This Week In Space Industry(14/10/2023)

Greetings Detectives

Welcome to Rocket Roundup, Your favorite Saturday space newsletter! We're here to share exciting space news and discoveries with you.

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

• Terran Orbital Investors Call for Management Changes

• Ligado Sues US Government

• Auriga Space & Proteus Space Raises Funding

• Astra Space Is Exploring Options, Including Asset Sales

Terran Orbital Investors Call for Management Changes

A group of concerned investors in Terran Orbital, including Sophis Investments LLC, Roark's Drift LLC, and even the co-founders of Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, have penned a letter to the company's board, outlining their concerns and a roadmap for improvement. This consortium of stakeholders collectively holds an 8.4% stake in Terran Orbital and feels the winds of change are overdue.

What are their concerns? They're voicing worries about the company's performance and strategic stumbles that have raised eyebrows in the market. The investors are advocating for significant changes, including a new CEO, separation of the CEO and Chairman roles, enhanced corporate governance practices, and a thorough strategic review. The group believes that these changes are essential to restore market credibility and unlock the company's potential. Terran Orbital has experienced a significant drop in stock value since going public and is in need of a turnaround.

Ligado Sues US Government Over its Spectrum

Ligado Networks is taking the U.S. government to court, alleging that the government unlawfully seized the company's licensed spectrum without providing compensation. It's like a galactic showdown over the radio waves!

Ligado accuses the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Commerce (DoC), and Congress of blocking the company from using spectrum licensed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The lawsuit claims that the government engaged in a "misinformation and disparagement campaign" while using undisclosed systems with Ligado's spectrum without offering compensation.

Ligado's lawsuit aims to secure "just compensation for the government's physical, categorical, regulatory, and legislative takings of Ligado's property." The focus is on Ligado's approval to operate terrestrial 5G services in its L-band spectrum, a decision that has sparked opposition from various stakeholders, including the DoD, Congress, and aerospace and satellite companies.

Stellant Systems to Acquire Comtech’s Power Systems Technology Line

Stellant Systems is set to acquire Comtech's Power Systems Technology (PST) product line for $40 million, adding a dash of cosmic flavor to their portfolio of radio frequency (RF) amplification products.

This acquisition is poised to close by the end of the month, pending regulatory approvals. The sale price includes an initial $35 million with an additional $5 million contingent on achieving specific targets. For Stellant Systems, this move is about expanding their product portfolio, making them a one-stop shop for customers in need of amplification or RF/microwave passive products.

SES Appoints Adel Al-Saleh as its New CEO

SES, a major satellite operator, has appointed Adel Al-Saleh as its new CEO. Al-Saleh currently serves as the head of Deutsche Telekom's IT services subsidiary, T-Systems International. He brings significant experience from the IT and telecommunications industry, having held leadership roles at IBM and healthcare-focused IT firm IMS Health, among other organizations.

SES has opted for an industry outsider, emphasizing its focus on integrating space businesses with terrestrial telecoms infrastructure. The company is at an important juncture as it aims to expand its satellite fleet, thanks to around $3 billion in proceeds from clearing C-band spectrum.

Proteus Space Raises $4.2M Seed

Proteus Space, a satellite design and manufacturing startup, is on a mission to revolutionize the satellite manufacturing process by significantly reducing the time it takes to bring satellites from the design phase to orbit. Instead of mass-producing standard satellite buses, Proteus Space utilizes modern technology to design customized buses for each customer and payload.

The company has raised $4.2 million in seed funding to support its rapid satellite design platform, which leverages AI, machine learning, and a digital twin approach to design satellites around the payload. The aim is to enable users to have a satellite design ready for manufacturing within 30 days, a significant improvement compared to the 12 to 18 months currently required for such processes. Proteus Space already has design contracts with government customers and private companies looking to innovate their approach to satellite manufacturing.

Auriga Space Raises $5M Funding

Auriga Space, a new space launch startup, has emerged from stealth with a novel electromagnetic launch system aimed at reducing the costs of sending payloads to space. The system relies on a ground-based electromagnetic track, which uses a powerful magnetic field created by electricity to accelerate a projectile at high speeds.

The vehicle is then propelled to a higher altitude using only kinetic energy from the launch, before igniting its engines for the final leg to reach orbit. This electromagnetic launch system eliminates the need for a first-stage rocket, which can significantly reduce launch costs. Auriga aims to offer a cleaner and more cost-effective alternative in the space launch market. The company has secured $5 million for prototyping and expanding its facility.

Scottish rocket company Skyrora wins European Space Agency contract

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded Skyrora, a Scottish rocket company, a €300,000 contract to demonstrate a telemetry relay system in space. Skyrora will test telemetry systems with its Skylark L launch vehicle, aiming to address the issue of losing connection with systems on Earth during rocket launches.

The InRange telemetry system is expected to reduce the challenges of recording and transmitting readings from launch vehicles and minimize space debris. The ESA contract is a significant development for Skyrora, which is building rockets to transport small satellites to orbit, with its first launch planned for next year.

•  Astra Space Is Exploring Options, Including Asset Sales
  

• Spanish company PLD Space launches rocket for 1st time
  

• Spaceium and Aphelia Partner on In-Space Recharging
  

• U.S. to pursue stronger collaboration with allies in military space programs
  

• Intelsat signs multi-launch contract with Relativity Space
  

• Italy’s Argotec to design, build, test and operate satellites in Maryland

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