News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
HASC Chairman rejects Trump’s Space Force proposal, says committee will seek ‘other options’
House Armed Services Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) said he strongly opposes the Trump’s administration’s proposal to establish a Space Force.
Falcon Heavy’s first commercial launch to pave the way for reusable rockets in national security missions
The data from the Arabsat 6A mission could determine how soon the Air Force will be ready to certify reused boosters.
U.S.-Brazil agreement goes beyond launch
While a recent agreement signed between the United States and Brazil has been touted as enabling American launches from a Brazilian spaceport, the agreement’s biggest effect may be on other aspects of aerospace cooperation between the two nations.
Air Force poised to release final solicitation notice for national security space launch
The Launch Service Procurement would be the first competition under the National Security Space Launch program.
EchoStar, Khosla Ventures invest $60 million in Wyler-backed broadband venture
Tarana Wireless has raised $200 million in total from investors that include AT&T, Deutsche Telekom and Wyler’s 1010 Holdings, LLC.
Space Council seeks urgency in NASA exploration plans
The National Space Council will likely press NASA at its upcoming meeting to speed up its plans to return humans to the moon as the agency continues to study alternative approaches for the next flight of its Orion spacecraft.
Arianespace Vega launches Italian imaging satellite
European launch provider Arianespace conducted its third launch of the year March 21, orbiting a remote-sensing satellite for the Italian Space Agency on a Vega rocket.
Canada pledges additional support for LEO broadband satellites
The Canadian government has vowed to increase the level of funding for the development of low Earth orbit satellites that can bring internet services to rural parts of the country.
Almost Ready: SpaceX has work to do before Dragon is ready to carry crew
Even before the launch, NASA officials said there was already work identified before the Demo-1 flight that needed to get done before the agency would consider flying astronauts on board.
FCC: we won’t rush C-band decision
Federal Communications Commission officials urged patience with the repurposing process for satellite C-band spectrum, saying regulators are more concerned about getting it right than rushing the process.
Germany begins reusability study to capture rockets in midair and land them with a plane
The Germany space agency DLR is beginning a study this month on a reusable launcher concept that would use a winged first-stage booster captured on descent by an aircraft and towed back to land.
Air Force just months away from completing SMC 2.0 reorganization
The question of how SMC is positioning itself for the future is gaining attention in light of the Pentagon’s decision to establish a Space Development Agency, which some view as a long-term existential threat to SMC.
Blue Origin studying repurposing of New Glenn upper stages
Blue Origin has studied repurposing upper stages of its future New Glenn launch vehicle to serve as habitats or for other applications as part of a series of NASA-funded commercialization studies.
Shanahan: Military space ‘needs an advocate’
Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan says the U.S. has to "grow our margin of dominance in space."
Space Development Agency promises to do more with less
The Space Development Agency officially came into existence last week and already is causing a stir.
First Ariane 6 to carry 30 OneWeb satellites • Viasat seeking to raise $500 million • Hispasat trials Wi-Fi hotspots in Colombia
Arianespace’s first Ariane 6 mission will carry 30 OneWeb satellites to low Earth orbit. The launch, slated for the second half of 2020, will use the “62” version of the rocket, which has two side boosters.
