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Commercial Spaceflight

All articles tagged with #commercial spaceflight

Isar's orbital milestone ushers Europe's private spaceflight era
space29 days ago

Isar's orbital milestone ushers Europe's private spaceflight era

Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket achieved Europe’s first fully commercial orbital launch, signaling a private-led shift in the continent’s spaceflight ambitions; the Rocket Report also notes a mysterious Ravn X sighting and skepticism about that project, and rounds up other space news including UK spaceport funding, Firefly–Esrange launches, Vega-C cadence ambitions, Nyx on Ariane 6, The Exploration Company’s Storm engine, and NASA’s Terran R ramp with Relativity Space.

via Ars Technica|
#commercial-spaceflight#europe#isar-aerospace
Crew Dragon's remaining flights could shape the next era of commercial spaceflight
commercial2 months ago

Crew Dragon's remaining flights could shape the next era of commercial spaceflight

SpaceX says its Crew Dragon fleet has significant life left as it transitions toward Starship; with Crew-13 Grace set for an ISS flight no earlier than Sept. 12, NASA plans additional Dragon missions and ESA/private operators are eyeing Dragon for ISS and future commercial stations, while Starship is expected to overlap in service and push the industry toward end-to-end commercial offerings.

via SpaceNews|
#commercial#commercial-spaceflight#crew-dragon
First Commercial Nuclear Satellite Signals New Era in Space Power
technology3 months ago

First Commercial Nuclear Satellite Signals New Era in Space Power

City Labs’ BOHR cubesat, launched on SpaceX’s Transporter-17, tests NanoTritium betavoltaic power in orbit—the first commercial nuclear satellite—demonstrating continuous power for instruments without sunlight while solar power handles general operations; the mission also earned FAA approval under a nuclear-launch pathway, signaling a regulatory milestone for future commercial nuclear space power.

via Gizmodo|
#betavoltaic#commercial-spaceflight#faa-authorization
Vast Eyes 2027 Launch of Haven-1 as First Commercial Space Station to Replace ISS
technology4 months ago

Vast Eyes 2027 Launch of Haven-1 as First Commercial Space Station to Replace ISS

US startup Vast unveiled a crewed mission to Haven-1, targeting a 2027 launch as the world’s first operational commercial space station and a potential replacement for the ISS by 2030; Haven-1 would be smaller and cheaper to deploy, with Haven-2 planned later and four two-week missions over a three-year stay, with up to three modules per year using SpaceX rockets. The company also announced a Paris-based European HQ and a separate mission sending French astronaut Thomas Pesquet to the ISS next year.

via Dawn|
#commercial-spaceflight#haven-1#iss
NASA's Private Space Station Plan Triggers Industry Alarm
technology6 months ago

NASA's Private Space Station Plan Triggers Industry Alarm

NASA’s Ignition event reveals a pivot: instead of funding multiple independent private space stations, the agency proposes a new core module to dock with the International Space Station and requires private providers to operate through NASA. Officials say the market for commercial, free-flying LEO stations isn’t proven and budget constraints limit support to a single provider, while industry leaders fear the plan undermines years of CLD work and could reduce competition, with concerns of potential favoritism toward Axiom. The proposal would let companies learn on a shared core module before scaling up and could push Congress to weigh in as NASA contemplates extending ISS life to 2032.

via Ars Technica|
#commercial-spaceflight#international-space-station#nasa
Former NASA Astronaut Joins Vast as Haven-1 Integration Advances, Launch Slips to 2027
technology8 months ago

Former NASA Astronaut Joins Vast as Haven-1 Integration Advances, Launch Slips to 2027

Vast has hired former NASA astronaut Megan McArthur as an astronaut adviser to support Haven-1’s development, joining a cadre of ex-astronauts guiding the project. Haven-1 has begun integration in Long Beach with systems and avionics work, interior outfitting, and exterior shielding. The launch has shifted from mid-2026 to the first quarter of 2027, as the company emphasizes safety and maturation of its design, manufacturing, testing, and operations for future stations.

