Space

Space and get a free pass to ZebethMedia Disrupt 2023 • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 13, 2022Posted in Space, TC Sessions: Space 2022No Comments

It takes a lot of people to bring a tech conference to life, and we’re looking for incredible people to support our events team and help make TC Sessions: Space an amazing experience for our attendees. If you’re incredible (heck, you know you are) or interested in space technology, tech startups, event planning — or all of the above — apply to volunteer at TC Sessions: Space, which takes place on December 6 in Los Angeles, California. It’s a great way to see what it takes to produce a world-class conference. We expect more than 1,000 people at this event, and volunteers will handle a variety of tasks. At any given time, you might help with registration, wrangle speakers, direct attendees, scan tickets or help with general event setup. What’s in it for you? Fair question. If you’re selected, not only will you get a behind-the-scenes look at how events are produced, but you’ll also earn a free pass to attend ZebethMedia Disrupt 2023 in San Francisco on September 19–21. Plus, when you complete your volunteer shift, you can attend the interviews, presentations and breakout sessions. Just some of the speakers gracing our stage include: Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary, Air Force for Space Acquisitions and Integration Steve Jurczyk, co-founder and CEO, Quantum Space Carolyn Mercer, chief technologist, NASA Melanie Stricklan, co-founder and CEO, Slingshot Aerospace Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, NASA And, of course, be sure to check out the early-stage startups exhibiting their latest space tech on the show floor. Volunteer spots are limited. If you want to gain valuable event experience, take in all the galactic goodness and earn a free pass to ZebethMedia Disrupt 2023, apply to volunteer at TC Sessions: Space by November 22 to be considered!

Engage with Aerospace Corp, Mynaric and Otter at TC Sessions: Space • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 11, 2022Posted in Space, tc sessions space, TC Sessions: Space 2022No Comments

We’re getting ready to launch our third TC Sessions: Space conference on December 6 in Los Angeles, and we still feel the thrill associated with space technology and the intrepid early-stage startup founders and researchers who dare to explore the possibilities beyond the boundaries of our home planet — and beyond what we thought possible. If you’ve got rocket fuel running in your veins, don’t miss the chance to learn the latest developments within the space economy — from manned space travel, colonization and communications to earth observation data, manufacturing, and even war, in space. Countdown to launch: Buy a pass now for just $199 — full price is $495 — and get ready to join the spacefaring ecosystem on December 6. We’re not quite ready to reveal the full agenda, but we’re thrilled to share that you’ll hear from distinguished experts like Dr. Carolyn Mercer, chief technologist for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate; Peter Beck, the CEO and founder of Rocket Lab; Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisitions; and Amela Wilson, the CEO of Nanoracks, to name but a few. Like all ZebethMedia events, TC Sessions: Space is designed to help founders and early-stage startups build stronger businesses. But it’s not just us — our event partners are equally committed to your success. ZebethMedia partners don’t just cut a check and hand over a logo. They show up, and they deliver a high level of relevant content, educational expertise, resources and connection at the event. Their participation elevates, engages and supports early-stage founders. We’d like to take a moment to highlight just three of our incredible partners, an, while we don’t have clearance to post their presentation topics just yet, we’ll share more info in the coming weeks. The Aerospace Corporation is a nonprofit and the only federally funded research and development center for the space enterprise. They will host both a partner session and a smaller roundtable session that allows time for Q&A. You’ll also find them exhibiting on the show floor — the perfect opportunity to connect, network and explore opportunities. Mynaric develops and builds wireless laser communication systems for air, space and mobile applications. The company, which says its mission is to eliminate global connectivity barriers, will host a partner session. We’ll have more specific info soon. Otter.ai’s productivity tool records meetings and provides real-time note-taking, transcripts and captioning. We’ll have more speakers, sessions and partners to announce in the coming weeks, so watch this non-galactic space! TC Sessions: Space takes place on December 6 in Los Angeles. Buy a pass for $199, and then join us — and our partners — to learn about the latest space tech, network for opportunities and build a stronger startup to the stars. Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TC Sessions: Space? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

SpaceX, Relativity and others urge FCC to stay in its lane • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 11, 2022Posted in SpaceNo Comments

