. 24/7 Space News .
SPACEMART
Start of the production of the Skylark Constellation
by Staff Writers
Cannes, France (SPX) Oct 28, 2020

The Skylark smallsats will be based on LeoStella's LEO-100 Multi-Mission Bus and a compact optical instrument.

Thales Alenia Space, the Joint Venture between Thales (67 %) and Leonardo (33 %), signed the first phase of a contract with NorthStar Earth and Space Inc., the Canadian space-based information services company, to start the development and production of the first three smallsat satellites that are part of the world's first and most advanced commercial space-based environmental and near-space monitoring system.

In November 2018, the Space Alliance, formed by Telespazio (Leonardo 67 % and Thales 33 %) and Thales Alenia Space announced to have taken a stake in NorthStar Earth and Space. Today, the industrial journey begins for the Skylark constellation, with Thales Alenia Space being responsible for the space system activities by providing the payloads alongside with LeoStella (a joint venture between BlackSky and Thales Alenia Space) providing the satellite platform and the assembly, integration and test facilities based in Tukwila for final assembly and delivery.

"Through the Space Alliance, Thales Alenia Space is proud to play a key role in the NorthStar's success. NorthStar's Skylark space-based system will generate unique and outstanding data to build value added services for Space Situational Awareness. Skylark signifies a first step in providing much needed timely and precise information to the satellite operators", declared Herve Derrey, CEO of Thales Alenia Space.

The ability to view, understand and map the physical location of natural and man-made objects in orbit around the Earth (currently there are more than 600 thousand objects in low Earth orbit with billions of dollars of space assets at risk from collisions) is now becoming a real concern for all private or governmental satellite owners and operators.

Tracking resident space objects from space with optical sensors will enhance and complement existing systems. By observing from multiple perspectives in space, Skylark satellites will significantly improve tracking of objects, the number of detected debris and the ability to predict potential collisions.

"NorthStar welcomes the world class expertise of Thales Alenia Space and LeoStella to our mission of delivering safe spaceflight operations in the New Space Economy. Together we look forward to achieving a future of peaceful and sustainable space for all", added - Stewart Bain, CEO and co-founder, NorthStar Earth and Space.

The Skylark smallsats will be based on LeoStella's LEO-100 Multi-Mission Bus and a compact optical instrument.

"The NorthStar space situational awareness constellation brings unique capabilities of free-flying Non-Earth Imaging satellites to the commercial sector. LeoStella is proud to be part of the team and to bring our multi-mission satellite platforms to support this important mission." concluded Mike Hettich CEO of LeoStella.


Related Links
Thales Alenia Space
The latest information about the Commercial Satellite Industry


Thanks for being there;
We need your help. The SpaceDaily news network continues to grow but revenues have never been harder to maintain.

With the rise of Ad Blockers, and Facebook - our traditional revenue sources via quality network advertising continues to decline. And unlike so many other news sites, we don't have a paywall - with those annoying usernames and passwords.

Our news coverage takes time and effort to publish 365 days a year.

If you find our news sites informative and useful then please consider becoming a regular supporter or for now make a one off contribution.
SpaceDaily Monthly Supporter
$5+ Billed Monthly


paypal only
SpaceDaily Contributor
$5 Billed Once


credit card or paypal


SPACEMART
Ban on import of communication satellites opens up opportunity says ISRO chief
Chennai, India (SPX) Aug 24, 2020
The government's decision to ban import of communication satellites throws up huge opportunity for private players, said K. Sivan, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary, Department of Space. Speaking at the webinar on 'Unlocking India's Potential in Space Sector' on Thursday, Sivan said the decision throws up a huge opportunity for private players, ISRO and NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL). Recently the government had banned import of 101 defence items to make the Indi ... read more

Comment using your Disqus, Facebook, Google or Twitter login.



Share this article via these popular social media networks
del.icio.usdel.icio.us DiggDigg RedditReddit GoogleGoogle

SPACEMART
NASA, Department of Energy expand on more than 50 years of collaboration

NSF and CASIS select five transport phenomena projects for flight to ISS

Cygnus delivers slew of research programs to Space Station

NASA to commercialize Near-Earth communications services

SPACEMART
Defense Dept taps Texas A and M system to lead US consortium for hypersonic systems

UB awarded $8.5 million to improve 'hybrid' space rockets

ABL Space Systems performs integrated stage test of the RS1 launch vehicle

The Propulsion We're Supplying, It's Electrifying

SPACEMART
Geologists simulate soil conditions to help grow plants on Mars

Sensors on Mars 2020 Spacecraft Answer Long-Distance Call From Earth

Leonardo at work on robotic arms for the NASA and ESA Mars Sample Return mission

Perseverance rover bringing 3D-printed metal parts to Mars

SPACEMART
China Focus: 18 reserve astronauts selected for China's manned space program

State-owned space giant prepares for giant step in space

China's Xichang launch center to carry out 10 missions by end of March

Eighteen new astronauts chosen for China's space station mission

SPACEMART
SpaceX launches public beta test of Starlink Internet service

Budding space entrepreneurs wow industry experts

ESA Masterclass full series: Leadership at Mission Control

SpaceX launches cluster of Starlink satellites

SPACEMART
D-Orbit secures 15M euro financing from EIB

Rad-Hardened motor controller consolidates essential functions into a single chip

NorthStar building world's first satellite constellation to combat imminent threat of space collisions

Time crystals lead researchers to future computational work

SPACEMART
Microbial diversity below seafloor is as rich as on Earth's surface

Data reveals evidence of molecular absorption in the atmosphere of a hot Neptune

AI and photonics join forces to make it easier to find 'new Earths'

Smile, wave: Some exoplanets may be able to see us, too

SPACEMART
Lighting a Path to Find Planet Nine

The mountains of Pluto are snowcapped, but not for the same reasons as on Earth

Arrokoth: Flattening of a snowman

SwRI study describes discovery of close binary trans-Neptunian object









The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.