NASA, companies reject concerns over commercial space station development schedules

Both NASA and the companies selected by the agency to begin development of commercial space stations say they don’t share concerns raised by watchdogs that such stations may not be ready by the time the International Space Station is retired.

Space logistics experts broadly endorse standards

A panel of space logistics experts underscored the importance of open standards to encourage the growth of the market.

Experimental payload with robotic arm to attempt metal cutting on orbit

Nanoracks, will launch a NASA-funded experiment to demonstrate on-orbit metal cutting using a robotic arm. 

Additional funding unlikely to accelerate commercial space station projects

WASHINGTON — Companies developing commercial space station concepts for NASA say they’re working as fast as they can and that additional funding would not speed up their work significantly amid concerns about the long-term viability of the Int…

Relativity and SpaceX bid on NASA commercial space station competition

Launch companies Relativity Space and SpaceX were among the companies that submitted proposals last year to NASA for initial development of commercial space stations.

NASA awards funding to three commercial space station concepts

NASA issued awards Dec. 2 valued at more than $400 million to three groups of companies to advance development of commercial space stations, keeping those efforts on track to succeed the International Space Station by the end of the decade despite skepticism from the agency’s inspector general.

Nanoracks hires new CEO

Commercial space station company Nanoracks has hired a new chief executive as its co-founder and longtime head moves to a new position as its parent company.

Nanoracks and Lockheed Martin partner on commercial space station project

Nanoracks, its majority owner Voyager Space and Lockheed Martin, will collaborate on the development of a commercial space station as others in industry warn of a potential space station gap.

China’s space station emerges as competitor to commercial ventures

Companies involved with commercial activities on the International Space Station or planning their own space stations may face a new competitor in China’s new space station.

Former NASA official joins Nanoracks to lead commercial space station work

Commercial space services company Nanoracks has hired a former NASA official most recently involved with planning for the Artemis program to lead its efforts to develop commercial space stations.

With a focus on the low-Earth orbit economy, Voyager eyes more acquisitions

Voyager Space Holdings announced May 10 it has closed a deal to acquire a majority stake in XO Markets, the parent company of Nanoracks. 

SpaceX launches record-setting cluster of smallsats

A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched 143 small satellites for a wide range of customers Jan. 24 on the company's first dedicated rideshare mission, a service that poses a competitive threat to emerging small launch vehicles.

Voyager Space Holdings to acquire majority stake in Nanoracks

Voyager Space Holdings, a company that has acquired several space ventures, is taking a majority stake in commercial space station company Nanoracks, the two firms announced Dec. 23.

Nanoracks finalizing space station airlock and new funding round

As Nanoracks puts the finishing touches on an airlock that will be installed on the International Space Station later this year, the company is finalizing a new funding round.

Three companies studying “Orbital Outpost” space station concepts for Defense Department

Three companies have received study contracts from a Defense Department agency regarding concepts for small, uncrewed space stations in low Earth orbit, although none of the awards yet fund spacecraft construction.

Nanoracks forges agreement with Maritime Launch, plans test of Outpost technology

NanoRacks is preparing to conduct a brief but critical test in late 2020 of a technology it will need to turn rocket second stages into Nanoracks Space Outposts.

Momentus to rely on NanoRacks airlock for Vigoride shuttle

In-space transportation startup Momentus announced an agreement with NanoRacks to send Momentus’ Vigoride small satellite shuttle customers into space through NanoRack’s Bishop Airlock Module.

Polish space startup puts first nanosats into orbit, eyes satellite constellation and production facility

SatRevolution says the deployment, carried out by NanoRacks, marks the beginning of its initiative to place some 1,024 nanosats into orbit as part of its Real-time Earth-observation Constellation (REC) project. 

NASA seeks proposals for commercial ISS modules

WASHINGTON — NASA issued a call for proposals for commercial modules that could be added to the International Space Station, although one industry executive warns that such facilities may not be as lucrative as NASA believes.

NASA issued …

Companies express varying interest in NASA’s ISS commercialization plan

NASA’s announcement of a new low Earth orbit commercialization strategy has prompted varying degrees of interest from companies, but even the most ardent supporters caution that the “devil is in the details.”