Arabsat orders first fully software-defined satellite
Saudi Arabian fleet operator Arabsat has ordered its first fully software-defined geostationary satellite to provide flexible coverage across the Middle East, Africa and parts of Europe.
The post Arabsat orders first fully software-defined satellite appeared first on SpaceNews.
First Dream Chaser vehicle takes shape
Sierra Space says it is making good progress on its first Dream Chaser spaceplane as the company looks ahead to versions of the vehicle that can carry crews and perform national security missions.
50 years on, Apollo 16 moonwalker still 'excited' by space
Fifty years after his Apollo 16 mission to the moon, retired NASA astronaut Charlie Duke says he's ready for the U.S. to get back to lunar exploration.
Part of that effort, Duke said Friday, will come in the form of the Artemis program, which includes NASA's upcoming flight to the moon using its new Space Launch System rocket.
Emirati astronaut to fly long-duration space station mission
The United Arab Emirates will fly an astronaut on a long-duration mission to the International Space Station through an agreement with Axiom Space.
The post Emirati astronaut to fly long-duration space station mission appeared first on SpaceNews.
Rocket Lab pushes back attempt of mid-air booster catch to Sunday
Citing weather concerns, Rocket Lab pushed back its 26th launch Friday with plans to attempt to recover a first-stage booster with a helicopter on Sunday.
"The weather has improved through the week, but the forecast is showing the best wind and cloud cover conditions a few days from now, so we're targeting no earlier than 1 May ... for launch," the California-based aerospace company said. China launches multiple satellites
China successfully sent two satellites into space from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Northwest China on Friday.
The satellites, Siwei 01 and 02, were launched by a Long March 2C carrier rocket at 12:11 pm (Beijing Time) and have entered the planned orbit.
They will provide commercial remote sensing data services for industries including surveying and mapping, environmental p SpaceX launches more Starlink satellites from Florida
Space X launched another batch of Starlink satellites into orbit late Friday afternoon. A Falcon 9 rocket carried 53 satellites into space from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 40.
The launch took place as scheduled at 5:27 p.m., with the reusable first-stage rocket landing on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship at 5:36 p.m. It was the booster's second flight in 21 FAA delays SpaceX Starship environmental review for 4th time
The Federal Aviation Administration announced Friday that it has delayed its environmental review of SpaceX's Starship launch site in Texas for a fourth time.
The review was initially supposed to be completed Dec. 31, 2021. It was pushed back to Feb. 28, then March 28, then April 29, before the latest date - May 31.
"The FAA is working toward issuing the final Programmatic Envir NASA chooses small businesses to continue exploration tech development
NASA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program has chosen 110 U.S. small businesses for continued technology development. The range of projects support space exploration and improvements to life on Earth - from foldable solar array technology that could help power astronauts' work on the Moon to antenna technology that could improve satellite internet service.
NASA's SBIR program Booming fireball spotted in the skies above 3 states this week, NASA says
A loud boom and a fireball streaking across the sky. That's the sight that dozens of people across three states saw this week, scientists said.
The startling fireball was spotted on Wednesday morning by people in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. NASA says the streaking object was a "boldie" - or a bright meteorite.
The meteor was seen by more than 30 people, some of whom als 
