Commercial
On National Security | As it plans LEO constellations, DoD must prepare to deal with congestion
The buzzword in military space these days is “proliferated LEO,” which is Pentagon-speak for large numbers of small satellites in low Earth orbit.
Former Blue Origin and SNC executive joins Vector
Small launch vehicle Vector has hired a new chief financial officer who previously held similar positions at Blue Origin and Sierra Nevada Corporation.
SpaceX launches Canadian radar satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched a trio of Canadian synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites June 12 that promise higher resolution imagery with shorter revisit times.
Companies express varying interest in NASA’s ISS commercialization plan
NASA’s announcement of a new low Earth orbit commercialization strategy has prompted varying degrees of interest from companies, but even the most ardent supporters caution that the “devil is in the details.”
Relativity to build rocket factory at Stennis
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity announced June 11 it will establish a production facility for its Terran 1 rocket at NASA’s Stennis Space Center.
ÅAC Clyde raises $9 million amid hiring spree
Craig Clark, chief strategy officer at ÅAC Clyde, said the company is hiring more staff this year to support a backlog of smallsat business for customers who are finalizing decisions on what spacecraft they want.
Why the secrecy? Stealth space startups spending years in the shadows
Space industry startups used to clamor for public attention. Now, many spend years in stealth mode refusing to disclose even the broad outlines of their plans.
Ex-Im Bank advocates push for 10-year authorizations
Supporters of the Export-Import Bank of the United States told Congress June 4 that the bank’s charter should last 10 years before requiring reauthorization instead of the three to five years normally allotted.
NASA releases ISS commercialization plan
NASA unveiled a multi-pronged effort June 7 to increase commercial use of the International Space Station, from changes in policy to making a docking port available for commercial modules.
Virgin Orbit takes OneWeb to court over canceled launch contract
According to a complaint Virgin Orbit filed June 4 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, OneWeb canceled 35 of its planned 39 launches last June, triggering a $70 million termination fee.
Aerospace cubesat produces nighttime imagery
The Aerospace Corp. showed it can capture high resolution nighttime imagery with three cameras that fit inside a single cubesat measuring ten centimeters on a side.
Iceye and KSAT join forces to speed up radar image delivery
Radar satellite operator Iceye and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) announced plans June 6 to work together to speed up delivery of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery, allowing government customers to obtain processed data in as little as 15 minutes.
NanoAvionics, KSAT, Antwerp Space raise $11.3 million for Internet of Things constellation
Three European space companies raised 10 million euros ($11.3 million) to start a constellation for Internet of Things connections they would operate on behalf of a still-to-be-determined service provider.
Exolaunch preparing eight Spire Lemurs for Soyuz flight
SAN FRANCISCO – German launch services provider Exolaunch is providing launch services and mission management for eight Spire Global satellites scheduled for liftoff July 5 on a Russian Soyuz rocket, the two companies said June 6.
Spire l…
World View reaches new milestone in Stratollite development
World View announced June 5 it performed the longest flight to date of its stratospheric balloon, demonstrating its ability to carry out missions traditionally reserved for satellites.
Satellite imagery startups to challenge Maxar for big government contracts
The NRO is ready to start buying products from new vendors and move beyond the single-supplier arrangement with Maxar Technologies.
