🚀 iPhone 14 feat. Satellite SOS

🚀 iPhone 14 feat. Satellite SOS

September 09, 2022

The Space Scoop

Week Ended 09.09.2022

Happy Friday! U.S. markets staged a rally in the holiday shortened week, Rocket Lab is working the USTRANSCOM, Iridium is launching with SpaceX for the first time since January 2019, AST SpaceMobile prepares for launch of their BW3 satellite this weekend, and Virgin Galactic was downgraded yet again by Wall Street. Lets dive in.

📈 Market Max-Q

S&P 500: 4,067.35 +3.7%NASDAQ: 12,112.32 +4.2%UFO: 20.94 +2.7%ROKT: 37.86 +3.9%ARKX: 14.42 +4.2%SSIT: 57.7 -1.2%SPIR: 1.52 +16.0%VORB: 4.05 +12.8%BKSY: 2.15 +12.6%RDW: 3.10 +9.2%1W return as of 4:00pm EDT.

🚀 Top Stories

1) Rocket Lab ($RKLB) signed a CRADA with the U.S. Transportation Command to explore using Neutron and Electron to deliver cargo around the world.

  • The agreement supports the U.S. Air Force’s rocket cargo project in exploring new transport concepts for sending supplies and equipment across Earth via space.

  • The agreement will also see Rocket Lab explore using Photon spacecraft to establish on-orbit cargo depots and deliver re-entry capability.

 2) On Wednesday, Apple ($AAPL) announced "Emergency SOS via satellite" connectivity for its new iPhone 14 model. 

  • Users will be able to send compressed text messages via connection directly to a satellites' unique frequencies in areas unconnected by cell towers.

  • The service will be powered by the long-rumored satellite service provider Globalstar ($GSAT).

 3) Virgin Galactic ($SPCE) was downgraded by Bernstein, citing pattern of disappointment.

  • Analyst Douglas Harned cut his outlook to 'Underperform' and lowered the firm's price target from $7 to $4, implying about -36% of downside.

  • "We still do not see a ‘next thing’ that would drive more long-term growth in the 2030s." Harned added that future equity sales will be "highly dilutive" and demand for flights may be less than expected. "We now have less confidence in the success of this business.”

  • Shares fell -4.5% to $6.00 per share on the news.

🛰️ In Other News

Skyroot Aerospace Raises $51M Series B Round 

The round in the Indian space launch startup was led by Singaporean sovereign wealth fund GIC. This is the largest funding round in the Indian private space sector to date and will help fund all initial development launches and build the necessary infrastructure.

Taranis Raises $40M Series D Round 

This brings the AI-powered crop intelligence provider total funding to $100M, of which the firm will use the capital for growth, global expansion, and technology investment. The round was led by Inven Capital, with participation from new investors Seraphim Space Investment Trust ($SSIT) and Farglory Group.

Albedo Raises $48M Series A Round 

The startup is developing very low Earth orbit satellites that co-collect 10cm optical imagery and 2m thermal infrared imagery. The round was co-led by Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Shield Capital, bringing the company’s total funding to $58M in less than two years since inception.

🔭 Image of the Week

🔗 Links

• Jan De Nul Group Chooses Iridium ($IRDM) Global Maritime Distress & Safety System• Momentus ($MNTS) Seeks To Expand International Business Partnerships• Sidus Space ($SIDU) Announces Multi Launch Agreements With SpaceX• Axiom Space Wins NASA Task Order To Build Spacesuits for Artemis III• Momentus ($MNTS) Provides First Demonstration Mission Status Update #5• Iridium ($IRDM) Announces Ninth SpaceX Launch in Mid-2023• AST SpaceMobile's ($ASTS) BlueWalker 3 Satellite Awaiting Launch• FCC To Set Five-Year Deadline for Deorbiting LEO Satellites• LeoLabs Awarded Contract From the U.S. Dept. of Commerce To Support Space Traffic Management Prototype

🗣️ Opinion

• Astra ($ASTR) CEO on What’s Next for a Free Space Economy• Why I’m a Space Environmentalist – And Why You Should Be, Too• Creation of a U.S. Strategic Propellant Reserve• Satellogic ($SATL) CEO on Smart City Planning for Resilience: Earth Observation Data and Critical Infrastructure

📅 Earnings Calendar

• $PL: September 12 - After Market Close

*Company confirmed dates only.