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🚀 Space Fundraising News & Weekly Roundup Skynopy Raises $3.1M LiveEO Raises €25M Series B Sift Raises $17.5M Series A Synspective Inc. Raises $43.9M Series C 🚀 Weekly Space Roundup NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration Awards SpaceX $843 Million For ISS Deorbit Mission ARIANESPACE’s Ariane 6 Completes Wet Dress Rehearsal China National Space Administration’s Chang’e-6 Returns Samples from Far Side of the Moon Firefly Aerospace to Launch Alpha Rockets from Esrange in Sweden Starfish Space to Extend Intelsat Geostationary Satellite Life in First Commercial Mission Centre National d'Études Spatiales awards two GEO in orbit services missions to Infinite Orbits and Telespazio France Hydrosat to launch its First Thermal Infrared Sensor on Loft Orbital’s YAM-6 spacecraft on SpaceX’s Transporter-11 rideshare flight Viasat to Supply Satellite terminals for Spain’s Fleet of C295 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Norway and Germany Collaborate on Space Launches: Norway and Germany have signed a joint declaration to facilitate German satellite launches from Andøya Spaceport United Launch Alliance (ULA) Sets Vulcan Cert-2 Without Dream Chaser Latitude wins €15M in France 2030 Call

Happy Canada Day!! 🍁 I love seeing this robotic arm out there in space, made in Canada, with Canada's name on it - it is so much pride to see! 🛰 This is the Canadarm2, a robotic arm attached to the space station that helps astronauts out in space with various tasks on their spacewalks. The company that designed and delivered it was MDA Space, and now, MDA Space is working on Canadarm3, a $1B contract that was just awarded to them for this massive endeavor. Canadarm3 will go far and beyond what Canadarm2 once did, literally. It will be part of the future Artemis programs, a multinational collaboration, especially between NASA and the Canadian Space Agency (and others), and will help with the building of the future Lunar Gateway, yes, those missions to the Moon! 🌘 Also, its new mission control facility will have its global headquarters and 'Space Robotics Centre of Excellence' in Brampton, Ontario - Canada! 💪 (Image credit: ESA/NASA) To learn more, see link in first comment.) #GoCanada #Space #LunarGateway #Artemis #SpaceInnovation Mike Greenley CEO of MDA Space Cameron Ower CTO of MDA Space Holly Johnson VP of Robotics and Space Operations of MDA Space Amy MacLeod VP Corporate Communications of MDA Space

On July 9, 2024, the European Space Agency - ESA successfully launched the Ariane 6 rocket, marking a new era in European spaceflight. This inaugural flight highlighted the rocket’s advanced capabilities, including a reignitable upper stage for versatile mission profiles. The mission carried NASA's CURIE satellite, demonstrating Ariane 6's capacity to support diverse payloads. This successful launch underscores Europe’s commitment to maintaining autonomous access to space. Once again, congratulations to Réaltra Space Systems Engineering , a sister company of Emerald Aero Group member Realtime Technologies Ltd, for their crucial involvement in the Ariane 6 mission. The rocket utilized two systems designed by Realtra, which played a vital role in the launch's success. This accomplishment highlights Realtra's expertise and innovation, demonstrating the value of international collaboration in advancing aerospace technology. Ariane 6 was designed with versatility in mind. The rocket comes in two versions and has a reignitable upper stage to launch multiple satellites on a single flight, as well as missions that need a ‘heavy lift’ to the Moon and beyond. Payload carriers allow small satellites to piggyback on a launch, providing cost-effective launch opportunities for small companies wanting to access the growing space industry. See the graphic below for detailed technical information about the rocket #space #europe #innovation #collaboration #launch

