Latest news with #RobertE.Zee
National Post
29-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
SFL Missions Inc. Continues Legacy of Innovative Small Satellite Development from Space Flight Laboratory (SFL)
Article content TORONTO — SFL Missions Inc. is continuing the development of barrier-breaking, budget-aggressive small satellite missions for commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide by building upon the extraordinary legacy of Space Flight Laboratory (SFL). This evolution of customer-oriented service expands upon SFL's 26-year highly successful experience of small satellite innovation and mission delivery. Article content Article content 'The market for small satellite missions has evolved rapidly in recent years, especially in the NewSpace era,' said SFL Missions founder, Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We have created SFL Missions with the right combination of business responsiveness, expertise, and capabilities needed to meet smallsat mission challenges now and far into the future.' Article content Building on the SFL heritage that produced 86 operationally successful missions and 370+ cumulative years in orbit, SFL Missions Inc. is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more. Article content SFL Missions will continue the tradition of devising and implementing innovative technologies for low-mass spacecraft, including precision attitude control, accurate sensor pointing, autonomous formation flying, scalable power & propulsion, and deployable antennas. In addition, SFL Missions is offering a Flex Production program that will give customers the option of having satellites developed in their own location, at a third-party site, or at the SFL Missions facility. Article content 'We are expanding our spacecraft development capacity in Toronto and are signing new mission contracts now,' said Zee. 'Our order book is filling fast.' Article content Additionally, SFL Missions will soon announce the launch of a new Apprenticeship Program to train the next generation of small satellite aerospace engineers. Article content SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL Missions consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Article content Article content
Business Wire
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
SFL Missions Inc. Continues Legacy of Innovative Small Satellite Development from Space Flight Laboratory (SFL)
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SFL Missions Inc. is continuing the development of barrier-breaking, budget-aggressive small satellite missions for commercial, government, and academic customers worldwide by building upon the extraordinary legacy of Space Flight Laboratory (SFL). This evolution of customer-oriented service expands upon SFL's 26-year highly successful experience of small satellite innovation and mission delivery. 'The market for small satellite missions has evolved rapidly in recent years, especially in the NewSpace era,' said SFL Missions founder, Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We have created SFL Missions with the right combination of business responsiveness, expertise, and capabilities needed to meet smallsat mission challenges now and far into the future.' Building on the SFL heritage that produced 86 operationally successful missions and 370+ cumulative years in orbit, SFL Missions Inc. is developing nano-, micro-, and small satellites and constellations using space-proven bus designs for Earth observation, communications, environmental monitoring, maritime situational awareness, space astronomy, scientific research and more. SFL Missions will continue the tradition of devising and implementing innovative technologies for low-mass spacecraft, including precision attitude control, accurate sensor pointing, autonomous formation flying, scalable power & propulsion, and deployable antennas. In addition, SFL Missions is offering a Flex Production program that will give customers the option of having satellites developed in their own location, at a third-party site, or at the SFL Missions facility. 'We are expanding our spacecraft development capacity in Toronto and are signing new mission contracts now,' said Zee. 'Our order book is filling fast.' Additionally, SFL Missions will soon announce the launch of a new Apprenticeship Program to train the next generation of small satellite aerospace engineers. About SFL Missions Inc. ( SFL Missions Inc. generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL Missions consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. We arrange launches globally and maintain a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL Missions is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations.
