Commercial Space

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.

The agreement is for Dragonfly’s in-orbit EOS SAT-1 satellite, aimed at being the first in a constellation of seven.

Out of Intelsat’s 58 geostationary satellites in orbit, about 10% are candidates for mission extension or repair.

SpaceX’s Starlink broadband constellation is seen as a major driver in that growth.

Satellite constellation projects are materializing, creating a need for launches, especially to low Earth orbit.

Telesat signed a 14-flight contract with SpaceX to deploy its Lightspeed broadband satellite constellation, the companies said Sept. 11.

SpaceX says it has completed 57 corrective actions required by the FAA prior to a second flight test of the Starship Super Heavy launch system.

SpaceX has been ordered to implement 63 corrective actions to resume flight testing of its Starship Super Heavy launch system following a debut liftoff mishap.

Virgin Galactic’s suborbital spaceship conducted a third commercial mission on Sept. 8, but did not livestream or release the passengers' names before takeoff.

Companies work to track millions of pieces of space junk and plan for their incineration.

Spire Global has won a $4.6 million, 12-month NASA contract to develop a microwave sounder device for the NOAA Near-Earth Orbit Network satellite constellation.

First launch of Europe's new workhorse Ariane 6 is finally coming into view.

Intuitive Machines plans to raise $20 million from a sale of its stock and warrants to an undisclosed institutional investor.

On its third flight, Firefly will attempt to integrate a payload and launch a rocket within 24 hr.

With three expected bidders and three planned awards, everyone wins at whatever the price.

Advanced Space has won a new Space Debris Identification and Tracking (Sintra) contract.

The U.S. Justice Department claims SpaceX routinely denied jobs to non-U.S. citizens legally entitled to work in the country.

Saudi Arabian investor Aljazira Capital is supporting Axiom Space as the company works to develop a future commercial space station.

The study contracts were awarded via the SDA’s System, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities broad agency announcement.

The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) on Aug. 17 released a request for information.

True Anomaly says it is aiming to produce one example of its Jackal space domain awareness satellites every five days.

BAE will buy U.S. defense and aerospace electronics supplier Ball Aerospace for $5.55 billion through a stock purchase agreement, the two companies announced.