<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        Redwire Corporation, a space infrastructure and solutions company, has announced its plans to acquire Hera Systems, a manufacturer of spacecraft and small satellites. Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, and the acquisition will be finalized in the third quarter of 2024.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        The acquisition is part of Redwire's efforts to expand its defense market solutions. The combined entity will target the space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity operations, mesh network communications, and in-orbit servicing sectors, among others.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        Hera Systems, founded in 2013, provides small satellite solutions for national defense and security missions. In August 2022, the company's geostationary satellite platform was selected for the US Space Force's (USSF) Tetra 5 in-orbit refueling experiment scheduled for 2025.
      </p>
    </li>
    <li>
      <p>
        <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
        Redwire's endeavor of expanding its national security space operations included the company securing a contract in 
        <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/30598">
          June 2024
        </a>
         for the DARPA Otter program to serve as the prime integrator for the DARPA satellite with a novel propulsion system for very-low-Earth orbit.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://spacenews.com/redwire-to-acquire-satellite-manufacturer-hera-systems-bolstering-defense-portfolio/">
      Space News
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Space Travel and Exploration Tech

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>Redwire Corporation, a company dealing in space infrastructure and solutions, has made known its plan to purchase Hera Systems, a company manufacturing spacecraft and small satellites. Although financial aspects of the acquisition have not been revealed, the deal is set to be finalized in Q3 of 2024.</p>
 <p>This purchase is a key piece of Redwire's plans to enlarge its suite of defense market solutions. Preserving the combined strengths of both companies, the new entity intends to focus on various sectors, including space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity operations, mesh network communications, and in-orbit servicing.</p>
 <p>Hera Systems was established in 2013 and has since been providing small satellite solutions specifically for national defense and security missions. Notably, in August 2022, the US Space Force (USSF) selected the company's geostationary satellite platform for the Tetra 5 in-orbit refueling experiment, which is set to occur in 2025.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Redwire's endeavor of expanding its national security space operations included the company securing a contract in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/30598"> June 2024 </a> for the DARPA Otter program to serve as the prime integrator for the DARPA satellite with a novel propulsion system for very-low-Earth orbit.</p>

Redwire set to acquire Hera Systems and expand its defense portfolio

Additive manufacturing makes objects by systematically adding material via a CAD program

Additive Manufacturing

<div>
 
 <p>6K Additive, a supplier of additive manufacturing materials, has been chosen by America Makes, an institution that collaborates on 3D printing projects in the US, to participate in the "Powder Alloy Development for Additive Manufacturing (PADAM)" project.</p>
 <p>The project, endowed with six million dollars from the Air Force Research Laboratory, aims to enhance the cost-efficiency and effectiveness of the production of niobium C-103 powder for laser powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition (DED) 3D printing processes. Additionally, it aims to extend the source pool and utilize a wider range of particle sizes for C-103, a niobium alloy utilized in high-temperature applications. The project will also include collaboration with Castheon, NASA Glenn Research Center, NSL Analytical, Lockheed Martin, and Firefly Aerospace.</p>
 <p>&nbsp;6K Additive plans to use its proprietary UniMelt microwave plasma process to generate C-103 powders from revert sources, reportedly enhancing efficiency in high-temperature and space applications.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst Quicktake:<br>
 </b> This news marks the second time that American Makes has selected the company to participate in one of its projects. Last month, the company <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32452"> partnered with RTX Technology Research Center and the University of Arizona </a> as part of the EARTH project under America Makes and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining to make aerospace and defense product manufacturing more sustainable.</p>

6K Additive awarded project to develop C-103 powder for additive manufacturing

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>

<p>Innovative Space Carrier (ISC), a company in Tokyo specializing in space transportation systems, has entered into a partnership with WAAM3D, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo. All these organizations bring different specialties to the table - WAAM3D is a metal AM solutions provider, while Aichi Sangyo is known for their metal 3D printers. The collaboration aims to develop reusable space transportation vehicles.</p>
<p>The partnership will allow ISC to procure 3D printers from WAAM3D in Japan for the purpose of creating propellant tanks and other necessary components for space transport. This should contribute to the flexibility and efficiency of the development process.&nbsp;</p>

</div>

WAAM3D partners with Innovative Space Carrier, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo for space transport development

