Commercial Space

Rheinmetall forecasts an immediate need for 40 satellites. The production line is now being built up.

BlackSky has seen strong uptake abroad for its new Gen-3 satellite imagery and expects sales from overseas to top those of the U.S. next year, the CEO says.

SES says the U.S. government shutdown has delayed some contract awards and could push them into next year, denting the satellite service provider’s Q3 earnings.

NASA has identified critical space technology gaps. Now Aviation Week is helping identify solutions.

There is serious interest in orbiting data centers for artificial intelligence.

Established space companies are looking to open a new chapter to retain relevancy.

Star Catcher Industries says it has demonstrated wireless laser power beaming, transmitting 1.1 kW of electrical power to off-the-shelf solar panels.

Voyager Technologies expects to complete the critical design review (CDR) for the Starlab commercial space station soon.

Intuitive Machines Inc. will acquire Lanteris Space Systems, previously known as Maxar Space Systems, from Advent International LLC.

The company sees opportunities to support new proliferated constellations coming online around the globe.

Founded in 2002, Five Axis is known for a proprietary portfolio that includes expertise in highly engineered products for launch vehicle engine applications.

Stirling Technology Space Research Experiment (START) is an effort to accelerate the readiness of a compact nuclear power conversion technology.

SpaceX proposes revised blast-danger zones for Starship launch activities in Florida.

Up to 25 Starship-Super Heavy launches are planned per year from Starbase.

Luminary Cloud partnered with Northrop Grumman to accelerate the design and development of rocket nozzles and thrusters for spacecraft from years to months.

Voyager Technologies has acquired ExoTerra Resources, a Hall-effect propulsion developer, for an undisclosed amount.

The Japanese space junk removal startup finds its technology has coveted military applications.

Iridium has paused a share buyback program and is considering acquisitions as it looks to adjust to deals.

Competition is heating up between the operators of Chinese megaconstellations that intend eventually to challenge SpaceX’s Starlink.

Airbus, Leonardo and Thales have joined forces to gain critical mass in the satellite business amid slumping demand for the largest telecommunications spacecraft and hot competition in other segments.

The U.S. Space Force has tapped Vantor to help it track high-interest objects on orbit using non-Earth imaging, the company announced Oct. 22.

Dream Chaser’s debut, originally targeted for 2021, has been repeatedly delayed.

Eutelsat is in talks with French armaments agency DGA over hosted payloads as the two sides look to finalize contract terms around a 10-year services agreement.

More computing power onboard and inter-spacecraft links will enable a performance leap in the next generation of satellites, says Thales Alenia Space's CTO.

Japanese telecom companies are looking to avoid direct competition with low-Earth-orbit constellations.