Steely Newsletter Issue #054 |
Read all about Kratos and SES developing a fully virtualized SATCOM ground system for the U.S. Army, Space ISAC establishing a LEO satellite operators group, the satellite supply chain issues arising with the U.S. military's adoption of small satellites, and so much more! |
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| | everythingRF | 04-19-2024 Kratos and SES teamed up to demonstrate a new virtualized satellite communication system for the US Army. This system allows for more flexible and reliable communication compared to traditional hardware-based systems. The demonstration successfully transferred communication sessions between satellites while users switched coverage areas. This industry-first technology leverages commercial cloud resources and software-defined components to streamline military satellite communications. | Space News | Jeff Foust | 04-17-2024 A new group formed by the Space Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Space ISAC) will allow satellite operators to share information about threats to their spacecraft in low Earth orbit (LEO). This information sharing will cover both natural threats, like space weather, and human-made threats. The group hopes that by working together, LEO satellite operators can develop better ways to protect their spacecraft. In addition to this new group, Capella Space, a company that builds radar imaging satellites, has also joined Space ISAC as a founding member. |
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🛡️Satellite Cybersecurity News |
| The Diplomat | Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan | 04-15-2024 Policymakers around the world are recognizing the growing importance of cybersecurity in outer space. This is due to the increasing reliance on satellites for critical infrastructure and the potential for cyberattacks to disrupt communication, navigation, and data collection. In response to these concerns, organizations like the ESA and NASA have released cybersecurity guidelines. Additionally, a U.S. directive highlights the dangers of foreign investment and cyberattacks in the space industry. |
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| | everythingRF | 04-01-2024 Pasternack has introduced new trihedral corner reflectors designed to improve radar and antenna testing. These reflectors use three flat surfaces to efficiently reflect signals back to their source, making them ideal for various testing scenarios. They can be used to simulate radar targets for calibrating radar systems or to evaluate antenna performance. The reflectors come in a range of sizes to accommodate different testing needs and are built to withstand harsh environments. |
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| | Space.com | Mike Wall | 04-17-2024 On Wednesday, April 17th, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Starlink internet satellites blasted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The first stage of the rocket successfully returned to Earth and landed on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. Although SpaceX's livestream went down shortly after liftoff, the upper stage continued on its journey to deliver the satellites to low Earth orbit. This launch marked SpaceX's 39th orbital mission and 26th Starlink mission of the year, adding to their ever-growing network of internet satellites. |
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🏛️US Government Satellite News |
| Space News | Sandra Erwin & Debra Werner | 04-18-2024 The rise in demand for small satellites from the military is causing problems for the space industry's supply chain. A lawsuit between L3Harris Technologies and Moog Inc. highlights these issues, with L3Harris accusing Moog of late and defective deliveries. The Space Development Agency (SDA) is a big driver of this demand, aiming for a large network of small satellites. While SDA aims to create a diverse supplier base, bottlenecks exist for certain parts, like those from Innoflight which has a monopoly on a crucial encryption component. The space industry is working to adapt to this new production paradigm, but challenges like limited suppliers and time-consuming qualification processes remain. Solving these supply chain problems is crucial for SDA's success in deploying its satellite constellation. | Cybernews | 04-18-2024 In a classified project, SpaceX is building a network of spy satellites for the US government. This network will use high-resolution sensors to capture detailed images of Earth from low orbit. The project aims to reduce reliance on drones and aircrafts for intelligence gathering, minimizing risks in sensitive areas. This is SpaceX's first venture into intelligence surveillance, and they are collaborating with Northrop Grumman, a more traditional defense contractor, to meet government requirements. |
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