Small launch vehicles
NASA preparing second round of smallsat launch services program
NASA plans to issue multiple contracts in the coming months for smallsat launch services in the second phase of a program intended to support the emerging small launch vehicle industry.
Relativity wins Iridium contract, selects West Coast launch site
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity Space has won a contract to launch six Iridium replacement satellites, which it plans to carry out from a new launch site it proposes to develop at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Rocket Lab wins NRO contracts for back-to-back launches
Rocket Lab has won contracts from the National Reconnaissance Office for a pair of Electron launches intended to demonstrate the company’s responsive launch capabilities.
Astra to make new orbital launch attempt in July
Small launch vehicle startup Astra will make another attempt to reach orbit in July after failing to win a DARPA launch competition earlier this year.
Virgin Orbit first launch attempt fails
Virgin Orbit’s LauncherOne failed to reach orbit in its first launch attempt May 25, with the mission “terminated” moments after the rocket’s release from its aircraft.
Virgin Orbit sets expectations for first launch
Virgin Orbit says that it’s ready for its first orbital launch attempt, scheduled for May 24, while acknowledging potentially long odds of successfully placing a payload into orbit.
Firefly signs launch agreement with Spaceflight
Firefly Aerospace has signed a contract with Spaceflight to be the primary customer for a rideshare mission on Firefly’s Alpha small launch vehicle in 2021.
Launcher to test engines at Stennis
Small launch vehicle startup Launcher has signed an agreement with the Stennis Space Center to test engines at the Mississippi facility.
Virgin Orbit’s VOX Space wins $35 million U.S. Space Force launch contract
The contract is for three dedicated launches to deliver 44 small satellites to low Earth orbit.
Small launch startup Leo Aerospace suspends operations
A startup developing a balloon-borne small launch vehicle has gone into “hibernation” after struggling to raise money, a fate that may be facing many other companies in the sector.
Small launch companies don’t foresee price war
Small launch vehicle developers say they don’t see a “race to the bottom” for launch prices despite the large number of companies developing vehicles and the emergence of new rideshare options.
Rocket Lab to send Capella radar satellite to mid-inclination orbit
Capella Space announced a contract March 5 to send a Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite into a mid-inclination orbit later this year on a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle.
Astra unveils plans for frequent, low-cost launches
A small launch vehicle company emerged from stealth mode this week, but is still keeping many details about its plans and capabilities behind closed doors.
Satellite propulsion startup Dawn Aerospace developing small launch vehicle
A green propulsion startup with more than $1 million in sales says it is gaining traction in the smallsat market while funding its own small launch vehicle.
Virgin Orbit plans orbital launch in early 2020
After falling short of plans to begin launches in 2019, Virgin Orbit now expects to perform its first orbital launch attempt in early 2020, a key year for the burgeoning small launch vehicle industry.
German launch startup raises $17 million with help from Airbus Ventures and an ex-SpaceX employee
Isar Aerospace, a German startup developing a small launch vehicle, has raised $17 million in a Series A round led by Airbus Ventures and Earlybird Venture Capital.
