For planet earth and beyond
The world’s first mission to remove several small telecommunications satellites from orbit once they reach the end of their operational service is about to start building and testing its prototype spacecraft.
The communications satellite manufacturing industry is going through a period of profound change. For decades, the primary source of sector revenue has been from building systems designed to operate in geostationary orbits. Within the last few years however, the dominant source of sector innovation and growth potential has been from systems developed for operation in Non-Geostationary Orbits (NGSO), both Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) and Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).
Dozens of people who have set up start-up companies and fledgling businesses are pitching their ideas to investors today, as part of an ESA Investor Forum held in Berlin.
Today’s connected cars are dynamic, updateable devices – and, because they can be updated, they are well equipped to become tomorrow’s cars. ESA is working with European carmakers to ensure that connected vehicles harness the full potential of space.
ESA would like to announce the launch and the initial phase of the “Digital Connected Globe” initiative, which will be issued under the ARTES Programme. It offers an opportunity for companies to express their interest to engage in the Digital Twin ecosystem activities.
The Pacis 3 Tx active antenna has sailed through its next major milestone on its path to validation for SpainSat NG. Airbus Defence and Space has successfully tested the Active Antenna Thermal Model at the IberEspacio facilities in Madrid. The latest testing process has demonstrated that the design and thermal hardware mean that the model is capable of extracting heat from the antenna to keep the amplifiers within their operational range.
The Eurostar Neo Solar Array Drive Mechanism, developed within the framework of ESA’s Neosat Partnership Project by Airbus Defence and Space (UK) and incorporating a new Stepper Motor Gear from Reliance Precision (UK), is now qualified and ready for orbit.
Engineers have used ESA’s next-generation communications research facility to simulate links between Earth and the Moon via satellites.
A team of experts from the European Space Agency (ESA) and Oxford University are working to deliver a 3 half day course in May, giving an introduction to satellite optical communications.
The test version of a unique satellite navigation receiver has been delivered for integration testing on the Lunar Pathfinder spacecraft. The NaviMoon satnav receiver is designed to perform the farthest ever positioning fix from Earth, employing signals that will be millions of times fainter than those used by our smartphones or cars.