Celebrating a great success The Exploration CompanyThe US company Axiom Space has commissioned Munich-based Spacetech to transport cargo to and from its own space station using its reusable Nyx space capsule starting in 2027. Nyx is also the first European space capsule selected by a commercial space company for such a mission. Axiom Space aims to launch the first section of the station into orbit in 2026.
The Munich-based startup also reported further progress in Nyx's technical development. In a series of tests, the biomethane and oxygen engine was able to reach rated conditions with a total burn time of 560 seconds. The engine was throttled from 33 percent to 110 percent of its rated operating point.
On Linkedin the company explains:
“These are great results achieved in 1 year and 2 months, starting from scratch and ending with these tests.”
And further:
"This engine will be used for the lunar version of our vehicle, which will travel to the lunar stations and the lunar surface and return to Earth."
Isar Aerospace successfully ignites engine
The rocket builders at Isar Aerospace were recently able to successfully test their Aquila engine. In several firings, the startup was able to run for 260 seconds integrated engine hot ignitions which is significantly longer than the engine is required to endure during flight. The planned test objectives were even exceeded, with one of the engines being hot-fired six times without any overhaul.
Can Araz, Vice President of Propulsion and responsible for engine development at Isar Aerospace, is visibly proud of the teams' work:
"Our teams have worked very hard to develop the engine from a blank sheet of paper to a fully functional, self-produced and tested system, and we couldn't be prouder of this achievement."
Successful product demonstration by Spacetech Unio
Only recently Union announced the successful completion of its €2.5 million pre-seed round, and now the Munich-based company has another reason to celebrate. In a live test, the space tech company successfully demonstrated the capabilities of its 'Powered by UNIO' bridge product. The solution enables connected vehicles to switch seamlessly between 5G and satellite connectivity. It thus plays a key role in enabling connected driving even in rural areas without good network coverage. Further tests demonstrating the integration of AI-at-the-Edge, 5G-over-RF, Wi-Fi, and advanced versions are planned.
Katrin Bacic, CEO of Unio, says:
"The test is an important milestone on the path to the connected vehicle. A technology that can ensure constant and stable connectivity – and data rates – addresses one of the industry's core problems – the challenge of ensuring consistent network coverage in urban and rural areas. I am grateful for the tremendous support from our Unio team, whose innovative strength and technological expertise contributed to this fascinating result."
Talos wins DLR small satellite competition
In the so-called DLR Microlauncher Payload Competition Startups could win a free flight of small satellites on a small carrier of Rocket Factory Augsburg. One of the selected companies is TalosThe startup develops satellite-based tracking technology for research, agriculture, and logistics. The Munich-based company is producing five microsatellites for tracking wildlife and livestock as part of the Icarus project. The mission is scheduled to launch in 2025.
Icarus (International Cooperation for Animal Research Using Space) is a research project for the continuous observation of animals from space using mini-satellites. Talos is participating in the program on behalf of the Max Planck Society.
New partners for Dcubed, Ororatech and Reflex Aerospace
The New Space hardware manufacturer Dcubed has partnered with the American company Solestial to develop a new solar energy system. This system is based on the Munich-based company's support structure, which is manufactured directly in space, and utilizes Solestial's thin, flexible silicon solar modules. This allows the required materials to be stored more compactly during transport into orbit than before. As a result, freight and material costs are expected to be significantly reduced, which could reduce the cost of space missions by up to tenfold. An in-orbit demonstration of the solution is planned for 2024.
Also OroratechOroratech, known for its early warning system for forest and wildfires, has found a new partner. Berlin-based Spacetech Up42 offers a platform and marketplace for geodata developers. Through the newly signed partnership agreement, Ororatech can offer on-demand tasking for near-real-time data access with a resolution of 200 meters on a daily basis via the marketplace. It also provides access to an ever-growing archive of thermal images for the analysis of past events. In addition, Ororatech has also secured a place for eight of its microsatellites in the DLR microlauncher payload competition.
Reflex Aerospace, in turn, has partnered with Darmstadt-based Telespazio Germany. The Munich-based company develops satellite platforms tailored to the individual needs of its customers. Telespazio, in turn, is a leading aerospace company in the fields of consulting, technology, and engineering services. Its focus is on software systems and solutions for spacecraft operations, air traffic management, training, and secure networks and connectivity. Through this partnership, the two companies aim to combine their respective expertise and offer a seamless experience. Reflex will provide its payload-specific satellites, and Telespazio will provide its ground segment and mission control capabilities via its EASE-Rise platform.
