“We are on the verge of proving that small, affordable satellites can deliver the high-quality magnetic data our nation depends on,” said Mike Paniccia, NGA’s program manager for the World Magnetic Model. “These teams have spent the past few years pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with CubeSat technology, and this launch is the moment where all of that ingenuity meets the ultimate test.”

This mission represents the first-ever effort to collect reliable geomagnetic data using CubeSat technology. Once in orbit, the three CubeSats, equipped with novel solutions for precisely measuring Earth’s magnetic field, will provide data to update the World Magnetic Model — a critical infrastructure that underpins navigation for military operations, commercial aviation, and everyday mobile devices worldwide.

The current World Magnetic Model, WMM2025, is maintained using data from the European Space Agency’s Swarm mission, launched in 2013. NGA launched the MagQuest competition in 2019, seeking new, more resilient ways to collect geomagnetic data.

The CubeSat solutions developed through MagQuest can be built, launched, and operated for a fraction of the cost of the current system. MagQuest also demonstrates the effectiveness of open innovation and interagency collaboration in tackling a vital national security challenge.  Testing facilities and experts at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, supported technology evaluations and analysis; NASA’s Center of Excellence for Collaborative Innovation administered the challenge; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Centers for Environmental Information provided technical support.

MagQuest’s open innovation approach intentionally attracted novel solutions from a unique group of innovators. Each team has developed a distinct CubeSat solution for collecting high-quality geomagnetic data from low-Earth orbit:

• Compact Spaceborne Magnetic Observatory CubeSat, University of Colorado Boulder
• Diamond-Powered Geomagnetic Data Collection from LEO, Spire Global and SBQuantum
• Io-1, Iota Technology

The teams delivered their completed satellites to Exolaunch for final integration for launch. Following a successful launch and satellite deployment, each team will begin geomagnetic data collection and compare their findings to WMM2025.

An expert review panel will evaluate each team’s data across key milestones. The results of MagQuest will inform NGA’s acquisition strategy for a WMM global magnetic field data collection capability, to support production of the next global update, WMM2030.

Source: NGA

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“In 2018, our engineers successfully demonstrated a one-way laser transmission to a surface station using CubeSats. Now, we’ve advanced that capability by miniaturizing laser and receiver targeting mechanisms to establish a bi-directional link between CubeSats—reducing power demands and costs for future missions,” said Steve Isakowitz, Aerospace president and CEO. “This level of miniaturization presents challenges industry has yet to tackle at scale. Aerospace is bridging that gap, working closely with industry to transition this technology for commercial and government use.”

The demonstration used primarily commercial off the shelf parts and a 2.5-unit laser communication terminal to perform bi-directional data transfer between two CubeSats, smaller than toaster ovens, at distances of up to 348 miles (560 kilometers). Data rates of 312.5 megabits per second (Mbps) uncorrected were achieved, and error free transmission at 25 Mbps. Independent steering of the transmitter and receiver enable automatic, active alignment, maintaining connectivity over long distances. This increase in CubeSat communication rates is equivalent to going from working together at a dial-up modem speed to high-speed internet.

The successful test highlights Aerospace’s role in advancing technology that enables the commercial market to build better, more capable systems. By leveraging decades of expertise, Aerospace is paving the way for industry partners to deploy innovative satellite constellations that meet the increasing demands of data-driven applications, according to the company.

“The Flashlight Laser Crosslink drastically enhances communication between small satellites, providing them with robust, high-speed data transfer capabilities once limited to larger, more expensive platforms,” said Todd Rose, the mission’s lead. “By bringing high-speed optical communication to CubeSats, we can empower commercial operators to deploy more efficient systems, bridging the gap between affordability and performance.”

