A hop across the pond and into space -
CNES has pre-selected seven European launch providers to operate from a planned commercial launch facility at its Guiana Space Centre. The seven launch providers are Avio (Italy), HyImpulse Technologies (Germany), Isar Aerospace (Germany), Maiaspace (France), PLD Space (Spain), Rocket Factory Augsburg (Germany), and Latitude (France). According to CNES CEO Philippe Baptiste, other operators may be pre-selected during a subsequent call for applications. CNES will now begin discussions with each of the seven providers to determine the technical and financial progress of their projects.
Are you ready to pull the pin? - German space tech startup
DcubeD has commenced a project with ESA to develop a medium-sized actuator. The company currently offers a space-proven nano-sized pin puller that is utalised for a number of applications, including the deployment of antennas and solar arrays in addition to door openers for cubesat deployers. The new actuator will be used for bigger cubesat deployers (3U and larger), meeting a need for a smaller and less expensive option to current solutions.
I have layers, like an onion -
Viasat UK has been selected by ESA to conduct a study of multi-layered satellite communication (Satcom). This type of Satcom is comprised of networks that span multiple orbital types, including GEO, MEO, LEO, HAPS, and others, as well as various frequency bands and network designs. The study will examine use cases, market segments, and the technical aspects of these future systems.
Phenomenal power. Itty bitty living space. - UK-based space tech company
AAC Clyde Space has been awarded €492k in ESA funding to further develop its Starbuck Mini power system to address the needs of future constellations. The project is part of the agency ARTES Core Competitiveness programme and will see AAC Clyde Space equal ESA’s contribution to the project.
Hail a space taxi - German microgravity research provider
Yuri signed a payload integration agreement with Sierra Space. The agreement books a place for the company’s “Science Taxi” service aboard a Dream Chaser mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Science Taxi is a life science incubator fitted with temperature control, full automation, and real-time data collection capabilities. The company also announced that it had added Christopher Mason, a professor of genomics, physiology, and biophysics at Weill Cornell Medicine, and Afshin Beheshti, a bioinformatician at NASA’s Ames Research Center, to its
scientific advisory board.
Now That’s High-Quality H2O - Italian space propulsion startup
Miprons and Thales Alenia Space announced a joint venture to develop a water-powered satellite propulsion system. The system will be based on Miprons’ propriety technology and will be purpose-designed for Thales satellites, enabling the company to reduce the weight and volume of its thrusters.
You get training. You ALL get training! - The EU Agency for the Space Programme has launched an initiative to offer free training for individuals, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and SMEs that are interested in building a space application business in Europe. The
Space Academy portal currently offers seven models, including EU space data & signals, customer & sales, finance, and legal.
Well, how big is your dish? - Azerbaijan space agency
Azercosmos signed a long-term commercial partnership with Leaf Space, an Italian ground segment as-a-service (GSaaS) startup. The agreement will see Leaf Space install a 3.7-metre S/X-band antenna in Azerbaijan to support satellite operators with its GSaaS solutions. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Azercosmos to support their growing presence in space while also expanding our already robust global network of ground stations,“ said Leaf Space CEO Jonata Puglia.