Satellite News
NGC to Build Two C-band Satellites for Intelsat
Northrop Grumman Corporation (has been selected by Intelsat to build two C-band satellites that will operate in the upper portion of the C-band spectrum, a range of wireless radio frequencies that is used for critical telecommunications and data connectivity around the world. This award supports the Federal Communication Commission’s order to make the lower portion of the C-band spectrum available to mobile network operators to further the rollout of critical 5G services
Maxar buying 3D geospatial company Vricon for $140 million
Vricon, a specialist in 3D geospatial products and analytics, will generate enough revenue to aid Maxar in deleveraging in 2021, Maxar said. The company expects the sale to close in July.
Exploration News
Airbus Wins Next ESA Study Contract for Martian Sample Fetch Rover
Mars Sample Return is a joint NASA and ESA campaign to return samples from the Red Planet. NASA’s 2020 Mars rover mission NASA Rover Perseverance will collect Martian soils and rock samples and leave them on the surface in small metal tubes. In 2026 NASA will launch an ESA Sample Fetch rover to collect those samples and deliver to a Mars Ascent vehicle.
NASA launches Lunar Loo challenge
Now the US space agency is calling on the world’s inventors to develop a toilet that works not just in microgravity, but also lunar gravity on a future lunar lander spacecraft. The winning design will receive $20,000, with $10,000 for second place and $5,000 for third.
Ocean in Jupiter’s moon Europa “could be habitable”
A new model from NASA scientists supports the theory that the interior ocean in Jupiter’s moon Europa would be able to sustain life.
Launcher News
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.
NewSpace News
Russia plans to take first tourist on space walk in 2023
Roscosmos and Space Adventures have been cooperating in space tourism since 2001, when the first space tourist, Dennis Tito, went into orbit. Since then, a total of seven people have been in space
Virgin Galactic Signs Space Act Agreement with NASA for Private Orbital Spaceflight to the ISS
Virgin Galactic announced today the signing of a Space Act Agreement with NASA’s JSC to encourage commercial participation in orbital human spaceflight to the International Space Station (“ISS”) while enabling the development of a robust economy in Low Earth Orbit. Under the agreement, Virgin Galactic will develop a new private orbital astronaut readiness program.
ASTRA wins NOAA contract to study weather cubesat constellation
Atmospheric & Space Technology Research Associates LLC won a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration contract for a design study of a constellation of cubesats to provide weather data.
Space Safety News
Technology News
In-space additive manufacturing startup Made In Space acquired by Redwire
World View founders launch new stratospheric ballooning venture
Two entrepreneurs who founded a high-altitude ballooning company nearly a decade ago have started a second such venture, hoping to realize their original vision of giving the public a taste of spaceflight.
