Commercial Space

The first planned orbital satellite launch from the facility is planned for early 2024.

Noting widespread technology progress toward higher-airspace operations, the French Air and Space Force kicks off a doctrine study.

SpaceX officials traveled to Wichita Jan. 17 to meet with current suppliers and develop new supplier connections.

Last November, Europe’s three leading countries in space launchers issued a joint statement that set the stage for further cooperation.

Stratospheric balloon operator World View will aim to become a publicly listed company via a reverse-merger deal with Leo Holdings Corp. II.

Momentus has won a contract from FOSSA Systems to use its Vigoride space tug to deploy more of the company’s small satellites into low Earth orbit.

New booster validates do-or-die remake of the Lockheed-Boeing space launch partnership.

An anomaly with the Virgin Orbit LauncherOne second stage caused its first flight from the UK to fail, according to preliminary findings from investigators.

Initial findings by Virgin Orbit suggest anomaly occurred during second-stage engine burn.

ABL did not say how soon after liftoff the rocket failed.

The effort is intended to enhance already unique, mission-critical training.

The research agency wants to track all objects in real time in low Earth orbit.

German satellite launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has declared plans to conduct its first launch from the UK’s SaxaVord Spaceport.

Fast Cloud features a silver saucer-shaped balloon, with an uncrewed aircraft system slung underneath it.

The launch was the 16th devoted to deploying OneWeb’s initial 648-member constellation into low Earth orbit.

Virgin Orbit said its data suggested that an anomaly occurred during the Newton 4 second-stage engine burn as the rocket travelled at 11,000 mph.

Company sees robots as critical for building off-world economy.

About 1 hr. 6 min. after takeoff, Virgin Orbit confirmed that an anomaly had prevented the LauncherOne rocket from reaching orbit.

“We have a real shot at late [February/March] launch attempt,” CEO Elon Musk wrote on Twitter.

The startup is studying how tumbling debris behaves.

Fan-in-wing eVTOL; 6G sensor-comms integration; Mobile hydrogen fueler; and Drive/Fly eVTOL prototype.

The LauncherOne rocket has been loaded, and technicians are preparing to fuel it in readiness for the first orbital launch from the UK, planned for Jan. 9.

The Gama Alpha mission aims to test the deployment and control of the 73.3-sq. 2 (789 ft. 2) sail in low Earth orbit.

Potential partners have until Jan. 24 to respond to NASA.

The company has also selected several backup dates for the mission running into mid- and late-January.