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- This Week In Space Industry (23/03/2024)
This Week In Space Industry (23/03/2024)
[5-min read] Spire partners with NVIDIA & Space Force Collaborates with Top VCs
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 Kymeta - Pioneering Global Connectivity with Innovative Satellite Solutions, Read it here.
Let's embark on this cosmic journey together! In This Issue:
Spire partners with NVIDIA
Space Force Collaborates with Top VCs
BAE Systems Seeks $4B For Refinancing
(Top Stories of this week)
Capella Space sets sights on international market for radar satellites
Capella Space, a radar satellite company, is eyeing the international market for its technology, citing a surge of interest from countries seeking to develop their own sovereign synthetic aperture radar (SAR) capabilities. Meanwhile, the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is funding three projects aimed at enhancing space infrastructure for military operations beyond low Earth orbit. Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, and Spacebilt are the recipients of these contracts, focusing on missions such as Dark-Sky 1, in-space refueling technologies, and in-space assembly and manufacturing. DIU serves as a liaison between the Department of Defense and the commercial tech sector, facilitating the adoption of innovative technologies for military applications. (Read More)
Space Force Collaborates with Top VCs to Address Space Threats
The Space Force is engaging with leading venture capitalists in the commercial space sector to discuss threats in orbit and emerging technologies. Gen. Michael Guetlein emphasized the importance of transparency and collaboration between the military and private sector to address increasing space threats, particularly from adversaries like Russia and China. This approach mirrors past successes, such as NASA's collaboration with commercial providers like SpaceX. The Space Force plans to release its commercial space strategy soon, outlining how it will leverage private space capabilities during conflicts. (Read More)
Spire partners with NVIDIA to enhance AI-driven weather prediction
Spire Global partners with NVIDIA to boost AI-driven weather prediction by integrating Spire's satellite data with NVIDIA Earth-2 Cloud APIs. This collaboration aims to enhance climate and weather forecasts, offering advanced products for sectors like energy and defense. Spire's satellite constellation provides precise global weather coverage, while NVIDIA's AI platforms improve forecast accuracy. The Earth-2 platform includes simulation and neural network models for visualizing the atmosphere at scale. Spire's suite of solutions serves various industries worldwide. (Read More)
Antaris and SpeQtral Join Forces
SpeQtral and Antaris are teaming up to develop quantum-safe satellites, ensuring secure data transmission in space. Their partnership integrates SpeQtral's quantum payloads with Antaris' software to protect satellite communications from cyber threats, particularly targeting government and defense sectors. By offering affordable and dedicated missions, they aim to enhance satellite cybersecurity, crucial for safeguarding national security and economic interests. This collaboration addresses the growing concern of cyber-attacks on critical space assets, highlighting the importance of advanced cybersecurity measures in the space domain. (Read More)
(Fundings & Earnings news)
BAE Systems Seeks $4B For Refinancing
BAE Systems is considering a $4 billion corporate bond sale to refinance a bridge loan used for its $5.6 billion acquisition of Ball Aerospace. The acquisition aims to bolster BAE Systems' presence in the space industry, deemed crucial for future warfare. The bond sale follows a trend of increased corporate bond issuance for M&A financing. Moody's recently upgraded BAE Systems' credit rating, citing strong growth prospects. (Read More)
Blackwave Raises $6.6M Seed Extension Round
German startup Blackwave has secured $6.6 million in a seed extension round to expand its production of carbon fiber structures. Based in Munich, the company plans to offer carbon fiber high-pressure tanks for launch vehicles, satellites, and other space applications. Led by Alpine Space Ventures, the investment round aims to address the critical role of tanks, often overlooked despite their importance in space vehicle performance. Blackwave also announced the appointment of Jakob Berghofer as its new Chief Operating Officer, bringing experience from Zeiss and Kuka. Established in 2016, Blackwave has been developing and producing carbon fiber structures for various industries. (Read More)
Phase Four raises $6.25M in funding
Leonid Capital Partners invests $6.25MM in Phase Four, a space propulsion company focusing on national security applications. The financing, tied to Phase Four's government contracts, supports their innovative propulsion technology development. Phase Four's CEO highlights the partnership's significance for advancing space exploration and national security. Leonid Capital Partners specializes in high-growth technology firms within the National Security sector. Phase Four aims to revolutionize space travel with their advanced propulsion systems. (Read More)
Alpine Space Ventures Receives €10M Investment from NIF
Alpine Space Ventures is attracting significant investments because of the rising importance of space technologies in addressing security challenges. With a focus on early-stage investments in innovative space technologies, the fund aims to strengthen Europe's security and resilience while seizing opportunities in the growing commercial space industry. The investment from the NATO Innovation Fund underscores the strategic significance of space applications in enhancing technological capabilities and safeguarding critical infrastructure. (Read More)
(Other news around the web)
The FCC approved new direct-to-cell regulatory guidelines.
Starlink surpassed 6,000 satellites launched
Lawmakers cut $1 billion from Space Force’s 2024 budget request
U.S. military to boost surveillance assets in orbit
SpaceX says it could be ready to launch its next Starship mission in early May
Astranis has won another order for its small GEO broadband satellites
DISCLAIMER: (Rocket Roundup is an independent publication and is not affiliated with any government agency or space organization)