Space News Roundup: Launches, Technology, Policy, and Science (June 2024)
Table of Contents
– Launches & Missions
– SpaceX: Starlink, Axiom-4, and Quantum Milestones
– China: Long March, Zhongxing-9C, and Laser Breakthroughs
– Europe: Earth Observation, Navigation, and Biomass
– Other Notable Launches: Bahrain, Greece, and Australia
– Satellite Technology & Innovation
– Quantum and AI in Orbit
– SAR, VDES, and Maritime Surveillance
– Reusable and Modular Satellite Platforms
– Satellite Internet: Starlink, Rassvet, and Global Race
– Earth Observation & Environmental Monitoring
– ESA Biomass: Forests and Carbon
– EarthDaily, TANGO, and National Missions
– AI, Remote Sensing, and Public Services
– Policy, Regulation & Space Economy
– EU Space Act and Space Debris
– Commercial Space Investment: Tokenization and ETFs
– National Security and Defense
– International Legal and Environmental Issues
– Science Highlights
– Astronomy: Radio Bursts and Exoplanets
– Planetary Science: Mars, Europa, and the Moon
– Space Weather and Anomalies
– Industry Trends & Market Outlook
– Obituaries & Legacy
– Summary & Outlook
Launches & Missions
SpaceX: Starlink, Axiom-4, and Quantum Milestones
Starlink Expansion
SpaceX continues its relentless pace, launching 27 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, pushing the active constellation to over 7,800 satellites. The Falcon 9 booster achieved its 20th landing, underscoring SpaceX’s reusability leadership.
– Starlink 10-16 mission launched after a weather delay, marking a doubleheader day with the Axiom-4 mission.
– Starlink’s global coverage now extends to high-speed, low-latency internet in remote and mobile environments, including deployments on Italian high-speed trains and military applications.
Axiom-4: Private Astronauts to the ISS
SpaceX’s Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission sent four astronauts—including firsts for India, Poland, and Hungary—aboard the new Crew Dragon “Grace” to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, led by veteran Peggy Whitson, will conduct over 60 science experiments during a two-week stay, marking a milestone for commercial and international spaceflight.
– The launch drew international crowds and media attention, highlighting the growing role of private and multinational crews in low Earth orbit.
– The mission proceeded amid ongoing ISS air leak concerns, with NASA and Roscosmos monitoring the Zvezda module.
Quantum Leap: First Photonic Quantum Computer in Space
SpaceX’s Transporter-14 mission carried the first photonic quantum computer into orbit, developed by the University of Vienna. This shoebox-sized device enables real-time, on-board data analysis for satellites, promising breakthroughs in secure communications, wildfire monitoring, and deep-space exploration.
Other Notable SpaceX Launches
– EarthDaily Analytics launched its first next-generation Earth observation satellite, aiming for daily, AI-enhanced, scientifically calibrated global imagery.
– Plan-S (Turkey) expanded its IoT satellite fleet with four new launches, enhancing gigabit-level access and technological independence.
– WISeKey and Fossa Systems launched satellites for quantum-resistant communications and IoT connectivity.
Starship Setback
A SpaceX Starship prototype exploded during a test at Starbase, Texas. While no injuries occurred and Elon Musk downplayed the incident, the explosion raises concerns about the timeline for NASA’s Artemis Moon missions and highlights ongoing technical and financial pressures on the Starship program.
China: Long March, Zhongxing-9C, and Laser Breakthroughs
Long March 3B and Zhongxing-9C
China’s Long March 3B successfully launched the Zhongxing-9C satellite for broadcast TV services, using the enhanced Dongfanghong-4 platform and setting new power records. This marks the 582nd Long March launch, reinforcing China’s domestic satellite broadcasting capabilities.
Laser Data Transmission: 5x Faster Than Starlink
Chinese scientists achieved a record-breaking 1 Gbps laser data transmission from a geostationary satellite to Earth—five times faster than Starlink. Using adaptive optics and mode diversity reception, this breakthrough could revolutionize satellite internet, especially in remote areas.
