Recent #Space news in the semiconductor industry

11 days ago

➀ South Korean space startup Innospace received the first private commercial launch permit from KASA for its 'Spaceward' mission, deploying satellites from Brazil, India, and South Korea into LEO via the HANBIT-Nano rocket;

➁ The launch is scheduled between October 28 and November 28 at Brazil’s Alcântara Space Center, where Innospace built its own platform and previously conducted a sub-orbital test in 2023;

➂ This milestone marks Innospace’s entry into the commercial satellite launch market, supported by South Korean authorities for safety and technical oversight.

South KoreaSpacesemiconductor
13 days ago

➀ NASA Acting Administrator Sean Duffy announced that the Artemis III lunar landing contract will be opened to new bidders due to SpaceX's delay in the Starship lunar lander development.

➁ The contract, initially awarded to SpaceX, is now open to competitors like Blue Origin due to concerns over the timeline.

➂ The delay is attributed to technical hurdles faced by the Starship, raising concerns about the crewed lunar landing's timeline.

SpaceNASAmoonSpaceX
14 days ago

➀ Oman's Civil Aviation Authority introduced a 45-day space launch approval process to position Etlaq Spaceport as a global hub, addressing international launch capacity shortages.

➀ The new directive CAD 5-01 streamlines safety evaluations and launch window reservations, with partners like PLD Space praising its efficiency for responsive missions.

➂ Etlaq's equatorial coastal location supports access to multiple orbits, having already conducted suborbital launches and engaged with providers like ABL Space Systems and Stellar Kinetics.

SpaceNASCOMPLD Space
20 days ago

➀ Stoke Space secured $510 million in Series D funding, led by USIT and supported by a $100 million debt facility from Silicon Valley Bank, to advance its reusable Nova rocket's first flight.

➁ The funding aims to accelerate Nova's development, including structural testing and activation of the Cape Canaveral launch site by 2026, following its National Security Space Launch contract with the U.S. Space Force.

➂ The company's medium-lift rocket, designed for high-frequency satellite deployment, aligns with growing commercial and defense demands, highlighted by the 'Golden Dome' initiative.

SpaceFundingRocket
28 days ago

➀ Inversion, a Los Angeles-based startup, is developing an autonomous spacecraft called Arc for same-hour delivery from space to any point on Earth.

➁ The Arc spacecraft can deliver up to 500 pounds of cargo with precision, eliminating the need for runways or established receiving infrastructure.

➂ The company aims to transform the logistics industry by creating an on-demand logistics network in low-Earth orbit.

ShippingSpacespacecraft
about 1 month ago

➀ The Science Museum in London unveiled an updated Space gallery, featuring historical artifacts like space capsules, lunar samples, and modern UK space industry innovations;

➁ The exhibition highlights female contributions to space exploration, including Helen Sharman, Katherine Johnson, and contemporary figures like Zoe Clark and Leicester University researchers;

➂ Showcases UK space technology advancements, such as CubeSats, propulsion prototypes, and Rolls Royce’s lunar nuclear power concept.

SpaceUniversityscience
about 2 months ago

➀ The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has provided new clues about the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1 e, located 40 light-years from Earth.

➁ JWST's initial findings hint at a nitrogen-rich atmosphere, increasing the chances of the planet being habitable.

➂ The planet is in the star's habitable zone, but its potential for life depends on maintaining a stable atmosphere.

AstronomyNASASpaceexoplanet
about 2 months ago

➀ NASA and ISRO jointly launched the Nisar Earth observation satellite with dual-band (L/S) synthetic aperture radars, achieving meter-level resolution for all-weather monitoring;

➁ The satellite tracks ice mass, vegetation, sea-level changes, and groundwater monthly using a 12m mesh antenna, while providing natural disaster early warnings;

➂ Texas Instruments supplied radiation-hardened ICs including power modules, utilizing special QML Class P plastic packaging for lower orbit radiation requirements and cost efficiency.

