TREND IN FOCUS: SPACEX LAUNCHED THE HEAVIEST GEOSTATIONARY SATELLITE

SpaceX set out to break two launch records in July. It did break one, but missed the other. The company was scheduled to launch its Falcon Heavy rocket carrying Hughes Network Systems’ ultra high-density satellite, Jupiter 3, at 11:04 p.m. EDT (July 27) and Falcon 9 rocket carrying additional Starlink satellites at 12.01 am EDT (July 28). By targeting a successful execution of the launch of two of its rockets just 44 minutes apart, SpaceX was on the verge of breaking a 56-year-old record for the shortest time between liftoffs from the U.S. East Coast. The previous record, which was of 97 minutes apart, was set on September 12, 1966, with the launch of Gemini 11 and Titan 11. However, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launch was delayed to allow additional time to perform vehicle checkouts. The launch of the Falcon 9 rocket was a success, which expanded SpaceX’s Starlink constellation. Finally, on July 28, at 11:04 p.m. EDT, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launched Hughes’ JUPITER 3 mission to geosynchronous transfer.

Chart 1: Hughes’ Jupiter 3 Mission

Source: Intro-act, SpaceX

Nevertheless, SpaceX’s JUPITER 3 launch has still been record-setting as Falcon Heavy has launched the heaviest geostationary satellite ever. JUPITER 3, built by Maxar Technologies, was developed to deliver gigabytes of connectivity to customers across North and South America. The JUPITER 3 satellite includes a new architecture based on a range of new technologies, which covers the miniaturization of electronics, solid-state amplifiers, and more efficient antenna designs. For SpaceX, the launch of JUPITER 3 was Falcon’s 250th successful mission. Currently, SpaceX has only two operational rockets, Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy, and is building Starship, a substantially bigger and more powerful launch vehicle. The introduction of the Falcon Heavy by SpaceX was revolutionary in the space launch industry as it significantly reduced the launch costs compared with the Shuttle. The Falcon Heavy’s latest launch yet again proves SpaceX’s ability to keep disrupting the space sector like never before.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

SPACE EXPLORATION

SpaceX rocket launches Euclid space telescope to map the “dark universe”. A SpaceX rocket launched a new space telescope into orbit (July 1) on a mission to map the “dark universe” in innovative ways. The European Space Agency observatory, called Euclid, soared to space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. Euclid will aim its telescopic eye to regions outside of the Milky Way, our own galaxy, to map over a third of the “extragalactic” sky. In its six-year mission, the deep space explorer will map billions of targets, including both galaxies and stars. Read more (Satellite News Network)

ESA and CNES sign MOU to support SpaceFounders. The National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA) have inked a Memorandum of Understanding, marking ESA’s support of the SpaceFounders program. This strategic alliance sends a strong signal about the increasing dialogue and proximity between leading space institutions and startups, a significant step toward a more robust and innovative European space industry. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, ESA will actively contribute to several key areas of the SpaceFounders program. Read more (SpaceWatch Europe)

The UK's ODIN Space just aced its 1st space junk tracking system test in orbit. A new method of tracking tiny pieces of space junk has passed its first demonstration test in orbit, according to its builders, ODIN Space of London. Over the past two years, ODIN has been developing and qualifying technology to detect and track space debris that is too small to register using existing methods. The company's first demonstration sensor was integrated into the D-Orbit ION satellite, which hitched a ride to orbit as part of SpaceX's Transporter-8 mission that launched June 12. Read more (Space.com)

China is sending zebrafish to the Tiangong space station. China is planning to send zebrafish to its space station in the future. The small fish species will travel into orbit on China's Tiangong space station as part of research into the interaction between fish and microorganisms in a small closed ecosystem, Shanghai-based Guancha.cn reported. The experiment will also aid research into bone loss in astronauts. Zebrafish, or Danio rerio, were earlier sent to the Soviet Union's Salyut 5 space station in 1976 aboard the Soyuz 21 mission. Read more (Space.com)

Chart 2: A Zebra Danio or Zebrafish

Source: Intro-act, Space.com

ESA moves ahead with In-Orbit Servicing missions. The European Space Agency (ESA) is proactively developing In-Orbit Servicing (IOS) missions to extend the operational life and functionality of satellites already in space. This innovative approach, which could include maintenance, refueling, adjusting orbits, and even upgrading onboard instruments, aims to counter the traditional practice of discarding satellites once they run out of fuel or suffer a single component failure. Read more (Space Daily)

NASA doubles its spacesuit options for Artemis astronauts the moon, and ISS crews. NASA has put out the call to double its options for new spacesuits on the International Space Station and for future Artemis astronauts to use while walking on the Moon. The U.S. space agency issued a new $10 million task order on July 10 for new suit options from Axiom Aerospace and Collins Aerospace, building on already existing contracts with the companies to provide suit designs for extravehicular activities (EVAs, or spacewalks). Read more (Satellite News Network)

Above: Orbital, Inc. announces successful test of rotating artificial gravity space station systems at NASA Marshall space flight center. Above: Orbital, which designs and develops adaptable, space-based platforms for the U.S. Department of Defense and commercial customers, successfully completed a test of its proprietary cold gas engine thruster technology and software, representing a significant proprietary industry milestone in developing artificial gravity platforms. This SAA agreement provides access to facilities and support for systems testing, technology and tools, and collaboration on multiple technologies that Above is developing. Read more (Spaceref)

Goddard, Wallops engineers test printed electronics in Space. The experiment by aerospace engineer Beth Paquette and electronics engineer Margaret Samuels of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, sought to prove the space-readiness of printed electronics technology. They worked with colleagues at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, who developed the humidity-sensing ink. Partners from the University of Maryland’s Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) created the circuits. Read more (Spaceref)

Chart 3: A Printed Circuit That Flew on The Subtec 9 Technology Test Flight from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility

Source: Intro-act, NASA

SATELLITE LAUNCH SERVICES

Ariane 5 launches for the final time. One chapter in European access to space came to a close July 5 with the final launch of the Ariane 5, but the beginning of the next chapter faces additional delays. The launch was the 117th and final flight of the Ariane 5, which took place over 27 years. The rocket’s ability to carry two large geostationary communications satellites at once made it a key vehicle for many years in the commercial space industry during an era when geostationary communications satellites dominated the market. Read more (Space News)

China launched a methane-fueled rocket into orbit, a world's 1st for spaceflight. A methane-fueled rocket just reached Earth orbit for the first time ever. The Zhuque-2 rocket, developed by Chinese company Landspace, successfully soared to orbit after launching from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on July 11. It was a milestone effort for Zhuque-2. China and its private space companies have been on a tear in terms of launches, taking 54 missions to orbit in 2022 and targeting more than 60 in 2023. Read more (Space.com)

Virgin Galactic to launch 2nd commercial spaceflight on August 10. Virgin Galactic will launch six people to suborbital space next month on the company's first private astronaut mission. The flight will be the first that sends a mother and daughter into space together. Keisha Schahaff won the competition sponsored by Space for Humanity to make the flight and she decided that her daughter, Anastatia Mayers, would be the person to accompany her.

