T-Minus Space Daily: Canada Looks to Space for Wildfire Response

Episode Release Date: February 7, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazas / N2K Networks

Introduction

In the February 7, 2025 episode of T-Minus Space Daily, hosted by Maria Varmazas of N2K Networks, listeners are presented with a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the global space industry. The episode delves into significant contracts, partnerships, and technological advancements, highlighting how space technology is increasingly pivotal in addressing terrestrial challenges, such as wildfire management.

Intel Briefing

1. Spire Global Canada’s Wildfiresat Mission

At [04:06], Maria Varmazas introduces the headline story: Spire Global Canada has secured a 72 million Canadian dollar contract from the Canadian government. This funding supports the wildfiresat mission, aimed at designing and developing a dedicated satellite constellation for monitoring active wildfires across Canada.

Key Points:

• Partnership: Spire Global is collaborating with Aurora Tech, a company specializing in space-based thermal intelligence, to develop the necessary payloads.
• Technological Integration: The satellites will be equipped with advanced thermal sensors capable of real-time detection and monitoring of wildfire activities.
• Domestic Manufacturing: To fulfill the contract, Spire plans to expand its Cambridge, Ontario office, incorporating satellite manufacturing and testing facilities within Canada.

Maria Varmazas emphasizes the mission’s critical role in enhancing emergency response times, stating, “Anyone who has dealt with wildfires will tell you that timely detection is vital for emergency response.”

2. Vast’s Haven 1 Space Station Launch Delay

Vast, a commercial space station company, announced a postponement of its Haven 1 launch to 2026. This delay comes after the completion of primary structure qualification testing.

Highlights:

• Testing Milestones: As of January 31, Vast completed manufacturing of the primary structure and initiated the first full-scale vehicle test campaign.
• Testing Success: The initial decay leak check passed, followed by a successful proof test, maintaining strain gauges within acceptable ranges.
• Development Timeline: Despite the delay, Vast remains on track to finalize Haven 1 by July 2025, with integration and testing slated for the latter half of the year.

3. Telus Alenia Space's Earth Observation Constellation with NIBE Space

Telus Alenia Space has entered into a contract with India's NIBE Space to supply high-resolution optical satellites, marking a pivotal step in NIBE’s Earth Observation Constellation project.

Details:

• Objective: Establishing operational Earth observation capabilities in India by 2025.
• Service Agreement: Blacksky has also partnered with NIBE to provide subscription-based imagery and analytics, enhancing space-based monitoring services for Indian clients.

4. Satelogic and Telespasio Brazil’s Defense Imagery Services

Satelogic and Telespasio Brazil have forged a multi-year agreement with the Brazilian Air Force to deliver satellite imagery for defense and security operations.

Key Features:

• SAT Constellation: The Brazilian Air Force will utilize Satelogic's new satellite constellation to obtain prompt delivery of sub-meter imagery.
• Applications: Services include real-time monitoring, change detection, and enhanced situational awareness for critical decision-making in defense missions.

5. MiaSat’s Collaboration with Shanghai Space Sail Technologies

Malaysian satellite operator MiaSat has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with China's Shanghai Space Sail Technologies. This partnership explores multiple avenues of collaboration, including:

• LEO Broadband Services: Enhancing internet connectivity through low Earth orbit constellations.
• Satellite IoT Solutions: Expanding internet of things applications via satellite networks.
• Earth Observation Services: Strengthening observation capabilities in MiaSat's operational regions.

Additional News

Honeywell’s Financial Restructuring

Alice Carruth provides insights into Honeywell's recent financial disclosures. The aerospace division is undergoing significant restructuring, splitting into three separate entities to streamline operations and enhance focus within specialized sectors.

NASA’s Aerospace Safety Regulatory Panel Report

The NASA Aerospace Safety Regulatory Panel released its annual report, commending the US space agency's efforts throughout 2024. The report underscores NASA's commitment to maintaining robust safety standards in its expanding portfolio of missions and technologies.

Weekly Space Traffic Report

Alicia Siegel from NSF delivers the Weekly Space Traffic Report, highlighting key statistics and upcoming launches:

• January Launches: 21 worldwide, comparable to last year's 22 launches.
• Top Operators: SpaceX leads with 13 Falcon 9 launches, followed by China with six, and India with one.
• Current Year Projection: On track for approximately 260 launches by year's end.

Notable Launches:

• SpaceX Falcon 9 (Feb 1): Deployed 22 Starlink V2 mini satellites; notable for the 17th flight of booster B1075.
• Japan’s H3 Rocket (Feb 2): Successfully launched the Michibiki 6 satellite, enhancing regional navigation with Space Domain Awareness payloads.
• Blue Origin’s New Shepard (Feb 4): Carried 30 payloads, including NASA’s Lunar G combustion investigation, utilizing the RSS HD Wells capsule on its 11th flight.

Upcoming Launches:

• Rocket Lab’s Electron Mission (Feb 8): Rescheduled IOT4UNME mission after initial launch conflicts.
• Starlink Group Launches: Multiple Falcon 9 missions scheduled between February 9 and 14 to expand SpaceX’s satellite constellation.
• Chungzhong 8A Rocket (Feb 11): Potential debut launch from China, contingent on orbital mechanics.

Story Bites

NASA’s Space Robots Showcase

Maria Varmazas shares a captivating image released by NASA, featuring the Astrobee robot aboard the International Space Station. The robotic gripper successfully captured a cube, demonstrating advancements in space robotics that could one day mitigate space debris issues.

"Just a few days ago aboard the International Space Station, an experimental gripper robotic tentacle arms attached to a free-floating Astrobee robot reached out and grabbed a capture cube." [19:37]

Celebrating E Day

In a light-hearted segment, Maria explains the significance of today’s date (February 7th) to those following the US date format, commemorating it as E Day—a nod to Euler's number (e ≈ 2.718), a fundamental constant in calculus and rocketry.

"For those of us following the US method of writing out the date, month and then day, sorry to everyone else, today is E Day." [19:37]

Conclusion

The episode of T-Minus Space Daily underscores the integral role that space technology plays in addressing critical environmental and defense-related challenges. From Canada’s ambitious wildfire monitoring mission to international collaborations enhancing Earth observation capabilities, the global space landscape is rapidly evolving. Additionally, advancements in space robotics and strategic financial restructuring within major aerospace companies highlight the dynamic and multifaceted nature of the industry.

Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for future episodes, including an upcoming deep dive with industry leaders from Space ISAC and the Aerospace Corporation, promising further insights into solving complex aerospace challenges.

For more detailed information and additional resources, visit N2K Networks.