National Post
28-04-2025
- Science
- National Post
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) Announces Key Milestone in Development of Aspera Space Astronomy Microsatellite Mission
Article content TORONTO — Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has completed assembly of the Aspera space astrophysics microsatellite bus. The spacecraft is ready for integration with the far-UV Aspera telescope being built by the University of Arizona. SFL will perform instrument-spacecraft integration and testing at its Toronto facility later this year with launch slated for early 2026. Article content Article content Aspera is a bold NASA astrophysics mission that seeks to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies through far-UV observations of the matter surrounding those galaxies, known as the 'circumgalactic medium'. The mission is managed by the University of Arizona's Department of Astronomy & Steward Observatory with funding from the NASA Astrophysics Pioneers Program. Article content 'SFL is proud to play a role in such a challenging space astrophysics mission that will enhance our understanding of how the universe formed,' said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We have developed Aspera on our 60-kg DEFIANT microsatellite platform.' Article content The Aspera mission derives its name from the Latin word for 'difficulty' or 'hardship' because astronomers have never been able to successfully observe the hot gasses that compose the circumgalactic medium. Aspera could be the first to do so. Article content 'We know there must be some amount of matter in the universe…we've looked for it and still can't find most of it. It's likely in this circumgalactic medium,' said Prof. Carlos J. Vargas, University of Arizona Astronomer and Aspera Principal Investigator. 'Why do we care about that? Because every star that has formed, every planet that's formed, and all life on those planets must come from matter somewhere.' Article content A key aspect to the technical success of Aspera – and the reason SFL was selected for spacecraft development – is the importance of very precise pointing of the onboard telescope. Article content SFL is the acknowledged leader in the development of extremely stable small satellite platforms due to the advanced attitude control systems it has developed and refined for pointing of sensors on low-mass spacecraft. SFL has successfully leveraged this technology in missions for space astrophysics, Earth observation, RF signal detection, and atmospheric monitoring. Article content Vargas credits the small satellite revolution for making the Aspera mission possible. Just 10 years ago, he said, such a space astrophysics mission would not have been financially viable with traditional satellites. Article content 'Big science can now be done on small platforms, and the University of Arizona and Steward Observatory are big players in the SmallSat revolution,' said Vargas. 'Our partnership with SFL makes that possible.' Article content Established in 1998, SFL has developed 86 operationally successful smaller satellite missions totaling more than 370 cumulative years in orbit. Another 21 spacecraft are now under development by SFL, which offers a complete suite of nano-, micro- and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. For a comprehensive list of SFL high-performance satellite platforms, please visit Article content SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches globally and maintains a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Dr. Robert E. Zee SFL Director 1-416-667-7400 info@ Article content Article content
Ottawa Citizen
28-04-2025
- Science
- Ottawa Citizen
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) Announces Key Milestone in Development of Aspera Space Astronomy Microsatellite Mission
Article content TORONTO — Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has completed assembly of the Aspera space astrophysics microsatellite bus. The spacecraft is ready for integration with the far-UV Aspera telescope being built by the University of Arizona. SFL will perform instrument-spacecraft integration and testing at its Toronto facility later this year with launch slated for early 2026. Article content Article content Aspera is a bold NASA astrophysics mission that seeks to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies through far-UV observations of the matter surrounding those galaxies, known as the 'circumgalactic medium'. The mission is managed by the University of Arizona's Department of Astronomy & Steward Observatory with funding from the NASA Astrophysics Pioneers Program. Article content Article content 'SFL is proud to play a role in such a challenging space astrophysics mission that will enhance our understanding of how the universe formed,' said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We have developed Aspera on our 60-kg DEFIANT microsatellite platform.' Article content The Aspera mission derives its name from the Latin word for 'difficulty' or 'hardship' because astronomers have never been able to successfully observe the hot gasses that compose the circumgalactic medium. Aspera could be the first to do so. Article content 'We know there must be some amount of matter in the universe…we've looked for it and still can't find most of it. It's likely in this circumgalactic medium,' said Prof. Carlos J. Vargas, University of Arizona Astronomer and Aspera Principal Investigator. 