Aerospace and Defense Review : News

York, considered as an evolution in space technology, is one of the fast-growing companies specializing in small satellites. The dimensions offered in the spacecraft will vary from the size of a wine box to a hotel mini-fridge and larger. The company's S-Class platform is similar in size to a regular office desk. Denver-based small satellite manufacturer and operator, York Space Systems, is preparing to launch what it calls the Hydra Mission series. The mission is aimed at getting more customers to space faster. The first of the missions is scheduled to take place in December this year. The company stated that the Hydra series of spacecraft would enable companies to send a full payload or specific parts or components into space. York, considered as an evolution in space technology, is one of the fast-growing companies specializing in small satellites . The dimensions offered in the spacecraft will vary from the size of a wine box to a hotel mini-fridge and larger. The company's S-Class platform is similar in size to a regular office desk. “We want to leverage our open, adaptable spacecraft bus architecture to help the U.S. government and industry accelerate the pace of space development by allowing folks to put new designs for payloads or components up and get flight heritage,” said Melanie Preisser, York’s vice president of national systems. Small satellite services are often leveraged by the military as well as companies dependent on global positioning system technology. The recent advancements in technologies have made small satellites capable of performing functions of much larger satellites at a lower cost and on a shorter production timeline. "Typically, there's a long and somewhat expensive process for getting things ready to qualify for flight and then getting them up to space, and there are long wait times," Preisser said. “And it’s really expensive to get into space, typically.” The company is supposedly offering to prepare the cargo, launch, and operate the satellite for approximately USD 3 million for an entire payload and lower for partial payloads, which could also include cameras to collect data. "Basically, what we're trying to do is create a way to streamline access to space and improve collaboration with the new space industry," said Preisser. York Space systems's goal is to establish a reliable, regular schedule for customers who want to prove their technology and components can operate in space. In May 2019, York launched its first satellite, which is currently still in orbit. York has an ongoing contract with the Air Force for two spacecraft. See also:  Top Aerospace Tech Solution Companies ...Read more

The Air Force staffs around 16,000 personnel that support the five branches and are now part of the new division. Apart from the 45th Space Wing, the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force, Colorado, the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and the 460th Space Wing at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado have also been allocated to the U.S. Space Force. The SpaceX Starlink launch on January 6, marked the first launch of 2020 and also the 45th Space Wings inaugural launch as part of the U.S. Space Force. Headquartered at the Patrick Air Force Base, the 45th Space Wing oversees the preparation and launching of U.S. government and commercial satellites from Cape Canaveral and operates the Eastern Range. It is also one of the five Air Force Space Wings that has been assigned under the U.S. Space Force with effect from December 20, 2019, when President Donald Trump signed the Nation Defense Authorizations Act making the U.S. Space Force the sixth branch of the armed forces. “I’m excited for the 45th Space Wing to be a part of the U.S. Space Force,” wing commander Brig. Gen. Doug Schiess. The space wings functions remain the same despite the addition to the Space Force and will continue doing what it has been doing to date. It will take at least 18 months to sort out the details of how the U.S. Space Force will be structured and staffed. As of now, it will be composed of uniformed and civilian personnel who have worked under the Air Force Space Command . These employees will continue to remain airmen within the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force will figure out the process for service members to leave the Air Force and officially transfer to the U.S. Space Force. The Air Force staffs around 16,000 personnel that support the five branches and are now part of the new division. Apart from the 45th Space Wing, the 30th Space Wing at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, the 21st Space Wing at Peterson Air Force, Colorado, the 50th Space Wing at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, and the 460th Space Wing at Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado have also been allocated to the U.S. Space Force. "The effects the new Space Force will have on Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and Patrick Air Force Base has not been announced yet, but continuing to successfully accomplish the mission without interruption is our top priority," Schiess said. ...Read more

Maxar has been unable to reduce its debt payments significantly and has found it hard to generate funds for the six satellites WorldView Legion imaging constellation that it is building in house. The first of these satellites is scheduled to launch in 2021 onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Maxar Technologies is set to sell its Canadian outfit, MDA, to private equity firms, turning it into a standalone company and providing Maxar with much-needed debt relief. A consortium of firms led by Northern Private Capital has agreed to purchase MDA for a total of USD 765 million. The deal will be completed once the regulatory reviews in both the U.S. and Canada come through. The approval would result in MDA becoming a standalone company with ownership of all Canadian business assets of Maxar, including its notable work in synthetic aperture radar and space robotics technologies. As per estimates, Maxar has a total of 1,900 employees, generating an estimated USD 370 million in revenues and USD 85 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, debt, and amortization. “The sale of MDA furthers execution on the company’s near-term priority of reducing debt and leverage,” said Dan Jablonsky, chief executive of Maxar. "It also provides increased flexibility, range, and focus on taking advantage of substantial growth opportunities across Earth Intelligence and Space Infrastructure categories." Maxar has been unable to reduce its debt payments significantly and has found it hard to generate funds for the six satellites WorldView Legion imaging constellation that it is building in house. The first of these satellites is scheduled to launch in 2021 onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Although the sale will significantly reduce the company's projected revenues and earnings in 2020 and years to come, Maxar believes it can use this reduction in interest payments to offset growth in other parts of the company. “This transaction, when combined with the recently completed sale of real estate in Palo Alto, reduces Maxar’s overall debt by more than $1 billion and significantly reduces Maxar’s leverage ratio," said Biggs Porter, the chief financial officer of Maxar. "We expect the net effect of all these factors to only reduce our prior guidance for Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow generation in the 2022 to 2023 time period by approximately $50 million." The deal separates what was at the heart of Maxar Technologies. MDA was founded in 1969 as MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates, and went on to become a leading Canadian space company, with expertise in space robotics and imaging radar systems. After the deal goes through, MDA will continue to have ties with Maxar Technologies as a supplier of components, which was valued at USD 78 million in 2019 by Maxar. See Also: Real Estate Business Review  ...Read more