Space Industry News: Headlines from Across the Industry

36,859 headlines. We show the headline and the publisher's own teaser; the full story is at the source.

Balky connectors prevent full activation of European experiment platform Spaceflight Now · 27 Jan 2021 Two astronauts ventured outside the International Space Station Wednesday to complete work to outfit an external European experiment platform, routing cables and installing a high-speed data relay antenna.
Firefly Aerospace seeking to raise $350 million SpaceNews · 27 Jan 2021 Small launch vehicle developer Firefly Aerospace, nearing its first orbital launch attempt, is looking to raise $350 million to scale up production and work on a new, larger vehicle.
U.S. Space Command chief makes case for civilian space traffic control SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 Gen. James Dickinson said he supports the transfer of space traffic control to the Department of Commerce “where it can be better managed."
SpaceX’s rideshare carried small satellite technology of interest to U.S. military SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 Among the 143 satellites on Transporter-1 were technology demonstrations and payloads of interest to the U.S. military, including satellite components, in-space laser communications and remote sensing.
Speedcast to reorganize under Centerbridge Partners SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 Satellite communications provider SpeedCast is scheduled to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy by March 31 after winning approval to reorganize under a new owner, private Equity firm Centerbridge Partners.
Deep Space Network upgrades and new antennas increase vital communication capabilities NASASpaceflight · 26 Jan 2021 NASA’s Deep Space Network, commonly referred to as the DSN, has welcomed a new dish, Deep Space Station 56, to its family of powerful ground listening stations around the world.
Axiom reveals first all-private crew for trip to International Space Station Spaceflight Now · 26 Jan 2021 A four-man crew led by a former NASA astronaut intends to blast off early next year aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule for a flight to the International Space Station, the first such purely commercial, non-government fl...
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx Mission Plans for May Asteroid Departure NASA · 26 Jan 2021 On May 10, NASA’s Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, Security, Regolith Explorer (OSIRIS-REx) spacecraft will say farewell to asteroid Bennu and begin its journey back to Earth.
JAXA ships new H3 rocket to Tanegashima Space Center for testing SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is transporting its new, flexible H3 rocket to Tanegashima Space center for testing ahead of a first launch.
SpaceX adds laser crosslinks to polar Starlink satellites SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 The first Starlink satellites launched to polar orbit are equipped with laser crosslinks, a technology the company plans to add to other satellites next year.
Momentus CEO resigns amid U.S. government concerns SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 The founding chief executive of in-space transportation company Momentus is resigning in an effort to overcome U.S. government concerns about foreign control of the company.
SpaceX’s most important Super Heavy booster part makes first appearance Teslarati · 26 Jan 2021 What is arguably the most complex and important part of SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster prototype has made its first appearance at the...
Space Force officially ends launch partnerships with Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 The U.S. Space Force on Dec. 31 officially terminated launch technology partnerships signed in October 2018 with Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman.
Axiom announces crew for first private ISS mission SpaceNews · 26 Jan 2021 A commercial Crew Dragon mission to the International Space Station early next year chartered by Axiom Space will carry four private astronauts — but not a superstar actor.
Space Development Agency asks industry for input on available technologies SpaceNews · 25 Jan 2021 A “broad area announcement” Jan. 25 asks companies for information on emerging technologies that the Space Development Agency might be interested in funding if they meet specific needs.
Startup Albedo focuses on 10-centimeter Earth imagery SpaceNews · 25 Jan 2021 Albedo, the latest space company to join the Y Combinator startup accelerator, plans to establish a satellite constellation offering Earth imagery with a resolution of 10 centimeters per pixel.
High winds scrub SpaceX Starship SN9’s Monday launch attempt Teslarati · 25 Jan 2021 Update (2:30 pm CST): SpaceX appears to have called off Monday’s Starship SN9 launch attempt due (primarily) to high winds along the...
Starliner test flight next on ULA’s launch schedule after military mission delay Spaceflight Now · 25 Jan 2021 The U.S. Space Force has decided to delay the planned late February launch of two military satellites aboard a ULA Atlas 5 rocket to “evaluate readiness” of one of the payloads, giving officials a window to move forward...
ESA's exoplanet watcher CHEOPS reveals unique planetary system ESA · 25 Jan 2021 ESA's exoplanet mission CHEOPS has revealed a unique planetary system consisting of six exoplanets, five of which are locked in a rare rhythmic dance as they orbit their central star. The sizes and masses of the planets,...
