Author: starpathwp-production
-
Astroscale Japan Announces ‘REFLEX-J’ Refueling Mission to Advance Space Sustainability
Astroscale Japan has officially named its upcoming satellite refueling demonstration spacecraft “REFLEX-J” – short for Refueling for Extension and Flexibility – Japan. The name reflects the mission’s purpose: enhancing the flexibility of satellites in orbit by extending their lifespan and unlocking new operational possibilities. As part of Japan’s Key and Advanced Technology R&D through Cross…
-
Aerospacelab Secures €94 Million Funding to Fuel Ambitious Roadmap
Aerospacelab announces the closure of an extended Series B funding round totaling 94 million EUR (110 million USD) through a dual-tranche funding of 56 million EUR (66 million USD), alongside a 38 million EUR (44 million USD) commitment from a European Financial Institution. This Series B round has been strategically implemented to align with Aerospacelab’s…
-
Starship’s heat shield appears to have performed quite well in test
One of the more curious aspects of the 10th flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket on Tuesday was the striking orange discoloration of the second stage. This could be observed on video taken from a buoy near the landing site as the vehicle made a soft landing in the Indian Ocean. This color—so different from the…
-
SpaceX’s Sunday morning Falcon 9 launch sends 1,900th Starlink to orbit in 2025
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket soars past the American flag at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as it began the Starlink 10-14 mission on Aug. 31, 2025. Image: Michael Cain / Spaceflight Now Update Aug. 31, 10 a.m. EDT: SpaceX confirmed deployment of the 28 Starlink satellites. SpaceX capped off the month of August with a…
-
NASA, NOAA prep spacecraft trio to study the Sun and its impacts
A group of technicians works to complete final inspections and checkouts of NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) spacecraft inside a cleanroom at Astrotech Space Operations in Titusville, Florida. Image: John Pisani / Spaceflight Now Technicians inside a pair of clean rooms at the Astrotech facility in Titusville, Florida, are busily readying a trio…
-
NASA Awards Redwire $25M IDIQ Contract for Biotech Support on ISS
NASA awarded Redwire a single award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a $25 million ceiling for biotechnology support on the International Space Station. Under the contract, Redwire is eligible to receive task orders for biotechnology facilities, on-orbit operations support, mission integration, and related services on the ISS. Redwire announced the IDIQ on Aug. 28, which has…
-
Rocket Report: SpaceX achieved daily launch this week; ULA recovers booster
Welcome to Edition 8.08 of the Rocket Report! What a week it’s been for SpaceX. The company completed its first successful Starship test flight in nearly a year, and while it wasn’t perfect, it sets up SpaceX for far more ambitious tests ahead. SpaceX’s workhorse rocket, the Falcon 9, launched six times since our last…
-
SpaceX launches 24 Starlink satellites into polar orbit
File: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket stands in the vertical position at sunset at Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E) at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Image: SpaceX Update Aug. 30, 1:15 a.m. EDT: SpaceX landed the booster on the drone ship. SpaceX launched 24 Starlink broadband satellites from Vandenberg Space Force Base Friday evening on…
-
Rocket Lab inaugurates LC-3 at Wallops
Rocket Lab has inaugurated Launch Complex 3 (LC-3) for its Neutron rocket, which is set to launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Wallops Island, Virginia. Neutron represents a pivotal advancement in the company’s shift from small-lift to medium-lift launch services and fully realizes its goal of full reusability. This new facility, built at…
-
VLEO Under Examination for Possible Use by US Space Force
The U.S. Space Force is examining Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) for possible future use. LEO satellites typically orbit about 500 miles above Earth, while VLEO satellites are to operate at half that altitude and lower. “We’re seeing more domains within space becoming relevant, and I think VLEO is one of them,” Gillian Bussey, the…