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Blue Origin has moved New Glenn’s next launch to January 2027, extending the rocket’s post-explosion grounding. CEO Dave Limp said the company has moved quickly to repair the launchpad damaged in May, but that rebuilding work has been difficult.
Commercial Space
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The FAA has proposed changes to streamline regulations governing commercial space launches and re-entries, and says it plans to overhaul its space licensing framework next year. The changes could benefit operators including SpaceX and Blue Origin as the agency revises how it licenses commercial space activity.
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Blue Origin has moved New Glenn’s next launch to January 2027, extending the rocket’s post-explosion grounding. CEO Dave Limp said the company has moved quickly to repair the launchpad damaged in May, but that rebuilding work has been difficult.
SpaceX, which has already reshaped the internet-from-space business, is planning a terrestrial wireless network to compete with Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T. The move would put Elon Musk’s company in direct competition with established U.S. mobile carriers as it expands beyond satellite connectivity.
SpaceX and Tesla shares fell further as markets assessed the political implications of Democratic gains in the U.S. elections and a broader technology selloff. SpaceX debt-default protection costs also reached a record high, reflecting increased investor concern about political risks to Elon Musk’s Texas-based businesses.
In a SpaceNews podcast episode, Mike Gruss speaks with Auriga Space CEO Winnie Lai about the idea of building a “highway to the moon and back.” The available summary does not specify a particular program, technology milestone or company announcement.
Satellite autonomy startup Orca Aerospace has agreed to supply software for Orbital’s data-center fleet under a deal valued at up to $20 million. The announcement links onboard autonomy capabilities with Orbital’s satellite data-center plans, though the summary provides no deployment schedule or contract milestones.
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Goldman Sachs and Apollo Global Management are in talks with investors to sell portions of a roughly $40 billion financing deal tied to SpaceX’s chip needs. The firms are reportedly offering slices of up to $500 million ahead of formal syndication.
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