Southern Space - 16 December

Southern Space is a weekly newsletter produced by SIAA to inform the Australian space industry?

Industry News

Leak on Spacecraft Docked at International Space Station:?A planned Russian spacewalk was cancelled this week due to a?coolant leak?on?a Soyuz spacecraft’s docked at the International Space Station. Roscosmos issued a statement noting “damage to the outer lining” to the service module of the spacecraft. The cause and severity of the leak remain unknown, with the leak potentially preventing the spacecraft from returning safely to Earth with its crew.?

Orion Spacecraft Returns to Earth:?The?Artemis 1 mission?concluded earlier this week, with the Orion spacecraft landing off the coast of California, concluding the spacecraft’s 25.5-day uncrewed test flight. A?key objective of the mission was a successful re-entry, as a real-world test?provided the only method to test the spacecraft’s thermal protection system. The Artemis 2 mission, with a crewed Orion spacecraft, will launch in late 2024.?

Development of Ground Systems for JP9102:?SIAA member?Boeing?has announced the development of ground architecture and control systems for the JP9102 MILSATCOM constellation. The systems will leverage Boeing’s US Wideband Global Satellite and UHF space programs as well as the company’s Australian-developed Currawong Battlespace Communications Systems Mission System?Manager. Boeing Defence Australia vice president and managing director noted that this capability “builds on proven software solutions to ensure the Australian Defence Force (ADF) has the capability to manage operations within Australian borders, giving total control over JP9102 and future space missions.”?

Space Company Partnership to Expand Global Internet Access:?SIAA Foundation member?Viasat?has partnered with Microsoft to provide internet access to 10 million people over the next three years as part of Microsoft’s Airband initiative. The initiative aims to provide 250 million people with internet connectivity by 2025. The companies are currently cooperating to leverage Viasat’s existing GEO satellite constellation, as well as exploring future LEO solutions.?

Canadian Space Company to Revive WA Satellite Dish:?Canadian Space Company ThothX has announced that it will invest over $10 million into the decommissioned?Overseas Telecommunication Commission?dish in Western Australia. The dish has previously provided communication support for multiple NASA missions, including the Apollo missions, until 1975. Under the new investment, the dish will be refurbished and maintained as part of a 20-year lease.?

Young Space Explorers Program to Grow Future Space Workforce:?SIAA Foundation member?Lockheed Martin?and SIAA member UNSW partnered with other organisations to deliver a full-day program to Australian high-school students to promote the engagement of young Australians in space. Students participated in?hands-on space-themed challenges and technologies including robotics, hypersonics, rocketry, material sciences, astrobiology, satellites, planetary science, artificial intelligence and even a lunar rover demonstration.?Lockheed Martin Australia's Regional Director of Space and SIAA Life Member David Ball noted that "Australia has one of the fastest growing space sectors in the world, making attracting more students to pursue study in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) critical to realising a sustainable, sovereign space industry."

Australian Space Traffic Architecture Deployed to US Space Force:?Saber Astronautics’ microservices program,?COSMOS, has completed security reviews to deploy to US Space Force military operators. The program includes a range of services that allow operators to analyse and visualise the space domain using real-time data available from government and commercial sensors.?

China:?China has launched additional classified Yaogan 36?reconnaissance satellites?into orbit as part of the country’s remote sensing collection. The recent launch is believed to have carried three Yaogan 36 satellites into orbit, with imagery on mission patches released for the launch leading to speculation that the satellites will focus on maritime observation over the South China Sea.?

United Arab Emirates:?The UAE Space Agency has signed a statement of strategic intent and cooperation with SIAA member?AWS?to support the development of a sustainable and innovative space sector. The company will collaborate with the UAE Space Agency on the initiatives of the AWS Space Industry Development Program, the AWS Talent for Space Program and the AWS Open Data Sponsorship Program.?

Nigeria and Rwanda Sign Artemis Accords:?This week,?Rwanda and Nigeria?became the first two African countries to sign on to the US-led Artemis Accords that outline the best practices for safe and sustainable space exploration. The countries are the 22nd and 23rd signatories of the Accords, with this announcement following remarks made during a face-to-face meeting of Artemis signatories that noted the need to engage with more emerging space nations as part of the Artemis Accords. The Artemis Accords are open to countries with both developed and emerging space capability.??

Job Opportunities

SIAA has two vacant positions and is hiring for a Director of Operations and an Optus Industry Fellow.?For more information on these roles and details on how to apply please visit the?SIAA jobs board.

SIAA members can post on the SIAA jobs board for free. Contact operations@spaceindustry.com.au for more information.?

SIAA Member Profile: HEO Robotics

HEO Robotics was founded under the belief that space should be transparent. Today, they are pioneering software technologies backed by hardware to make this possible, with the ultimate mission to image anything within the Solar System on demand.

They were the first private company to commercially offer in-orbit satellite inspection services and are now a leader of satellite-to-satellite imagery. HEO Robotics provides in-orbit satellite inspection and monitoring services through their HEO Inspect software platform for the commercial industry, governments, and defence, all around the world. To achieve its goal, HEO Robotics partners with companies with existing space-based sensors to conduct satellite-to-satellite imagery during their downtime. In turn, this increases revenue streams for their partners.

HEO Robotics’ services are designed to help clients maintain the integrity and functionality of their satellites, ensuring they remain in optimal condition while in orbit. HEO Robotics’ space-based sensors allow them to get close to space objects and generate resolved imagery. Their detailed inspections can identify any potential issues, and their monitoring services allow them to keep a close eye on satellites and provide rapid updates on its performance. HEO Inspect generates unprecedented analytics which can help the customer verify an object’s state, attitude, orientation, and location.

Additionally, their identification services ensure that satellites can be easily distinguished from others in space, which is essential for post-deployment identification, avoiding collisions and other hazards. With their team of experienced engineers and cutting-edge technology, they are able to provide reliable, accurate, and cost-effective solutions for all in-space needs.

In 2023, HEO Robotics will launch their first Holmes Imager to expand their coverage in low-Earth orbit and beyond. Holmes is a telescopic space camera designed to be hosted as a secondary payload on a spacecraft. Holmes’ advanced optics will deliver higher-quality images, providing more coverage and better insights.

Visit?HEO Robotics?to learn more about how they can help you maintain the integrity and functionality of your in-space assets or explore ways to partner with them through their supplier program.

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Header Image Credit: Discovering the Treasures in Chandra's Archives (15 October 2016) (NASA.GOV)?