News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
Capella Space wins research contract from U.S. Space Development Agency
Radar satellite imagery startup Capella Space on June 14 received a $3 million research contract in support of the Space Development Agency’s National Defense Space Architecture.
Senate confirms NASA deputy administrator, NOAA administrator
The Senate confirmed the nominations June 17 of a former astronaut to be the deputy administrator of NASA and of an ocean scientist to lead NOAA.
Japan passes space resources law
Japan’s parliament approved legislation that allows companies to extract and utilize space resources as the head of Russia’s space agency criticized similar national laws on the subject.
Former defense secretary Mark Esper joins CAES board
Space-compatible electronics supplier CAES has added former U.S. defense secretary Mark Esper to its board in a push for more government customers.
Hydrosat raises $5 million in seed funding round
Data analytics company HydroSat raised $5 million in seed funding for a satellite constellation to produce a global thermal infrared map.
Tyvak and Lawrence Livermore National Lab release Earth and space images
Tyvak released the first high-resolution images of objects in orbit and on the ground captured by telescopes the satellite manufacturer developed with the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).
SES seeks speedier summary judgment in C-band case against Intelsat
SES is asking Intelsat’s bankruptcy court for a speedier summary judgment on the satellite operators’ C-band dispute instead of a full trial.
Falcon 9 launches GPS satellite in first national security mission with reused booster
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a U.S. Space Force GPS 3 satellite June 17. The rocket lifted off at 12:09 p.m. Eastern from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
NASA and Boeing close out recommendations from Starliner review
Boeing has completed all the activities recommended by an independent review of the company’s first uncrewed CST-100 Starliner mission, allowing a second uncrewed mission to proceed for launch in late July.
Shenzhou-12 docks with Tianhe space station module
The Shenzhou-12 spacecraft docked with China’s space station module hours after launch from Jiuquan late Wednesday, marking the first crewed visit to the facility.
Lawmakers question Space Force technology investments
U.S. Space Force technology investments was one of the topics discussed June 16 at a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.
Satellite makers are getting to grips with component shortages
Component shortages have been challenging manufacturers to bolster supply chains as a lack of semiconductors threatens delays and price hikes.
ESA and EU to sign partnership agreement
ESA and the EU will sign an agreement next week governing their work on joint projects, one that the agency says will allow ESA members who are not part of the EU to participate on those projects.
Air Force defends choice of Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal to host U.S. Space Command
Acting Secretary of the Air Force John Roth on June 16 pushed back on suggestions that the recommendation to relocate U.S. Space Command from Colorado to Alabama was politically tainted.
Horizon Technologies orders two surveillance satellites from AAC Clyde Space
British maritime surveillance venture Horizon Technologies has ordered two more cubesats from AAC Clyde Space, which will operate them after securing their launches next year.
