commercial space launch
House appropriators reduce proposed budget for FAA commercial space office
House appropriators eliminated most of a proposed budget increase for the FAA’s commercial space transportation office while also directing the agency on spaceports and cooperation with another agency on spaceflight investigations.
South Korea’s Innospace schedules December test launch carrying Brazilian military payload
South Korean rocket startup Innospace announced May 3 that it will conduct its first suborbital test launch of flight hardware in December from the Alcântara Space Center in Brazil, carrying a Brazilian military payload.
House committee leaders ask White House to withdraw proposed NTSB regulations on commercial launch investigations
The leaders of the House Science Committee have asked the Biden administration to withdraw a controversial proposed rule regarding commercial spaceflight investigations, calling it “plainly unlawful.”
Launch companies optimistic about future demand
Launch companies that have suffered from flat or declining traditional markets in recent years say they believe a surge of demand, primarily from satellite megaconstellations, will boost their businesses later this decade.
Air Force to further study use of commercial rockets to deliver cargo around the world
The U.S. Air Force in its budget proposal for fiscal year 2022 is seeking $47.9 million to study the potential use of commercial rockets to transport cargo around the world.
FCC proposes to allocate spectrum for commercial launches
The Federal Communications Commission will take up a long-awaited proposal at its next meeting to set aside a spectrum band for commercial launches.
Op-ed | Don’t call it a bubble, more investment in space launch is a good thing
The notion that we now have “enough” launch providers and therefore the government should direct private investors elsewhere is misguided.
FAA publishes streamlined commercial launch regulations
The FAA released Oct. 15 the final version of updated commercial launch and reentry regulations, although those in industry say the regulatory reform process is far from over.
DARPA has no plans for another space launch prize competition
DARPA acting director Highnam said the agency sees no need to demonstrate launch capabilities that are now available from commercial providers.
Commercial launch industry off to slow start in 2020
The first half of 2020 has been sluggish for the commercial launch industry, but its problems can’t be explained solely by the coronavirus pandemic.
FAA commercial space office completes reorganization
The FAA office responsible for licensing commercial launches and reentries has completed a reorganization announced nearly a year ago intended to improve its efficiency.
Aviation and launch industries seek common ground on airspace improvements
The commercial space and aviation industries are working closer together to address issues about access to airspace, a relationship that has improved over the last year.
Air Force looking for ideas on how to turn launch ranges into ‘national spaceports’
Air Force Space Command to consider options for how to make launch ranges more responsive to commercial needs
FAA expects revised launch regulations to be completed next fall
The head of the Federal Aviation Administration’s commercial space office says he expects to have updated commercial launch and reentry regulations completed by next fall, but hasn’t decided if there will be another draft of the rules published before then.
Senate appropriators weigh in on commercial launch regulatory reform
A Senate appropriations bill that funds the Federal Aviation Administration for fiscal year 2020 also called on the agency to revise its approach to streamlining commercial launch and regulatory regulations.
Arianespace reveals manifest, notes launch market variety
Orders for geostationary satellites are beginning to rebound in a market is far more varied than in the past.
FAA to extend comment period again for revised launch licensing rules
The FAA plans to further extend the public comment period for a proposed revision of commercial launch and reentry regulations that’s faced significant industry criticism.
Op-Ed | Commercial space activities offer boundless opportunities
Fifty years ago this summer, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took the first steps on the moon. Their “giant leap for mankind” was a venture that could only be accomplished with the might and funding of the U.S. government.
Industry seeks more time to review revised commercial launch regulations
Dissatisfied with the length and content of proposed rules to streamline commercial launch and reentry regulations, industry officials say they will ask for an extension of an ongoing public review period for those rules.
Independent body proposed to ensure commercial spaceflight safety
The nonprofit International Association for the Advancement of Space Safety (IAASS) issued a new report in March calling for the establishment of an independent Space Safety Institute to speed development of commercial space flight safety standards and certification processes.
