The US expands Starshield access in Ukraine.

Summary

T-Minus Space Daily: The US Expands Starshield Access in Ukraine

Hosted by N2K Networks on December 9, 2024

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Introduction

In this episode of T-Minus Space Daily, host Maria Varmazas delves into the expanding role of the United States in enhancing secure satellite communications for Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict. The episode not only explores the critical developments surrounding SpaceX's Starshield but also covers a spectrum of significant updates from the global space industry. Additionally, Maria engages in an insightful conversation with Ariel de Herrera, Vice President of Programs at NewSpace Nexus, about the upcoming ShowSpace Summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

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Expanding Starshield Access in Ukraine

Maria Varmazas opens the episode by highlighting the strategic importance of Starshield, the militarized version of SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, in modern warfare. She emphasizes:

"In case there was ever a case study needed in how so much of modern warfare relies on space and secure satellite connectivity." ([01:13])

Key Developments:

• Pentagon's Contract with SpaceX: The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded SpaceX a contract to enhance Ukraine's secure communications by expanding access to Starshield. This agreement involves upgrading 2,500 existing terminals and adding 500 previously connected terminals under an earlier contract. These upgrades provide encrypted, jam-resistant capabilities, bolstering Ukraine's communication infrastructure amidst the conflict.

• Contract Details: The contract falls under the Space Force's Proliferated Low Earth Orbit program and extends service through 2025. While specific financial terms were not disclosed, the initial contract for 500 terminals was valued at $40 million.

"This encrypted capability strengthens Ukraine's communication infrastructure during the ongoing conflict." ([01:13])

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Industry-Wide Space Developments

Beyond Starshield, the episode covers a range of notable activities and contracts within the space sector:

1. SES Space and Defense:

   • Contract Awarded: A five-year blanket purchase agreement worth $117 million to deliver multi-orbit, multi-band satellite capabilities supporting the United States European Command.

2. Nova Space Solutions:

   • NASA Contract: Secured a contract valued at approximately $822.7 million to provide operations, maintenance, and infrastructure support for NASA's Stennis Space Center and Michoud Assembly Facility. The contract spans over eight years and three months, starting July 1, 2025.

3. AST Space Mobile and Vodafone Group:

   • Definitive Agreement: Establishes a framework for Vodafone to offer space-based cellular broadband connectivity through AST Space Mobile's satellite network. This agreement, lasting until 2034, marks a significant milestone in deploying global network infrastructure.

4. Space42 and IceEye:

   • Joint Venture: Formation of a new partnership to manufacture Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites in the UAE, building on the successful launch of UAE's first SAR satellite, Foresight 1, in August 2024.

5. PIXL:

   • Funding Announcement: Closed an additional $24 million in Series B funding, bringing the total to $60 million. PIXL plans to develop a constellation of 18 high-resolution hyperspectral satellites.

6. SatXFi:

   • Financial Results: Reported $8.5 million in revenues for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2024, a 4% decrease from the previous year. The company anticipates increased service revenues in Q4, projecting full-year revenues between $17–19 million with a gross margin of 70–75%.

7. Satellogic:

   • Share Purchase Agreement: Raised approximately $10 million for general corporate purposes and expanded its contract with US-based satellite data analytics firm Synmax to enhance its Hyperion platform for monitoring oil and natural gas production.

8. NI Space and UK Agencies:

   • Research Initiative: Launched a small business research initiative with the UK Space Agency and the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. Three companies have been awarded a collective £360,000 to develop satellite technology for detecting and monitoring blue-green algae.

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Interview with Ariel de Herrera: ShowSpace Summit at NewSpace Nexus

Guest: Ariel de Herrera, Vice President of Programs at NewSpace Nexus

Maria Varmazas introduces Ariel, who shares her journey from a marketing intern to VP of Programs at NewSpace Nexus. Ariel provides an in-depth overview of the upcoming ShowSpace Summit scheduled for December 10, 2024, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"We like to say we unite and ignite. So what we mean by that is we bring people together, put them in situations that allow them to connect to resources." ([11:23])

Key Highlights:

• Event Purpose: The ShowSpace Summit aims to highlight stellar space companies, foster valuable connections between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and investors, government leaders, and industry giants.

• Agenda Overview:

  • Keynotes: Featuring leaders from investment, government, and industry sectors.
  • Panels: Discussing various aspects of the space ecosystem.
  • Company Pitches: Approximately 13 companies from the NewSpace Igniter program will present their concepts, products, and sales strategies.
  • One-on-One Sessions: Post-pitch interactions akin to "speed dating," allowing companies to engage directly with experts in investment, government, and industry.

