4th - 8th April, 2022

A Week Of Firsts; Launches, Big Business & New Alliances

Private launches as well as groundbreaking deals have dominated the news. At the start of the week we heard the news of Amazon signing the largest ever commercial launch deal with Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Arianespace. This deal sees them go into direct competition with Starlink, with their very own megaconstellation “Project Kuiper”. As well as being welcomed as a much welcome boost for European and US launch capabilities, especially at a time when they are reducing their reliance on Russian technology, the satellite project also provides SpaceX with some much needed competition. Similarly, megaconstellation startup E-Space, alongside rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab, will looking to test sustainable satellite technology, and reusable rockets, respectively. 


It’s also worth noting that Amazon this week announced they will also provide logistics support to Blue Origin in the construction of their space station “Orbital Reef”. Blue Origin have been reasonably quiet so far this year, but this week has certainly been a big week for the SpaceX rival. Are we beginning to see the formation of grand corporate alliances in new space? Will this help further the cause of peaceful uses of outer space? 


Cloud based networks, backed-up by satellite constellations, seem to be increasing in technology and removing the reliance on in-situ servers, which are vulnerable to such instances as government attack or natural disasters. Are we also seeing the start of a truly decentralised system for the new space economy? This week Elon Musk purchased 9,2% of social media giant Twitter, becoming the largest single shareholder. We all know about his presence on the platform, but could this also be a tactical move in order to push the use and popularity of his favourite crypto coin DOGE? On the back of the Twitter purchase, and DOGE’s mascot being used by Tesla at a Cyber Rodeo this week, DOGE has spiked in value. This also comes at a time when Bitcoin is being seen to be tied too closely to the benchmark US equity market, and therefore not able to be perform as a truly decentralised currency, whereas DOGE seems to be continually tied to the actions of SpaceX, Tesla and Elon Musk. 


In another premiere, Axiom-1 is set take take the first ever transport of commercial passengers to the ISS, using a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. The Ax-1 mission has been jostling with Nasa for launch windows this week, as Artemis-1 suffered a brief setback for its wet dress rehearsal due to a vent valve issue. Nevertheless, Ax-1 will launch on the 8th, and Artemis is set for its rehearsal the 9th. 


From the automotive sector, Nissan North America will work with Sierra Space and Teledyne Brown Engineering to design a manned Lunar Vehicle, with Nissan bringing its automotive expertise to the project. One wonders how long it will take before set more automotive giants make their move into the space sector. 


Lastly, we have also seen the UK continue to build on its promise to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030. Already a leading satellite manufacturer, new spaceports in southern England and northern Scotland will provide the UK with their own launch facilities, with Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One set to takeoff from Cornwall, England, later this year.

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Our future in space

4th-8th April 2022

A Week Of Firsts; Launches, Big Business & New Alliances

Private launches as well as groundbreaking deals have dominated the news. At the start of the week we heard the news of Amazon signing the largest ever commercial launch deal with Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Arianespace.  This deal sees them go into direct competition with Starlink, with their very own megaconstellation “Project Kuiper”.

As well as being welcomed as a much welcome boost for European and US launch capabilities, especially at a time when they are reducing their reliance on Russian technology, the satellite project also provides SpaceX with some much needed competition. Similarly, megaconstellation startup E-Space, alongside rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab, will looking to test sustainable satellite technology, and reusable rockets, respectively. 


It’s also worth noting that Amazon this week announced they will also provide logistics support to Blue Origin in the construction of their space station “Orbital Reef”. Blue Origin have been reasonably quiet so far this year, but this week has certainly been a big week for the SpaceX rival. Are we beginning to see the formation of grand corporate alliances in new space? Will this help further the cause of peaceful uses of outer space? 


