Civil
Japan passes space resources law
Japan’s parliament approved legislation that allows companies to extract and utilize space resources as the head of Russia’s space agency criticized similar national laws on the subject.
Former defense secretary Mark Esper joins CAES board
Space-compatible electronics supplier CAES has added former U.S. defense secretary Mark Esper to its board in a push for more government customers.
Tyvak and Lawrence Livermore National Lab release Earth and space images
Tyvak released the first high-resolution images of objects in orbit and on the ground captured by telescopes the satellite manufacturer developed with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
Shenzhou-12 docks with Tianhe space station module
The Shenzhou-12 spacecraft docked with China’s space station module hours after launch from Jiuquan late Wednesday, marking the first crewed visit to the facility.
Brazil joins Artemis Accords
Brazil became the 12th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, the U.S.-led effort to establish norms of behavior for space exploration, June 15.
NASA asteroid hunter mission moves into next phase of development
NASA has moved a space telescope designed to look for near Earth asteroids into the next phase of development, a move that, when combined with the agency’s budget proposal, gives advocates of the mission renewed optimism.
Nelson asks Senate appropriators for more HLS funding
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson asked Senate appropriators to provide additional funding so NASA can support a second lunar lander developer, warning that the agency needed to stay ahead of a “very aggressive” Chinese space program.
Hanwha, KAI and LIG Nex1 to lead South Korea’s private-sector-driven satellite development
South Korea has taken yet another step toward having a domestic satellite industry that is driven by the private sector.
ESA selects Venus mission
ESA has selected a Venus orbiter as its next medium-class science mission, just a week after NASA announced the section of two Venus missions of its own.
SOFIA operations continue despite cancellation threat
Despite facing the threat of cancellation for the second straight year, a NASA airborne observatory is continuing with regular operations.
Health care exec to lead UK Space Agency
The UK Space Agency has picked health care veteran Paul Bate to be its next CEO starting Sept. 6.
ESA adds Iceye data to Third Party Mission portfolio
The European Space Agency plans to offer researchers free access to Iceye’s synthetic aperture radar imagery.
China set to launch first astronauts to space station with Shenzhou-12
China rolled out a Long March 2F rocket Wednesday in preparation to send the Shenzhou-12 spacecraft and three astronauts to an orbiting space station.
Colorado lawmakers invite VP Harris to tour space facilities
Colorado lawmakers in a June 9 letter urge Vice President Kamala Harris to visit military and space industry facilities in the state.
NASA astrophysics director to step down
Paul Hertz, who has led NASA’s astrophysics programs for nearly a decade, will step down by the end of the year to pursue his “next challenge” at the space agency.
