Aerospace pioneer and investor Dómhnal Slattery appointed to Chairman of the SpinLaunch Board of Directors

SpinLaunch, a pioneering space company enabling rapid and sustainable low-cost access to space, today announced major executive appointments that will provide the company with additional expertise in global investments, partnerships, commercialization, and go-to-market strategy. 

Dómhnal Slattery appointed to Chairman of the SpinLaunch Board of Directors

Aerospace pioneer and investor Dómhnal Slattery has been elected Chairman of SpinLaunch’s Board of Directors. In his new role, Slattery will work closely with the executive leadership and key stakeholders to provide both guidance and oversight, ensuring that SpinLaunch continues to thrive as a leader of affordable and sustainable space solutions and enter global commercial markets.

Throughout Dómhnal Slattery’s career, he has raised and deployed more than $75 billion of debt and equity capital to finance aircraft for airlines and investors around the world. He founded and scaled two of the world’s three largest aircraft leasing firms including Avolon. Slattery is committed to working with innovative companies, which can revolutionize industries and positively contribute to a net zero economy. His involvement in SpinLaunch signifies a powerful alliance that combines his exceptional background in aviation finance and the capital markets, with the company's groundbreaking technology. 

THEOS-2 Airbus-built satellite for Thailand successfully launched

THEOS-2 is a key part of Thailand’s enhanced Earth observation capability

The Airbus-built THEOS-2 Earth observation satellite has been successfully launched on a Vega rocket from Kourou, Europe’s spaceport in French Guiana. The Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency of Thailand (GISTDA) selected Airbus as partner for its next-generation national geo-information system in 2018.

Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus, said: “This successful launch of THEOS-2, with its 50cm imagery, confirms Thailand’s position in the small circle of nations with sovereign access to high resolution geostrategic information. We will continue to support GISTDA’s ambitions to establish an all-encompassing geo-information system for the benefit of the Kingdom of Thailand.”

THEOS-2 follows the Airbus-built THEOS-1 satellite launched in 2008, which still continues to deliver imagery well beyond its 10-year operational lifetime. In the frame of THEOS-2 programme, GISTDA’s geo-information system benefits from satellite imagery collected by the Airbus constellation of optical and radar Earth observation satellites such as Pléiades and TerraSAR-X.

The contract also includes a second Earth observation satellite - THEOS-2 SmallSAT - from Airbus’ subsidiary SSTL, combined with a comprehensive capacity building programme involving Thai engineers in the development of applications, ground segment and the SmallSAT spacecraft itself. THEOS-2 SmallSAT is based on SSTL’s CARBONITE series of Earth observation spacecraft and has been delivered to Thailand.

SSTL also proposes a training programme for GISTDA to enable Thai engineers to design, manufacture, integrate and test similar small satellites in Thailand in the future.

The images from THEOS-2 programme will be key for GISTDA’s future Thai Earth observation system which will be used for supporting various aspects, including but not limited to, social and security management, city and economic corridor management, natural resource and ecosystem management, water management, disaster management and agricultural management.

Thaicom contracts Airbus for a OneSat flexible telecommunications satellite

9th Airbus-built software defined satellite will expand capacity to Thaicom for broadband applications

Thaicom Public Company Limited, a leading Asian satellite operator and space technology company, has selected Airbus for its new generation software-defined high throughput satellite.

Airbus will provide one of its latest designed satellites - a fully reconfigurable OneSat. This Thaicom satellite will provide extended connectivity in Ku-band over the Asia-Pacific region for millions of users. Thaicom has launched and operated eight geostationary satellites. This is Thaicom’s first flexible satellite, allowing for more adaptability on coverage, frequency and capacity which is crucial in such a dynamic region.

Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Airbus Space Systems, said: “This significant contract with leading satellite operator Thaicom, is the ninth order for our pioneering OneSat product line which is fully reconfigurable in orbit and provides unrivalled flexibility. This collaboration with Thaicom is a first, and we look forward to further building our relationship in the future.”

 

Patompob (Nile) Suwansiri, Thaicom's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "I am delighted that we have selected Airbus to build our new generation of software-defined high throughput satellite (HTS). As the world’s leading satellite technology provider, we trust that Airbus will be our best choice for building our new satellite at the strategic location of 119.5 degrees East. It will allow flexibility and instant reconfiguration to adapt dynamically to the service areas and will provide a significant confidence boost for Thaicom’s valued customers and partners throughout Asia Pacific. This is a significant milestone for Thaicom as we forge ahead to further grow our broadband satellite business in the region.”

