NASA Makes Progress on Space Sustainability Strategy
Three months after unveiling a new space sustainability strategy, NASA’s deputy administrator says the agency is making good progress on implementing key aspects of it.
Category: Space
Discover the wonders of the cosmos with the latest news, breathtaking images, and captivating stories on our space section.
U.S. Military to Award $3 Billion Contract for AI-Driven Intelligence
The U.S. military is preparing to award a substantial contract valued at approximately $3 billion for commercial data and analytics services aimed at monitoring potential threats across the Indo-Pacific region.
Starlink Satellites Lost on Falcon 9 Upper Stage Failure
SpaceX announced on July 12 that it would be unable to recover 20 Starlink satellites left in very low orbit following a malfunction of the Falcon 9 upper stage during a launch on July 11.
Lunar Spacecraft Face Growing Collision Risks
Spacecraft orbiting the moon are encountering a rising number of potential collision warnings, highlighting the need for more robust coordination mechanisms.
D-Orbit Forms U.S. Venture to Pursue Satellite Manufacturing
D-Orbit, the European space transportation company, has announced the formation of a joint venture in the United States, aiming to enter the satellite manufacturing business.
Firefly Aerospace Successfully Launches NASA-Sponsored Cubesats
Firefly Aerospace has successfully placed eight cubesats into orbit on a mission sponsored by NASA.
Blue Origin and Stoke Space Selected for U.S. Space Force Small Satellite Missions
The U.S. Space Force has recently expanded its roster of launch providers for small satellite missions, adding Blue Origin and Stoke Space Technologies.
Europe’s Space Funding Gap Threatens Industry Potential
Europe must enhance how it allocates capital for the space industry to avoid missing out on the benefits of increasing early-stage investments, according to Bogdan Gogulan, CEO of Luxembourg-based private equity firm NewSpace Capital.
NASA and SpaceX Investigate Methods to Mitigate Dragon Trunk Debris
NASA and SpaceX are currently studying ways to modify the reentry process of the Dragon spacecraft to minimize the amount of debris from its trunk section that reaches the ground.
Eumetsat Shifts Weather Satellite Launch to SpaceX’s Falcon 9
European weather satellite operator Eumetsat has announced a surprising change in its launch plans, shifting the upcoming Meteosat Third Generation-Sounder 1 (MTG-S1) from the European Ariane 6 to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Prize Winner Aims to Detect Asteroids from Sun’s Direction
Joseph DeMartini, a University of Maryland astronomy Ph.D. student, has been awarded the inaugural Schweickart Prize on June 28.
Russian Spy Satellite Luch 2 Exhibits Suspicious Maneuvers
In an alarming development, the Russian inspector satellite Luch 2 continues its pattern of suspicious movements, raising concerns within the space intelligence community.
Planet Lays Off 17% of Workforce Amid Cost-Cutting Measures
On June 26, Earth observation company Planet revealed it is laying off approximately 180 employees, accounting for 17% of its workforce, to streamline costs and improve operational efficiency.
Starliner Return Delayed to July
NASA and Boeing have decided to delay the return of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station (ISS) until early July.
SpaceX Successfully Launches SES Astra 1P Broadcast Satellite
On June 20, SpaceX successfully launched the Astra 1P satellite for Luxembourg-based SES, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing partnership between the two companies.
ESA Takes First Step to Modify Georeturn Policies
The European Space Agency (ESA) has initiated steps towards altering its long-established georeturn policies.
Lockheed Martin Wins Major Contract for Next-Generation U.S. Weather Satellites
Lockheed Martin has secured a pivotal contract to develop and construct the upcoming generation of U.S. geostationary weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Ienai Space Secures Funding to Demonstrate Electrospray Thrusters
Spanish small satellite propulsion developer Ienai Space has successfully raised 3.9 million euros ($4.2 million) to initiate the demonstration of its electrospray thrusters in low Earth orbit by the end of this year.
Ovzon’s First Broadband Satellite Reaches Geostationary Slot
Ovzon, a Swedish broadband operator, has announced that its first fully owned satellite has successfully reached its geostationary position.
Senate Armed Services Committee Advances 2025 Defense Policy Bill
On June 14, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) approved its version of the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Moon Ice in the Artemis Era: Unanswered Questions and Exploration Challenges
In the realm of lunar exploration, one of the hottest topics remains the accessibility of water ice at the moon’s south pole.
Blue Origin, SpaceX, and ULA Secure $5.6 Billion Pentagon Launch Contracts
The U.S. Space Force has awarded significant contracts to Blue Origin, SpaceX, and United Launch Alliance (ULA) under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 launch services program.
AI Transforming Satellite Imaging Industry, But It’s Not Magic
Planet Labs, renowned for its pioneering small satellite constellation providing daily Earth imagery, is intensifying its use of artificial intelligence (AI) to transform vast amounts of data into actionable insights.
Fifth Helium Leak Detected on Starliner
NASA has confirmed that Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner spacecraft has experienced a fifth, albeit minor, helium leak in its propulsion system.
New Direct-to-Cell Satellite Technology Could Disrupt Billion-Dollar Military Satcom Programs
The U.S. Space Force is closely monitoring the evolution of commercial satellite communication services that allow standard smartphones to connect directly to satellites.
Space Development Agency Urges Diversification in Satellite Supply Chains
The Space Development Agency (SDA) is urging prime contractors to seek multiple suppliers for key satellite components due to concerns over potential supply chain shortfalls.
Virgin Galactic Conducts Final VSS Unity Commercial Suborbital Spaceflight
On June 8, Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity spaceplane successfully executed its final commercial mission, carrying a Turkish researcher and three private astronauts on a suborbital spaceflight.
Planet’s First Hyperspectral Satellite Ready for Launch
Planet Labs’ first hyperspectral satellite, Tanager-1, is poised for launch from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Space Startup Funding Rounds Boost Seraphim’s Investment Portfolio
On June 6, Seraphim Space Investment Trust (SSIT) announced that the total value of its early-stage space investments rose by 1.4% to £201 million ($257 million).
ESA Sets Date for Inaugural Ariane 6 Launch
The European Space Agency (ESA) and its partners have officially scheduled the first launch of the Ariane 6 rocket for July 9.