JWST remains on track for October 2021 launch

NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope remains on schedule for a launch in a little more than a year, but the program is still dealing with some technical issues that could eat into its schedule reserve.

Ruag to make payload fairings for ULA’s Vulcan

Swiss manufacturer Ruag Space will build composite payload fairings for United Launch Alliance’s future Vulcan launch vehicle at ULA’s Alabama plant, the companies announced April 12.

Hyten tries to find “sweet spot” on surplus ICBM issue

The head of Air Force Space Command said he believes U.S. launch companies should be able to buy rocket motors from decommissioned intercontinental ballistic missiles to power commercial launches, but at a price that would not put the rest of the commercial small launch industry at a disadvantage.

Continued space investment growth not guaranteed, investors caution

Despite an influx of money being invested in space companies in recent years, investors and analysts warned that there is no guarantee this growth will continue in the coming years.

Rocket Lab plans Electron test launches this year

The successful qualification of the second stage of Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket keeps the small launch vehicle on track to carry out a series of test flights later this year, the company announced April 13.

Pentagon begins revising DOD space policy

The Pentagon is in the early stages of revising U.S. national security space policy, a move that would provide an updated framework for how the Defense Department’s space enterprise operates, according to government and industry sources.

DARPA experimental spaceplane program moves into next phase

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is moving ahead to the next phase of an experimental reusable spaceplane program, but the agency’s expectation that the winning bidder shoulder some of the costs could cause some companies to reconsider participating.

Lockheed Martin seeks additional uses for proposed NASA habitat module

Lockheed Martin is considering additional applications of a cislunar outpost that it is designing for potential use on future NASA human spaceflight missions, including supporting commercial lunar missions.

ULA plans second, bigger round of job cuts in 2017

United Launch Alliance plans to eliminate more than 400 jobs in 2017 in addition to the 375 it plans to cut this year, the head of the Denver-based launch services provider said April 13.

Bridenstine introduces American Space Renaissance Act

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A sweeping space policy bill introduced April 12 seeks to update a wide range of civil, commercial and national security space issues to keep the United States competitive.

Rep. James Bridenstine (R-Okla.) formal…

En route to Space Symposium, Deputy Defense Secretary talks milspace with reporters

On his flight from Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, to Colorado to speak April 12 at the 32nd Space Symposium, U.S. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work spoke with SpaceNews and two other reporters.

Orbital ATK signs Intelsat as first satellite servicing customer

Orbital ATK has signed Intelsat as its first customer for a revived satellite life extension program as part of the company’s ambitions to create a growing market for satellite servicing for commercial and government customers.

Aerojet Rocketdyne pitches AR1 as the only direct replacement for RD-180

Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Julie Van Kleeck pitched the AR1 rocket engine to a roomful of reporters Tuesday morning as the only direct replacement for the reliable but politically polarizing Russian engine that powers the Atlas 5 rocket.

NOAA issues timeline for commercial weather data pilot

With $3 million on hand from Congress and another $5 million sought for 2017, NOAA is setting out to buy test data from one or more of the commercial weather satellite systems heading to market.

U.S. agrees to share space situational awareness data with UAE

U.S. Strategic Command agreed to share space situational awareness data with the United Arab Emirates under an agreement signed April 11 .

News from the 32nd Space Symposium

The 32nd Space Symposium takes place April 11-14 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. SpaceNews wil be covering all four jam-packed days of the premier civil, military, commercial and newspace conference.