News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
PLD Space raises €7 million as it aims for sounding rocket’s 2021 debut
Launch startup PLD Space of Spain raised 7 million euros ($8.2 million) this week from Madrid-based investment bankers Arcano Partners to continue development of its Miura family of partially reusable rockets.
Reality show latest sign of growing commercial interest in ISS
As a new venture proposes to send the winner of a reality show to the International Space Station, some investors see a stronger business case for a future commercial space station.
NASA human spaceflight directorate completes reorganization
The NASA directorate responsible for human spaceflight efforts has completed a long-anticipated internal reorganization intended to better align activities ranging from the International Space Station to Artemis.
Space Development Agency praised as change agent in Pentagon procurement
SDA's contracting process has impressed industry executives.
Astranis adds former NASA Administrator Dan Goldin to advisory board
Astranis announced Sept. 17 that Goldin will chair the company’s new technical advisory board, and recently oversaw the critical design review of the company’s first satellite ahead of a mid-2021 launch.
Exotrail wins ESA contracts • SmartSky suing ATG equipment contractor • Eutelsat executive steps down
French propulsion startup Exotrail has signed two contracts with the European Space Agency for its smallsat electric propulsion technology.
Intelsat taps Maxar for fifth C-band satellite, capping order spree
Intelsat has signed a satellite contract with Maxar Technologies, placing the final order in a one-time surge in manufacturing deals triggered by the Federal Communications Commission’s upcoming C-band spectrum auction.
Megaconstellation startup Mangata Networks joins T-Mobile-backed 5G incubator
Mangata aims to launch its first eight satellites into a highly elliptical orbit in 2023 or 2024. Another 24 satellites would follow in 2024 or 2025 in medium Earth orbit.
China is quietly preparing for November launch of the Chang’e-5 lunar sample return mission
China has quietly initiated preparations to launch Chang’e-5, a mission seeking to collect and return the first lunar samples since the 1970s.
Xage Security prepares U.S. Space Force cyber strategy
Xage Security, a Silicon Valley cybersecurity startup, announced a contract Sept. 17 to develop a data protection strategy for the U.S. Space Force.
CSF president to join Voyager Space Holdings
The longtime president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation is stepping down next month to become an executive with one of the organization’s member companies.
NASA and Energy Department step up cooperation
The Department of Energy and NASA are meeting regularly to investigate how they can cooperate on technologies that go beyond their longstanding work on nuclear power systems.
Military commanders could use more satellites for tactical surveillance
Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach: “Yes, I am absolutely in favor of more space-based ISR."
Northrop Grumman wins $298 million contract to develop jam-resistant military satellite
The contract is for the Evolved Strategic Satellite Communications program, known as Evolved Strategic Satcom.
Nanoracks finalizing space station airlock and new funding round
As Nanoracks puts the finishing touches on an airlock that will be installed on the International Space Station later this year, the company is finalizing a new funding round.
