Commercial
Former defense secretary Mark Esper joins CAES board
Space-compatible electronics supplier CAES has added former U.S. defense secretary Mark Esper to its board in a push for more government customers.
Analysis: China, Europe pulling ahead of U.S. in commercial satellite imaging
U.S. satellite imaging capabilities historically have been the best in the world. Today, they are not just losing ground but they are officially behind those of other nations.
Hydrosat raises $5 million in seed funding round
Data analytics company HydroSat raised $5 million in seed funding for a satellite constellation to produce a global thermal infrared map.
Tyvak and Lawrence Livermore National Lab release Earth and space images
Tyvak released the first high-resolution images of objects in orbit and on the ground captured by telescopes the satellite manufacturer developed with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
SES seeks speedier summary judgment in C-band case against Intelsat
SES is asking Intelsat’s bankruptcy court for a speedier summary judgment on the satellite operators’ C-band dispute instead of a full trial.
NASA and Boeing close out recommendations from Starliner review
Boeing has completed all the activities recommended by an independent review of the company’s first uncrewed CST-100 Starliner mission, allowing a second uncrewed mission to proceed for launch in late July.
Satellite makers are getting to grips with component shortages
Component shortages have been challenging manufacturers to bolster supply chains as a lack of semiconductors threatens delays and price hikes.
Horizon Technologies orders two surveillance satellites from AAC Clyde Space
British maritime surveillance venture Horizon Technologies has ordered two more cubesats from AAC Clyde Space, which will operate them after securing their launches next year.
Phase Four announces new electric thrusters, subscription program
Phase Four announced June 16 two new electric propulsion systems that offer performance and other improvements, along with a subscription service that offers those thrusters to customers at a discount.
LeoLabs to expand radar network to Europe
LeoLabs plans to expand its global network of space-tracking radars to the Azores archipelago.
4iG to buy majority of Spacecom in a boost for Hungary’s first commercial satellite
Hungarian IT and communications company 4iG plans to buy 51% of Israeli satellite operator Spacecom to jump-start its international space ambitions.
Launcher to develop orbital transfer vehicle
Small launch vehicle company Launcher announced June 15 that it is also working on an orbital transfer vehicle for small satellites that it plans to use on both its own rocket as well as SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
SkyWatch raises $17.2 million in Series B funding round
SkyWatch Space Applications raised 20.9 million Canadian dollars ($17.2 ) in a Series B funding round, less than 17 months after welcoming investors to its Series A round.
Hanwha, KAI and LIG Nex1 to lead South Korea’s private-sector-driven satellite development
South Korea has taken yet another step toward having a domestic satellite industry that is driven by the private sector.
Op-ed | Making space for ESG
Providing increasingly valuable data and monitoring for Earth-based environmental sustainability efforts is contingent on the long-term utilization of space and, consequently, the sustainability of the space environment itself.
NASA soliciting proposals for two private astronaut missions
NASA announced June 11 that it is requesting proposals for two private astronaut missions to the International Space Station that would fly between the fall of 2022 and the end of 2023.
