Author: starpathwp-production
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Blue Origin makes impressive strides with reuse—next launch will refly booster
Blue Origin confirmed Thursday that the next launch of its New Glenn rocket will carry a large communications satellite into low-Earth orbit for AST SpaceMobile. The rocket will launch the next-generation Block 2 BlueBird satellite “no earlier than late February” from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. However, the update from Blue Origin…
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L3Harris to Provide Imaging Payload for South Korea’s GEO-KOMPSAT-5 Weather Sat
South Korean aerospace manufacturer LIG Nex1 has selected L3Harris Technologies to provide the imaging payload for the GEO-KOMPSAT-5 weather satellite. L3Harris will provide its new 18-channel L3Harris GEO-KOMPSAT Meteorological Imager payload, which includes two channels for improved water vapor measurement and enhanced resolution. The GEO-KOMPSAT-5 satellite is designed to provide the Korea Meteorological Administration with…
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U.S. Space Force Urged to Expand Planning for Cislunar Operations, Vice Chief Says
The U.S. Space Force needs to think more seriously about its future role in operations on and around the moon, even as its small size and near-term priorities have constrained long-term planning, Vice Chief of Space Operations Shawn Bratton said this week. Speaking on Jan. 21 at an event hosted by Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg…
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Blue Origin Completes 38th New Shepard Flight, First Mission of 2026
Blue Origin has successfully completed its 38th New Shepard flight and the first mission of 2026, sending six passengers on a suborbital journey above the internationally recognised boundary of space before returning safely to Earth, the company said on Thursday. The mission, designated NS-38, lifted off from Blue Origin’s launch site in West Texas and…
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Eutelsat, Gogo and Immfly Team Up on OneWeb Connectivity for Narrowbody Aircraft
Eutelsat is partnering with Gogo and Immfly to introduce a new in-flight connectivity (IFC) solution aimed at narrowbody aircraft and regional jets that currently lack onboard internet access. The companies announced the offering on Jan. 22, saying commercial availability is planned for later this year. The service will be delivered by Immfly and will use…
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Hungry Hippos and Test Tanks – Rocket Lab building towards Neutron
Rocket Lab’s innovative “Hungry Hippo” fairings for the Neutron rocket have arrived at Wallops Island, Virginia, marking a key milestone in preparations for the vehicle’s long-awaited debut flight. The arrival came days after Rocket Lab explained the rupture of a first stage tank during qualification trials. The reusable fairing system—nicknamed “Hungry Hippo” for its distinctive…
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After Review of 60 Programs Last Year, 2026 is SSC’s Year of Execution, Maj. Gen Purdy Says
In 2022, U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command got guidance from Frank Calvelli, then the Space Force’s service acquisition executive (SAE), to move to fixed-price contracts, limit non-recurring engineering costs, build smaller satellites and ground systems, field within three year cycles, and hold companies accountable, but this year will see the fruits of that labor,…
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Rocket Report: Chinese rockets fail twice in 12 hours; Rocket Lab reports setback
Welcome to Edition 8.26 of the Rocket Report! The past week has been one of advancements and setbacks in the rocket business. NASA rolled the massive rocket for the Artemis II mission to its launch pad in Florida, while Chinese launchers suffered back-to-back failures within a span of approximately 12 hours. Rocket Lab’s march toward…
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Eastern Range ready for same day fueling of Space Launch System, Vulcan rockets
NASA’s Space Launch System rocket at Launch Complex 39B (left) and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket inside its Vertical Integration Facility (right): Image: NASA/Keegan Barber (left), United Launch Alliance (right) Update Jan. 24, 8:40 p.m. EST (0140 UTC): Added additional comment from Col. Bulson. February 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster month for…