The Pulse

The Pulse

Happy Friday, Space Enthusiasts! ??

NASA recently announced it has contracted SpaceX to design and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV) to safely bring the International Space Station (ISS) down to Earth at the end of its operational life in 2030. This recent development replaces the original plan to use Russian Progress spacecraft, a change due to both technical and geopolitical considerations. It also contributes to the new era of space exploration strategy that prioritizes leveraging commercial capabilities.

Read on to learn more about the $843 million contract, the ISS' extensive retirement plans, and the rise of commercial space stations.

In this edition of the Space Impulse Newsletter, you'll find:

  • ?? Space Industry news highlight: NASA Awards SpaceX $843 Million For ISS Deorbit Mission
  • ?? The Future of Space Habitation: From ISS to Commercial Stations
  • ?? Space Industry quote of the week
  • ?? Your weekly space news roundup

As always, we want to hear from you! Whether you'd like to collaborate on a guest post or offer feedback on what you'd like to learn about and see from us, feel free to reach out at [email protected].


Space News Highlight ?

NASA Awards SpaceX $843 Million For ISS Deorbit Mission

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration has awarded SpaceX a single contract worth up to $843 million to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle (USDV). The USDV is a spacecraft that will be responsible for the safe and responsible transition into low Earth orbit after the ISS's operational life ends in 2030. NASA will take ownership of and operate the USDV throughout the mission.

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??The Future of Space Habitation: From ISS to Commercial Stations

As the International Space Station (ISS) approaches its planned decommissioning in 2031, preparations are underway for the de-orbiting process and the next phase of space habitation. The extensive plans for both missions include contributions from government and commercial partners, signifying the shift in space exploration strategy. This new era prioritizes private companies and government agencies working together to achieve their common space industry goals.

The ISS’ Retirement Plan

Deorbiting the ISS is a shared responsibility among the five space agencies involved in building and launching the station: NASA, the Canadian Space Agency | Agence spatiale canadienne , the European Space Agency - ESA , the JAXA: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency , and Roscosmos .

Source: Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform

NASA’s current deorbiting plan involves using SpaceX’s USDV to guide the ISS through its final descent. Key steps in the de-orbiting process will include:

  • Gradual Orbit Lowering: Starting in 2026, the ISS will be allowed to naturally decay under atmospheric drag and begin?a gradual descent to lower its altitude.
  • Final Crew Departure: A final crew will be sent to the ISS to retrieve any equipment or historically significant materials and will depart and safely return to Earth in 2030.
  • Controlled Re-entry: In 2031, the USDV will execute a final re-entry burn to ensure the ISS re-enters the atmosphere over the South Pacific Ocean, targeting Point Nemo, one of the most remote places on Earth.

The Rise of Commercial Space Stations

Before NASA says goodbye to the ISS, it plans to transition its research and astronauts to commercial space stations. This transition is part of a broader strategy to foster innovation, reduce costs, and maintain American competitiveness in space exploration.

Source: Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform

Starlab is a planned commercial space station being developed by a global joint venture led by Voyager Space . The project aims to create a continuously crewed, free-flying space station to serve as a successor to the ISS and ensure ongoing human presence in low Earth orbit. SpaceX has been contracted to launch Starlab on its Starship vehicle.

Other key players in the Starlab missions include:

  • Airbus Defence and Space contributes aerospace engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities while anchoring the project to European space ambitions.
  • 三菱商事 provides additional financial backing and business development support to the project while extending the project to the Asian markets.
  • MDA Space will be responsible for providing external robotics, robotics interfaces, and robotic mission operations including its MDA SKYMAKER? suite of scalable and modular robotics solutions.

Source: Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform

The planned decommissioning of the International Space Station in 2031 marks a significant transition in space exploration. As NASA and its international partners prepare for the complex task of safely de-orbiting the ISS, they are simultaneously paving the way for the next generation of space habitation through commercial partnerships.

Learn more about the comprehensive deorbiting plans for the ISS, the rise of commercial space stations, and their impact on the space industry in the full article.


