National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)’s Post

Rocket Lab signs $0.5 billion contract to design and build 18 satellites for Space Development Agency Rocket Lab USA announced it has been selected by and is under contract with the Space Development Agency (SDA) to design and build 18 Tranche 2 Transport Layer-Beta Data Transport Satellites (T2TL - Beta). “SDA’s acquisition approach favors speed, schedule certainty, and affordability to deliver next-generation space capabilities to the nation. We’ve proven Rocket Lab is capable of delivering this across our launch and spacecraft programs and we look forward to delivering it for SDA.” Rocket Lab will act as prime contractor for the $515 million USD firm-fixed price agreement, leading the design, development, production, test, and operations of the satellites, including procurement and integration of the payload subsystems. The contract establishes Rocket Lab’s position as a leading satellite prime contractor, providing supply chain diversity to the Department of Defense (DoD) through vertical integration. The contract comprises $489 million base plus $26 million of incentives and options and will be carried out by Rocket Lab National Security (RLNS), the Company’s wholly owned subsidiary created to serve the unique needs of the US defense and intelligence community and its allies. #Satellite #Launch #LEO #Space #USA #SDA https://lnkd.in/e-3deWyJ

Engines of #Ariane6: not one, but three types of engines are needed to propel the Ariane 6 rocket into space. Let’s look at the numbers behind these marvels of engineering 👉https://lnkd.in/eys9RPAA

Watch the recording of the Standardised De-Orbit interface activity! 🚀   If you missed the opportunity to attend the "Standardised De-Orbit Interface Definiton for Satcom-class spacecraft" webinar, do not worry, we recorded it! The webinar focused on the general aspects of Active Debris Removal highlighting the technical challenges and the specific aspects related to Standardisation activity. The webinar marks the start of Phase 1 of the activity in which Key stakeholders for identification of user needs and study cases are identified.      🔗 Important links:  Link to the recording -> https://lnkd.in/dVW-5ZnF More information about the activity -> https://lnkd.in/dDEwUpAR #ESA #CleanSpace #SpaceSafety #ZeroDebris ESA Space Safety ESA Technology

🛰 How can you save costs AND maneuver with ease? 🛰 By using differential thrust. This way your propulsion system is independent of your spacecraft's architecture. Whether you need to maneuver in orbit, land on celestial bodies or dock with other spacecraft, the use of just four GATE Thrusters can handle it all. Balance any changes in the spacecraft’s center of gravity, save costs and maneuver precisely. #space #newspace #technology #innovation #propulsion

🚀 Dive into spacecraft essentials in SBQ402! Learn lifetimes, payloads & manufacturing for effective space business management. Enroll today! #SBQ402 #SpaceBiz #ProfessionalDevelopment https://ow.ly/cvbQ50QHPR5

1200 MHz radar bandwidth in-orbit technology demonstrator enhances ICEYE’s SAR satellite constellation ICEYE successfully launched three additional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites on March 4, 2024, including a 1200 MHz radar bandwidth in-orbit technology demonstrator that will enable 25 cm imaging. The satellites were integrated via launch integrator Exolaunch and successfully lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-10 rideshare from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, USA. Each spacecraft has established communication, and early routine operations are underway. Two of the three SAR satellites launched on the mission are manufactured by ICEYE US, while one is an in-orbit technology demonstrator manufactured by ICEYE in Finland. The in-orbit demonstrator model features an upgrade to ICEYE’s unique X-band antenna, increasing radar bandwidth to 1200 MHz. This enables higher-resolution imagery, up to 25 cm, and will be initially assigned to engineering tests before being made available to ICEYE customers. #Bandwidth #Technology #SAR #Satellite #InOrbitTechnology #Spacecraft #California #USA #Transporter10 https://lnkd.in/eHsF7fcR

Recently, SpaceX has achieved several significant milestones. One of the most notable is the successful launch of the USSF-52 mission, a Pentagon project that utilized the Falcon Heavy rocket. This mission included the deployment of the X-37B space drone, designed to conduct advanced experiments in orbit, showcasing SpaceX's capability to handle complex and highly secretive operations. Additionally, SpaceX continues to make progress with its flagship project, Starship. After the first test flight ended in an explosion, the company has implemented over 1,000 changes for the next launch. These improvements include enhancements in stage separation and engine performance, as well as modifications to the launch platform to prevent significant damage during liftoff. Elon Musk has expressed optimism about the success of the upcoming attempt, estimating a significantly higher probability of reaching orbit. These advancements not only reflect SpaceX's innovative capacity but also highlight its crucial role in modern space exploration and the international competition for supremacy in space.

VPT, Inc. Unveils 120 W DC-DC Converters for Deep Space Missions and Launch Vehicle Programs Read more: https://ow.ly/sp7B50Q32eE #space #powerconversion #powersupplies #powerelectronics #dcdc #converters #technologynews

How is Increased Investment in #Space Exploration Influencing the #Spacecraft Market? The spacecraft market experiences robust growth driven by increased investment in space exploration by governments and private entities, coupled with the surge in exploration missions. Advancements in reusable spacecraft technology further propel this expansion, highlighting a promising future for space exploration endeavors. Key Market Players: Northrop Grumman, Sierra Nevada Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Blue Origin , Boeing, SpaceX, OHB SE, Thales, Maxar Technologies, Airbus Want To Know More:https://lnkd.in/dq2jGs_6 #AMR #SpacecraftMarketGrowth #SpaceExploration #ReusableSpacecraft #InvestmentTrends #GovernmentSpacePrograms #PrivateSpaceCompanies #SpaceMissionSurge