Galactic 02 is scheduled to lift off from New Mexico's Spaceport America on August 10. It will be the company's second commercial spaceflight, following a June 29 mission for the Italian Air Force and the nation's National Research Council (these were government, not private, customers). Read more (Space.com)

Rocket Lab Electron launches satellites for NASA, Space Flight Laboratory + Spire Global. Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) successfully launched their rideshare Electron mission that carried seven smallsats to LEO. Rocket Lab is also planning to conduct a marine recovery of Electron’s first stage as part of this mission, with the recovery team aboard the vessel Seaworker. Read more (Satnews)

India launches Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing mission. India successfully launched a robotic lunar lander July 14, setting up the nation for its second attempt to soft-land on the moon. The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) declared the launch a success shortly after the deployment. Chandrayaan-3, consisting of a propulsion module, Vikram lander and the small Pragyan rover, is now on a fuel-efficient, three-week-long journey which will see it continually raise its current elliptical Earth orbit and eventually perform a trans-lunar injection maneuver. Read more (Space News)

Chart 4: An LVM-3 Rocket Carrying the Chandrayaan-3 Spacecraft Lifts Off from Satish Dhawan Space Centre

Source: Intro-act, ISRO

ULA CEO says Vulcan rocket will still fly this year after engine explosion, as launch competition heats up. United Launch Alliance still plans to fly its heavy-lift Vulcan rocket by late 2023—despite suffering a mishap earlier this year after an engine exploded during testing. As military space launches foresee a capacity crunch, the U.S. Space Force plans to expand its list of rocket launch providers beyond ULA and SpaceX, possibly opening new opportunities in the competitive landscape. Read more (CNBC)

India launches seven satellites on PSLV rocket. India successfully launched seven Singaporean satellites into Low Earth Orbit July 29 on its workhorse PSLV rocket. It was the nation’s sixth orbital launch of the year, which were all successful, and occurred two weeks after the launch of the Indian robotic lunar lander Chandrayaan-3, which is flying toward the lunar south pole for a soft-landing attempt between August 23 and 24. The launch was conducted by ISRO under a contract with New Space India Limited (NSIL), a commercial arm of the space agency. Read more (Space News)

COMMUNICATION SERVICES

EUSI invests in ground station upgrade at the DLR. European Space Imaging (EUSI) has announced a multi-million-euro investment into their ground station at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) near Munich. This strategic upgrade extends EUSI’s ability to deliver imagery with remarkable speed and efficiency, solidifying its claim as a hub for Europe’s best satellite imagery technology. On 27 June, EUSI successfully commenced downlinking data from the Maxar WorldView satellite constellation using the newly upgraded ground station, also known as the Direct Access Facility (DAF). Read more (Spacewatch Europe)

Astranis to deliver GEO broadband satellite for the Philippines next year. Astranis has sold a small broadband satellite launching to geostationary orbit next year to a telco in the Philippines looking for support from the country’s government. Orbits Corp, the satellite services arm of Philippine internet service provider HTech Corp, plans to sell at least some of the capacity to the government to help connect up to two million people across 5,000 remote and rural communities in the archipelago. Read more (Space News)

Chart 5: Latest Satellite by Astranis Has the Ability to Cover More Than 7,000 Islands Forming the Philippines

Source: Intro-act, Space.com

UKSA grants Northumbria University £5m for laser communications system. UK Space Agency (UKSA) has awarded Northumbria University nearly £5 million in funding for their student-led inter-satellite laser communication system. As per the University, with this injection of funds from UKSA, Northumbria’s laser-based device could potentially become the predominant communications mechanism for satellites in the future. Now, the University’s Solar and Physics Research Group is working toward constructing the first university-led multi-satellite system using their laser communication technology. Read more (Orbital Today)

SATELLITE AND COMPONENTS

China achieves milestone in satellite-to-ground laser communications. The Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), in partnership with the Chang guang Satellite Technology, successfully conducted a satellite-to-ground laser communication experiment at a speed of 10 gigabytes per second (GB/s) using a self-developed 500-millimeter-diameter ground system and Jilin-1 satellite. The experiment obtained good-quality satellite payload data, which will meet the requirements of high-standard commercial applications. Read more (Space Daily)

China begins construction of VLEO satellite constellation. China has begun the construction of an ultra-low orbit satellite constellation, according to the developer, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC). The constellation will reportedly comprise 300 communications and remote-sensing satellites orbiting the globe, providing a global ultrafast response capability within 15 minutes. According to the construction plan, the first satellite in the constellation will launch in December 2023. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

Maxar to begin production of new small satellite bus. Maxar Technologies announced July 24 that its new satellite bus designed for Low Earth Orbit constellations passed a critical design review. The company will produce 16 of the Maxar 300 series buses for L3Harris Technologies. Each bus is about the width of a conventional oven. These will be used to build missile-detecting sensor satellites for the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer program. Read more (Space News)

Chart 6: Rendering of the Space Development Agency’s Tranche 1 Tracking Layer, Satellites Made with Maxar 300 buses

Source: Intro-act, Maxar

SPACETECH NEWS

GOVERNMENT POLICY

Space Command argues for shift from static to dynamic satellite operations. To better keep tabs on adversaries, the U.S. military needs satellites that can actively maneuver in orbit, the deputy commander of U.S. Space Command said July 6. “The way we’ve been doing space operations since the dawn of the space age, we’ve been doing it wrong,” Lt. Gen. John Shaw said at a Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies event. Read more (Space News)

NASA selects 6 proposals to provide new insights from openly available data in the physical sciences informatics system. NASA’s Physical Sciences Research Program has selected six ground-based proposals in response to the Physical Science Informatics System call for proposals. This program element is part of Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences¾2022 (ROSES-2022) solicitation. These six research projects, involving recognized experts in the fields of biophysics, combustion science, complex fluids, fluid physics, and materials science. Read more (Spaceref)

