Space Industry News: Funding, Contracts, and Debris Tracking

Space Company Funding and Contracts

• 💰 D-Orbit has secured $53 million in Series D funding to expand its in-space infrastructure and computing capabilities, aiming for in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM).
• 🇫🇷 Loft Orbital was selected as the prime contractor for France's DESIR program, demonstrating its standardized infrastructure model for sovereign needs in government projects.
• 🇺🇸 Aalyria will advance software solutions for managing complex military space communications networks under the US Air Force Research Laboratory's RAPID program.

New Space-Based Sensing and Communications

• 🛰️ Tomorrow.io announced Deep Sky, a new AI-native space-based network for continuous, real-time observation of Earth's atmosphere and oceans.
• 🛰️ This follows the recent full deployment of Tomorrow.io's first constellation, equipped with Ka band radar and microwave sounders.
• 📡 Aalyria's work with the AFRL aims to integrate diverse satellite systems into a seamless, resilient network for defense operations, exploring a hybrid network of networks.

Space Debris and Mission Updates

• 🇨🇳 China's Shenzhou 20 capsule returned to Earth after being damaged by space debris, highlighting safety concerns and the need for further investigation.
• 🚀 The capsule's damaged porthole was covered post-landing for analysis, with hopes for future information on the incident.
• 🛰️ Spire Global will provide advanced weather intelligence to AiDASH to enhance grid security against weather-driven risks.
• 🚀 Blue Origin completed its 38th New Shepard flight with six passengers, including its director of launch operations.

Innovative Debris Tracking and Future Launches

• 🌍 Researchers are using earthquake sensors to track space debris by detecting sonic booms from re-entering spacecraft, a technique that helped reconstruct a 2024 module breakup.
• ⚡ The seismic technique aims to provide debris path information in minutes, addressing a critical gap in understanding re-entry trajectories.
• 🚀 Upcoming launches include multiple Starlink missions, a GPS3 satellite launch, and a Rocket Lab Electron mission carrying broadband constellation satellites.
• 🛰️ The HTVX1 spacecraft will depart the ISS after 3 months to conduct further missions in freeflight.