SpaceX’s bittersweet seventh flight test, the loss of Starship but successful catch of booster – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-16 00:00
SpaceX’s Starship tore through the skies from Boca Chica, Texas with 33 out of 33 engines working to send it on it’s seventh flight test. As the journey continued ground control lost its live stream and all communications with Starship. SpaceX issued this statement: Starship experienced a rapid unscheduled disassembly during its ascent burn. Teams will continue to review data from today’s flight test to better understand root cause.
Exolaunch delivers 34 satellites to orbit during the Transporter-12 Rideshare Mission with SpaceX – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-16 00:00
Exolaunch has successfully delivered 34 satellites into orbit during the Transporter-12 rideshare mission with SpaceX. This event marks Exolaunch’s first launch of 2025 and the company’s 32nd mission overall. The company’s track record of providing reliable and precise satellite integration and deployment services.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn reaches orbit after successful Thursday launch, “Today marks a new era” – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-16 00:00
Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch adjusted to Thursday with a weather proviso Frost is seen coating the upper stage of Blue Origin’s fully fueled New Glenn rocket. Monday’s launch was scrubbed due to “ice forming in a purge line on an auxiliary power unit that powers some of [New Glenn’s] hydraulic systems” Tuesday’s weather prevented the launch as well.
Slingshot Aerospace to provide tech to USSF to detect GPS jamming + spoofing threats – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-16 00:00
The new program, PNT-SENTINEL, provides Slingshot new funding to enhance its already operational technology. The contract was awarded as a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 2 contract by SpaceWERX. Slingshot will develop its initial GPS jamming detection capability called DEEP in October 2021.
Rocket Lab’s 2nd reentry class spacecraft for Varda operating on-orbit supporting payloads for AFRL + NASA – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-16 00:00
Varda’s W-2 mission includes a Rocket Lab Pioneer spacecraft and a Varda re-entry capsule. The capsule employs a heatshield with a Thermal Protection System ( TPS ) developed in collaboration with NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley. The W-2 mission is the second of four spacecraft ordered by Varda to support orbital processing.
Barclays Bank is positive on AST SpaceMobile L-band meaningful addition – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-16 00:00
Barclays says L-band spectrum will not be usable until sometime after 2027. Manufacturers of smartphones will likely add L-band to their portfolio of spectrum within their handsets. Despite plans to launch additional satellites this year, it is unlikely that consumers will be accessing AST signals much before the end of 2026.
Amendment 102: Due Date Delays for Several Astrophysics Programs
NASA scientists find new human-Caused Shifts in Global Water Cycle. The majority of those shifts are driven by activities such as agriculture. The shifts could have impacts on ecosystems and water management, especially in certain regions. “We established with data assimilation that the water cycle is shifting in unprecedented ways,” scientists say.
Blue Origin launches New Glenn on flight NG-1 and makes orbit
Original Publication Date: 2025-01-15 15:02
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully launched on Thursday, Jan. 16. The launch was pushed from the start of the window due to engine chill issues and a boat that violated the range. The flight launched into orbit with a Blue Ring Pathfinder payload to demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s future Blue Ring multi-mission space mobility platform.