"It's just putting those small and medium-sized companies in the same room as potential customers and government leaders." ([15:01])

• Networking Opportunities: The summit includes industry tours to prominent local entities like Blue Halo and Rocket Lab, showcasing New Mexico's robust space infrastructure.

• Program Highlights:

  • New Space Igniter: An incubator program assisting companies from concept to commercialization.
  • Pathway of the Stars & New Space Launchpad: Initiatives supporting workforce development and technological innovation.

"This event is not just open to customers and to companies, but anyone interested in learning more about the space ecosystem." ([17:56])

Ariel’s Closing Remarks: Ariel emphasizes the summit's role in propelling businesses forward by providing access to essential resources and fostering an environment where innovation can thrive.

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NASA's 2024 Year in Review

As the episode progresses towards its conclusion, Maria reflects on NASA's accomplishments in 2024:

• Lunar and Deep Space Exploration: Successful missions landing new science and technology on the moon and launching missions to study Jupiter's moon Europa.

• International Space Station: Celebrated 24 years of continuous human presence aboard the ISS, underscoring humanity's ongoing commitment to space exploration.

• Supersonic Quiet Aircraft: Unveiled a new aircraft designed to benefit humanity by reducing the noise associated with supersonic flight.

A short video featuring Bill Nelson, the outgoing NASA administrator, highlighted the agency's achievements and the dedication of its workforce.

"With the help of our commercial partners, we launched into a new era. New things are possible. More things are possible." ([19:57])

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Closing Remarks

Maria Varmazas wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the content and share their thoughts on the year's space achievements and predictions for 2025. She invites feedback through various channels and highlights the importance of community input in shaping future episodes.

"If you've got some thoughts, I'd love to hear them. Help me out a little bit." ([20:24])

Maria concludes by acknowledging the production team and encouraging listeners to stay connected through N2K's social media platforms for daily updates and behind-the-scenes content.

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Notable Quotes

• Maria Varmazas ([01:13]):

  "So my next question is how do you keep your company's data safe when it's sitting on all those unmanaged apps and devices?"

• Ariel de Herrera ([10:22]):

  "It's a tongue twister. Can you walk me through that?"

• Ariel de Herrera ([15:01]):

  "We are just putting those small and medium-sized companies in the same room as potential customers and government leaders."

• Ariel de Herrera ([17:56]):

  "This event is not just open to customers and to companies, but anyone interested in learning more about the space ecosystem."

• NASA Representative ([19:57]):

  "With the help of our commercial partners, we launched into a new era. New things are possible. More things are possible."

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Conclusion

This episode of T-Minus Space Daily provides a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the space industry, from strategic defense contracts and innovative partnerships to entrepreneurial support through events like the ShowSpace Summit. The discussion with Ariel de Herrera offers valuable insights into fostering growth within the space ecosystem, while NASA's year-end achievements highlight the progress and future possibilities in space exploration. Whether you're a space industry professional or an enthusiast, this episode delivers crucial information and engaging discussions to keep you informed and inspired.

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For more detailed information and additional resources mentioned in today's episode, please visit the Show Notes.

Transcript

[Maria Varmazas]

You're listening to the N2K space network.

[Unknown]

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[Maria Varmazas]

