News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
NASA urged to retain key SLS test
As NASA studies ways to accelerate development of the Space Launch System, an independent safety panel called on the agency to retain a major upcoming test of the vehicle.
Congressional panel looks at national security implications of China’s space ambitions
The United States should do more to protect its space systems and build capabilities as a form of deterrence, experts said.
UK Export Finance loans $325 million for Turksat satellites Airbus is building
U.K. Export Finance, an agency with a long-standing interest in supporting satellite projects but with little to show for it until now, has signed a $325 million loan with Turkey to support two satellites Airbus is building under a 2017 contract.
Safety panel urges patience in SpaceX Crew Dragon investigation
Members of an independent safety panel said it will take time to determine what happened during a SpaceX Crew Dragon testing incident several days ago, and that its impact to the overall commercial crew program remains uncertain.
DoD IG: Air Force Secretary questioned ethics of Shanahan’s 2018 meeting with Elon Musk
DoD IG report says Musk told Shanahan that SpaceX did not win an Air Force launch service contract because it had written a poor proposal that “missed the mark.”
Northrop Grumman highlights benefits of Orbital ATK acquisition
Nearly a year after Northrop Grumman’s acquisition of Orbital ATK closed, company executives say they’re getting the benefits they expected from the deal in terms of cost savings and new business.
Pentagon wants a Space Force, still undecided on a Space National Guard
Seven states have National Guard space units: Alaska, California, Colorado, Florida, New York, Arkansas and Ohio.
Cape Canaveral preparing for key military launches
The Air Force 45th Space Wing is gearing up for three high-profile space launches at Cape Canaveral over the coming months.
Justice Department reaches deal with company implicated in Taurus launch failures
The Justice Department has reached a settlement with the company that provided faulty components that led to the failure of back-to-back Taurus launches for NASA.
Discarded Atlas 5 upper stage breaks up in orbit • Viasat, China Satcom partner on IFC • Hughes signs Jupiter-3 customer
The reason for the Atlas 5 upper stage break up, believed to have occurred between March 23 and March 25, is not yet known.
Lunar base and Gateway part of sustainable long-term human exploration plan
As NASA works to develop a plan for an accelerated human return to the moon, a top White House official emphasized the need for long-term sustainability that will require both a Gateway and a lunar base.
Pentagon makes strong pitch for Space Force as NDAA 2020 markup nears
Kitay: Actions in space “will directly affect the outcome of future conflicts or crises."
Clyde Space to build and operate AIS cubesats for Orbcomm
ÅAC Microtec subsidiary Clyde Space plans to build and begin operating in 2020 two cubesats equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) receivers for Orbcomm in a contract valued at 54 million Swedish Krona ($5.9 million).
Iridium says DoD’s new unlimited service contract renewal nearly complete
Iridium CEO Matt Desch said April 23 the company expects to finalize a multi-year renewal of its Enhanced Mobile Satellite Services (EMSS) contract with the Defense Department in the next 30 days.
Landspace, iSpace and Linkspace of China claim progress on new launchers
Chinese startup Linkspace succeeded with a vertical takeoff and landing test late last month on the same day fellow private launch firm OneSpace failed to reach orbit with its OS-m rocket. Also that week, two other Chinese companies declared success with engine tests as they push to develop new launch vehicles.
Polish space startup selects Clyde Space as subcontractor for earth observation satellite project
Polish space industry startup KP Labs has awarded an order to Scottish cubesat manufacturer Clyde Space which will act as a subcontractor for the company’s Intuition-1 project
