Industry News
Headlines from space publications, linked back to the original articles
Industry / News
- NASA approves plans for Crew-2 launch SpaceNews · 16 Apr 2021 NASA managers approved plans to launch a SpaceX commercial crew mission to the International Space Station next week, pending the resolution of one minor issue with the Falcon 9 rocket.
- Rocket Report: SpaceX to build huge launch tower, Branson sells Virgin stock Ars Technica · 16 Apr 2021 "For us, it’s super important to have a launchpad in mainland Europe."
- SpaceX Starlink internet could exit beta this summer, says Musk Teslarati · 16 Apr 2021 CEO Elon Musk says that SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service will “probably [be] out of beta this summer” as the company continues...
- Crew Dragon astronauts arrive at Kennedy Space Center for launch preps Spaceflight Now · 16 Apr 2021 An all-veteran crew of four astronauts jetted into NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Friday for the final few days of rehearsals, briefings, and relaxation before blasting off Thursday bound for a six-month stint on the Intern...
- NASA delays starting contract with SpaceX for Gateway cargo services SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2021 More than a year after selecting SpaceX to deliver cargo to the lunar Gateway, NASA has yet to formally start that contract as it performs a broader review of its Artemis program.
- Musk says SpaceX’s fifth Starship launch is scheduled next week, sets static fire date Teslarati · 15 Apr 2021 Update: As expected, SpaceX has scheduled a road closure on Monday, April 19th – most likely for Starship SN15’s first static fire...
- LeoLabs adding new services to support growing space activity in low Earth orbit SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2021 LeoLabs is adding more sensors and data processing capacity to its network in preparation for a surge in satellites launches.
- Top EU court rejects European Aviation Network challenge, but legal action continues SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2021 Inmarsat’s competitors have vowed to continue pursuing legal action to block its hybrid satellite and cellular European Aviation Network (EAN), after the European Union’s highest court rejected their challenge.
- NASA Adds Vulcan Centaur Launch Services to Launch Services Contract NASA · 15 Apr 2021 NASA has awarded a contract modification to United Launch Services LLC of Centennial, Colorado, to add Vulcan Centaur launch services to the company's NASA Launch Services II (NLS II) contract, in accordance with the con...
- VY Canis Majoris mass-loss history sheds light on hypergiant’s state, connection to Betelgeuse NASASpaceflight · 15 Apr 2021 In the southern hemisphere, in the constellation Canis Major, lies a very young, very massive red hypergiant star called VY Canis Majoris (VY CMa).
- Consortium unveils greenhouse gas monitoring constellation Carbon Mapper SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2021 A consortium led by the State of California, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Planet announced plans April 15 for a constellation of hyperspectral satellites to pinpoint, quantify and track point sources of methane and...
- Starlink’s ease of use and speed impresses cybersecurity analyst Teslarati · 15 Apr 2021 Nicholas Underwood, a 25-year-old cybersecurity analyst, is well-versed in tech, but before getting his Starlink kit, he was facing a rather tricky...
- Iceye establishes U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Irvine, California SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2021 Iceye has established a satellite manufacturing facility, research and development laboratory, and mission operations center for U.S.-licensed spacecraft at its new Iceye US headquarters in Irvine, California.
- SpaceX adds to latest funding round SpaceNews · 15 Apr 2021 SpaceX has added more than $300 million to a fundraising round announced earlier this year to support continued work on its Starship launch system and Starlink satellite constellation.
- NASA, SpaceX clear crew capsule for launch next week Spaceflight Now · 15 Apr 2021 NASA and SpaceX officials are moving forward with preparations to launch the next commercial Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station next week after a Flight Readiness Review Thursday, pending a final eval...
- SpaceX installs Dragon spaceship on the rocket that’ll take it to space (again) Teslarati · 15 Apr 2021 For the third time ever, SpaceX has installed a Crew Dragon spacecraft scheduled to launch astronauts on the Falcon 9 rocket that’ll...
- Space Development Agency could select three manufacturers to produce its next batch of satellites SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 The Space Development Agency is considering buying its next 150 satellites from three different vendors,
- Arianespace announces competition for free nanosatellite launch Spaceflight Now · 14 Apr 2021 Arianespace announced this week it is organizing a contest open to startups, labs, and universities for a free launch of a nanosatellite on a future rideshare mission, likely on an Ariane 6 or Vega rocket.
- SpaceX closes second billion-dollar funding round in eight months Teslarati · 14 Apr 2021 Updated SEC documents show that the appetites of SpaceX’s investors weren’t quite sated after a February 2021 round of funding, leading the...
- DoD space agency: Cyber attacks, not missiles, are the most worrisome threat to satellites SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 The Space Development Agency is less worried about missile strikes than it is about cyber attacks and intrusions into the supply chain.