U.S. sharpens plan for military space race. The latest U.S. military budget goes all-in on the notion that resilience will be a core feature of space programs. As evidence, the term surpasses 300 mentions in the Space Force’s 2024 budget documents. The emphasis on resilience—or adaptability in the face of attacks—reflects the priorities set by the new chief of space operations Gen. Chance Saltzman. The running theme in the budget is the need to ensure U.S. access to space and shore up capabilities to compete with space powers like China and Russia. Read more (Space News)

Space Force changed launch procurement plan due to concerns about capacity. The U.S. Space Force announced plans to increase the number of providers in the national security launch program. Officials said July 19 the decision was driven by a projected growth in demand for satellite launches and concerns about a shortage of heavy-lift rockets later this decade. Under the dual-lane NSSL strategy, the plan is to select multiple medium-lift rockets to launch lower-orbit missions, and three heavy-lift launch providers in an effort to reduce DoD’s dependence on SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. Read more (Space News)

UK publishes National Space Strategy in Action. The United Kingdom (UK) has published its National Space Strategy in Action, setting out how the government will deliver on the ambitions set out in the National Space Strategy, and summarizes the government’s achievements so far. Primarily, the policy paper sharesthe next steps in implementing the National Space Strategy across each of its four pillars; unlocking growth, collaborating internationally, growing as a science superpower, and developing resilient capabilities. Read more (Space Watch Europe)

House rejects satellite spectrum licensing bill because of space safety provisions. A bill intended to reform satellite spectrum licensing regulations failed to pass the House July 25 after some members objected to provisions, they claimed gave the Federal Communications Commission authority to regulate space safety. The bill was intended to improve the licensing process for satellite systems at the FCC, a modernization that the bill’s advocates said was long overdue and necessary to ensure American competitiveness in the satellite communications market. Read more (Space News)

CAPITAL MARKETS

Poland completes acceptance phase for three space debris observatories. The Polish Space Agency (POLSA) has announced that it has completed the acceptance phase of three observatories that will be used to track satellites and space debris. The three observatories are hosted at cooperating facilities in Australia (Siding Spring Observatory), Chile (Deep Sky), and South Africa (South African Astronomical Observatory). Funding for the project was co-financed with the European Commission providing half and Poland the other half. The total value of the investment was 34 million zloty (approximately €7.6 million). Read more (European Spaceflight)

Chinese launch firm secures fresh funding for reusable rocket. Chinese rocket firm Space Pioneer has secured C-round funding for its Tianlong-3 medium-lift reusable launch vehicle. The company’s first launch attempt in April saw the Tianlong-2 rocket make Space Pioneer the first Chinese commercial outfit to reach orbit with a liquid propellant launcher. The company has now raised a total of three billion Chinese yuan ($414 million) across 11 rounds since its establishment in 2018. In February the firm announced it had secured “B+” and “Pre-C” strategic funding rounds. Read more (Space News)

PE firms, defense companies vie for Ball Corp's aerospace unit. Private equity firms Blackstone Inc (BX.N) and Veritas Capital Fund Management LLC are competing against large defense companies to acquire the aerospace business of Ball Corp (BALL.N), according to people familiar with the matter. Defense firms BAE Systems (BAES.L), General Dynamics Corp (GD. N) and Textron Inc (TXT.N) have also expressed interest in the business, which could be worth over $5 billion. Read more (Reuters)

Astra plans a reverse stock split, seeks to raise up to $65 million in offering. Spacecraft engine manufacturer and small rocket builder Astra plans to conduct a reverse stock split at a 1 to 15 ratio. Astra also seeks to raise up to $65 million through an “at the market” offering of common stock. Astra’s filing said the reverse stock split is expected to take place on or before October 2, after its board approved the plan July 6. The company previously outlined a reverse split as part of its plan to avoid delisting by the Nasdaq exchange. Read more (CNBC)

Rocket builder Firefly is close to announcing oversubscribed capital raise. Since launching its first successful orbital launch in October, Firefly Aerospace has kept busy—and is on the cusp of raising more cash. The company is close to announcing the closure of an oversubscribed capital raise. The startup, now valued at over $1 billion, gained more commitments to invest than initially planned at a time when many space startups struggle with diminishing funds and a broader downturn in investments. Firefly can currently launch its medium-launch rocket, Alpha, every two months. The company hopes to increase that pace to one launch a month. Read more (CNBC)

Chart 7: Firefly’s Alpha 95 Ft Tall Rocket Launched from The Vandenberg Space Force Base in September 2021

Source: Intro-act, CNBC, FireFly

Elon Musk’s SpaceX nears $150 billion valuation after secondary share sale. The valuation of Elon Musk’s SpaceX hit near $150 billion following a share sale by existing investors announced this week. SpaceX has an agreement with new and existing investors to sell up to $750 million in stock from insiders at $81 a share, according to a copy of the purchase offer sent by CFO Bret Johnsen. The company did not announce a raise of new capital at this time, with the purchase offer representing a secondary sale of existing shares. Read more (CNBC)

Private investment in space firms shows “signs of stabilization” in Q2 after steady decline. Private investment in space companies, especially from venture capital, showed “signs of stabilization” in the second quarter after steady declines over the past year, according to a report by New York-based Space Capital. Investment in space companies had dropped steadily since its peak in 2021, as companies felt the macroeconomic effects of a tightened funding environment and rising interest rates. Layoffs and cost-cutting arrived at many space companies in recent months, and M&A activity in the sector is expected to heat up as valuations come down. Read more (CNBC)

UK Space Agency announces Fund for aerial connectivity. Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology Chloe Smith has announced £20 million in funding from the UK Space Agency to support the development of future telecommunications technologies and aerial connectivity projects. The project would subsequently be onboard drones or high-altitude platforms to provide wireless coverage. Companies can consequently bid for the funding to develop innovative aerial services and technologies that will support a range of industries. Read more (Space Watch Global)

NASA funds Colorado-based special aerospace services for new astronaut jetpack. At long last, astronaut jetpacks may be coming back into style, with NASA funding a new project called the autonomous maneuvering unit. NASA is revisiting the AMU concept, working with Colorado-based Special Aerospace Services (SAS) on an autonomous maneuvering unit (AMU) and an astronaut-assist AMU destined for “commercial in-space servicing” and “safer assembly of commercial low Earth orbit destinations, servicing, retrieval, and inspection of in-space systems,”. Read more (Spaceref)

