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FAA clears Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser for runway landings at Vandenberg, enabling a first flight targeted for spring 2027

The FAA has authorized Dream Chaser to land at Vandenberg Space Force Base, clearing a key step for the spaceplane’s orbital return and runway-recovery profile. Sierra Space plans the spacecraft’s first flight in spring 2027; the vehicle is designed to carry up to 12,000 pounds of cargo.

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Who takes responsibility for manufacturing in orbit?

An opinion piece examines the operational risks, business models and unresolved challenges involved in moving manufacturing from space experiments to an industrial activity. It asks who will be accountable as companies seek to turn orbital production into a commercial enterprise.

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SpaceNews.com

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Reflect Orbital raises $73.5 million for plans to reflect sunlight to targeted locations on Earth

Reflect Orbital, whose proposal to direct reflected sunlight to specific locations on the ground has drawn both interest and controversy, has raised $73.5 million. The announcement adds substantial financing to a commercial space concept whose intended application is sunlight delivery from orbit.

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Via Satellite

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Firefly signs up to 10 Alpha launches for Synspective through 2030 as demand grows for its launch services

Firefly Aerospace has agreed to launch up to 20 of Japan’s Synspective’s StriX radar satellites on as many as 10 Alpha flights through 2030. The company says Alpha Block II can carry 1 ton and offers responsive launch capability; the deal adds to a separate, reported $1.3 billion engine-supply agreement with AST SpaceMobile.

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