NASA Spaceflight
• Ryan Weber
SpaceX plans to use Starship’s 15th test flight to attempt a first: catching both the Super Heavy booster and the spacecraft with launch-tower arms. The mission would extend the vehicle’s recovery approach beyond the booster and test a key step toward reusable operations for the full launch system.
Commercial Space
Latest source-backed stories
ANA Holdings has invested in Space Quarters, which is developing technologies to build structures in space. The approach could enable designs less constrained by the dimensions of rocket fairings, though the available reports provide no details on the investment size, project milestones or intended applications.
High activity
SpaceX plans to use Starship’s 15th test flight to attempt a first: catching both the Super Heavy booster and the spacecraft with launch-tower arms. The mission would extend the vehicle’s recovery approach beyond the booster and test a key step toward reusable operations for the full launch system.
High activity
AST SpaceMobile executives defended the company’s plan to develop a reusable launch vehicle, expressing confidence it can be ready to fly within two years. The timeline faces widespread skepticism, making the proposal a notable test of the company’s ability to add launch capability to its space business.
A privately funded Mars orbiter planned for launch in 2028 is expected to provide instruments with advanced computing and communications resources. The mission’s emphasis on onboard capabilities could give its payloads more capacity to process and transmit data during operations at Mars.
Seattle startup Constellation Space has launched a platform using machine learning to optimize operations for growing satellite constellations. Separately, Italian satellite systems maker Revolv Space closed a €5 million ($5.6 million) Series A, funding its motion and power-generation product development.
High activity
UARX Space says OSSIE-D has made its maiden flight, marking a milestone for Spain’s space industry. The orbital transfer vehicle was designed and manufactured entirely in Spain, with 75% of its components developed in-house; DHV Technology supplied its complete power subsystem.
Create a free account to see more recent Commercial Space stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