via SpaceNews|
#commercial-spaceflight#haven-1#megan-mcarthur
Billionaire Jared Isaacman Tapped to Lead NASA Amid Industry Optimism
space-exploration1 year ago

Billionaire Jared Isaacman Tapped to Lead NASA Amid Industry Optimism

Billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead NASA, sparking discussions about the agency's future direction amid budget constraints and competition from private space companies. Isaacman, known for his commercial space missions with SpaceX, represents a shift from traditional NASA leadership, raising questions about the balance between public exploration goals and commercial interests. As NASA faces challenges with its Artemis Moon program and the costly Space Launch System, Isaacman's leadership could either revitalize the agency or further entangle it with commercial spaceflight demands.

via Gizmodo|
#artemis-program#commercial-spaceflight#jared-isaacman
"Boeing's Starliner: NASA's First Crewed Flight Takes Off"
space-exploration2 years ago

"Boeing's Starliner: NASA's First Crewed Flight Takes Off"

Boeing's Starliner program, once seen as a competitor to SpaceX, is now positioned as a backup for NASA's crew transportation needs, with the company expressing uncertainty about its future beyond fulfilling its current NASA contracts. Meanwhile, SpaceX continues to lead the commercial spaceflight industry, with significant achievements in crewed missions and satellite launches. Other industry developments include aerospace companies' legal disputes, executive appointments, and upcoming rocket launches.

via CNBC|
#boeing#commercial-spaceflight#nasa
"SpaceX's Third Starship Launch Test: What to Expect and How to Watch Live"
spacespace-exploration2 years ago

"SpaceX's Third Starship Launch Test: What to Expect and How to Watch Live"

SpaceX is preparing for the third test flight of its Starship megarocket, aiming to demonstrate capabilities crucial for NASA's moon missions and the commercial spaceflight industry. The launch is scheduled for Thursday morning from the Starbase test site in Texas, with objectives including controlled re-entry through Earth’s atmosphere and various technology demonstrations. If successful, this test could pave the way for future missions to the moon and beyond, with Starship expected to play a key role in NASA’s Artemis III mission.

via NBC News|
#commercial-spaceflight#nasa#spacespace-exploration
space-exploration2 years ago

"Challenges and Cheers: Moon Lander's Struggle and Farewell"

The first commercial moon mission, conducted by the company Intuitive Machines, is attempting to revive its lunar lander as the lunar night comes to an end. The lander, which delivered NASA's water-hunting VIPER rover to the moon's surface, shut down during the two-week-long lunar night due to the extreme cold. Intuitive Machines is now working to re-establish communication with the lander and resume its operations as the sun rises on the moon's surface.

via Financial Times|
#commercial-spaceflight#lunar-lander#lunar-night
"Space-Produced Antiviral Drug Safely Returns to Earth Aboard Varda's Capsule"
space-technology2 years ago

"Space-Produced Antiviral Drug Safely Returns to Earth Aboard Varda's Capsule"

Varda Space Industries successfully obtained FAA approval for the reentry of its space capsule, marking the first commercial spacecraft landing at a military test range. The company's achievement was the result of navigating complex regulatory and bureaucratic processes, including securing a commercial reentry license and coordinating with government entities. The spacecraft landed in the Utah desert and was retrieved for transport back to Varda's headquarters, signaling a significant milestone for the in-space manufacturing company.

via Ars Technica|
#commercial-spaceflight#faa-approval#reentry-capsule
"Dream Chaser: Sierra Space's New Spaceplane Prepares for Historic Flight"
space-technology2 years ago

"Dream Chaser: Sierra Space's New Spaceplane Prepares for Historic Flight"

Sierra Space's Dream Chaser undergoes successful testing at NASA's Neil Armstrong Test Facility, preparing for its first flight to the International Space Station in 2024. The vehicle, equipped with a cargo module capable of carrying 9,000 pounds of cargo, will join NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program, offering down mass capability to return science experiments and research samples back to Earth. Sierra Space plans to conduct multiple flights with the potential for global launch and landing locations, marking the beginning of what they call the "orbital age" of commercializing low-Earth orbit.

via NASASpaceflight.com|
#commercial-spaceflight#dream-chaser#international-space-station