The head of satellite services provider Inmarsat says he would like to see more established launch service providers in the market, and hopes that new and returning players such as Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) and Sea Launch will help foster more choice and competition in the future.

LOS ANGELES — Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) has returned to flight testing with its first glide flight since last September.

Says key design and production processes used to manufacture Europe’s Ariane 5 launcher can support production of the Liberty transportation system

DENVER — Research outcomes on the International Space Station (ISS) will be so important to the future of U.S. human spaceflight that NASA is considering bartering for Russian crew time to help out with research in its facilities.

In a major consolidation to address an era of fixed-price contracts and lower defense and civil space spending, Lockheed Martin Space Systems is establishing two basic business lines — military and civil — rather than the separate talent pools devoted to more specific requirements in each of those areas.

SUN BLOCK: Preflight test layers for the sunshield that will protect NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are meeting performance targets during engineering tests, according to telescope prime Northrop Grumman. The tennis-court-sized sunshield is designed to keep the telescope cool enough in its Earth-trailing orbit for its sensitive infrared instruments to work. The membrane layers of the sunshield, each as thin as a human hair, are made of Kapton. ManTech International produces the sunshield.

Efforts are under way to improve communications links that scientists on the ground can use to help astronauts run their experiments

FOUL WEATHER: The looming arrival of Tropical Storm Debby has prompted United Launch Alliance and the U.S. Air Force to delay the launch of the National Reconnaissance Office’s latest classified satellite by 24 hr. The launch of NROL-15 is now set for June 29 at 6:13 a.m. from Space Launch Complex-37 at Cape Canaveral. The protective Mobile Service Tower will remain around the Delta IV launch vehicle and is scheduled to be moved for launch on June 28.