Chart 8: Autonomous Maneuvering Unit of Special Aerospace Services

Source: Intro-act, Spaceref, Special Aerospace Services

Space Force raises the stakes as rocket companies compete for lucrative military missions. The U.S. military is raising the stakes—and widening the field—on a high-profile competition for Space Force mission contracts. The Space Force plans to buy even more rocket launches in the coming years than previously expected, granting more companies a chance at securing billions in potential contracts. Earlier this year, the Space Force kicked off the process to buy five years’ worth of launches, under a lucrative program known as National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3. Now it’s boosting the scale. Read more (CNBC)

Thermal data startup constellr raises 17 million euros. German thermal satellite data startup constellr raised 17 million euros ($18.93) in seed funding. Karista led the round. With the latest funding, announced July 20, constellr plans to accelerate deployment of its 100-kilogram thermal imagery satellites and meet growing global demand. Constellr’s first thermal infrared imaging sensor traveled to the International Space Station in 2022 on a Northrop Grumman resupply mission. Read more (Space News)

Startup Impulse Space raises $45 million in Series A round. In-space transportation services startup Impulse Space announced that it has closed a $45 million Series A funding led by RTX Ventures, the venture capital arm of Raytheon Technologies. The company last year announced a $30 million seed funding round. Impulse Space seeks to provide “last mile” delivery services for satellites launched on rideshare missions such as those flown by SpaceX on its Falcon 9 rocket. Read more (Space News)

L3Harris’ acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne nears completion. L3Harris told investors July 26 that federal regulators will not challenge the company’s acquisition of Aerojet Rocketdyne, clearing the way for the deal. Defense contractor L3Harris in December announced a $4.7 billion bid to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne, a manufacturer of rocket engines and propulsion systems for space vehicles, ballistic missiles, and military tactical weapons. L3Harris said the acquisition of Aerojet will give the company a greater footprint in civil space, strategic defense systems, and precision munitions. Read more (Space News)

Hawkeye 360 closes $58 million Series D focused on constellation capacity-building. Radio frequency (RF) Geospatial intelligence company HawkEye 360 announced on July 13 that it has closed a $58 million Series D-1 funding round. The company, based in Herndon, Virginia, said in its announcement that it will be used “to develop new space systems and expand analytics that support high-value defense missions”. HawkEye 360 has been consistently expanding its constellation, with the most recent cluster, cluster 7, becoming operational in early June. Read more (Spaceref)

Chart 9: Rendering of Hawkeye 360’s Cluster Four satellites

Source: Intro-act, Spaceref, Hawkeye 360

Sierra Space wins Air Force contract for upper-stage engine development. Colorado-based Sierra Space won an Air Force contract to continue development of an engine that could be used in the upper stage of future launch vehicles. The company received a $22.6 million contract from the Air Force Test Center to mature the design of its VR35K-A engine. The contract will allow continued work on the engine, such as development of “flight-weight engine component design,” according to a Defense Department procurement notice. Read more (Space News)

British start-up Space Dots seals £1.2 million funding for in-orbit testing module. Space DOTS has secured £1.2 million in pre-seed funding for their miniaturized material testing module. Targeting “advanced material and/or small component developer[s],” the company will provide customers with an avenue to test their products while in orbit. Their vision is to stop testing space technology on Earth by enabling accurate data to be collected from tests conducted in space. Read more (Orbital Today)

Safran plans to buy Collins Aerospace. Safran has its eye on buying Raytheon Technologies’ Collins Aerospace’s actuation and flight control business. The companies announced the purchase deal late last month and Safran disclosed its rationale in a phone call with analysts on July 21. The $1.8 billion deal is expected to close late next year, pending regulatory approvals, and is mostly targeted at computerizing aircraft systems. Read more (Spaceref)

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AND PARTNERSHIPS

OQ Technology wins ESA contract to build nanosatellites. OQ Technology has won an ESA € 1.1 Million contract to design, build, integrate, test, and demonstrate three advanced nanosatellites. The satellites will feature multiple payloads providing space-based 5G narrowband Internet-of-things communications services and optical communications link. Furthermore, they will include hyperspectral Earth observation data to support precision agriculture as part of the ERMIS mission. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

Fleet Space awarded A$4M Demonstrator program. Fleet Space Technologies has been awarded a $4 million contract from the Australian Space Agency for its Moon to Mars: Demonstrator program. Fleet has previously demonstrated terrestrial success in deploying direct-to-satellite seismic arrays that find the critical minerals needed for energy transition. They will now be applying this capability to create a device tailored for Lunar and Martian exploration. This remarkable endeavor is facilitated by the Australian Space Agency, financing the demonstration mission on a Commercial Lunar Payload Service delivery. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

Chart 10: A Rendering of Fleet Space’s SPIDER

Source: Intro-act, SpaceWatch Global, Fleet Technologies

HawkEye 360 satellites to monitor illegal fishing in Pacific Islands. HawkEye 360 has been selected by the government of Australia to help detect illegal fishing activity using radio-frequency sensors. The company received a contract of undisclosed value from Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for a pilot program in support of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency. HawkEye 360, headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, uses radio-frequency data analytics to geolocate electronic emissions and draw insights. Read more (Space News)

Viasat signs deal to commercialize European airspace tracking service. A group founded by European air traffic controllers has signed a deal to bring improved airspace-tracking capabilities from Viasat’s constellation to market next year. The European Satellite Services Provider group, or ESSP, said July 6 it will be responsible for leading the commercialization of Iris, an air traffic modernization program the European Space Agency developed with Viasat’s recently acquired satellite operator Inmarsat. Read more (Space News)

GMV awarded six projects by European Defence Fund. GMV, a technological business group, announced on the 5th of July that they have been awarded six projects selected by the European Defence Fund (EDF) under the second call of the EDF program. In this call for proposals, the Commission has supported a total of 41 joint defense research and development projects across the European Union, with a total budget of 832 million euros in funding. The six projects awarded to GMV accounts for 24% of the budget allocated for the 2022 funds with a total of 203 million euros. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

Orbital Composites wins $1.7 million Space Force contract. Orbital Composites will space qualify technology to manufacture antennas in orbit under a $1.7 million U.S. Space Force contract. Working with partners Axiom Space, Northrop Grumman, and the Southwest Research Institute, Orbital Composites will test robotic technology to 3D print antennas for satellite-based cellular broadband and kilometer-scale antennas for space-based solar power. Read more (Space News)

