T-Minus Space Daily: Saudi’s NSG Buys Airbus EO Platform
Published on December 3, 2024 by N2K Networks

Overview

In today’s episode of T-Minus Space Daily, hosted by Maria Varmazas and produced by Alice Carruth, N2K Networks delves into significant developments within the global space industry. The episode highlights major acquisitions, partnerships, investments, and technological advancements shaping the sector. Additionally, a compelling interview with Robert Zubrin, President of the Mars Society, provides insights into the future of Mars exploration. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed.

1. Saudi Arabia’s NSG Acquires Airbus UP42

Timestamp: 01:01

Saudi Arabia’s Neo Space Group (NSG), the nation’s largest space services provider owned by the Public Investment Fund, has signed an agreement to acquire Airbus’s UP42 platform. Launched in Berlin in 2019, UP42 offers access to geospatial data and analytics from over 80 providers, serving industries such as agriculture, disaster management, and infrastructure monitoring. This acquisition aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to strengthen NSG’s position in the global space economy and support domestic business diversification.

Quote:
NSG CEO Martin Blanken stated, “This acquisition aligns with the Saudi Vision 2030 economic initiative by strengthening NSG's position in the global space economy while supporting domestic business diversification goals.”

2. Redwire Expands to Poland

Timestamp: 03:15

Redwire Space is opening a new regional office in Warsaw to bolster its European operations. The Warsaw office will focus on specification and design, assembly, integration, and testing support for Redwire’s international berthing and docking mechanisms. These technologies are pivotal for autonomous spacecraft docking for the Gateway Lunar Space Station’s international habitat and other low Earth orbit missions. Additionally, Redwire plans to collaborate with Polish universities and research institutions to leverage its microgravity capabilities on the International Space Station.

3. Space Machines Company Partners with Lunasa

Timestamp: 04:45

Australian-Indian in-space servicing firm Space Machines Company has entered a partnership with UK-based ISAM technology developer Lunasa to tackle space debris. Lunasa is set to deploy its inaugural mission as part of Space Machines Company’s second Optimus satellite launch scheduled for 2026. The Orbital Servicing Vehicle will be launched aboard NuSpace India Limited's small satellite launch vehicle, supported by an $8.5 million investment from the Australian government through the Australian Space Agency's International Space Investment India Projects program.

4. Space Cargo Unlimited and Atmos Space Cargo Collaboration

Timestamp: 05:30

Space Cargo Unlimited and Atmos Space Cargo have announced a multimillion-dollar partnership to conduct seven multi-week low Earth orbit reentry missions between 2025 and 2027. These missions will feature Space Cargo Unlimited’s Bento Box payload platform. Nicola Gaum, CEO of Space Cargo Unlimited, emphasized the mission’s objectives: “Our mission is to unlock the immense potential of in-space manufacturing for Earth-based industries and open the frontier for groundbreaking commercial and scientific advancements.” The first mission is already 80% booked for Q4 2025.

5. Satview Secures £20 Million Investment

Timestamp: 06:10

Satview has successfully closed a £20 million funding round, including investments from the newly formed Adara Ventures Energy Fund. The capital infusion will accelerate the launch of SatVu’s new satellites, Hotsat 2 and Hotsat 3, which will provide thermal data crucial for analyzing energy production efficiency, industrial activity, and emissions movement.

6. Turian Space Receives Strategic Investment

Timestamp: 06: fifty

Earth imaging company Turian Space has secured a strategic investment from Veteran Ventures Capital. While the financial terms remain undisclosed, Turian Space plans to ramp up production to 45 satellites annually by 2027 and is gearing up for the launch of its Droid Alpha satellite in early 2025.

7. Planet Labs and Laconic Enter Multi-Year Deal

Timestamp: 07:20

Planet Labs has signed a multi-year, seven-figure agreement with Laconic to provide both its 3-meter and 30-meter forest carbon monitoring products over the next three years. Laconic specializes in structured data, real-time tracking, and AI-powered verification for carbon securities trading. This collaboration will equip Laconic with AI-driven forest carbon insights globally, enhancing market confidence and informed decision-making in the carbon market.

