SpaceNews https://spacenews.com Covering the business and politics of space Wed, 07 May 2025 23:26:22 +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 Leshin to step down as JPL director https://spacenews.com/leshin-to-step-down-as-jpl-director/ https://spacenews.com/leshin-to-step-down-as-jpl-director/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 23:26:17 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517180 Laurie Leshin headshot

The director of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory is leaving after three years on the job and will be replaced by a longtime lab official.

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IonQ to acquire Capella Space in bid to build ultra-secure quantum network https://spacenews.com/ionq-to-acquire-capella-space-in-bid-to-build-ultra-secure-quantum-network/ https://spacenews.com/ionq-to-acquire-capella-space-in-bid-to-build-ultra-secure-quantum-network/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 22:26:14 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517151

The quantum computing firm plans to build the first space-based quantum key distribution system

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Retired Air Force officer nominated to be NASA deputy administrator https://spacenews.com/retired-air-force-officer-nominated-to-be-nasa-deputy-administrator/ https://spacenews.com/retired-air-force-officer-nominated-to-be-nasa-deputy-administrator/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 21:44:48 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517148

The White House has nominated a former Air Force officer and advocate for the Space Force to be the deputy administrator of NASA.

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Why NASA should apply the CLPS mindset to low-cost science missions, not just landers https://spacenews.com/why-nasa-should-apply-the-clps-mindset-to-low-cost-science-missions-not-just-landers/ https://spacenews.com/why-nasa-should-apply-the-clps-mindset-to-low-cost-science-missions-not-just-landers/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 15:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517058 Intuitive Machines' Athena lunar lander, sitting on its side, after experiencing problems landing near the moon’s south pole March 6. Credit: Intuitive Machines

NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) are bringing us closer than we’ve been in decades to regular lunar exploration and scientific discovery. As a scientist, I admire what these companies […]

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House Democrats seek information from NASA and the Pentagon on Musk conflicts of interest and SpaceX foreign investment https://spacenews.com/house-democrats-seek-information-from-nasa-and-the-pentagon-on-musk-conflicts-of-interest-and-spacex-foreign-investment/ https://spacenews.com/house-democrats-seek-information-from-nasa-and-the-pentagon-on-musk-conflicts-of-interest-and-spacex-foreign-investment/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 13:51:26 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517111 Self-proclaimed "First Buddy" Elon Musk gestures while discussing the sixth Starship test launch with President-elect Donald Trump at Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas. To the right of Trump is Gen. Chance Saltzman, Chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force.

Democratic leaders of two House committee are asking NASA and the Defense Department to investigate claims that SpaceX takes investment from Chinese sources as well as broader conflict-of-interest concerns.

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Space: the new frontier for transatlantic cooperation https://spacenews.com/space-the-new-frontier-for-transatlantic-cooperation/ https://spacenews.com/space-the-new-frontier-for-transatlantic-cooperation/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516636 Hera encapsulation

Despite existing cooperation, fragmented efforts between the United States and the European Union are limiting space security and sustainability. A stronger, unified approach is needed to tackle these growing challenges, […]

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Resilience lunar lander enters orbit around the moon https://spacenews.com/resilience-lunar-lander-enters-orbit-around-the-moon/ https://spacenews.com/resilience-lunar-lander-enters-orbit-around-the-moon/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 11:32:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517108 ispace Resilience lander

Japanese company ispace says its second lunar lander in now in orbit around the moon ahead of a landing attempt in early June.

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ClearSpace completes second phase of UK debris-removal mission https://spacenews.com/clearspace-completes-second-phase-of-uk-debris-removal-mission/ https://spacenews.com/clearspace-completes-second-phase-of-uk-debris-removal-mission/#respond Wed, 07 May 2025 07:30:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517072

PUAKO, Hawaii — ClearSpace completed the second phase of the UK Space Agency’s Active Debris Removal (ADR) mission, by testing and refining technology to remove satellites from low-Earth orbit. In […]

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Space Force chief makes case for increased funding before House panel https://spacenews.com/space-force-chief-makes-case-for-increased-funding-before-house-panel/ https://spacenews.com/space-force-chief-makes-case-for-increased-funding-before-house-panel/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 21:58:59 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517093

Saltzman said the military’s space branch is not resourced to do what it’s being asked to do

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India’s satellite crackdown brings fresh challenges for Starlink and OneWeb https://spacenews.com/indias-satellite-crackdown-brings-fresh-challenges-for-starlink-and-oneweb/ https://spacenews.com/indias-satellite-crackdown-brings-fresh-challenges-for-starlink-and-oneweb/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 21:20:39 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517082

India is tightening security and data compliance rules for satellite connectivity, creating new hurdles for SpaceX’s Starlink and other broadband constellations aiming to enter the world’s most populous country.

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FAA gives environmental approval for increased Starship launch rate https://spacenews.com/faa-gives-environmental-approval-for-increased-starship-launch-rate/ https://spacenews.com/faa-gives-environmental-approval-for-increased-starship-launch-rate/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 21:06:17 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=517083 Starship Flight 8

The Federal Aviation Administration will allow SpaceX to perform as many as 25 Starship launches a year from its Texas site, five times the previous limit.

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Space Force awards contracts for missile-warning ground systems https://spacenews.com/space-force-awards-contracts-for-missile-warning-ground-systems/ https://spacenews.com/space-force-awards-contracts-for-missile-warning-ground-systems/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 18:38:32 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516976

The Future Operationally Resilient Ground Evolution (FORGE) program seeks to build a government-owned ground system for missile warning satellite command and control.