Major space companies including SpaceX and Relativity are urging the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to stick to its purview – spectrum usage – as it looks to potentially update its rules for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) missions There is plenty that the FCC could – and should do – to support ISAM missions that sit squarely within its regulatory bounds, companies said. SpaceX and others, as well as startups like Orbit Fab, which wants to build refueling depots in space, and Starfish Space, which is developing a satellite servicing vehicle, submitted recommendations related to spectrum and ISAM. The commission also heard from Blue Origin, Lockheed Martin, United Launch Alliance and other space companies and industry groups. “The biggest chunk of this proceeding is the question of, do we need new spectrum allocation for ISAM?” Brian Weeden, executive director of The Consortium for Execution of Rendezvous and Servicing Operations (CONFERS), explained to ZebethMedia in a recent interview. “And that is absolutely within the FCC’s existing authority.” The FCC requested comments from industry after it opened a new proceeding on ISAM in August. In a statement, the commission said it specifically sought to understand how it could “update, clarify, or modify its rules and licensing processes” to support these emerging capabilities in space. SpaceX, Relativity and others said in their responses that the FCC should bring its considerable authority to bear on issues related to spectrum use and licensing – and only issues related to spectrum use and licensing. “The Commission must handle this potentially important but still nascent industry with care, exercising caution not to unintentionally stifle innovation by stepping outside the authority expressly delegated to it by Congress,” SpaceX said. Relativity Space and the industry association Commercial Spaceflight Federation separately argued that the FCC’s involvement in issues outside of those related to spectrum could result in duplicative approvals processes. These could be especially challenging for smaller startups and newer space entrants to navigate. The new proceeding is one of a handful of actions the commission has taken in recent months to keep pace with the growing commercial space industry. In September, the FCC also updated rules related to spacecraft deorbiting and orbital debris management, voting that satellite operators must deorbit satellites in low Earth orbit 5 years after their mission conclusion, rather than 25. But such actions have raised questions as whether the FCC has sufficient authority to pass such rules. As of yet, Congress has made no gesture toward expanding or extending that authority. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel appeared to tacitly acknowledge these concerns in a speech to the Satellite Industry Association, announcing that the FCC will establish a new bureau dedicated to handling space activities. “The changes I am announcing today are not about taking on new responsibilities at the FCC,” she said. “They are about performing our existing statutory responsibilities better and freeing up resources to focus on our mission.”

Pixxel’s Awais Ahmed talks going hyperspectral in dual-use at TC Sessions: Space • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 11, 2022Posted in hyperspectral imaging, Pixxel, Space, TC Sessions: Space 2022No Comments

Orbital imagery is becoming commonplace in industries and defense, but looking beyond the visible spectrum has yet to break through into the mainstream. Pixxel is poised to change that with its hyperspectral imaging satellites, and co-founder Awais Ahmed will join us at TC Sessions: Space in Los Angeles on December 6 to tell us why this tech matters. Hyperspectral imagery includes wavelengths well beyond what people and traditional cameras see, allowing satellites to detect things like polluting gases, the hydration level of soil or concentrations of desirable minerals. Pixxel’s approach is modern and adaptable, with a new imaging stack that slices the wider spectrum into extremely thin slices, allowing very specific detections that would normally take a spectrometer or science mission. Pixxel raised a $25 million A round earlier this year, a coup for the young founders, Ahmed and Kshitij Khandelwal, his fellow graduate from BITS Pilani in Rajasthan, India. The two set out to change orbital imagery and are now in pole position as numerous industries, the military, and climate-monitoring authorities are all seeing the benefits of hyperspectral image data. Ahmed told ZebethMedia recently that the new push toward ESG, as well as a large new tranche of federal funding for climate solutions, is reinforcing existing interest from stakeholders in this area, from climate activists to gas and oil companies. And of course the strategic importance of this type of data is easy to see, which is why Ahmed will be joining us for a discussion of the evolving dual-use sector where startups like Pixxel have twice the opportunity — but also double the responsibility. TC Sessions: Space takes place on December 6 in Los Angeles. Buy your pass today, and then join us to see and learn about the latest space tech from the industry’s most beautiful minds, network for opportunities and build a stronger startup to the stars. Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TC Sessions: Space? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.

Astra lays off 16% after nearly tripling workforce in the last year • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 9, 2022Posted in Astra, Layoffs, SpaceNo Comments

