➀ ESA and France signed an agreement securing access to the Guiana Space Centre for launches until 2035, adapting the site for new providers like Avio;
➁ ESA invested €2 billion in upgrading launch infrastructure, including facilities for Ariane, Vega, and satellite preparation;
➂ A new governance framework with ESA-CNES committees will manage operations and resolve scheduling conflicts.
➀ Northrop Grumman and Intelsat have successfully completed a historic satellite life-extension mission.
➁ The mission involved the undocking of a Mission Extension Vehicle (MEV) from Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite.
➂ The MEV, developed by Space Logistics LLC, added five years of service to the satellite and its customers.
➀ Sateliot, a Spanish satcoms startup, has raised €70 million in Series B funding;
➁ The funding includes an additional €10 million from Hyperion Fund, bringing the total to €80 million;
➂ Sateliot plans to deploy a constellation of more than 100 satellites to provide global connectivity and support IoT services at a lower cost.
➀ The ISS National Lab is launching an Orbital Edge Accelerator programme to support space startups;
➁ The programme is backed by space and environmental VCs and aims to foster innovation in the space economy;
➂ Six startups will receive up to $500,000 in investment, mentorship, and opportunities for sponsored investigations.
➀ MDA Space has acquired SatixFy, a specialist in satcomms chips, with a focus on the company's roadmap for next-generation software-defined digital satellites.
➁ The transaction, worth approximately $193 million, involves a complementary technology and IP portfolio for end-to-end satellite communications solutions.
➂ MDA Space aims to expand its offerings for digital LEO and MEO satellites using SatixFy's space-grade chips and communication systems.
Fraunhofer IIS has developed a new splitting method for integrating satellites into the 5G network, which allows for the use of different classes of satellites. This method splits the base station, with part of the signal processing occurring in space and the rest on the ground. The approach aims to enhance communication infrastructure flexibility and support the transition from 5G to 6G.
The research is part of the TRANTOR project, which is funded by the European Commission and focuses on preparing the transition of satellite communications from 5G to 6G.
Fraunhofer IIS is also involved in 5G standardization and the European Space Agency's NTN Forum.
Fraunhofer IIS has developed a split method to integrate satellites of different classes into the 5G network. This method divides a 5G base station into two parts, with only part of the signal processing happening in space, while the other remains on the ground. This approach allows satellites to contribute to communication while minimizing computational, energy, and resource use.
The method is part of the TRANTOR project, which aims to prepare for the transition from 5G to 6G satellite communication. It is expected to lead to a dense and universally available communication network with high resilience in emergency situations.
➀ The University of Stuttgart will showcase its groundbreaking research and innovative projects at Hannover Messe 2025;
➁ The Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST) is focusing on photonic chips for quantum computers and networks;
➂ The Cluster of Excellence IntCDC is researching sustainable, resource-conserving construction methods.
➀ Stuttgart University showcases interdisciplinary research and transfer projects at Hannover Messe 2025;
➁ The university's quantum technology research group focuses on photonic chips for quantum computers and networks;
➂ The IntCDC excellence cluster explores sustainable, resource-efficient, and climate-positive construction methods.
➀ Starlink is uniquely vital for Ukraine;
➁ There is only one other low Earth orbit satellite constellation providing internet;
➂ Low orbit is crucial for drone and other military operations due to its higher speed and latency.
➀ The House of Lords is conducting an inquiry into UK space policy and inviting submissions from individuals and organizations.
➁ The inquiry focuses on opportunities and challenges in the UK space sector, international partnerships, space safety, international space law, academic collaboration, education and skills, and the future of space science and civil exploration.
➂ The submission deadline is 10 am on Thursday, April 17th.
➀ Open Cosmos and i2CAT have launched Europe's first LEO lab for NTN research;
➁ The 6GStarLab satellite will validate new communication technologies in space;
➂ The lab aims to accelerate satellite network research and integration with terrestrial infrastructure.
EnSilica plc, a leading mixed signal ASICs chip maker, has secured a €2.13 million development contract from the European Space Agency's NAVISP Element 2. The project is part of the European Space Agency's Navigation Innovation and Support Programme.
➀ Students from the University of Stuttgart are launching a ferrofluid experiment aboard the REXUS sounding rocket from the European spaceport in Sweden between March 10 and 15, 2025.
➁ The mission aims to explore the performance of ferrofluid-based technologies in weightless conditions and under extreme forces and temperatures.
➂ The use of magnetic fluid is intended to improve technologies for space travel, focusing on durability and sustainability.
Students from the University of Stuttgart are launching a Ferrofluid experiment on the REXUS research rocket. The goal is to investigate how Ferrofluid-based technologies behave in microgravity and under extreme forces and temperatures. The technology could improve maintenance and sustainability of space vehicles.
The FINIX experiment tests a Ferrofluid-based pump and switch system. The students aim to demonstrate that these technologies can withstand space conditions through optimized magnetic field geometries and manufacturing processes.
The rocket is set to launch from the European Space Center in Sweden between March 10th and 15th, 2025, reaching an altitude of approximately 90 kilometers for a brief three-minute test period in zero gravity.
➀ EnSilica, in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), is designing a key ASIC for multi-band GNSS capabilities.
➁ The project is part of the ESA NAVISP Element 2 programme, aiming to enhance European competitiveness in satellite navigation.
➂ EnSilica is known for its expertise in high-performance RF systems-on-chip.
The Würzburg University satellite SONATE-2 was launched into orbit a year ago and has achieved all its mission objectives. The satellite, developed by Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, successfully demonstrated the training of AI autonomously on board for anomaly detection on Earth's surface. The satellite's neural networks were trained to recognize objects not typically found in the Sahara, such as the Nile and adjacent green regions. In addition to the AI payload, the satellite also tested other technologies like the MultiView star sensor and amateur radio services. The satellite remains fully functional and is used for educational purposes.
➀ The Würzburg University satellite SONATE-2 has successfully completed its one-year mission in space.
➁ The satellite, developed and built over three years by the team of Professor Hakan Kayal, achieved all mission objectives, including the training of artificial intelligence on board.
➂ SONATE-2 demonstrated the ability to autonomously recognize and photograph anomalies on the Earth's surface, such as the Nile and its surrounding green region.
➀ The UK MoD has awarded a £127 million contract to Airbus to build a constellation of SAR-satellites called Oberon, set to be deployed in 2027.
➁ Oberon will utilize SAR technology to capture high-resolution imagery in any weather conditions, enhancing the UK's ISR capabilities.
➂ The project is part of the MoD's ISTARI programme, aiming to deploy a constellation of satellites by 2031 for various applications, including military operations and environmental monitoring.
