The Pulse
Space Insider
Making Space accessible through data, industry insights & market intelligence
Happy Friday, Space Enthusiasts!
Members of the space community continue to push the boundaries of what's possible. Innovations in technology, systems and processes, and even promotional campaigns have the space industry buzzing! Read on for this week's exciting roundup of space news.
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NASA and Lockheed Martin have collaborated on developing a groundbreaking space plane, the X-59, designed to revolutionize air travel by minimizing the sonic boom typically associated with supersonic flight. The space plane aims to fly at 1.4 times the speed of sound. The X-59 incorporates innovative design elements, including a 30-meter-long, 9-meter-wide structure with a distinctive tapered nose aimed at mitigating the disruptive effects of sonic booms.
Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM) landed on the moon, marking the country’s entry into the exclusive group of nations that have achieved a successful lunar soft landing. Unfortunately, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) faced challenges as the spacecraft’s solar panels failed to generate power upon landing. The mission aimed to demonstrate a “precision” landing technology, positioning Japan as a key player in future moon exploration, particularly in the hilly moon poles that are considered potential sources of vital resources.
AST SpaceMobile?has announced a strategic investment of $206.5 million from industry giants?AT&T,?Google, and?Vodafone?that will go towards the company’s mission of closing the global connectivity gap by providing 5G broadband service from space to billions of people worldwide. AST SpaceMobile’s innovative approach involves operating the largest-ever commercial communications array in low Earth orbit, with the BlueWalker 3 satellite paving the way for direct-to-device connectivity. The company’s achievements include technical first-evers in space-based cellular communications, such as 2G, 4G LTE, and 5G calls.
Sierra Space?has passed the “ultimate burst pressure” test for its inflatable space habitat, the Large Integrated Flexible Environment (LIFE) module. The test demonstrated the module’s ability to withstand pressure, inflating to 77 psi before bursting, surpassing?NASA’s?safety recommendation by 27%. This achievement propels Sierra Space closer to its goal of collaborating with?Blue Origin?to launch a private space station by the end of the decade, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional rigid structures and paving the way for sustainable space habitats in the future.
ALDORIA, formerly known as Share My Space, has announced the successful closure of its Series A funding round securing €10M in equity investments, propelling its total investment to €22M to date. Starquest Capital?led the funding round, emphasizing its commitment to green financing through Article 9 of the EU Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation. This is the largest equity funding round for an SSA company in Europe.
Nokia Bell Labs?has been selected by the?U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency?(DARPA) to participate in the 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) program. Nokia Bell Labs will collaborate with 13 other companies across various sectors, including energy, transport, and construction, to recommend a reliable, high-performance communications infrastructure for lunar operations. The program’s goal is to deliver a comprehensive blueprint by mid-2024, facilitating the establishment of commercial operations on the lunar surface by 2035.
China’s Orienspace Secures $83.67 Million for Rocket Development Amid Rising Satellite Launch Demand
Orienspace successfully raised nearly 600 million yuan ($83.67 million). Officials for the Chinese private rocket developer saud it’s a significant step toward funding its development programs. The round comes as China’s demand for commercial satellite launches is expected to surge.
A new OREO sweepstakes is offering a chance to win a six-hour journey to the edge of space in Space Perspective’s Spaceship Neptune—a pressurized capsule propelled gently by a SpaceBalloon. Space Perspective allows the winner to safely enjoy views of Earth without special training required, no weightlessness and no heavy g-forces. The trip also offers a world-class meal and cocktail service, complimentary OREO cookies, Wi-Fi and even a Space Spa with a bathroom.
The Pentagon is updating its longstanding policy on maintaining secrecy around military space programs to enhance collaboration with allies and commercial partners while addressing the evolving threat landscape. The move confirms the Pentagon’s recognition of the importance of agility, collaboration, and leveraging commercial space capabilities in responding to space threats. The?U.S. Space Force?and?National Reconnaissance Office?(NRO) continue to safeguard certain details while engaging in contracts with commercial satellite operators for unclassified data.
Itility Group, a software and data solutions provider in Manufacturing, Energy, and AgriTech, has acquired a majority stake in 52impact, a Dutch company specializing in spatial analytics for climate action. The collaboration with Itility Group 52impact aids clients in achieving Sustainable Development Goals, including water, food security, and climate action. This strategic partnership positions 52impact to scale its technologies and deploy solutions globally, supporting companies, regulators, and NGOs in addressing climate challenges and advancing sustainable development initiatives.
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