Tag: North America
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Firefly Aerospace Unveils Block II Upgrade for Alpha Rocket Ahead of Flight 7
Firefly Aerospace said it has introduced a Block II configuration upgrade for its Alpha launch vehicle, aiming to improve reliability, streamline production and enhance launch operations as demand grows across commercial, civil and national security missions. The U.S.-based space and defense company said Alpha Flight 7, targeted for launch in the coming weeks, will be…
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Startup GRU Space Opens Applications for Planned Lunar Hotel, Targets 2032 Opening
Galactic Resources Utilization (GRU) Space said on Monday it has begun accepting applications from prospective lunar tourists, asking for a $1 million deposit to reserve a place at a planned Moon-based hotel that the startup says could open as early as 2032. The California-based company, founded in 2025, said the deposit would secure a future…
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NASA Prepares Artemis 2 for February Lunar Mission After Schedule Acceleration
NASA is entering the final phase of preparations for its Artemis 2 mission, the first crewed flight toward the Moon in more than 50 years, as the agency moves up its launch timeline to February 2026. The U.S. space agency had previously targeted April 2026 for the mission, which will send four astronauts on a…
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Eric Schmidt-Backed Group Plans New Telescope Network Spanning Space and Earth
Former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt is moving into space science, announcing plans to fund and build a new global network of telescopes designed to operate faster and at lower cost than traditional government-led observatories. Schmidt said on Wednesday that Schmidt Sciences, one of his philanthropic organisations, will develop the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory…
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Canada’s Space Industry Urges Faster Defence Procurement in New Policy Paper
Canada’s space industry is urging the federal government to accelerate defence procurement and modernise how it acquires space-based capabilities, as global competition and security demands intensify. Space Canada, an industry advocacy group, released a 17-page position paper on Wednesday outlining recommendations aimed at speeding up procurement and aligning Canada’s approach with international defence trends. The…
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TransDigm to Acquire Stellant Systems for $960 Million in Cash
U.S. aerospace components maker TransDigm Group said it has agreed to acquire Stellant Systems, a manufacturer of radio frequency and microwave amplification products, in an all-cash transaction valued at $960 million, expanding its exposure to space and defence electronics. TransDigm announced the definitive agreement on Dec. 31, saying the acquisition remains subject to customary regulatory…
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U.S. Space Force Awards Rhea Space Contract to Advance Autonomous Satellite Navigation
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Rhea Space Activity Inc. (RSA) a contract to further develop its autonomous navigation software, AutoNav, as part of a project aimed at improving satellite maneuverability and resilience in contested space environments. The project, known as VANGUARD—short for Vision-based Autonomous Navigation and Guidance for Unassisted Approach, Rendezvous, and Deployment—was selected…
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SpaceX’s Newest Starship Booster Suffers Major Damage During Early Test in South Texas
SpaceX’s latest Starship first-stage booster sustained significant damage during pre-launch testing early Friday in South Texas, marking a setback for the company’s next-generation rocket program. The vehicle, known as Booster 18 and representing the first “Version 3” Starship design, was rolled out only a day earlier as SpaceX announced the start of its test campaign.…
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Boeing Confirms Second ViaSat-3 Satellite Healthy on Orbit After Atlas V Launch
Boeing said the second ViaSat-3 satellite has been confirmed healthy on orbit after launching aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket at 10:04 p.m. Eastern Time. Mission controllers established telemetry and command links shortly after spacecraft separation in geostationary transfer orbit, initiating a sequence of subsystem health checks. Built on Boeing’s high-power 702MP+…
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Dream Chaser Completes Key Pre-Flight Tests Ahead of 2026 Orbital Debut
one: the spacecraft demonstrated real-time command and control through NASA’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS), successfully receiving telemetry and distributing commands between Mission Control in Louisville, Colorado, and the spacecraft. The company concluded the campaign with a post-landing recovery rehearsal, testing procedures for vehicle safing and rapid access to sensitive payloads immediately after…