Industry News
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News
- GAO denies L3Harris protest over Ball Aerospace weather satellite instrument contract SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 The Government Accountability Office has rejected a protest filed by L3Harris over NASA’s award of a contract to Ball Aerospace for a next-generation weather satellite instrument.
- Biden Administration to Consult with Navajo About Human Remains on the Moon SpacePolicyOnline.com · 4 Jan 2024 NASA said today the Biden Administration will consult with the Navajo Nation about its concerns that human remains are being placed on the Moon on landers developed through the agency’s
- Launch Roundup: Vulcan’s maiden flight, SpaceX continues launching Starlink NASASpaceflight · 4 Jan 2024 The week of Jan. 4 to Jan. 10 saw the long-awaited maiden flight of the United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket carrying the Peregrine Mission One Lunar Lander to the Moon.
- Space Force wargames potential satellite refueling plans SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 A tabletop exercise dubbed "Parallax Rising 2.2" shed light on the strategic and logistical considerations involved in satellite refueling operations.
- Space Force seeking a digital overhaul of its aging launch infrastructure SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 The U.S. Space Force is soliciting proposals from the private sector for a new initiative — ‘digital spaceport of the future’ — focused on modernizing outdated information systems at the nation’s space launch facilities.
- Daily Telescope: A view of our star as Earth reaches perihelion Ars Technica · 4 Jan 2024 There is a bit of irony for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere.
- National Labor Relations Board issues complaint over SpaceX employee firings SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) is proceeding with a complaint against SpaceX by eight former employees who allege they were illegally fired for circulating an open letter within the company.
- Maxar wins contract to provide 3D imagery of Indo-Pacific region SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 Maxar Technologies announced Jan. 4 it secured a contract from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) to provide advanced satellite imagery and data for 3D maps and models.
- SpaceX launches Ovzon’s debut broadband satellite SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 Swedish satcom service provider Ovzon’s first fully owned satellite lifted off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket Jan. 3, closing a chapter on years of launch and manufacturing setbacks for the broadband spacecraft.
- Progress Made at SaxaVord, but Questions Remain European Spaceflight · 4 Jan 2024 Last month, the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority awarded a spaceport license to SaxaVord, granting it permission to perform 30 launches per year from Unst, a small island off the Northern coast of Scotland. Construction of...
- Bumpy Road Ahead for the Remainder of the 118th Congress SpacePolicyOnline.com · 4 Jan 2024 The second session of the 118th Congress officially began today at noon although both chambers met only in pro forma sessions. They return for legislative business next week with an
- Ingenuity lessons being incorporated into Mars Sample Return SpaceNews · 4 Jan 2024 As a Mars helicopter continues to operate far past expectations, lessons from that vehicle are being incorporated into NASA’s evolving Mars Sample Return plans.
- ULA Ready for Inaugural Vulcan Flight NASASpaceflight · 3 Jan 2024 United Launch Alliance (ULA) is preparing for the inaugural flight of its new Vulcan rocket from Space Launch Complex (SLC) 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Liftoff is currently scheduled for Jan....
- More Than Just LEO: A Framework for SPD-8 and Space Critical Infrastructure SpaceNews · 3 Jan 2024 The current debate over whether to weight space critical infrastructure on its impact on terrestrial activity overlooks most deep space activity.
- SUAS Aerospace Aims to Launch Orbital Flights from Ireland European Spaceflight · 3 Jan 2024 Irish startup SUAS Aerospace was founded in 2022 with the aim of building a launch facility in Ireland capable of supporting both suborbital and orbital flights. The company has projected that it will conduct its first o...
- SpaceX deploys direct-to-smartphone satellites in first launch of 2024 SpaceNews · 3 Jan 2024 SpaceX launched its first batch of Starlink satellites designed to connect directly to unmodified smartphones Jan. 2 after getting a temporary experimental license to start testing the capability in the United States.
- India selects Falcon 9 for communications satellite launch SpaceNews · 3 Jan 2024 The commercial arm of India’s space agency ISRO announced Jan. 2 it will launch a large communications satellite later this year on a SpaceX Falcon 9, further underscoring SpaceX’s dominance in the global launch market.
- Terran Orbital says Rivada is up to date on invoices after undisclosed payment SpaceNews · 3 Jan 2024 Terran Orbital told investors Jan. 2 it has received a past-due payment for the 300 satellites it is building for Rivada Space Networks, but it is unclear whether this covered the full $180 million it expected by the end...
- JAXA eyes February for H3 Return to Flight Space Scout · 2 Jan 2024 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is poised for its second attempt at launching its next generation H3 rocket no earlier than February 15, 2024 from Japan’s Tanegashima Space Center.
- Copernic Space sells digital assets for 2024 lunar flight SpaceNews · 2 Jan 2024 It's the latest step in the Los Angeles startup's campaign to create a digital marketplace for space asset sales and financing.
- Juno makes its first ultra-close flyby of the volcano-covered moon Io Ars Technica · 2 Jan 2024 "The cumulative effect of all that radiation has begun to show."
