AEROSPACE
Businesswire | May 30, 2023
Momentus Inc. ("Momentus" or the "Company"), a U.S. commercial space company that offers orbital transportation and in-space infrastructure services, has signed a contract with Lunasonde to deliver the Picacho CubeSat to orbit.
Lunasonde is a sub-surface imaging company with the goal of making underground resources – like water and minerals – easier to find. The Picacho CubeSat is a technology demonstration of Lunasonde’s sensors. It will measure the power spectral density of low-frequency radio signals in the ionosphere, which will help inform designs for the company’s future satellites. Picacho will fly on the Vigoride-7 spacecraft targeted to launch on the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission in October 2023.
"With more affordable and reliable access to space comes more impactful and dynamic uses of the space environment,” said Momentus Chief Commercial Officer Chris Kinman. "We thank Lunasonde for their trust and the Momentus team is dedicated to making the orbital delivery of their payload a seamless part of their mission.”
"We are excited to partner with Momentus on this mission,” said Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lunasonde Jeremiah Pate. “The responsive and versatile nature of the Vigoride platform has been a fantastic opportunity for our Picacho technology demonstrator, which will pave the way for Lunasonde’s groundbreaking insights into the Earth’s subsurface environment.”
About Momentus
Momentus is a U.S. commercial space company that offers in-space infrastructure services, including in-space transportation, hosted payloads and in-orbit services. Momentus believes it can make new ways of operating in space possible with its planned in-space transfer and service vehicles that will be powered by an innovative water plasma-based propulsion system.
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AIR TRANSPORT
PRnewswire | May 29, 2023
GenH2, an industry leader in hydrogen infrastructure solutions, has executed an MOU with hydrogen-electric propulsion developer ZeroAvia to develop liquid hydrogen aviation infrastructure solutions for use in airport environments.ZeroAvia is developing the first practical zero-emission aviation powertrain to provide scalable, truly clean aviation by replacing conventional combustion engines.ZeroAvia's hydrogen-electric engine uses fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen fuel, before using that electricity to power electric motors that turn the aircraft propellers.
The company is first targeting retrofit of its hydrogen-electric engines with existing fixed-wing and rotorcraft airframes to reduce time to market, while also partnering with clean-sheet designers. ZeroAvia plans for certification of its ZA600, 600kW 9-19 seat engine as early as 2025, before certifying the ZA2000 engine for up to 80 seat regional turboprops by 2027.
GenH2 offers Hydrogen liquefaction, storage and dispensing systems ranging from 20kg/day up to 5000 Kg/day that are capable of working airside as a ground support refueling unit and as a primary source of LH2 fuel in support of airport operations. GenH2's technology allows liquid hydrogen utilizers to break traditional geographic constraints so that they can get liquid on demand and wherever their businesses require.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with ZeroAvia to develop airside LH2 infrastructure solutions that will establish the foundation for dedicated ground support for ZeroAvia aircraft," said Greg Gosnell, CEO of GenH2. "ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation and has proven hydrogen is the likeliest fuel source for zero-emission propulsion. The combination of the technologies from ZeroAvia and GenH2 will speed time to market and accessibility for aviation advanced clean energy."
"Today, aviation is the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions, and without radical change, its share of global climate impact is expected to be more than a quarter of all human activity by 2050," said Arnab Chatterjee, Vice President of Infrastructure, ZeroAvia. "We are excited to partner with GenH2 because their liquefaction capability will further support our mission in demonstrating that hydrogen-electric propulsion is the only way to scale truly clean aviation for commercial use."
About ZeroAvia
ZeroAvia is a leader in zero-emission aviation, focused on hydrogen-electric propulsion as the key to delivering clean aviation. The company is developing two engine classes initially, targeting a 300-mile range in 9–19 seat aircraft by 2025, and up to 700-mile range in 40–80 seat aircraft by 2027. Based in the US and the UK, ZeroAvia has already secured experimental certificates for three prototype aircraft from the CAA and FAA, passed significant flight test milestones, secured a number of key partnerships with major aircraft OEMs, secured $10B in pre-orders from a number of the major global airlines, and is on track for commercial operations in 2025. The company's expanding UK operations are supported by grants from UK's Aerospace Technology Institute and Innovate UK, and ZeroAvia is part of the UK Government's Jet Zero Council.
About GenH2
GenH2 is a technology leader in hydrogen infrastructure systems for advanced clean energy. GenH2 solutions will allow for safe liquefaction, storage, and distribution of liquid hydrogen. The company will focus on mass-producing light-scale equipment to speed infrastructure buildout and make hydrogen accessible for everyday use around the globe. The Titusville, Florida-headquartered technology team includes former NASA researchers and developers who possess decades of experience researching, engineering, and building hydrogen solutions.
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AIR TRANSPORT
PRnewswire | May 26, 2023
Stratolaunch, LLC ("Stratolaunch") today announced that it has received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware to acquire Virgin Orbit's modified Boeing 747 and its related parts and equipment, marking an expansion of Stratolaunch's air-launch fleet. The acquisition is expected to close by July 31, 2023.
Stratolaunch is a technology accelerator that enables reusable and routine hypersonic testing through world-class aerospace vehicles and in-flight test capabilities. Upon closing of the acquisition, the additional aircraft will be repurposed as a launch platform for Stratolaunch's Talon-A reusable hypersonic testbeds and is expected to be fully operational in 2024. The expansion of Stratolaunch's fleet will increase its in-flight test capacity and ability to support government and commercial customers globally.
"The addition of this aircraft is a transformational milestone," said Dr. Zachary Krevor, President and CEO of Stratolaunch. "With Roc remaining as our mainstay aircraft, an additional 747 brings expanded capabilities and flexibility to our platform. We will be able to increase both our flight test capacity and reach to become an even stronger partner to global customers."
The acquisition of the modified 747 follows Stratolaunch's first successful Talon-A vehicle separation test on May 13. During the separation release trial, Stratolaunch demonstrated clean and safe separation of hypersonic vehicles and confirmed telemetry between the vehicles and on-the-ground communication assets. With this landmark test complete, Stratolaunch will progress toward its first hypersonic flight of the TA-1 expendable testbed in late summer 2023.
Krevor continued: "The need for hypersonic testing has never been greater and we are committed to fulfilling this national imperative. We are making tremendous strides as we continue to enable the future of hypersonic testing. With the recent successful Talon-A separation test, we are excited to prepare for our first hypersonic flight of the TA-1 testbed."
The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. Following closing of the acquisition, the aircraft will undergo maintenance and modification to accommodate its new hypersonic test mission. The launch platform will also be renamed in the coming months.
About Stratolaunch
Stratolaunch's mission is to advance high-speed technology through innovative design, manufacturing, and operation of world-class aerospace vehicles. Stratolaunch designs, manufactures, and launches aerospace vehicles and technologies to fulfill several important national needs, including the need for reliable, routine access to space and the need to significantly advance the nation’s ability to design and operate hypersonic vehicles.
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