XAnge’s Post

Basalt Tech (YC W24) is building the world’s first spacecraft operating system to allow dissimilar spacecraft to work together in orbit and coordinate on complex tasks. Over $100B of space assets are planned to be launched by 2030. The value of these assets comes from the data they send back down to Earth. Right now, that data and control pipeline is antiquated, stifling innovation in space. Basalt links modern software to legacy and new space assets. Its simulation and flight control infrastructure is already being used to revive satellite missions in orbit! Just in the last month, the team has launched design partnerships with 7 space missions around the world at institutions such as MIT and the National University of Singapore. Basalt Tech is founded by Maximillian Bhatti and Alex Choi, two best friends and space dropouts from SpaceX, MIT, and the UK Ministry of Defense. The two met when Alex hired a high school-aged Max to help lead MIT AeroAstro’s custom CubeSat program. Autonomous tasking, situational awareness, and cross-platform constellations are only some of the first applications of Basalt. They're bringing autonomy into orbit for every mission and taking the first steps into a new space age— a software-defined one. Congrats on the launch, Max and Alex!

SpaceNews posted an interesting article that highlights many of the challenges and opportunities that exist within the propulsion segment for small satellite space mobility. Worth a read! https://lnkd.in/gZWmbHpV

“Right now small spacecrafts are being shipped by FedEx or UPS, and very large spacecrafts are being shipped in fancy containers but there is no good solution for anything in the middle. In a world where spacecraft, laden with propellant, are going out to space twice a day, things need to become more systematized. That is where we come in.”   We spoke with SpaceRig founder and CEO Ian Fichtenbaum about their spacecraft provisioning and logistics services, providing responsive vehicle build, delivery, and launch preparation, and building infrastructure for the era of frequent commercial space launches.   https://lnkd.in/ecgWv_SB   #deeptech #hardtech #space #aerospace #supplychain

Part 2: The concept of a space elevator has fascinated scientists for over a century. Imagine a cable anchored to Earth, extending into space, using materials like carbon nanotubes. This could reduce payload costs from $10,000 to $500 per kilogram, revolutionizing the space industry. 🌍🚀 #SpaceElevator #FutureTech #SpaceInnovation #CarbonNanotubes #Graphene

🛰️Small Size, Giant Leap: The Growing Role of SmallSats in Communication This Space Tech White Paper on SmallSats highlights the transformative role of small satellites in modern space operations, underscoring their evolution from experimental devices to crucial tools in communication, Earth observation, and scientific research. The report emphasizes the advantages of SmallSats, including cost-effectiveness and versatility, which have democratized space access for diverse entities such as startups and educational institutions. Significant growth in the SmallSat sector is driven by technological advancements, such as AI integration and miniaturized propulsion systems, and supported by substantial investment and interest from both private and public sectors. However, challenges such as space debris, regulatory hurdles, and technical limitations remain prevalent. Leading companies like SpaceX, Spire Global, and Planet Labs are pivotal in advancing the capabilities and applications of SmallSats, suggesting a robust future for this sector within the broader aerospace industry. Read full report below. Contact us for more information: 📧 info@intro-act.com 📞 617-454-1088 🌐 www.intro-act.com #SmallSats #SpaceTech #SatelliteTechnology #AerospaceEngineering #SpaceCommunication #CubeSats #EarthObservation #SpaceIndustry #NewSpaceEconomy #SpaceStartups #SpaceData #SatelliteLaunch #SpaceExploration