Source: Aerospace

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This partnership combines SAIC’s expansive mission domain knowledge, engineering, software, and integration capabilities, with GomSpace’s spacecraft technologies to achieve best-in-class solutions which can be rapidly deployed. The partnership will also deliver system elements such as software products, spacecraft components, fully integrated spacecraft, reliable in-orbit services and mission operations. SAIC becomes the exclusive U.S. integrator of GomSpace satellites and licensed product distributor, services reseller and space vehicle and mission integrator for GomSpace’s U.S. Government customers.

The agreement, a Memorandum of Understanding, was signed at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, by David Ray, SAIC senior vice president of space, and Frank Tobin, executive chairman of GomSpace North America.

“I am delighted to enter into this strategic partnership with SAIC”, says Carsten Drachmann, CEO of GomSpace. “SAIC is heavily investing in space capabilities and systems integration for critical missions like space domain awareness, autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations, and in-orbit servicing, This in combination with GomSpace’s extensive flight heritage in the SmallSat market, creates a very strong and competitive value proposition to both commercial and government customers in the US and across the Americas.”

GomSpace’s unique experience in designing and manufacturing satellite components and integrated satellite solutions pairs well with the space systems integration and government mission expertise of SAIC. The companies are developing a joint technology road map which will accelerate them toward the future development of new space capabilities.

Source: GomSpace

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The expanded 31,000-square-foot facility consolidates manufacturing efforts with dedicated CubeSat employees to build large spacecraft constellations and increase production from 50 to 85 CubeSats a year. Blue Canyon’s CubeSat performance is industry leading with sub-arcsecond pointing accuracy and optimization for payload size, weight and power. Currently, the company has 38 CubeSats in various stages of design, assembly and test.

“Our CubeSats are truly a groundbreaking product in small satellites and offer industry-leading pointing accuracy,” said John Carvo, executive director of CubeSats at Blue Canyon Technologies. “This new manufacturing facility allows us to produce at a larger scale, provide innovative solutions and deliver top-performing satellites to meet our customers’ needs.”

Recently three Blue Canyon CubeSat buses were launched aboard Virgin Orbit. One of the satellites had the distinction of being the first Blue Canyon 12U CubeSat to carry 19 payloads to Low-Earth Orbit. The company is looking forward to providing its largest constellation delivery with 18 integrated CubeSats for a commercial customer and several NASA launches, including the uncrewed Artemis 1 moon rocket scheduled for Aug. 29 and Starling at the end of 2022.

Since 2020, Raytheon Technologies has invested more than $1 billion in small satellites, space hardware, constellation management and onboard processing — technologies that will help define the future of space. This new CubeSat Factory is just one example of scaling production and delivering solutions faster.

Source: Blue Canyon

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“Congratulations to SDA on this historic milestone. We look forward to continue supporting them over the next several months as the GA-EMS LINCS system is used to demonstrate space-based optical communication and validate its efficacy for the future national security space architecture,” stated Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “I am extremely proud of the GA-EMS team, whose tireless work and remarkable efforts over the past few years have led to a successful launch and deployment of this important technology.”

The LINCS system is comprised of two 12U cubesats each hosting a C-band dual-wavelength full duplex Optical Communication Terminal (OCT) and an Infrared (IR) payload, with all elements internally designed and built by GA-EMS at their facilities in San Diego, CA and Huntsville, AL. In partnership with SDA, this is among the first Department of Defense contracted efforts to develop and deploy a state-of-the-art 1550nm OCT to test capabilities to increase the speed, reliability, distance, and variability of communication in space.

“Optical communication will significantly augment space-based communication, and the launch of the GA-EMS LINCS system is the first step in proving this critical technology in space,” added Nick Bucci, vice president of Missile Defense and Space Systems. “Our next checkpoint is to establish the proper orbit, communication and control of the two spacecraft. From there, we will work with SDA and commence a series of experiments testing optical communication in a variety of operational scenarios.”

Source: GA-EMS

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The missions were awarded through the NRO’s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract, an initiative that enables the agency to explore new opportunities for launching small satellites through a streamlined, commercial approach. The RASR-3 and RASR-4 missions are scheduled for launch within weeks of each other in late spring 2021 from two separate pads at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 (LC-1).

