Felix Bustos III

Really great article on Space! Highlights Rocket Lab and their mission of small launches their Electron rocket has filled. It goes on to discuss the Neutron that is a medium lift vehicle. Rocket lab focuses on the taxi service where it takes individual payloads to specific orbits, but the new Neutron rocket is meant to compete with SpaceX and its Falcon 9. The article further discussed start ups, such as Relativity Space and ABL Space Systems. I was quoted around the maturity of businesses in this segment and discussed M&A activity. I highlighted that, "... for a company to be a consolidation target it needs some enterprise value; it needs sales and employees and contracts." I further went on to say that, "... those pure-play space companies, they are going to have a harder time because it is a slower cycle, versus a company that gets into space with a diversified book of business and will probably be more successful." #aerospace #space #mergersandacquisitions #thefactorydoctor https://lnkd.in/gsNrw2cA

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Mission Space Acquisition Corp. is the latest special-purpose acquisition company to file for an initial public offering, with the SPAC filing paperwork for a $100 million IPO on Wednesday. Mission Space Acquisition MISNU, , which is newly incorporated in the Cayman Islands, intends to focus on companies engaged in the U.S. aerospace and defense sectors, although it could acquire a business in any industry, according to its S-1 filing. The Cape Canaveral-based blank-check company is looking to raise $100 million by offering 10,000,000 units. Each unit has an offering price of $10 and consists of one share of Class A ordinary shares and one-half of one redeemable warrant, according to the S-1. Each whole warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Class A ordinary shares at $11.50 per share.

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US Space Force plans to award 20 contracts for commercial reserve by 2026 - Defense News "The Space Force expects to award as many as 20 contracts over the next two years for private companies to join its Commercial Augmentation Space Reserve, which will create a mechanism for the military to better leverage commercial capabilities both in peacetime and during a conflict....The Space Force’s acquisition arm, Space Systems Command, announced last year it was planning to create a commercial space reserve. The team met with industry in February 2023 and formed a task force soon after to work through legal, policy, contracting and programmatic concerns." Calian Advanced Technologies is a global supplier of space solutions including satellite communications, wired and terrestrial wireless solutions, test and measurement services, and GNSS technology for positioning, navigation and timing. Calian provides solutions for defence, commercial and civil customers to meet the needs of their space programs. To secure the flow of information Calian IT & Cyber Solutions provides consulting services, training and integration support for emissions security (EMSEC), in-place RF monitoring and RF spectrum analysis. For more information about our space solutions and services please visit us @ and @ #defence #defense #militarysatellites #jamming #SATCOM #satellites #electronicwarfare Note: Articles posted or shared on this Calian Defence Solutions site are for informational purposes only. Any views or opinions expressed herein are those of the articles’ authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Calian Group. https://hubs.li/Q02ZNz4z0

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This is big, for space exports to CANUKUS and others, overturning decades of over regulation not aligned to tech trends. “In a Final Rule, BIS is removing license requirements for exports of certain items involving remote sensing or space-based logistics, assembly, or servicing spacecraft destined for Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This rule deepens the United States’ commitment to some of its closest allies, furthering our collective security, reducing unnecessary export control restrictions, and ensuring secure trade. https://lnkd.in/gniT_bPY AUKUS Guardians , AUKUS Forum , Space Industry Association of Australia , iLAuNCH Trailblazer

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Commercial space technology and capabilities will play an increasingly important role in military exploitation of the space domain, reducing R&D burdens on government agencies and lowering overall costs to the agencies. https://ow.ly/HYSV50TvR8x

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AFWERX AFVentures has issued a Notice of Opportunity (NOO) within the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) program for both air and space projects. The window for government champion-led capability package submissions will open on July 25 and close September 18 at noon ET. "The STRATFI program underscores our commitment to transitioning dual-use commercial technologies into the hands of our Airmen and Guardians, ensuring that our military forces have access to the most advanced state-of-the-art capabilities that are emerging in our private sector,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialization officer for the United States Department of the Air Force. “This Strategic Funding Increase is not just an investment in hardware; it's an investment in our national security, safeguarding our values and interests for generations to come." STRATFI is open to small businesses with an awarded Phase II SBIR/STTR contract. The company must either have a current Phase II contract, with a minimum of 90 days of performance executed, or have completed a Phase II contract within two years of submitting a capability package. Read more here: https://ow.ly/ZGyz50SHFci . . . #AFWERX #AFVentures #STRATFI #noticeofopportunity #funding #opportunity #innovation

