NASA awards SpaceX contract for space station deorbit vehicle
WASHINGTON — NASA selected SpaceX to develop a spacecraft that will be used to perform the final phases of the deorbiting of the International Space Station around the end of the decade.
Chang’e-6 delivers first lunar far side samples to Earth after 53-day mission
HELSINKI — The Chang’e-6 return capsule reentered Earth’s atmosphere early Tuesday, safely delivering unique lunar material expected to provide unique insights into the evolution of the moon.
Starliner return delayed to July
WASHINGTON — NASA and Boeing have pushed back the return of the CST-100 Starliner spacecraft from the International Space Station until at least early July to continue studies of propulsion system problems.
Falcon Heavy launches GOES-U weather satellite
WASHINGTON — A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket lifted off June 25 carrying the final spacecraft in a series of geostationary weather satellites that also features several firsts.
NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover enters new Red Planet territory: ‘Bright Angel’
Since January, NASA’s Perseverance rover has been tracing the south side of Neretva Vallis, which is possibly the fossil of a river that once fed the rover’s landing site in Jezero Crater.
Gilat takes to the air with $245 million Stellar Blu takeover plan
TAMPA, Fla. — Israel’s Gilat Satellite Networks announced plans June 17 to buy Stellar Blu Solutions, a Texas-based aircraft equipment integration specialist, in a deal worth up to $245 million to chase the emerging market for multi-orbit Wi-Fi on planes.
China takes small step towards the moon with rocket test
HELSINKI — China’s main space contractor has carried out a successful static fire test of a rocket first stage designed to take astronauts to the moon.
U.S. and India advance human spaceflight cooperation
WASHINGTON — The governments of the United States and India announced June 17 they are moving ahead with cooperation on human spaceflight that would include flying an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station, although with few details on who would fly and when.
Starliner ISS stay extended to complete thruster and helium leak testing
WASHINGTON — NASA and Boeing have again extended the stay of the CST-100 Starliner at the International Space Station as engineers wrap up analysis of thruster problems and helium leaks on the crewed spacecraft.
Lockheed Martin wins contract to build U.S. geostationary weather satellites
SAN FRANCISCO — Lockheed Martin will develop and build the next generation of U.S. geostationary weather satellites for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under a contract announced June 18.
At long last: Europe’s new Ariane 6 rocket set to debut on July 9
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Ariane 6 rocket, developed by ArianeGroup, will lift off from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. The date of the rocket’s long-awaited inaugural flight was announced at the ILA Berlin air show on June 5; however, a specific launch time or window has not yet been released.
Competing with Uncle Sam’s free space offerings
In the ever-evolving landscape of the commercial space industry, some sectors face a unique challenge: convincing customers to pay for services that the U.S. government provides at no cost. This situation is particularly evident in the realms of space domain awareness and alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (Alt-PNT) services.
Chang’e-6 spacecraft dock in lunar orbit ahead of journey back to Earth
HELSINKI — An ascent vehicle docked with the Chang’e-6 service module Thursday, in a critical step towards bringing the first lunar far side samples to Earth.
Space Pioneer raises $207 million for reusable rocket
HELSINKI — Chinese commercial company Space Pioneer has secured fresh funding for its reusable Tianlong-3 rocket, targeting launch contracts for megaconstellation plans.