In the early 2010s, NASA’s Commercial Crew program was a fierce competition between Boeing, SpaceX, and Sierra Nevada Corporation to build a spacecraft that could transport astronauts to the International Space Station. As the competition reached its peak in 2014, SpaceX unveiled its Crew Dragon with an event highlighting its innovative landing technology, while Boeing remained confident in its experience and track record. Unlike SpaceX's approach, Boeing made a bold bid for the entire Commercial Crew budget, nearly convincing NASA decision-makers that they were the only option capable of safely flying astronauts. This moment showed just how close Boeing came to securing the entire funding, relying on its reputation over innovation. #NASA #CommercialCrew #Boeing #SpaceX #SpaceExploration https://lnkd.in/gGuz_AR4

NASA is reconsidering its desire for a continuous human presence in low Earth orbit during the transition from the International Space Station to commercial platforms. - by Frederic Eger - Video by CSA: Cubics call - Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy mentioned the "elephant in the room" of a desired continuous human presence in LEO. NASA has had astronauts in orbit on the ISS continuously since 2000. NASA will use Crew Dragon for both the Crew-10 mission to the ISS, scheduled for no earlier than February 2025, and the Crew-11 mission, scheduled for no earlier than July. NASA is also evaluating if it will require Boeing to perform another test flight of its Starliner spacecraft. Canada's Mission Control plans to demonstrate AI on Spire cubesat, a technology demonstration mission focused on space-based artificial intelligence. Experts suggest that advancements in robotics and teleoperations may change how space operations typically handled by humans performing spacewalks are conducted. They discuss the potential benefits of AI for space operations as well as challenges like the need for powerful space-based computers and extensive training datasets. Estonia became the 45th country to sign the Artemis Accords, and countries that have signed the Accords say they need to redouble their efforts to encourage more nations to join. Additionally, Glasgow's Craft Prospect has been selected as the European Space Agency's Rising Star, and Aetherflux joins the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF).

Launch of Boeing's Starliner Rocket Postponed About two hours before the scheduled launch time, on Monday, the North American space agency identified an anomaly in a valve on the Atlas V rocket, announced the rocket's manufacturer, the ULA group. "NASA's priority is safety", reacted the director of the North American space agency, Bill Nelson. Take-off will take place when everything is ready, he wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter). A new take-off attempt could happen today, or on Friday or Saturday, but no new date has yet been announced. Boeing is investing heavily in this latest test mission, which should allow it to join the very small club of spacecraft that transport astronauts. The aerospace giant must demonstrate that the vehicle is safe before it can begin regular missions to the ISS, four years behind SpaceX. SpaceX's Dragon capsule joined this list in 2020, succeeding the legendary Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programs. After the shuttle program ended in 2011, NASA astronauts had to travel aboard the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. To put an end to this dependence, in 2014, the North American space agency signed contracts worth 4.2 billion dollars (3.9 billion euros) with Boeing and 2.6 billion dollars ( 2.42 billion euros) with SpaceX for the development of new spacecraft. Once Starliner is operational, NASA hopes to alternate between SpaceX and Boeing flights to take astronauts to the ISS. After the deactivation of the ISS in 2030, the two ships will be able to be used to transport people to future private space stations, which several North American companies are already planning to build. https://ift.tt/y87UISF

https://lnkd.in/eVC6KYvs Boeing's Starliner spacecraft takes off Monday on its first manned flight https://lnkd.in/eFVRYfr4 please visit our website After years of sudden setbacks and successive delays, Boeing's Starliner spacecraft is scheduled to launch Monday on its first manned flight. It will be the first to carry astronauts to the International Space Station, joining a very limited group of vehicles capable of doing so. To carry people into space. Boeing is banking on this final test mission to prove its vehicle is safe before it begins regular operations to the International Space Station, four years after SpaceX achieved a similar feat. American astronauts Butch Wilmore and Sonny Williams are scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 22:34 on Monday (02:34 GMT Tuesday) in the "Starliner" capsule, which will be carried into orbit by an Atlas V rocket. A United Launch Alliance innovation. Weather conditions appear favorable. The two astronauts have visited the International Space Station twice, first on a space shuttle and then on a Russian Soyuz spacecraft. "Every detail is new and special," said Butch Wilmore, adding, "I don't think any of us ever dreamed we'd be on the first flight of a completely new vehicle. The challenge is great for NASA, which requested this vehicle ten years ago, because the availability of a second vehicle alongside the SpaceX vehicle to transport American astronauts "is very important," said Dana Weigel, who is in charge of the International Space Station program. Weigel explained that the availability of this capability will allow for a better response to "any emergencies," such as problems that arise in one vehicle. Read more

