SpaceNews https://spacenews.com Covering the business and politics of space Mon, 10 Mar 2025 01:05:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://spacenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/cropped-SN_forza_star-32x32.png SpaceNews https://spacenews.com 32 32 80681979 Trump says Mars missions are of interest but not a top priority https://spacenews.com/trump-says-mars-missions-are-of-interest-but-not-a-top-priority/ https://spacenews.com/trump-says-mars-missions-are-of-interest-but-not-a-top-priority/#respond Mon, 10 Mar 2025 01:05:27 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514195 Trump

President Trump says a human mission to Mars is of interest to him but is not a “number one” priority, amid concerns about NASA budget cuts.

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China expands secretive satellite series with launch of TJS-15 https://spacenews.com/china-expands-secretive-satellite-series-with-launch-of-tjs-15/ https://spacenews.com/china-expands-secretive-satellite-series-with-launch-of-tjs-15/#respond Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:18:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514178 A Long March 3B rocket lifts off at night from the Xichang Satellite Launch Center, illuminating the surroundings with bright flames and smoke. The rocket is positioned on the launch pad with its structure and scaffolding visible, silhouetted against the dark sky.

HELSINKI — China launched the latest in a series classified satellites into geosynchronous transfer orbit Sunday while disclosing little about the spacecraft. A Long March 3B rocket lifted off at […]

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Tracking DOGE’s impact on space and the federal workforce https://spacenews.com/tracking-doges-impact-on-space-and-the-federal-workforce/ https://spacenews.com/tracking-doges-impact-on-space-and-the-federal-workforce/#respond Sun, 09 Mar 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514129

The White House and the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency have spent the first weeks of Donald Trump’s new administration looking to reduce the number of federal workers and […]

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Fuel leak blamed for Falcon 9 booster loss after landing https://spacenews.com/fuel-leak-blamed-for-falcon-9-booster-loss-after-landing/ https://spacenews.com/fuel-leak-blamed-for-falcon-9-booster-loss-after-landing/#respond Sat, 08 Mar 2025 15:40:50 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514169 Falcon 9 Group 12-20 booster

A Falcon 9 booster that was destroyed after landing March 2 suffered a fuel leak during its flight that triggered a fire.

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Space Development Agency’s satellite program pushes launch timeline https://spacenews.com/space-development-agencys-satellite-program-pushes-launch-timeline/ https://spacenews.com/space-development-agencys-satellite-program-pushes-launch-timeline/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 23:54:05 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514166

The PWSA Tranche 1 launch campaign is now anticipated to begin in late summer 2025

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Frontgrade Successfully Tests GaN DC-DC Converter and EMI Filter https://spacenews.com/frontgrade-qualifies-industrys-first-class-l-gan-dc-dc-converter-and-emi-filter/ Fri, 07 Mar 2025 21:53:54 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=513098

Colorado Springs, CO (March 7, 2025) – Frontgrade Technologies, a leading provider of mission-critical electronics for aerospace and defense, has successfully tested its Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based DC-DC converter and complementary electromagnetic […]

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FCC allows a power boost for SpaceX’s direct-to-smartphone service https://spacenews.com/fcc-allows-a-power-boost-for-spacexs-direct-to-smartphone-service/ https://spacenews.com/fcc-allows-a-power-boost-for-spacexs-direct-to-smartphone-service/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 21:49:20 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514153

SpaceX secured permission March 7 to provide direct-to-smartphone satellite services at higher power levels to improve connectivity beyond the reach of cell towers across the United States.

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U.S. halts satellite imagery support to Ukraine in major policy shift https://spacenews.com/us-halts-satellite-imagery-support-to-ukraine-in-major-policy-shift/ https://spacenews.com/us-halts-satellite-imagery-support-to-ukraine-in-major-policy-shift/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 21:13:58 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514145

The decision cuts off Ukraine's access to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency's (NGA) commercial satellite imagery platform.

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Star Catcher lands Space Florida support for satellite power beaming tests https://spacenews.com/star-catcher-lands-space-florida-support-for-satellite-power-beaming-tests/ https://spacenews.com/star-catcher-lands-space-florida-support-for-satellite-power-beaming-tests/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 19:53:07 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514122

Star Catcher Industries, a startup designing spacecraft to beam solar energy to other LEO satellites, has secured funding from Florida’s economic development agency to demonstrate the technology at a former Space Shuttle landing site.

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U.S. military spaceplane completes 7th mission, including advanced orbital maneuvers https://spacenews.com/u-s-military-spaceplane-completes-7th-mission-including-advanced-orbital-maneuvers/ https://spacenews.com/u-s-military-spaceplane-completes-7th-mission-including-advanced-orbital-maneuvers/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 18:40:33 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514104

The X-37B spaceplane touched down at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on March 7.

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IM-2 lunar lander mission ends https://spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-mission-ends/ https://spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-mission-ends/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 17:57:30 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514100 IM-2 landing

Intuitive Machines says its second lunar landing mission is over after concluding the toppled lander cannot generate sufficient power.

