Industry News
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News
- Report outlines lessons learned from first U.K. launch SpaceNews · 17 Dec 2023 Nearly a year after the failed Virgin Orbit launch from England, United Kingdom government officials remain optimistic about the prospects for building up a launch industry in the country.
- Space Command Reaches FOC While “Home” Remains TBD SpacePolicyOnline.com · 15 Dec 2023 U.S. Space Command reached Full Operational Capability (FOC) today, almost four-and-a-half years after it was reestablished by then-President Trump. Still undecided, however, is where USSPACECOM’s permanent home will be...
- Laser communication: the future of communicating in space NASASpaceflight · 15 Dec 2023 Laser communications, an ever so important factor for the future of space exploration, has seen some important steps forward recently. Two test missions are on the way to provide important information, and a third one is...
- Satellite transmission power battle drags on after WRC-23 SpaceNews · 15 Dec 2023 International regulators have left the door open to relaxing a cap on satellite transmission power in non-geostationary orbit as soon as 2027, NGSO operators say, even as their geostationary peers assert any change has b...
- Federal agencies caught in environmental crossfire over Starship launches SpaceNews · 15 Dec 2023 Several organizations have filed a new complaint about the environmental impacts of SpaceX Starship launches even as government agencies face criticism for delaying such launches for environmental reviews.
- U.S. Space Command declares ‘full operational capability’ SpaceNews · 15 Dec 2023 U.S. Space Command, the Defense Department’s combatant command responsible for space operations, has achieved full operational capability, its commander Gen. James Dickinson announced Dec. 15.
- China launches large classified optical satellite towards geostationary orbit SpaceNews · 15 Dec 2023 China sent the classified Yaogan-41 satellite towards geostationary orbit Friday using the country’s largest rocket.
- Tenacity Enters Final Test Campaign Space Scout · 15 Dec 2023 Colorado based Sierra Space has entered the final test and checkout campaign for their Dream Chaser spaceplane; delivering the first flight article, Tenacity, to NASA’s Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio. This represents a...
- Daily Telescope: One of the most stunning Andromeda photos I’ve ever seen Ars Technica · 15 Dec 2023 The image is the result of 100 hours of observing.
- Electron returns to flight with successful launch of Japanese radar imaging satellite SpaceNews · 15 Dec 2023 Rocket Lab successfully launched a Japanese radar imaging satellite on the first flight of its Electron rocket since a failure nearly three months ago.
- MaiaSpace Completes First Kick Stage Engine Test European Spaceflight · 15 Dec 2023 ArianeGroup subsidiary MaiaSpace has announced the completion of the first hot fire test of the engine that will power the company’s Colibri kick stage. The kick stage will be encased in a three-meter-tall fairing and wi...
- Artemis II Crew Meets with Biden and Harris (Updated) SpacePolicyOnline.com · 15 Dec 2023 The Artemis II crew made an unannounced visit to the White House today, meeting with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. The President’s and Vice President’s schedules released
- Scientists praise performance of first global survey of surface water SpaceNews · 15 Dec 2023 Researchers often spend months fine-tuning algorithms to improve data quality. For SWOT’s Ka-band Radar Interferometer, known as KaRin, ocean observations were clear immediately.
- ULA’s Vulcan Debut Set for January As Year of Lunar Landers Begins SpacePolicyOnline.com · 14 Dec 2023 The United Launch Alliance was hoping to close out 2023 with the inaugural launch of the new Vulcan rocket, but it is not to be. The company confirmed today it
- House and Senate pass 2024 defense policy bill by overwhelming majority SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 The House on Dec. 14 approved the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 310 to 118. The vote came a day after the Senate approved the bill by an 87 to 13 majority.
- Space Force eyes new breed of satellites that adjust their orbit and respond to threats SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 The U.S. military has long relied on large, expensive satellites parked in fixed orbits above the Earth. Some U.S. Space Force leaders believe it’s time to change that model.
- Jeff Bezos says what we’re all thinking: “Blue Origin needs to be much faster” Ars Technica · 14 Dec 2023 "We're going to become the world's most decisive company across any industry."
- China Launches Experimental Reusable Spacecraft for the Third Time The Launch Pad · 14 Dec 2023 China has launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the third time; the Long March 2F rocket lifted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Gobi Desert on December 14, according to Chinese state media...
- Playback | SpaceNews 2023 Icon Awards panel discussion SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 This year’s SpaceNews Icon Awards celebrated the tremendous growth, recent successes, and all-around upswing of the commercial, military, and civil space industries. A highlight of the afternoon was a panel discussion ho...
- Amazon Project Kuiper Reveals Faster Than Fiber Optical Inter-Satellite Link Capabilities The Launch Pad · 14 Dec 2023 Amazon's Project Kuiper has announced the successful testing and validation of its optical inter-satellite link (OISL) capabilities.
