Japan JAXA SLIM lunar lander successfully touches down on moon

Japan JAXA SLIM lunar lander successfully touches down on moon

An artist’s rendition of the SLIM lunar lander on the moon’s surface. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency Japan staked a claim as a national space power on Friday, as its SLIM spacecraft landed on the moon. The country’s SLIM lander launched in September and touched down on the lunar surface around 10:20 a.m. ET, according to … Read more

Pentagon awards satellite contracts to L3Harris, Lockheed, Sierra Space

Pentagon awards satellite contracts to L3Harris, Lockheed, Sierra Space

Lockheed Martin’s Tranche 0 Transport Layer satellites are seen in one of the company’s processing facilities. Lockheed Martin The Pentagon on Tuesday announced about $2.5 billion in contracts will go to L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, and Sierra Space to build satellites for an expanding military system. The U.S. Space Force’s Space Development Agency is having the … Read more

2023 rebound and heavy M&A

2023 rebound and heavy M&A

A long exposure photo shows the company’s fourth Alpha rocket mission launching from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on Dec. 22, 2023. Sean Parker / Firefly Aerospace Investment in the space sector bounced back last year, rebounding closer to the record high of 2021, according to a report Tuesday by New York-based Space Capital. “Investment … Read more

Space company Momentus MNTS running out of money

Space company Momentus MNTS running out of money

An artist’s rendering of a Momentus Vigoride transfer vehicle deploying a satellite in orbit. Momentus Space company Momentus warned shareholders in a securities filing on Friday that the company is running out of money and does not have a financial lifeline. Momentus, once valued at more than $1 billion before going public via a special … Read more

SpaceX, T-Mobile send first texts via Starlink satellites

SpaceX, T-Mobile send first texts via Starlink satellites

SpaceX founder Elon Musk and T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert on stage during a T-Mobile and SpaceX joint event on August 25, 2022 in Boca Chica Beach, Texas. Michael Gonzalez | Getty Images SpaceX successfully sent text messages via Starlink satellites using T-Mobile’s network, it announced Wednesday, as Elon Musk’s company aims bring its direct-to-device cell … Read more

NASA delays crewed Artemis moon missions

NASA delays crewed Artemis moon missions

The crew members of the Artemis 2 mission of the U.S. space agency NASA, left to right, Reid Wiseman Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen, stand at a press event in the ArianeGroup building. Hauke-Christian Dittrich | Picture Alliance | Getty Images NASA is pushing back the schedule for upcoming missions of its flagship … Read more

Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon mission for NASA falls short

Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon mission for NASA falls short

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander is seen during preparations for launch near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. United Launch Alliance Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic’s inaugural lunar mission suffered a malfunction shortly after launch, and the company is calling off the landing attempt. It would have been the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years. Astrobotic … Read more

ULA Vulcan rocket launches as the newest challenger to SpaceX

ULA Vulcan rocket launches as the newest challenger to SpaceX

The brand new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur, lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41d at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on January 8, 2024, for its maiden voyage, carrying Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lunar Lander.  Chandan Khanna | AFP | Getty Images A new U.S. rocket reached orbit early Monday, … Read more

SpaceX charged with illegally firing workers critical of Elon Musk

SpaceX charged with illegally firing workers critical of Elon Musk

C.E.O. of Tesla, Chief Engineer of SpaceX and C.T.O. of X Elon Musk speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit on November 29, 2023 in New York City. Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images The U.S. National Labor Relations Board has filed a complaint against SpaceX, alleging that Elon Musk’s defense contractor illegally … Read more

SpaceX rockets set new launch record in 2023

SpaceX rockets set new launch record in 2023

A SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket with the Psyche spacecraft launches from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Oct. 13, 2023. Chandan Khanna | AFP | Getty Images Elon Musk’s SpaceX smashed its previous annual record for orbital rocket launches, pulling off 96 successful missions in 2023 at a blistering average launch pace … Read more