SpaceX
Air Force smallsat to fly on upcoming Falcon 9 launch
An experimental Air Force small satellite intended to test space situational awareness technologies will be a secondary payload on the upcoming Falcon 9 launch of a commercial communications satellite and lunar lander.
Relativity adds former SpaceX executives to leadership team
Small launch vehicle developer Relativity has added three people, all of whom previously held key positions at SpaceX, to its leadership team as it refines the technologies it will use on its rockets.
SpaceX protests NASA launch contract award
SpaceX has filed a protest over the award of a launch contract to United Launch Alliance for a NASA planetary science mission, claiming it could carry out the mission for significantly less money.
Lawmakers: Air Force launch procurement strategy undermines SpaceX
Sen. Feinstein and Rep. Calvert asked Secretary Heather Wilson to "review how the Air Force intends to maintain assured access to space while preserving maximum competitive opportunities for all certified launch providers."
Small launch vehicle companies see rideshare as an opportunity and a threat
Developers of small launch vehicles, who have promoted their vehicles as providing dedicated access to space for small satellites, say they’re also open to flying rideshare missions as they face competition from larger rockets.
Commercial crew test flight schedule slips again
NASA announced Feb. 6 another set of delays to the schedule of commercial crew test flights by Boeing and SpaceX, increasing concerns that the vehicles won’t be ready to starting transporting astronauts to the International Space Station by the end of this year.
SpaceX tests flight version of Raptor engine
SpaceX test-fired Feb. 3 the first flight version of the Raptor engine the company has developed for its next-generation launch system.
SpaceX to shift Starship work from California to Texas
Less than a week after laying off 10 percent of its employees, SpaceX said Jan. 16 that it plans to shift work on at least prototypes of its next-generation launch system from Los Angeles to Texas.
SpaceX laying off 10 percent of its workforce
SpaceX is laying off about 10 percent of its workforce, a cost-cutting move the company says is required to focus on development of its next-generation launch system and a broadband satellite constellation.
SpaceX completes Iridium Next constellation
SpaceX launched the final 10 Iridium Next satellites into orbit Jan. 11, completing its first mission of the year and last for its largest non-government customer, Iridium Communications.
NASA delays SpaceX commercial crew test flight to February
NASA confirmed Jan. 10 that an uncrewed test flight of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft will now take place no sooner than February, due at least in part to the ongoing government shutdown.
International Symposium for Personal and Commercial Spaceflight (ISPCS 2019)
ISPCS has set the industry standard for commercial space conferences. ISPCS offers an intimate setting that fosters unrivaled networking, an agenda rich in content, and it is the only conference focused on the commercial space industry. If the spa…
Government shutdown delays commercial launch
The ongoing partial government shutdown has led one company to delay an upcoming launch and could affect other commercial launches in the near future, including a key commercial crew mission.
Iridium open to rideshares for spare satellite launches
Iridium Communications is less than a week away from the final launch of its 75-satellite Iridium Next constellation, but could opt to launch six additional satellites if the right rideshare opportunity opens up, CEO Matt Desch said Jan. 3.
SpaceX launches first GPS 3 satellite
SpaceX launched the U.S. Air Force’s newest global positioning system satellite Dec. 23 on a Falcon 9 rocket, completing the company’s 21st and final launch of the year.
