Crew-6 launches to space station
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-02 09:19
A Falcon 9 lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center at 12:34 a.m. Eastern March 2. The rocket placed the Crew Dragon spacecraft Endeavour into orbit on the Crew-6 mission. SpaceX scrubbed the first launch attempt Feb. 27 a little more than two minutes before the scheduled 1:45 a.m.
DoD interested in smartphone-to-satellite communications services
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 21:55
Pentagon looking to diversify types of satellite communications services it buys from private sector. Pentagon's commercial satellite communications office is working on solicitation for direct-to-device services. DoD also interested in LEO satcom services and those provided by small GEO satellites. Military users demanding low-latency, broadband services from the likes of OneWeb, SpaceX.
Rocket Lab reconsidering mid-air recovery of Electron boosters
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 20:19
Rocket Lab weighing recovering stages from the ocean and refurbishing them for launch. The company attempted twice, unsuccessfully, last year to catch a stage with a helicopter. In the second attempt last November, Rocket Lab allowed the stage to splash down in the ocean. Rocket Lab separately announced a contract with Capella Space for four Electron launches.
UK provisionally clears Viasat’s Inmarsat acquisition
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 14:15
U.K. Competition watchdog finds Viasat's plan to buy Inmarsat would not reduce competition. The approval by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority is subject to a public consultation. Viasat also still needs regulatory approval in the United States to complete the deal.
Virgin Galactic in final phases of return to flight
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 13:16
Virgin Galactic in final phases of returning suborbital spaceplane to commercial service. SpaceShipTwo vehicle, VSS Unity, slated to begin commercial flights in second quarter. Company's second priority is to build a next generation of vehicles, Delta-class spaceplanes. Virgin Galactic reported $2.3 million revenue for 2022, a net loss of $500 million.
UPDATE: Scrubbed NASA’s CREW-6 delays the human spaceflight mission to ISS possibly Thursday, March 2 – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 00:00
SpaceX and NASA are targeting no earlier than Monday, February 27 for Falcon 9’s launch of Dragon’s sixth operational human spaceflight mission (Crew-6) to the International Space Station. The instantaneous launch window is at 1:45 a.m. ET (6:45 UTC), with a backup opportunity available on Tuesday, February 28, at 1:22 a.m. (6:22 UTC) The Dragon spacecraft supporting this mission previously flew Demo-2, Crew-2, and Axiom Space’s Ax-1 to and from the station.
UPDATE: Rocket Lab plans two launches that will be days apart from two continents for two companies: Capella Space + BlackSky – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 00:00
Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) is preparing to launch two dedicated missions in March from the Company’s launch sites in the United States and New Zealand. One rocket is ready and in position at Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand to deploy satellites for Spaceflight Inc. Customer BlackSky. A second rocket is simultaneously undergoing final launch preparations at Launch Complex 2 in Virginia to deploy satellites for American space tech company Capella Space. Both launches are scheduled to occur in March with the launch windows to be finalized based on individual customer and range requirements.
Spaceflight Inc. readies BlackSky smallsats for upcoming Rocket Lab launch – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 00:00
Spaceflight Inc. Will launch two BlackSky satellites aboard Rocket Lab’s next mission called “The Beat Goes On,” from Mahia, New Zealand. The spacecraft, now in New Zealand for the final stage of integration, were manufactured by U.S.-based satellite maker LeoStella and co-engineered with BlackSky. The two spacecraft onboard the mission will be the 15th and 16th satellites in BlackSky’s growing constellation.
TMC Technologies awarded West Virginia University contract to establish the Small Satellite Center of Excellence – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 00:00
West Virginia University Research Corporation has awarded TMC Technologies (TMC) a contract to be the private partner in creating and operating the West Virginia Small Satellite Center of Excellence (WVSSCE) TMC will collaborate with WVU to provide high-level software and hardware engineering expertise in spacecraft and smallsat development, manufacturing, and program management. The Center will be a hub for smallsat research, development, testing, production, and commercialization.
Satcube’s satellite terminals provide critical communications in Turkey and Ukraine to major media agencies and NGOs – SatNews
Original Publication Date: 2023-03-01 00:00
Satcube is providing its Satcube Ku terminals to the biggest media brands and NGO’s on the ground in Turkey and Ukraine. The terminals are used to enable the UN, Red Cross (ICRC), ITV, CBS News, NBC, and government agencies alike in earthquake hit Turkey and war-stricken Ukraine. Satcube terminals are able to provide satellite broadband almost anywhere on Earth with connectivity from strategic partner, Intelsat’s Flex Moveon Intelsat EpicNG satellites.