop the preliminary design and demonstrator for a global space-based independent aircraft surveillance system. It is part of ESA’s program of Advanced Research in Telecommunications Systems (ARTES) in its Directorate of Connectivity and Secure Communications.

Impulse Space, Inc. has announced it has secured $45 million in its Series A funding round. The funding round saw participation primarily from RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of RTX. The Series A funding round also included other participant investors, such as Founders Fund, Lux Capital, Airbus Ventures, and Space Capital.