News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
Farnborough 2018: U.K. and Europe highlight economic benefits of space
The space market worldwide has averaged $269 billion over the past five years, growing more than 5 percent each year.
Pentagon sees quantum computing as key weapon for war in space
The military wants to apply quantum computing to secure communications and inertial navigation in GPS denied environments.
Bridenstine visits Israel on first foreign trip
On his first foreign trip since taking office nearly three months ago, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine traveled to Israel this week to meet with the country’s prime minister and other officials.
Gogo considers splitting company, overhauls business plan amid financial pressures
Gogo, an inflight connectivity provider leasing capacity on dozens of satellites, bulldozed its old business plan July 13 amid looming concerns over unprofitability, encroaching debt deadlines, and a potential buyout.
White House nominates Morhard to be NASA deputy administrator
The White House nominated a veteran Senate aide with little space experience to be NASA’s deputy administrator July 12, a month after the agency’s administrator said he wanted someone with technical expertise for the job.
Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission
Blue Origin will begin flying two customers on the same New Glenn rocket after the launch vehicle has performed five missions with solo customers, according to Ted McFarland, Blue Origin’s commercial director of Asia-Pacific business.
FCC votes to open C-band for 5G
“We are going to need a bigger boat,” FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said July 12, quoting the 1975 movie Jaws as a metaphor for the challenge of handling 5G needs. “Or in our case, more spectrum.”
China Satcom’s LEO, HTS projects driven by desire not to fall behind foreign counterparts
China’s state-owned fleet operator is making forward-leaning investments in high-throughput satellites and low-Earth-orbit constellations without worrying, at least initially, about whether these projects are backed by sound business plans.
Commercial crew delays threaten access to ISS, GAO warns
Amid growing concerns about commercial crew delays, a GAO report recommended NASA share more schedule information with Congress and develop contingency plans to maintain access to the International Space Station.
SN Military.Space | AI race moves to space • China’s heavy rockets a concern for U.S. • Soldiers learn to operate satellites
Using free data from the European Space Agency, a startup in Finland created a geospatial information service that is entirely enabled by artificial intelligence.
Report: U.S. aerospace a trade winner, but tariffs threaten future exports
U.S. aerospace and defense in 2017 posted a positive trade balance. But there are concerns that escalating trade wars could hurt future growth.
Electric satellite propulsion company raises $10 million
A Silicon Valley startup developing electric propulsion systems for satellites has raised $10 million and added the billionaire founder of LinkedIn to its board.
Why Intelsat’s going with life extension over refueling
Intelsat-901, a 17-year-old communications satellite running low on propellant, is awaiting a first-of-its-kind service call from a robotic spacecraft carrying a fresh tank of fuel.
Kepler to co-develop third satellite with UK’s Satellite Applications Catapult
Kepler Communications, a Canadian startup designing a network of 140 telecom cubesats, has teamed up with the Satellite Applications Catapult in the U.K. to build a third and final prototype before pressing on with the full constellation.
DARPA, companies declare success in AR-22 engine test series
A government-industry team announced July 10 they successfully completed a series of 10 test firings over 10 days of a shuttle-era engine intended for use on a reusable suborbital spaceplane.
RBC Signals forges deal with Antrix to expand global network
San Francisco RBC Signals is joining forces with Antrix Corp., the commercial arm of the Indian space agency ISRO, to provide communications services to satellite operators.
