This Week In Space Industry(9/12/2023)

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:

• Iran Launches Bio-Capsule to Space

• GAO Urges FAA to Enhance Mishap Reporting Procedures

• Egypt joins China’s ILRS moon base initiative

2024 NDAA: Key Space Policy Highlights

The final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2024 includes several space policy and spending decisions impacting the military and commercial space sectors. The NDAA authorizes a defense budget of $886 billion and addresses various space-related issues. It defers the decision on establishing a separate Space National Guard, directs a review on transferring Air National Guard space units into the U.S. Space Force, and requires intelligence sharing between the Pentagon and the commercial satellite industry.

The Space Force is also tasked with delivering a plan for integrating commercial space tracking data into space domain awareness operations. Additionally, the legislation addresses the location of the U.S. Space Command headquarters and includes provisions for commercial use of launch ranges.

Amazon Picks SpaceX for Project Kuiper Satellite Launches

Amazon has signed a contract with SpaceX to launch an unspecified number of satellites for its Project Kuiper broadband constellation on three Falcon 9 rockets from mid-2025. This addition to the multi-billion-dollar launch arrangement for Project Kuiper follows a lawsuit filed against Amazon's board of directors, alleging that they "acted in bad faith" by approving most of Kuiper's launches to unproven rockets without considering SpaceX.

The lawsuit suggested personal animus between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk may have influenced the decision. Amazon has ordered launches from ULA, Arianespace, and Blue Origin for Project Kuiper.

GAO Urges FAA to Enhance Mishap Reporting Procedures

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has recommended that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) assess its procedures for investigating launch mishaps. Currently, the FAA relies on launch providers to conduct investigations due to a lack of resources for in-house investigations. However, the GAO found that the FAA has no specific criteria for determining when to lead a mishap investigation itself, leading to inconsistencies in decisions. The GAO suggested that the FAA should comprehensively evaluate its processes, develop criteria for deciding who should lead investigations, and assess the effectiveness of operator-led investigations.

The FAA has accepted the recommendations. The GAO report found that, out of 50 mishaps from 2000 to January 2023, the FAA was the lead agency for all but one. The FAA concurred with the GAO's recommendations and will provide a detailed response within 180 days.

Iran Launches Bio-Capsule to Space

Iran has successfully launched a bio-capsule to a height of 130 km as part of its goal to send humans to space by the end of the decade. The 500-kg bio-capsule is equipped with life-support equipment for carrying animals on board. The mission tested propulsion, recovery, control, and parachute deployments. Iran claims to have launched animals to space in a bio-capsule in 2010 and again in 2013 with two monkeys. The success of this launch is seen as a step toward Iran's goal of sending an Iranian astronaut to space by 2029.

NorthStar Secures $15M for Debris-Tracking Satellites Awaiting Rocket Lab Launch

NorthStar Earth and Space has raised an additional $15 million, bringing its total funding to $105 million, to support its space situational awareness (SSA) business. The Canadian company plans to use the funds for its first four satellites designed for tracking objects in orbit. Initially set to launch with Virgin Orbit, NorthStar had to change plans after the latter went bankrupt. The company then turned to Rocket Lab, but faced further delays due to Rocket Lab's launch failure in September. The satellites are now awaiting Rocket Lab's return to flight, which is expected after December 13, 2023.

Gilat Satellite Networks Wins US Army Contract

Gilat Satellite Networks, through its U.S.-based subsidiary Wavestream, has secured a U.S. military contract valued at $20 million. The contract with the U.S. Army is for the provision of an additional 50W Ka-band Block Upconverters (BUCs) to support the long-term sustainment of thousands of mobile Satellite Transportable Terminals (STTs). Wavestream's Solid State Amplifier (SSPA), designed to withstand challenging environments, will enhance the STTs, enabling reliable satellite communications in diverse climates and conditions worldwide. The contract extends an existing agreement and reinforces Wavestream's track record in delivering mission-critical telecommunications solutions for military applications.

• Sierra Space's Shooting Star Module Begins Rigorous Testing at NASA Facility

• SatixFy at Risk of Being Delisted for a Market Cap Below $50M

• Egypt joins China’s ILRS moon base initiative

• SpaceX launches 23 Starlink satellites in 90th orbital launch of 2023

• Capella Space to Launch Two Acadia Satellites with SpaceX

• Three satellites presumed lost in Transporter deployment malfunction

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