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NASA Seeks Info on Long-Term Exploration Transportation System Capability

NASA has asked industry for feedback on how the agency can maximize the long-term efficiency of the Space Launch System, Exploration Ground Systems, Cross-Program Systems Integration and other Exploration Systems Development programs while reducing production, operations and maintenance costs. The agency plans to consolidate SLS contracts into a single Exploration Production and Operations Contract to […] More

by Jane Edwards October 27, 2021, 12:39 pm
in News, Space News

Blue Origin, Sierra Space to Develop New Space Station for Commercial Pursuits

Blue Origin and Sierra Space will jointly create a new space station that will operate in low Earth orbit to foster development and human space exploration. The Orbital Reef station is envisioned to support research, industrial, international and commercial pursuits to expand the scope of markets applicable to space, Blue Origin said Monday. The future […] More

by Nichols Martin October 26, 2021, 11:52 am
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NASA Issues RFI for Commercial Crew Space Transportation Services

NASA has begun to solicit information on potential vendors that could meet its requirement for commercial services to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station as part of the Commercial Crew Program. NASA expects the ISS to continue operations beyond 2024 and is looking to acquire commercial crew space transportation support services from […] More

by Jane Edwards October 22, 2021, 11:50 am
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Nanoracks, Voyager Space & Lockheed Team Up to Work on Starlab Space Station

Nanoracks, Lockheed Martin and Voyager Space have established a team to build a commercial space station in low-Earth orbit to support research efforts and promote industrial activity. Nanoracks will serve as the prime developer of the Starlab space station, which is expected to reach initial operational capability by 2027, the companies said in a joint […] More

by Jane Edwards October 22, 2021, 11:47 am
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Rhea Space Activity to Further Develop Space Domain Awareness Dashboard for USAF

Rhea Space Activity will continue developing a dashboard to boost space domain awareness under an award from the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX innovation program. The company said Wednesday it will work to inform operational SDA requirements as part of a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award that provides for continued Lunar Intelligence Dashboard development. […] More

by Nichols Martin October 21, 2021, 11:56 am
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Ball Aerospace Increases Colorado Footprint With Facility Opening, Center Expansion; Dave Kaufman Quoted

Ball Aerospace has expanded its presence in Colorado with the opening of a new 160,000-square-foot facility that will focus on building payloads and providing post-launch support for various space programs. The new Payload Development Facility adds advanced integration and test areas, a mission support center, more offices and cleanroom space to the existing Broomfield Research […] More

by Angeline Leishman October 20, 2021, 11:48 am
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Report: Space Industry Deals Reach Record Annual High in 9 Months

Data from Space Capital shows that private investment deals within the space industry have amounted to $10.3 billion for the first three quarters of 2021, surpassing the $9.8 billion for all of last year, CNBC reported Thursday. The New York-based venture capital firm estimates that investors injected $3.9 billion into businesses that develop satellites, launch […] More

by Angeline Leishman October 19, 2021, 12:49 am
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Orbit Fab, AFRL Enter Into R&D Agreement to Develop On-Orbit Refueling Product

Orbit Fab has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with the Space Vehicle Directorate of the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to advance on-orbit refueling technology for the lab’s Spacecraft Technology Division. The company said Wednesday that under the CRADA collaboration, it will share its hardware products, including its Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface […] More

by Summer Myatt October 15, 2021, 11:09 am
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NASA Picks L3Harris for Weather Prediction Modeling Study; Ed Zoiss Quoted

L3Harris Technologies will perform a second study for NASA to assess and test a concept for satellite weather sensors or sounders designed to improve tracking of severe storms. “To produce accurate forecasts, weather prediction models require detailed observations of the Earth’s surface to the top of the atmosphere,” Ed Zoiss, president of space and airborne […] More

by Jane Edwards October 15, 2021, 6:19 am
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NASA Concludes Navigation Clock Demo Aboard General Atomics’ Orbital Test Bed

A spacecraft built by General Atomics‘ electromagnetic systems business has completed a NASA-sponsored in-orbit demonstration of miniature atomic clock technology. The company said Tuesday its Orbital Test Bed satellite hosted the Deep Space Atomic Clock to test the payload’s ability to consistently track time for long-duration space exploration. NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory produced DSAC and […] More

by Nichols Martin October 13, 2021, 11:50 am
in News, Space News

HawkEye 360 Achieves Initial Operational Capability for 3rd Cluster of RF Monitoring Satellites; Alex Fox Quoted

HawkEye 360’s third cluster of radio frequency data-delivering satellites, known as Cluster 3, has completed functional testing and achieved initial operating capability. Cluster 3 entered orbit on June 30th aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, and it has now moved into formation and begun delivering RF data and insights, the company said Tuesday. CEO of […] More

by Summer Myatt October 12, 2021, 10:59 am
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ULA, NASA Review Flight Readiness of ‘Lucy’ Asteroid Exploration Spacecraft

United Launch Alliance and NASA have concluded the flight readiness review of a spacecraft designed to primarily explore eight different asteroids over a potential 12-year mission. The Lucy space probe is scheduled to launch on Saturday at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station aboard ULA’s Atlas V 401 rocket, according to a NASA blog post. The […] More

by Nichols Martin October 12, 2021, 10:28 am