Portfolio Company News
Axiom
Saudi astronauts to fly on Ax-2 mission to ISS
NASA confirmed Axiom will be flying 2 astronauts from Saudi Arabia to the ISS on a private mission spring of 2023. They will be accompanied by Peggy Whitson and John Shoffner on the Ax-2 mission. There is some controversy related to this mission due to the current dustup between the Biden Administration and Saudi Arabia over OPEC's refusal to increase oil output.
General Space News
FCC proposes new bureau for space activities
FCC Chairwoman, Jessica Rosenworcel, announced her intent to reorganize the commission’s International Bureau into a new Space Bureau and a standalone Office of International Affairs to give satellite licensing and regulatory work greater prominence and access to more resources. The push back from other agencies who feel that the FCC is overstepping its mandate, possibly even illegally, was muted but still voiced. The jurisdictional fight over space regulations is only going to get worse in 2023.
The timing of the FCC's announcement was of particular interest since it comes just two weeks before the National Space Council's 'listening tour' for how to solve some of the industry's regulatory issues and who might be in charge of those. The consensus across the industry is that what is needed is clarity more than new regulations.
Some Key Space Advocates Are Leaving Congress in 2023 - Payload
While some may already be aware that notable Senate and House committee Chairs such as Richard Shelby and Eddie Bernice Johnson are retiring at the end of this Congress, there are numerous other retirements and election losses that will have a significant impact on space policy. The most significant one will be whether there are any changes in party control of the House or Senate. But beyond that the Alabama Senate delegation’s space representation was all but gutted when Mo Brooks was primaried. It will be very interesting to see how this affects the historical strength of Huntsville, AL. Ed Perlmutter’s (D-Colorado) departure means that Congresses primary advocate for Mars is gone. And with Peter DiFazio retiring at the Transportation Committee, the fight over where space regulatory policy lives changes rather drastically. As one lobbyist noted recently, “This is the largest generational transfer of power in Congress since the Reagan administration.”
Investors have begun flocking to portfolio companies with more of a "dual use" case where satellites, robotics, and software tools double as military and commercial technologies. The sector is on track to surpass last year's record deal value of $7.6 billion according to PitchBook data and contrasts with a slowing pace of investments in other sectors. Many investors, including Starbridge, are also looking for “dual use” in the form of space and terrestrial business models. A diverse customer base is a key strategy for thriving during economic downturns.
China’s mystery spaceplane releases object into orbit
China had the second launch of their secretive reusable experimental spacecraft back on Aug 4th and the Space Force recently tracked an object close to the spacecraft. China previously released an object from the spacecraft before deorbiting during its first mission in Sept 2020. It is still unknown what this space object’s purpose is.
Arianespace partners with Australian space tug startup
Arianespace is working with Australian startup Space Machines Company (SMC) to explore compatibility between their rockets and SMC'S orbital transfer vehicles (OTV). SMC plans on launching their first OTV, Optimus-1, in 2023 and plans to carry Australian customer payloads to their final orbital destinations.
Rocket Lab launches Swedish satellite, fails to catch booster
Rocket Labs' 2nd attempt to recover its rocket booster mid-air via a helicopter equipped with a hook designed to grapple the rocket's parachute failed due to a telemetry problem. The launch and recovery took place out of their Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand. The booster was later recovered in the water.
Other Space News
Why Apex Believes the Satellite Bus Sector Is Ripe for Innovation - Payload
Gen. B. Chance Saltzman assumed command of the U.S. Space Force Wednesday.
The CAPSTONE lunar cubesat mission is closing in on the moon.
A Chinese space station lab module is now open for business.
NASA rolled out the Space Launch System vehicle to the pad overnight.
The NRO plans to soon release an RFP for commercial hyperspectral imagery.
NASA and Boeing have delayed the crewed test flight of the CST-100 Starliner to April 2023.