By launching the missions separately from pads LC-1A and LC-1B, Rocket Lab is able to eliminate the pad recycle time typically required when launching from a single pad. This unique ability enables Rocket Lab to launch missions just days or even hours apart, making truly responsive space a reality for small satellite operators and the U.S. national security community. Construction of Launch Complex 1 Pad B commenced in December 2019 and will be complete by the end of this year. Pad LC-1B is Rocket Lab’s third launch pad, joining the existing pad at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand, as well as the new pad at Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia.

“Maintaining resilient space architecture and having the ability to deploy assets exactly when and where they’re needed is paramount for U.S. national security in these dynamic times,” said Peter Beck, Rocket Lab founder and CEO. “We’re proud to continue enabling that flexible, responsive space access and once again deliver a proven launch solution for the NRO and the nation.”

Lars Hoffman, Rocket Lab’s senior vice president of Global Launch Services, said “Given the threat to space capabilities posed by potential adversaries, there simply cannot be a waiting room to get on orbit. With Electron launch vehicles on standby for rapid call-up and three launch pads capable of supporting up to 130 missions per year, we stand ready to respond to the national security community’s needs with speed and precision, every time. We look forward to working with the dedicated team at the NRO once again for these important missions.”

Source: Rocket Lab

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“We’re very excited to have another successful launch out of New Zealand in partnership with Rocket Lab,” said U.S. Air Force Colonel Chad Davis, director of the NRO’s Office of Space Launch. “We’re excited about our continued collaboration with Rocket Lab and the New Zealand Space Agency, and thank everyone on the launch team for their dedication and support in making RASR-2 a successful rideshare mission.”

The RASR-2 launch, named “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Rocket Lab, was their twelfth launch and a primary rideshare for the NRO that carried three payloads designed, built and operated by the agency. The mission also carried two additional CubeSats – one for NASA and the other from the University of New South Wales, Canberra Space.

“One of our goals for our multi-manifest missions, such as RASR-2, is not only to provide innovative launch solutions to meet NRO’s mission needs but also to give others working with smallsat technology cost-effective and timely access to space,” Said Colonel Davis.

RASR-2 was procured under the NRO’s Rapid Acquisition of a Small Rocket (RASR) contract. RASR enables the agency to explore new opportunities for launching small satellites through a streamlined, commercial approach.

Source: NRO

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Rocket Lab, a commercial launch provider licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration, will launch the 55-pound CubeSat aboard an Electron rocket from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. After launch, the company’s Photon platform will deliver CAPSTONE to a trans-lunar injection. The engine firing will allow the CubeSat to break free of Earth’s gravity and head to the Moon. Then, CAPSTONE will use its own propulsion system to enter a cislunar orbit, which is the orbital area near and around the Moon. The mission is targeted for launch in early 2021 and will be the second lunar mission to launch from Virginia.

“NASA’s Launch Services Program (LSP) is pleased to provide a low-cost launch service for CAPSTONE and to work with Rocket Lab on this inaugural NASA launch from their new launch site at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia,” said Ana Rivera, LSP program integration manager for CAPSTONE at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. LSP will manage the launch service. 

“This mission is all about quickly and more affordably demonstrating new capabilities, and we are partnering with small businesses to do it,” said Christopher Baker, Small Spacecraft Technology program executive at the agency’s headquarters in Washington. “This is true from the perspective of CAPSTONE’s development timeline, operational objectives, navigation demonstration and its quickly procured commercial launch aboard a small rocket.”

Following a three-month trip to the Moon, CAPSTONE will enter a near rectilinear halo orbit, which is a highly elliptical orbit over the Moon’s poles, to verify its characteristics for future missions and conduct a navigation demonstration with NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. CAPSTONE will serve as a pathfinder for the lunar spaceship Gateway, a key component of NASA’s Artemis program.