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Regulations are in the crosshairs. But which ones? https://spacenews.com/regulations-are-in-the-crosshairs-but-which-ones/ https://spacenews.com/regulations-are-in-the-crosshairs-but-which-ones/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 14:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514046 President Donald Trump signs executive orders on February 10, in the Oval Office. Credit: Official White House photo by Abe McNatt

Early in President Donald Trump’s first term, he turned to an executive order to accelerate deregulation. For each new mandate enacted, he called for the repeal of two regulations. This […]

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Make America test again: How rapid, iterative testing will advance hypersonic development https://spacenews.com/make-america-test-again-how-rapid-iterative-testing-will-advance-hypersonic-development/ https://spacenews.com/make-america-test-again-how-rapid-iterative-testing-will-advance-hypersonic-development/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=513954 The Hermeus Quarterhorse aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base during a press event in December. Credit: Hermeus

The world has taken notice of the hypersonic technology that China and Russia are touting as unstoppable. Capable of maneuvering unpredictably at extreme speeds within the atmosphere, these weapons are […]

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China highlights commercial space sector in government work report https://spacenews.com/china-highlights-commercial-space-sector-in-government-work-report/ https://spacenews.com/china-highlights-commercial-space-sector-in-government-work-report/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 12:08:34 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514097 A SAST (Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology) vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) rocket prototype during a test flight, kicking up dust from the ground. The rocket's engines emit a bright flame, indicating an active and controlled descent. The test was conducted in a desert-like environment under clear skies.

HELSINKI — China’s latest government work report emphasizes the commercial space sector as a key driver of high-tech development, highlighting its potential to transform the nation’s space capabilities. China will […]

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Starship destroyed on second consecutive test flight https://spacenews.com/starship-destroyed-on-second-consecutive-test-flight/ https://spacenews.com/starship-destroyed-on-second-consecutive-test-flight/#respond Fri, 07 Mar 2025 00:15:46 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514080 Starship Flight 8

SpaceX’s Starship vehicle suffered its second consecutive test flight failure March 6, tumbling in space before breaking up and reentering over the Caribbean.

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Danti expands AI-powered Earth data search engine to broader government market https://spacenews.com/danti-expands-ai-powered-earth-data-search-engine-to-broader-government-market/ https://spacenews.com/danti-expands-ai-powered-earth-data-search-engine-to-broader-government-market/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 23:05:24 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514074

The technology allows users to search satellite imagery and other geospatial data using natural language queries.

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York taps commercial satellite technology for classified defense missions https://spacenews.com/york-taps-commercial-satellite-technology-for-classified-defense-missions/ https://spacenews.com/york-taps-commercial-satellite-technology-for-classified-defense-missions/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 21:10:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514061

York Space Systems plans to launch five missions in 2025 for commercial customers conducting classified experiments for the U.S. military

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IM-2 lunar lander on its side after touchdown https://spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-touches-down-status-unclear/ https://spacenews.com/im-2-lunar-lander-touches-down-status-unclear/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 18:30:24 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514040 IM-2 descent

The second lunar lander mission by Intuitive Machines reached the surface of the moon March 6, but its status after landing was not clear.

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Ariane 6 launches French spysat on second flight https://spacenews.com/ariane-6-launches-french-spysat-on-second-flight/ https://spacenews.com/ariane-6-launches-french-spysat-on-second-flight/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:52:14 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514034 Ariane 6 liftoff

An Ariane 6 launched a reconnaissance satellite for the French military March 6 on the second flight of the European rocket.

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ULA boss says Vulcan ready for multiple launches in 2025 https://spacenews.com/ula-boss-says-vulcan-ready-for-multiple-launches-in-2025/ https://spacenews.com/ula-boss-says-vulcan-ready-for-multiple-launches-in-2025/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 17:35:19 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514029

Bruno said ULA has six Vulcan rockets currently in production

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Questions linger about future of TraCSS https://spacenews.com/questions-linger-about-future-of-tracss/ https://spacenews.com/questions-linger-about-future-of-tracss/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:32:20 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=514024 TraCSS

The manager of the Commerce Department’s program to develop a civil space traffic coordination system is back on the job after being swept up in layoffs.

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CSF Welcomes Five Additional Associate Members https://spacenews.com/csf-welcomes-five-additional-associate-members/ Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=513864 Commercial Space Federation logo

March 06, 2025 – Washington, DC – The Commercial Space Federation (CSF) is proud to announce the addition of five (5) new Associate Member companies to the leading voice of […]

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US military taps commercial space firms for hypersonic testing program https://spacenews.com/startups-see-a-new-market-for-frequent-lower-cost-hypersonics-testing/ https://spacenews.com/startups-see-a-new-market-for-frequent-lower-cost-hypersonics-testing/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=513942 Stratolaunch’s Talon hypersonic flight vehicle. Credit: Stratolaunch

In a March 2024 flight test, Stratolaunch’s Roc aircraft took off from California’s Mojave Spaceport and, after reaching its designated position off the California coast, released its payload, the Talon-A […]

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How the nation can make fielding hypersonic capabilities a national priority https://spacenews.com/how-the-nation-can-make-fielding-hypersonic-capabilities-a-national-priority/ https://spacenews.com/how-the-nation-can-make-fielding-hypersonic-capabilities-a-national-priority/#respond Thu, 06 Mar 2025 14:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=513953

What do China, Russia, North Korea and Iran have in common? Each member of this axis of aggressors has developed (or at least has claimed to have developed) operational hypersonic […]

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