Starshield the secure version of Starlink well, there's been much ado about it in Russia's war against Ukraine, specifically about its criticality or perhaps depending on your point of view, its undue influence. Whatever way you slice it, in case there was ever a case study needed in how so much of modern warfare relies on space and secure satellite connectivity. Emphasis on secure the Ukraine war is it today is December 9, 2020 24. I'm Maria Varmazas and this is T minus the US expands starshield access in Ukraine SES space and defense to support US European Command Nova Space selected for Stennis and Michoud support and our guest today is Ariel de Herrera from NewSpace Nexus. NewSpace Nexus is holding a show space summit in Albuquerque, New Mexico tomorrow, December 10th, so stay tuned to find out more about it. Welcome back from the weekend everybody. Here is your Monday intel briefing. The Pentagon awarded SpaceX a contract to enhance Ukraine's secure communications by expanding access to starshield, a militarized version of its Starlink satellite network. The agreement upgrades 2,500 existing terminals and adds to 500 previously connected under an earlier contract providing secure, encrypted and jam resistant capabilities. This encrypted capability strengthens Ukraine's communication infrastructure during the ongoing conflict, and starshield has been critical for maintaining Ukraine's operational resilience since the war began in 2022. The contract was awarded under the Space Force's Proliferated Low Earth Orbit program and extends service through 2025. Although specific financial details were not disclosed, the earlier 500 terminal contract was valued at $40 million. The U.S. department of Defense has selected SES Space and Defense to deliver multi orbit, multi band satellite capabilities in support of the United states European Command. SES's wholly owned subsidiary SES Space and Defense has been awarded a five year blanket purchase agreement through Space Systems Command with the help of the United States Space Force's Commercial Satellite Communications Office. With a ceiling value of $117 million, Nova Space Solutions has received a NASA contract worth approximately $822.7 million to provide operations services, maintenance and infrastructure support services for the agency's Stennis Space center in Mississippi and the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The performance period begins 07-01-2025 and extends eight years and three months with a 15 month base period followed by a one year option period and three two year option periods. AST Space Mobile and the Vodafone Group have entered into a definitive long term commercial agreement through 2034. The agreement establishes the framework for Vodafone to offer space based cellular broadband connectivity on its home markets as well as to other operators via its partner markets program. Vodafone has placed an order for its first block 1 Bluebird Gateway, marking a milestone in the deployment of AST Space Mobile's global network infrastructure. Users outside traditional cellular coverage will be able to connect their everyday smartphones directly to ASD Space Mobile satellites in low earth orbit which in turn will route the data to the gateway. These gateways will then connect to Vodafone's existing network infrastructure to route the broadband data to users devices as well as to access third party apps and the Internet. UAE based and AI powered Space tech company Space42 and Earth observation company IceEye have announced the creation of a joint venture to manufacture SAR satell the uae. The new venture builds on their previous partnership which includes the recent launch of the UAE's first SAR satellite called the Foresight 1 back in August 2024. The new partnership aims to advance the UAE's Earth Observation Program which was created to build national satellite remote sensing and EO capabilities. US India based hyperspectral satellite company PIXL has announced the closing of $24 million in additional funding as part of its Series B round. This new investment brings the total Series B funding to $60 million. Pixel has raised a total of $95 million across all funding rounds to date, which it plans to use to develop the world's highest resolution Hyperspectral satellite constellation. Pixel's entire constellation of 18 commercial hyperspectral satellites are planned for development and launch in the near future. Israeli satellite communications company SatXFi has released its consolidated financial results as of and for the nine month period ending September 30, 2024 the company reported eight and a half million dollars in total revenues for the period, a decrease of 4% compared to $8.9 million in the same period in 2023. That said, the company expects a significantly increased level of service revenues in the fourth quarter. As such, SATXFI anticipates full year 2024 revenues of between 17 and $19 million, with a gross margin of between 70 and 75%. Satellogic has entered into a share purchase agreement with a single institutional investor raising approximately $10 million. They expect to use the funding for general corporate purposes, and Satelogic has also announced an expansion of its contract with US Satellite data analytics firm synmax. Synmax will leverage Satellogic's high frequency, high resolution imagery to enhance its Hyperion platform, delivering oil and natural gas production monitoring for hedge funds and financial analysts. NI Space, along with the UK Space Agency and the UK Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural affairs, has launched the first phase of a small business research initiative where three companies have been awarded £360,000 collectively to develop satellite technology and data that could be used to improve the detection and monitoring of blue green algae. Each of the three selected suppliers will be expected to develop their proofs of concepts by March 2025 and if successful, a second phase may include further development of these concepts. And that concludes our briefing for today. Head to the Selected Reading section of our Show Notes to find links to further reading on all the stories we've mentioned for you today. Hi T minus Crew, if you would like daily updates from us directly in your LinkedIn feed, be sure to follow the N2K T minus page over on LinkedIn. And yep, we are also over on Bluesky. Follow us at T Bsky Social for more there. And if you're more interested in the lighter side of what we do, we are also daily on Instagram. That's where we post videos and pictures from events, excursions and even some behind the scenes treats. Links are in the Show Notes for you. Hope you'll join us there.

[Unknown]

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[Maria Varmazas]

Our guest today is Newspace Nexus Vice President of Programs, Ariel De Herrera. Ariel is managing the Showspace Summit, which kicks off tomorrow. By the way, she started our chat by sharing how she started at the New Mexico based organization.