Muon wins option to monitor ionosphere for Space Force. Muon Space will deliver space weather data to the U.S. Space Force under a $400,000 contract option announced July 11. Under the original $2.8 million contract with Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Weather Systems Branch and the Defense Innovation Unit, awarded in 2022, Muon will deliver terrestrial weather products to the Air Force 557th Weather Wing from a space-based prototype microwave sensor. The option directs Muon to also monitor the ionosphere for the U.S. Space Force through September 2024. Read more (Space News)

Chart 11: Muon Space plans to launch a software-defined microwave sensor in February 2024

Source: Intro-act, Space News, Muon Space

NASA awards “crossover” spacesuit task orders to Axiom and Collins. NASA awarded task orders to two companies already working on spacesuits for the International Space Station and Artemis missions to develop alternative versions of their suits. NASA announced that it issued task orders valued at $5 million each to Axiom Space and Collins Aerospace to begin design work on alternative versions of their suits already in development. Axiom’s task order begins work on a version of its suit for the ISS while Collins will begin design of a suit intended for moonwalks. Read more (Space News)

Space Force to select three providers of national security launch services. The U.S. Space Force on July 13 released a revised draft solicitation for the next round of national security launch contracts, known as National Security Space Launch Phase 3. In a major departure from the first draft request for proposals released in February, the Space Force is increasing the number of heavy-lift launch providers it plans to select from two to three. Read more (Space News)

NASA plans for lunar fission power systems face fiscal challenges. Advocates of nuclear power systems for lunar exploration are calling on NASA to find ways to continue development amid fiscal challenges and competing priorities. NASA selected three teams in June 2022 for phase 1 studies of fission surface power systems, small nuclear reactors intended to support later phases of the Artemis lunar exploration campaign. The FSP program plans a second phase to turn one of the designs into flight-certified hardware. Read more (Space News)

Space Force using Anduril software to integrate U.S. space surveillance sensors. The Space Force is using a software platform developed by Anduril Industries to integrate data from a decades-old network of space surveillance sensors. Anduril won an $8 million contract extension to field its mesh networking software at Space Surveillance Network sites through December 2024. The software autonomously analyzes data from sensors and provides an integrated picture. Read more (Space News)

NASA, DARPA partner with industry on Mars rocket engine. NASA and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) announced that Lockheed Martin of Littleton, Colorado, will be the prime contractor for the design, build, and testing of NASA and DARPA’s nuclear-powered rocket demonstration. Lockheed Martin will work collaboratively with other industry partners. NASA and DARPA partnered on the DRACO program to advance development of nuclear thermal rocket technology, supporting both agencies' goals. Read more (NASA)

Chart 12: Artist Concept of Demonstration For Rocket To Agile Cislunar Operations (DRACO) Spacecraft

Source: Intro-act, NASA, DARPA

Above Space tests artificial gravity and more with NASA funding. Above Space will be working on Moon technology, including artificial gravity, with NASA funding. It received an Umbrella Space Act Agreement with NASA. The five-year agreement will “enable Above to test and validate its software, technology and components that could be used in future cislunar space stations and near-term launch projects.” Read more (Spaceref)

Space Force selects vendors for Low Earth Orbit satellite services. Contractors are required to partner with others to provider satellite communications, remote sensing and other services. The U.S. Space Force announced July 24 it selected 16 companies that will compete for Low Earth Orbit satellite services contracts. Under an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract, vendors will compete for up to $900 million worth of task orders over the next five years. Each contractor is guaranteed $2,000. Read more (Space News)

NASA selects companies to advance lunar power and other technologies. Companies working on nuclear and solar power systems for the Moon are among the winners of NASA awards to advance their technologies for future use by NASA and commercial customers. NASA announced July 25 the selection of 11 awards through its Tipping Point program of space technology development. The awards, with a combined value of $150 million, are designed to advance promising technologies to the point where they are ready for flight. Read more (Space News)

Goonhilly Earth Station to support three major space missions. Goonhilly Earth Station (GES) will be involved in supporting three lunar missions in the near future. Partnering with the European Space Agency (ESA), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and US-based Intuitive Machines, the British deep space ground station will aid the Chandrayaan-3 Lunar rover, Intuitive Machine’s first commercial lunar landing, and the Aditya-L1 solar observatory mission. Read more (Orbital Today)

Blue Origin awarded NASA partnership to turn Lunar Regolith into solar-power systems on the Moon. NASA awarded Blue Origin a $35 million Tipping Point partnership to continue advancing its innovative Blue Alchemist breakthrough revealed earlier this year. Read more (Spaceref)

Chart 13: Blue Origin Manufactured Working Solar Cell Prototype from Lunar Regolith Simulants

Source: Intro-act, NASA, DARPA

Spire to devise GNSS-independent aircraft tracking satellites for ESA. A Spire Global-led group has won European Space Agency funds to develop a satellite to demonstrate a civil aviation tracking constellation that would not rely on GPS, or any other global navigation satellite system (GNSS) vulnerable to interference. Most commercial aircraft must have an Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) transmitter that periodically sends out the location data they receive from GNSS satellites. Read more (Space News)

Redwire selected for $12.9 million NASA award to develop trailblazing systems to build landing pads, roads, and other forms of infrastructure on the Moon. Redwire Corporation (NYSE: RDW) has been selected for a $12.9 million NASA Tipping Point award to prototype a first-of-its-kind manufacturing technology intended to build critical infrastructure on the surface of the Moon, including landing pads, roads, and foundations for habitats. This technology could enable robust construction on the lunar surface to advance human and robotic operations, paving the way for a sustainable human presence and a dynamic lunar economy. Read more (Spaceref)

Northrop Grumman takes $36 million charge on NASA Gateway module. Northrop Grumman said it took a $36 million charge on its contract to build a module for NASA’s lunar Gateway, citing changing mission requirements and broader economic issues. In the company’s fiscal second quarter financial results released July 27, Northrop announced an unfavorable estimate-at-completion adjustment of $36 million for its work on the Habitation and Logistics Outpost (HALO) module, one of the first elements of the Gateway. Read more (Space News)