Phase Four launches first plasma propulsion systems SpaceNews · 25 Jan 2021 Electric propulsion company Phase Four flew its first plasma thrusters on two spacecraft that were part of a SpaceX dedicated rideshare launch Jan. 24.
Bridenstine joins private equity firm SpaceNews · 25 Jan 2021 Less than a week after leaving the agency, former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is joining a private equity firm that invests in the aerospace and defense industries.
SpaceX smashes record with launch of 143 small satellites Spaceflight Now · 25 Jan 2021 SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket Sunday from Cape Canaveral with 143 small satellites, a record number of spacecraft on a single mission, giving a boost to startup space companies and stressing the U.S. military’s track...
SpaceX’s Super Heavy booster assembly is starting to speed up Teslarati · 24 Jan 2021 SpaceX has begun stacking a new section of the first Super Heavy prototype in the latest sign that work is accelerating on...
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket snags world record for most satellites launched at once Teslarati · 24 Jan 2021 A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has successfully delivered 143 spacecraft to orbit, snagging a world record for most satellites launched in one...
SpaceX launches record-setting cluster of smallsats SpaceNews · 24 Jan 2021 A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 143 small satellites for a wide range of customers Jan. 24 on the company's first dedicated rideshare mission, a service that poses a competitive threat to emerging small launch vehicles.
SpaceX launches 143 satellites into orbit, most ever [Updated] Ars Technica · 24 Jan 2021 Party in the payload bay: 143 total satellites deployed in a dozen waves.
Hyten: U.S. Space Force is ‘on solid ground’ despite speculation SpaceNews · 24 Jan 2021 President Biden is not expected to make abrupt changes to U.S. national security programs but there is particular uncertainty surrounding the Space Force.
Falcon 9 launch timeline on the Transporter-1 mission Spaceflight Now · 23 Jan 2021 SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket is set for liftoff from Cape Canaveral on Sunday, heading due south over the Atlantic Ocean on a trajectory hugging the east coast of Florida to deliver 143 small satellites into polar orbit.
A closer look at Transporter-1 and its record-breaking 143 satellites onboard Space Scout · 23 Jan 2021 JAN. 23, 2021--SpaceX is set to launch a mission carrying over 140 satellites. We tracked 142 out of 143.
Transporter-1 debuts new SpaceX rideshare program, world record NASASpaceflight · 22 Jan 2021 SpaceX launched their third mission of 2021 and the first of many planned Smallsat Rideshare Program missions, which are designed by the company to give small satellite operators the chance to launch together as a way to...
Northrop Grumman and L3Harris to build sensor satellites for Missile Defense Agency SpaceNews · 22 Jan 2021 The Missile Defense Agency awarded Northrop Grumman a $155 million contract Jan. 22. L3Harris received a $121 million contract Jan. 14.
Arecibo replacement could support space situational awareness SpaceNews · 22 Jan 2021 A proposal to replace the giant radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico with a new facility suggests it could be used for tracking space objects as well as for scientific research.
SpaceX’s record-setting rideshare mission a challenge for space traffic control SpaceNews · 22 Jan 2021 SpaceX's Transporter-1, a rideshare mission scheduled to launch Jan. 23 could set a new record for the most satellites ever launched in a single flight.
NASA Invites Media to Next Space Station Cargo Launch With Northrop Grumman NASA · 22 Jan 2021 Media accreditation is open for the launch from Virginia of Northrop Grumman’s 15th commercial resupply services mission to deliver NASA science investigations, supplies, and equipment to the International Space Station...
French startup demonstrates iodine propulsion in potential boost for space debris mitigation efforts SpaceNews · 22 Jan 2021 French startup ThrustMe has performed the first on-orbit tests of an innovative iodine-fueled electric propulsion system, proving its ability to change a CubeSat’s orbit.
ESA and EU mend relations SpaceNews · 22 Jan 2021 After fraying relations in recent years, officials with the European Union and European Space Agency say they’re committed to rebuilding a more cooperative relationship on space programs.
Rocket Report: Starship going offshore, Blue Origin may launch humans in April Ars Technica · 22 Jan 2021 "We're smarter as a team having been through this process."
SpaceX is about to crush the record for most satellites launched on one rocket Teslarati · 22 Jan 2021 While delayed from Friday to Saturday, SpaceX’s next Falcon 9 launch still appears to be on track to obliterate the world’s current...
Northrop Grumman test fires solid motor for ULA’s Vulcan rocket SpaceNews · 21 Jan 2021 Northrop Grumman announced Jan. 21 it completed a static firing of the strap-on solid booster it developed for United Launch Alliance’s new Vulcan Centaur rocket.
Air Force Academy to produce more officers for Space Force SpaceNews · 21 Jan 2021 As many as 116 graduates of the U.S. Air Force Academy this year will join the U.S. Space Force.

Launch and satellite data: Jonathan McDowell's GCAT (CC BY 4.0) and CelesTrak. Rockets, spacecraft and agencies: Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs and Wikidata. News headlines link to their publishers via the Spaceflight News API and RSS feeds. Records come from several sources and are matched automatically, so treat the directory as a research aid, not an authority. How the data is built and checked.