News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
Bridenstine to meet with international partners on lunar plans at Paris Air Show
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine plans to meet with international counterparts in Paris this week to discuss cooperation on the agency’s Artemis lunar program, but says those discussions are still in their early stages.
Smith to continue to press for change in national security space launch program
Smith so far has not been happy with the Air Force’s response to his concerns about the launch program.
Psyche mission clears review
A NASA mission to a metallic asteroid has passed a major review, but questions remain about its ability to remain on budget and schedule.
FCC dismisses studies of potential 5G interference with satellite weather observations
The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission defended the use of spectrum for 5G wireless services while a key senator called for a hearing on potential interference such services could have with space-based weather observations.
Paying for Artemis: How much will it cost to go back to the moon?
NASA has laid out a rough plan for what it now calls the Artemis program, including what needs to be built — SLS and Orion, a “minimal” Gateway and lunar landers — and how it can come together in time for a 2024 landing. What the agency has been less forthcoming about, though, is how much it will cost.
Astrophysicists gear up for 2020 decadal survey
As astrophysicists prepare to begin their next decadal survey, other scientists and members of Congress endorsed the overall process even as they suggested some changes.
Bridenstine estimates Artemis cost at $20–30 billion
NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a television interview June 13 that it will cost the agency an additional $20 billion to $30 billion to return humans to the moon, the first range of costs given by the agency for the program.
House Armed Services’ space launch legislation revised in 11th-hour deal
The amended language retained two key provisions that help SpaceX and Blue Origin, and removed two others that were opposed by ULA.
Former Blue Origin and SNC executive joins Vector
Small launch vehicle Vector has hired a new chief financial officer who previously held similar positions at Blue Origin and Sierra Nevada Corporation.
International experiments selected to fly on Chinese space Station
Six experiments have been granted a place aboard to the future Chinese Space Station through a joint international cooperation initiative, with three more receiving conditional acceptance.
House Armed Services Committee votes to create a U.S. Space Corps
HASC creates a United States Space Corps led by a four-star commandant.
Senate Armed Services bill shakes up management of Air Force space acquisitions
The SASC is trying to hold the Air Force more accountable for the performance of space acquisition programs.
NASA to adjust SOFIA operations to improve productivity
NASA plans to adjust operations of an airborne astronomical observatory in order to increase its scientific productivity.
GAO sustains protest of $655 million Air Force satellite ground systems contract
The contract was awarded to SAIC on Jan. 31. Peraton filed a protest March 5.
Hispasat buyer secures 500M euro credit line • ESA, Polish firms study rocket tech • CETel buys UK teleport operator
Red Eléctrica said the credit line, formalized June 12, is available for five years with the possibility of extension to seven years.
SpaceX launches Canadian radar satellites
A SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launched a trio of Canadian synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites June 12 that promise higher resolution imagery with shorter revisit times.
