News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
SLS contractors expect first launch in 2021
While NASA has yet to update the schedule for the first flight of its Space Launch System, companies working on the heavy-lift rocket now expect the rocket to launch in early 2021 rather than 2020.
Commercial crew providers prepare for fall test flights
Boeing and SpaceX said Aug. 19 that they expect to carry out critical test flights of their commercial crew systems this fall, with SpaceX still hopeful of launching astronauts to the International Space Station this year.
FAA launch office, with mounting workload, prioritizing reorganization over expansion
The Federal Aviation Administration’s space-related workload is growing faster than its workforce, but the agency wants to complete a reorganization focused on efficiency before seeking more personnel.
Atlas, Delta rocket factory begins transition to Vulcan Centaur
Vulcan scores two new customers as ULA begins factory upgrades in preparation for the transition to Vulcan production.
Viasat taps Blue Canyon Technologies to build Link 16 satellite
Viasat selected Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT) to design and manufacture a cubesat for a U.S. Air Force test of a military communications terminal in low Earth orbit.
Chinese commercial rocket Smart Dragon-1 reaches orbit with first launch
A Chinese rocket company launched its first rocket Saturday, successfully sending three commercial satellites into orbit and boosting domestic light-lift competition.
Rocket Lab Electron launches four smallsats
Rocket Lab launched four small satellites Aug. 19 on a mission that also brings the company one step closer to reusing the first stage of its Electron rockets.
NASA issues call for proposals for Gateway logistics
NASA formally issued a call for proposals to provide cargo transportation services for its lunar Gateway Aug. 16, offering up to $7 billion in contracts to support operations of the human-tended facility.
APT Satellite nets $21 million from Apstar-6 insurance claim, next satellite delayed
APT Satellite says it has received $21 million in insurance payments for the partial failure of the Apstar-6 communications satellite in May 2018.
Marshall selected to lead NASA human lunar lander program
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center will manage the agency’s efforts to develop a lander needed to achieve the goal of landing astronauts on the moon by 2024, an announcement overshadowed by political wrangling about what center should be responsible.
Chandrayaan-2: India’s lunar maneuvers continue
India’s second lunar mission, Chandrayaan-2, is scheduled to enter lunar orbit Aug. 20 following a relatively circuitous journey to the moon.
Air Force soliciting bids for small, medium satellite launch program
OSP-4 is designed to accommodate payloads greater than 400 lbs. The Air Force projects it will procure about 20 missions over nine years.
Virgin Galactic declares Spaceport America ready for SpaceShipTwo
As Virgin Galactic prepares to finish the test program for its SpaceShipTwo suborbital vehicle, the company says the New Mexico spaceport it will operate from is ready.
Sierra Nevada Corp. selects ULA Vulcan for Dream Chaser missions
Sierra Nevada Corp. announced Aug. 14 that it will use United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan launch vehicle for sending Dream Chaser cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station starting in late 2021.
NBN gets praise for Sky Muster data plans • OHB revenues on the rise • U.S. pay-TV subs in decline
Australian farmers are celebrating the start of less restrictive satellite internet from the country’s twin Sky Muster broadband satellites.
NASA to seek independent review of ISS National Laboratory
NASA will perform an independent review of the non-profit organization that runs the portion of the International Space Station designated a national laboratory while also calling for a “strategic pause” in that organization’s work.
