Commercial
Space logistics experts broadly endorse standards
A panel of space logistics experts underscored the importance of open standards to encourage the growth of the market.
Starliner concludes OFT-2 test flight with landing in New Mexico
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner safely landed in New Mexico May 25, concluding a six-day uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station.
Gogo’s OneWeb partnership could face Starlink in business aviation market
Gogo is planning to use OneWeb satellites in a partnership that could see it take on Starlink in an emerging business aviation market for low Earth orbit services.
Virgin Orbit expects first U.K. launch in August
Virgin Orbit expects to perform its first launch from England in late August, pending award of a British launch license, a company executive said May 25.
BlackSky, Maxar, Planet win 10-year NRO contracts for satellite imagery
The National Reconnaissance Office announced May 25 it awarded BlackSky, Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs 10-year contracts to provide satellite imagery for U.S. intelligence, defense and federal civil agencies.
Industry looks to decentralized approaches to space sustainability
As governments make slow progress on space traffic management systems, companies may be able work together more quickly to develop processes to support space sustainability.
Launcher wins Space Force contract to support engine development
Launcher won a $1.7 million contract from the U.S. Space Force that will assist the company’s development of a high-performance rocket engine for its small launch vehicle.
Supply chain challenges also present opportunities for the space industry
Supply chain disruptions continue to pose a challenge for the space industry, but some see those disruptions as an opportunity for new approaches and innovation.
Experts offer advice for space sector entrepreneurs
At the Space Tech Expo May 24, space industry executives and startup founders shared advice for fledgling startups.
Space Systems Command refines front-door concept
The U.S. Space Systems Command is continuing to refine its concept for establishing a single point of contact for commercial innovators called the front door.
AWS picks 10 startups for 2022 space accelerator
Amazon Web Services announced May 24 it has picked 10 startups to join its second annual space accelerator program, which helps early-stage companies learn how to grow their businesses with cloud and analytic technologies.
Starlink’s RV service lets users jump the line — for a price
A new Starlink plan lets customers pay more to skip waitlists to connect to its broadband satellites without a fixed address, although connection speeds for other users will be prioritized.
Azure Space offers Custom Vision tools for satellite imagery
Microsoft is working with partners to identify commercial space applications for the latest software tools the tech giant has developed.
Japan Air Self Defense Force awards contract to LeoLabs
Space mapping startup LeoLabs announced a multimillion-dollar contract May 24 to provide space domain awareness data, services and training to the Japan Air Self Dense Force.
Benchmark works with Space Forge to develop reusable engines
Benchmark Space Systems announced plans May 24 to produce engines in the United Kingdom and to work with U.K. startup Space Forge to develop reusable chemical propulsion systems.
NASA plans to make Starliner crew assignments this summer
As Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner prepares to return from its brief trip to the International Space Station, NASA officials say they’ll wait until this summer to determine the schedule for the vehicle’s first crewed flight and the astronauts who will fly it.