ASI to tap European startup to launch lunar regolith oxygen extractor mission. The Italian Space Agency (ASI) announced July 26 that it had signed an agreement with Politecnico di Milano to begin the development of the agency’s Oxygen Retrieval Asset by Carbothermal-reduction in Lunar Environment (ORACLE) project. The Advanced Space Technologies for Robotics and Astrodynamics (ASTRA) research group at Politecnico di Milano is in the process of studying and beginning to test a method of extracting oxygen from lunar regolith. Read more (European Spaceflight)

BWXT to provide nuclear reactor engine and fuel for DARPA Space Project. BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) announced that its reactor and fuel will be key components in the world’s first demonstration spacecraft using nuclear thermal propulsion. Working as part of a team led by Lockheed Martin, BWXT Advanced Technologies LLC will complete final design of the nuclear reactor, manufacture the reactor’s hardware and fuel, assemble the components, and deliver the fueled reactor as a complete subsystem for integration into DARPA’s Demonstration Rocket for Agile Cislunar Operations, known as DRACO. Read more (Spaceref)

Chart 14: How the DRACO Rocket Could Look

Source: Intro-act, NASA, BWXT

Pixxel Wins the iDEX prime grant for multi-payload satellites. Pixxel has won a grant from iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence under the Ministry of Defence) for the Mission DefSpace Challenge under iDEX Prime (Space) to manufacture miniaturized multi-payload satellites for the Indian Air Force. Pixxel received this grant as part of the SPARK grants by iDEX. This will equip the company to develop small satellites of up to 150 kgs for Electro-Optical, Infrared, Synthetic Aperture Radar, and Hyper Spectral purposes. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

KBR wins Air Force Research Lab contract to study non-traditional orbits. KBR, a Defense Department and NASA contractor, won a $24.9 million contract to provide insights on the behavior of objects in nontraditional orbits. The research work contract covers areas like N-body problems, or predicting the individual motions of a group of celestial objects interacting with each other gravitationally. The contract announcement says KBR will focus on space situational awareness in non-traditional orbits. Read more (Space News)

PRIVATE CONTRACTS AND PARTNERSHIPS

Hiscox and Share My Space unite to mitigate collision risks. Share My Space, a space situational awareness (SSA) company, and Hiscox, a global insurance provider with a legacy in the space sector, announced on the 5th of July a collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The partnership aims to enhance cooperation in the space industry and tackle the challenges caused by the increasing number of satellites and collision risks. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

Sidus Space joins forces with Lulav Space to develop advanced star tracker. Sidus Space (NASDAQ: SIDU) has announced a collaboration with Lulav Space, a specialist in robotics for space applications. The partnership aims to explore, develop, and showcase the potential of Event-based Star Trackers (EBST). Sidus Space intends to incorporate the jointly developed EBST into the upcoming LizzieSat mission, which is the fourth of its kind. The launch is currently planned for June next year and will be facilitated by SpaceX. Read more (Space Daily)

Chart 15: File Illustration of LizzieSat

Source: Intro-act, Space Daily

SPACECIALIST partners RIDE for launch services. RIDE and SPACECIALIST have announced a partnership agreement to promote a “one-stop shop” solution for all pre- and post-Launch Service Agreement (LSA) needs. RIDE will offer pre-launch service agreements (LSA), including constellation launch opportunity analysis, Rideshare/ Launch opportunity brokerage lSA and backup launch negotiation. The company will also offer other pre-launch service agreements like relevant partner analysis. In addition to these, the company will offer post-launch service agreements. Read more (Spacewatch Global)

Voyager Space deepens India ties for commercial space station plans. Voyager Space is considering using India’s proposed Gaganyaan crewed spacecraft to serve the commercial space station it aims to be operating by the end of the decade. It announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with India to explore using Gaganyaan, among other potential collaborations, to deepen ties with the country’s space industry. According to Clay Mowry, Voyager’s Chief Revenue Officer, the MOU paves the way to other partnerships across exploration, research, and commercial activities. Read more (Space News)

Orbex & Arianespace to establish joint launch partnership. Launch providers Orbex and Arianespace have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a launch partnership. The agreement is designed to create more flexibility and capacity of launch offerings for small satellite companies endeavoring to reach Low Earth Orbit. Orbex and Arianespace signed the MoU “to study possible future cooperation to answer its customers’ requirements.” Read more (Orbital Today)

Airbus and Astrocast extend contract for satellite IoT. Airbus has extended their contract with Satellite Internet of Things (SatIoT) operator Astrocast. The partnership was first established in 2017 with the desire to enhance the capabilities of Astrocast’s network capacity to provide more reliable and financially viable SatIot commercial services. The Airbus and Astrocast partnership have already engendered an uptake in their services. These customers include the EU’s CiRROCCO initiative and XGain initiative. Read more (Orbital Today)

COMPANY NEWS AND EARNINGS

SmartSat CRC pledges $7M for autonomous AI spacecraft development. SCARLET-a is the flagship of a suite of projects SmartSat will deliver under its SCARLET lab (laboratory), a SmartSat initiative to develop innovative technologies across spacecraft autonomy, on-board Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data analytics. SCARLET-a, will bring together eight SmartSat partners: Airbus, Asension, Deakin University, Defence Science and Technology Group, Leonardo Australia, Saab Australia, Swinburne University of Technology, and University of South Australia (UniSA) in a collaborative research effort. Read more (Space Daily)

OneWeb begins rolling out global broadband service. OneWeb has begun to roll out global satellite broadband service, following a tumultuous decade during which the company went bankrupt, saw its founder depart, announced a merger with telecommunications giant Eutelsat, and had three dozen spacecraft essentially held for ransom on a launch pad in Kazakhstan. In June, the company had expanded its services throughout Europe and most of the United States using its constellation of 636 satellites. Read more (Spaceref)

Thales Alenia Space confirms its key role in Galileo 2nd generation program by signing contracts for the ground mission segment and system activities. Thales Alenia Space, a joint venture between Thales (67%) and Leonardo (33%) has signed with the European Space Agency , in which Leonardo and Telespazio (Joint Venture between Leonardo 67 % and Thales 33 %) are also involved, will provide to ESA the delivery of the Ground Mission Segment infrastructure for the 2nd Generation of Galileo Satellites constellation as well as System Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA). Read more (Thales Group)

