?????CONTEC Campus - November Newsletter
CONTEC x KADEX 2024
?? From October 2nd to 6th, CONTEC showcased its comprehensive downstream capabilities at KADEX 2024, held for the first time at Korea's defense heart, Gyeryongdae. Through our ground engineering solutions and All-in-One satellite imagery services, we demonstrated the strength of the entire CONTEC Group.
?? In particular, we drew enthusiastic responses from attendees by exhibiting the satellite communications systems of AP Satellite, which joined CONTEC Group in June, along with the performance verification satellite (PVSAT) of the Nuri rocket.
?? We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who visited our booth at KADEX 2024. CONTEC Group will continue to bring together our capabilities to offer you a full vertical chain solution bridging together our upstream and downstream services in the space industry!
Welcoming our partnership with the Government of South Australia!
?On the 22nd, CONTEC had the pleasure of hosting a visit from Joe Szakacs, Minister for Trade and Investment, and his delegation from the Government of South Australia!
??The visit was initiated at Minister Szakacs' request to connect with CONTEC, a key player in satellite and Earth communication among the DaejeonSAT participating companies. Following at our of our satellite control room, the delegation was impressed by our business scope and future plans shared at our second campus.
??Notably, Minister Szakacs expressed appreciation for the large Mete mascot at the campus entrance, recognizing CONTEC's dedication to space education and looking forward to ongoing collaboration.
??CONTEC is equally excited to strengthen ties with South Australia's government, a central force in Australia’s space and defense sectors, as we work together to cultivate the next generation of space talent in both countries!
CONTEC featured in Korea Aerospace University's K-MOOC!
?Have you heard of K-MOOC, the Korean-style online course?
??K-MOOC offers free access to higher education through the Korea Massive Open Online Course (K-MOOC)platform, managed by the National Institute for Lifelong Education!
??On the 16th, CONTEC participated in the development of K-MOOC courses as part of the Korea Aerospace University's COSS (Convergence and Open Sharing System) initiative!
??In collaboration with the knowledgeable and gracious Professor Zizung Yoon from Korea Aerospace University, CONTEC experts are introducing real-world space industry technologies. This is a golden opportunity to learn practical insights and the latest trends based on hands-on project experience!
??Don’t miss this informative lecture, packed with valuable content for anyone interested in the space industry!??
Boosting Team Spirit with a Food Truck : A Treat from our CEO, Dr. Sunghee Lee!(Supported by Daejeon’s Labor-Management Harmony Project)
? This afternoon, a food truck arrived at CONTEC Campus 3 to lift our team’s spirits!
Generously arranged by our CEO, Dr. Sunghee Lee, this special treat offered warm fish cakes and sausages—just right for the chilly weather and enjoyed by everyone in a cozy, joyful gathering.
With additional support from Daejeon Metropolitan City's "Labor-Management Harmony Workplace" project, we could feel the city’s commitment to supporting employees in local companies.
To our followers: how about a warm bowl of fish cakes on your way home tonight? ??
Rocket Lab's Introduction of the Medium size launcher, Neutron
Rocket Lab, known for its small size rocket Electron, announced in 2021 the development of its medium size rocket Neutron. Originally slated for a 2024 launch, the revised timeline now targets Neutron’s first launch for the first half of 2025.
Currently, Rocket Lab's Electron can deliver up to 300 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO), whereas Neutron is designed to launch approximately 13,000 kg, nearly 40 times more. This payload capacity is 60% of that of SpaceX's Falcon 9*, positioning Neutron as a potential key competitor upon completion.
Like SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Neutron is a reusable vehicle, with its first stage intended to return to the launch site after liftoff. Neutron’s launch costs are projected to be more competitive than those of Falcon 9 and are estimated at one-fifth the cost of Rocket Lab's smaller Electron rocket.
Rocket Lab’s Neutron marks a significant development not only for the company but also in establishing a new market for medium-class launch vehicles.
Neutron’s Core: The All-New Archimedes Engine
the smaller Rutherford engine used in Rocket Lab’s Electron launcher, the Archimedes engine provides the power needed for the medium-sized Neutron launch vehicle. This engine is notable for two primary features: reusability and 3D-printed construction. It is designed for multiple uses and is manufactured with a 3D printer, reportedly the largest of its kind.
In September, Rocket Lab successfully completed the "Hot Fire" test*—a critical milestone in engine development—signaling to the industry that the Neutron rocket project is progressing smoothly.