Commercial Space Acceleration
Beijing’s commercial space sector is advancing with flexible solar wing satellites, mass production lines, and innovative supply chains. Companies like GalaxySpace are leading in low-Earth orbit broadband satellites and direct-to-phone connectivity, aiming for reusable rockets by 2026 and a global satellite internet network.
Europe: Earth Observation, Navigation, and Biomass
ESA Biomass and Earth Observation
ESA’s Biomass satellite launched in April 2025, pioneering P-band synthetic aperture radar for 3D forest carbon mapping. Early images reveal the satellite’s ability to penetrate dense canopies, sand, and ice, providing unprecedented data for climate research and forest management.
EarthDaily and TANGO
– EarthDaily Analytics launched its first satellite for a next-gen constellation, delivering daily, AI-ready global imagery for advanced analytics.
– The TANGO mission uses agile nanosatellites to monitor industrial greenhouse gas emissions with high spatial resolution, supporting climate action and emission verification.
Navigation and Maritime Missions
– Rocket Lab will launch two ESA LEO-PNT navigation satellites in December 2024, testing advanced positioning, navigation, and timing services.
– Alén Space launched the SATMAR nanosatellite to validate the VDES standard for bidirectional VHF maritime communications, enhancing safety and sustainability at sea.
– Startical launched its second demonstrator for space-based air traffic management, providing real-time VHF voice and data globally.
Other Notable Launches: Bahrain, Greece, and Australia
– Bahrain launched its first locally developed satellite, Al-Munther, featuring advanced AI for real-time image analysis.
– Greece launched its first microsatellite, DUTHSat-2, for Earth observation and secure communications.
– Australia prepares for its first homegrown orbital rocket launch by Gilmour Space, aiming to establish sovereign launch capability.
Satellite Technology & Innovation
Quantum and AI in Orbit
Quantum Communication and Computing
– QUICK³ nano-satellite (Europe) is testing quantum communication technology using single photons, aiming for unbreakable data security and a future global quantum network.
– The first photonic quantum computer in orbit enables edge computing, processing data directly in space for applications like wildfire monitoring and secure communications.
AI-Driven Platforms
– Maxar’s Sentry platform fuses multi-source satellite data with AI for predictive intelligence, real-time monitoring, and crisis detection.
– Wuhan-1 satellite integrates AI, drones, and video surveillance for real-time farmland protection and land management.
SAR, VDES, and Maritime Surveillance
– ICEYE partnered with NATO and the Royal Netherlands Air Force to provide high-resolution SAR satellite imagery for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
– Kongsberg’s N3X constellation enhances Norway’s maritime domain awareness, detecting both AIS-broadcasting and “dark” vessels.
– Unseenlabs launched BRO-18 for RF ship surveillance, with plans to expand monitoring to land, air, and space domains.
Reusable and Modular Satellite Platforms
– Lux Aeterna raised $4 million to develop a fully reusable satellite platform with heat shield and parachute for safe reentry and multiple missions.
– Roscosmos introduced next-gen stackable memory modules, halving size and weight for Russian satellites.
Satellite Internet: Starlink, Rassvet, and Global Race
– Starlink continues rapid expansion, with direct-to-device services (T-Mobile’s T-Satellite) and deployments in Italy’s high-speed rail and military sectors.
– Russia’s Rassvet constellation, launching December 2025, aims for global broadband with over 250 satellites by 2027 and 900 by 2035.
– Amazon’s Project Kuiper launched its second batch of broadband satellites, advancing its rivalry with Starlink.
– France 2030 will demonstrate 5G connectivity via VLEO satellites, aiming for hybrid terrestrial-space networks by 2030.