- €40M to be Invested to Produce Greener Hydrogen for Ariane 6 European Spaceflight · 2 Jan 2024 The European Space Agency and the French space agency CNES have committed €40.5 million to construct facilities at the Guiana Space Centre to produce hydrogen via the solar-powered electrolysis of water. The hydrogen pro...
- India launches X-ray astronomy satellite SpaceNews · 1 Jan 2024 India launched an astronomy satellite to start a year that will feature key tests for its human spaceflight program and a potential joint crewed mission with NASA.
- DLR Tests a Planetary Lander Demonstrator European Spaceflight · 1 Jan 2024 The German space agency DLR announced that it has successfully completed the first hot gas tests of its planetary lander demonstrator. DLR initiated the Green Propulsion Free-Flight Demonstrator, also known as The Länder...
- NASA pushes ahead with Earth System Observatory despite uncertain budgets SpaceNews · 1 Jan 2024 NASA is making progress on a multibillion-dollar series of Earth science missions amid uncertainty about their funding for the next year.
- What’s Happening in Space Policy December 31, 2023-January 8, 2024 SpacePolicyOnline.com · 31 Dec 2023 Here is SpacePolicyOnline.com’s list of space policy events for the next week plus two days, December 31, 2023-January 8, 2024, and any insight we can offer about them. Except for
- SpaceX closes out record-breaking 2023, prepares for more records in 2024 NASASpaceflight · 31 Dec 2023 SpaceX has closed out its most successful and record-breaking year yet. Its Falcon program broke several records for booster and fairing reuse, launch cadence, and tonnage to orbit. Alongside the Falcon program, the Drag...
- Chinese satellite internet mission rounds off record year for global launches SpaceNews · 31 Dec 2023 China launched three low Earth orbit broadband test satellites Friday, completing a record-breaking year for launches globally.
- Sirius Space Completes 60-Second STAR-1 V2 Hot Fire Test European Spaceflight · 30 Dec 2023 French launch startup Sirius Space Services has completed a successful hot fire test of the newest version of its STAR-1 rocket engine. Sirius Space began testing its 55kN STAR-1 engine at ArianeGroup’s facilities in Ver...
- Starship’s 2023: after a year filled with milestones, Starship looks ahead to an exciting future NASASpaceflight · 29 Dec 2023 The Starship Program had its biggest year to date in 2023, with two full stack flights, massive changes to the launch pad and surrounding systems, extending testing at Masseys, and massive changes to the production site.
- Spanish defense giant reportedly seeks Hispasat stake SpaceNews · 29 Dec 2023 One of Spain’s biggest defense contractors is considering buying a stake in Madrid-based satellite operator Hispasat, according to a local report citing unidentified market sources.
- SpaceX sets new rocket record with 96 successful launches in 2023 CNBC · 29 Dec 2023 Elon Musk’s SpaceX smashed its previous annual record for orbital rocket launches, pulling off 96 successful missions in 2023 at a blistering average launch pace of every four days.
- SpaceX Launches USSF-52 and Starlink 6-36 in Record Time Space Scout · 29 Dec 2023 After considerable delay, USSF-52/OTV-7 has gotten underway, lifting off at 8:07 PM on Thursday, December 28th atop a Falcon Heavy.
- First satellite for Chinese G60 megaconstellation rolls off assembly line SpaceNews · 29 Dec 2023 The first satellite for a second planned Chinese low Earth orbit communications megaconstellation has been produced in new facilities in Shanghai.
- Top European Launch Companies of 2023 European Spaceflight · 29 Dec 2023 We were promised a number of maiden flights in 2023. Unfortunately, only two occurred. That being said, the last 12 months were nonetheless an exciting time for the European launch industry. A number of significant miles...
- DOD’s X-37B Spaceplane Flies Again SpacePolicyOnline.com · 29 Dec 2023 A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket launched DOD’s X-37B spaceplane into orbit this evening. Two reusable Boeing-built X-37B Orbital Test Vehicles exist and this is the seventh flight for the program.
- SpaceX launches U.S. military spaceplane on Falcon Heavy rocket SpaceNews · 29 Dec 2023 A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket on Dec. 28 launched the U.S. Space Force X-37B spaceplane to orbit for its seventh mission.
- Slam Corp returns $176 million ahead of proposed Lynk Global merger SpaceNews · 28 Dec 2023 Former professional baseball player Alex Rodriguez’s shell company got more time from investors to merge with Lynk Global, but has to give $176 million back to those opting to redeem shares rather than a potential stake...
- Investing in Space: A year of coverage in review CNBC · 28 Dec 2023 Before setting personal goals for a new year, I always find that reflecting on highlights from the year gone by makes me appreciate the effort I’ve spent and helps refine where to build.
- NorthStar Earth & Space: First-in-Class with Commercial Space Based SSA SpaceNews · 28 Dec 2023 Overview As concern about space sustainability advances globally, NorthStar Earth and Space (NorthStar) will soon bring a first-in-class satellite constellation into service that will provide unique insights from trackin...