First launch scheduled for the first half of 2025!
Rocket Lab’s development of the medium-sized Neutron rocket, which began in 2021, is now reaching the final stages of the Archimedes engine, marking a pivotal phase in the rocket’s overall progress. With less than a year until the anticipated 2025 launch,excitement is building.
Will the Archimedes engine achieve its own“Eureka!” moment with a successful first launch? With only a few months remaining until the first half of 2025, let’s eagerly await the outcome together.
Launch
SpaceX Follows Milestone Starship Test With Europa Clipper Falcon Heavy Launch
SpaceX successfully caught its Super Heavy booster for the first time during an October 13 Starship test flight, marking a major milestone. The next day, SpaceX launched NASA’s Europa Clipper spacecraft on a Falcon Heavy rocket. The Clipper is headed to Jupiter’s moon Europa, aiming to study its icy surface and potential for habitability, with arrival expected in 2030.
SpaceX launches 20 spare satellites for rival OneWeb LEO constellation
SpaceX launched 20 OneWeb satellites on October 20 to strengthen Eutelsat’s LEO broadband network. Eutelsat now has 654 satellites in orbit and plans to start global services by spring, despite ground infrastructure delays. The company will de-orbit some first-generation satellites soon but hasn't announced when it will introduce next-gen technology. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues expanding its Starlink network, having launched over 7,000 satellites and reached four million subscribers.
Ground Station
NASA Terminal Transmits First Laser Communications Uplink to Space
NASA successfully completed the first laser communications uplink between its Low-Cost Optical Terminal (LCOT) and the TBIRD payload, achieving a stable connection for over three minutes. This marks a significant advancement in laser communications, which can transmit up to 100 times more data than traditional radio frequencies. During its mission, TBIRD achieved record transmission speeds of 200 gigabits per second, highlighting the potential of laser technology to enhance future space missions.
ESA Crowns New Norcia Deep Space Communication Antenna
ESA is building a new deep space antenna, NNO3, at New Norcia in Western Australia, set for completion by 2025. Recently, a 35-meter dish was installed to boost ESA’s communication capacity, supporting high-data missions and lunar projects. Managed with Australia’s CSIRO, NNO3 includes advanced tech for increased data transfer and upgrades for future demands.
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Satellite
No Direct Satellite View Needed: Cellular Starlink Phone Gets Signal in Your Pocket
SpaceX's new cellular Starlink service can receive signals without a direct view of the sky, working indoors or even in a pocket. Initially supporting text messages, the service aims to expand to voice calls and internet, especially for remote areas with poor cell coverage. Although awaiting full FCC approval, SpaceX has emergency clearance to aid hurricane victims with text messaging. Future updates promise rapid emergency response and expanded connectivity by 2025. SpaceX has requested a waiver to exceed emission limits, but telecom giants like AT&T and Verizon oppose this, citing potential network interference.
Hera asteroid mission’s CubeSat passengers signal home
ESA's Hera mission for planetary defense has successfully activated its two CubeSats, Juventas and Milani, for the first time in deep space. Both CubeSats confirmed their systems are functioning as intended, marking a milestone as ESA’s first CubeSat operation beyond Earth. Initially activated for testing purposes, the CubeSats underwent essential checks from ESA's mission control in Germany and Belgium, including avionics and communication systems. They will stay in stowage until deployment near the asteroid Dimorphos in 2026, taking on extra risk to collect unique data on the asteroid.
Satellite Imagery Pre-processing
CATALYST Releases INSIGHTS 2.0 Space-Enabled Data Platform
Earth observation company CATALYST has launched INSIGHTS 2.0, a platform that integrates satellite imagery and ground-based data to enhance decision-making in industries like mining, bushfire management, and flood monitoring. The platform offers advanced data visualization, including spatial and temporal comparisons, helping users better understand geospatial data. Key innovations include a 3D mapping feature for realistic scenario planning and geotechnical monitoring, particularly in Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF). INSIGHTS 2.0 simplifies data integration and enhances operational risk management across various sectors.
What satellite images reveal about Israel's strikes on Iran
According to satellite image analysis, Israel's airstrikes targeted major military facilities in Iran, including missile and air defense sites, resulting in damage to multiple buildings. Key areas hit include Parchin, Khojir, Shahroud, and the Abadan oil refinery, with some facilities reportedly linked to Iran's nuclear and missile programs.
