Industry News
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News
- Commercial spy satellites put Russia’s Ukraine invasion in the public eye SpaceNews · 27 Feb 2022 Images collected by commercial satellites have chronicled the buildup of Russian forces on Ukraine’s borders and the ongoing invasion, providing intelligence previously only available from government sources — and seldom...
- Russia suspends Soyuz launch operations in French Guiana Spaceflight Now · 26 Feb 2022 Blaming European sanctions enacted after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian space agency said Saturday it is recalling dozens of engineers and technicians from French Guiana and suspending Soyuz rocket operations...
- Xplore banks $16.2 million for space-as-a-service SpaceNews · 26 Feb 2022 Space-as-a-service startup Xplore has brought in $16.2 million to date including venture capital funding and contracts.
- Russia halts Soyuz launches from French Guiana SpaceNews · 26 Feb 2022 Roscosmos announced Feb. 26 that it is halting cooperation with Europe on Soyuz launches from French Guiana and withdrawing its personnel from the launch site in response to European sanctions for Russia’s invasion of Uk...
- Russia pulls out of European spaceport, abandoning a planned launch Ars Technica · 26 Feb 2022 "We will take all relevant decisions in response to this decision."
- Sierra Space to study Dream Chaser landings in Japan SpaceNews · 26 Feb 2022 Sierra Space has signed an agreement to study future landings of its Dream Chaser vehicle at a Japanese airport.
- SpaceX makes its case for space sustainability with latest Starlink launch SpaceNews · 25 Feb 2022 SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites Feb. 25 as the company argues its satellite constellation is consistent with the safe and sustainable use of low Earth orbit.
- NASA Selects Futuristic Space Technology Concepts for Early Study NASA · 25 Feb 2022 An astronaut steps into a body scanner and, hours later, walks on Mars in a custom-made spacesuit, breathing oxygen that was extracted from Mars' carbon dioxide-rich atmosphere.
- Previous invasion of Ukraine had serious repercussions for the space sector SpaceNews · 25 Feb 2022 While Russia’s invasion of eastern Ukraine could have important ramifications for the U.S. space sector, the impact is not likely to be as serious as that of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea.
- More spaceports, more problems SpaceNews · 25 Feb 2022 State and local authorities pushing new projects seem undeterred by many obstacles or the fact that more than half of 13 FAA-licensed spaceports in the United States have yet to host a launch.
- The Russian invasion of Ukraine will have myriad impacts on spaceflight Ars Technica · 25 Feb 2022 "If you block cooperation with us, who will save the ISS from an unguided de-orbit?"
- ULA: Russia sanctions not expected to disrupt Atlas 5 operations SpaceNews · 25 Feb 2022 United Launch Alliance said the operation of the Atlas 5 vehicle, which is powered by the Russian RD-180 engine, will not be affected by the economic sanctions imposed on Russia in response to the invasion of Ukraine
- ESA to continue cooperation but monitoring situation following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine SpaceNews · 25 Feb 2022 ESA is continuing work on the International Space Station and ExoMars programs in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but monitoring the situation, the agency’s Director-General said Friday.
- NASA to roll out SLS in mid-March for launch rehearsal SpaceNews · 25 Feb 2022 NASA expects to roll out the Space Launch System rocket for the first time in mid-March for a dress rehearsal of a launch that could come as soon as May but more likely some time in the summer.
- Rocket Report: SLS rocket almost ready to roll, ULA workers prepared to strike Ars Technica · 25 Feb 2022 "We've agreed to a $20 per hour pay cut in the last contract to stay competitive with SpaceX."
- SpaceX deploys another batch of Starlink satellites Spaceflight Now · 25 Feb 2022 SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket with a batch of 50 more Starlink internet satellites Friday from the Central Coast of California, the company’s second Starlink mission in four days. Two more Starlink launches are sched...
- ULA: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine won’t impact remaining Atlas 5 missions Spaceflight Now · 25 Feb 2022 United Launch Alliance said Friday that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will have no impact on the company’s Atlas 5 rocket program, which has 25 missions left to fly with Russian-made main engines before retirement. The la...
- Fifty more Starlink satellites ready for launch Friday Spaceflight Now · 24 Feb 2022 SpaceX will launch another 50 Starlink internet satellites Friday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, continuing what’s expected to be a cadence of nearly one Falcon 9 launch per month this year at the West C...
- SpaceX set for third Starlink launch in a row [webcast] Teslarati · 24 Feb 2022 Update: SpaceX says that a Falcon 9 rocket is on track Starlink 4-11 from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) no earlier...