- Investing in Space: How to prepare shareholders with a moon landing on the way CNBC · 14 Dec 2023 Keeping up with a torrent of updates from dozens of space companies, just for a single year, feels like a herculean task even for a beat reporter focused solely on this industry. But what perhaps interests me most is wha...
- SpaceX Pushes Ahead to Flight 3 with the Rollout of Ship 28 NASASpaceflight · 14 Dec 2023 After an exciting and milestone-achieving Flight Test Two, SpaceX is ready to move into Flight Three, with the opening of preflight testing via the rollout of Ship 28 to Suborbital Pad B. This will be the start of what i...
- Final Vega launch delayed because of upper stage tank problem SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 The European Space Agency is delaying the final flight of the original version of the Vega rocket because of a problem with the rocket’s upper stage.
- China launches mystery reusable spaceplane for third time SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 China launched its experimental reusable spacecraft for the third time Thursday while maintaining strict secrecy around the mission.
- Amazon to connect Kuiper satellites with laser links to boost space internet network CNBC · 14 Dec 2023 Amazon will include a key speed-boosting technology in its coming Project Kuiper internet satellites, the company announced Thursday.
- Project Kuiper prototypes successfully test inter-satellite optical links SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 Amazon has successfully tested inter-satellite links between its two Project Kuiper prototypes in low Earth orbit, the company announced Dec. 14 as it prepares to start filling out a mesh broadband network in space next...
- Apex to open new satellite factory in Los Angeles SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 Satellite manufacturer Apex will open a new factory next year to ramp up production of small satellites.
- Daily Telescope: How small can the smallest star be? Ars Technica · 14 Dec 2023 So tiny you can barely see it.
- Vulcan Targets January 8th for Debut Flight Space Scout · 14 Dec 2023 After completion of a successful Wet Dress Rehearsal this week, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket is one step closer to its debut – entering a new chapter of American rocketry for both military and civilian space la...
- Amazon seeks dismissal of Project Kuiper launch contract lawsuit SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 Amazon is seeking to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit filed in August that alleged that the company’s board of directors acted in bad faith when it awarded Project Kuiper launch contracts to Arianespace, Blue Origin and Uni...
- Senators question White House mission authorization proposal SpaceNews · 14 Dec 2023 As officials from several federal agencies expressed support for a White House proposal for oversight of novel space activities, the chair of a key Senate subcommittee raised concerns about it.
- POLARIS Spaceplanes Completes Aerospike Engine Test Campaign European Spaceflight · 14 Dec 2023 German startup POLARIS Spaceplanes has completed the test campaign of its 1kN AS-1B linear aerospike engine, a version of which will power its MIRA demonstrator. MIRA is a 4,25-metre-long demonstration vehicle that is eq...
- Senators Skeptical of White House Mission Authorization Proposal SpacePolicyOnline.com · 14 Dec 2023 Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and other Senators expressed reservations about the White House’s new mission authorization proposal at a Senate hearing today. Released last month by the National Space Council,
- NASA will “baby” TEMPO to extend its life SpaceNews · 13 Dec 2023 The first NASA satellite to measure air pollution hourly shows so much promise that the space agency is already thinking about ways to extend its life.
- WRC-23 reaches tough compromise on satellite power limit review SpaceNews · 13 Dec 2023 International regulators are set to allow technical studies for changing satellite transmission power limits on the condition that there would not be any regulatory action resulting from them until at least 2031.
- Why the Space Force needs and deserves greater resources SpaceNews · 13 Dec 2023 As the U.S. Space Force turns four this month, a pair of retired military leaders outline the Space Forces critical need for resources to counter evolving threats and maintain the United State's security interests in an...
- Launch Roundup: Rocket Lab returns to flight; SpaceX launches more Starlink NASASpaceflight · 13 Dec 2023 SpaceX had a lighter week of launches, with Rocket Lab, Russia, and China also launching rockets. Following several delays, SpaceX launched the Starlink Group 6-34 mission.
- Space Force reorganizes command structure to streamline operations SpaceNews · 13 Dec 2023 The U.S. Space Force on Dec. 12 unveiled an overhaul of its command structure that consolidates two large organizations under a three-star general.
- SpaceX valuation climbs to $180 billion CNBC · 13 Dec 2023 The valuation of Elon Musk’s SpaceX hit $180 billion based on an ongoing secondary share sale, CNBC confirmed Wednesday.
- SpaceX yet to select launch pad for next Axiom Space private astronaut mission SpaceNews · 13 Dec 2023 As Axiom Space gears up for its third private astronaut mission to the International Space Station in less than a month, SpaceX is still determining what launch pad it will use for it.