Earth Observation & Environmental Monitoring
ESA Biomass: Forests and Carbon
ESA’s Biomass satellite is revolutionizing forest carbon monitoring with its P-band radar, providing:
– 3D mapping of global forests
– Measurement of above-ground biomass and carbon storage
– Penetration of dense canopies, sand, and ice for insights into extreme environments
Early images from the Amazon, Indonesia, and the Bolivian rainforest demonstrate the mission’s potential for climate science and sustainable forest management.
EarthDaily, TANGO, and National Missions
– EarthDaily Analytics delivers daily, AI-enhanced, scientifically calibrated imagery for planetary monitoring.
– TANGO and other national missions are launching satellites dedicated to measuring pollutant emissions, supporting climate and pollution studies.
– NASA’s PACE satellite captured a massive phytoplankton bloom off the US East Coast, aiding ocean color and ecosystem research.
AI, Remote Sensing, and Public Services
– AI and satellite imagery are used in Spain to detect asbestos in buildings, enabling efficient mapping and removal.
– UK Space Agency funds projects leveraging satellite data for infrastructure safety, biodiversity, methane leak detection, and sustainable farming.
– Murmuration (France) uses satellite data to monitor tourism’s environmental impact, supporting national parks and conservation efforts.
Policy, Regulation & Space Economy
EU Space Act and Space Debris
The European Commission has proposed the EU Space Act, introducing:
– Unified space regulations across member states
– Mandatory tracking and removal of space debris (25-year removal for most, 1 year for LEO)
– Enhanced satellite cybersecurity requirements
– Oversight for mega-constellations and stricter launch/disposal rules
– A space object database to manage the expected surge to 50,000 satellites by 2035
The legislation aims to make Europe’s space sector cleaner, safer, and more competitive, with approval pending from Parliament and Council.
Commercial Space Investment: Tokenization and ETFs
– Republic and other platforms are offering tokenized shares or ‘mirror tokens’ of SpaceX, democratizing access to private space company investments for retail investors.
– The Yongying Guozheng Commercial Satellite ETF reflects trends in the satellite sector, though recent data shows net capital outflows and share reductions.
National Security and Defense
– US satellite imagery firms warn that proposed NRO budget cuts threaten national security and commercial space industry leadership.
– ICEYE’s contracts with NATO and the Netherlands highlight the growing role of commercial SAR constellations in defense and intelligence.
– BAE Systems and Hanwha are partnering to develop advanced multi-sensor satellite systems for ISR, integrating RF and SAR with on-board machine learning.
International Legal and Environmental Issues
– Mexico is considering legal action against SpaceX over rocket debris and environmental contamination from launches near the US-Mexico border.
– The frequency of launches and debris incidents has raised concerns about international law and environmental impacts, especially after recent Starship explosions.
Science Highlights
Astronomy: Radio Bursts and Exoplanets
Mysterious Radio Pulse from Defunct NASA Satellite
A powerful radio pulse detected by Australia’s ASKAP telescope in June 2024 was traced to NASA’s long-defunct Relay-2 satellite (launched 1964, inactive since 1967). The 30-nanosecond burst, likely caused by a micrometeoroid impact or electrostatic discharge, was initially mistaken for a cosmic fast radio burst (FRB).
– The event highlights challenges in distinguishing astronomical signals from satellite interference and underscores the unpredictable behavior of “zombie satellites.”
– It also offers new insights into space debris, satellite health monitoring, and the need for robust orbital tracking.
James Webb Space Telescope: Exoplanet Imaging
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) captured its first direct image of an exoplanet, TWA 7 b, about 100 light-years away. Using a coronagraph on the MIRI instrument, Webb’s imaging advances the study of young planetary systems and demonstrates its capability for direct exoplanet detection.
Andromeda Galaxy and Solar Eruptions
– Chandra X-ray Observatory released a new composite image of the Andromeda galaxy, combining data across the electromagnetic spectrum and highlighting black hole activity.
– NASA’s PUNCH mission provided detailed images of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), enhancing understanding of solar activity and space weather prediction.
