Virgin Orbit boosts 747 launcher fleet with L3Harris deal
L3Harris Technologies is to acquire a pair of Boeing 747-400s for Virgin Orbit as the small satellite launch specialist boosts its fleet of modified jumbo jets to meet increasing customer demand.
UK MoD launches space-based surveillance push with Carbonite+ contract
The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has ordered the first part of a future space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance constellation, with Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL) awarded £22 million ($27.9 million) to provide the Carbonite+ spacecraft.
Why Apollo 16’s Charlie Duke is still a lunar rover
Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke says private spaceflight encourages smaller firms to think big and develop technologies the whole world could benefit from in future.
ANA, Virgin Orbit to use Japan as Asian base for 747 RocketOne launches
ANA Holdings plans to enter the space launch business through a tie up with Virgin Orbit, which has developed the capability to launch its LauncherOne rocket from a 747-400.
US FAA grounds Virgin Galactic over mishap investigations
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded Virgin Galactic as it completes an investigation into an incident involving SpaceShipTwo during its July 11 flight.
Why the UK Space Command has skyrocketing ambitions
Among the organisational changes made by the UK Ministry of Defence since the last DSEI show in September 2019, the establishment of a dedicated Space Command is one of the most significant recent developments.
MiMi Aung’s out of this world Ingenuity
As project manager for NASA’s spectacular unmanned helicopter flights on Mars, MiMi Aung advanced awareness of autonomous capability – and inspired a new generation of scientists.
UK aviation regulators and accident investigators extend remit to spaceflight
UK civil aviation regulators and accident investigators are to extend their authority to the spaceflight sector under a new broadening of their remit.
Korean Air to explore using 747 for rocket launches
The Republic of Korea Air Force has commissioned Korean Air and Seoul National University to research the use of the Boeing 747-400 to air-launch rockets.
Space industry worried that cyberattacks could spread off Earth
As Earth-bound small and large businesses convulse from wave after wave of cyberattacks, the fast-growing space industry is worried that it could be next.