Satellite News
Northrop Grumman to develop jam-resistant payload for U.S. military communications satellites
Northrop Grumman won a $253.5 million payload development contract under the Protected Tactical Satellite Communications program.
Astroscale wins first half of JAXA debris-removal mission
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has selected Astroscale to send a spacecraft into orbit to inspect a discarded Japanese rocket upper stage, a step that would pave the way for a debris-removal mission.
Navigation payload for next-generation GPS satellites passes critical design review
L3Harris’ new digital payload will be introduced in the 11th satellite of the GPS 3 constellation.
Raymond calls out Russia for ‘threatening behavior’ in outer space
Gen. John Raymond said recent orbital maneuvers by a Russian “inspector” satellite are concerning and threaten stability in space.
Exploration News
Atlas launches Solar Orbiter mission
An Atlas 5 successfully launched a European-led solar science mission Feb. 9, the latest effort in what scientists are calling a “golden age” for studying the sun.
White House requests significant NASA budget increase to fund Artemis program
The White House is proposing to increase NASA’s budget by more than two and a half billion dollars in fiscal year 2021, providing substantially increased funding
NASA selects four possible missions to study the secrets of the solar system
Launcher News
SpaceX Crew Dragon arrives at launch site for the 1st orbital crew flight from US soil since 2011
It is completing a cross-country trek from the company’s California headquarters.
Rocket Lab wins contract to launch NASA lunar cubesat mission
NASA awarded a contract to Rocket Lab Feb. 14 for the launch of a cubesat mission that will serve as a precursor for the agency’s planned lunar Gateway.
Spaceflight Industries to sell rideshare business to Japanese firms
Spaceflight Industries announced Feb. 11 it will sell its smallsat rideshare launch business to a pair of Japanese companies, allowing it to focus on its BlackSky geospatial business.
Astra unveils plans for frequent, low-cost launches
A small launch vehicle company emerged from stealth mode this week, but is still keeping many details about its plans and capabilities behind closed doors.
NewSpace News
Blue Canyon Technologies to supply bus for Made In Space’s Archinaut One
Blue Canyon Technologies announced plans Feb. 12 to supply its X-SAT small satellite for Made In Space’s Archinaut One on-orbit manufacturing demonstration mission.
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo arrives in New Mexico
Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo suborbital spaceplane arrived at the company’s spaceport in New Mexico Feb. 13, ready for a final series of test flights before the company starts commercial operations.
Space Safety News
DirecTV’s defunct Spaceway-1 reaches high graveyard orbit in one piece
DirecTV’s Spaceway-1 satellite has been retired to a graveyard orbit 500 kilometers above the geostationary arc, eliminating the risk of the malfunctioning satellite exploding in an orbit populated by active satellites.
Starliner investigation finds numerous problems in Boeing software development process
Boeing will reverify all the software on its CST-100 Starliner commercial crew spacecraft after an ongoing investigation found “numerous” problems in the original development process that allowed at least two major problems to escape detection.