Chart 16: Galileo Second Generation

Source: Intro-act, Thales Group

Viasat prepares for Arctic Satellite Broadband amidst competition from SpaceX, OneWeb. Satellite communications provider Viasat Inc. is moving ahead with two satellites aiming to provide broadband service to the Arctic. Viasat has completed thermal vacuum testing on the twin satellites of the Arctic Satellite Broadband Mission that will be managed by Space Norway Heosat. The satellites are expected to be launched in 2024 in an oval-shaped polar orbit so that each satellite will spend more time over the North and South Poles. Read more (Space ref)

Amazon picks Kennedy Space Center for Project Kuiper processing facility. Amazon announced plans July 21 to build a satellite processing facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, as it prepares to start launching 3,200 commercial Project Kuiper broadband satellites next year. The 31,000-square-meter facility Amazon expects to complete in 2024 at Kennedy’s runway-equipped Launch and Landing Facility will perform final preparations of Project Kuiper satellites shipped in from out of state for launch aboard Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance rockets. Read more (Space News)

Maiaspace reports expenses of €3.49 million in its first year of operation. MaiaSpace reported total expenses of €3.49 million for its first year of operation ending 31 December 2022. The ArianeGroup subsidiary was founded in early 2022 with the goal of developing a reusable microlauncher. In order to fast-track the development of its launch vehicle, MaiaSpace will be utilizing Prometheus engines and tech developed for the Themis reusable booster demonstrator by ArianeGroup under an ESA contract. Read more (European Spaceflight)

Boeing records more losses from Starliner delays. Boeing took another loss on its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew program as the first crewed flight of that vehicle remains in limbo. In its fiscal second quarter financial results released, the company said it took a $257 million loss on the Starliner program, citing the delay in the vehicle’s first flight with astronauts on board that Boeing and NASA announced June 1. That loss was the biggest single factor in a $527 million loss the company reported for its Defense, Space and Security business unit in the quarter. Read more (Space News)

Geospatial intelligence startup Kleos Space files for bankruptcy. Kleos Space, a Luxembourg based startup that operates signals-intelligence satellites, has run out of cash and will file for bankruptcy. Kleos Space’s financing has been run by Pure Asset Management, an Australian investment firm. Kleos Space notified the Australian Securities Exchange, it plans to file for bankruptcy after failing to raise more money. Earlier in July 2023, the company revealed it had problems with a couple of the satellites it had launched and had to write them off. Read more (Space News)

Optimum Technologies unveils innovative spacecraft facility in Northern Virginia. A substantial augmentation in the company's infrastructure, the newly minted facility is positioned to boost Optimum's growing influence in the space sector, bolstering their ability to serve up groundbreaking solutions for their clientele. The strategic placement of the new facility in proximity to Dulles International Airport and major highways ensures seamless accessibility for customers, suppliers, and partners. Read more (Space Daily)

Eutelsat expects to return to growth next year with OneWeb. Eutelsat expects to return to growth next year as its pivot to connectivity starts to bear fruit, the French satellite operator said July 28 after a waning video business helped annual sales decline for the seventh year in a row. Total revenues fell to 1.31 billion euros ($1.4 billion) for the company’s fiscal year ending June 30, a 5.5% year-on-year drop when adjusted for currency changes on a like-for-like basis. Read more (Space News)

SPACETECH FUNDING ACTIVITY

Chart 17: Recent Funding Activity in the SpaceTech Sector (July 2023)

Company	Latest Fund Raise ($ Mn)	Round	Use of Funds	Investors
Space Pioneer	414	C- Round	Development of the Tianlong-3 kerosene-liquid oxygen launch vehicle and its engine and the construction of a dedicated launch complex at the Jiuquan national spaceport.	China International Capital Corporation (CICC), CCB International, CITIC Construction, Zhejiang University
Benchmark Space Systems	33	Series B	Shift focus from propulsion system research and development to manufacturing and testing	Not disclosed
Constellr GmbH	18.93	Seed	Plans to accelerate deployment of its 100-kilogram thermal imagery satellites and meet growing global demand.	Karista, Einstein Industries Ventures, FTTF, Lakestar, Vsquared, Amathaon Capital, Natural Ventures, OHB Ventures and EIT Food
Impulse Space	45	Series A	The Series A funding will support the development of Impulse’s largest vehicle yet, called Helios.	RTX Ventures, Founders Fund, Lux Capital, Airbus Ventures and Space Capital.
HawkEye 360	58	Series D-1	To develop new space systems and expand analytics that support high-value defense missions	Blackrock, Manhattan Venture Partners, Insight Partners, NightDragon, Strategic Development Fund (SDF), Razor’s Edge, Alumni Ventures, Adage Capital
Space DOTS	1.2	Pre-Seed	Predominantly go towards their flagship device, Barnacle DOTS, which provides active in-situ environmental testing of advanced materials and small components	Boost VC, Sie Ventures, 7Percent Ventures, and Blue Wire Capital. Angel investors Elaine Lau and Alex Ionescu

Source: Intro-act, Multiple Web Source

SPACETECH LAUNCH CALENDAR – UPCOMING MONTH

Chart 18: Space Launches Across the Globe (as of August 07, 2023)

Date	Company	Rocket	Mission	Launch Site
August 25	SpaceX	Falcon 9	Jupiter 3/EchoStar 24	LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
August 25/26	Japanese	H-2A F47	XRISM & SLIM	Launch Pad 1, Tanegashima Space Center, Japan
August 29	United Launch Alliance	Atlas 5	NROL-107	SLC-41, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

Source: Intro-act, Spaceflight Now

SPACETECH GOVERNMENT CONTRACT AWARDS

Chart 19: Government Contracts and Grants (July 2023)

