Aerospace and Defense Review : News

In a deal announced on June 7, Astra will buy Apollo Fusion for $30 million in shares and $20 million in cash. The agreement calls for an extra $95 million in earn-out incentives if Apollo Fusion meets specified technical and revenue targets . As part of its drive to construct vertically-integrated space systems, launch vehicle producer Astra is acquiring Apollo Fusion, a business that develops electric propulsion systems for spacecraft. In a deal announced on June 7, Astra will buy Apollo Fusion for $30 million in shares and $20 million in cash. The agreement calls for an extra $95 million in earn-out incentives if Apollo Fusion meets specified technical and revenue targets. Astra will use Apollo Fusion's Apollo Constellation Engine electric propulsion systems in satellite buses it is developing to provide clients with a complete solution. Astra revealed its satellite aspirations in February when it announced a merger with Holicity, a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). The acquisition will be completed after Astra's merger with Holicity is completed later this year, according to the firms. Both businesses have stated that they intend to mass-produce their systems. Astra aims to accomplish daily launches by the middle of the decade, whereas Apollo Fusion has prioritized production agreements that will allow it to mass-produce thrusters in enormous quantities. Astra roadmap The acquisition of Apollo Fusion by Astra is the latest in a string of events for the company. It confirmed a contract with Planet on May 18 to launch multiple imaging satellites for Planet in 2022. Kemp stated in the interview that Astra has over 50 launches under contract, serving a mix of government and commercial customers, albeit Planet is the company's first publicly announced customer. "Planet is probably the pioneer in the small satellite space," he stated. "We couldn't be more proud to have them as the first customer we could announce." Astra also said that it has a plan in place to construct larger vehicles capable of carrying up to 500 kilos into orbit. The business did not reveal any technical information about the plan, nor did it provide a timetable for constructing those larger vehicles. Kemp stated that the roadmap was informed by proposals for numerous mega-constellations. "We want to converge with what these megaconstellation operators are designing and flying in 2023," he stated. "It's about being the most responsive launch service provider and also being the best way for us to build our own platform." See Also:   Top 10 Esri Consulting/Services Companies ...Read more

Aviation simulations have a lower noise level, allowing the instructor and student to communicate effectively and help the student focus on critical skills they need to understand. Flight simulation training has progressed significantly, making it impossible to consider aviation education in any field from military to commercial flight. Learning to control an aircraft is an important and serious task, and the implementation of simulation technology has fundamentally changed the way it is conducted. A simulator is a better learning environment than a real cockpit as there is no loss of life and machinery in the simulation training. Here are four benefits of aviation simulations: Basic Comfort The simulated environment's regulated temperature and humidity are more conducive to learning since learners who are distracted by uncomfortable temperatures can concentrate on what they are doing. Although these distractions need to be dealt with, it does not need to be an issue during the simulation training as the basics are being learned. Immediate Feedback A simulation can be stopped or paused at any given time for further instructions, such as in the middle of a maneuver. This enables the instructor to resolve issues instantly and provide meaningful feedback. A lesson or training can also be repeated many times needs in a shorter span of time. Lower Noise Aviation simulations have a lower level of noise, allowing the instructor and student to communicate effectively and help the student to focus on critical skills they need to understand although, prospective pilots have to learn to deal with the noises when flying a real plane, simulations are helpful to help gain knowledge as much as possible before flying for real. Time Factor A simulation eliminates the need to start and warm up the actual aircraft or fly to a specified area to train and is not based on weather conditions. The training can be achieved in a short time when these issues are not included in the training. ...Read more

IIG will supply a wide variety of IT services and solutions to support intelligence needs for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which can also award work under this contract. Intelligent Innovations Group (IIG), a partnership comprising Argus Secure Technology LLC and Aveshka has been awarded a role supporting the US Defense Intelligence Agency's 12.6 billion dollars Solutions for Information Technology Enterprise III (SITE III) IDIQ contract (DIA). IIG will supply a wide variety of IT services and solutions to support intelligence needs for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), which can also award work under this contract. "Modernizing IT enterprise systems for the government is a major priority right now and we are thrilled to continue actively supporting DIA in their endeavors to streamline their IT approach," said Demetrios Bursenos, Argus Managing Partner. "We are also eager to expand our services to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency as an IT solutions provider supporting the critical missions and projects that impact our warfighters and our country." "We are excited to work with Argus through this joint venture as Intelligent Innovations Group," says Aveshka President and CEO Girish Jindia. "Together, our expertise and capability offerings are a force multiplier that effectively spans over the broad range of IT work DIA requires. We both have had successful track records leading IT engagements and serving DIA and various entities within the government sector." As part of SITE III, IIG, Argus, and Aveshka have combined their core competencies, including IT planning and project management, application development, cybersecurity, network defense, compliance, and information assurance, cloud computing, and network services. ...Read more