- Blue Origin practices crew operations on suborbital test flight Spaceflight Now · 14 Apr 2021 Blue Origin, the space company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, took another step toward launching people to the edge of space Wednesday with a suborbital test flight of its New Shepard booster and crew capsule over We...
- Blue Origin aces dress rehearsal for New Shepard crewed flights SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 Blue Origin completed another test flight of its New Shepard vehicle April 14, putting the company on the verge of finally flying people.
- SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Endeavour meets Falcon 9 rocket for launch next week Spaceflight Now · 14 Apr 2021 SpaceX trucked its Crew Dragon Endeavour spacecraft, refurbished with a new heat shield and structural enhancements, across the Cape Canaveral spaceport this week for attachment to a Falcon 9 rocket ahead of a planned li...
- Astranis secures $250 million to accelerate small GEO satellite development SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 Astranis, a startup developing small geostationary satellites, has raised $250 million in a funding round that values the company at $1.4 billion.
- Arianespace offers free launch to deserving cubesat SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 The winner of the "Destination: A Better Life on Earth" competition will win integration and launch services aboard a future Arianespace rideshare mission offering one of the two new services.
- Blue Origin succeeds in 15th New Shepard flight, critical test before carrying humans NASASpaceflight · 14 Apr 2021 Blue Origin launched the 15th mission of their suborbital New Shepard launch system, including booster and capsule, on a test flight that will prove crucial to the company’s ability to begin carrying people.
- Telesat raising $500 million in debt for Lightspeed broadband network SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 Canadian satellite operator Telesat plans to raise $500 million with a bond to help fund its $5 billion Lightspeed broadband constellation.
- Sierra Nevada Corporation to spin off space division SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 Sierra Nevada Corp. will spin off its space division into a separate company, a move reflecting the “historic growth” it foresees for that business in the next several years.
- HawkEye 360 raises $55 million SpaceNews · 14 Apr 2021 HawkEye 360 has raised $55 million in additional funding that the company says will allow it to complete its constellation of satellites that track ships and vehicles by their radio-frequency emissions.
- SpaceX Falcon Heavy beats out ULA Vulcan rocket for NASA Moon rover launch Teslarati · 14 Apr 2021 SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket appears to have edged out competitor United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) next-generation Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle to send a...
- NASA to Provide Live Coverage of Space Station Crew Landing NASA · 13 Apr 2021 Expedition 64 Flight Engineer Kate Rubins of NASA and two Roscosmos cosmonauts are scheduled to end their mission on the International Space Station Friday, April 16.
- Northrop Grumman servicer docks with active satellite in geosynchronous orbit Spaceflight Now · 13 Apr 2021 Northrop Grumman’s second robotic life extension spacecraft docked with an Intelsat satellite in geosynchronous orbit Monday, the first link-up between a commercial servicing mission and an operational communications cra...
- It now seems likely that Starliner will not launch crew until early 2022 Ars Technica · 13 Apr 2021 The first hurdle for Starliner: Finding an open port on the space station
- Blue Origin to rehearse for human passengers on suborbital flight Spaceflight Now · 13 Apr 2021 Finally on the cusp of launching people to the edge of space, Blue Origin plans to use a suborbital test flight of its New Shepard booster and crew capsule Wednesday to rehearse boarding and recovery procedures for futur...
- China launches experimental Shiyan satellite Spaceflight Now · 13 Apr 2021 China launched the third in a series of experimental Shiyan 6 satellites April 8 aboard a Long March 4B rocket, beginning a mission to test new space technologies, including a new super-black coating to absorb stray ligh...
- York Space Systems automates ground system operations SpaceNews · 13 Apr 2021 York Space Systems has learned a lot from operating its first production-model spacecraft in orbit for two years. The biggest takeaway, though, has been the need to automate satellite handling on the ground.
- Astrobotic selects SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy to launch robotic lunar lander Spaceflight Now · 13 Apr 2021 A commercial lunar lander built by Astrobotic will launch from the Kennedy Space Center on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket in late 2023 to deliver a water-hunting NASA rover to the moon’s south pole, officials announced Mon...
- Korea Aerospace Industries to invest $880 million to expand space business SpaceNews · 13 Apr 2021 Space will command nearly 45 percent of the $1.9 billion Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has set aside for a broader five-year growth plan.
- Slingshot developing graphics tool for missile-warning satellite operators SpaceNews · 13 Apr 2021 Slingshot Aerospace won a $1.2 million contract to develop software to help Space Force satellite operators visualize missile detection and warning.
- Astrobotic selects Falcon Heavy to launch NASA’s VIPER lunar rover SpaceNews · 13 Apr 2021 Astrobotic has signed a contract with SpaceX for the launch of its Griffin lunar lander, carrying a NASA lunar rover, on a Falcon Heavy in 2023.