Astra, a rocket startup that went public last year, told investors Tuesday it laid off 16% of its workforce as part of a wider strategy to increase shrinking financial runway and decrease expenses. The company also said it would reduce near-term investments in space services to grow its core businesses: namely, launch and spacecraft engines. This latter segment in particular has become a growing source of revenue for Astra, with the company reporting it had 237 committed orders for its spacecraft engines to entities including Maxar, OneWeb and Astroscale. That represents an increase of 130% from last quarter. Astra is also developing Launch System 2, including a new rocket, software suite and ground system, to replace the lightweight Rocket 3 vehicle that encountered a number of launch failures this year. (Astra announced back in August that it was concluding that rocket program entirely.) The company expects to conduct initial flight tests in the latter half of 2023. The new financial strategy comes just a few months after Astra hired a new COO, Axel Martinez, a career executive with extensive experience in capital management. At the time, a person familiar with the matter told ZebethMedia that the space company needed that expertise in a risk-averse equity environment, with high inflation, interest rates and other factors bearing down across markets. The layoffs shine an unflattering light on Astra’s quick growth: CEO Chris Kemp told investors during a call Tuesday that the company tripled in size in the space of a year, swelling to more than 400 people. Given that number, Astra reduced its headcount by at least 64 people. The company concluded the quarter with $151 million in cash. It reported $2.8 million in revenue from its spacecraft engines and a net loss of $199.1 million. Astra anticipates payroll savings from the layoffs to be realized in the first quarter of next year.

Hear Slingshot CEO Melanie Stricklan’s take on simulating orbit at TC Sessions: Space • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 9, 2022Posted in Slingshot Aerospace, Space, tc sessions space, TC Sessions: Space 2022No Comments

Understanding what’s going on in orbit, now and in the near future, is increasingly important for both business and military interests, and Slingshot Aerospace has positioned itself at the center of this quickly evolving space. Co-founder and CEO Melanie Stricklan will be joining us at TC Sessions: Space on December 6 to talk about simulating Earth’s busy orbital environment. Slingshot bills itself as providing a “real-time digital landscape of space,” synthesizing multiple data sources to produce an accurate picture of what’s where when, and how things might look at any given second. The company’s “digital twin” of space includes not just active satellites but also orbital debris, space weather like solar flares and other transient events, and physics simulation. This data is used not just to avoid collisions, but also to plan launches, train space-curious cadets and engineers, and so on. Stricklan herself came from a military background, having served as an officer in the Air Force before taking on roles in the burgeoning space industry. As such, she no doubt very clearly understands the importance of and friction points in space-related intelligence and monitoring processes. The company raised $25 million in March and landed a Space Force contract for the same amount later that month. She has also seen how the military, aerospace and tech sectors are dominated by men of a particular background, and has taken action to make sure Slingshot doesn’t fall into the same trap. The company was one of the first to sign the Space Workforce 2030 pledge, in which signatories regularly report hard numbers in diversity and work to create systemic change. It’s already happening, too: Stricklan told me at Space Symposium this year that the company is at gender parity and hopes to keep it that way. The fast-moving world of orbital sims and tracking, as well as the changing landscape of the space economy, will be the subjects of our fireside chat at TC Sessions: Space. Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TC Sessions: Space? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form. TC Sessions: Space takes place on December 6 in Los Angeles. Buy your pass today, and then join us to see and learn about the latest space tech from the industry’s most beautiful minds, network for opportunities and build a stronger startup to the stars.

Skyroot wants to kickstart private spaceflight in India with first rocket launch next week • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 8, 2022Posted in india, Indian Space Research Organization, skyroot aerospace, SpaceNo Comments

Spaceflight startup Skyroot wants to make history by launching India’s first privately developed rocket, and it’s aiming to do so as early as next week. The company said Tuesday that the first launch of the Vikram-S suborbital rocket could occur as early as November 12, with a launch window that extends until November 16. The launch will take place from the Indian Space Research Organization’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. The final date is dependent on weather conditions. Vikram-S is a suborbital, single-stage launch vehicle. For this demonstration mission, named Prarambh, or “the beginning” in Sanskrit, the rocket will carry three customer payloads. Details on the payloads were not announced. The Hyderabad-based Skyroot is developing a series of Vikram launch vehicles, so named after the founder of India’s space program, Vikram Sarabhai. Naga Bharath Daka, Skyroot COO and co-founder, said in a statement that the Vikram-S suborbital rocket will be used to test and validate the technologies used in the series. The launch could mark the beginning of a new era of private spaceflight in India, a country with a national space program but a relatively small private space sector. The country has already made moves to change that; in June 2020, the government passed major reforms to the space sector, including establishing the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) to facilitate private companies using ISRO infrastructure. The government also set up NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the ISRO’s commercial arm. (Most recently, NSIL facilitated the launch of 36 OneWeb satellites on an Indian rocket.) Last month, Skyroot announced it had raised $51 million in Series B financing led by Singapore-based investment firm GIC. It brings the startup’s total funding to $68 million to date, making it the most well-funded Indian space startup in operation.