The acquisition of Orbital Insight by Privateer represents a significant milestone in the realm of space situational awareness, marking a convergence of expertise and technology aimed at unlocking new frontiers of understanding. As a space journalist, witnessing this union between two pioneering entities is akin to witnessing the alignment of celestial bodies, heralding a new era of innovation and collaboration. Privateer's focus on space objects, complemented by Orbital Insight's terrestrial insights, creates a synergy that promises to revolutionize our understanding of both the cosmos and Earth. Orbital Insight's TerraScope, a bastion of geospatial intelligence, stands as a testament to the power of data fusion and analysis. From tracking automobile traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic to providing crucial insights for a diverse array of clients including governmental agencies and multinational corporations, Orbital Insight's contributions to our understanding of the world are nothing short of transformative. Meanwhile, Privateer's Wayfinder, a brainchild born from the visionary minds of Alex Fielding, Steve Wozniak, and Moriba Jah, represents the pinnacle of data visualization and integration. By combining data from the U.S. Space Command with satellite imagery, Wayfinder charts a course towards unparalleled insights across domains, from the depths of the ocean to the expanse of space. The possibilities engendered by this union are as boundless as the cosmos itself. As Privateer aptly notes, the integration of TerraScope with Wayfinder heralds a new dawn of cross-domain intelligence, promising a wealth of applications limited only by our imagination. In conclusion, the acquisition of Orbital Insight by Privateer transcends mere business transactions; it represents a celestial symphony of innovation and collaboration, poised to redefine the boundaries of knowledge and exploration. As we embark on this journey together, let us gaze skyward with anticipation, for the stars themselves seem to whisper of the wonders yet to unfold.

📣 Read our latest press: Commercial Space Technologies Ltd. (CST), Exotopic and Third Planet Orbital Partner for Space Access in UK! 🚀 "The ‘Give Me Some Space!’ mission is a one-stop solution aiming to remove the traditional barriers to space. The initiative allows companies to focus exclusively on their payloads, leaving all other complexities to the teams at CST, Exotopic, and Third Planet Orbital. The partners will subsequently handle every aspect, including satellite construction and integration, and launch and mission management, meticulously, ensuring a seamless experience." 👉 Read the press release: https://lnkd.in/d6Rz385V 👉 Apply now: https://lnkd.in/dc3HXySJ #GiveMeSomeSpace #SmallSats #CubeSats #UKLaunch #NewSpace #SpaceIndustry #Opportunities #Technology #Commercialisation

🛰️Are you familiar with the REWIRE #SmartSatellites Use Case? Take a closer look at the applicability of the REWIRE infrastructure services to the open-source #space #tech field! Our latest #blog article, authored by our project partner Libre Space Foundation, explores how REWIRE can help facilitate #secure #software updates for spacecraft applications and services. 🔍Scenario 1: Over-The-Air Update 🔍Scenario 2: Zero-Trust-Onboarding (ZTO)  🔍Scenario 3: AI misbehaviour detection 🔍Scenario 4: Fallback mechanism Don't miss out on this enlightening read! #SpaceTech #Innovation #SmartSatellites #REWIRE #OpenSource

SpaceNews just released an interesting piece about Space DOTS®! While the International Space Station has become an important tool for experimenting with materials in Low Earth Orbit, companies are hungry for more accessible and cheaper alternatives to keep pace with rapid evolution in the satellite market, beyond LEO. Not to sound like a broken record, I will quote what the UK #space and #materials communities have recently shared on 'Why Space? The Opportunity for Materials Science and Innovation': "The ability to characterise a material’s surface remotely through high-precision measurements in-space is still underdeveloped and will be essential to assess concept performance and viability." That's exactly the ground where Space DOTS® is playing. And it's great to see the endorsement from industry leaders like Mike Lewis at Nanoracks – Powered by Voyager Space, with whom we had extensive online and off-line chats over the years about how necessary it is to get ready to deliver in-space testing services that will complement the emerging in-space manufacturing industry. As Mike shares: "Additive manufacturing is one area set to benefit greatly from advances in on-orbit testing, and will be important for building replacement components in space, recycling materials such as packaging waste, and building structures that cannot exist in the presence of gravity." Making sci-fi a reality, one day at a time! 🚀 #space #spacedots #spacetechnology #spaceindustry #newspace #innovation #newspaceeconomy #advancedmaterials

$800.000 out in space!! 🤯🚀💵 Nah... not really, but close enough. Blackswan Space secures $800k to pioneer autonomous satellite technologies. Blackswan Space, a pioneering space tech startup from Vilnius, just secured a substantial €760k to fuel their advancements in satellite autonomy. Collaborating with giants like the European Space Agency - ESA, they're set to enhance how we manage the burgeoning number of satellites orbiting our planet. This funding propels them to further develop technologies that enable satellites to navigate and operate independently, far beyond the immediate reach of ground control. As we venture deeper into the space economy, Blackswan's innovations could revolutionize our approach to space exploration and satellite management.