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.”

Blue Origin studying repurposing of New Glenn upper stages

Blue Origin has studied repurposing upper stages of its future New Glenn launch vehicle to serve as habitats or for other applications as part of a series of NASA-funded commercialization studies.

New contracts demonstrate continued strong demand for smallsat rideshare launch services

A pair of new deals shows that, despite the growing number of small launch vehicles under development, demand from smallsat developers for rideshares on larger vehicles remains high.

Lockheed Martin considering flying commercial payloads on Orion

Lockheed Martin is in the early stages of studying the feasibility of flying small commercial payloads on future NASA flights of the Orion spacecraft in cislunar space.

Taco Bell Space Station? It’s possible, panelists say

If a new commercial space station is “paid for by Taco Bell, it will be the Taco Bell Space Station,” said Benjamin Reed, deputy director for the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Satellite Servicing Projects Division.

Smallsat launch providers face pricing pressure from Chinese vehicles

Companies that are developing small launch vehicles or who provide rideshare launch services say they expect new Chinese launch vehicles to drive down launch prices, raising concerns among some of unfair competition.

Study validates NanoRacks concept for commercial space station module

A five-month study supported by NASA has concluded that it is technically feasible to convert a launch vehicle upper stage into a habitat module that could be used on the International Space Station or future commercial space station.

Moon Express and NanoRacks partner on lunar payloads

Commercial lunar lander company Moon Express announced an agreement with NanoRacks Oct. 10 to carry commercial payloads to the surface of the moon.

NanoRacks raises funding for commercial airlock module

NanoRacks announced Oct. 3 that it had raised an undisclosed amount to support development of a commercial airlock module for the International Space Station.

NanoRacks, Boeing partnering on ISS airlock with spinoff potential

NanoRacks announced plans Feb. 6 to work with Boeing on a commercial airlock designed to satisfy growing demand by companies seeking to launch cubesats and small satellites from the International Space station.

NanoRacks presses ahead with private airlock

Thursday's briefing begins with NanoRacks pressing ahead with plans for a private airlock on the ISS and NASA awarding for design studies for the Asteroid Redirect Mission spacecraft.