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Webinar: SpaceX – 2025 Business Outlook (replay) https://spacenews.com/webinar-spacex-2025-business-outlook/ Tue, 06 May 2025 17:29:59 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516536 SpaceX 2025 Business Outlook Panel 16x12 - Webinar

Join us on May 6 for a timely discussion on those challenging Starlink and the push for multi-orbit and multi-operator solutions.

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SpaceWERX Selects Cambrian Works for a $1.25M Phase II Contract https://spacenews.com/spacewerx-selects-cambrian-works-for-a-1-25m-phase-ii-contract/ Tue, 06 May 2025 16:35:23 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516968

LOS GATOS, CA – Cambrian Works announces it has been selected by SpaceWERX for a SBIR Phase II in the amount of $1,249,906.00 focused on Tactical Space Payload for Inertial […]

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SpaceNews Appoints Adam Griffiths as Chief Product Officer to Lead New Era of Product Innovation https://spacenews.com/spacenews-appoints-adam-griffiths-as-chief-product-officer-to-lead-new-era-of-product-innovation/ https://spacenews.com/spacenews-appoints-adam-griffiths-as-chief-product-officer-to-lead-new-era-of-product-innovation/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 16:02:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516935

Washington, D.C. — May 6, 2025 — SpaceNews, the trusted source for space industry news and analysis for more than 35 years, is proud to announce the appointment of Adam […]

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Starlink Outpaces Launches: SpaceX Enters New Era of Profitability https://spacenews.com/starlink-outpaces-launches-spacex-enters-new-era-of-profitability/ Tue, 06 May 2025 14:11:26 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516933 Novaspace logo

Starlink’s growth signals a strategic shift as SpaceX evolves from a launch provider to a diversified operator reshaping the commercial space landscape Paris, France– May 5, 2025 – According to […]

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The U.S. is risking its economic and defense leadership in low Earth orbit  https://spacenews.com/the-u-s-is-risking-its-economic-and-defense-leadership-in-low-earth-orbit/ https://spacenews.com/the-u-s-is-risking-its-economic-and-defense-leadership-in-low-earth-orbit/#respond Tue, 06 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516896 The International Space Station, photographed in 2021. Credit: NASA

Since 2011, NASA and the International Space Station (ISS) National Laboratory have engaged in public-private partnerships with entrepreneurial United States companies to bootstrap a commercial business ecosystem in low Earth […]

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NASA budget proposal draws strong criticism https://spacenews.com/nasa-budget-proposal-draws-strong-criticism/ https://spacenews.com/nasa-budget-proposal-draws-strong-criticism/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 22:38:09 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516928

The White House’s proposal to cut NASA’s budget by nearly 25% and cancel several major programs has drawn criticism from industry and members of Congress, while raising concerns among international partners.

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Pentagon’s hypersonic milestone: Stratolaunch reusable vehicle breaks Mach 5 https://spacenews.com/pentagons-hypersonic-milestone-stratolaunch-reusable-vehicle-breaks-mach-5/ https://spacenews.com/pentagons-hypersonic-milestone-stratolaunch-reusable-vehicle-breaks-mach-5/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 21:35:27 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516920

Launched from Roc, Stratolaunch’s massive carrier aircraft boasting a record-breaking 385-foot wingspan, the Talon-A2 drone was released over the Pacific Ocean.

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Telecoms veteran to lead Eutelsat amid Europe’s sovereign broadband push https://spacenews.com/telecoms-veteran-to-lead-eutelsat-amid-europes-sovereign-broadband-push/ https://spacenews.com/telecoms-veteran-to-lead-eutelsat-amid-europes-sovereign-broadband-push/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 19:29:08 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516904

Eutelsat shares closed up nearly 13% May 5 after the French operator said it would replace its CEO with Jean-François Fallacher, a telecoms veteran joining from a key partner in Europe’s planned sovereign broadband constellation.

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Space Force remains skeptical on satellite refueling: ‘Show me the military advantage’ https://spacenews.com/space-force-remains-skeptical-on-satellite-refueling-show-me-the-military-advantage/ https://spacenews.com/space-force-remains-skeptical-on-satellite-refueling-show-me-the-military-advantage/#respond Mon, 05 May 2025 19:20:10 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516892 The DALL-E image generation algorithm's interpretation of a spacecraft refueling a satellite in-orbit.

Officials are unconvinced of strategic benefit, even as industry eyes long-term contracts

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The Space Economy to Reach $944 Billion by 2033: Novaspace Unveils Key Insight https://spacenews.com/the-space-economy-to-reach-944-billion-by-2033-novaspace-unveils-key-insight/ Mon, 05 May 2025 15:28:04 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516873 Novaspace logo

Novaspace’s Space Economy Report, 11th Edition, highlights downstream solutions driving significant industry growth. Paris, 2025 – Novaspace, the leading space consulting and market intelligence firm, has released the 11th Edition […]

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Defense Spending Drives Government Space Budgets to Historic High https://spacenews.com/defense-spending-drives-government-space-budgets-to-historic-high/ Mon, 05 May 2025 15:24:37 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516871 Novaspace logo

Global government space investments rocketed to $135 billion in 2024, marking a 10% increase from 2023, with defense expenditures driving growth and continuing to outpace civil spending. Novaspace, the leading […]

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FSS Capacity Pricing Faces Disruption as Industry Shifts from Scarcity to Abundance https://spacenews.com/fss-capacity-pricing-faces-disruption-as-industry-shifts-from-scarcity-to-abundance/ Mon, 05 May 2025 15:21:12 +0000 https://spacenews.com/?p=516869 Novaspace logo

Novaspace report highlights evolving pricing models amid growing supply and cost-efficient capacity Paris, February 19, 2025 – Novaspace, the leading space consulting and market intelligence firm, has released the 7th […]

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