'Why do we care about that? Because every star that has formed, every planet that's formed, and all life on those planets must come from matter somewhere.' Article content A key aspect to the technical success of Aspera – and the reason SFL was selected for spacecraft development – is the importance of very precise pointing of the onboard telescope. Article content SFL is the acknowledged leader in the development of extremely stable small satellite platforms due to the advanced attitude control systems it has developed and refined for pointing of sensors on low-mass spacecraft. SFL has successfully leveraged this technology in missions for space astrophysics, Earth observation, RF signal detection, and atmospheric monitoring. Article content Vargas credits the small satellite revolution for making the Aspera mission possible. Just 10 years ago, he said, such a space astrophysics mission would not have been financially viable with traditional satellites. Article content 'Big science can now be done on small platforms, and the University of Arizona and Steward Observatory are big players in the SmallSat revolution,' said Vargas. 'Our partnership with SFL makes that possible.' Article content Established in 1998, SFL has developed 86 operationally successful smaller satellite missions totaling more than 370 cumulative years in orbit. Another 21 spacecraft are now under development by SFL, which offers a complete suite of nano-, micro- and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. For a comprehensive list of SFL high-performance satellite platforms, please visit Article content Article content SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches globally and maintains a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Dr. Robert E. Zee SFL Director 1-416-667-7400 info@ Article content Article content
Business Wire
28-04-2025
- Science
- Business Wire
Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) Announces Key Milestone in Development of Aspera Space Astronomy Microsatellite Mission
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) has completed assembly of the Aspera space astrophysics microsatellite bus. The spacecraft is ready for integration with the far-UV Aspera telescope being built by the University of Arizona. SFL will perform instrument-spacecraft integration and testing at its Toronto facility later this year with launch slated for early 2026. Aspera is a bold NASA astrophysics mission that seeks to understand the formation and evolution of galaxies through far-UV observations of the matter surrounding those galaxies, known as the 'circumgalactic medium'. The mission is managed by the University of Arizona's Department of Astronomy & Steward Observatory with funding from the NASA Astrophysics Pioneers Program. 'SFL is proud to play a role in such a challenging space astrophysics mission that will enhance our understanding of how the universe formed,' said SFL Director Dr. Robert E. Zee. 'We have developed Aspera on our 60-kg DEFIANT microsatellite platform.' The Aspera mission derives its name from the Latin word for 'difficulty' or 'hardship' because astronomers have never been able to successfully observe the hot gasses that compose the circumgalactic medium. Aspera could be the first to do so. 'We know there must be some amount of matter in the universe…we've looked for it and still can't find most of it. It's likely in this circumgalactic medium,' said Prof. Carlos J. Vargas, University of Arizona Astronomer and Aspera Principal Investigator. 'Why do we care about that? Because every star that has formed, every planet that's formed, and all life on those planets must come from matter somewhere.' A key aspect to the technical success of Aspera – and the reason SFL was selected for spacecraft development – is the importance of very precise pointing of the onboard telescope. SFL is the acknowledged leader in the development of extremely stable small satellite platforms due to the advanced attitude control systems it has developed and refined for pointing of sensors on low-mass spacecraft. SFL has successfully leveraged this technology in missions for space astrophysics, Earth observation, RF signal detection, and atmospheric monitoring. Vargas credits the small satellite revolution for making the Aspera mission possible. Just 10 years ago, he said, such a space astrophysics mission would not have been financially viable with traditional satellites. 'Big science can now be done on small platforms, and the University of Arizona and Steward Observatory are big players in the SmallSat revolution,' said Vargas. 'Our partnership with SFL makes that possible.' Established in 1998, SFL has developed 86 operationally successful smaller satellite missions totaling more than 370 cumulative years in orbit. Another 21 spacecraft are now under development by SFL, which offers a complete suite of nano-, micro- and small satellites – including high-performance, low-cost CubeSats – that satisfy the needs of a broad range of mission types from 3 to 500 kilograms. For a comprehensive list of SFL high-performance satellite platforms, please visit About Space Flight Laboratory (SFL) ( SFL generates bigger returns from smaller, lower cost satellites. Small satellites built by SFL consistently push the performance envelope and disrupt the traditional cost paradigm. We build quality small satellites at low cost that work the first time and enable NewSpace companies to mass produce through our Flex Production program. Satellites are built with advanced power systems, stringent attitude control and high-volume data capacity that are striking relative to the budget. SFL arranges launches globally and maintains a mission control center accessing ground stations worldwide. The pioneering and barrier-breaking work of SFL is a key enabler to tomorrow's cost-aggressive satellites and constellations. (