Space to talk about the future of space stations • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 8, 2022Posted in Space, tc sessions space, TC Sessions: Space 2022No Comments

Our dedicated space event, TC Sessions: Space, is back again this year on December 6 in Los Angeles, and we’re excited to have Nanoracks CEO Amela Wilson joining us onstage for a discussion about what comes next for space stations. Nanoracks is a longtime participant in the existing International Space Station (ISS), having taken part in a number of research experiments on the station over the years, as well as creating the Nanoracks Bishop Airlock, which is used to deploy small satellites and other tiny spacecraft from the ISS. Now Nanoracks is working on StarLab, which aims to be the first free-flying commercial space station. StarLab will include a living quarters built by Nanoracks partner Lockheed Martin, and the station’s central feature will be the George Washington Carver Science Park, which will include a biology lab, a plant habitation lab, a physical science and materials research lab and an open workbench area for conducting research and experimentation. We’ll talk to Wilson about Nanoracks’ tremendous history of working on the ISS and ushering in commercial participation in science on the station, and we’ll also look ahead to StarLab, where the project is at, and what comes next for free-flying commercial station operations in Earth’s orbit. TC Sessions: Space takes place on December 6 in Los Angeles. Buy your pass today, and then join us to see and learn about the latest space tech from the industry’s most beautiful minds, network for opportunities and build a stronger startup to the stars.

Max Q: Ocean splashdown • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 7, 2022Posted in ispace, Max Q, Rocket Lab, SpaceNo Comments

Hello and welcome back to Max Q. TC’s in-person Space event is almost upon us. Will you be there? Learn more about the event here. In this issue: Rocket Lab’s helicopter catch attempt ends in ocean splashdown ispace wants to stake its claim to the moon News from the FCC, Constellr and more Rocket Lab’s second attempt to catch a rocket booster mid-air using a helicopter was aborted, though it’s unclear at the time of writing what exactly went wrong. Rocket Lab aims to recover its rocket boosters using a parachute and a helicopter — a bit different than SpaceX, whose boosters return to Earth by vertically landing on a pad. Instead, Rocket Lab’s technique is to equip the booster with a parachute to slow its descent, and keep a helicopter waiting nearby to snag it out of midair. From there, the plan is for the helicopter to carry the booster straight back to the company’s production complex. But alas, we did not see a catch after this launch. Here’s what we know: After a nominal launch and payload deployment, the company’s Sikorsky S-92 helicopter did not make the catch attempt. Instead, the company recovered the booster from the ocean after it splashed down. We’ll be looking out for more information on what went wrong in the days ahead. Tokyo-based startup ispace’s lunar ambitions will soon be put to the test, as the company gears up for its first launch at the end of this month. The startup will attempt to send its “Hakuto-R” lander to the moon’s surface, kicking off an ambitious lunar exploration program of the same name. Founded in 2010, ispace is one of many emerging companies that want to foster new markets on and around the moon; on its website, it describes its goal as becoming “a gateway for private sector companies to bring their business to the moon.” Being the middle- and last-mile delivery partner of the moon could prove to be lucrative, given the intensifying interest from both government space agencies and private companies in lunar exploration. But there’s more than far-off revenues at stake in this first launch; recent reporting suggested that ispace is preparing to list on the Tokyo Stock Exchange as early as this fiscal year. While the company was previously targeting a launch window of November 9-15, ispace said Monday it was now aiming to launch no earlier than November 22. The new date was chosen “in careful coordination” with launch partner SpaceX, the startup said in a statement. Indeed, ispace founder and CEO Takeshi Hakamada confirmed that the lander had arrived in Cape Canaveral, Florida, via cargo plane in advance of launch. The ispace M1 Hakuto-R lander. Image Credits: ispace More news from TC and beyond Arkisys is launching a new program called “Embark” for on-orbit payload services for SBIR and STTR Phase I entrants. (Arkisys) Blue Origin delivered its set of two BE-4 rocket engines to United Launch Alliance, which will be used on ULA’s heavy-lift Vulcan Centaur rocket as early as next year. (Blue Origin) China is releasing things into orbit using spaceplanes, and we don’t know what they are! (SpaceNews) China launched the third and final module for its Tiangong Space Station, and the rocket booster that carried it to orbit began its uncontrolled reentry back to Earth. (The New York Times/USSC) Constellr raised $10 million in seed funding for its space-based water monitoring system. (ZebethMedia) Exotrail, a company developing last-mile satellite transportation, signed a launch services agreement with German launch startup Isar Aerospace. (Payload) Firefly Aerospace is seeking to raise up to $300 million in private funding at an undisclosed valuation. (Reuters) NASA’s Space Launch System rocket was rolled back out to the launch pad in advance of the next launch attempt on November 14. (CNN) NASA’s Psyche mission was delayed and an independent review board was assembled to investigate why. The report is back, and it’s not good: The review board identified multiple staffing issues at the agency’s Jet Propulsion Lab, including burnout and a lack of technical expertise in key positions. (NASA) Orbex, a small rocket startup based in Scotland, will oversee construction of the first spaceport for vertical rocket launches on the U.K. mainland. (Orbex) Rocket Lab was contracted by Inmarsat to develop and manufacture an L-band radio for NASA; it also delivered the final solar panels to Maxar that will end up on the space agency’s lunar Gateway orbital platform. (Rocket Lab/Rocket Lab) Sierra Space and Blue Origin will be participating in Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s feasibility study exploring g opportunities for Japan to participate in commercializing low Earth orbit. (Baker McKenzie) SpaceX is tentatively targeting early December for Starship’s first test flight, a NASA official said. The company is also now building seven Raptor 2 rocket engines a week. (!) (Ars Technica) SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy for the fourth time ever in a mission for the United States Space Force. The double booster landing made more than a few jaws drop. (ZebethMedia) Spire won a DARPA contract for a preliminary design of a satellite that would carry sensors to measure the ionosphere. (Spire) Terran Orbital landed an additional $100 million investment from Lockheed Martin, and announced it built its massive spacecraft manufacturing facility in California, rather than Florida as originally announced. (ZebethMedia) The U.S. Federal Communications Division will undergo a major organizational shakeup in response to the explosion of activity in commercial space by establishing a Space Bureau to separate satellite policy issues from the overall “International Bureau,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said. (FCC) Virgin Galactic released its quarterly financial report and released details on how it plans to kickstart its space tourism service. (Space) Wyvern, a startup building satellites that capture hyperspectral imagery using telescopes that unfold in space, has raised $7 million in a seed plus round. (Wyvern) Photo of the week Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engine. Image Credits: Blue Origin Max Q is brought to you by me, Aria Alamalhodaei. If you enjoy reading Max Q, consider forwarding it to a friend.