[Ariel de Herrera]

Five years ago, when newspaper Nexus got their 501 status, I was their first employee. I came in as a marketing intern right out of college actually, while I was working on my master's. And it's kind of exciting to talk about this event because my first job was to help with events. But now I am VP of Programs and I help run all of our programs, including our New Space Igniter, our Pathway of the Stars, and our New Space Launchpad, which are all being showcased in the Showspace Summit.

[Maria Varmazas]

Oh my goodness. Well, small but mighty, because you all are doing a lot of cool stuff. Ariel, thank you so much for joining me and telling me about your journey and also all the amazing work that you and your team are working on. Because I mean, New Space Nexus, we've spoken with you all a whole bunch of times. You're doing incredible work. December 10th is the NewSpace Show Space Summit at the New Space Launchpad. It's a couple of.

[Ariel de Herrera]

It's a tongue twister.

[Maria Varmazas]

Can you walk me through that?

[Ariel de Herrera]

Of course. The New Space Show Space Summit at New Space Nexus. We like to say we unite and ignite. So what we mean by that is the unite. We bring people together, we put them in situations that allow them to connect them to resources. It can be resources such as workforce. It can be resources such as partnerships, funding, equipment, facilities. That is what we want to work on. So these show spaces is what we call them instead of showcases. So it's a pun on the word showcase. We want to show off all of our great companies. So the purpose of the New Space Show Space Summit, it's annually, it's hosted later in the year. It's an event to highlight the stellar space companies from the New Space Igniter program as well as the companies that are part of our innovation pipeline, all that are moving towards from that concept to product to sales side. We're also using this time to kind of showcase the space ecosystem for the companies to make valuable connections to investors, government and industry. So when I talk about industry here, I'm talking about those bigger companies, those primes, as well as pathways to the stars. So connection to workforce. For this summit, we do have an investor focus, but we love the connection to all customers. So it's just putting those small and medium sized companies in the same room as potential customers and government leaders and many people like that.

[Maria Varmazas]

Oh, that's a very. Wow. What a great opportunity to have them in one place. And also with investors looking to find somebody that they want to invest in. I'm so curious what kind of companies you all are going to be seeing in attendance.

[Ariel de Herrera]

Oh, of course. So I'm actually going to go over a little bit of our agenda to give an idea to paint a picture of who to expect to be there. So we want to start the day with some keynotes. Those are the leaders. We have investor keynotes. We have government and industry. We also have a couple panels. We also partner with a number of people throughout the region. So we have them kind of coming to showcase the region showcase, New Mexico showcase. We have some people coming from utep so just really focusing on what they're calling the Space Valley. So those companies will be there and those representatives will be there on the small and medium size. We have those companies pitching. So it is our part our new space igniter companies. The new space igniter is our incubator like program where we work with companies going from concept to product to sales. It's a very generalized program in the sense where they just have to have some type of space concept. So it can be. We have a couple AI companies, we have some launch companies, we have other companies that are working in debris removal in is different things like that. So it's the companies coming in can be any of those. I know we have all of them giving a pitch. We have about 13 companies pitching and then after they give their pitch, we are going to do a very quick one on one time with the experts. So all the speakers experts throughout our ecosystem will have the opportunity to sit with them one on one in a speed like dating.

[Maria Varmazas]

I get what you mean like that sort of like in a one on one shark tank. Is there a certain way I'm thinking of it, yeah.

[Ariel de Herrera]

So after they pitch and present to the whole crowd, then they're going to have that chance to go and sit in front of each expert, whether that expert falls in those categories of investor, of government, of industry. We also have others in economic development and business support. So we can have one on one time with a marketing person. You can have one on one time with someone who can help you move to New Mexico. So it's just a number of opportunities for these companies, but not just the companies with opportunities for government leaders to see them. Opportunities for those bigger companies to see these smaller companies and what their technology is and what they're working on.

[Maria Varmazas]

I keep saying it, but that is a really great opportunity and kudos to, I think, just so many organizations in New Mexico that are like yours that are working to make these kinds of events happen. Because that. To get in front of all those people and get that one on one time, that's a really fantastic opportunity. And you got to have a thick skin to run a business at that, you know, especially when you're starting out. But to get that advice that can really be what propels a business forward. So that's quite amazing. Is this the first time this event has been held? Is this the inaugural or is this. Several years of this have occurred?

[Ariel de Herrera]

So this is actually the second.

[Maria Varmazas]

The second. Okay.

