Space

By Irene Klotz
The European, Japanese and U.S. space agencies have pooled Earth observation data collected from satellites during the global coronavirus pandemic to create an interactive website with analytical tools for scientific, economic and general public use.
Space

By Michael Bruno
Maxar Technologies will buy out joint venture (JV) partner Saab’s interest in its satellite-based three-dimensional (3D) data and analytics boutique Vricon, as revamped Maxar looks to double down on Earth observation services.
Commercial Space

By Jen DiMascio
Northrop Grumman and Ball Aerospace have finished a preliminary design review of the mission payload for the initial set of geosynchronous satellites in the Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared system.
Space

By Mark Carreau
NASA has joined with crowdsourcing network HeroX to seek a strategy for the elimination of lunar astronauts’ bodily wastes under its “Lunar Loo Challenge.”
Space

By Irene Klotz
Can the Commercial Crew chief work her magic for all of NASA’s human space initiatives?
Space

By Bill Carey
With 12 licensed commercial spaceports and counting, the FAA is planning a spaceport infrastructure funding program.
Commercial Space

By Jen DiMascio
Will UK upgrade F-35s?; OPIR satellite payload progress; UK-Qatar fighter unit operational; and new CMV-22s deployed.
Defense

By Mark Carreau
Pleased so far with the performance of SpaceX’s Demo-2 test flight to the International Space Station, NASA is planning a series of four and possibly six spacewalks by its two veteran astronaut test pilots before returning to Earth, potentially in early August.
Space

By Irene Klotz
Issues with ground support equipment for a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket are causing a second delay in the upcoming launch of NASA’s Mars 2020 Perseverance rover.
Space

By Steve Trimble
As a Senate committee voted to restore funding for a space-based surveillance system to detect hypersonic and ballistic missiles, the Space Development Agency (SDA) has named the supplier for an early version of the type of sensor that could be needed for the task.
Space

By Mark Carreau
NASA is looking at mid-July to complete an assessment of when it can retarget the launch of the cost and technically challenged James Webb Space Telescope.
Space

By Irene Klotz
California-based Relativity Space, which is developing a 3D-printed small satellite launcher, has signed a contract with Iridium to launch up to six of its Iridium Next ground spares, the companies announced June 24.
Space

By Irene Klotz
Redwire, a venture capital-backed family of space technology companies, has added Florida-based Made In Space to its portfolio, the companies announced June 23.
Commercial Space

By Mark Carreau
The target of two joint upcoming NASA/European Space Agency (ESA) planetary defense demonstration missions—the Double Asteroid Re-direction Test (DART) and Hera—has received an official name, Dimorphos.
Space

By Tony Osborne
The U.S-UK Technology Safeguards Agreement overcomes current regulations so that U.S.-developed launchers can operate from UK soil.
Commercial Space

By Steve Trimble
The Space Development Agency must submit a detailed plan to use commercial satellites as a service in the future National Defense Space Architecture, a panel of lawmakers say.
Space

By Guy Norris
Under a Space Act Agreement with NASA, space company Virgin Galactic is to develop a training program for private astronaut missions to the International Space Station.
Space

By Mark Carreau
Startup Space Perspective is looking to early 2021 to begin test flights of a high-altitude balloon with a pressurized capsule from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), with an eye toward carrying commercial passengers and research payloads.
Space

By Jen DiMascio
U.S. Navy fixes EMALS issue; AARGM-ER clears design review; Germany reviews P-3 replacements; China’s quantum key advancement.
Defense

By Bradley Perrett
Chinese scientists have taken a large step toward a theoretically secure communication technology, demonstrating quantum key distribution (QKD) between ground stations via a satellite.
Commercial Space

By Mark Carreau
With the support of a newly appointed associate administrator, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has expressed confidence that his agency can achieve an accelerated return to the Moon’s surface with human explorers by 2024.
Space

By Mark Carreau
The planned launch of the Perseverance Mars 2020 rover from Cape Canaveral on July 20 is intended to help set the stage for sending astronauts to the red planet in the 2030s.
Space

By Tony Osborne
LONDON—Washington and London have reached an agreement on technology safeguards that paves the way for the use of U.S.-developed space launchers from UK soil.
Space

By Lee Hudson
The Pentagon has released a new Defense Space Strategy providing a framework for the U.S. military to achieve “desired conditions” in space over the next 10 years.
Space

By Tony Osborne
Airbus is to lead a consortium to secure a tender to run the UK’s military satellite communications network.
Space