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• Jeff Foust
NASA is consolidating multiple launch programs under a new office that will oversee procurement activity and consider buying launches in blocks. The reorganization could centralize acquisition decisions across the agency’s launch portfolio, with implications for how launch providers compete for NASA missions.
Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation
Latest source-backed stories
NASA is consolidating multiple launch programs under a new office that will oversee procurement activity and consider buying launches in blocks. The reorganization could centralize acquisition decisions across the agency’s launch portfolio, with implications for how launch providers compete for NASA missions.
Rocket Lab says the payload fairing for its Neutron medium-lift rocket has completed testing, removing another development milestone as the company targets a first launch by year-end. The fairing is designed around Neutron’s reusable architecture and its distinctive hinged “Hungry Hippo” configuration.
Rocket Lab launched the 11th satellite for Japanese radar-imaging company Synspective, reinforcing the customer’s role as one of Electron’s largest users. The mission adds to Synspective’s Earth-observation constellation and highlights recurring demand for dedicated small-satellite launch services.
High activity
Boeing has delivered O3b mPOWER satellites F11, F12 and F13 to SES, completing the initial 13-satellite medium Earth orbit constellation. The spacecraft are scheduled to launch later this month on a SpaceX Falcon 9 mission, expanding SES’ high-speed connectivity capacity and supporting technology relevant to military SATCOM.
French and German associations representing NewSpace companies are asking the European Commission to provide a clear assessment of European government launch demand in the coming years. The groups say greater visibility is needed to stimulate both government support and private investment in European launchers.
Sierra Space says it has secured national security and commercial customers for the first orbital flight of its Dream Chaser spaceplane. The long-delayed vehicle is now targeting a debut mission later this year, marking a planned entry into the orbital transportation market.
High activity
HyImpulse has expanded its Series A funding round by more than €50 million as the German launch company prepares flights of its SR75 and SL1 rockets. The financing will support suborbital and orbital launch services for commercial, research and defense customers.
High activity
Astroscale Japan has signed Isar Aerospace to launch ADRAS-J2 aboard a Spectrum rocket, targeting the capture and removal of a spent upper stage from orbit. Separately, NorthStar is leading FALCON, a new ESA-backed project focused on improving predictions of uncontrolled re-entries after recent debris incidents in Europe.
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