Space Tourism
NASA astronaut who had 'medical issue' released from hospital
A NASA astronaut, who was hospitalized following the successful return of the SpaceX Crew-8 mission, has been released, according to NASA. After spending the night at Ascension Sacred Heart Pensacola in Florida, the astronaut returned to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston and is in good health. NASA has not disclosed the astronaut's identity. The crew, which included astronauts Matthew Dominick, Michael Barratt, Jeanette Epps, and Russian astronaut Alexander Grebenkin, completed a 235-day mission in space. One astronaut stayed in the hospital for further observation but is in stable condition.
Millions joined a livestream selling tickets to space on a Chinese rocket
Chinese commercial space company Deep Blue Aerospace sold two space tourism tickets, priced at 1 million yuan (approximately $140,000), for a scheduled launch in 2027. The tickets, which offer a roughly 12-minute trip to the edge of space, sold out immediately. This marks the first public sale of space tourism tickets by a Chinese company, and the event was livestreamed on the Chinese shopping platform Taobao.
The Nebula-1 rocket, which will be used for the trip, is still under development, with further testing planned in the coming years. Deep Blue Aerospace aims to join the global space tourism market and compete with established companies.
Laser Communication
Is SpaceX poised to shake up optical terminal sales?
At the Satellite Innovation conference, panelists discussed SpaceX’s entry into the optical terminal market. While some suppliers aren’t worried due to SpaceX's non-compliance with government standards, many agree that Starlink and Starshield will heavily impact satellite communications. The debate centers on whether the government will set standards or let the market, likely dominated by SpaceX, take control due to its extensive satellite and launch capabilities.
France claims world’s first ground to space high-speed optical-laser link
In 2023, France's Defence Innovation Agency launched the Keraunos satellite to test Optical-Laser Infrared (OLI) communications, achieving a world-first stable, high-speed link between a satellite and a ground station. OLI offers faster data transmission (up to 200Gb/sec) than traditional Radio Frequency (RF) systems, with benefits like lower costs, power consumption, and improved security. Despite sensitivity to weather conditions, advancements have mitigated these issues, making OLI a promising technology for military and multi-domain operations, complementing traditional RF systems.
Space Situational Awareness(SSA)
Intelsat 33e breaks up in geostationary orbit
The Intelsat 33e satellite has broken up in geostationary orbit, losing power and cutting off communication services in Europe, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. In a statement on October 19, Intelsat said the likelihood of recovering the satellite was low, and on October 21, it declared the satellite a total loss. The U.S. Space Force and space tracking companies are currently monitoring debris associated with the satellite, while Intelsat is working to transfer affected customers to other satellites. Intelsat 33e was launched in 2016, but its lifespan was reduced due to an initial propulsion system issue.
Fighting space junk: More than 100 partners sign Europe's 'Zero Debris Charter'
The European Space Agency (ESA) is advancing space safety and sustainability with its Zero Debris Charter, which aims to address the growing space debris issue. During the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan on October 14, the charter gained over 100 signatories, including New Zealand and Mexico—the first non-European nations to sign. The charter, launched in November 2023, sets guiding principles and targets, such as debris mitigation and safe reentry practices, to be developed collaboratively. ESA estimates over 1 million debris pieces are orbiting Earth, posing risks to space operations. The charter promotes voluntary global commitment to space debris reduction.
Space Defense & Security
Space Force orders more missile-tracking satellites from Millennium
Millennium Space Systems will build six more missile-tracking satellites for the U.S. Space Force, bringing its total to 12 for the MTC program. The first batch is set for delivery in 2026, with the second batch in 2027. The new $386 million contract is lower than the previous one due to production efficiencies. This expansion follows RTX's removal from the program due to performance issues. The satellites will enhance missile-tracking in medium Earth orbit to strengthen U.S. defense against threats from China and Russia.
Quantum Communication Tech to Be Tested on Upcoming SpaceX Mission
SpaceX CRS-31, set for November 2024, will bring the SEAQUE experiment to the ISS to advance space-based quantum communication. Led by Dr. Paul Kwiat, SEAQUE will test quantum entanglement under space conditions to improve secure, long-distance communication and quantum networking. The experiment aims to create resilient quantum systems for future Earth and space applications, potentially enabling secure global communications and self-repairing quantum nodes for extended missions.
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