Space.com
• Josh Dinner
SpaceX plans to retire Falcon 9, one of the most-flown launchers in history, after bringing its next-generation Starship vehicle into operational service. The transition could materially alter launch capacity, competition and customer options across the commercial launch market.
Commercial Space
Latest source-backed stories
High activity
SpaceX plans to retire Falcon 9, one of the most-flown launchers in history, after bringing its next-generation Starship vehicle into operational service. The transition could materially alter launch capacity, competition and customer options across the commercial launch market.
High activity
SpaceX is set to establish a new rocket-reuse record early Tuesday morning, Aug. 25, during its 100th Falcon 9 flight of the year. The launch will be livestreamed, offering a direct view of another milestone in the company’s high-cadence operations.
CesiumAstro plans to launch its first Element satellite in October, marking a precursor mission for a planned constellation of more than 700 spacecraft. The launch will provide an initial step toward the company’s broader satellite deployment strategy.
Kepler Communications has begun commercial in-orbit optical data relay services, marking an expansion beyond the smallsat operator’s IoT connectivity business. The launch positions Kepler to provide high-speed data links between spacecraft and ground networks as demand grows for faster space-based communications.
Beyond Reach Labs has unveiled Flarewing, a patent-pending solar-array deployment system designed to fold flat during launch and expand in orbit. The startup says its large deployable structures could enable small satellites to generate substantially more power without requiring correspondingly larger launch configurations.
Star Catcher Industries, which is developing power-beaming technology for satellites, has signed an agreement with Aethero to distribute its technology. The deal marks a commercial step for Star Catcher as it seeks to advance space-based power delivery for satellite operators and other customers.
High activity
SpaceX reportedly acquired xAI in an all-stock transaction valuing the combined company at $1.25 trillion, a figure that would make it the largest merger on record. The reported deal brings a major launch provider and an artificial-intelligence company under common ownership.
Create a free account to see more recent Commercial Space stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
