Terra Bella’s SkySat 3 Sends Back First Pictures
SkySat 3, the third satellite of Terra Bella (formerly Skybox Imaging) has downlinked its first images following its June 22 launch aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The satellite launched with 19 other co-passengers and was released into a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. Terra Bella received the first image less than 72 hours after launch, which shows Chicago on June 25, 2016 at 10:40AM local time. SkySat 3 is a prototype for Terra Bella’s SkySat C series of spacecraft that SSL is building. Terra Bella has 18 more SkySat C satellites planned, of which 11 have launches already booked.
SSTL Creating New LEO Platform for Honeywell and UK Space Agency
Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) has signed a contract with Honeywell Aerospace to provide a variant of its SSTL 12 satellite platform for a technology demonstration mission. The platform, called Vesta, will test a new two-way VHF Data Exchange System (VDES) payload for the exactEarth maritime satellite constellation. Vesta is a flagship project of the U.K.’s National Space Technology Program, funded through the U.K. Space Agency. The platform is a new configuration of the SSTL 12 bus, optimized for missions of between 3kg and 25kg.
Explore the NextSpace Edition 2016 Issue
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Advantech Wireless Releases WideSAT Product for GEO, MEO and LEO HTS
Advantech Wireless is now offering WideSAT, a new High Throughput Satellite (HTS) widebeam technology for Geostationary, Medium and Low Earth Orbits to increase density, versatility, and efficiency when using wide transponders from 250MHz to 2GHz for data links. WideSAT technology will be incorporated in Advantech Wireless’ A-SAT-2 multi-waveform satellite networking platform.
Atlas Space Operations Commercial Deep Space Network Pathfinder to Launch on NASA’s First SLS Mission
Atlas Space Operations has commissioned a pathfinder space mission to demonstrate its Interplanetary Satellite Communications Network (ISCN). The 6U Atlas ISCN pathfinder CubeSat is scheduled to launch in 2018 aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) Exploration Mission 1 (EM1). Atlas touts the ISCN as the world’s first commercially available deep space communications network, capable of providing an affordable, commercially available alternative to the established deep space communications capabilities of the world.
Leaf Space Raises $1.1 Million for Dedicated SmallSat Ground Station Network
Italian startup Leaf Space has raised $1.1 million to fund a telecommunication service dedicated specifically for small satellite operators. RedSeed Ventures, an Italian venture capital firm, led the investment round. Leaf Space formed in 2014 with the aim of simplifying access to space for micro-satellites operators. The company is developing Leaf Line: a centralized satellite communication service to consist of 20 ground stations around the world.VS