Positioned in orbit at 119.5° East, this state-of-the art satellite will enable Thaicom to propose to other partner operators a share of its satellite’s payload capacity, lowering their costs and still ensuring they have separate control of their individual payload capacity and flexibility.

Airbus will design and manufacture the satellite, and also provide ground control segment components. Airbus plans to deliver the satellite in 2027.

Airbus OneSat can be fully reconfigured in orbit, capable of adjusting the coverage area, capacity and frequency “on the fly” to meet evolving mission scenarios. It builds on the heritage of Airbus’ ultra-reliable Eurostar geostationary telecommunication satellites and the company’s constellation expertise with OneWeb. Development of the OneSat programme is supported by ESA, as well as the French Space Agency (CNES), and the UK Space Agency. 

New international space station to be built and operated by Airbus and Voyager Space.....

Voyager Space and Airbus Announce Joint Venture to Build and Operate Starlab

Joint Venture to serve as a commercial successor for the International Space Station, ensuring continued US and European collaboration in space

Voyager Space (Voyager), a global leader in space exploration, and Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus), the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, today announced an agreement paving the way for a transatlantic joint venture to develop, build, and operate Starlab, a commercial space station planned to succeed the International Space Station. The US-led joint venture will bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration.

“We are proud to charter the future of space stations with Airbus,” says Matthew Kuta, President at Voyager Space. “The International Space Station is widely regarded as the most successful platform for global cooperation in space history, and we are committed to building on this legacy as we move forward with Starlab. We are establishing this joint venture to reliably meet the known demand from global space agencies while opening new opportunities for commercial users.”

Voyager was awarded a $160 million Space Act Agreement (SAA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December 2021 via Nanoracks , part of Voyager’s exploration segment. Part of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development Program, this SAA sets the foundation to create Starlab, a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve NASA and a global customer base of space agencies and researchers. The program’s mission is to maintain continued human presence and American leadership in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Today’s announcement builds on an agreement made public in January 2023, where Voyager selected Airbus to provide technical design support and expertise for Starlab.

“With a track record of innovation and technological firsts, Airbus prides itself on partnering with companies that are looking to change history,” said Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus. “This transatlantic venture with footprints on both sides of the ocean aligns the interests of both ourselves and Voyager and our respective space agencies. This pioneers continued European and American leadership in space that takes humanity forward. Together our teams are focused on creating an unmatched space destination both technologically and as a business operation.”

In addition to the US entity, Starlab will have a European joint venture subsidiary to directly serve the European Space Agency (ESA) and its member state space agencies.

Voyager Space is dedicated to building a better future for humanity in space and on Earth. With over 35 years of spaceflight heritage and over 2,000 successful missions, Voyager is powering the commercial space revolution. Voyager delivers exploration, technology, and defence solutions to a global customer base that includes civil and national security agencies, commercial companies, academic and research institutions, and more.

This announcement follows a major design milestone in Starlab’s development, the Systems Requirements Review (SRR), which baselines the major space systems, technical readiness, and ability to meet NASA’s mission and safety requirements. The Starlab SRR, was completed in June 2023 in coordination with NASA’s Commercial LEO Development Program team.

“Today marks a major step forward for the future of commercial space destinations,” continues Kuta. “We are proud to have NASA’s trust to build the replacement for the ISS, a partnership that expands Starlab’s ecosystem to global space agencies, and a team that is mission-driven and dedicated to reimagining the future.”

The implementation of the joint venture will be subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

Voyager Space and Airbus join forces to build and operate Starlab

Voyager Space and Airbus Announce Joint Venture to Build and Operate Starlab

Joint Venture to serve as a commercial successor for the International Space Station, ensuring continued US and European collaboration in space

 Voyager Space (Voyager), a global leader in space exploration, and Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus), the largest aeronautics and space company in Europe, today announced an agreement paving the way for a transatlantic joint venture to develop, build, and operate Starlab, a commercial space station planned to succeed the International Space Station. The US-led joint venture will bring together world-class leaders in the space domain, while further uniting American and European interests in space exploration.

