Orion Space Solutions, an Arcfield subsidiary, has announced the launch of its Rapid Revisit Optical Cloud Imager satellite to demonstrate the spacecraft’s capabilities to support Space Systems Command’s weather forecasting function. The electro-optical/infrared weather system cubesat was sent into orbit aboard the SpaceX Transporter-10 rideshare mission launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on March 4. […]
NASA has concluded a full-duration hot fire test for the RS-25 engine to help power the Space Launch System rocket for future Artemis missions. During the test, operators fired the engine for 10 minutes at power levels between 80 percent and 113 percent, allowing testers to study power outputs and capabilities within and beyond the […]
Reps. Judy Chu, D-Calif., and Don Bacon, R-Neb., have restarted the Planetary Science Caucus in Congress, aiming to educate other lawmakers and the public on the importance of space exploration. In an event hosted by The Planetary Society on Tuesday, Chu said that the United States needs the caucus at a time when the future […]
Rhea Space Activity has announced a $750,000 grant under NASA’s TechFlights solicitation to test two autonomous navigation systems in cislunar space. The Jervis Autonomy Modules will fly on two separate communications satellites in lunar orbit designed to communicate with the ispace technologies U.S.-developed APEX 1.0 lunar lander, RSA said Wednesday. JAM is intended to enable […]
Carlsbad, California-based Viasat has partnered with vehicle launch and space systems supplier Rocket Lab USA in space communications networks demonstrations for the NASA Communications Services Project on a near-Earth orbit communication network to replace the agency’s Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. Viasat will perform the demonstrations as part of two CSP contracts totaling $80 […]
The U.S. Space Force has awarded Boeing a $439.6 million contract to build the 12th Wideband Global SATCOM satellite for the Space Systems Command. The satellite will be part of the WGS constellation, designed to provide resilient, high-capacity satellite communications to the U.S. military and its allies. WGS delivers reliable connectivity to warfighters through the […]
SpaceX, Rocket Lab USA and 13 other companies have secured five-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity base contracts worth a total of $45 million to provide NASA and other agencies with flight and payload integration services. The other recipients are Aerostar International, Angstrom Designs, Astrobotic Technology, Astro Digital, Blue Origin Texas, Galactic Enterprises, Loft Orbital Federal, Momentus Space, Near […]
L3Harris’ infrared sensor satellite for a future U.S. military constellation has passed a preliminary review, enabling the defense contractor to participate in the U.S. Space Force’s Medium Earth Orbit Missile Warning and Tracking program. On Monday, Paul Wloszek, L3Harris’ general manager for missile defense, said that completing the review allows the program to remain on […]
The House and Senate budget committees have approved a $24.875 billion 2024 NASA spending bill, down 2 percent from the 2023 budget and 8.5 percent less than the agency’s proposed $27.185 billion appropriation for 2024. The congressional appropriations bill shelved funding decision on NASA’s Mars Sample Return program, as the agency is reexamining the MSR […]
U.S. Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, head of the U.S. Space Command and a 2024 Wash100 winner, told lawmakers on Thursday that space assets face near-term risks as China and Russia develop anti-satellite weaponry. Speaking at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, he warned that space has become a contested warfighting domain because of the […]
