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        Astroscale&rsquo;s subsidiary Astroscale Japan Inc. has been chosen as one of the contracting parties for the Front-Loading Technology Study in Phase II of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's (JAXA) Commercial Debris Removal Demonstration (CRD2), one of the first technology demonstrations of removing large-scale debris in space.
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        The study will include the ground test of development hardware and software that are important for two crucial areas in the Phase II mission: The close proximity operations and the capture mechanism design.
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        The company was previously hired for Phase I of CRD2 as a partner for Active Debris Removal by Astroscale-Japan (ADRAS-J) satellite. The satellite is slated for lift-off in 2022 on a 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/273679">
          Rocket Lab
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         Electron rocket from a launch site in New Zealand.
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    <a href="https://astroscale.com/astroscale-selected-as-contract-partner-for-front-loading-technology-study-in-phase-ii-of-jaxas-commercial-removal-of-debris-demonstration-project/">
      Press release
    </a>
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Space Travel and Exploration Tech

Astroscale selected as contract partner for Phase II of JAXA’s commercial debris removal demonstration project

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 <p>SpaceX, a company in the business of space travel and launching, has debuted spacesuits specifically designed for extravehicular activity (EVA) during space expeditions. These renovated suits are an improvement on the existing pressure suits and boast enhancements for increased mobility and thermal management.</p>
 <p>The new spacesuits come equipped with umbilicals that provide life support. They also feature improved joint designs that stay flexible until pressurization, advanced thermal regulation systems, a remodeled helmet with an outer sun visor-like coating, as well as an embedded camera and heads-up display that provides real-time data on the suit's performance during EVAs.</p>
 <p>According to SpaceX, these EVA suits will be used by the foursome crew members for their imminent Polaris Dawn mission. They will be scrutinizing the performance of these groundbreaking EVA suits throughout the mission.</p>
 
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SpaceX unveils enhanced spacesuits for upcoming private spacewalk mission

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 <p>SpaceX launched Maxar-1, which are the initial two high-resolution Earth observation satellites of Maxar Intelligence, from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base through the Falcon 9 rocket.</p>
 <p>These satellites are part of Maxar's WorldView Legion fleet, which is designed for highly precise Earth observation. The said fleet is equipped with advanced cameras that can take pictures of even tiny objects and features on the Earth’s surface, boasting about 30 cm resolution.</p>
 <p>With the addition of the first two satellites, it is anticipated that Maxar's ability to gather high-resolution imagery and map Earth will triple. This would further boost its capacity to offer accurate and extensive imaging and mapping services.</p>
 
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SpaceX launches Maxar's first two Earth observation satellites

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 <p>SpaceX has successfully launched Galileo GM25 and FM27, two Galileo navigation satellites, into orbit via a Falcon 9 rocket. This operation was carried out under the supervision of the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA).</p>
 <p>The deployed Galileo satellites are critical components of Europe's proprietary global navigation satellite system. This system is incredibly significant for both civilian and military applications, ensuring accurate positioning, navigation, and timing information for various individuals and institutions.</p>
 
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SpaceX launches Falcon 9 carrying Galileo navigation satellites

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 <p>Gravitics, a Seattle-based space station and aerospace component developer, has secured a USD 1.7 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract awarded by SpaceWERX for the development of tactical space applications (TacRS) range. These applications are aimed to support both military and civilian operations.</p>
 <p>This project will witness a collaboration between Gravitics and several other companies including Rocket Lab, True Anomaly, Space Exploration Engineering, and Eta Space. The specifics of the tasks that Gravitics will undertake under this contract remain undisclosed, though, typically such a contract includes work pertaining to architectures, requirement analysis, and initial hardware development.</p>
 
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Gravitics wins contract from US Space Force to develop tactical space applications

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 <p>PLD Space, a Spanish aerospace firm, has received an investment worth EUR 78 million (~USD 84 million) from its shareholders, including Aciturri and Spain's Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology. It is also backed by an additional EUR 40.5 million (~USD 43.44 million) from Spain's PERTE Aerospace initiative.</p>
 <p>The funds will be used to grow the company's production and testing facilities, expected to span 834,000 square meters by 2024. It also plans to boost its workforce by around 35 members in 2024, targeting a total of 300 employees by the end of the year.</p>
 
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PLD Space raises EUR 78 million in institutional funding