“We are proud to charter the future of space stations with Airbus,” says Matthew Kuta, President at Voyager Space. “The International Space Station is widely regarded as the most successful platform for global cooperation in space history, and we are committed to building on this legacy as we move forward with Starlab. We are establishing this joint venture to reliably meet the known demand from global space agencies while opening new opportunities for commercial users.”

Voyager was awarded a $160 million Space Act Agreement (SAA) from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in December 2021 via Nanoracks , part of Voyager’s exploration segment. Part of NASA’s Commercial Low Earth Orbit Development  Program, this SAA sets the foundation to create Starlab, a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve NASA and a global customer base of space agencies and researchers. The program’s mission is to maintain continued human presence and American leadership in low-Earth orbit (LEO). Today’s announcement builds on an agreement made public in January 2023, where Voyager selected Airbus to provide technical design support and expertise for Starlab.

The Endeavour Scholarship Class of 2023 graduated from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp “Advanced Academy” last month .....

The Astronaut Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship Class of 2023, four teams of students and educators representing Australia, Bahrain, France, and the United States, graduated from the U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp “Advanced Academy” last month. The event and related activities in Huntsville, AL and Washington, DC capped the growing programs’ fourth year of building influential “nation-to-nation" partnerships to promote STEM education around the world and advance the global engineering workforce.

Launched by Tom Kallman, President and CEO of USA Partnership Pavilion organizer Kallman Worldwide at the 2019 International Paris Air Show, the program honors its namesake Worden, pilot of the Apollo 15 Command Module “Endeavour,” for his lifetime commitment to science, technology, engineering, and math education. From 2014 until his passing in 2020, Worden served as Kallman’s STEM Ambassador at industry trade events around the world.

In established and emerging space communities, scholarship selection committees choose four students and an educator annually to represent their countries as “Mission Teams” in an all-expenses paid, week-long, hands-on astronaut training experience at the renowned Huntsville campus. The 2023 Endeavour class joins alumni from Chile, the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Singapore on the program’s growing roster.

“Every country we work in — and we’ve worked in at least 50 of them since our company was founded in 1963 — is facing the same challenges to prepare its young people for the future. Many also see that future in space,” Kallman said. “As an extension of our work advancing global trade in exhibition halls around the world, and with the support of global partners in government, industry, the military, and academia, the Endeavour Scholarship mission is to connect with worldwide interest in space to promote STEM careers.”

There's more.....

£20 million UK Space Agency funding to support aerial connectivity

Drones and high-altitude aircraft could boost connectivity in remote areas and support emergency services, following new government funding.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Chloe Smith announced the £20 million funding from the UK Space Agency – the biggest investment into these types of services to date – to support the development of future telecommunications technologies and aerial connectivity projects, which would be used onboard drones or high-altitude platforms to provide wireless coverage.

Companies can bid for the funding to develop innovative aerial services and technologies that will support a range of industries, for example drones delivering medical supplies to hospitals, providing dedicated connectivity for emergency services or bringing internet access to rural areas.

The Technology Secretary unveiled the support during a speech at the opening of the European Space Agency’s state-of-the-art new conference centre at the Harwell Space Cluster, in Oxfordshire, which is home to over 100 space organisations employing more than 1400 people.

Technology Secretary Chloe Smith, said:  "From using drones to quickly get medicines to hospitals, through to boosting mobile network access in remote areas, the benefits of aerial connectivity cut through many aspects of our lives.

The Government’s £20 million investment will further strengthen the UK’s fast-growing satellite communications industry, which already contributes more than £10 billion to our economy and supports over 26,000 jobs. It will improve our health and security, too, and support our plan to level up every part of the UK."

Industry can submit applications under three themes: Drones; High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS); and High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE).   Submit applications here.

Projects could include developing connectivity for aerial platforms with hybrid capabilities that can seamlessly switch between satellite and terrestrial networks, or traffic management for innovative vehicles such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, or ‘flying taxis’.

SYRACUSE 4B secure military communications satellite successfully launched

Satellite to serve France’s sovereignty needs by connecting its armed forces deployed on operations

The SYRACUSE 4B communications satellite, built by Airbus and Thales Alenia Space, has been successfully launched from the Guiana Space Center, Europe’s Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. It was the last launch of Ariane 5, the European heavy launcher.

