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Virgin Orbit Extends Shutdown, Lifeline Investment Talks Collapse
According to a company-wide email from CEO Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit will be extending its operational pause again to pursue an investment that could save the company.
NASA Associate Administrator Announces Retirement, Replacement Announced
March 27, 2023
ABL Space Secures $60M USSF/USAF Demo Contract
March 26, 2023
Canada Commits To ISS 2030 Extension
March 26, 2023
In Space
Canada Commits To ISS 2030 Extension
March 26, 2023
Canada has formally committed to an extension of the International Space Station to 2030.
SpaceX Starlink V2 Satellites Experiencing Problems On Orbit
March 22, 2023
SpaceX may need to deorbit some of the first batch of larger second-generation Starlink satellites due to issues they are currently facing.
ispace's HAKUTO-R M1 Lunar Lander Successfully Enters Moon Orbit
March 21, 2023
ispace announced that its HAKUTO-R M1 Lunar Lander has successfully entered orbit around the Moon. The lander performed its first lunar orbit insertion manoeuvre at 10:24 (JST) on March 21, under the direction of ispace engineers at the HAKUTO-R Mission Control Center in Nihonbashi, Japan.
NASA's SWOT Spacecraft Resumes Operations After Primary Instrument Shutdown
March 20, 2023
NASA's Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite has resumed its commissioning activities after the main scientific instrument, the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn), was shut off in late January. According to a press release from the space agency, the KaRIn has been restored to regular operations using a backup power unit.
NASA AIM Earth Orbiter Mission Ends Following Battery Issues
March 16, 2023
After more than 15 years of operation, NASA’s Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) spacecraft has ceased operations due to battery issues.
America
Virgin Orbit Extends Shutdown, Lifeline Investment Talks Collapse
March 27, 2023
According to a company-wide email from CEO Dan Hart, Virgin Orbit will be extending its operational pause again to pursue an investment that could save the company.
NASA Associate Administrator Announces Retirement, Replacement Announced
March 27, 2023
NASA Associate Administrator, Kathy Lueders announces retirement; Ken Bowersoz announced as new head of Space Operations.
ABL Space Secures $60M USSF/USAF Demo Contract
March 26, 2023
ABL Space Systems has secured a $60 million contract from the US Space Force and US Air Force.
Blue Origin Completes NS-23 Investigation, Releases Findings
March 24, 2023
Blue Origin has completed and released its findings from the investigation of their NS-23 in flight anomaly and abort.
Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Delayed
March 23, 2023
NASA has announced that Boeing Starliner's Crew Flight Test has officially been delayed.
Europe
Rolls-Royce Collaborates with UK Space Agency to Develop Lunar Nuclear Reactor
March 18, 2023
Rolls-Royce secures funding from UK Space Agency to develop nuclear power technology for future lunar base. Micro-Reactor programme aims to provide continuous power, increasing duration and scientific value of missions. Project receives £2.9m funding, with reactor set to be ready for the Moon by 2029.
Goonhilly Announces US Sat Comm Network Expansion
March 15, 2023
Goonhilly Earth Station continues its global expansion with the acquisition of two teleports in the United States.
SpaceX Introduces £15 Per Month Starlink Rental Offer in UK
March 08, 2023
SpaceX has announced a new initiative to make its Starlink internet service more accessible to potential customers in the United Kingdom (UK).
Europropulsion Completes Manufacturing of Final Ariane 5 EAP
March 05, 2023
In March, 2023, the last ever Ariane 5 EAP (Etage d'Acceleration à Poudre, or Solid Rocket Booster in English) was completed at the solid propellant production plant (UPG) facility in French Guiana, marking the end of an era for the European space industry.
German Startup 'Rivada' Books 12 Falcon 9 Flights
March 03, 2023
In the ever growing field of space startups, Rivada Space Networks is hoping to find its niche in high-capacity broadband internet with a 600 satellite constellation launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9..
Asia
OneWeb Completes V1 Constellation With India Launch
March 26, 2023
The ISRO successfully launched 26 OneWeb internet satellites, completing OneWeb's first generation constellation.
China Loses UAE As Lunar Mission Partner
March 24, 2023
An agreement for a United Arab Emirates (UAE) rover to fly on China’s Chang’e-7 lunar mission has reportedly been impacted by US export control rules.
Innospace Test Launches HANBIT-TLV From Brazil Successfully
March 22, 2023
South Korean rocket startup Innospace has successfully launching its HANBIT-TLV suborbital rocket from Brazil's Alcântara Space Center for the first time.
Japanese Lunar Lander Company iSpace Set To Go Public On April 12th
March 13, 2023
Japanese lunar exploration company ispace has won approval to list its shares on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market, just ahead of its first moon landing attempt.
Russia Lofts Luch Relay Satellite Aboard Proton Rocket
March 13, 2023
In the early hours of the morning, the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, successfully launched a Proton-M rocket with a Briz-M upper stage carrying the Luch-5X spacecraft. The launch took place at 02:12:59.981 Moscow time from the 200th site of the Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan.