8. Cesium Astro Collaborates with Axiom Space

Timestamp: 07:55

Cesium Astro is partnering with Axiom Space to develop essential systems for the next-generation lunar spacesuit. Cesium Astro will supply a software-defined radio to serve as the core computing and communications system, managing critical life support functions, facilitating data analysis, and ensuring reliable communications in the harsh lunar environment.

9. Cadence Design Systems Teams Up with AST Space Mobile

Timestamp: 08:25

Cadence Design Systems is collaborating with AST Space Mobile to advance AST’s mission of eliminating global connectivity gaps through high-speed space-based Internet access. The partnership focuses on developing a custom low-power microchip that will be integral to AST Space Mobile’s next-generation Bluebird satellites.

10. AWS Announces Satellite Resiliency for AWS Outposts

Timestamp: 08:55

At its annual Re:Invent conference, Amazon Web Services (AWS) unveiled a new offering for satellite resiliency within AWS Outposts. This partner-managed solution provides resilient cloud-connected edge computing, extending AWS’s reach to remote and geographically dispersed environments. In scenarios where terrestrial network connectivity is unavailable, the solution routes traffic back to the parent AWS region via a low Earth orbit satellite connection.

Interview: Robert Zubrin on the Mars Society’s Mission

Timestamp: 10:34 - 20:40

In a two-part interview, Robert Zubrin, President of the Mars Society and author of The Case for Mars, discusses the foundation and mission of the society. Zubrin recounts the inception of the Mars Direct Plan, a cost-effective strategy for Mars exploration that significantly reduced mission costs from $400 billion to $55 billion, garnering widespread support and media attention.

Key Points Discussed:

• Foundation of the Mars Society: Inspired by President George Bush’s 1989 commitment to lunar and Martian exploration, Zubrin and colleagues developed the Mars Direct Plan to provide a feasible approach to Mars missions. The success of their plan led to the establishment of the Mars Society in 1998 with 700 attendees at its founding convention.

• Mission Objectives: The Mars Society focuses on spreading the vision of Mars exploration, influencing political processes to support Mars programs, and conducting practical projects like building Mars Analog Research Stations.

• Why Mars? Zubrin outlines three primary reasons for exploring Mars: scientific discovery, overcoming challenges, and securing humanity’s future. He emphasizes the potential discovery of life on Mars as a catalyst for understanding life’s ubiquity in the universe and highlights the technological and societal advancements that a Mars program would drive.

Notable Quote:
Robert Zubrin stated, “If life appears wherever the conditions are reasonable, then life’s everywhere. And we can resolve this by going to Mars, by sending explorers to Mars and find fossils on the surface.”

USC Rocket Propulsion Lab Breaks World Record

Timestamp: 20:45

Celebrating excellence in rocketry, T-Minus highlights the University of Southern California’s Rocket Propulsion Lab (USC RPL) at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. In October 2024, USC RPL’s Aftershock 2 rocket shattered the amateur altitude record by reaching an astonishing 470,000 feet, surpassing the previous record by 90,000 feet. The rocket featured the most powerful solid propellant motor ever fired by students, titanium-coated fins for hypersonic durability, and a thermal protection system capable of withstanding Mach 5.5 speeds. Weighing 330 pounds, Aftershock 2 also showcased custom avionics for live tracking and successful recovery post-ascent.

Quote:
Maria Varmazas remarked, “There is a pretty fantastic photo of the rocket in space. Curvature of the earth below the rocket with a nose cone pointing right at the moon as if pointing to it and saying, hey, you’re next. Honestly, that feels like this team’s trajectory, so I wouldn't be surprised if that happens.”

Conclusion

The December 3, 2024 episode of T-Minus Space Daily offers a comprehensive overview of pivotal movements and innovations in the space industry. From strategic acquisitions and international partnerships to groundbreaking technological advancements and inspiring achievements in rocketry, the episode underscores the dynamic and rapidly evolving nature of space exploration. The insightful interview with Robert Zubrin further enriches the discussion, providing a visionary perspective on humanity’s journey to Mars. For more detailed information and updates, listeners are encouraged to visit N2K Networks.