We’re halfway through 2022. The year has passed, but it has been full of important news and a first in the space industry. Here is our summary of what has been going on extraterrestrial over the past six months.
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The year started with great fanfare like JWST It unfolded successfully, reached its new home a million miles from Earth, and began preparing its instruments for scientific operations.
In February, the FAA granted the first simplified Part 450 license to Astra, opening the doors to faster and more efficient launch authorizations for commercial rocket companies. Jared Isaacman and SpaceX also announced their ambition Polaris program.
Russia invaded Ukraine at the end of February (and the war lasted for 126 days). Commercial satellite operators stepped onto the board, bringing satellite images in the forefront OSINT meeting with the Ukrainian government needs space intelligence. On the broadband front, SpaceX and iridium Send terminals and satellite phones / push-to-talk devices to Ukraine.
In March, Astra first reached orbit, and President Biden finally Occurred The fiscal year 22 federal appropriations bill was turned into law.
Fundraising coverage: radians She came out of stealth, announcing her plans for space planes and a $27.5 million seed. electronic space raised an initial round of $50 million, Aerospacelab raised 40 million euros in Series B, cesium astro He raised $60 million in Series B, and space slingshot He raised $25 million from Series A-1.
And that’s not all, folks – for more details, check out A brief report on the news of the first quarter of 2022.
Move right to Q2 and April
With the Space Seminar landing in the middle of the month, we’ve seen a flurry of blockbuster ads. The most important one was buying the block from Amazon One of the most commercial launches ever, with Project Kuiper booking up to 83 flights from ULA, Arianespace and Blue Origin. Space tourism was a moment cosmic vision And the space perspective Take action.
New rocket engines were tested using spacerid And the launcher All announcement of major milestones. Ursa . main production units derail Startup in Colorado inked Huge engine deal with Phantom Space.
White House announce Imposing a unilateral ban on direct-boarding anti-satellite tests, paving the way for other countries to announce a similar ban.
On the war front, loss Antonov planes In Ukraine, shipping of GEO components affected as satellite operators looked for other ways to move flight units. ESA too Withdraw One of the lunar missions of Roscosmos. HawkEye360 and NSSA Launched The initiative to assist Ukraine in the space industry.
Fundraising coverage: Consteller acquired ScanWorld Hyperspectral Imaging Company, Capella Starch A $97 million funding round, RFA win – win 11 million euros in a German mini-bomber competition.
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rocket lab try to Its first helicopter captured the first Electron stage in the early days of May, and ended up shooting down the stage before it was fully secured. Boeing starliner The capsule also finally made it to the International Space Station. It was on the ESA maneuver A satellite around a piece of debris created in the Russian ASAT test last November. NRO announce Its largest ever contract to purchase satellite imagery. finally, conveyor -5 Put Package From satellites, spacecraft and locomotives to orbit.
Fundraising coverage: Three payment startups – Firehawk, Adranos and X-Bow Systems –Starch Series A Tours. Astroforge Starch Initial round of $13 million.
June
NASA granted Its commercial EVA spacesuit contracts are with Axiom and Collins Aerospace. Sony has opened the doors to new laser communications Business. Ursa Major a statement Arroway’s new engine design. FAA, at long last, chest Its discovery had no significant environmental impact on the Starship, removing the biggest obstacle separating the giant Mars rocket from launch. SFL made a passive wreck out of orbit For the first time using drag sails. Sierra Space announces its own astronaut training program. And NASA launched a rocket lab capstonea pilot mission to a unique lunar orbit.
Fundraising coverage: ion x Starch A financing round of 3.8 million euros. quads Receive €500,000 in ESA financing.
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Wow, that was a lot. Here are more launches, exciting firsts, and positive space vibes for the back half of 2022!
This story Originally appeared on me payload It is reproduced here with permission.