Planetary Science: Mars, Europa, and the Moon
– NASA’s Perseverance rover continues to analyze Martian rocks, using advanced tools for contamination-free study of mineral composition and geologic history.
– Curiosity rover photographed ‘spiderweb’ boxwork ridge structures, indicating ancient groundwater activity and Mars’ watery past.
– NASA’s Europa mission aims to explore the subsurface ocean for signs of life, analyzing water, chemistry, and habitability.
– Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter captured images of the ispace HAKUTO-R Mission 2 Moon lander crash site, supporting ongoing lunar exploration.
Space Weather and Anomalies
– NASA is tracking the South Atlantic Anomaly, a growing weak spot in Earth’s magnetic field that increases radiation risks for satellites and the ISS.
– NOAA’s GOES-19 satellite enhances wildfire detection and space weather forecasting with AI-powered tools and advanced coronagraphs.
Industry Trends & Market Outlook
– High-resolution SAR imaging market is set to more than double by 2030, driven by geopolitical security, climate monitoring, and miniaturized satellites with AI analytics.
– Satellite roaming, 5G standalone, and eSIMs are revitalizing the connectivity market, with satellite broadband projected to grow at 13.62% annually, reaching $33.13 billion by 2033.
– Luxembourg leads Europe in internet infrastructure, leveraging fiber, 5G, and satellite connectivity to reach remote users.
Obituaries & Legacy
– John Casani, influential NASA spacecraft manager, died at 92. He managed missions including Voyager, Galileo, and Cassini, leaving a lasting legacy in spacecraft design, deep space communications, and interplanetary exploration.
Summary & Outlook
Key Takeaways
– SpaceX maintains launch dominance, expanding Starlink and enabling new commercial astronaut milestones with Axiom-4, while facing Starship development challenges.
– Europe is asserting leadership in Earth observation (Biomass, EarthDaily), navigation (LEO-PNT), and quantum-secure communications (QUICK³).
– China is pushing the envelope in satellite internet speed and commercial space innovation.
– Quantum and AI technologies are rapidly moving from research to operational space systems, promising transformative impacts on data security, processing, and decision-making.
– Policy and regulation are catching up with the pace of satellite deployment, with the EU Space Act aiming to address debris, cybersecurity, and orbital traffic.
– Environmental monitoring from space is more critical than ever, with new missions targeting greenhouse gas emissions, forest carbon, and air quality.
– Commercial investment in space is becoming more accessible through tokenization and ETFs, while defense and national security applications drive further growth.
Outlook
The coming year will see:
– Continued expansion of mega-constellations (Starlink, Kuiper, Rassvet) and direct-to-device connectivity.
– Operationalization of next-gen Earth observation constellations (EarthDaily, TANGO, IRIDE).
– Deployment of quantum and AI-driven satellites for secure communications and predictive analytics.
– Stricter regulatory frameworks for debris mitigation, cybersecurity, and satellite traffic management.
– Growing international competition and collaboration, with private and public sectors sharing the stage in low Earth orbit and beyond.
The space sector is entering a new era of connectivity, security, and scientific discovery—driven by rapid technological innovation, commercial ambition, and the urgent need to monitor and protect our planet.
Bullet Recap
– SpaceX launches Starlink, Axiom-4, and first quantum computer in orbit.
– China achieves 1 Gbps satellite laser link, five times faster than Starlink.
– ESA Biomass and EarthDaily satellites revolutionize forest and environmental monitoring.
– EU proposes Space Act for debris, cybersecurity, and traffic management.
– Quantum and AI satellites promise secure, real-time data processing.
– Commercial investment in space democratized via tokenized shares and ETFs.
– Satellite imagery reveals real-time impacts of military strikes and environmental changes.
– Starship explosion highlights risks and delays for Artemis and Mars ambitions.
– SAR, VDES, and maritime constellations expand global surveillance and communications.
– National missions (Bahrain, Greece, Australia) mark new entrants in the space sector.
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