[Ariel de Herrera]

We hosted it last year and another great thing that we do with this event is we also do tours. So last year we did a tour for Air Force Research Lab and Spaceport America. This year we're doing industry tours. So we're touring Blue Halo and Rocket Lab. We try to make this. Them coming out here. There just a number of different opportunities. So it's worth it for them to spend that money to travel to Albuquerque and to also see what New Mexico has to offer.

[Maria Varmazas]

Yeah, yeah. We've covered in the show a number of times. And again, it's not just because Alice is based in New Mexico. There's a lot going on. And I was just thinking Rocket Lab specifically, just getting so much more investment from the federal government to help sort of expand what they're doing. I think it's just like it's. The signs are all there. It's. And then they've been there for a long time that really, for a lot of companies, New Mexico makes a ton of sense. So. And I'm nowhere near the area. I'm in New England, so I'm not biased. I'm like way, way on the other side of the country.

[Ariel de Herrera]

That's New Mexico has tons to offer. We say it's the place for space and it truly is.

[Maria Varmazas]

I believe it. I've had a lot of these kinds of conversations and it's just amazing. There aren't a lot of other places like that where the states are really rolling out the red carpet for space companies like this. So I think you all are doing really smart things here. Ariel, thank you so much for walking me through this incredible event that's going to be happening for the second time. Thank you for telling me about this. Is there anything else you want to leave the audience with before we close out?

[Ariel de Herrera]

This event is not just open to customers and to companies, but anyone interested in learning more about the space ecosystem. Them. You come into this event and you're able to see, I guess, what there is to offer in space. We say the sky's limit, but in this case it's so much more. And so our companies are amazing and we work with them quite a bit and very closely. And anytime we have the chance to showcase them is just a chance worth taking. So we definitely are excited to see what our companies have to say and to hopefully help them connect to the resources they need and in return will help us succeed with what we're trying to do with growing the space industry. From New Mexico for the nation.

[Maria Varmazas]

We'll be right back. Welcome back and oh yeah, we are quickly reaching that time of year where we start to reflect on the last 12 months before embarking on the new year ahead. The US space agency NASA is among the many organizations providing their year in review updates that kind of read like a best of 2024. So NASA is celebrating its many accomplishments this year, including for the first time landing new science and technology on the moon with an American company pushing the boundaries of exploration by launching a new mission to study Jupiter's icy moon Europa, maintaining 24 years of continuous human exploration off the Earth aboard the International Space Station and unveiling the first look at its supersonic quiet aircraft for the benefit of humanity. The year wrap up includes a short video with Bill Nelson, the outgoing administrator, providing a proud update on what he calls the world's greatest workforce. And lift off.

[Ariel de Herrera]

With the help of our commercial partners, we launched into a new era. New things are possible. More things are possible. Our satellites studied the air we breathe, the oceans we share, the land we live on to help protect our fragile Earth, the only home that we will ever know.

[Maria Varmazas]

It's always good to be reminded ourselves about how far we've come, especially as the world tends to focus on delays. T minus will be bringing you our look back on 2024 and a look ahead, of course, to 2025 on December 31st. What better day than that? So what do you think has been the greatest space achievement of the year and what do you predict will be the big event for the next one? Honestly, there's so much to choose from that I'm going to be spending the next two weeks debating with myself about it. But if you've got some thoughts, I'd love to hear them. Help me out a little bit. Spacen2k.com I want to hear from you. And that's it for T minus for December 9, 2024, brought to you by N2K CyberWire. For additional resources from today's report, check out our show [e-mail] we'd love to know what you think of this podcast. Your feedback ensures we deliver the insights that keep you a step ahead in the rapidly changing space industry. If you like the show, please share a rating and review in your podcast app. Please also fill out the survey in the Show Notes or send an email to spacen2k.com we are privileged that N2K CyberWire is part of the daily routine of the most influential leaders and operators in the public and private sector. From the Fortune 500 to many of the world's preeminent intelligence and law enforcement agencies, N2K makes it easy for companies to optimize your biggest investment your people. We make you smarter about your teams while making your teams smarter. Learn [e-mail] this episode was produced by Alice Carruth. Our associate producer is Liz Stokes. We are mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Our executive producer is Jennifer Iban. Our executive editor is Brandon Karp. Simone Botrella is our president, Peter Kilpie is our publisher and I am your host, Maria Varmazes. Thanks for listening. We'll see you tomorrow. T minus.