Commercial Space

Rocket Lab will provide 10 Electron launches to deploy an Earth observation network for Japan’s Synspective, which is building an SAR constellation.

The service is exploring the future of narrowband satellite communications as its legacy Mobile User Objective System approaches the end of its life span.

DARPA has awarded Redwire a contract, as part of the agency’s Otter program, to be the prime mission integrator for a very low-Earth orbit spacecraft.

It will take some luck for Boeing to be ready to fly its first ISS crew rotation mission as early as February.

Amazon plans to sell its Project Kuiper satellite internet service in seven South American countries via a distribution agreement.

Thales and Spire Global are pursuing a satellite constellation aimed at delivering air traffic management services and technology to make them more resilient.

After two difficult years of fundraising for commercial satellite startups, the financial environment may be improving, according to bankers in the sector.

LeoLabs has won a contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWerx innovation unit to develop an S-band 2D direct radiating array ground-based radar.

With funding from an NTT Docomo-led consortium, Aalto is moving more quickly into production of the solar-powered stratospheric aircraft.

Los Angeles-based satellite manufacturer Apex has raised $95 million in a Series B fundraising round led by XYZ Venture Capital.

Rocket Lab has signed a preliminary memorandum of terms with the Department of Commerce for up to $23.9 million in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act.

Private space station developer Vast Space has signed a cargo services agreement with The Exploration Co. of Munich.

Users of iPhone 14 and newer models will be able to send and receive text messages via a satellite connection, Apple announced at its developer conference.

Stoke Space has completed a critical first hot-fire test of its full flow staged combustion (FFSC) engine at its test site in Moses Lake, Washington.

Ariane 6 will undergo a wet dress rehearsal at Europe’s spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana, on June 18.

The successful demonstration positions SpaceX for a quick turnaround for Integrated Flight Test 5.

SES Space & Defense has demonstrated multi-band, medium-Earth-orbit (MEO) to low-Earth-orbit (LEO) radio relay technology.

Airbus has secured an order from Al Yah Satellite Communications Co. for two more geostationary satcoms and a commitment to work on a LEO system.

Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity flew into suborbital space and back on June 8, bringing an end to the company’s commercial flight services until its Delta-class spacecraft debuts.

The agreement will also look at ways European companies can supply subsystems and equipment for future space stations.

Kineis, a startup company aiming to offer IoT services with a 25-satellite constellation, is planning to launch its first five spacecraft on June 18.

NASA has deviated from its planned “hands off” strategy” with its Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, the audit said.

Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 as a spinoff of Technical University Munich.

With 32 of its 33 Raptor engines firing, the Super Heavy booster lifted off from SpaceX’s Boca Chica Beach, Texas, spaceport at after a trouble-free countdown.

Lockheed Martin signed a deal with Firefly Aerospace for up to 25 Alpha rocket launches through 2029.