A sneak peek at early-stage startups exhibiting at TC Sessions: Space • ZebethMedia

By zebethcontrolPosted on November 7, 2022Posted in Space, tc sessions space, TC Sessions: Space 2022No Comments

We’re not ashamed to admit that we get pretty darned giddy when it comes to space technology. It’s out-of-this-world cool. But there’s something else that really gets our pulses pounding, and that’s meeting the early-stage startups that are pushing beyond and reinventing the boundaries of space tech. If — like us — you fit the description, then here’s some exciting news. You’ll have the opportunity to meet amazing early-stage space startups exhibiting at TC Sessions: Space 2022 on December 6 in Los Angeles. Prepare for liftoff: Buy a full-access general admission pass, and then get ready to connect and engage with the people who are forging humanity’s future in space. We’ll have even more exhibitors to share with you in the coming weeks but right now, let’s take a sneak peek at three of the startups you won’t want to miss. Check out their websites and start planning your calendar. You’re going to want to see their product demos and explore networking opportunities with them during the show. Ready, fellow space peeps? Let’s meet three of the early-stage startups you’ll find exhibiting at TC Sessions Space. Astrum Drive Technologies: Builds advanced propulsion systems designed to let spaceships travel farther, more safely and with more cargo. JellySpace: Designed to remove the entry barriers into the space industry by letting companies, startups and organizations share and access intellectual property in a safe and secure manner. SpinLaunch: A ground-based, electric-powered kinetic launch system designed as an alternative method for putting satellites into low-Earth orbit. And that’s just a small fraction of what you’ll experience at the show and the startups you’ll meet. We’re thrilled to be hosting some of the most influential people in the space industry — in public, private and defense sectors. You’ll hear from folks like Peter Beck, Rocket Lab CEO and founder; Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisitions; Amela Wilson, CEO of Nanoracks; and many more. We’re building out an agenda featuring firesides and panel discussions on the main stage, and you’ll also have plenty of time to connect and network with attendees from around the world. It’s all designed to help your business grow and thrive. TC Sessions: Space takes place on December 6 in Los Angeles. Buy your pass today, and then join us to see and learn about the latest space tech from the industry’s most beautiful minds, network for opportunities and build a stronger startup to the stars. Is your company interested in sponsoring or exhibiting at TC Sessions: Space? Contact our sponsorship sales team by filling out this form.