Cloud based networks, backed-up by satellite constellations, seem to be increasing in technology and removing the reliance on in-situ servers, which are vulnerable to such instances as government attack or natural disasters. Are we also seeing the start of a truly decentralised system for the new space economy? This week Elon Musk purchased 9,2% of social media giant Twitter, becoming the largest single shareholder. We all know about his presence on the platform, but could this also be a tactical move in order to push the use and popularity of his favourite crypto coin DOGE? On the back of the Twitter purchase, and DOGE’s mascot being used by Tesla at a Cyber Rodeo this week, DOGE has spiked in value. This also comes at a time when Bitcoin is being seen to be tied too closely to the benchmark US equity market, and therefore not able to be perform as a truly decentralised currency, whereas DOGE seems to be continually tied to the actions of SpaceX, Tesla and Elon Musk. 


In another premiere, Axiom-1 is set take take the first ever transport of commercial passengers to the ISS, using a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. The Ax-1 mission has been jostling with Nasa for launch windows this week, as Artemis-1 suffered a brief setback for its wet dress rehearsal due to a vent valve issue. Nevertheless, Ax-1 will launch on the 8th, and Artemis is set for its rehearsal the 9th. 


From the automotive sector, Nissan North America will work with Sierra Space and Teledyne Brown Engineering to design a manned Lunar Vehicle, with Nissan bringing its automotive expertise to the project. One wonders how long it will take before set more automotive giants make their move into the space sector. 


Lastly, we have also seen the UK continue to build on its promise to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030. Already a leading satellite manufacturer, new spaceports in southern England and northern Scotland will provide the UK with their own launch facilities, with Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One set to takeoff from Cornwall, England, later this year.

8/04/2022

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4th - 8th April 2022

A Week Of Firsts; Launches, Big Business & New Alliances

Private launches as well as groundbreaking deals have dominated the news. At the start of the week we heard the news of Amazon signing the largest ever commercial launch deal with Blue Origin, United Launch Alliance (ULA) and Arianespace. This deal sees them go into direct competition with Starlink, with their very own megaconstellation “Project Kuiper”. As well as being seen as a much welcome boost for European and US launch capabilities, especially at a time when they are reducing their reliance on Russian technology, the satellite project also provides SpaceX with some much needed competition. Similarly, megaconstellation startup E-Space, alongside rocket manufacturer Rocket Lab, will looking to test sustainable satellite technology, and reusable rockets, respectively. 


It’s also worth noting that Amazon this week announced they will also provide logistics support to Blue Origin in the construction of their space station “Orbital Reef”. Blue Origin have been reasonably quiet so far this year, but this week has certainly been a big week for the SpaceX rival. Are we beginning to see the formation of grand corporate alliances in new space? Will this help further the cause of peaceful uses of outer space? 


Cloud based networks, backed-up by satellite constellations, seem to be increasing in technology and removing the reliance on in-situ servers, which are vulnerable to such instances as government attack or natural disasters. Are we also seeing the start of a truly decentralised system for the new space economy? This week Elon Musk purchased 9,2% of social media giant Twitter, becoming the largest single shareholder. We all know about his presence on the platform, but could this also be a tactical move in order to push the use and popularity of his favourite crypto coin DOGE? 


In another premiere, Axiom-1 is set take take the first ever transport of commercial passengers to the ISS, using a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. The Ax-1 mission has been jostling with Nasa for launch windows this week, as Artemis-1 suffered a brief setback for its wet dress rehearsal due to a vent valve issue. Nevertheless, Ax-1 will launch on the 8th, and Artemis is set for its rehearsal the 9th. 


From the automotive sector, Nissan North America will work with Sierra Space and Teledyne Brown Engineering to design a manned Lunar Vehicle, with Nissan bringing its automotive expertise to the project. One wonders how long it will take before set more automotive giants make their move into the space sector. 


Lastly, we have also seen the UK continue to build on its promise to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030. Already a leading satellite manufacturer, new spaceports in southern England and northern Scotland will provide the UK with their own launch facilities, with Virgin Orbit’s Launcher One set to takeoff from Cornwall, England, later this year.

Want to keep up to date? Follow ANASDA 

This Week