Commercial Space

Dense Tokyo is at the epicenter of the country’s space startups.

The Dream Chaser’s ISS missions are the first of several orbital roles expected to be operated from Sierra Space’s mission control center.

Startup’s lunar lander is an early attempt to commercialize the Moon.

Impulse Space plans to launch its first space tug mission, LEO Express-1, in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Dream Chaser spaceplane tests in 2023 mark first operational steps toward development of Sierra Space’s orbital ecosystem.

The addition of Airbus gives a strong international presence to Voyager’s Starlab team.

Launches from the U.S. jumped to 78 for the year, driven by SpaceX, which successfully flew its Falcon rocket fleet 61 times.

The 2023 budget includes funding for establishing a human presence at the Moon and developing new deep-space technologies.

Established satellite companies introduce new technologies and strategies to compete with startups.

Every deal is a mix of market forecast and unique conditions, especially price, and the buyouts of Aerojet and Maxar are no different.

Boeing, SpaceX have contracts for lunar missions.

Avio’s Vega C launch vehicle failed to place Pléiades Neo 5 & 6 satellites into orbit on Dec. 20.

Possession of the licenses puts Virgin Orbit back on course to launch in January.

Demonstrations are growing more diverse as the industry matures and new players seek to change the space industry.

Quantum Space has raised $15 million to develop a network of “Scout” spacecraft throughout cislunar space.

Consulting giant Accenture’s venture capital arm has signed a strategic deal with space-based Earth data upstart Planet Labs.

Unprecedented high-altitude weather triggered a series of events which led to the loss of Airbus’ Zephyr high-altitude pseudo satellite.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched ispace’s Hakuto-R Mission 1 lunar lander into space on Dec. 11 from Cape Canaveral.

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

The Defense Innovation Unit is looking for ways to quickly deliver spacecraft beyond geosynchronous orbit.

Virgin Orbit had been eyeing a launch window starting Dec. 14 for its first UK flight of LauncherOne.

Astroscale Japan and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency have launched a joint feasibility study of satellite refueling services.

SpaceX and Rocket Lab have unveiled departments and services for national security clients.

Slingshot Aerospace has raised $41.85 million to build out its Earth-based network of orbit-watching telescopes.

The U.S. Commerce Department has awarded seven contracts to companies providing space situational awareness services.