🚀 Weekly Space Roundup China launches ambitious Chang’e-6 mission to collect the first ever samples from the far side of the moon HyImpulse successfully launches its SR75 rocket from Southern Launch’s Koonibba Test Range Portal Space Systems unveils plans for highly maneuverable spacecraft L3Harris wins $765.5 million contract to develop GeoXO imager BAE Systems wins $365 million contract to build geostationary weather instrument Millennium Space Systems, A Boeing Company wins $414 million contract from the Space Development Agency to build eight satellites equipped with advanced infrared and optical sensors Maxar-1 mission carries two high-resolution imaging satellites for Maxar Technologies Intelligence, the U.S. government’s primary provider of commercial electro-optical imagery Boeing decides to focus on NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration missions for its Starliner capsule, putting space tourism on hold NASA selects nine U.S. companies to conduct early-stage studies aimed at enabling more frequent and cost-effective missions to Mars: Lockheed Martin, Impulse Space, Firefly Aerospace, United Launch Alliance (ULA), Blue Origin, Astrobotic Technology, Albedo, Redwire Space, and SpaceX 💰 Fundraising / M&A Roundup SES Satellites to acquire 100% of Intelsat for $3.1B Astroscale to go public next month Lockheed Martin withdraws Terran Orbital Corporation takeover offer

https://lnkd.in/dg65qmPf Quotes from the article: NASA again delayed Boeing’s debut crewed flight of its Starliner capsule on Tuesday so engineers can spend more time evaluating a helium leak in the spacecraft’s propulsion system, the agency said in a statement. The launch, previously set for May 25, is now on hold, with the next possible launch date under discussion, the statement said. The latest postponement of Starliner’s debut mission with humans aboard comes as mission officials deepen their review of a helium leak in Starliner’s propulsion system, which was discovered alongside an issue with the Atlas booster shortly before the spacecraft was poised to launch from Florida on May 7. The Atlas rocket is built by United Launch Alliance, a Boeing-Lockheed Martin joint venture. #space #spaceexploration #spacetravel #spacecraft #spacecraftdesign #spaceflight #mannedspaceflight #astronauts #spacecapsules #rockets #rocketscience #boeing #starliner #internationalspacestation #ISS #scienceandengineering

🚀 Historic Moment for India: Shubhanshu Shukla Joins Axiom Mission-4 to the ISS 🌍 India’s space exploration journey just reached a new milestone! Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an experienced test pilot with over 2,000 flying hours in the Indian Air Force, has been selected to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), scheduled for spring 2025. This marks a historic moment as Shukla becomes the first Indian astronaut to join the ISS through a private space mission, highlighting India’s growing influence in global space exploration. His selection follows rigorous astronaut training beginning in 2019, with training sessions in Russia and India. Shukla is part of the Indian Human Spaceflight Program, and his mission will pave the way for increased international collaboration in space. In addition to Shukla, astronauts from countries like Hungary and Poland will join this private mission, further strengthening the global space community. This mission, operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX, will offer new opportunities for scientific research and development. 💫 What does this milestone mean for India’s future in space? Share your thoughts below! #SpaceExploration #IndianSpaceProgram #AxiomMission4 #ShubhanshuShukla #ISS #PrivateSpaceMissions #SpaceInnovation #InternationalCollaboration #IndiaInSpace