Author: starpathwp-production
-
Rocket Lab launches 5 Internet of Things satellites following mid-week scrub
A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifts off from New Zealand on the “Kinéis Killed the RadIOT Star” mission on Sept. 21, 2024, local time. Image: Rocket Lab Update Sept. 21: Rocket Lab confirms successful deployment of the payload. Rocket Lab launched its 53rd Electron rocket on a mission for the France-based Internet of Things company, Kinéis.…
-
York Space Systems Achieves Optical and Link 16 Communications for SDA’s Tranche 0 Satellites
York Space Systems (York), the Denver-based aerospace company dedicated to the rapid deployment of complete space mission solutions, announced its Tranche 0 satellites, part of the Space Development Agency’s (SDA) Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) successfully established optical communications in orbit. This successful demonstration makes York the second SDA provider to achieve this major milestone…
-
NASA Selects Lockheed Martin to Develop Lightning Mapping Instrument for NOAA’s GeoXO Program
NASA, on behalf of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has selected Lockheed Martin Corp. of Littleton, Colorado, to develop a lightning mapping instrument as part of NOAA’s Geostationary Extended Observations (GeoXO) satellite program. This cost-plus-award-fee contract is valued at approximately $297.1 million. It includes the development of two flight instruments as well as…
-
Elon Musk threatens to sue FAA after feds propose fining SpaceX $633,000
The Federal Aviation Administration alleged Tuesday that SpaceX violated its launch license requirements on two occasions last year by using an unauthorized launch control center and fuel farm at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The regulator seeks to fine SpaceX $633,009 for the alleged violations, which occurred during a Falcon 9 launch and a…
-
New Rockets to Bring About a New Era in Launch Supply
PARIS — After years of delays, new launch vehicles are finally coming online in 2024 with the first flights of United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket and the Ariane 6. Blue Origin is set to launch its inaugural New Glenn vehicle later this year, adding another layer of intrigue and competition to the market. Europe…
-
Sierra Space Introduces Technology for Oxygen Extraction from Lunar Soil
Sierra Space, a commercial space company and defense tech prime that is Building a Platform in Space to Benefit Life on Earth, announced the company’s proprietary Carbothermal Oxygen Production Reactor has successfully completed thermal vacuum testing at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, heralding the first time in history that oxygen has been extracted from simulated lunar…
-
A key NASA commercial partner faces severe financial challenges
Axiom Space is facing significant financial headwinds as the company attempts to deliver on two key commercial programs for NASA—the development of a private space station in low-Earth orbit and spacesuits that could one day be worn by astronauts on the Moon. Forbes reports that Axiom Space, which was founded by billionaire Kam Ghaffarian and…
-
Telesat Hires Retired Canadian Brig. General to Lead LEO Defense Strategy
Telesat hired a retired Canadian brigadier general to lead its government go-to-market and business development strategy for the Lightspeed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) network. The Canadian operator announced retired Brig. Gen. G. Michael Adamson as the company’s new senior director of Defense Strategy and Business Development on Wednesday. Adamson was the inaugural Commander of the Canadian…
-
Apex Announces its New ESPA-Grande Class Nova Satellite Bus
Apex, the Los Angeles-based spacecraft bus platform manufacturing company, announced Nova, its ESPA-Grande class satellite bus platform supporting payloads ranging from 200 to 500 kg. Nova deliveries will begin in Q3 2025 and are focused on meeting the needs of operational proliferated LEO missions, including the U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency (SDA) architecture and…
-
SpaceX launches European Commission’s Galileo satellites on Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral
A Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying a pair of Galileo navigation satellites. Image: Adam Bernstein/Spaceflight Now SpaceX launched the latest pair of Galileo spacecraft for the European Union’s navigation satellite constellation. The mission marked the second time that Galileo satellites will launch…