Launch
Safety last: Reckless behavior provides China with economic competitive advantages in space launch
China has recently made it clear it intends to contend aggressively over this important industry and it is worth noting that extremely lax regulation has often played a critical role that nation’s ability to undercut other U.S. industries.
Falcon Heavy sends first commercial satellite into orbit
SpaceX sent the Arabsat-6A communications satellite into geosynchronous transfer orbit April 11, completing the Falcon Heavy rocket’s first commercial launch.
Virgin Galactic reschedules SpaceShipTwo flight for Feb. 22
Virgin Galactic scrubbed the Feb. 20 flight test for SpaceShipTwo, the air-launched suborbital spaceplane, due to high winds in Mojave, California. The flight test is now scheduled for Friday, Feb. 22.
SpaceShipTwo aims to reach space again
Virgin Galactic plans to conduct a fifth test flight Feb. 20 of its suborbital spaceplane SpaceShipTwo, VSS Unity.
Air Force Space Command confident private companies can support military launch needs
Lt. Gen. David “DT” Thompson noted the U.S. is on the verge of a boom in commercial space, although the health of the industry is “always a little bit of a concern."
Defense official: We’re failing at space innovation
The Pentagon has to figure out how it will respond to China’s rapid advances in space technology, warned Chris Shank, director of the Pentagon’s Strategic Capabilities Office.
Australian startup raises $14 million for smallsat launchers
The company’s namesake says he now has sufficient capital to see his Queensland, Australia-based venture through to a first launch of an orbital rocket in 2020 but acknowledges he’s still looking for a domestic launch site.
In front of a military audience, Bezos touts investments in rockets, launch facilities
Bezos: At a time of increasing global competition, “You have to be able to go to space more frequently, with less lead time."
Hyten: U.S. needs plan to modernize space launch infrastructure
Hyten: At some point someone has to decide it’s time to pull the plug and invest in the future.
Air Force close to selecting next-generation launch vehicles
The Air Force is seeking to take advantage of American industry investments in launch vehicles and ensure they are modified to meet national security space requirements.
Air Force aims for reliable launch services in spite of dramatic changes in commercial, military space
In the future, the U.S. Air Force will launch satellites of all different sizes for customers with varying degrees of risk tolerance.
Industry warns of launch vehicle glut
The launch industry is facing a shakeout in the coming years that could result in the failure of the vast majority of companies developing new vehicles, industry executives warned at a conference.
Astra Space preparing for suborbital test launch
A secretive California company is gearing up for a test flight of a small launch vehicle it has developed as soon as April 5, according to government notices.
Air Force stakes future on privately funded launch vehicles. Will the gamble pay off?
The Launch Service Agreement fits the Air Force’s broader goal to get out of the business of “buying rockets” and instead acquire end-to-end services from companies.