“CAPSTONE is a rapid, risk-tolerant demonstration that sets out to learn about the unique, seven-day cislunar orbit we are also targeting for Gateway,” said Marshall Smith, director of human lunar exploration programs at NASA Headquarters. “We are not relying only on this precursor data, but we can reduce navigation uncertainties ahead of our future missions using the same lunar orbit.”

Source: NASA

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The five companies are:

• Maverick Space Systems, Inc. of San Luis Obispo, California
• NanoRacks, LLC of Webster, Texas
• TriSept Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia
• Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, Inc. of Irvine, California
• Xtenti, LLC of Dallas, Texas

The CubeSat 3 contract provides indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, firm-fixed-price task orders, with a five-year ordering period that begins Aug. 23. The maximum cumulative value of the contracts is $18 million.

The contractors will provide various-sized CubeSat dispensers and dispenser mass simulators. These dispensers will be loaded with CubeSats, mounted to a launch vehicle, and release CubeSats at a designated time after launch.

The contractors also will provide mission integration services, to include flight hardware qualification, flight hardware development and assembly, flight hardware acceptance testing, dispenser to launch vehicle interface control document (ICD) development, CubeSat to dispenser ICD development, integration of CubeSats into flight dispensers, integrated flight CubeSat/dispenser acceptance testing, flight hardware to launch vehicle integration, and mission support.

Source: NASA

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ASI’s 3U CubeSat, dubbed Meshbed, will perform on-orbit testing of MITRE’s Frequency-scaled Ultra-wide Spectrum Element (FUSE) antenna. The initial on-orbit demonstration will be dedicated to data collection to explore U.S. government applications for the MITRE technology. Meshbed will then shift its focus to testing ASI’s data relay capability, expanding on the testing achieved by its tech demo predecessor, Radix, which deployed from the International Space Station in 2018.

MITRE developed the FUSE antenna in collaboration with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory as part of an effort to conserve topside space on ships. This new class of antennas has a novel electromechanical interface that eliminates the need for radio frequency connectors, reducing cost, weight and size. The company recently received three patents for FUSE, which has been successfully demoed in the field, and some of the technology has been transitioned as a multi-function system. R&D Magazine recently honored the MITRE team with an R&D 100 award for the FUSE antenna.

A new variation of the antenna built entirely of metal was further developed at MITRE. The latest breed (patent-pending) is scalable for CubeSat missions, maintains the same features from the original invention, and is produced at a more compelling price-point because of the use of metal additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. By solving the problem of fitting a wideband antenna onto a CubeSat and demonstrating that it can operate in the harsh space environment, FUSE will accelerate the development of high-performance and multi-function systems, with a wide range of applications that includes military use and commercial satellite communications.

Incorporating the wide frequency range of FUSE on Meshbed will enhance the satellite’s capacity to communicate with other satellites, a critical component of ASI’s data relay service. Together with the results from Radix, the testing performed on Meshbed will inform the development of future capabilities in ASI’s global network. The network will dramatically expand the downlink capacity of Earth observation satellites, which currently face severe constraints relaying data.

MITRE and ASI began working together through the MassChallenge startup accelerator as part of MITRE’s Innovation Bridge activities, an initiative to connect startups with government agencies.

“This partnership demonstrates our agility in collaborating with commercial and not-for-profit partners to develop innovative solutions,” says Dan Nevius, CEO of ASI. “We’re looking forward to working with MITRE to continue developing and testing innovative solutions to meet government needs while fostering growth in the commercial sector.”

“This is a great example of MITRE’s ability to take technology developed to solve a difficult challenge for one of our government sponsors and accelerate technology development via government / commercial-partnered collaborative environment at an affordable cost,” said Jay Schnitzer, MITRE’s chief technology officer. “Working together with government and industry, we can apply our deep expertise to solve potential barriers to the effective use of small space systems.”

Source: ASI

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