News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
NASA selects SpaceX to develop crewed lunar lander
NASA has selected SpaceX as the sole company to win a contract to develop and demonstrate a crewed lunar lander, while keeping the door open for others to compete for future missions.
Larger late-stage deals dominating space investment landscape
Private investors deployed another $1.9 billion in SpaceX, OneWeb and other space infrastructure companies in the first three months of 2021, according to data from New York-based Space Capital.
Analysts: China’s space programs are a security concern to the U.S. but not all are nefarious
Analysts said a U.S. intelligence report painted China’s space program with a broad brush and failed to draw distinctions between civilian and military pursuits.
White House nominates Melroy to be NASA deputy administrator
The White House announced April 16 it will nominate former astronaut Pam Melroy to be NASA’s deputy administrator.
China to launch a pair of spacecraft towards the edge of the solar system
China is developing a mission to send a pair of spacecraft to study the far reaches of the solar system and reach interstellar space by mid-century.
NASA approves plans for Crew-2 launch
NASA managers approved plans to launch a SpaceX commercial crew mission to the International Space Station next week, pending the resolution of one minor issue with the Falcon 9 rocket.
NASA delays starting contract with SpaceX for Gateway cargo services
More than a year after selecting SpaceX to deliver cargo to the lunar Gateway, NASA has yet to formally start that contract as it performs a broader review of its Artemis program.
LeoLabs adding new services to support growing space activity in low Earth orbit
LeoLabs is adding more sensors and data processing capacity to its network in preparation for a surge in satellites launches.
Top EU court rejects European Aviation Network challenge, but legal action continues
Inmarsat’s competitors have vowed to continue pursuing legal action to block its hybrid satellite and cellular European Aviation Network (EAN), after the European Union’s highest court rejected their challenge.
Consortium unveils greenhouse gas monitoring constellation Carbon Mapper
A consortium led by the State of California, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Planet announced plans April 15 for a constellation of hyperspectral satellites to pinpoint, quantify and track point sources of methane and carbon dioxide.
Iceye establishes U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Irvine, California
Iceye has established a satellite manufacturing facility, research and development laboratory, and mission operations center for U.S.-licensed spacecraft at its new Iceye US headquarters in Irvine, California.
SpaceX adds to latest funding round
SpaceX has added more than $300 million to a fundraising round announced earlier this year to support continued work on its Starship launch system and Starlink satellite constellation.
Space Development Agency could select three manufacturers to produce its next batch of satellites
The Space Development Agency is considering buying its next 150 satellites from three different vendors,
DoD space agency: Cyber attacks, not missiles, are the most worrisome threat to satellites
The Space Development Agency is less worried about missile strikes than it is about cyber attacks and intrusions into the supply chain.
Blue Origin aces dress rehearsal for New Shepard crewed flights
Blue Origin completed another test flight of its New Shepard vehicle April 14, putting the company on the verge of finally flying people.
Astranis secures $250 million to accelerate small GEO satellite development
Astranis, a startup developing small geostationary satellites, has raised $250 million in a funding round that values the company at $1.4 billion.