SpaceTexas Instrumentssatellites
about 2 months ago

➀ Norwegian Andøya spaceport partners with Astrobotic to use Xodiac reusable rockets for simulating lunar landings and testing flight systems;

➁ The collaboration starts in 2026, with Andøya providing ground operations and infrastructure support to enhance its commercial space capabilities;

➂ The U.S.-Norway Technology Safeguards Agreement (2025) facilitates hardware exports, positioning Andøya as a key European satellite launch hub.

HPCSpacesemiconductor
2 months ago

➀ Mars will appear very close to the crescent moon on the night of August 26, 2025, as part of the grand finale of August's planetary parade.

➁ To catch the breathtaking view, observe the western horizon quickly after sunset, as the event will last for about an hour.

➂ The crescent moon will be slightly brighter and will have moved past Mars and Spica by the next day.

Spacemarsmoon
3 months ago

➀ Rocket Lab acquires Geost, a specialist in electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems, for $275 million to enhance missile tracking capabilities for the U.S. Golden Dome defense initiative;

➁ The deal includes cash, stock, and future earnouts, integrating Geost's real-time situational awareness technology into Rocket Lab’s satellite systems to bolster national security;

➂ Geost’s EO/IR expertise supports missile warning, space domain awareness, and Earth observation, aligning with the U.S. vision for resilient space architecture under Golden Dome.

HPCSpacesemiconductor
3 months ago

➀ Professor Michele Dougherty from Imperial College London becomes the UK’s first female Astronomer Royal, a historic role advising the Monarch on astronomical matters;

➁ She emphasizes promoting public engagement with astronomy and its relevance to everyday life, while retaining her positions at STFC and the Institute of Physics;

➂ The position was previously held by cosmologist Lord Rees, who is now retiring from the role.

Space
3 months ago

➀ The global space economy grew 7.8% to $613 billion in 2024, driven by commercial sectors (78%) and government investments (22%), with U.S. civil and military spending at $77 billion;

➁ Record space launches in 2025 averaged one every 28 hours, led by SpaceX, while satellite broadband competition expanded with Amazon's Kuiper and OneWeb;

➂ U.S. military space funding prioritized the $25 billion Golden Dome missile defense system and infrastructure upgrades, signaling rapid growth in Earth Observation and sovereign space capabilities.

GovernmentSatellite CommunicationsSpace
4 months ago

➀ A coalition of over 450 U.S. space, satellite, and defense companies has urged Congress to fully fund the Office of Space Commerce (OSC) at its Fiscal Year 2025 level of $65 million in the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill.

➁ The industry leaders emphasize the critical role of the OSC in fostering economic growth, ensuring national security, and maintaining U.S. technological leadership in the increasingly competitive and congested orbital environment.

➂ The letter warns of severe consequences if the OSC is not adequately funded, including heightened risks for satellite operators and potential relocation of U.S. companies overseas.

Spacesatellites
4 months ago

➀ University of Illinois researchers developed a phase-change heatsink (using paraffin wax) for satellites, enhancing thermal management in space where convection cooling is unavailable;

➁ The wax-filled heatsink absorbs peak heat through melting (170kJ/kg) and releases it via radiation, validated by CubeSat orbital tests showing gravity-independent performance;

➂ Simplified models were created for design optimization, with future studies to include solar heating effects during spacecraft orbits.

Spaceresearchsatellites
5 months ago

➀ Impulse Space, a California-based space transportation startup, raised $300 million in Series C funding led by Linse Capital, bringing total funding to $525 million;

➁ The company aims to enhance in-space mobility and scale production, with achievements including Mira spacecraft missions, Helios kick stage development, and $200 million in government/commercial contracts;

➂ Helios, a high-energy propulsion system compatible with major rockets, targets communication, defense, and scientific payload delivery, with its first flight planned for 2026.

Space
5 months ago

➀ The UK Space Conference 2025 will be held in Manchester on July 16-17, focusing on leveraging space exploration to drive long-term economic growth, workforce development, and regional inclusivity;

➀ UK Space Agency emphasizes that 16% of UK GDP relies on space technologies like navigation and communications, calling for broader industry participation;

➂ The event aligns with the upcoming government Industrial Strategy, serving as a key platform for the biennial space industry.

Spaceeconomic growth