News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
Isotropic Systems gains Boeing as investor, partner on satellite user terminals
In an interview, Isotropic founder and CEO John Finney said Boeing and Isotropic agreed to several “strategic elements” that go beyond the cash investment.
Trump unveils Missile Defense Review, promises funding for space sensors in 2020
Trump: Space ultimately is “going to be a very big part of our defense and offense."
Air Force wants satellite weather data
The U.S. Air Force has obligated about $7 million of its $20 million budget for commercial satellite weather data.
European Space Agency leaders expect a challenging year ahead
Amid difficulties for the European launch industry, and with Brexit looming on the horizon, European Space Agency executives face a challenging year ahead.
Relativity to build launch site at Cape Canaveral
Relativity, the startup developing a small launch vehicle using additive manufacturing technologies, announced Jan. 17 it has won approval from the U.S. Air Force to build a launch site at Cape Canaveral.
White House resubmits NOAA, Ex-Im Bank nominations
The White House has once again nominated Barry Myers to be administrator of NOAA, as well as four people to serve on the board of the Export-Import Bank.
Aireon paying back Iridium with help from $200M loan
Aireon said it signed the credit facility Dec. 21, and that it used the new funds to pay satellite operator Iridium $35 million before the end of 2018 for hosting its sensor payloads on the Iridium Next constellation.
SpaceX to shift Starship work from California to Texas
Less than a week after laying off 10 percent of its employees, SpaceX said Jan. 16 that it plans to shift work on at least prototypes of its next-generation launch system from Los Angeles to Texas.
Defense intelligence report: China in steady pursuit of space capabilities to outmatch U.S.
DIA report: U.S communications, reconnaissance, navigation and early warning satellites could be among the targets of China's counterspace weapons.
FIRST UP Satcom | Avio takes 10M euro loan • Iridium launches Certus • NanoAvionics opens UK office
Italian rocket builder Avio is borrowing 10 million euros from the European Investment Bank. The funds will support new space propulsion technologies for Europe’s next-generation Vega C and Ariane 6 launchers, the company said.
Astranis lands anchor customer for its first small GEO satellite
Astranis, a startup designing small geostationary satellites for internet connectivity, has signed an Alaskan telecommunications provider as its first customer.
Defense official: We’re failing at space innovation
The Pentagon has to figure out how it will respond to China’s rapid advances in space technology, warned Chris Shank, director of the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office.
Cruz plans to try again with commercial space legislation
A commercial space bill that fell just short of passage last year will be reintroduced this year to serve as the starting point for further discussions, a key senator said Jan. 15.
JPL is still at work, for now
NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory may have to consider furloughing employees if the government shutdown lasts much longer.
Arianespace targets 12 launches this year, more counting OneWeb, Vega C debut
European launch provider Arianespace is planning to conduct a record number of Vega launches this year, and, if OneWeb is ready, a return to launching from Russia’s Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
Chang’e-4 spacecraft enter lunar nighttime, China planning future missions, cooperation
The Chang’e-4 lander and rover have powered down for a first lunar nighttime on the far side of the moon following a successful landing and first set of surface activities.