Looking for more insights and resources to learn about and compare commercial, government, and academic space entities? The Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform has captured data on the key companies, investors, universities and government organizations in the space tech industry.


Space Industry Quote of the Week ??

"As you orbit the Earth every 90 minutes, you don't see religious division on Earth. You don't see racial division. You don't see political division. What you see is our home, the planet. You see that we are all citizens of planet Earth. That is a unifying factor."

- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, discussing the impact of the International Space Station.


Weekly Space News Roundup ??

Part Of Tianlong-3 Rocket Crashes In China During Test

Image credit: X screen grab/

Beijing Tianbing Technology Co, also known as Space Pioneer, announced that the first stage of its under-development Tianlong-3 rocket detached from its launch pad and crashed. The company blamed the unexpected launch on a structural failure. The Tianlong-3 is similar to SpaceX’s rockets, specifically the Falcon 9.

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US Military Is Strengthening Ties With Commercial Space Industry To Prevent Hackers Targeting Satellites

The US military recently launched a groundbreaking initiative to?strengthen ties with the commercial space industry. The aim is to integrate commercial equipment into military space operations, including satellites and other hardware. This would enhance cybersecurity for military satellites.

As space becomes more important to the world’s critical infrastructure, the risk increases that hostile nation states will deploy cyber attacks on important satellites and other space infrastructure. Targets would include spy satellites or military communications satellites, but commercial spacecraft too.

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Dhruva Space And Kinéis Partner To Expand IoT In India

Image credit: Dhruva Space / Kinéis

Dhruva Space and Kinéis have partnered to expand IoT connectivity within India and launch a Kinéis IoT payload on Dhruva Space’s upcoming P-30 satellite. The partnership will enable Dhruva Space and Kinéis to deliver affordable and reliable IoT solutions and foster innovation in the Indian market. Kinéis plans to deploy its full constellation by early 2025, with Dhruva Space supporting the development and large-scale manufacturing of end-user terminals in India.

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ISPTech Secures €2M In Pre-Seed Funding To Advance Green Propulsion For Satellites

Image credit: ISPTech

ISPTech has raised €2 million in a pre-seed round to advance its green propulsion technology for spacecraft. The investment round, led by HTGF | High-Tech Gründerfonds , also included contributions from First Momentum Ventures and Possible Ventures . The funds will help ISPTech develop and qualify its propulsion systems for spaceflight, with an aim to launch the first systems by the end of 2025.

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Vyoma Secures Key European Defence Fund Contracts To Enhance Space Security

Image credit: Vyoma

Vyoma has been awarded two significant contracts from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to bolster space security. The contracts are part of the EMISSARY and STAALION projects and aim to enhance Europe’s space domain awareness and defense capabilities. Leonardo leads the EMISSARY project, which involves over 40 partners from 13 EU countries. It has a budget of €100 million and will last four years. The STAALION project, led by Nurjana Technologies , has a €6 million budget and a two-year timeline.

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Space Machines Company Sets Sights On India’s Burgeoning Space?Sector

Image credit: Space Machines Company

Rajat Kulshrestha, CEO of Space Machines Company , sees immense potential in India’s emerging commercial space industry. In a recent interview, Kulshrestha shared his views on the company’s plans and the evolving landscape of India’s space sector.

“We are targeting 2026 as the launch for our second spacecraft which will launch on a dedicated SSLV rocket which is provided by NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) ,” he said. This ambitious timeline underscores the company’s commitment to expanding its presence in the space industry.

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Airbus Awarded €2.1 Billion Contract For German Next-Gen Military Satellites

Image credit: Airbus

Germany’s Bundeswehr has chosen Airbus to lead the SATCOMBw 3 project. The €2.1 billion contract entails the development, launch, and operation of two advanced geostationary satellites and an upgraded ground segment for 15 years. Key components and services, such as advanced payload integration and solar arrays, will come from German companies, including OHB SE from Bremen and several smaller enterprises.

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Interested in Deep Tech? Check out Digital Twin Insider, The Quantum Insider, AI Insider, and Climate Insider to take your knowledge of deep tech further and even deeper.

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