Civil
Arecibo replacement could support space situational awareness
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
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.
ESA and EU mend relations
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.
Green propellant successfully demonstrated on NASA mission
A recent NASA mission successfully demonstrated the performance of a non-toxic “green” propellant, creating opportunities for its use in a wide range of future spacecraft.
Northrop Grumman test fires solid motor for ULA’s Vulcan rocket
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.
Space industry executive calls on Biden to keep the National Space Council
The chief executive of Virgin Orbit's sister company VOX Space called on the Biden administration to continue the National Space Council.
Airbus, Thales win second-generation Galileo satellite contracts
The European Commission announced Jan. 20 it will award contracts to Airbus Defence and Space and Thales Alenia Space to build an initial set of next-generation Galileo navigation satellites, shutting out incumbent manufacturer OHB.
Space challenges for President Biden: Four issues for the next four years
As Joe Biden begins the first year of his presidency, there is still much we don’t know about where he and his vice president, Kamala Harris, stand on major issues in civil and national security space. There are, nonetheless, several key space issues the new administration will have to address.
Bridenstine, departing NASA, hopes Artemis continues
Jim Bridenstine used part of his final full day as NASA administrator to call on the incoming administration to continue the Artemis program and return humans to the moon.
SLS Green Run static fire cut short by “intentionally conservative” test limits
A static-fire test of the Space Launch System core stage ended early Jan. 16 when a hydraulic system for one its four engines hit an “intentionally conservative” limit during the test.
Green Run hotfire test ends early
NASA performed a hotfire test of the core stage of the Space Launch System Jan. 16, but the stage’s four main engines shut down a little more than a minute into a test designed to last eight minutes.
Policy directive on GPS issued in closing days of Trump administration
Space Policy Directive-7 highlights the United States’ ever growing dependence on space-based positioning, navigation and timing.
FCC C-band auction raised nearly $81 billion so far
The U.S. Federal Communication Commission’s C-band auction of 280-megahertz of C-band has raised nearly $81 billion and it’s not quite over.
NASA ceases efforts to deploy Mars InSight heat flow probe
After nearly two years of struggles, NASA has abandoned efforts to deploy a heat flow probe on its InSight lander into the surface of Mars.
SLS core stage ready for Green Run test firing
NASA officials expressed confidence that a key test of the Space Launch System scheduled for Jan. 16 will go well, keeping open the chances that the vehicle will make its long-delayed debut before the end of the year.
Next-generation Dragon cargo spacecraft returns from space station
The first in SpaceX’s new generation of Dragon cargo spacecraft completed its mission with a splashdown off the Florida coast Jan. 13.
