Author: starpathwp-production
-
-
UK Space Agency Funds 23 Projects for International Space Collaboration
The UK Space Agency is funding 23 space projects that center around international space collaboration, issuing a total of 6.5 million pounds ($8.7 million) in funding from the International Bilateral Fund (IBF). The 23 projects funded are space and satellite projects that include collaboration between the U.K. and international organizations from countries including the U.S.,…
-
Synspective Signs Another 10-Launch Deal with Rocket Lab
Japanese synthetic aperture radar (SAR) provider Synspective has signed a 10-launch deal with Rocket Lab for dedicated Electron launches, its second multi-launch agreement with Rocket Lab in a year and a half. Last summer, Synspective ordered 10 Electron launches. With these two launch contracts and another previous agreement, Rocket Lab has a backlog of 21…
-
Another setback for Firefly Aerospace’s beleaguered rocket program
The booster stage for Firefly Aerospace’s next Alpha rocket was destroyed Monday in a fiery accident on the company’s vertical test stand in Central Texas. Engineers were testing the rocket before shipment to Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, to prepare for launch later this year with a small commercial satellite for Lockheed Martin. Activities at…
-
Senators try to halt shuttle move, saying “little evidence” of public demand
A former NASA astronaut turned US senator has joined with other lawmakers to insist that his two rides to space remain on display in the Smithsonian. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) has joined fellow Democratic senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, both of Virginia, and Dick Durbin of Illinois in an effort to halt the move…
-
Seraphim’s New Market Map for 2025 Shows How the Space Sector is Maturing
Space investment firm Seraphim is tracking rapid growth in the in-space economy, more focused investment for satellite analytics, and larger funding rounds going to more companies. Via Satellite recently spoke with Seraphim investor Lucas Bishop about trends in the sector, along with a first look at the annual Seraphim SpaceTech Map for 2025, which maps…
-
Blue Origin and its partners in Luxembourg unveil Project Oasis to map lunar resources
An artist’s conception shows the Oasis-1 satellite mapping water ice deposits on the moon. (Blue Origin Illustration) Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space venture says it’s working with partners in Luxembourg on a campaign called Project Oasis, which aims to identify and take advantage of valuable resources on the moon. The project’s first mission, known as…
-
ESA will pay an Italian company nearly $50 million to design a mini-Starship
The European Space Agency signed a contract Monday with Avio, the Italian company behind the small Vega rocket, to begin designing a reusable upper stage capable of flying into orbit, returning to Earth, and launching again. This is a feat more difficult than recovering and reusing a rocket’s booster stage, something European industry has also…
-
ESA and Avio unveil plans for reusable Upper Stage rocket, echoing SpaceX’s Starship design
The European Space Agency (ESA) and Italian aerospace company Avio have signed a €40 million contract to develop technologies for a reusable upper stage rocket, marking a significant step toward enhancing Europe’s capabilities in sustainable spaceflight. However, most of the public reaction has been to the vehicle’s somewhat familiar characteristics. Announced at the 2025 International…
-
Ground testing anomaly destroys Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha booster intended for next flight
An explosion captured by security camera footage shows the results of an anomaly seen during acceptance testing of Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha rocket booster designated for the Flight 7 mission. Image: Harold’s Auto Parts Firefly Aerospace suffered a setback on its road to resuming launches with its Alpha rocket. During acceptance testing at its facility in…