Laser communication specialist Mynaric began series production of its flagship product CONDOR Mk3 in early first quarter 2024. The new space company’s system is used for both optical communication within space and communication with Earth. The product has now received customer approval and has been shipped to the customer. Initial deliveries of the CONDOR Mk3 will take place, among other things, as part of Tranche 1 of the so-called Transport and Tracking Layer programs of the US Space Development Agency (SDA). Mynaric was selected by Northrop Grumman as the sole supplier of optical communication terminals for this Tranche 1, as well as by York Space Systems for Tranche 1 of the SDA’s Transport Layer.
“Today we are fulfilling our promise to our customers, shareholders, partners and our employees: we are developing and producing optical communication systems for widespread use in space”,
says Mustafa Veziroglu, CEO of Mynaric.
“These systems will be a central component of both government and commercial satellite constellations. I thank the entire team that, working closely with our key customers, has made the achievement of this milestone possible and opens a new chapter for Mynaric.”
Dcubed receives ESA support for in-space manufacturing
Structures in space require a lot of energy even without laser communication, and this is often provided by solar modules. However, bringing these into space is complex because rigid structures require a lot of space. For this reason, foldable solar modules have become established in the past. Actuators then enable their deployment, controlling the mechanisms. Munich startup Dcubed has become known for such actuators and recently even made it into NASA’s “Small Spacecraft Technology: State-of-the-Art Report”.
But Dcubed’s plans go even further. The new space startup wants to present the world’s first solar module manufactured in space next year. A demonstration planned for February 2025 is intended to show how the back structure is 3D-printed directly onto an ultra-thin solar array while being deployed in orbit. The in-space manufacturing system (ISM) will be integrated directly into a spacecraft, which should reduce mass and weight. Once manufactured, the solar array should produce more than 100 W of energy. The in-orbit demonstration is supported by the ESA’s Scaleup Program.
Unio introduces new solution
New space startup Unio was founded in 2022 as a joint venture of Isar Aerospace, Reflex Aerospace, Mynaric and Ses. The Munich startup’s goal is to build Europe’s first sovereign, commercial satellite constellation for fast, powerful and secure connectivity. With Unio Move, the company has presented an initial solution for this. Behind the name is an integrated turnkey data service solution that bridges the connectivity gap between 5G and satellite networks. This plays an important role in enabling solutions such as connected driving in rural areas without good network coverage.
Katrin Bacic, CEO of Unio, says:
“Unio Move breaks through the 15-year connectivity barrier by seamlessly bridging space and Earth. This integration is a decisive moment to enable next-generation digital applications and ensure continuous connectivity for vehicles and high-value mobile goods around the world.”
New customer for Ororatech
Ororatech welcomes a further important customer with the Green+ Programme in its portfolio. The Munich new space startup is known for its early warning system for forest and land fires. Since 2022, it has also been gradually building its own satellite network. Ororatech’s customers include, among others, SOPFEU, the fire department of the Canadian province of Quebec, as well as the European Union as part of the ESA’s Copernicus Contributing Mission (CCM). Now the Green+ Programme joins as another significant partner.
The program, launched in 2022, has set itself the task of securing all subnational protected areas and creating greater nature conservation incentives. The organization’s stated goal is to increase the number of protected areas to 30 percent by 2030. Ororatech will now support Green+ in protecting millions of hectares of protected areas from forest fires. In doing so, the Munich company also contributes to the preservation of species-rich and irreplaceable carbon stocks in South America and beyond, which is accompanied by the CC35 Secretariat. CC35 is the association of all capital cities of the American double continent.
New partners for Reflex Aerospace and DeltaVision
Reflex Aerospace has found a new important partner in Flexell Space from South Korea. Reflex Aerospace, based in Berlin and Munich, is working to improve satellite design and enable series production of custom-built satellites. Flexell Space from Seongnam, in turn, has developed cutting-edge solar energy technology with reduced mass while increasing durability and efficiency. By signing a letter of intent, the two companies are now announcing that they will integrate Flexell’s solar cells into the satellite platforms manufactured by Reflex.
And DeltaVision also has reason to celebrate a new partner. The Munich startup, which develops solenoid valves, pressure valves and electromotive pressure regulators for the regulation of cryogenic and high-pressure liquids, has convinced Indian company Ducon Infratechnologies. Together, the two companies want to develop and offer innovative fluid control solutions for rocket propellant propulsion systems and hydrogen fuel supply systems for the Indian market. The partners are focused not only on the space industry but also on hydrogen infrastructure in India.
DeltaVision also works with another Munich new space startup: The Exploration Company is developing its own space capsule under the name Nyx. It is intended to transport cargo and eventually humans into space in the future to supply space stations and conduct long-distance research missions. The spacecraft is to be reusable multiple times and refueled in orbit. The development process of Nyx recently experienced a turning point when the startup decided to use liquid methane instead of water as a coolant. In developing the valves required for this, The Exploration Company and DeltaVision are working closely together.
