Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, says that following on from the 48 Starlink satellites launched on March 9th there have now been 2,282 launched. But this total number is impacted by test-satellites, damaged and other problems as well as craft which have yet to reach their target orbits. The end […]
On the heels of last week’s planning approval Scotland’s SaxaVord (at Unst in the Shetland isles) spaceport has now applied to the aviation regulator for an operating licence. SaxaVord says it has formally submitted its Spaceport and Range Licence applications this week to the industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Once regulatory approval has […]
A report from Seradata (Satellite Database & Space Market Analysis) says that 2021 was a good year for the space insurance industry. Serdata’s SpaceTrak database is used by most of the world’s Space insurance underwriters and brokers for launch and spacecraft reliability information, historical Space insurance claims and loss values. The numbers show that the […]
The IISL (the International Institute of Space Law) has “suspended” the participation of Russia and which includes Russian students participating in the IISL’s activities. The IISL said it regrets having to make this decision because it affects civil society and students in particular and means that students must pay the price for geopolitical struggles far […]
Sir Richard Branson and Chamath Palihapitiya, the former chairman of Branson’s Virgin Galactic rocket tourism company, who unexpectedly stepped down in February, have been accused of issuing misleading information to shareholders over the company’s share float and how it was financed. The investor lawsuit, filed February 21st by Virgin Galactic shareholder Thomas Spiteri, seeks damages […]
A planned spaceport in Unst, Shetland, in the far North of the UK, has received planning permission to go ahead. Shetland Islands Council says work to prepare the Saxavord Spaceport can proceed provided Scottish ministers don’t call the project in for further review. Three rocket pads would be built at the Lamba Ness peninsula in […]
Australian satellite operator Optus is buying a Mission Robotic Vehicle (MRV), informally known as a Space Tug, in order to rescue one of its satellites. The Robotic System will come from SpaceLogistics, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman and is planned for a SpaceX launch in 2024. The MRV varies slightly from two previous space tugs […]
A report from analysts at Paris-based Euroconsult and ST Engineering iDirect says that the satellite industry is set for unprecedented transformation, with the impact of cloud-based systems, the introduction of next-generation NGSO broadband constellations, and convergence towards a unified 5G network architecture. However, ground segments will also have to play a pivotal role to allow […]
The Jeff Bezos-backed Blue Origin rocket system says it plans to more than double the number of people it lofts into sub-orbital space upon its New Shepard vehicle. It was a New Shepard rocket which carried William Shatner into sub-orbital space last October. Bob Smith, chief executive of Blue Origin, speaking at the annual FAA […]
Chamath Palihapitiya, chairman and a member of Virgin Galactic’s board, Is stepping down. He says he wants “to focus on other public company board commitments.” His departure is immediate, says a company statement. As part of the announcement, the Board appointed director Evan Lovell as Interim Chairman until a new chair is in place. Lovell […]