BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Yank Technologies, the developer of disruptive long range, high power wireless charging solutions, has been awarded a $1 million Phase III Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) commercialization contract from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to prepare and advance Dust-Tolerant Resonant Connectors for bi-directional vehicle-to-vehicle power transfer on lunar and Mars surfaces.

Building upon their successful NASA Phase I SBIR contract delivery, the NASA Phase III commercial contract for Bi-Directional 6kW Dust-Tolerant Resonant Connectors significantly advances power interfaces for upcoming Moon and Mars missions. In collaboration with NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), Yank Technologies will be advancing these novel systems to provide up to six kilowatts of bi-directional power so NASA astronauts can reliably and repeatedly charge lunar and Mars vehicles from other vehicles.

Regolith and dust storms create major operational and reliability challenges on the Moon and Mars because the exposed connection points of traditional connectors are vulnerable to dust and regolith accumulation. Currently, traditional connectors have a very limited cycle life in these harsh environments and can only be used several times before being irreparably damaged. These challenges present a significant risk to NASA missions by inhibiting repeatable access to power due to regolith's strong insulating properties. Wireless power transfer technology is a viable candidate that mitigates this challenge and can provide a long-lasting reliable solution.

Bi-Directional 6kW Dust-Tolerant Resonant Connectors are extremely efficient interlocking coils that are completely insulated, with no exposed conductive terminals, to operate effectively in extremely dusty and dirty environments. This makes them ideal for long-term habitats and space exploration.

Leveraging their wireless power expertise, Yank Technologies has successfully completed multiple NASA contracts for developing reliable and durable power interfaces in extreme environments. They develop customizable wireless power solutions for industrial, automotive, consumer, and space applications. With twenty patents granted and approximately fifty pending, Yank Technologies eliminates unreliable electrical connections to strengthen durability, increase operational efficiency, and unlock breakthrough product features. Their highly reliable industrial solutions enhance robotic autonomy in factories by charging AMRs enroute to reduce downtime and by wirelessly powering and communicating quality control test functions in real-time.

Source: Yank Technologies
Associated URL: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yank-technologies-awarded-nasa-phase-iii-commercialization-contract-to-advance-dust-tolerant-resonant-connectors-for-moon-and-mars-missions-302619263.html

STOCKHOLM -- Saab, a major defense and security company, has made a strategic investment of $10 million in Pythom, a space technology company of Swedish origin. Saab acted as the lead investor in Pythom's recent funding round.

Pythom, with operations in Sweden and the United States, is focused on developing lightweight and rapidly deployable rockets. The company's goal is to make access to space more flexible, affordable, and resilient through its approach of emphasizing affordability, simplicity, and speed in rocket development.

This investment aligns with Saab’s strategy to address capability gaps in the space domain and accelerate innovation in areas deemed critical to national security. The move is also intended to strengthen Sweden’s overall space capabilities and contribute to meeting emerging global defense requirements related to space. The funding is specifically aimed at accelerating the development and deployment of Pythom's launch systems.

This move directly addresses the growing requirement for flexible and resilient access to space. For defense and national security organizations, relying on large, fixed launch sites and lengthy preparation times presents a vulnerability. By investing in Pythom's rapidly deployable, lightweight rocket technology, Saab is supporting a solution that could quickly replace or augment critical satellite capabilities in a crisis, enhancing the space resilience of Sweden and its allies. The investment also positions Saab as a key player in the commercialization and development of next-generation space-related defense infrastructure in Europe.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://www.saab.com/

ROME - On November 14, Avio and ArianeGroup have concluded an important agreement that renews their industrial cooperation to secure Europe’s independent access to space. Europropulsion, a joint venture equally owned by ArianeGroup and Avio, will supply P160C solid rocket motors for the stabilized exploitation phase of Europe’s heavy launcher Ariane 6. The contract secures the production of the P160C for the next years up to 2029 and is an important milestone for Ariane 6.

Developed jointly by ArianeGroup and Avio through Europropulsion, the P160C is a common solid rocket motor for boosters on Ariane 6 and for Vega C first stage, as a shared building block of the two European launcher families. This new motor has a significantly increased performance compared to the current Ariane 6 and Vega C boosters, and was ground qualified in 2025. The first Ariane 6 launch with the P160C is planned for the second quarter 2026 in the Ariane 6 configuration with four boosters.

As part of the commercial agreement, Avio will also supply additional liquid oxygen turbopumps for ArianeGroup’s Vulcain engine that equips the first stage of Ariane 6. ArianeGroup will supply a range of components and equipment for the Vega C launcher. The cooperation builds on a longstanding industrial partnership between ArianeGroup and Avio and gives visibility to both companies for the next years, at least up to 2029.

Source: Avio
Associated URL: https://www.avio.com/press-release/avio-and-arianegroup-sign-contract-ariane-6-stabilized-production-phase-valued-over