Innovation
Rocket Lab continues buying spree by acquiring satellite company Iridium
Launch company Rocket Lab is buying satellite operator Iridium, putting it in a position to become a more full-fledged space services company and continuing a wave of consolidation in the industry.
The deal, which hasn’t yet closed, will see Rocket Lab acquire Iridium’s stock for $54 per share, valuing the satellite company at $8 billion.
Artificial Intelligence
Satellogic Expands AI Apps with SpaceKnow Partnership
Satellogic is building an app store. The EO satellite operator today announced a partnership with SpaceKnow, the AI-powered geospatial intelligence analysis company, to build AI applications on top of Satellogic’s growing stock of satellite imagery.
The partnership reflects a fundamental shift in Satellogic’s business model, which is moving away from one-off imagery sales, and toward a data-as-a-service model.
Technology
Blue Origin still doesn't know why its New Glenn rocket blew up last month
Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin is doubling down on using its New Glenn mega-rocket again this year after last month’s explosion. But the company still doesn’t know why that explosion happened in the first place.
In his most detailed public statement about the explosion yet, CEO Dave Limp wrote on Blue Origin’s website on Tuesday that his company is still trying to “identify and correct the root cause” of the explosion. “Early analysis points to the aft section of the first stage” of the rocket, Limp wrote, saying the company is pulling on “extensive data from multiple camera angles and sensors.”
Space Force Approves New Satellite Jammer for Operational Use
The Space Force formally accepted its Meadowlands jammer for operational use earlier this month, an upgrade to its current electronic warfare portfolio.
China revives desert moss in space lab as it tests hi-tech tools for future missions
Latest in-orbit results from prototype Qingzhou cargo spacecraft show China is testing cameras, refrigeration and bio-support capsule
Investment
Orbital files plans for 100,000 orbital data centers
Five-month-old startup Orbital has asked the Federal Communications Commission for permission to deploy up to 100,000 data center satellites, aiming to bring 10 gigawatts of computing power from space to meet rising artificial intelligence demand.
Space Force Gives Boeing $2 Billion for Narrowband Comms Satellites
The company edged out incumbent Lockheed Martin, who built the current fleet of MUOS satellites, which include four operational satellites and one spare. The Space Force expects the two spacecraft Boeing is building will keep the constellation in service until 2035, five years beyond its current life expectancy. The satellites are expected to launch “no earlier than” 2031 and 2032, Space Systems Command said in a June 24 press release.
Startups
NewOrbit Raises $18.5M to Build VLEO Spacecraft at Scale
Voyager Ventures led the round, which was joined by previous investors Atlantic, Lifeline Ventures, LGF, Illusian, as well as multiple angel investors including former NVIDIA Chief Scientist David Kirk and TIER Mobility Cofounder Lawrence Leuschner.