SYRACUSE 4B, along with SYRACUSE 4A already in orbit, constitutes the space segment of SYRACUSE IV, the fourth generation secure military satellite communications system for the French Armament General Directorate (DGA - Direction Générale de l’Armement), the French Air and Space force and the French Space Command, built by the industrial consortium formed by Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space.

SYRACUSE 4A and 4B will deliver increased capacity and enhanced functionality for the French Armed Forces, including higher throughput and flexibility, along with a broader coverage area. The increased flexibility will ensure the satellites can meet the needs of forces deployed anywhere in the coverage area, while also efficiently managing its X-band and Ka-band resources.

“Observation, signal intelligence, space situational awareness, and of course secure communications across key theatres of operation, are paramount for a nation’s autonomy and freedom of action. Airbus is proud to be a trusted partner of the French Armed Forces: thanks to SYRACUSE 4B, and other programmes, we support our national ambitions and capabilities in all these fields, today and in the decades to come!” said Jean-Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems at Airbus. 

Virgin Galactic completes inaugural commercial spaceflight

Virgin Galactic completes inaugural commercial spaceflight

.;

Virgin Galactic has completed its inaugural commercial spaceflight from Spaceport America in New Mexico today.

The Galactic 01 spaceflight carried 13 research payloads and three crew members from the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy.

The take-off time was 8:30am MT, the altitude at release was 44,500 feet, the apogee was 52.9 miles, the top speed was Mach 2.88 and the landing time was 9:42am MT.

Virgin Galactic will now begin post-flight inspections and analysis in preparation for its next commercial space mission, Galactic 02, which will bring its unique experience to private astronauts. The mission is scheduled for August, with Virgin Galactic planning monthly flights to space beginning thereafter.

“Today, our team successfully flew six people and more than a dozen research payloads to space in VSS Unity, our unique, suborbital science lab,” said Virgin Galactic CEO Michael Colglazier. “This historic flight was our first commercial flight and our first dedicated commercial research mission - ushering in a new era of repeatable and reliable access to space for private passengers and researchers. Galactic 02, our first spaceflight with private astronauts, is planned for August and we expect VSS Unity to continue with monthly space missions while we simultaneously work to scale our future spaceship fleet for a global audience.”

The crew onboard Galactic 01 was:

Astronaut 008, Col. Walter Villadei, Italian Air Force

Astronaut 009, Lt. Col Angelo Landolfi, Physician, Italian Air Force

Astronaut 010, Pantaleone Carlucci, Engineer, National Research Council of Italy

Astronaut 003 Colin Bennett, Astronaut Instructor, Virgin Galactic

VSS Unity was piloted by commander Mike Masucci and pilot Nicola Pecile, with VMS Eve piloted by commander Kelly Latimer and pilot Jameel Janjua.

Col. Walter Villadei of the Italian Air Force said:   "I am beyond proud to be a part of this historic spaceflight. Galactic 01 is Italy’s first commercial suborbital research spaceflight, and an amazing achievement made possible thanks to the long-lasting collaboration between the Italian Air Force and the National Research Council of Italy. During the centennial year of both Italian institutions, we fly to the highest point of our history.

"This groundbreaking collaboration propels Italy into the new era of commercial spaceflight as a pathfinder, fostering innovation and paving the way for further technological enhancement in this strategic domain. Together, and in partnership with Virgin Galactic, we have set a precedent for future endeavours and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead. We honour today all the people that not only have made possible this amazing flight, but all the ones that have dedicated their life to our beliefs in this past 100 years. Virtute Siderum Tenus."

Arabsat Badr-8 successfully launched: featuring Airbus’ innovative optical communications payload TELEO

The Airbus-built Arabsat Badr-8 telecommunications satellite has been successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Based on Airbus’ latest geostationary Eurostar Neo satellite, Badr-8 will provide connectivity for users across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and central Asia.

The spacecraft is also equipped with a world first, Airbus’ innovative space demonstrator TELEO to provide space to ground optical communications at gigabit speeds. The TELEO demonstrator payload is designed to facilitate very high capacity optical feeder link communications, playing a crucial role in Airbus’ development of a new generation of optical communications technology in space.

Jean Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems said: “Marking our third successful launch of the Eurostar Neo series and our eighth spacecraft built for Arabsat, Badr-8, equipped with the very innovative TELEO payload, is the latest major milestone for our telecoms business. Featuring increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems, Badr-8 will replace and increase Arabsat’s capacity.”