Awardee Company	Awarding Agency	Country	Contract Value (in $ mln)	Project / Program
OQ Technologies	ESA	Europe	1.4	ERMIS Mission
Fleet Space	Australian Space Agency	Australia	4	Moon to Mars: Demonstrator program
HawkEye 360	Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade	Australia	Undisclosed	Pilot program in support of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency - Identify illicit maritime activity
GMV	European Defence Fund	Europe	203	EDF Program - 6 projects
Axiom Space	NASA	US	5	International Space Station and Artemis missions
Collins Aerospace	NASA	US	5	International Space Station and Artemis missions
Muon Space	U.S. Space Force	US	0.4	Monitor ionosphere - Government-run Observing System Simulation Experiments or OSSEs
Orbital Composites	U.S. Space Force	US	1.7	Test robotic technology to 3D print antennas for satellite-based cellular broadband and kilometer-scale antennas for space-based solar power
Anduril Software	U.S. Space Force	US	8	Field mesh networking software at Space Surveillance Network sites
Above Space	NASA		Undisclosed	Umbrella Space Act Agreement - Development of Moon Technology: Artificial Gravity
Astrobotic Technology	NASA	US	34.6	LunaGrid project to produce solar power and provide it to spacecraft on the lunar surface
Zeno Power	NASA	US	15	Project Harmonia; Develop a radioisotope power system for use on lunar missions
Blue Origin	NASA	US	34.7	Blue Alchemist project; Demonstrate the ability to produce solar cells using lunar materials
Fedwire	NASA	US	12.9	Use lunar regolith to create infrastructure on the moon
United Launch Alliance	NASA	US	25	To advance hypersonic decelerator technology tested on the LOFTID project for potential use to recover the engine section of its Vulcan booster
Varda Space Industries	NASA	US	1.9	To mature technologies used as a heat shield on its re-entry capsules
Spire	ESA	Europe	18	Aviation Surveillance System
Northrop Grumman	NASA	US	36	NASA’s Lunar Gateway
Politecnico di Milano	ASI	Europe	Undisclosed	Development of the agency’s Oxygen Retrieval Asset by Carbothermal-reduction in Lunar Environment (ORACLE) project
KBR	Air Force Research Laboratory	US	24.9	Provide insights on the behavior of objects in nontraditional orbits

Source: Intro-act, Multiple Web Sources

SPACETECH ETFs

ARK Space Exploration & Innovation ETF (ARKX)

Closing Price (08/04/23)	$14.9	1-Week NAV Change	-2.29%	NAV Change (YTD)	20.64%
AUM (as of 08/04/23)	$298 Mn	Fund Inception	3/30/2021	Expense Ratio	0.70%

ARKX is an actively managed Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) that seeks long-term growth of capital by investing under normal circumstances primarily (at least 80% of its assets) in domestic and foreign equity securities of companies that are engaged in the Fund’s investment theme of Space Exploration and Innovation. The advisor defines “Space Exploration” as leading, enabling, or benefitting from technologically enabled products and/or services that occur beyond the surface of the Earth, including 1) Orbital Aerospace Companies: companies that launch, make, service, or operate platforms in orbital space, including satellites and launch vehicles; 2) Suborbital Aerospace Companies: companies that launch, make, service, or operate platforms in suborbital space; 3) Enabling Technologies Companies: companies that develop technologies used by Space Exploration-related companies for successful value-add aerospace operations, including AI, robotics, 3D printing, materials, and energy storage; and 4) Aerospace Beneficiary Companies: companies whose operations stand to benefit from aerospace activities, including agriculture, Internet access, GPS, construction, imaging, drones, air taxis, and electric aviation vehicles.”

Monthly Market Performance (Month Ending 07/31/2023)

One Month	Three Months	Six Months	YTD	One Year	Inception
2.5%	16.1%	11.29%	25.75%	4.32%	-23.25%

Quarterly Market Performance (Quarter Ending 06/30/2023)

One Month	Three Months	Six Months	YTD	One Year	Inception
11.52%	8.57%	2.48%	22.68%	13.18%	-25.12%

Top 10 Holdings (Updated as of 08/04/23)

Ticker	Company	% of Funds	Market Value
TRMB	TRIMBLE	8.56%	$24,531,034.71
IRDM	IRIDIUM COMMUNICATIONS	7.25%	$20,763,251.82
KTOS	KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY	6.97%	$19,962,332.13
AVAV	AEROVIRONMENT	6.60%	$18,912,216.96
PRNT	THE 3D PRINTING ETF	5.48%	$15,693,689.44
6301	KOMATSU	4.60%	$13,174,976.11
LHX	L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES	4.47%	$12,795,938.00
TER	TERADYNE INC	4.06%	$11,636,701.28
ACHR	ARCHER AVIATION INC-A	3.99%	$11,433,973.68
PATH	UIPATH INC - CLASS A	3.66%	$10,473,434.60

For more information on ARKX visit: https://ark-funds.com/funds/arkx/

SPACETECH ETFs

Procure Space ETF (UFO)

Closing Price (08/04/23)	$ 19.62	1-Week NAV Change	1.23%	NAV Change (YTD)	-0.7%
AUM (as of 08/04/23)	$ 49.43 Mn	Fund Inception	4/11/2019	Expense Ratio	0.75%

The Procure Space ETF (UFO) is comprised of a portfolio of companies involved in space-related industries. UFO is an exchange traded fund (ETF) seeking investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fund fees and expenses, of the S-Network Space Index (SPACE) developed by S-Network Global Indexes. Although there is no legal definition of “space,” a commonly accepted definition is that the edge of space begins at the Kármán Line, which is 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the Earth’s surface.

Monthly Market Performance (Month Ending 07/31/2023)

One Month	Three Months	Six Months	YTD	One Year	Inception
3.92%	6.94%	-6.18%	2.05%	-5.51%	-20.87%

Quarterly Market Performance (Quarter Ending 06/30/2023)

One Month	Three Months	Six Months	YTD	One Year	Inception
2.79%	0.31%	-1.8%	-1.69%	-4.01%	-23.85%

Top 10 Holdings (Updated as of 08/04/23)

Ticker	Company	% of funds	Market Value
RKLB	ROCKET LAB USA INC	6.38%	$30,40,699.96
SIRI	SIRIUS XM HOLDINGS INC	6.15%	$29,31,228
SESG FP	SES SA	5.76%	$27,47,646.82
TRMB	TRIMBLE INC	5.24%	$25,00,447.95
DISH	DISH NETWORK CORPORATION	4.87%	$23,20,658.6
GRMN	GARMIN LTD	4.82%	$22,98,532.08
ETL FP	EUTELSAT COMMUNICA	4.78%	$22,79,877.56
SATS	ECHOSTAR CORP	4.72%	$22,50,675.81
9412 JP	SKY PERFECT JSAT H	4.56%	$21,74,001.34
GSAT	GLOBALSTAR INC	4.48%	$21,37,613.4

For more information on UFO visit: https://procureetfs.com/ufo/

SPACETECH ETFs

Chart 20: ARKX vs. S&P 500

Source: Intro-act, Yahoo! Finance

Chart 21: UFO vs. S&P 500

Source: Intro-act, Yahoo! Finance

LEADERS AND LAGGARDS – SPACETECH SEGMENTS

Chart 22: M/M Returns by SpaceTech Segments