Space

A Chinese startup plans to capture an object in orbit using a net as part of a small-satellite mission to demonstrate technology for space resource utilization.

Virgin Orbit has awarded the UK division of Spanish-based space system supplier AVS a contract to build the portable ground operating system to support satellite launches from Spaceport Cornwall starting in 2022.

Four NASA and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronauts made a weather-delayed return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on May 2.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will chair the National Space Council, senior administration officials told reporters May 1.

Space tourism company Virgin Galactic, which heralded a wave of space companies going public quickly, will restate its official 2020 financial results and has postponed its first-quarter results report to May 10.

The U.S. Space Force has awarded a $228 million contract to Raytheon Technologies for the GPS Next-Generation Operational Control System Follow-On.

After two landings were waved off due to high winds, NASA has reset the undocking of the four SpaceX Crew-1 Dragon astronauts from the International Space Station for 8:35 p.m. EDT on May 1.

The Chinese Long March 4C successfully launched a new remote-sensing satellite—the Yaogan-34—from its Jiuquan spaceport on April 30, the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corp. reported.

NASA will stop work on the Human Landing System flight demonstration while the Government Accountability Office considers two protests of the space agency’s recent $2.9 billion contract award to SpaceX.

With its fourth flight test on Mars, NASA is transitioning its Ingenuity technology demonstration project into an extended 30-day mission to develop and test operations for future science rotorcraft.

NASA and SpaceX late April 29 delayed for a second time the planned undocking and splashdown of the four Crew-1 Dragon astronauts from the International Space Station due to high winds.

Up to five test runs of the rotorcraft are planned by May 4.

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

First mission is to send an uncrewed Orion capsule into lunar orbit.

Dave Calhoun is giving himself a dual mandate of returning Boeing to financial eminence while reinstalling engineering prowess. The gambit could decide the embattled company’s fate.

The less-remembered third Apollo 11 astronaut also helped to establish the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Northrop Grumman hit a proverbial home run with its first-quarter 2021, reporting outsized revenue and earnings, as well as providing a slightly higher forecast for the whole year.

The EU’s 2021-27 budget for space activities has received its final approval, from members of the European Parliament.

Arianespace’s Vega light launcher placed six satellites into orbit on April 28 in a successful return to flight that was crucial for the program.

China has launched the first module of its new Tiangong (Heaven’s Palace) space station.

After a brief pause to send the SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA last week, SpaceX on April 28 resumed launching its Starlink broadband constellation into low Earth orbit.

The new arrivals temporarily boosted station staffing to 11 people for the first time since 2010.

Apollo 11 command module pilot Michael Collins, who orbited the Moon alone for about 28 hr. while crewmates Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land and walk on the surface of another planetary body, has died.

German satellite launcher firms Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and ISAR Aerospace have signed agreements to launch from a new orbital launch site planned for Andoya, Norway.

Officials from Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, have not approached NASA about ending Russia’s long partnership in the International Space Station, NASA Acting Administrator Steve Jurczyk says.