Managing employee health-related benefits

Health Benefits Platforms

<div>
 
 <p>XP Health, a vision care platform, has raised a total of USD 55.3 million funds with its latest Series B funding round fetching USD 33.2 million. The round was led by QED Investors with participation from Canvas Ventures, American Family Ventures, HC9 Ventures, Valor Capital Group, and Manchester Story.</p>
 <p>The raised funds will likely be used for further advancing and expanding XP Health's AI-driven platform. This platform provides employee eye exams and eyewear benefits at a cost lower than traditional vision insurance plans.</p>
 <p>XP Health has managed to increase its business customer base to over 3,000 in the last two years from an original 30. Customers include companies such as DocuSign, Navistar, Chegg, and Sequoia Consulting. According to XP Health, its members can make savings of as much as 69% off retail prices when purchasing eyeglasses virtually via its platform.</p>
 
</div>

XP Health raises USD 33.2 million in Series B funding to expand vision care platform

A decentralized version of the web powered by the blockchain

Web3 Ecosystem

<div>
 
 <p>Stablecoin and payments infrastructure provider, Circle, has expanded its Web3 Services product suite to fully support the Arbitrum One blockchain. This means its full-stack blockchain infrastructure platform, which already accommodates chains such as Avalanche, Ethereum, Polygon PoS, and Solana, has increased its range of support.</p>
 <p>For Arbitrum, Circle's Web3 Services suite includes programmable wallets, a smart contract platform, and a gas station.</p>
 <p>The firm believes that this integration will provide significant support to the rapidly growing community of developers on Arbitrum. It will enable them to create multi-chain applications for DeFi and other enterprise use cases, and benefit from near-instantaneous transaction settlement at substantial scale with minimum costs.</p>
 
</div>

Circle expands Web3 Services product suite to Arbitrum

Empowering efficiency, visibility and collaboration throughout supply networks

Supply Chain Tech

<div>
 <p>Exiger, an AI company focusing on supply chain and third-party risk, recently announced that its Exiger Federal Cloud has obtained Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) Moderate Authorization.</p>
 <p>This FedRAMP Authorization is set to improve and expedite the process for government and Defense Industrial Base customers who use Exiger's AI solutions and 1Exiger platform for securing vital supply chains.</p>
 <p>The achievement of FedRAMP Authorization, which is the result of a multi-year initiative and investments in improved cloud systems, complements the company's existing ISO 27001 and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications.</p>
 
</div>

Exiger achieves FedRAMP Moderate Authorization for Federal Cloud

A new wave of meat, fish, and poultry alternatives are driving this hyper-growth industry into the mainstream.

Plant-based Meat

<div>
 <p>Schouten Europe, a Dutch firm that specializes in creating meat substitutes, has launched a new plant-based chicken schnitzel. The product is made using the company's novel fiber technology, NewTextures, and forms part of its Classics range. The ingredients for this alternative meat product include wheat and soy proteins, bamboo fibers, rapeseed, and sunflower oil.</p>
 <p>The company developed the NewTextures technology in-house. It replaces traditional textured proteins with fibers, purportedly improving the texture and appeal of products. The plant-based chicken schnitzel, which is made using this technology, exhibits a juicy texture and the typical white color associated with chicken.</p>
 <p>According to Schouten Europe, the NewTextures technology can also reduce the environmental impact of products. It avoids the need for conventional texturization processes that use high amounts of energy. The firm also believes that, by improving the appeal and texture of meat substitutes, this new technology can take the product category to new heights.</p>
 
</div>

Schouten Europe launches plant-based chicken schnitzel with new fiber technology

<div>
 <p>Novameat, a plant-based meat company, has secured EUR 17.4 million (~USD 19.3 million) funding in a Series A round led by Sofinnova Partners and Forbion. Other participants include Unovis Asset Management, Praesidium, and Rubio Impact Ventures.</p>
 <p>The company plans to use the funding to enhance its commercial activities worldwide, expand its product portfolio, increase production capabilities, and speed up research and development efforts.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> This funding round was preceded by Novameat’s pre-Series A funding in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/8641"> February 2022 </a> , when it raised USD 6 million. Since then, the company has scaled its proprietary MicroForce technology, which enables it to create meat-like textures, and launched products for food service across Europe.</p>

