Civil
Asteroid samples leaking from OSIRIS-REx
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft collected so much material from the surface of the asteroid Bennu that the lid of its sampling head is jammed open, causing material to leak out and changing the agency’s plans for the mission.
Lockheed Martin shifts U.K. launch site
More than two years after Lockheed Martin announced it would be one of the first customers of a proposed spaceport in Scotland, the company has decided to move to another proposed spaceport there.
Senate bill would assign space traffic management work to Commerce Department
The chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee introduced a bill Oct. 21 to formally give the Commerce Department space traffic management (STM) responsibilities, but the funding required to carry out that work remains uncertain.
NASA confident OSIRIS-REx collected asteroid samples
The leaders of NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission are confident that the spacecraft collected material from the surface of the asteroid Bennu during a touch-and-go (TAG) maneuver Oct. 20.
NASA and Energy Department sign cooperative agreement
NASA and the Department of Energy announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) Oct. 20 that is the latest in a series of measures by the two agencies to expand cooperation.
OSIRIS-REx touches down on asteroid
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft briefly touched down on the surface of the asteroid Bennu Oct. 20, but it may be several days before project scientists know how much material the probe collected for return to Earth.
JWST remains on track for October 2021 launch
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope remains on schedule for a launch in a little more than a year, but the program is still dealing with some technical issues that could eat into its schedule reserve.
NASA awards contracts for lunar technologies and ice prospecting payload
NASA has awarded more than $400 million in contracts to both demonstrate technologies needed for future lunar exploration and to send an ice-drilling payload to the south pole of the moon.
FAA publishes streamlined commercial launch regulations
The FAA released Oct. 15 the final version of updated commercial launch and reentry regulations, although those in industry say the regulatory reform process is far from over.
ESA awards contracts for moon and Mars exploration
The European Space Agency has awarded contracts for work on elements of its moon and Mars exploration program, ranging from modules for the lunar Gateway to a mission to return Mars samples to Earth.
NASA selects first human-tended suborbital research payload
NASA has selected its first human-tended commercial suborbital research payload, clearing the way for the biggest advocate of such research to fly on a future Virgin Galactic mission.
Soyuz launch marks end of an era for NASA
A Soyuz spacecraft launched to the International Space Station Oct. 14 on what will likely be the last mission where NASA pays Russia for a seat, but not necessarily the last time NASA astronauts fly on the spacecraft.
Japan, India set to resume launch activities in November
Japan and India are preparing for a resumption of launch activities in a year heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
SpaceX, Hughes and Viasat qualify to bid for $20.4 billion in FCC rural broadband subsidies
SpaceX, Hughes Network Systems and Viasat are eligible to compete for a share of the $20.4 billion in broadband subsidies the FCC plans to dole out under the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund starting later this month.
Webinar Replay | Space Traffic Management: Why Commerce, Why Now, What’s Next
Office of Space Commerce Director Kevin O'Connell and former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe join SpaceNews Oct. 13 to discuss what's next in the effort to improve civil space traffic management.
