SpaceX will build a new Dragon spacecraft version designed to deorbit the International Space Station once the laboratory reaches the end of its life in 2031. Speaking at a recent briefing, Sarah Walker, director of Dragon mission management at SpaceX, said the spacecraft will be an improved version of the existing Dragon vehicle, featuring a […]
Increasing partnerships and enhanced counter-space capabilities are two major trends presenting opportunities and challenges to the U.S. space community, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kruse, Defense Intelligence Agency director and 2024 Wash100 awardee, said at the recent Aspen Security Forum in Colorado. Kruse viewed partnerships, including government-to-government and between public and private entities, as “the only way” […]
NASA is discontinuing an effort to develop a moon exploration rover due to delays and rising development costs. On Wednesday, the U.S. space agency announced that it will cease the project dubbed VIPER, short for Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, initially scheduled to launch in 2023. The agency plans to disassemble and repurpose components that […]
NASA has shipped to the Kennedy Space Center the Space Launch System rocket’s second core stage that Boeing built at the agency’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans for the crewed Artemis II moon flyby mission scheduled for 2025. At the space center in Florida, the core stage will be assembled with other mission components, […]
The Department of the Air Force’s commercial investment seeks air and space project proposals from small businesses with Phase II Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer contracts. According to a notice of opportunity issued on Monday, AFWERX AFVentures will provide funding under the Strategic Funding Increase program, with selected businesses expected to […]
The United States and Saudi Arabia have formalized a partnership focused on space exploration. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and Saudi Space Agency CEO Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi signed the agreement, which outlines a framework for cooperation in various areas, including space science, education and operations, NASA said. Formally known as the “Framework Agreement Between the […]
The General Services Administration has awarded Satcom Global a five-year contract to continue providing U.S. government agencies with satellite airtime and equipment. The contract simplifies the procurement process for government agencies by providing a pre-vetted pool of qualified vendors, Satcom Global said. The streamlined approach ensures pre-established pricing and terms, expediting the acquisition of essential […]
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems will support a U.S. Space Force unit advancing the development of a second weather satellite for the federal government. On Thursday, GA-EMS announced that it had received a modification to an existing Space Systems Command contract to design and deliver an operational Electro-Optical Infrared Weather System spacecraft with integrated electro-optical infrared […]
Tomorrow Companies, also known as Tomorrow .io. has secured a $10.2 million contract to build and launch two microwave sounder satellites that will provide weather data to inform Department of Defense operations. The new spacecraft will be part of the company’s planned 30-satellite constellation, which will comprise 18 microwave sounders and 12 microwave radar satellites. […]
NASA has awarded Leidos a potential $476 million contract to extend its support for NASA’s cargo missions. The agreement entails providing crucial engineering and integration services for the International Space Station Program and the Artemis mission for the next two years, Leidos said. Leidos will be responsible for analyzing and processing cargo for space missions, […]