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A few of the Innovation Hub's partners received some well-deserved recognition in a new report from Frank Calvelli, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration. As directed by Congress in the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, Mr. Calvelli wrote a report to Congress and the public detailing the Space Force's process to "identify and evaluate commercial Space Situational Awareness (SSA) capabilities" and "integrate the Unified Data Library (UDL) into the USSF's operational systems." Mr. Calvelli highlighted three organizations responsible for integrating commercial capabilities into the Space Force, including the Joint Commercial Operations (JCO) cell. The Innovation Hub welcomed the JCO to the boardroom this week for an industry day event. The report also highlighted the SDA TAP Lab, which utilizes the Innovation Hub daily as its home base. "Having Mr. Calvelli formalizing the role of the SDA TAP Lab as a centerpiece in his plan and reporting on us to Congress is empowering. It gives us the authority to accomplish our mission," said Major Sean Allen, chief of the SDA TAP Lab. "We're very grateful to see leadership take this level of interest." The UDL will remain an essential component of the strategy USSF to integrate operational systems. This cloud-based system provides a centralized location for accessing and managing data that supports USSF operational systems. According to the SSC/BCCD team -- who manages the UDL on the government side -- Mr. Calvelli's report has positive impacts on their organization. "This shows positive progress for rapidly improving the USSF Warfighting Infrastructure and pushing the integration of commercial data into operations," said Sage Andorka, Deputy Branch Chief and Chief Engineer with the Cross Mission Data team. "This places BCCD at the epicenter of all activities happening across Space Force," Sage continued. "We have been improving our onboarding process and updating the human interfaces to support rapid responses to increasing demands. We have been supporting key interactions and exercises across the force to facilitate the integration into operations and prove our capabilities. This also identifies UDL as critical infrastructure for USSF, ensuring continued financial support and oversight from our leadership." The Innovation Hub is thrilled to host three of the main teams that play a pivotal role in the Space Force's SDA mission. You can learn more about the report here: https://lnkd.in/gnQSuTft #Innovation #SpaceForce #USSF #SpaceDomainAwareness #UDL Daniel Kimmich Charles Ericson - Ericson Strategies LLC Samantha Louque Mark Natale Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation

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Space debris is a growing concern for the industry, especially given the projected increase in the number of satellites that will be on-orbit by the close of this decade. In this SatMagazine article, Joe Chan takes a detailed look at the financial implications of space debris and what we can do to mitigate them. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eyTuSMAb

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Should there be an Undersecretary of Defense for the Defense Industrial Base? Someone looking beyond individual contracts and building capacity domestically and with partners? Defense reforms are finally taking root and paying off. The question is whether larger primes and OEMs can adapt to provide defense articles at scale.

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🔍 Company Spotlight 🔍 Today’s Current Altitude spotlight features Rotor, a company merging the performance of full-scale helicopters with the advantages of autonomous technology. Founded in 2021 by Hector Xu, an aerospace engineer and former MIT scientist, Rotor is headquartered in Nashua, New Hampshire. The company’s mission is to revolutionize flight with autonomous aircraft, focusing initially on critical and high-risk missions while paving the way for future autonomous cargo and passenger transport. The R550 Airtruck and R550 Spraytruck are built on the proven Robinson Helicopter Company R44 helicopter airframe, leveraging its full-scale reliability while integrating Rotor’s advanced autonomous systems. This enables Rotor to offer the largest civilian UAVs available, designed for versatility across a range of demanding missions. R550 Airtruck: ➡️ Heavy-lift UAV with a payload capacity of up to 1,102 pounds (500 kg). ➡️ Ideal for sectors like construction, logistics, and emergency response. R550 Spraytruck: ➡️ Agriculture-focused UAV with a tank capacity of up to 110 gallons (416 L). ➡️ Optimized for automated crop spraying and fertilization, enhancing efficiency and yield. By leveraging the proven R44 platform and integrating advanced autonomous technology, Rotor is setting a new standard in UAV performance, offering exceptional reliability, improved safety, and best-in-class capabilities for a wide range of applications. Learn more at rotor.ai. #UAS #AAM #Helicopter Media Courtesy of Rotor Technologies. © Rotor Technologies, Inc.

