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.