- SpaceX’s Starbase environmental review delayed another month Teslarati · 24 Feb 2022 The FAA says that it will take at least another month to complete a crucial environmental review of orbital Starship launches from...
- Relativity Space reveals plans to rapidly upgrade 3D-printed Terran 1 rocket Teslarati · 24 Feb 2022 Relativity Space has announced that it will only launch the first version of its small Terran 1 rocket a handful of times...
- Globalstar selects MDA and Rocket Lab for new satellites SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2022 Globalstar has selected MDA Ltd. and Rocket Lab to supply a set of satellites to replenish its constellation, funded by a mystery customer.
- Biden: Sanctions will “degrade” Russian space program SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2022 Russia’s space program won’t be shielded from sanctions the United States is imposing in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden said Thursday afternoon.
- Orbital Sidekick notes growing demand for hyperspectral data SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2022 Capacity is the biggest constraint for Orbital Sidekick, the hyperspectral imaging startup that is acquiring data from Aurora, its first sensor launched in June.
- U.S. Space Command needs help identifying hostile intent in space SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2022 If Russia or any other actor were to intentionally interfere with U.S. satellites, it would be difficult to identify the aggressor, said the top commander of U.S. military space operations.
- SpaceLink adds smaller satellites to data-relay constellation SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2022 SpaceLink announced plans Feb. 24 to establish an initial constellation of smaller satellites than previously planned, a move designed to slash the cost and speed up the rollout of initial data-relay services.
- AE Industrial Partners to acquire stake in Firefly from Noosphere SpaceNews · 24 Feb 2022 AE Industrial Partners is buying the part of Firefly Aerospace currently owned by Noosphere Venture Partners, which previously announced it was being forced by the federal government to sell its stake in the launch vehic...
- Biden announces sanctions targeting Russia’s space program Spaceflight Now · 24 Feb 2022 President Biden said Thursday the United States is imposing new sanctions against Russia, including measures that will “degrade” the country’s space program, in response to Russian military attacks on Ukraine. So far, op...
- U.S. and Europe say space cooperation with Russia not affected yet by Ukraine crisis SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 American and European officials said Feb. 23 that space cooperation with Russia remains unaffected even as that country continues to threaten a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- Space Force procurement command trying to bring ‘unity of effort’ to space programs SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 Claire Leon, a former Boeing executive who previously led the national security space launch program, is now in charge of a new office that will coordinate military space programs.
- Dmitry Rogozin says he does not appreciate “openly hostile” US policy Ars Technica · 23 Feb 2022 "I am very unhappy with the openly hostile policy of the USA toward my country."
- Moon-bound rocket stage still most likely from 2014 Chang’e mission, despite China’s denial SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 A rocket stage expected to impact the moon is still most likely to belong to China’s 2014 moon mission, despite a denial from the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- NASA to Host Virtual Future of Aviation Showcase NASA · 23 Feb 2022 Members of the media and public are invited to participate in NASA’s imaginAviation, a three-day virtual event that will focus on the future transformation of aviation that begins Tuesday, March 1.
- NASA, Axiom to Discuss First Private Astronaut Space Station Mission NASA · 23 Feb 2022 NASA experts will join a virtual news conference hosted by Axiom Space to preview the launch of Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1), the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The briefing will take place...
- Northrop Grumman wins $341 million Space Force contract to develop a deep-space tracking radar SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 The U.S. Space Force awarded Northrop Grumman a $341 million contract to develop a radar site to track active satellites and debris in high orbits.
- NRO warns satellite operators of possible Russian attacks SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 The director of the National Reconnaissance Office, Christopher Scolese, warned that Russia’s military could target satellites in space to disrupt communications and GPS services.
- Virgin Galactic has lost $1 billion during the last two years Ars Technica · 23 Feb 2022 "We achieved many important milestones in 2021."
- NOAA seeking information on commercial space situational awareness data SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 The Commerce Department is seeking information on commercial sources of space situational awareness (SSA) data to augment its own space traffic management capabilities.
- SpaceX to launch “next-generation satellite-servicing vehicle” for Northrop Grumman Teslarati · 23 Feb 2022 Northrop Grumman subsidiary SpaceLogistics has selected SpaceX to launch its first Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV) – better described as the company’s “next-generation...
- Lynk reveals mobile network contracts SpaceNews · 23 Feb 2022 Lynk Global announced contracts Feb. 23 with seven mobile network operators serving Pacific and Caribbean Island nations.