Novameat raises EUR 17.4 million in Series A funding to enhance commercial activities

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

<div>
 <p>CCP Games, a subsidiary of Pearl Abyss, revealed EVE Frontier, a space survival game based on blockchain technology and situated within the EVE Online universe. The game, formerly titled Project Awakening, is a shared-space, single-shard MMO.</p>
 <p>The setting of EVE Frontier is a post-apocalyptic future where players can explore, gather resources, enhance their ships, and combat rogue Artificial Intelligence. The game includes features like custom currency creation, player-directed markets, and Smart Assemblies for base construction. The decisions made by the players can influence aspects of the game, such as space exploitation and economies. CCP Games intends to conduct a closed playtest in the near future.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> CCP Games has been focused on expanding its EVE universe, having launched Project Discovery:<br>
 Phase Four in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32108"> July 2024 </a> . The project is expanding its citizen science program within EVE Online, which is aimed at cancer and immune system research.</p>

CCP Games announces blockchain-based survival game EVE Frontier

Metaverse Experience Platforms

<div>
 <p>CCP Games, a subsidiary of Pearl Abyss, has announced EVE Frontier, a blockchain-based space survival game that is set in the EVE Online universe. The game was formerly known as Project Awakening and is a single-shard MMO where players can exist and survive within the same shared space.</p>
 <p>The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic future where players can explore, gather resources, upgrade their spaceships, and fight against rogue AI. EVE Frontier will feature its own custom currency creation, player-driven markets, and Smart Assemblies for building bases. Players can also make decisions that will impact the game’s universe, influencing the exploitation of space and economies within the game. CCP Games has plans to conduct a closed playtest in the near future.</p>
 
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> CCP Games has been focused on expanding its EVE universe, having launched Project Discovery:<br>
 Phase Four in <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/32108"> July 2024 </a> . The project is expanding its citizen science program within EVE Online, which is aimed at cancer and immune system research.</p>

Technologies bringing about a new reality

Extended Reality

<div>
 <p>Phantom Technology, a technology firm recently revealed itself and launched its first product, Journey Lens AR smart glasses. Compatible with Android and iOS mobile devices, these AR glasses have a retail price of USD 195 for the frames. Customers can avail additional features with subscription fees from USD 7 to USD 18 monthly.</p>
 <p>The features of Journey Lens include a weight of 40 gram, battery life for the entire day, biometric sensors to track user attention, Bluetooth connectivity for synchronizing with smartphones, a 2K camera, privacy-focused AI capability with a voice interface, and in-built speakers. It is also designed to display mobile notifications and allows users to respond without removing their mobile devices from pockets.</p>
 <p>The Journey Lens AR glasses from Phantom Technology are designed to enhance user focus, minimize distractions, and provide AI assistance. These glasses also come with embedded EMG sensors to monitor eye movements and use algorithms to evaluate focus, delivering productivity or relaxation suggestions.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> UK-based Phantom Technology joins <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/1282587"> Brilliant Lab </a> in the AI-focused smart glasses space. The Journey Lens undercuts Brilliant Lab’s glasses in price (USD 195 vs. USD 349), although the extent of its AI features is unclear. On the contrary, Brilliant Labs offers functionality to create AI-generated images from camera captures and other personalized assistance tasks.</p>

All Updates

Redwire set to acquire Hera Systems and expand its defense portfolio

6K Additive awarded project to develop C-103 powder for additive manufacturing

WAAM3D partners with Innovative Space Carrier, Cranfield University, and Aichi Sangyo for space transport development

XP Health raises USD 33.2 million in Series B funding to expand vision care platform

Circle expands Web3 Services product suite to Arbitrum

Exiger achieves FedRAMP Moderate Authorization for Federal Cloud

Schouten Europe launches plant-based chicken schnitzel with new fiber technology

Novameat raises EUR 17.4 million in Series A funding to enhance commercial activities

CCP Games announces blockchain-based survival game EVE Frontier

CCP Games announces blockchain-based survival game EVE Frontier

Phantom Technology emerges from stealth; launches Journey Lens AR glasses at USD 195

Space Travel and Exploration Tech

Redwire set to acquire Hera Systems and expand its defense portfolio

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