Breaking news
Thales Alenia selected to build Telesat’s broadband constellation
Canadian satellite operator Telesat announced Feb. 9 it has selected Thales Alenia Space to manufacture 298 satellites for a broadband network in low-Earth orbit.
FCC approves $9.7 billion package to speed C-band clearing
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission on Feb. 28 voted to auction a large portion of C-band in December under a plan that includes $9.7 billion in incentives to expedite relocating satellite operators out of the spectrum to make way for high-speed 5G networks.
White House requests significant NASA budget increase to fund Artemis program
The White House is proposing to increase NASA’s budget by more than two and a half billion dollars in fiscal year 2021, providing substantially increased funding for the Artemis program while seeking once again to cancel several science and education programs.
Trump seeks $15.4 billion for U.S. Space Force in 2021 budget
The Trump administration’s budget request for national defense in 2021 includes $15.4 billion for the U.S. Space Force.
FCC sets December C-band auction, offers up to $14.7 billion for satellite operators
Intelsat, SES and other satellite operators could receive up to $14.7 billion to cover the cost of losing C-band spectrum and to expedite transitioning those airwaves to 5G cellular networks.
Successful Long March 5 launch opens way for China’s major space plans
China is clear to embark on ambitious exploration and space station missions following a successful return-to-flight Friday of the Long March 5.
Trump signs defense bill establishing U.S. Space Force: What comes next
"Today marks a landmark achievement as we officially inaugurate the newest branch or our military, the U.S. Space Force," said Trump.
Starliner suffers “off-nominal” orbital insertion after launch
Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle launched early Dec. 20 on a critical uncrewed test flight, but appeared to suffer thruster problems after reaching space.
Maxar-Thales Alenia Space team breaks up, now competing separately for Telesat LEO
Maxar Technologies and Thales Alenia Space abandoned plans to jointly compete to build Telesat’s low-Earth-orbit broadband constellation, setting up a now three-way race for a multibillion-dollar contract expected to be awarded soon.
Blue Origin, Lockheed, Northrop join forces for Artemis lunar lander
Blue Origin is joining forces with three other major aerospace firms in a “national team” to develop a human lunar lander for NASA.
NASA hires Loverro to lead human spaceflight
NASA announced Oct. 16 that it has hired Doug Loverro, a former Defense Department official responsible for space policy, to lead its human spaceflight programs.
SpaceX submits paperwork for 30,000 more Starlink satellites
The FCC, on SpaceX’s behalf, submitted 20 filings to the ITU for 1,500 satellites apiece in various low Earth orbits, an ITU official confirmed Oct. 15 to SpaceNews.
Air Force nominee Barrett calls for assertive U.S. posture on space, says Space Force is a ‘key imperative’
Barrett voiced strong support for the Trump administration’s proposal to establish a Space Force.
Eutelsat leaves C-Band Alliance as spectrum decision looms
Eutelsat Communications has quit the C-Band Alliance, fracturing the group of global satellite operators as a regulatory decision on their spectrum plan nears.
Trump formally reestablishes U.S. Space Command at White House ceremony
At a White House ceremony Thursday, President Donald Trump officially reestablished U.S. Space Command as the Defense Department’s 11th unified combatant command.
Blue Origin files protest over ‘flawed’ Air Force launch procurement
Blue Origin filed a “pre-award” protest with the GAO, arguing that the rules set by the Air Force do not allow for a fair and open competition.
Vector replaces CEO, suspends operations amid financial problems
Small launch vehicle company Vector has replaced its founding chief executive and disclosed that financial difficulties have forced the company to suspend its operations.
Vector Launch awarded its first U.S. Air Force mission
The ASLON-45 space vehicle manifest will consist of multiple 3U and larger U.S. government cubesats to low earth orbit.
Rocket Lab to attempt to reuse Electron first stage
Rocket Lab announced Aug. 6 it will attempt to recover the first stage of its Electron small launch vehicle over the next several months, eventually reusing it to allow the company to increase its launch rate.
China’s Tiangong-2 space lab reenters over South Pacific
China carried out the controlled deorbiting of its Tiangong-2 space lab into the South Pacific, the China Manned Space Engineering Office (CMSEO) announced Friday.
