Military/Aerospace Electronics

SaxaVord Spaceport, in the Shetland Islands, has completed a test exercise at its site, up to the point of launch. Dubbed “Operation Freya”, it was intended to allow for a full testing of processes and procedures that are being developed for eventual spaceflight later this year. Specifically the spaceport is on the Lamba Ness peninsula in Unst, which is currently ...

The air industry is planning to tackle sustainability with autonomous operations, writes Caroline Hayes. The airline industry has come under a lot of criticism from environmentalists because, while everyone loves to travel, air travel has a huge carbon footprint. The general consensus seems to be that other people need to reduce the amount of time they spend in the air. ...

Astrocast, the Swiss nanosatellite IoT network operator, has announced a partnership with ArrowSpot, a supply chain logistics specialist. The agreement will see Astrocast integrating its Satellite IoT (SatIoT) technology into ArrowSpot’s tracking devices and its ArroWatch application. Specifically, Astrocast’s technology will be in ArrowSpot’s new ArrowTrack SAT device (pictured), which combines cellular and satellite communication to manage containers moving around ...

The success of a recent Virgin Orbit mission brings the first UK launch of satellites a step closer. On Saturday 2 July, Virgin Orbit successfully completed its fourth satellite delivery mission, which was a night launch from Mojave in California via Cosmic Girl, a modfied Boeing 747. It was seen as a preliminary stage before the company’s planned launch from ...

Avio, the Italian aerospace engine specialist, has won contracts worth €338 million from the Italian government to boost the country’s space industry and liquid propulsion expertise. They are the first two contracts of Italy’s implementation of the “Next Gen EU” initiatives for Space – with the European Space Agency (ESA) as the official Contracting Authority – and they are looking to ...

The European Space Agency (ESA) has awarded a contract to Airbus in the UK to build its Earth Explorer FORUM satellite, due to launch in 2027. The deal is worth €160 million. Airbus in Stevenage will lead the development of the satellite, with Airbus in Germany responsible for the Instrument signal detection chain, and Airbus in France providing platform product ...

Leonardo is highlighting a ‘common data environment’ has gone live at its electronics sites across the UK in Edinburgh, Luton, Basildon and Southampton. It promises a more data-driven approach to design and manufacturing, says the company. The goal is to speed up development and cut costs for engineers researching and building technology such as radars and protective countermeasures for aircraft. ...

The Danish company QuadSAT – which uses drones for the test and measurement of satellite antennas – has received additional funding of €500,000 by the European Space Agency (ESA). Under the agency’s ARTES Core Competitiveness programme, the startup will develop, validate and certify its UAV testing system, to enable accurate satellite antenna testing and calibration. “ARTES Core Competitiveness programme was ...

Satellite Vu has announced it will be working with Orbit Logic’s collection planning software for the operation of its planned constellation of high resolution thermal imaging satellites. The UK company’s stated aim is to monitor the temperature of any building on the planet in near real-time using mid-wave infrared (MWIR) imaging. Specifically, following this agreement, it will be using Orbit ...

The UK’s Defence and Security Accelerator has launched a new competition, involving blood, sweat, tears, saliva: Generation-after-next Wearable Technologies. As the name suggests, the aim is to encourage and find “innovative wearable technologies that focus on biocompatible materials that access information present within an individual’s bodily fluids”. Body fluids Up to £750k of funding will be available, via the Defence ...