Satellite News
JWST passes launch review
The James Webb Space Telescope is one step closer to launch after a review of its Ariane launch vehicle, while NASA continues a separate review of the name of the spacecraft itself.
NOAA to take first step toward a small satellite constellation
It’s a good thing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has plenty of time to prepare for its next generation of polar-orbiting weather satellites — because the changes the agency is contemplating are dramatic.
Exploration News
Launcher News
Virgin Galactic, Branson laud SpaceShipTwo flight “beyond my wildest dreams”
Virgin Galactic and its founder, Richard Branson, hailed a successful test flight by the company’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane that carried him and five others to suborbital space, but offered few new details about the company’s future plans.
NASA moves ahead with plan to support private space stations
NASA is moving ahead with plans to help fund a new generation of private space stations in an effort to ensure replacements are ready when the International Space Station shuts down in as little as seven years. NASA plans to fund the research and development of such planned space stations for up to $400 million over the next several years The space agency on Monday released a final request for proposals for new space stations. Those proposals are due Aug. 26. NASA intends to retire the 20-year-old ISS in 2028 because its oldest sections are designed for a 30-year lifespan.
NewSpace News
SpaceX Sets New Goals for Falcon Booster Reuse
Goals After Ten-Flight Milestone. Now, five and half years after Falcon 9’s first successful booster landing, four years after SpaceX’s first successful booster reuse, and seven weeks after a Falcon 9 first stage’s first ten-flight milestone, Elon Musk says that some of the company’s fleet of boosters are already “slated to fly 20 or possibly 30 times.” Never one to personally rest or allow his companies to rest on their laurels, SpaceX now has a new target to strive for as teams work to ramp and sustain Falcon 9’s launch cadence at record-breaking levels.
Planet Is SPAC’d
Planet Labs Inc. (“Planet”) has entered into a definitive merger agreement with dMY Technology Group, under which Planet will become a publicly-traded company. Upon closing, the combined company will retain the Planet name and be listed on the NYSE under the ticker symbol “PL.”
Satellogic Is SPAC’d
Nettar Group, Inc. (“Satellogic” or the “Company”) and CF Acquisition Corp. V (Nasdaq: CFV) (“CFAC V”), a SPAC sponsored by Cantor Fitzgerald, have entered into a definitive merger agreement that will result in Satellogic becoming a publicly traded company. The transaction is expected to be completed early during the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to […]
Infostellar Is Integrating AWS Ground Station In Their Mission Control Software
Infostellar Inc. is collaborating with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (AWS) to make AWS Ground Station available within StellarStation. The combination will give satellite operators more opportunities to communicate with their space workloads, downlink geospatial data faster and easier, and decrease the time it takes to get data to decision makers on Earth. Infostellar also plans […]
Space Safety News
Space Tugs as a Service: In-orbit service providers are bracing for consolidation
by Jason Rainbow — July 6, 2021
Orbital transfer and servicing providers are bracing for a space tug of war as they jostle for position in an increasingly crowded market.
Science & Technology News
Russia races Tom Cruise and Musk for first movie in space
Six decades after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to orbit Earth, earning Moscow a key win in the Cold War, Russia is again in a space race with Washington. This time though the stakes are somewhat glitzier. On October 5, one of Russia’s most celebrated actresses, 36-year-old Yulia Peresild is blasting off to the International Space Station (ISS) with film director Klim Shipenko, 38. Their mission? Shoot the first film in orbit before the Americans do
