Commercial Space

SpaceX’s Block 5 is optimized for rapid reusability and multiple reflights, designed to meet the needs of its U.S. government and commercial customers.

To support a higher flight rate, the company sought out and adopted manufacturing processes and personnel from other industries.

More SS2s are in production as The Spaceship Co. broadens its portfolio to include other aerospace and transport products.

Analysis of Virgin Galactic’s initial test flight of the SS2 shows the spacecraft performed as well as, or in some cases better, than model-based predictions.

Commerce secretary pushes greater U.S. share of the global space economy.

ULA CEO Tony Bruno has bold claims for the company’s space propulsion module, which starts off as an upper stage on ULA’s planned Vulcan rocket.

U.S. Air Force mulls bids to ensure at least two commercially viable orbital space transport systems from 2022. Rockets with Russian engines need not apply.

Manufacturers diversify spacecraft and operating orbits to keep up with changing markets.

The company aims to put 200 kg into orbit every 72 hr. Photo: Rocket Lab

Blue is aiming to compete for U.S. national security space launch business, putting it in direct competition with one of its first industry partners, ULA.

Aviation Week editors talk with Airbus Space Chief about the OneWeb venture into the small satellite, low Earth orbit market and navigating the dramatic changes in the industry.

Swarm Technologies’ four prototypes flew aboard an Indian rocket in January. The FAA says they are too small to be detected by the Space Surveillance Network.

Intelsat is driving innovation in the way it transmits data to smaller and smaller terminals and in its business models.

Michigan-based Orbion is aiming to fly Hall effect thruster on smallsat in 2019.

Megaconstellations of broadband satellites are expected to join flocks of cubesats in increasingly crowded low Earth orbit.

At this point, the Outer Space Treaty legally applies only to countries, not commercial companies.

Company plans ‘hopper’ tech development program for interplanetary spaceship.

Delivery of a sports car into space is a light touch, but the low-cost, privately developed rocket signals changing times for industry. Photo: John Kraus

The first privately funded heavy-lift rocket ushers in a new way of doing business.

Rating commercial crew vehicles on their chance of flight fatality turns out to be a nuanced art and science.

With U.S. ferry flights on Russian Soyuz ending next year, pressure is on to get U.S. space taxis flying, without sacrificing safety.

The Italian space industry is driving Europe’s effort to have a reusable vehicle, with an original commercial target.

The company has pushed longstanding government contractors to rethink how they do business, move to drive down costs and improve quality to remain competitive.

Fit checks for the triple-core booster, a practice propellant load and finally one or more static test fires will pave the way for long-awaited debut flight

Spacecraft, sensors, systems and better prediction capability form focus for Aerospace Corp.’s drive to mitigate danger from collisions with orbiting objects.