News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
Virgin Orbit reaches orbit on second LauncherOne mission
Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne rocket reached orbit on its second flight Jan. 17, demonstrating the performance of the air-launch system.
Green Run hotfire test ends early
NASA performed a hotfire test of the core stage of the Space Launch System Jan. 16, but the stage’s four main engines shut down a little more than a minute into a test designed to last eight minutes.
Policy directive on GPS issued in closing days of Trump administration
Space Policy Directive-7 highlights the United States’ ever growing dependence on space-based positioning, navigation and timing.
FCC C-band auction raised nearly $81 billion so far
The U.S. Federal Communication Commission’s C-band auction of 280-megahertz of C-band has raised nearly $81 billion and it’s not quite over.
NASA ceases efforts to deploy Mars InSight heat flow probe
After nearly two years of struggles, NASA has abandoned efforts to deploy a heat flow probe on its InSight lander into the surface of Mars.
After further review, Space Force confirms selection of NSTXL to manage industry consortium
National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL) on Jan. 15 received a contract to manage the U.S. Space Force’s Space Enterprise Consortium for the next 10 years.
OneWeb raises $400 million
Broadband satellite company OneWeb announced Jan. 15 it has raised $400 million from SoftBank and Hughes Network Systems, allowing the company to continue deployment of its constellation.
SLS core stage ready for Green Run test firing
NASA officials expressed confidence that a key test of the Space Launch System scheduled for Jan. 16 will go well, keeping open the chances that the vehicle will make its long-delayed debut before the end of the year.
Report: U.S. military space programs at risk of losing domestic sources of key components
DoD space programs need to invest in new technology and qualify new suppliers to ensure they have access to domestic sources, the Pentagon said in a report released Jan. 14.
Blue Origin launches New Shepard vehicle intended for crewed flights
Blue Origin flew a new model of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle Jan. 14, a flight the company says brings it “really close” to finally flying people.
Hanwha Aerospace claims 30% stake in Satrec Initiative
Hanwha Aerospace, South Korea’s largest defense company, announced plans Jan. 14 to invest approximately $100 million to purchase 30% of the shares of satellite manufacturer Satrec Initiative.
China moves to next stage of super heavy rocket development
China’s space contractor has announced progress on rocket engines designed for major space missions, including a new engine for future lunar missions.
Next-generation Dragon cargo spacecraft returns from space station
The first in SpaceX’s new generation of Dragon cargo spacecraft completed its mission with a splashdown off the Florida coast Jan. 13.
OneWeb slashes size of future satellite constellation
OneWeb says it’s drastically reducing the size of a proposed next-generation satellite constellation originally envisioned to have nearly 48,000 satellites.
SpaceX wins contracts for lunar lander, environmental satellite launches
SpaceX secured contracts Jan. 13 for the launches of a commercial lunar lander mission backed by NASA as well as a privately funded satellite to track methane emissions.
Alabama’s Redstone Arsenal selected as future home of U.S. Space Command
The U.S. Army’s Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, was picked as the preferred location of U.S. Space Command’s headquarters.