NASA selects Blue Origin for manned mission to the moon

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has awarded a NextSTEP-2 Appendix P Sustaining Lunar Development (SLD) contract to Blue Origin. 

Blue Origin’s National Team partners include Lockheed Martin, Draper, Boeing, Astrobotic, and Honeybee Robotics.

Under this contract, Blue Origin and its National Team partners will develop and fly both a lunar lander that can make a precision landing anywhere on the Moon’s surface and a cislunar transporter. These vehicles are powered by LOX-LH2. The high-specific impulse of LOX-LH2 provides a dramatic advantage for high-energy deep space missions. Nevertheless, lower performing but more easily storable propellants (such as hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide as used on the Apollo lunar landers) have been favoured for these missions because of the problematic boil-off of LOX-LH2 during their long mission timelines. 

Through this contract, we will move the state of the art forward by making high-performance LOX-LH2 a storable propellant combination. Under SLD, we will develop and fly solar-powered 20-degree Kelvin cryocoolers and the other technologies required to prevent LOX-LH2 boil-off. Future missions beyond the Moon, and enabling capabilities such as high-performance nuclear thermal propulsion, will benefit greatly from storable LH2. Blue Origin’s architecture also prepares for that future day when lunar ice can be used to manufacture LOX and LH2 propellants on the Moon.

Blue Origin and its partners are already at work and are excited to be on this journey with NASA.

Rocket Lab Sets Date for Second NASA TROPICS Launch to Deploy Storm Monitoring Constellation

Rocket Lab USA,  a leading launch and space systems company, is preparing for the second of two dedicated Electron launches to deploy a constellation of storm monitoring satellites for NASA.

The launch, called ‘Coming To A Storm Near You,’ is scheduled for lift-off no earlier than 17:30 on May 22nd NZST from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. The launch follows on from the successful ‘Rocket Like a Hurricane’ Electron launch on May 8th 2023, which deployed the first two CubeSats of NASA’s TROPICS constellation. The ‘Coming To A Storm Near You’ launch will deploy the final two TROPICS CubeSats, completing the constellation.

Rocket Lab is preparing to launch the second half of NASA’s TROPICS satellite constellation as early as May 22, just two weeks after successfully completing the first launch

The TROPICS constellation (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) will monitor the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, and will provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity. This data will help scientists better understand the processes that affect these high-impact storms, ultimately leading to improved modelling and prediction. The constellation, which is part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program, consists of four CubeSats that require launch to a specific orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometres and inclination of about 30 degrees. All four satellites need to be deployed into their operational orbit within a 60-day period.

Airbus picks UK National Satellite Test Facility for SKYNET 6A testing

Next-generation UK military communications satellite will be tested in the UK

Airbus has selected the National Satellite Test Facility (NSTF) at Harwell in Oxfordshire to carry out the comprehensive test campaign on the UK Ministry of Defence’s next generation secure communications satellite SKYNET 6A.

The £116 million government-funded NSTF, operated by experts from the STFC RAL Space (Science and Technology Facilities Council), will carry out the SKYNET 6A test campaign, including electromagnetic compatibility, as well as acoustic and thermal vacuum testing, to replicate the harsh conditions of space.

Richard Franklin, Managing Director of Airbus Defence and Space UK, said: “SKYNET 6A is designed and manufactured at our Stevenage and Portsmouth sites and will undergo its entire testing campaign at the new National Satellite Test Facility. It is fitting that the facility’s first testing contract is for Britain’s’ next generation SKYNET 6A, which will provide critical, secure-communications capability for our armed forces and will help further extend the UK’s space ecosystem and capability.”

Virgin Galactic reports net loss of $159 million in the first quarter.

Virgin Galactic Holdings, the space company has released details of its latest financial results, demonstrating a net loss for the company in the first quarter of 2023 $159 million, compared to a $93 million net loss in the same period last year. Virgin Galactic say this was primarily driven by investments related to the development of the future fleet and enhancements for the current fleet. The firm has a strong cash position, with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $874 million as of March 31, 2023. Net cash used in operating activities totalled $136 million, compared to $66 million in the first quarter of 2022.  Cash paid for capital expenditures totalled $3 million, compared to $2 million in the first quarter of 2022.

Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic said, "We are excited to return to space with the 'Unity 25' mission planned for the end of May, and we are actively readying for commercial service to begin in late June. Concurrently, we are making steady progress on the development of our Delta Class spaceships, the driver of revenue growth and profitability in the business. Our strong cash position, combined with focused cost discipline and strategic investments in our growth initiatives, will enable our business to scale over the long-term."

VSS Unity’s successful glide flight on April 26, 2023, and earlier mated flight with VMS Eve, further validated the enhancements made to the ships during the modification period and cleared them for spaceflight.   On May 8, 2023, the Company announced a planned launch in late May for VSS Unity to return to space carrying Virgin Galactic mission specialists to conduct a final evaluation of the customer experience ahead of commencing commercial service.

AeroVironment awarded $10 Million contract by NASA/JPL to co-design and develop two helicopters for Mars Sample return mission

AeroVironment, Inc. has been awarded a $10 million contract by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to co-design and co-develop conceptual designs and engineering development units of Mars Sample Recovery Helicopter flight systems. Future efforts could include detailed design, build, and test of qualification and flight hardware. The helicopters build upon the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter design heritage and feature upgraded robotics to supplement aerial mobility.

AeroVironment engineers from the MacCready Works team previously worked with NASA JPL to co-design and develop the Ingenuity Mars Helicopter, which has completed 52 successful flights to date on Mars and survived 781 sols on the surface, far outperforming its design objectives.

“Accomplishing the impossible has been AeroVironment’s mission for more than 50 years and we are excited to be working with the NASA JPL team again to conquer the next challenge,” said Scott Newbern, AeroVironment’s vice president and chief technology officer. “Ingenuity’s flights on Mars are a giant leap for robotic technology. Now we’re advancing this science further by helping to build helicopters that not only will continue flight on Mars, but also will include apparatus to collect samples to bring back to Earth for this historic mission.”

The two planned Sample Recovery Helicopters would be a secondary method of sample retrieval for the NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign. NASA’s Perseverance rover, which has already been collecting a diverse set of scientifically selected samples for potential safe return to Earth, is currently planned as the primary method of delivering samples to the Sample Retrieval Lander.

Blue marble sparkles: Airbus-built HOTBIRD 13G satellite provides colourful selfie

Eighth Airbus-built full-electric satellite joins twin in orbit for Eutelsat

The Airbus-built Eutelsat HOTBIRD 13G satellite has reached its geostationary orbit, 36,000 km above us. A month after its twin satellite HOTBIRD13F, it completed its electric orbit raising in five months and used cameras to do visual checks to complement the comprehensive testing at its orbital position. While its twin was equipped with a black and white camera, HOTBIRD 13G, the eighth Airbus-built full-electric satellite, has a full-colour device.

HOTBIRD13-G is equipped with a camera - this time in colour - at the tip of one of the robotic arms hosting the electric propulsion thrusters

SpinLaunch appoints Dómhnal Slattery asStrategic Advisor

Slattery brings over three decades of expertise and is an investor in the business

SpinLaunch, a pioneering space company enabling rapid, cost-effective space access, has announced that Dómhnal Slattery, a recognized global aerospace leader and proven founder, has joined the SpinLaunch team as a strategic advisor to the company. Slattery joins the Advisory Board and recently participated in the company’s Series B investment round.

 

The announcement was made by SpinLaunch Founder & CEO, Jonathan Yaney, who said that Slattery’s three decades of financial and business leadership will help SpinLaunch advance its commitment to commercializing end-to-end space solutions across launch, satellites, and services.

“Dómhnal Slattery's passion and dedication to innovation, strategic growth, and sustainability makes him a natural fit for SpinLaunch,” stated Yaney. “With his proven business leadership, track record as a founder and commitment to purpose-driven initiatives, Dómhnal will accelerate our global commercialization efforts and strengthen our leadership position as the trusted provider of innovative space solutions.”

 

SpinLaunch, founded by Yaney in 2014, is revolutionizing access to space by building a ground-based, electric-powered mass accelerator launch system that can deliver a substantially less expensive and environmentally sustainable way to place constellations of small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO). In the last year, SpinLaunch has also created a new product line of small satellite buses in the 20kg-200 kg size class that complements our low-cost and high-cadence approach to space, and meets upcoming LEO constellation needs.

