News
Daily coverage of the global space industry with an emphasis on business and political news.
Price, contract terms helped Maxar secure Gateway contract
An ability to get on contract quickly and a price far lower that other companies were key factors in NASA’s decision to award a contract to Maxar Technologies for the first element of the lunar Gateway, the Power and Propulsion Element (PPE).
SpaceX raises over $1 billion through two funding rounds
The filings show SpaceX sold all but $18.8 million of the shares available between the two rounds. The company raised $1.022 billion in total.
Boeing completes tests of Starliner thrusters
Boeing has completed ground testing of the thrusters for its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle, nearly a year after a setback in earlier testing of those thrusters.
Crunch time: Rocket companies in all-out battle for Air Force award
In the days since the May 3 release of the Air Force’s formal call for proposals for the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 Launch Service Procurement, new squabbles have arisen as bidders scrutinize the final solicitation for anything that might tilt the competition in a rival’s favor.
Sirangelo leaves NASA after exploration reorganization scrapped
A former space industry executive who joined NASA to guide its revamped lunar exploration strategy has left the agency after just a month and a half.
SpaceX launches 60 Starlink satellites, begins constellation buildout
The rocket took off from Cape Canaveral, Florida at 10:30 p.m. Eastern, and deployed the satellites into a low Earth orbit a little over an hour later.
Senate Armed Services OKs Space Force with conditions
The SASC bill makes the commander of Air Force Space Command also the commander of the U.S. Space Force for the first year.
Congress worries authorities it gave DoD might backfire
As is often the case with procurement reforms Congress imposes on DoD, the devil is in the implementation. And lawmakers now worry that DoD may be overusing Section 804 in programs where skipping tests and reviews could be problematic.
House appropriators suggest Navy and Air Force should merge satellite communications programs
Is it time for the Navy to turn over the Mobile User Objective System to the Air Force? The House Appropriations Committee is calling on the leaders of the services to consider such a move.
Amazon activates ground station business with first two of 12 stations
Ground stations in Ohio and Oregon mark the first two of a planned 12 stations spread out globally to enable communication with satellites, allowing operators to downlink data such as imagery and weather. The stations also enable operators to control their satellites.
NASA selects Maxar to build first Gateway element
NASA has selected Maxar Technologies to develop the first element of its lunar Gateway, the Power and Propulsion Element, for launch in late 2022.
China suffers Long March 4 failure
A Long March 4C rocket carrying the Yaogan-33 reconnaissance satellite failed following its May 23 liftoff, Chinese state-run media confirmed.
NOAA seeks funding for innovative technologies, novel partnerships
NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service is requesting nearly $17.3 million in 2020 funding for a series of initiatives to explore the potential contributions of new data partnerships, small satellites and advanced technologies.
Olis Robotics sees many space applications for autonomy software
Olis Robotics is working to demonstrate the application of its autonomy software for NASA, the Air Force and others space customers to support internal and external space servicing, assembly, manufacturing and operational concepts,” said Blaine Levedahl, Olis Robotics’ U.S. government programs director.
SpaceX launches new legal battle against U.S. Air Force
Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and United Launch Alliance have filed 'motions to intervene' in the lawsuit filed by SpaceX against the U.S. government
Momentum grows for nuclear thermal propulsion
With congressional funding and industry support, nuclear thermal propulsion technology is making progress for potential use on future NASA deep space missions, although how it fits into the agency’s exploration architectures remains uncertain.