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Key West, FL – Quantum Dynamics Enterprises, Inc., will unveil its propellantless propulsion technology at the upcoming SpaceCom Expo in Orlando. The live demonstration will take place at Booth 316 from January 30th through February 1st, showcasing propellantless propulsion system that promises to revolutionize space exploration. The propellantless propulsion technology developed by Quantum Dynamics Enterprises, Inc., represents a significant advancement in the field of space travel. Unlike traditional propulsion methods that rely on the expulsion of mass (propellant), this cutting-edge technology enables spacecraft to achieve propulsion without the need for conventional fuel sources. Key Features of the CID (Centrifugal Impulse Drive) Technology: 1. Innovative Propulsion Mechanism: Using photovoltaic cells to charge batteries, electricity is converted directly into thrust, with no ejection of mass. 2. Increased Efficiency, Sustainability, and Cost Savings: This new propellantless propulsion technology will allow satellites and other spacecraft to remain in orbit for longer periods, thereby decreasing the need to deorbit satellites and other spacecraft because they have run out of fuel, resulting in major savings by decreasing the number of launches. 3. Live Demonstration at SpaceCom Expo: CID will be suspended on a torsion balance and will demonstrate unidirectional thrust. Guests will be allowed to completely examine CID. “We are thrilled to showcase our propellantless propulsion technology at SpaceCom Expo,” said Harry Sprain, CEO, Quantum Dynamics Enterprises, Inc. “This innovation will redefine the future of space exploration by offering a more efficient and sustainable means of propulsion for all spacecraft.” Don’t miss the opportunity to view this new technology, and the future of space travel, developed by Quantum Dynamics Enterprises, Inc., on display at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, from January 30th through February 1st. For more information please contact Harry Sprain at [email protected] or visit our website at www.qde-inc.com Spacecom 2024. #spacechannel, #space, #spaceexploration, #QDECID, #propulsion, #propellantless, #qde

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🌌 Space Entities In California – Insights From The Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform... California remains a leading hub for space technology and aerospace innovation, hosting a diverse array of ~940 entities, including investors, companies, and academic institutions. High-profile entities like SpaceX, Planet, and Varda Space Industries, along with innovative companies like Anduril Industries, Relativity Space, and Viasat, underscore the state's pivotal role in advancing the space sector. Key Highlights: 🔹Space Companies: Notable firms like Anduril and Relativity Space are leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as AI and 3D printing to revolutionize national security and rocket manufacturing. 🔹Influential Investors: Venture capital firms like Airbus Ventures, Founders Fund, and Khosla Ventures are pivotal in nurturing the growth of space technology startups, driving forward the sector's innovation. 🔹Sector Growth: The Space Impulse Market Intelligence Platform indicates robust activity and investment, positioning California as a leader in space tech development. For a deeper dive, visit app.spaceimpulse.com or reach out to us at [email protected]. Read more 👇 As California's space tech landscape continues to expand, what do you think are the key factors that will drive its growth over the next decade? How can companies and investors best capitalize on these opportunities? https://lnkd.in/evyPV8MY #SpaceTech #Innovation #VentureCapital #California #SpaceX #Anduril #RelativitySpace #Viasat

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Check out our latest blog article by Dann Hayes!

