In The News
– Umbra, a California-based startup, has raised $32 million in Series B funding to further develop its synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology for imaging the Earth’s surface.
– Rocket Lab, a small satellite launch company, has successfully launched its Electron rocket carrying a payload of seven satellites for various customers.
– Astranis, a satellite internet startup, has raised $90 million in Series B funding to launch its first commercial satellite and provide internet connectivity to Alaska.
– The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with ClearSpace, a Swiss startup, to remove a piece of space debris from orbit in 2025.
– NASA’s Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, has successfully completed its first flight on the Red Planet, marking the first powered, controlled flight on another planet.
Top things to Know
– Umbra, a startup specializing in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, has secured $32 million in Series B funding. The company aims to use this investment to further develop its SAR technology, which provides high-resolution imaging of the Earth’s surface. Umbra’s technology has the potential to revolutionize various industries, including defense, agriculture, and infrastructure monitoring.
– Rocket Lab, a leading small satellite launch company, has successfully launched its Electron rocket carrying a payload of seven satellites. The mission, named “Running Out of Toes,” deployed satellites for various customers, including BlackSky, a geospatial intelligence provider. Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is known for its ability to provide dedicated launches for small satellites, enabling more frequent and cost-effective access to space.
– Astranis, a satellite internet startup, has raised $90 million in Series B funding. The company plans to use this investment to launch its first commercial satellite and provide internet connectivity to Alaska. Astranis aims to bridge the digital divide by offering affordable and reliable internet access to underserved areas. The company’s satellite technology is designed to deliver high-speed internet directly to homes and businesses.
– The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed a contract with ClearSpace, a Swiss startup, to remove a piece of space debris from orbit in 2025. This will be the first mission to actively remove space debris, which poses a significant threat to satellites and spacecraft in orbit. ClearSpace will use its technology to capture and deorbit a Vespa payload adapter, which was left in space after a European Vega rocket launch in 2013. This mission marks an important step in addressing the growing problem of space debris.
– NASA’s Mars helicopter, Ingenuity, has successfully completed its first flight on the Red Planet. This historic achievement marks the first powered, controlled flight on another planet. Ingenuity, a small helicopter weighing just 4 pounds, took off, hovered, and landed safely during its 40-second flight. The successful demonstration of powered flight on Mars opens up new possibilities for future exploration and could pave the way for aerial exploration of other planets and moons in the future.
Original article: https://techcrunch.com/2023/07/24/max-q-umbra-is-a-silicon-valley-outsider-they-prefer-it-that-way/
