Satellite News

eVTOL Insights

Xona launches Pulsar Verified program to validate receivers for its LEO navigation signals

Xona Space Systems introduced Pulsar Verified, a partnership program for receiver manufacturers, chipset integrators and test-equipment developers. The ecosystem is intended to help partners validate hardware against Pulsar, Xona’s low-Earth-orbit navigation signals; the supplied articles do not detail the program’s technical requirements or commercial timeline.

Payload

Redwire wins $20 million DARPA contract for second very-low-Earth-orbit propulsion demonstration

Redwire has secured a $20 million contract from DARPA under its Otter program, which funds air-breathing electric propulsion. The award supports a second demonstration of the technology for very-low-Earth orbit, where propulsion systems must operate in the sparse atmosphere.

Space.com

USAF’s rail-launched Super Strypi rocket fails on debut, losing 13 small satellites

On Nov. 4, 2015, the experimental Super Strypi rocket failed shortly after liftoff from Hawaii on its first launch. The rail-launched vehicle was carrying 13 small satellites, making the mission an unsuccessful test of a new approach to placing payloads in orbit.

Bloomberg

High activity

Goldman Sachs, Apollo seek investors for SpaceX’s roughly $40 billion AI chip financing

Goldman Sachs and Apollo Global Management are discussing sales of portions of a roughly $40 billion financing deal tied to SpaceX’s AI chips, with investor slices reportedly as large as $500 million offered ahead of formal syndication. The reports describe a financing effort, not a completed sale.

SpaceNews.com

Pentagon backs LeoLabs radar expansion with $150 million loan commitment

The Pentagon has committed $150 million in financing to support LeoLabs’ radar expansion. The announcement identifies a substantial defense-backed investment in the company’s space radar infrastructure, though the available report provides no details on the expansion’s scope, locations or schedule.

SpaceNews.com

Open Cosmos Ka-band filing capped at 52 satellites

SpaceNews.com

High activity

NASA funds Ka-band relay concepts as SES tests optical links, SSC Space expands ground services and ITU rules on satellite deadl

NASA selected Viasat, SES and Astranis to develop Ka-band relay concepts that can serve existing spacecraft without onboard modifications, while SES reported a two-way optical link demonstration between ground and space. Separately, SSC Space and ArkEdge agreed on ground services, and ITU rulings addressed deadline extensions for satellite programs in Korea, Thailand and Oman.

SpaceNews.com

SkyFi brings satellite imagery to Robinhood investors for $10 a month

SkyFi is making satellite imagery used by government agencies and hedge funds available to individual investors through a new service for Robinhood customers. For $10 a month, subscribers can monitor activity at factories, warehouses and other corporate facilities from space.