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The Senate Appropriations Committee’s FY25 defense budget bill highlights the urgent need for the Pentagon & Intelligence Community (IC) to fully leverage commercial space capabilities. The bill underscores gaps in current utilization plans and emphasizes the importance of integrating commercial solutions to bolster the High-Capacity, Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, and Assess Constellation (HCF). This new joint architecture, involving electro-optical, synthetic aperture radar, and ground moving target sensors, is pivotal for modern ISR operations. However, legislative scrutiny reveals concerns about the underutilization of robust commercial space capabilities, potentially undermining the US remote sensing industrial base. CRG’s SME Opportunities, Advice, Differentiators Opportunities: 1. Integration with HCF: Companies specializing in electro-optical, SAR, and GMTI sensors can play a crucial role in integrating commercial tech with the HCF constellation. 2. Tactical ISR Enhancement: Firms can support the ongoing pilot project for Combatant Commands to directly task commercial satellites, enhancing tactical ISR capabilities. 3. Commercial Augmentation: Businesses offering space-based PNT, environmental monitoring, and other satellite services can benefit from the $22 million allocated to augment these missions. Advice: 1. Align with Strategic Goals: Align your capabilities with the strategic objectives outlined by the Senate, focusing on enhancing the HCF and supporting tactical ISR operations. 2. Leverage Commercial Advantages: Emphasize the cost-effectiveness, agility, and scalability of commercial solutions compared to traditional government systems. 3. Engage Early: Proactively engage with Space Systems Command’s Commercial Space Office to position your technologies for integration and funding opportunities. Differentiators: 1. Proven Track Record: Highlight successful integrations of commercial technologies in defense and intelligence applications. 2. Cutting-Edge Innovation: Showcase advancements in sensor technologies and data analytics that can provide superior capabilities for ISR operations. 3. Scalability and Flexibility: Demonstrate how your solutions can quickly scale and adapt to evolving mission requirements, offering a resilient and robust alternative to traditional systems. The defense landscape demands rapid integration of commercial space capabilities. Firms must act now to position themselves as essential partners. Interested companies should act now to capitalize on this opportunity. Contact CRG today to leverage our expertise and secure your position in this critical defense initiative. For more information, visit crgroupinc.com or contact us at [email protected]. #CommercialSpace #SpaceAcquisition #ISR #DefenseInnovation #SpaceForce #SatelliteTechnology #ISRIntegration #DefenseContracts #MilitarySpace #TacticalISR #SpaceSurveillance #SatelliteIndustry #DefenseStrategy #CommercialSatellites #TechInnovation

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Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's has unveiled the details of the Replicator 2.0 initiative, it is clear the U.S. defense strategy is rapidly advancing to counter uncrewed aerial systems (C-sUAS). This makes the current moment a pivotal one for Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) technologies. My business innovation partners and I have been working on a new venture that has a flagship product focus of a distributed antenna, man portable directed energy weapon system that offers a precise and scalable solution to neutralise enemy assets, including drones. Its advanced radio technology is being developed to neutralise and destroy electrical systems with unprecedented accuracy, filling the critical capability gap identified by Replicator 2.0 and more. The precision is afforded by a distributed antenna system means highly localised effects, allowing for the neutralisation of drone swarms while minimising collateral damage. These features directly support Secretary Austin's goal of fielding C-sUAS systems at key locations both domestically and abroad, aligning our proposed technology with the Pentagon’s vision for the future of defence technology. Our development partners are significant key names in Defence, who recognised the potential of our method as a key and scalable component in this next-generation defence architecture. With the right strategic investment, we are poised to reach a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7-8 within 12 to 18 months, positioning us as an essential partner in the broader Replicator 2.0 effort. We also believe this capability to be at the forefront of space defence technology. With growing missile and drone attacks in the Middle East we believe this technology needs to be exploited with immediate effect. Battelle Mission Technologies, a division of HII General Dynamics Mission Systems Sierra Nevada Corporation Babcock International Group Owen SudlowTom Coates James Earl Bram O. Andrea Traversone Bobby Sakaki Prof. Stuart Harmer John Caudwell AeroVironment Eric Brock Florian Seibel Anduril Industries Christian Brose Trae Stephens Founders Fund Steven Walker Evan Trevors Marvina C. Thales Defense & Security, Inc.RTX HENSOLDT Michael Dempsey Bryan S. Airbus Palantir Technologies Alphabet Inc.SpaceX United States Department of Defense U.S. Department of State 10 Downing Street UK Space Command US Space Force Enterprise Talent Management Office United States Air Force SAIC Lockheed Martin

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Ultimate success in any business requires making a profit. Space hardware is not immune from this. Chuck Beames makes this point as it relates to government space budgets. Frugality breeds innovation and efficiency. https://lnkd.in/gZMpMBEq

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