Launch
SpaceShipTwo flies to the edge of space again
SpaceShipTwo successfully flew to the edge of space for the second time Feb. 22, carrying three people for the first time as Virgin Galactic moved closer to beginning commercial operations of the suborbital spaceplane.
Air Force awards $739 million in launch contracts to ULA and SpaceX
ULA and SpaceX will split six national security launches planned for 2021 to 2022, the Air Force announced Feb. 19.
Air Force smallsat to fly on upcoming Falcon 9 launch
An experimental Air Force small satellite intended to test space situational awareness technologies will be a secondary payload on the upcoming Falcon 9 launch of a commercial communications satellite and lunar lander.
Air Force launch procurement under scrutiny
Lawmakers are calling for an independent review of the Air Force Launch Service Agreement contracts and its strategy to acquire launch services in the coming years. Why?
Rogozin teases new Russian super-heavy rocket Yenisei
On Feb. 4, Roscosmos Director Dmitry Rogozin went to the Kremlin to sit down with Putin for a check-in on the state of the Russian space program. Much of the meeting focused on Roscosmos financials, which are bleak. But toward the end of the publicized portion of their discussion, Rogozin provided an update on three key rocket projects.
Lawmakers: Air Force launch procurement strategy undermines SpaceX
Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Calvert asked Secretary Heather Wilson to "review how the Air Force intends to maintain assured access to space while preserving maximum competitive opportunities for all certified launch providers."
Small launch vehicle companies see rideshare as an opportunity and a threat
Developers of small launch vehicles, who have promoted their vehicles as providing dedicated access to space for small satellites, say they’re also open to flying rideshare missions as they face competition from larger rockets.
Arianespace launches Indian, Saudi telecom satellites in year’s first Ariane 5 mission
European launch provider Arianespace completed the first Ariane 5 mission of the year Feb. 5, lofting two telecom satellites into geostationary transfer orbits.
Shanghai space vehicle manufacturer targets 17 launches in 2019
Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology, or SAST, is one of two main launch vehicle manufacturers under the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation, the main contractor for the Chinese space program, which last year generated revenues of $37.3 billion.
Shutdown delays proposed revisions to launch licensing regulations
The partial government shutdown caused the Federal Aviation Administration to miss a Feb. 1 deadline for releasing a draft of revised launch licensing regulations.
ABL Space Systems increases performance and cuts price of its small launch vehicle
A small launch vehicle company is increasing its vehicle’s payload capacity and reducing its price as it seeks to find a niche in a crowded market.
Telesat signs New Glenn multi-launch agreement with Blue Origin for LEO missions
The agreement, for an unspecified number of launches and satellites, makes Telesat the fifth customer to sign up to use the reusable launcher, which is slated for a maiden flight in 2021.
The long road to Vostochny: Inside Russia’s newest launch facility
Since construction began in 2007, the Vostochny Cosmodrome has been closed to Western journalists. But Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve — Roscosmos granted SpaceNews access to the cosmodrome as part of a revealing, though highly restricted and tightly controlled press tour
Lockheed Martin projects decline in space profits in 2019 due to ULA
While Lockheed Martin’s space unit reported increased earnings in 2018, the company cautioned that it expects profits from that unit to decline in 2019 because of decreased contributions from United Launch Alliance.
China will attempt 30-plus launches in 2019, including crucial Long March 5 missions
The main contractor for the Chinese space program is planning more than 30 launches in 2019, with major missions including the crucial return-to-flight of the heavy-lift Long March 5 rocket in July.
