NewSpace News: Issue #109

July 2014

Google has announced the acquisition of SkyBox Imaging for $500 million dollars. This follows shortly after Google-backed company WorldVu secured the spectrum rights to build a low Earth orbit satellite constellation for telecommunications. Google founder Sergey Brin has also placed a deposit with Space Adventures to reserve a seat on future orbital flights. Press Releases by Google, SkyBox, and Space Adventures

The most recent Dnepr launch has delivered 37 satellites to orbit, a new record for the number of active satellites launched on one rocket. Over half of the payloads are some form of Earth observation satellites. Among these include Planet Labs' eleven Doves, Dauria Aerospace's two Perseus-M satellites, and Elecnor Deimos's multispectral Deimos-2. As the competition to provide satellite imagery intensifies, Digital Globe has announced that it received the permission to sell high resolution images with resolutions down to 25 cm. Article by Spaceflight101, Press Releases by Space Flight Services, Dauria, Deimos Space, and Digital Globe

World View Enterprises, Inc. has successfully tested a scaled test flight article of its parafoil. In the process, they broke the world record for the highest parafoil flight. The five-hour flight has validated their flight profile, tested critical components, and captured sample images (like the above) of what passengers could see on one of their flights. Update by World View

Masten Aerospace has received a DARPA grant for nearly $3 million dollars to build the Experimental Spaceplane 1 (XS-1) [BAA], a reusable launch vehicle technology demonstrator. Masten and Astrobotic have successfully tested the Astrobotic Autolanding System (AAS) using the Xombie spacecraft. Posting on FBO.gov, Press Release by NASA and Masten

Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) has announced that it will be acquiring Orbital Technologies Corporation (ORBITEC), which specializes in liquid rocket propulsion, life science and support, and fire suppression technology. SNC has also announced partnerships with Craig Technologies and Siemens PLM to join their "Dream Team". SNC and SpaceX have secured an extension on their current Commercial Crew initial Capability (CCICap) contract with NASA. The new deadline is now March 2015. Press Releases by SNC and Article by Parabolic Arc

XCOR has announced the acquisition of the Dutch company Space Expedition Corporation (SXC), which has been an independent sales agent for flights on XCOR's Lynx, as well as a wet lease customer. SXC has been involved with various marketing campaigns such as the Axe Apollo with Unilever. Most recently, SXC promised the Dutch national soccer team rides to space if they win the 2014 World Cup. Press Release by XCOR and Article by Parabolic Arc

NASA has selected 18 study proposals for the Asteroid Redirect Mission (ARM) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The total amount of funding is approximately $4.9 million. The awardees include Altius Space Systems, Planetary Resources, and Deep Space Industries. While these companies are busy studying their concepts, the public can help identify asteroids using Planetary Resources' Asteroid Zoo. Press Releases NASA and Planetary Resources

NanoRacks and Astrium North America have completed  manufacturing their commercial external payload platform. The platform will be attached to the JAXA Japanese External Facility and allow customers to access the space environment for various experiments and research. Press Release by NanoRacks

Mars One has announced its partnership with Endemol-owned Darlow Smithson Productions to capture and produce the astronaut selection and training process as they prepare for their journey to Mars. Mars One has also issued a request for proposal (RFP) for total of seven payloads on the Mars One lander, two of which will be sold to the highest bidder regardless of application. The Phoenix-heritage lander will be built by Lockheed Martin and is scheduled for launch in 2018. Press Releases by Mars One

NASA and Virgin Galactic have announced twelve payloads which will fly onboard Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo. The payloads include technology demonstrators such as Made In Space's 3D printer as well as scientific investigations. Press Release by Virgin Galactic

The Swiss Space Systems (S3) has announced its partnership with the City of North Bay in Canada and Canadore College. S3 plans on initiating several technical activities including drop tests and mock-up test flights from the North Bay Jack Garland Airport. Press Release by S3

Firefly Space Systems has announced its first launch vehicle, FireFly Alpha. It will be capable of launching up to 400kg to low earth orbit for under $10 million dollars. Press Release by FireFly

The Center for Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) has announced the four grant award winners for its remote sensing request for proposal. CASIS has also selected Lt. General James Abrahamson as the chairman of the board. Press Releases by CASIS

Astronauts4Hire's Dr. Eric Seedhouse and interdsciplinary space architect Dr. Rachel Armstrong share their respective NewSpace initiatives with Dr. David Livingston on The Space Show.

Space Frontier Foundation's annual NewSpace 2014 Conference will be held on July 24-26 in Silicon Valley, CA. NewSpace 2014 shall usher in a broad spectrum of space related topics that will influence new ideas and innovation and serve as a stepping stone for the future of commercial space exploration and development. This year's conference will be host to an extensive range of topics including: orbital debris, space property rights, newspace business models, launch companies and more. NewSpace 2014 will serve as the premier gathering for space industry leaders, providing an opportunity to learn about the latest issues in commercial space.