Spacecraft, Launch Vehicles & Satellites

BREMEN, Germany - Dassault Aviation and OHB announce that they are teaming up to propose to the European Space Agency (ESA) a multipurpose spaceplane VORTEX-S, capable of round-transport to space stations and of autonomous orbital free flyer missions, together with a number of other European partners.

Discussions are currently underway with other leading European space companies to expand the consortium for a project designed to significantly advance Europe’s future in the field of space mobility.

Source: OHB
Associated URL: https://www.ohb.de/en/news/dassault-aviation-und-ohb-schliessen-partnerschaft-zur-angebotseinreichung-des-mehrzweck-raumfahrzeugs-vortex-s-bei-der-esa

MCLEAN, Va. -- Iridium Communications Inc. has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, the operator of the global space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system. The acquisition consolidates Aireon’s surveillance and data services into Iridium’s existing satellite communications and positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) network.

The transaction moves Aireon’s technology, which currently operates as a payload on Iridium’s satellite constellation, under the full control of the parent network. The Aireon system is certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and monitors approximately 190,000 flights daily. This system allows for real-time tracking of aircraft identity, altitude, and speed with total global coverage, including remote and oceanic regions.

As part of the acquisition, several major air navigation service providers (ANSPs) that were founding investors in Aireon, including NAV CANADA and NATS of the United Kingdom, will divest their stakes. Despite the change in ownership, both NAV CANADA and NATS have agreed to extend their data services contracts through 2035. These providers manage the North Atlantic Tracks, the most heavily trafficked oceanic airspace in the world, and were the first to implement space-based ADS-B tracking. Other departing shareholders include AirNav Ireland, ENAV of Italy, and Naviair of Denmark.

The integration of Aireon allows Iridium to offer a centralized platform for aviation safety that combines aircraft tracking, pilot communications, and GPS integrity monitoring. The combined company plans to continue the development of new technologies, such as space-based VHF communications and specialized data analytics for turbulence detection and spoofing identification.

This acquisition signals a shift from a consortium-based utility model to a centralized commercial platform for global air traffic management. By bringing surveillance and communication under one roof, Iridium is positioning itself as the primary gatekeeper for the data infrastructure required to manage increasingly crowded and autonomous airspaces. For the aviation industry, this consolidation ensures the long-term stability of space-based tracking while providing a streamlined path for the rollout of next-generation safety protocols that do not rely on traditional ground-based radar.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: ww.iridium.com

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. - Northrop Grumman Corporation is introducing the LR-450, a compact, lightweight positioning and navigation system built for a variety of space missions. The LR-450 delivers continuous, precise spacecraft tracking and orientation even when satellite signals are unavailable. The new system is now available worldwide for purchase and integration across space platforms.

Key Features:

· High-precision inertial navigation: Uses milli-Hemispherical Resonating Gyroscopes (mHRGs) to measure rotation and orientation, providing reliable, continuous navigation in space without relying on external signals to function.

· Proven spaceflight heritage: Builds on Northrop Grumman’s trusted HRG technology that has logged more than 70 million hours in orbit and supported missions like the James Webb Space Telescope. These sensors are smaller versions of the high-performance HRGs found in Northrop Grumman’s renowned SSIRU system.

· Compact and lightweight design: Fits easily into diverse spacecraft configurations, increasing payload flexibility and reducing costs while maintaining accuracy and reliability.

· Extended mission endurance: Designed for millions of hours of uninterrupted operation, enabling long-duration deep space, planetary and Earth orbit missions. By delivering precise performance at a competitive cost, this solution makes high-reliability space navigation available to a broader range of applications.

Northrop Grumman leads the industry in positioning, navigation and timing solutions for demanding environments - from underwater to outer space. The LR-450 leverages advanced manufacturing techniques to ensure spacecraft maintain course and orientation without external dependencies.

The core of the LR-450 system is its milli-Hemispherical Resonating Gyroscopes, which are scaled-down versions of the high-performance HRGs used in Northrop Grumman’s Spacecraft Stellar Inertial Reference Unit (SSIRU). These sensors provide high reliability and precision, which are critical for spacecraft navigation.

Northrop Grumman’s scalable, cost-effective designs allow the LR-450 to support a variety of missions, including deep space probes, planetary landers, and satellites in Earth orbit. With compact size and low power requirements, the LR-450 offers engineering teams greater flexibility to meet specific spacecraft designs and mission objectives.

Source: Northrop Grumman
Associated URL: https://news.northropgrumman.com/navigation-systems/northrop-grumman-sets-new-standard-in-space-positioning-and-navigation