Aerospace & Defense Roundup: July 19

Hubble Resumes Science Operations

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST), now 31 years old, resumed science operations over the weekend following a June 13 interruption eventually traced to the observatory’s Primary Payload Computer (PPC). Credit: NASA

Biden Nominates Hunter For Next USAF Acquisition Chief Post

U.S. President Joe Biden has nominated Andrew Hunter to be the next Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. Credit: Andrew Hunter: CSIS

Blue Origin Clears New Shepard For First Crewed Flight

Jeff Bezos’ space startup Blue Origin has cleared one of its two operational New Shepard suborbital launch systems for liftoff July 20 on the company’s first human mission. Credit: Jeff Bezos / Instagram

AFRL Ends Satellite Mission Studying MEO Challenges

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) ended a mission on May 31 that was studying advanced spacecraft control techniques and the challenges of flight in medium Earth orbit (MEO). Credit: AFRL

Rocket Lab Modifies Ignition System After May Failure

Rocket LabRocket Lab Electron launch.

UK Could Host Space Force Deep Space Radar

The UK is in negotiations with the U.S. Space Force about hosting an advanced deep space radar system. British officials say discussions are underway for a site in the UK to host one of three Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) systems, which will be capable of monitoring satellite activity in orbits up to 22,000 mi. from Earth. Credit: U.S. Space Force

Mark Moore’s Startup Targets Ultraquiet Propulsion

A startup led by electric vertical flight guru Mark Moore has emerged from stealth mode to develop ultraquiet electric propulsors, initially for U.S. military unmanned aircraft. Credit: Uber Elevate

Boeing Starliner Moved To Launchpad

A Boeing CST-100 Starliner spacecraft was transported to its launchpad here and mounted on top of a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket in preparation for liftoff on July 30. Credit: John Proferes/Boeing