Space Tech Expo Europe

Europe’s Largest B2B Event for the Space Supply Chain

In its third year, Space Tech Expo Europe is the continent’s major dedicated supply-chain and engineering event for manufacturing, design, test and engineering services for space…

Electric-propulsion startup Orbion raises $9.2 million Series A

Orbion aims to eventually build and ship thrusters in six to eight days from receiving an order. 

Lacuna Space aims to ride IoT wave with a 32-cubesat constellation

Whether Lacuna Space will rise to the front is still to be determined. But Spurrett believes the company’s emphasis on offering the lowest price service will make it a winner.

Mecano ID, with help from CNES, making its first smallsat deployer

The deployer, still under development, is Mecano ID’s first smallsat product, Didier Zely, manager of Mecano ID’s deployment systems product line, said by email.

Exolaunch qualifies, begins selling microsatellite separation system

German launch services provider Exolaunch sees strong demand for the microsatellite separation system, CarboNIX, it qualified on the July 5 Soyuz rideshare mission

FCC’s streamlined licensing rules seen as boon for smallsat industry

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission’s streamlined licensing rules for small satellites sailed through a vote Aug. 1, establishing a path for companies to secure spectrum rights much faster and cheaper than current regulations allow. 

FCC outlines proposed smallsat licensing rules

Under newly proposed rules, smallsat operators will be able to choose a licensing path — for authorization as a domestic operator or for U.S. market access as a foreign operator — for $30,000 instead of the $472,000 fee required today for satellites in non-geosynchronous orbits. 

U.S. Chamber Hosts FCC Chairman Pai for Smallsat Discussion

Small Satellite Integration: Implications for Encryption, Interference, and Deorbit Assurance

Please join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Procurement and Space Industry Council and the SmallSat Alliance on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, from 9…

Parsons planning more merger and acquisition moves

Fresh off its purchase of geospatial intelligence firm OGSystems in January, Parsons is searching for more companies to buy that would further expand its presence in space, among other industries.

Kinéis takes control of Argos system, finalizes successor constellation plans

Kinéis, a subsidiary formed last year by French maritime company CLS, has taken over operation of the Argos hosted payload system, and finalized manufacturing agreements for a constellation of 25 small satellites for Internet of Things connectivity.

ÅAC Clyde raises $9 million amid hiring spree

Craig Clark, chief strategy officer at ÅAC Clyde, said the company is hiring more staff this year to support a backlog of smallsat business for customers who are finalizing decisions on what spacecraft they want.

Rocket Lab unveils Photon smallsat bus

At the 35th Space Symposium here, Rocket Lab unveiled Photon, a smallsat based on the kick stage the company uses on its Electron rocket.

Vega rocket-builder Avio sees revenue jump, new rockets progressing

Avio, the company that builds Europe’s light-lift Vega rocket and the future Vega C, reported a double-digit jump in revenue for its first full year as a publicly traded company.

LeoStella looks for more customers as it opens satellite factory

As LeoStella inaugurated the factory that will be used to produce a series of Earth imaging satellites, the joint venture of Thales Alenia Space and Spaceflight Industries continues to look for other customers.

Smallsat industry faces new challenges to growth

The small satellite field, which has enjoyed significant growth and investment in the last few years, will face new challenges this year demonstrating their business plans, with some expecting a shakeout in some parts of the sector.

Op-ed | We can — and should — democratize the economy of space, from communications to deep space exploration  

It's time to rethink manufacturability and seriously consider “pop-up” manufacturing, an on-site manufacturing center brought to customer hubs.