Commercial Space

Following a short-lived debut flight on April 20, an upgraded Starship-Super Heavy vehicle is being prepared for launch.

Achieving essential soft landings on the Moon with precision is proving to be a challenge.

Northrop was one of four teams to win NASA funding for early development of commercial LEO platforms.

The FCC for the first time has imposed a fine on a satellite operator for failing to properly deorbit a satellite.

Astroscale Japan has received an $80 million grant from the Japanese government to “image and diagnose” a large, defunct satellite.

Ispace technologies U.S. has unveiled a redesigned Series 2 lunar lander renamed the APEX 1.0.

The FAA also called for organizational changes following the Sept. 12, 2022, uncrewed New Shepard-23 mission.

Team wants data on S4 dynamics in simulated lunar space.

SpaceX’s tussle in Ukraine illustrates the industry’s rising power in modern conflict.

Zero-trust architecture is an approach to information technology security that emphasizes constant reverification of device identity and integrity.

Rocket Lab warned investors on Sept. 26 that it had to lower its financial expectations for the current third quarter ending Sept. 30.

Prague-based Stratosyst wants to offer a fixed stratospheric capability with SkyRider, its helium airship

Advancements in commercial space tech helped the U.S. Space Force, Millennium Space Systems and Firefly Aerospace pull off the Victus Nox rapid launch demo.

A Japanese partnership of MUFG Bank, Kanematsu and Tokio Marine & Nichido led the Sierra Space funding round, which will fund space station development.

Lt. Gen. John Shaw, senior U.S. Space Force officer at Space Command, says challenges will grow as vehicles become more complex and operate further from Earth.

Progress has been slow on Blue Origin's New Glenn orbital launch system under Bob Smith’s watch, with an expected 2024 debut coming four years behind schedule.

Satellite-based remote sensing startup Satellogic said Sept. 21 it will not launch any more satellites until at least the first quarter of 2024.

For burst testing, a scaled LIFE inflatable habitat was filled with air until it ruptured as Sierra works to deploy a full-scale version to low Earth Orbit.

Terran Orbital surprised investors Sept. 19 with the announcement of a new sale of company stock and warrants.

Rocket Lab is investigating the failure of an Electron rocket during a mission to deliver a radar-imaging satellite into low Earth orbit for Capella Space.

Kazakhstan residents lost satellite TV broadcasting and internet connectivity Sept. 15 after one of the country’s two communication sats went out of service.

The deal is a step toward Skyloom of Broomfield, Colorado, setting up a laser communication network based on SkyCompass-1.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Livermore, California-based Aalyria describes itself as a software-defined and optical networking communications pioneer.

NASA is working with at least six companies interested in operating orbital outposts.