 

Changes to the board of Virgin Galactic

Virgin Group Executive Evan Lovell Appointed Chair of the Board of Directors

Former U.S. Secretary of the Navy Raymond Mabus, Jr. to Join Board as Lead Independent Director

Former Global Investment Manager Diana Strandberg to Join as New Director

Board Members Bring Strong Mix of Expertise, Industry Experience and Diverse Perspectives

Virgin Galactic Holdings, today announced several changes to Virgin Galactic’s Board of Directors including the appointment of two new directors. The Company also announced that Virgin Group’s Chief Investment Officer, Evan Lovell, has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, effective April 21. Lovell has served as the Company’s interim chair since February 2022 and as a member of the Company’s Board since October 2019. He is a seasoned private equity investor and operator, having invested and participated in global private equity and M&A over the past 20 years.

The Company also appointed two new directors: Raymond Mabus, Jr. and Diana Strandberg, with Mabus serving as Virgin Galactic’s Lead Independent Director. Mabus brings extensive public sector experience to the role having served as U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 2009 to 2017 and as the Governor of Mississippi. Strandberg recently retired from a distinguished career at global investment manager, Dodge & Cox, most recently holding the role of Senior Vice President and Director, International Equity and as an Executive Board Member.

Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic said: “We are thrilled to have Evan appointed as our Chair of the Board and to welcome Ray and Diana as new Board members. Evan has been an important member of our board for many years, and his experience with the Virgin Group will continue to be a strong asset going forward. Ray and Diana’s dynamic and complementary expertise in capital markets, international business and government will greatly benefit Virgin Galactic as we launch and grow our global commercial spaceline.”

Lovell said: “I am honoured to be appointed as Board Chair at such an exciting time for Virgin Galactic. With the launch of commercial service, we are poised for great things, and it’s a privilege to serve in this role alongside my fellow directors as we embark on a new, growth-oriented chapter.”

Additionally, on April 21, 2023, directors Adam Bain and George Mattson notified the Board that they plan to retire from the Board at the end of their current terms and will not stand for re-election at the Company’s Annual Shareholder Meeting.

SpaceX's next-generation Starship exploded minutes after lift-off.....

The latest launch of a SpaceX rocket ended in disaster after it exploded minutes after lift off in an uncrewed test flight from South Texas on Thursday.  Reuters reported that the flight test was the first for Starship mounted atop the company's new Super Heavy rocket, and the first launch ever for that lower-stage booster, which SpaceX claims is the most powerful launch vehicle on Earth.

Executives from SpaceX are spinning the event as a success as the craft made it halfway to the edge of space, nearly 25 miles up before it failed.  The original plan was for the craft to climb to around 90 miles or so before re-entering the earth's atmosphere near Hawaii.

Dislodged filter caused Virgin Orbit's failed UK launch

Virgin Orbit Completes Key Failure Investigation Test, 

Confirms Cornwall Failure Root Cause 

Virgin Orbit has successfully completed a month-long, full-scale test series to verify the root cause of the January 9th launch failure and test and verify the modification designed to address it.

A key element to the investigation focusing on the filter in the fuel tank outlet, the test campaign recreated flight conditions and demonstrated the dislodging and subsequent travel of the filter into the Newton-4 engine. This high-fidelity test article included all the key elements of the fuel feed system up to the engine inlet.

Ground test results matched flight data, confirming the dislodging of the filter as the initiation event of the January launch failure. A series of nine tests verified the performance of a redesigned filter.

The failure investigation centred on a standard fault tree methodology which guided the investigation and key analyses and tests. All potentially credible scenarios were investigated. The modified design, that has now been verified through test, has been incorporated into the Company’s next rocket which is planned for a flight from Mojave Air and Space Port later this year.

Virgin Orbit has recently filed plans under Chapter 11 bankruptcy arrangement subject to the court's approval. The company is pursuing a competitive sale process in order to maximize value for all stakeholders. Virgin Orbit has proposed a May 4th deadline for indications of interest (“IOI”) and has asked the Court to approve bid procedures including the IOI deadline and a bid deadline of May 14, 2023. Any sale transaction will be implemented according to the Plan or according to a separate sale order under section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code. Pursuant to the proposed Plan, the sale proceeds will be distributed in accordance with the Plan and any applicable sale order.