Launch
Rocket Lab increases Electron payload capacity
Rocket Lab announced Aug. 4 it has increased the payload capacity of its Electron launch vehicle thanks to improvements in the batteries used in the rocket.
PredaSAR may launch 48 satellites with SpaceX, exec says
Synthetic aperture radar startup PredaSAR has signed a contract to launch a small satellite with SpaceX, and is in discussions to launch its entire first constellation with the company, PredaSAR co-founder Marc Bell, said Aug 4.
Small launch industry sees pandemic, government affecting market
Executives with several major small launch vehicle companies say both the economic repercussions of the pandemic and the growing interest by the U.S. government in such vehicles could reshape the industry.
Small launch startup ABL secures over $90 million in new funding and Air Force contracts
ABL says the funding will accelerate the development of its two-stage launch vehicle and mobile infrastructure.
Rocket Lab blames Electron launch failure on electrical problem
Rocket Lab said July 31 an investigation concluded that an “anomalous electrical connection” caused the failure of an Electron rocket launch nearly four weeks earlier, as the company makes plans to return to flight.
Astra ready for first in a series of orbital launch attempts
Small launch vehicle developer Astra says it’s ready for an orbital launch attempt as soon as Aug. 2, but warns that it’s “pretty unlikely” that launch will actually achieve orbit.
Proton launches two Russian communications satellites
Proton lifted off at 5:25 p.m. Eastern from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on an 18-hour mission to deploy the geostationary satellites, according to Roscosmos.
DARPA has no plans for another space launch prize competition
DARPA acting director Highnam said the agency sees no need to demonstrate launch capabilities that are now available from commercial providers.
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."
For Mars sample return, Perseverance is required
Mars scientists know the importance of perseverance. given the setbacks. That’s especially true of the quest to retrieve samples from the Red Planet.
China launches Ziyuan Earth observation and lobster eye X-ray astronomy satellites
China launched three satellites on a Long March 4B late Friday for remote sensing, novel lobster eye x-ray astronomy and commercial data acquisition.
British government finalizing launch regulations
The British government expects to soon release a comprehensive set of regulations that will enable companies to perform commercial launches from spaceports in the country.
NASA’s blueprint for the Red Planet
SpaceNews brought together a trio of experts to discuss Perseverance, the search for life, and future human exploration of Mars.
Industry executive: Defense Production Act small launch contracts should have been competed
SmallSat Alliance Chairman Chuck Beames: 'I think they messed up.'
Virgin Orbit identifies cause of engine shutdown on first LauncherOne flight
The first flight of Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket failed to reach orbit in May when a propellant line broke seconds after the ignition of the rocket’s first stage engine, the company’s chief executive said July 22.
