News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites, begins constellation buildout
The rocket took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, and deployed the satellites into a low Earth orbit a little over an hour later.
Senate Armed Services OK’s Space Force with conditions
The SASC bill makes the commander of Air Force Space Command also the commander of the U.S. Space Force for the first year.
Congress worries authorities it gave DoD might backfire
As is often the case with procurement reforms Congress imposes on DoD, the devil is in the implementation. And lawmakers now worry that DoD may be overusing Section 804 in programs where skipping tests and reviews could be problematic.
House appropriators suggest Navy and Air Force should merge satellite communications programs
Is it time for the Navy to turn over the Mobile User Objective System to the Air Force? The House Appropriations Committee is calling on the leaders of the services to consider such a move.
Amazon activates ground station business with first two of 12 stations
Ground stations in Ohio and Oregon mark the first two of a planned 12 stations spread out globally to enable communication with satellites, allowing operators to downlink data such as imagery and weather. The stations also enable operators to control their satellites.
NASA selects Maxar to build first Gateway element
NASA has selected Maxar Technologies to develop the first element of its lunar Gateway, the Power and Propulsion Element, for launch in late 2022.
China suffers Long March 4 failure
A Long March 4C rocket carrying the Yaogan-33 reconnaissance satellite failed following its May 23 liftoff, Chinese state-run media confirmed.
NOAA seeks funding for innovative technologies, novel partnerships
NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service is requesting nearly $17.3 million in 2020 funding for a series of initiatives to explore the potential contributions of new data partnerships, small satellites and advanced technologies.
Olis Robotics sees many space applications for autonomy software
Olis Robotics is working to demonstrate the application of its autonomy software for NASA, the Air Force and others space customers to support internal and external space servicing, assembly, manufacturing and operational concepts,” said Blaine Levedahl, Olis Robotics’ U.S. government programs director.
SpaceX launches new legal battle against U.S. Air Force
Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance have filed 'motions to intervene' in the lawsuit filed by SpaceX against the U.S. government
Momentum grows for nuclear thermal propulsion
With congressional funding and industry support, nuclear thermal propulsion technology is making progress for potential use on future NASA deep space missions, although how it fits into the agency’s exploration architectures remains uncertain.
Hawkeye 360 and Windward to offer new maritime product
Hawkeye 360, a company flying a constellation of small satellites to map radio frequency signals, announced a partnership May 22 with Windward, a company focused on maritime risks, to offer customers insights on the maritime environment.
Are laser links ready for prime time?
Although NASA’s Mars Laser Communications Demonstration never flew, the project proceeded far enough to establish a price for terminals to relay data for the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter: $90 million.
Canada mulls accelerated schedule to keep pace with NASA’s 2024 moon goal
The Canadian Space Agency — NASA’s first international partner to commit to the lunar Gateway — is considering a faster schedule for its contributions to keep pace with NASA’s accelerated plans.
Companies encourage NASA to press ahead with LEO commercialization efforts
Companies interested in developing commercial space stations and related facilities in low Earth orbit are wondering if NASA’s support for such efforts havsbeen overshadowed by the agency’s rush back to the moon.
Bangladesh’s satellite starts service • Starlink autopilot sparks concern • SAS Global secures loan
SpaceX says Starlink satellites will directly receive Air Force tracking data and use that to tweak their orbits when presented with the risk of a collision. Space debris experts say the probability of a collision varies on a case-by-case basis, making automation difficult.
