This Week In Space Industry (2/03/2024)

Greetings Detectives

Welcome to Rocket Roundup, Your favorite space newsletter! This week's in-depth exploration takes us into the dynamic realm of space startups. Our spotlight feature is on Hydrosat - Empowering Farmers with Satellite Wisdom for a Sustainable Tomorrow, Read it here.

Let's embark on this cosmic journey together! In This Issue:

• Boeing In Talks To Buy Spirit AeroSystems

• China's Space Advancements Raise Concerns

• Unseen Labs raises one of the largest funding rounds in the space industry

Boeing In Talks To Buy Spirit AeroSystems

Boeing is reportedly in talks to acquire Spirit AeroSystems, its former subsidiary. The potential merger comes as both companies seek to address persistent quality issues and manage costs related to the production of the 737 MAX. Spirit AeroSystems, which was spun off by Boeing in 2005, has faced challenges in recent years, and Boeing's consideration of the acquisition reflects an effort to bring the troubled supplier back under its umbrella. The move could provide Boeing with greater control over manufacturing, potentially addressing quality concerns, and may also help lower production costs for Spirit through economies of scale. (Read More)

Lockheed Martin looks to acquire spacecraft maker Terran Orbital for nearly $600 million

Lockheed Martin has submitted a nonbinding proposal to acquire spacecraft manufacturer Terran Orbital. The bid includes acquiring Terran Orbital's outstanding common stock at $1 per share in cash, paying $70 million for Terran's outstanding warrants, and assuming the company's $313 million in outstanding debt. The total offer values Terran Orbital at just below $600 million. Lockheed Martin already holds a 28.3% stake in Terran Orbital and is also the company's largest revenue-generating customer. Terran Orbital went public through a SPAC in early 2022 with a valuation of $1.8 billion. (Read More)

Moon Victory: Intuitive Machines' Odysseus Mission Deemed a Success

Intuitive Machines' Moon lander, Odysseus, has been declared a success by NASA and the company, despite its hard landing that left it at an angle. The lander's altimetry system, including laser rangefinders, was rendered inoperable, and it descended just short of its landing site. While the IM-1 mission demonstrated the capability of the Nova-C lander, which touched down using only its optical navigation system, it faced challenges. However, the executives and main customers are optimistic about the mission's success and its implications for the future. Intuitive Machines plans to try contacting the lander again after the lunar night. (Read More)

China's Space Advancements Raise Concerns: US General Urges Priority Investment

Gen. Stephen Whiting, the chief of US Space Command, expressed concern over China's rapid advancements in space, warning that the United States could lose its advantage if it doesn't prioritize investments in national security space architecture. He emphasized China's careful study of the US dependence on space and its swift development of systems to threaten that architecture. Whiting highlighted the vulnerability window for US space assets, especially in the face of counterspace capabilities from China and Russia targeting secure communications, positioning, navigation, timing (PNT), and missile warning systems.

The general also predicted that Russia's significant ground losses in Ukraine might lead the nation to focus more on nuclear, cyber, and space capabilities. Whiting stressed the importance of commercial space companies in ensuring space safety and proposed the Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve as a means to leverage private space capabilities during conflicts. (Read More)

Unseen Labs Raises €85M Series C

UnseenLabs, a France-based company specializing in maritime surveillance through the detection and geolocation of radio frequency signals from space, has successfully closed a fundraising round, raising €85 million. This represents one of the largest funding rounds in the space industry, highlighting the global interest in Earth observation. The funds will be strategically allocated to expand observation capabilities with the launch of multiple satellites, strengthen international presence, consolidate activities within private sector segments, drive innovation, deploy new products and solutions, and recruit new talents. UnseenLabs aims to accelerate its growth and maintain its position as a leader in RF maritime surveillance solutions. (Read More)

SpaceFields Rases $0.8M Seed

SpaceFields, an Indian startup specializing in solid rocket motors, has successfully closed an $800,000 seed funding round led by HVB 88 Angels and O2 Angels Network. The funds will be used to boost research and development efforts, as well as to double the company's headcount. SpaceFields, founded in 2021, has focused on developing and testing large-diameter solid rocket motors and aims to become a leading player in non-legacy systems integration in Asia. The funding will help the company enhance its capabilities, conduct larger and faster test campaigns, and advance its platform technology for solid-state rocket motor fuel. (Read More)

Elve Raises $15M Series A

Elve, a startup based in Davis, California, has raised $15 million in a Series A investment round to expand its space business and increase manufacturing capabilities. Elve focuses on manufacturing millimeter-wave amplifiers for both terrestrial and space applications. The company was founded in 2020 with the goal of significantly reducing the cost of millimeter-wave amplifiers. The recent investment, led by Lockheed Martin Ventures and including participants such as TomEnterprise Private AB, Green Sands Equity, Yu Galaxy, and Cambium Capital, will help Elve continue its mission of expanding access to fiber-like wireless connectivity by making its products more cost-effective.(Read More)

Boeing gets $439 million contract for U.S. military

Boeing has been awarded a $439.6 million contract by the U.S. Space Force to build the WGS-12 (Wideband Global Satcom) military communications satellite. The contract, announced on March 1 by the Defense Department, specifies that WGS-12 is slated to be delivered in January 2029. Boeing has been the prime contractor for the WGS program since 2001. The Wideband Global Satcom constellation, of which WGS-12 will be the 12th satellite, provides high-capacity communication services for the United States and its allies. Boeing is also completing production of WGS-11, the previous satellite in the series, under a $605 million contract awarded in October 2019, with plans to deliver it in 2024. Both WGS-11 and WGS-12 were funded by congressional earmarks. (Read More)

• Firefly Aerospace formally opened an expansion of its manufacturing and test facilities in Texas

• North Korea's first spy satellite is 'alive,' expert says

• Astra founders reduce offer to take company private

• India unveils astronauts for 1st human spaceflight mission in 2025

• China to make about 100 space launches in 2024

DISCLAIMER: (Rocket Roundup is an independent publication and is not affiliated with any government agency or space organization)