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 <p>Rocket Lab, which is a company that specializes in space travel and launches, has successfully launched a South Korean Earth observation satellite and an Advanced Composite Solar Sail System (ACS3) from NASA into orbit. The ACS3 uses sunlight to power its propulsion, presenting a fuel-free and efficient method of space exploration.</p>
 <p>The main goal of the ACS3 is to further develop solar sailing technology. Using the force of sunlight, it intends to propel spacecraft. A significant aspect of this launch is testing the deployment of new composite booms, which are used to unfurl the solar sail. With the data gathered from this mission, Rocket Lab has plans to design a larger solar sail system. This expanded solar sail system will be primarily used for tasks such as space weather prediction, asteroid reconnaissance, and observations of solar polar regions.</p>
 <p>According to Rocket Lab, the ACS3 is a crucial tool for efficient space exploration. It potentially makes fuel-free space missions a reality. Apart from this, it can also be employed in satellites that provide early warnings about space weather, surveillance missions that monitor asteroids and other minor astronomical objects, and missions that focus on studying the sun's polar regions.</p>

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Rocket Lab launches South Korean Earth-observation satellite and NASA solar-sailing tech

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 <p>Orbex, a space launch firm based in the UK, has secured around USD 20.77 million financing in a round led by SNIB, Octopus Ventures, BGF, and Heartcore, as well as EIFO and several corporate and individual investors. The raised funds will be used to further progress the development of Orbex's small satellite launch rocket. After testing and commencing launches, Orbex aims to initiate a Series D funding round to ensure long-term sustainability.</p>
 
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Orbex raises GBP 16.7 million to advance development of rocket

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 <p>Goodspeed Capital Management (GCM) has acquired Special Aerospace Services (SAS), a global solutions provider for aerospace, aviation, defense, and energy organizations. </p>
 <p>Post-purchase, SAS will integrate into GCM’s newly formed platform where it will offer space engineering, defense, and communications technology solutions. The customer base to be catered will include US defense and intelligence agencies, and commercial space customers. The leadership of the platform will come under Heather Bulk, SAS’s co-founder and CEO, along with industry expert Warren Kohm as CFO.</p>
 <p>Colorado-based SAS has had a history of collaborations with both private and public sector clients in the Aerospace and Aviation industries. In addition, SAS is the parent company of SAS Flight Factory that supplies rapid prototypes, precision machines, and component testing capabilities.</p>
 
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Special Aerospace Services acquired by Goodspeed Capital Management

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 <p>Dark, a French firm specializing in space debris diversion systems, has successfully raised USD 6 million in a seed extension round. The funding round was led by Long Journey Ventures and included contributions from Eurazeo and Frst.</p>
 <p>This funding will be channelled towards further developing the technology that drives its orbital defense platform. The company aims to wrap up an orbital defense demonstration by 2026.</p>
 <p>Established in 2021, Dark has realigned its focus from the development of a multi-purpose air-launched rocket towards orbital defense, specifically through mitigating orbital debris.</p>
 
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Dark raises USD 6 million in seed extension funding to advance technology

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 <p>United Launch Alliance (ULA) has successfully completed their 60-year-old Delta program, marking the occasion with the final flight of the Delta IV Heavy rocket.</p>
 <p>The Delta IV Heavy rocket has completed 12 missions, primarily delivering crucial national security payloads as part of the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office (NRO).</p>
 <p>ULA is set to divert its focus towards the new next-generation Vulcan rocket. This pioneer rocket is expected to deliver higher performance in heavy-lift launch vehicle category compared to its predecessor, despite being a single-core rocket.</p>
 
</div>

All Updates

Astroscale selected as contract partner for Phase II of JAXA’s commercial debris removal demonstration project

SpaceX unveils enhanced spacesuits for upcoming private spacewalk mission

SpaceX launches Maxar's first two Earth observation satellites

SpaceX launches Falcon 9 carrying Galileo navigation satellites

Gravitics wins contract from US Space Force to develop tactical space applications

PLD Space raises EUR 78 million in institutional funding

Rocket Lab launches South Korean Earth-observation satellite and NASA solar-sailing tech

Orbex raises GBP 16.7 million to advance development of rocket

Special Aerospace Services acquired by Goodspeed Capital Management

Dark raises USD 6 million in seed extension funding to advance technology

United Launch Alliance ends Delta era, advances to Vulcan rocket

Space Travel and Exploration Tech

Astroscale selected as contract partner for Phase II of JAXA’s commercial debris removal demonstration project

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