Astro Digital

Software-as-a-Service model takes the space sector by storm
As the space sector expands, companies are adopting new business models, including Space Data as a Service, Satellite as a Service, and Ground Station as a Service, which promise the benefits of space without many of the demands.

Starfish Space testing software for constellation-managing Otter space tugs
Starfish Space, a startup founded by former Blue Origin and NASA engineers, is developing space tugs to help manage rapidly growing megaconstellations.

Rocket Lab launches Astro Digital satellite
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket launched a single cubesat for Astro Digital Oct. 16, placing the satellite into a much higher orbit than previous Electron launches.

Momentus reports success in testing water plasma propulsion
Momentus’ is reporting success in on-orbit testing of water plasma propulsion and other key elements of its Vigoride in-space transportation vehicle.

Momentus reveals plans for Vigoride Extended Line service
Momentus is preparing to demonstrate its water plasma propulsion system on an Astro Digital 16-unit cubesat scheduled to launch July 5 on a Russian Soyuz rocket from Vostochny Cosmodrome.

Introducing Momentus, a Silicon Valley startup focused on water plasma engines
Russian entrepreneur Mikhail Kokorich is backing Momentus, a Silicon Valley startup developing water plasma engines.

Mysteries surrounding July 14 Soyuz flight solved? Not quite.
For the first time since a Russian Soyuz rocket launched 73 satellites in July 2017, Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of Russian state space corporation Roscosmos, is confirming a problem with the Fregat upper stage.

Insurance firm paid Astro Digital’s claim for lost cubesats, sources said
An insurance company paid Astro Digital’s claim for the loss of two cubesats sent into orbit on a Russian Soyuz rocket after the Earth imaging and analysis company proved the failure stemmed from a launch problem, according to two space industry executives.

PSLV launch a milestone for India and several companies
The successful launch of an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) Jan. 11 marked not just the return to flight of the rocket but also major achievements for several of the companies with payloads on board the vehicle.

Astro Digital announces first cubesats launched on Soyuz failed
Astro Digital has confirmed that two satellites it launched as secondary payloads on a Soyuz rocket in July have failed, joining several other satellites that mysteriously failed on that mission.

Soyuz launches 73 satellites
A Soyuz rocket successfully launched 73 satellites, including spacecraft for four companies’ cubesat constellations, July 14.

Astro Digital raises funds to develop its Earth imaging satellite system
Astro Digital, a remote sensing company developing both its own satellite constellation and an analytics platform for that imagery, said March 2 it has raised $16.65 million to accelerate the company’s plans.