Coronavirus
Researchers explore COVID-19’s environmental impact
Researchers are continuing to explore the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on Earth’s environment and to consider any implications for public policy.
Virgin Galactic delays SpaceShipTwo test flight because of pandemic
Virgin Galactic is postponing a test flight of its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle that was scheduled for this week after the state of New Mexico reinstated a stay-at-home order in response to a surge of COVID-19 cases.
Euroconsult: Record number of smallsats launched in 2020
Despite the coronavirus and the challenges that the pandemic has presented to the space industry, the number of satellites launched in 2020 will hit an all-time record.
Pentagon has not shown COVID stimulus helps small businesses, says HASC chairman
Rep. Adam Smith: “We remain concerned that COVID relief money isn’t getting to the right people."
Arianespace lofts three spacecraft in first Ariane 5 launch since start of pandemic
Arianespace on Aug. 15 launched two communications satellites and a satellite servicer on an Ariane 5 rocket, completing the company’s first launch since the reopening of the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana.
Coronavirus adds to ViaSat-3 launch delay
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed some work on the first ViaSat-3 broadband satellite, making a launch in mid-2021 unlikely, Viasat CEO Mark Dankberg said Aug. 7.
Senate pandemic relief bill offers $1.5 billion for NASA
A coronavirus pandemic spending package introduced in the Senate this week would provide $1.5 billion in supplemental funding for NASA, although agency leadership says the exact amount of money the agency needs to cover its costs remains to be determined.
VOX Space president questions DoD’s handling of stimulus funding for small launch industry
Mandy Vaughn said notifying companies of contract awards and immediately rescinding them shows “a little bit of discombobulation."
Industry executive: Defense Production Act small launch contracts should have been competed
SmallSat Alliance Chairman Chuck Beames: 'I think they messed up.'
BlackSky gets U.S. Air Force contract to monitor coronavirus outbreaks
The Air Force will use BlackSky's monitoring service to track the spread of COVID-19 and secure its supply chain.
NASA still grappling with effects of coronavirus pandemic
Four months after closing centers because of the coronavirus pandemic, NASA has been able to keep its highest priority missions on track, even as others have suffered delays.
Near Space Labs discloses prices for Texas imagery
Near Space Labs is selling high-resolution imagery of major Texas cities for prices ranging from $10 to $50 per square kilometer.
Funds no longer available for Defense Production Act small launch contracts
Air Force acquisition executive Will Roper said funds that had been allocated for small launch contracts were redirected to small business loans.
DoD awards $15 million Defense Production Act contract to LeoLabs
DoD said this agreement is to "ensure the continued viability of space surveillance capability" in the U.S. industrial base.
DoD withdraws Defense Production Act small launch contract awards
The U.S. government “will not award the identified contracts at this time.”
DoD official: Many factors considered in Defense Production Act contracts
Companies are selected based on data provided to DoD leaders by the Defense Contract Management Agency and the Defense Logistics Agency.
