Launch
NASA approves Dec. 20 Starliner test flight
NASA gave its approval Dec. 12 to proceed with the launch later this month of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew spacecraft on an uncrewed test flight to the International Space Station.
German launch startup raises $17 million with help from Airbus Ventures and an ex-SpaceX employee
Isar Aerospace, a German startup developing a small launch vehicle, has raised $17 million in a Series A round led by Airbus Ventures and Earlybird Venture Capital.
Rocket Lab inaugurates U.S. launch site
The U.S. Air Force will be the first customer for a Rocket Lab Electron launching in 2020 from a new launch site in Virginia, the company announced Dec. 12.
Kepler books SpaceX rideshare for LEO satellites
Kepler Communications on Dec. 11 said it booked 400 kilograms of rideshare capacity with SpaceX in order to launch an unspecified number of its Internet of Things cubesat next year.
Saturn Satellite Networks to be first customer of Northrop Grumman’s OmegA
Northrop Grumman announced Dec. 12 that Saturn Satellite Networks, a startup satellite manufacturer, will be the customer for the first OmegA launch in 2021.
New Shepard sets reusability mark on latest suborbital spaceflight
Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital vehicle made its first flight in more than seven months Dec. 11 as the company inches closer to flying people to the edge of space.
Falcon 9 cargo mission for NASA demonstrated long-duration coast required by U.S. Air Force
The Falcon 9 upper stage engine performed a 20.1 second burn after the six-hour coast
New dates set for commercial crew test flights
SpaceX will conduct an in-flight abort test of its Crew Dragon spacecraft in early January as the launch of Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner on an uncrewed test flight slips another day, NASA announced Dec. 6.
Electron launches smallsats in test of rocket reusability
Rocket Lab successfully launched several smallsats Dec. 6 on an Electron mission also designed to test technologies to make the rocket’s first stage reusable.
Air Force projects increased launch activity for 2020
Bongiovi says anywhere from eight to 11 national security launches could take place in 2020
Air Force soon to release revised launch solicitation in response to GAO’s ruling
An amendment to the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement RFP is in 'final coordination'
Falcon 9 launches Dragon cargo spacecraft to ISS
A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched a Dragon cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station Dec. 5 on a mission that will also perform a test of the rocket’s upper stage.
Foust Forward | Voyager’s stellar achievement: A one-in-many-generations mission beyond the solar system
Given a taste of interstellar space, scientists are looking for ways to follow up on the Voyagers.
Northrop Grumman touts financial strength in marketing pitch for OmegA rocket
Northrop is pushing the message that its financial strength should be considered by the Air Force as it decides which two providers in 2020 will receive five-year contracts.
Globalstar borrows $199M with EchoStar’s help • Measat buys Ariane 5 launch
Globalstar is borrowing $199 million through a loan arranged by its controlling shareholder Thermo and fleet operator EchoStar.
Ariane 5 launches satellites for Egypt, Inmarsat
An Ariane 5 rocket from European launch provider Arianespace successfully lifted off Nov. 26, carrying a communications satellite for the Egyptian government and Inmarsat’s newest Global Xpress satellite.
