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36 articles
Space companies rally to supply medical equipment amid pandemic
While production of rockets and satellites continues across much of the space industry amid the coronavirus pandemic, engineers at several space companies -- including SpaceX, Virgin Orbit and Blue Origin -- have started working on medical devices and protective equipment in response to shortages in hospitals across the United States.
NASA to consider WFIRST launch options after mission passes key review
NASA expects to select a launch vehicle next year to carry the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope -- a multibillion-dollar flagship astrophysics observatory targeted for cancellation by the Trump administration -- into space in 2025 after the mission passed a key review last month, agency officials said.
SpaceX offering Starship to NASA for lunar landing missions
SpaceX is eligible to propose using its next-generation Starship vehicle to carry NASA robotic science payloads to the lunar surface, the U.S. space agency announced Monday, on missions that could precede future Starship flights with people on-board. SpaceX is one of five companies NASA selected Monday to join a roster of commercial transportation providers to deliver scientific instruments and technology demonstration packages to the moon as soon as 2022.
Q&A with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (members only)
Speaking with Spaceflight Now on the sidelines of the International Astronautical Congress this week, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine offered his assessment on the status of a budget battle to secure funding for the agency's Artemis program, which seeks to achieve the next human landing on the moon by the end of 2024.
Bezos says space industry stalwarts will help Blue Origin build moon lander
Blue Origin has partnered with Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman to build elements of the company's human-rated lunar lander, and Draper will lead development of the lander's avionics and guidance systems, with an aim to be ready to land a crew on the moon by 2024, company founder Jeff Bezos announced Tuesday.
NASA announces funding for moon and Mars mission tech
NASA announced agreements worth a combined $43.2 million with 14 commercial partners Friday -- including Blue Origin and SpaceX -- to fund experiments in propellant and power generation, in-space refueling, efficient propulsion systems, and lunar rover technology.
ULA, Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman share Air Force rocket funding
The U.S. Air Force has committed $109 million in funding to advance development of new rockets designed by United Launch Alliance, Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman, leaving out SpaceX in a government investment round that will lead to the military's selection of two long-term launch providers in late 2019 or 2020.
Bezos rocket engine selected for new Vulcan rocket
Ending months of speculation, Blue Origin, a company owned by Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos, has won a milestone contract to provide first-stage rocket engines for a powerful new booster being designed by United Launch Alliance to replace its current fleet of Atlas and Delta launchers, the companies announced Thursday.
White House emphasizes industry over science in Space Council appointments
A roster of representatives from the commercial space industry, astronauts, retired military officers and politicians will advise the National Space Council as the top-level government panel seeks to reshape U.S. space policy, regulations and exploration strategies.
World’s largest methane-fueled rocket engine test-fired by Blue Origin
Blue Origin has conducted the first hotfire test of its BE-4 rocket engine in West Texas, a powerplant fueled by liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen that will power the company's heavy-lift New Glenn rocket and perhaps United Launch Alliance's next-generation Vulcan launcher, officials announced Thursday.