Rocket Lab to launch Finnish cubesat
A Finnish cubesat designed to test satellite deorbiting technologies will launch on a Rocket Lab Electron after delays with its original launch on a Momentus tug.
Former Commerce official Kevin O’Connell joins board of advisors of startup Kayhan Space
Kayhan Space, a startup focused on space situational awareness and collision avoidance technologies, announced Aug. 17 that Kevin O’Connell has joined its board of advisors.
Blue Origin sues NASA over SpaceX Moon contract
Blue Origin, the space company owned by Jeff Bezos, is suing the US government over its decision to award a massive Moon exploration contract to its competitor SpaceX, it said in a statement Monday.
The company has filed a suit with the US Court of Federal Claims "in an attempt to remedy the flaws" in how the contract was awarded, according to the statement.
The human landing system (HLS) contract, worth $2.9 billion, was given to SpaceX, owned by Bezos's billionaire rival Elon Musk, in April.
It was protested by the other bidders, who argued NASA was required to make multiple awards and that the evaluation process was unfair.
"We firmly believe that the issues identified in this procurement and its outcomes must be addressed to restore fairness, create competition, and ensure a safe return to the Moon for America," Blue Origin said.
Since losing the contract, Blue Origin has strongly lobbied to have the decision reversed.
Europe's Vega rocket blasts off with Airbus observation satellite
A European Vega rocket lifted off Monday night from French Guiana carrying an Earth observation satellite and four miniature "cubesats".
It was the second launch this year of the Vega, a crucial component of European ambitions to compete with rivals such as Elon Musk's SpaceX in the booming commercial aerospace market.
The rocket blasted off from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou at 10:47 pm (0147 GMT), successfully delivering the satellites in just under two hours.
Its main cargo was a high-resolution satellite, the second of four for a new Earth observation constellation operated by Airbus. The first was put in orbit in April by a Vega rocket.
The Pleiades Neo constellation will offer high-resolution imaging of Earth for military or civilian uses such as disaster response, according to Airbus.
Vega's operator Arianespace is a subsidiary of the ArianeGroup, of which Airbus owns half.
RUAG Space: World leader for satellite separation systems
Nearly 1000 satellites were separated in orbit with separation systems from RUAG Space. The company is leading the commercial market in this area.
Download our August 16 issue of SpaceNews magazine
Download the digital edition of the August 16 issue of SpaceNews magazine, provided compliments of Boeing.
Mark Baird named president of VOX Space
Mark Baird, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, has been named president of VOX Space.
Report: Space security a growing concern as activities proliferate in orbit
The Space Foundation and KMPG released a new report Aug. 17 titled 'Navigating Space: A Vision for the Space Domain'
O3b mPOWER get first cloud customer, on track for launch even as COVID-19 issues loom
Microsoft is pivoting from being a partner to also a customer of SES’ next-generation O3b mPOWER broadband constellation, which SES said remains on schedule despite an ongoing threat of supply chain disruption from COVID-19.
Spire Global’s shares slip after first day of trading
Shares in Spire Global, the small satellite constellation operator, closed down 5.2% to $9.41 at the end of its first day as a public company Aug. 17.
