Space Adventures signs contract for Soyuz flight with spacewalk option

Space tourism company Space Adventures has signed a contract with RSC Energia for a Soyuz flight to the International Space Station that will include an opportunity for one customer to perform a spacewalk.

NASA signs deal for additional Soyuz seat

NASA will pay more than $90 million for an additional seat on a Soyuz spacecraft launching to the International Space Station this fall, an insurance policy in the event of any additional commercial crew delays.

Guiana Space Center launches to resume in June

Europe’s South American spaceport will resume launch preparations in late May under new protective measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Russia suspends Soyuz rocket production amid coronavirus

The manufacturer of Russia’s workhorse Soyuz-2 rocket said it has paused production to keep factory workers safe during the coronavirus pandemic. 

Soyuz launches new crew to the International Space Station

A Soyuz rocket successfully launched a new crew to the International Space Station April 9 on a mission that overcame complications from a global pandemic and a change in crew members.

Soyuz launches 34 OneWeb satellites

Arianespace launched 34 small broadband satellites for OneWeb March 21, expanding the startup’s constellation to 74 satellites in low Earth orbit. 

ILS hires new president, gets approval to market Soyuz

International Launch Services has hired a longtime United Launch Alliance executive as its new president as the company expands to offer Soyuz launch services and potentially human spaceflight missions.

OneWeb’s first large batch of satellites launch on Arianespace Soyuz rocket

A Soyuz rocket launched 34 small broadband satellites for OneWeb Thursday from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, marking the beginning of a multi-launch campaign for the company. 

UAE’s Falcon Eye 2 satellite switched from Vega to Soyuz

Stéphane Israël, CEO of Arianespace, said Airbus, the satellite’s manufacturer, asked to switch from Vega to Soyuz to avoid further delays getting Falcon Eye 2 into orbit. 

Arianespace launches ESA’s CHEOPS satellite to study exoplanets

A Soyuz rocket successfully launched an Italian Earth observation satellite Dec. 18, with the European CHEOPS mission to analyze exoplanets and three small auxiliary payloads also along for the ride.

OneWeb’s first big deployment launch slips to January

OneWeb has delayed the beginning of its regular launch campaign by a month to allow more testing of its small broadband satellites. 

Kepler books Soyuz for first two service-grade satellites 

As it explores changes to its constellation orbit and spacecraft design, Kepler Communications on Oct. 7 said it nonetheless secured launch slots for its first two fully commercial satellites. 

Soyuz docks with ISS on second attempt

An uncrewed Soyuz spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station Aug. 26, nearly 72 hours after aborting its original attempt to dock with the station.

Uncrewed Soyuz aborts ISS docking

A rare uncrewed flight of a Soyuz spacecraft took another twist Aug. 24 when the spacecraft failed to make an automated docking with the International Space Station.

OneWeb disputes Virgin Orbit lawsuit, says LauncherOne is too expensive

Megaconstellation startup OneWeb asked a court to dismiss a June lawsuit by Virgin Orbit, claiming that it doesn’t accurately portray a 2015 launch contract. 

Exolaunch preparing eight Spire Lemurs for Soyuz flight

SAN FRANCISCO – German launch services provider Exolaunch is providing launch services and mission management for eight Spire Global satellites scheduled for liftoff July 5 on a Russian Soyuz rocket, the two companies said June 6.

Spire l…