SpaceCom Expo

Industry sees new opportunities for space manufacturing
Space manufacturing, a field whose promise has gone unrealized for decades, is now offering new opportunities thanks to the use of the International Space Station and reduced space access costs, some experts believe.

Study validates NanoRacks concept for commercial space station module
A five-month study supported by NASA has concluded that it is technically feasible to convert a launch vehicle upper stage into a habitat module that could be used on the International Space Station or future commercial space station.

NASA seeks proposals for space resources technologies
NASA is seeking proposals for studies and technology development efforts related to the use of space resources, particularly as they apply to future human missions to the moon and Mars.

FAA offers National Space Council ideas for launch licensing reforms
The Federal Aviation Administration submitted to the National Space Council a set of regulatory reforms that one official said would create a “21st century licensing process” for commercial spaceflight.

Investor interest in space companies remains strong despite no big deals
Despite a lack of “megadeals” involving space companies this year, investor interest in the industry remains strong thanks to several factors, according to one assessment.

Relativity Space aims to 3D print entire launch vehicles
Relativity Space, a startup based in Los Angeles that only recently emerged from stealth mode, plans to use 3D printing to produce entire launch vehicles, an approach it claims can be more cost effective than traditional manufacturing techniques.

5 Commercial Markets for Space
Space technology offers promise in advanced manufacturing, agriculture, energy, maritime and medical markets.

5 Markets | Puerto Rico turns to inflatable satellite antennas for communications
Cubic Corporation’s GATR satellite antennas continue to provide communications links for residents and community leaders in Puerto Rico more than two months after Hurricane Maria devastated the U.S. territory and nearby Caribbean islands.

5 Markets | KVH turns to Intelsat EpicNG to speed up maritime broadband service
KVH Industries, a mobile satellite communications equipment and service provider, is preparing to offer broadband in early 2018 to commercial and private maritime customers through satellite fleet operator Intelsat’s EpicNG constellation.

5 Markets | Iridium satellites help utilities keep tabs on high-voltage power lines
Lindsey Manufacturing, a firm that provides technology for electric utilities, has teamed up with Iridium Communications to offer a new tool for monitoring high-voltage power lines.

5 Markets | The Climate Corporation offers satellite and aerial imagery to help farmers manage crops
The Climate Corporation is adding multiple sources of aerial imagery to its digital agriculture platform, Climate FieldView, to complement the satellite imagery it has offered for years.

5 Markets | Made In Space turns to On-orbit Metal Manufacturing
Made In Space, a startup best known for operating 3D polymer printers on the International Space Station, is developing tools for on-orbit metal manufacturing that could be ready for launch in 2018.